Shadowmancer

Within the deepest archives, the most secret libraries of the gods reside knowledge that has been hidden since before time began - secrets that were never meant to be revealed. But such secrets have their own way of making sure they are found...

The mystery of these secrets, and the power they might bring, has been a source of fascination for many throughout the ages; compelling them to seek out these ancient secrets despite the danger that might await them.

Legends have been passed down through the ages of those brave enough to venture into the unknown and uncover these secrets. It is said that many of these explorers have been rewarded with significant power and knowledge.

However, others have met horrific fates, cursed by the gods, and condemned to an eternity of darkness. These tales are meant to serve as cautionary warnings to remind us of the dangers of the unknown and the importance of respecting the power of the gods. They serve as reminders that the greatest power lies in wisdom. Success can only be found when we are brave enough to take risks and learn from our mistakes.

But what happens if all the gods are dead? Do these cautionary warnings still serve a purpose? Can we still find success and wisdom without them?

Yes, even though all the gods died in the war 10000 years ago, they left behind powerful magic. This is the magic that allows humans to create and shape the world around them. The power of the elements.

Humans use their magical energy as a medium to draw the power of the gods and the elements and to create powerful spells. The spells are recorded in a book called the Book of Gods. To get access to the Book of Gods, one must pass a test that proves their worthiness to wield the power of the gods.

The trials were set by the world itself and are designed to challenge the strength and courage of the individual. The individual must pass these tests to prove they are worthy to wield the power of the gods and gain access to the Book of Gods.

Those chosen for the trial have only one chance to pass, and if they fail, they can never access the divine power of the Book of Gods.

These tests are meant to act as a barrier between the mortal and the divine. This ensures that only those who are truly worthy can access the power of the gods.

As time passed, some people started to get bloodlines from these powerful beings, and the power of these bloodlines has been passed down through generations.

These bloodlines are believed to be endowed with a special power known as "Inherited Magic." This magic has been passed down through generations and is believed to be much more powerful than any other magic. It is still necessary for individuals with these special bloodlines to pass the trial in order to use their magic, but they are often regarded as being more powerful than the average individual.

Since then, the world has only respected the strength of those who can pass the test, and so they have become a symbol of power and prestige.

But humans were not the only ones who got this blessing. The beasts who have also passed the test received power from the Book of gods.

With these powers came the birth of magical minerals, herbs, and treasures, which have properties that no other substance has. These ores and herbs can be used to create powerful artifacts and potions. They can imbue objects or potions with special properties, such as the ability to heal or the power to create illusions.

The incredible capabilities of these artifacts have revolutionized society, creating unprecedented opportunities and transforming lives.

The world has become a place of power and supremacy, where those who passed the trials have access to extraordinary capabilities, And the weak can only succumb to the powerful one, submitting to their will and accepting their superiority in the hierarchy.

***

Aelius devoted his entire life to becoming strong and completing his only mission. His mission of vengeance on those who destroyed his laughing village for no reason.

However, as he began his search but came up empty, he gradually lost hope. He became overwhelmed when he realized how big the job he had set out to do was, and he started to doubt whether one man could make a difference.

He thought about giving up several times, but every time he closed his eyes, he saw images of his village on fire.

When he thought of the screams of children and the cries of old people, the dead bodies on the road and the people begging for their lives, he would be furious. Even when there appeared to be no hope, it motivated him to keep looking.

He would feel the fury bubbling within him, yet he realize that he couldn't simply follow up on that. He was patient all the time and didn't let his feelings affect his judgment because of this.

However, in light of the current circumstance, all of the mental ties he had established to prevent his feelings from leaking began to break down.

"I'm sorry, everyone... It appears that I will never be able to finish our vengeance." Drops of blood mixed with tears fell from Aelius's eyes onto the blood-soaked armor he wore on his chest as he said this. He had been fighting tirelessly for months, pushing himself to his absolute limit and beyond.

A large creature's lifeless body lay some distance away from Aelius, and the creature's sharp finger was stuck in his chest. His surroundings looked like a cave and judging by the devastation, a fierce battle must have occurred there.

There were large chunks of rock scattered around, and the walls were charred and blackened as if a fire had been raging in the cave.

The body of the beast was mangled and covered in wounds, and Aelius's chest was pierced with a fatal wound, showing that he had fought until the very end.

"Cough, cough..." He coughed a mouth full of blood and supported his body against a wall.

Aelius's body was in severe pain, probably more than he had ever felt in his entire 19 years of life, And his one severed hand and the countless bruises that were on his body show how painful his life must have been.

But none of those things hurt his psyche as much as the sense of powerlessness he was currently experiencing.

He wanted to get up from there and carry out his mission, but at the same time, somewhere inside, he was feeling a desire.

A desire for some comfort, a desire to forget everything and rest there forever, and this is what he despises the most about himself.

"I don't want to die just yet! Damn it!" Aelius greeted his teeth and shouted as loudly as he could muster. But after a while, he calmed down and leaned against the wall, looking up.

"What will happen to me now?" he wondered, his voice filled with uncertainty.

He had been in a situation like this more than once before, but this time he felt particularly helpless and alone.

He was desperately hoping for a miracle, a way out of his dire situation, but as he looked around the cave and saw no escape, he resigned himself to his fate.

He took a deep breath, steeling himself for whatever the future would bring.