Aiden Nightshade

I wasn't so sure that I agreed with that.

But I couldn't doubt what had transpired before my eyes in these past few seconds. The battleground had turned silent. The crowd had only managed to expand as the battle continued, and many of the students were now gawking at the two combatants.

"Know your place…" Ferhill's voice reverberated across the field, his words stinging Onyx as he backed away. At that moment, the former kicked the latter's face, drawing blood and "disarming" his opponent.

The objective had been achieved.

The spar was over.

"Ferhill Ongs is the winner," said Mr. Pate, but no one clapped. Ferhill calmly returned to the lineup, but the discomfort among other students was evident. Onyx slowly got up, his head down and his fists clenched.

He shakily walked to the lineup, standing away from the others, blood dripping from his lips.

I now understood Mr. Pate's strategy.

He used these kinds of spars to draw the combatants' weaknesses, through which he can help them overcome them. While Ferill lacked strength and proper stamina, Onyx lacked a firm mindset and composure.

Having them work on these aspects through their first semester would be best for them.

Moreover, it made for great entertainment.

Mr. Pate suddenly looked down at his watch before clicking his tongue. "You guys fought for way too long. We're already out of time. Okay, we'll continue this tomorrow, so bring your best package to spar tomorrow."

As he said those words, Mr. Pate suddenly disappeared. 

That… That's just how he was.

As the students dispersed, my eyes–of course–fell on my opponent. It was the teen I was supposed to defeat tomorrow, Aiden Nightshade. 

The teen and I locked eyes for a split second as we crossed paths, but even that was enough to convey our thoughts. I knew it was going to be difficult to win, but perhaps this was my first challenge in this world.

If I didn't start strong, how would I become the greatest?

How would I become Emperor?

***

As dusk encroached upon the lands of Melisande, the highest domain bled into a slight orangish hue, signaling the approach of nightfall. The breeze had turned somewhat chilly, and a certain coolness could be felt brushing upon one's skin.

Winter had yet to arrive, yet nights were cold.

Amidst the dark sky, a boy stood at the center of a circle of leaves. His fiery, crimson eyes threatened to swallow the world, and his silky, dark hair fluttered like curtains, masking the two beads.

An emotionless expression masked his true self, his eyes locked to the ground.

He braced his core before clenching his fists, flaring his arms out as he flexed them to the extreme. He then shut his eyes tightly, as if anticipating something.

Suddenly, a yellowish hue wrapped around his body, streaks of blue traveling at terrifying speeds across his waist and shoulders. The crackles of lightning resounded across the entire world.

Veins bulged from his muscles as his body exuded immense power, enough to burn a small house to the ground. A shrill scream escaped his lips, yet no sound escaped them. It was a mere gesture.

The ground shook underneath his feet, the debris getting tossed around in various directions as powerful winds blew. Blood escaped his fists as his nails dug into the palms of his hand. The boy endured.

Suddenly, the lightning vanished, and the winds came to a halt. His surroundings returned to normal, but his body was far from it.

He fell to the ground, letting out a weak cough while grabbing at his chest. Wiping the blood from his lips, he muttered… 

"Not enough."

This was Aiden Nightshade, a youth who strived for excellence, who sought greatness, and hoped to become the best… much like almost every other youth in the world. 

Gritting his teeth, Aiden stood up with much trouble, the remnants of the lightning stringing his fatigued body. His knees shook, a wave of discomfort assaulting his physical and mental state as he recovered from the power he'd just used.

Releasing a light sigh, he sat on the ground, clutching his head with his hands.

He laid down, staring at the starry sky up above, unobstructed by the clouds that seemed to have moved far, far away. 

Unconsciously, he moved his arm upwards, clutching something.

"Mom… Dad…"

His voice contained emptiness, but a trace of what he'd lost… or what had been snatched away from him.

Suddenly, a light smile brightened his expression. 

"I'm doing well on my own, mom. Don't worry."

"Yes, I'm doing well in school, dad."

With those words, he closed his eyes so as to prevent something from leaking. 

"Tomorrow, I need to win. It's not a matter of "if" I win. I 'need' to win."

Determination replaced his melancholy, dedication taking sadness' place. No matter what happened… if mountains collapsed or wars broke out… nothing could stop him from reaching the summit.

If not for himself, then for his parents.

For how he'd been wronged his entire life.

To fill the void in his heart.

He didn't care who obstructed his path. 

He would cut them all down.

With a revitalized mind and a rejuvenated body, he stood up. His parents hadn't named him "Aiden" for no reason. The ember would grow into a powerful, voracious flame that would consume everything.

As he was thinking about all this, something happened.

An explosion occurred somewhere in the distance, summoning all the lights of the starry sky to its disposal. The sky seemingly lost all its fervor for a split second, degrading into nothing but an empty abyss.

His eyes widened, and his eardrums shook at the deafening noise that followed the intense explosion of light.

It was like a sonic boom.

Aiden felt his hair stand up.

The power contained within the explosion was similar to his own. It sparked his interest.

"Should I check it out?"

He thought for a few seconds, scratching his chin.

"Nah, who cares?"

But a shiver shot down his spine.