Hells Order

Leon sardonically grinned, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Trouble finds me, Kudzai. And who are these little fledglings you're showing around? Are they lost?"

I felt a surge of annoyance, but Kudzai intervened with a glare before I could respond, "These 'little fledglings,' as you call them, are first-year students—Antaeus, Everley, and Nailah. Show some respect."

Leon glanced over us dismissively, "First years? Well, well. I hope you enjoy your stay at the academy. But remember, this place is not for the faint-hearted. If you can't handle the pressure, you might as well pack your bags now."

I clenched my fists, feeling the tension rise. Before any words were exchanged, Kudzai stepped forward, his aura crackling with energy. I thought I saw a flash of electricity around him but I dismissed it as my imagination.

"Enough, Leon. We were having a peaceful tour, and I won't let you spoil it."

Leon chuckled mockingly, "Peaceful tour? How dull. I'll leave you to your babysitting duties, Storm King. Just remember, not everyone here will be as forgiving."

With that parting jab, Leon sauntered away, disappearing into the bustling activity of the academy lobby. Kudzai sighed, "I apologize for that. Leon has a way of stirring up trouble. Ignore him."

"It's okay, Senior. He's not the first to antagonize us," Nailah said with an understanding smile.

Everley nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I already forgot their names, but it looked like they wanted our sunstones."

I retrieved one from my pocket with a curious expression. Its surface was a smooth, golden yellow, and it was oval in shape, about the size of an egg.

"You don't know what sunstones are? Right, you just joined today," Kudzai said, scratching his head. Noticing our curiosity, he continued with a serious look.

"Sunstones are precious tools to help you advance your Jorin stages. They carry Astral Energy, but this energy is wild and untamed and needs to be refined further. Astral Energy Techniques help you do this. As with every tool or technique, Sunstones are divided into three tiers: Low Tier, Mid Tier, and High Tier. Judging by the size of your sunstones, you all have Mid Tier ones."

I quickly put my sunstone away as I noticed people looking at it with covetous glances. "I have so many questions!" I exclaimed.

"Well, you'll learn more tomorrow. Don't worry too much," Kudzai said.

Everley tugged at my arm, prompting me to look at her. "You should wait until tomorrow. For now, let's explore this place," she suggested.

Nailah chuckled with a teasing expression. "Yeah, don't you want to have fun with two beauties instead?" She linked her arm to mine, and her sweet scent filled my senses as she drew closer. I stood frozen, caught off guard by her boldness.

'Why is she so bold, and how will Everley react?' My thoughts ran wild.

'Wait, why am I worried about Everley's reaction?'

'Do I like Everley like that?'

I swiveled my gaze towards Everley, seeking her reaction. Her expression was unreadable, her eyes fixed on Nailah with a hint of amusement. Nailah's hand tightened around mine, her touch sending a jolt of warmth through my arm.

"Well, what do you say, Antaeus?" Nailah asked, her voice laced with playful challenge. "Are you ready for an adventure with two captivating beauties?"

Everley's lips curved into a sly smile, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "I'm game," she wrap harm around mine just like Nailah, her voice as confident as ever.

Kudzai laughed, shaking his head at the turn of events. "Looks like you're in for a wild ride, Antaeus," he said, patting my shoulder with a knowing grin.

Everley's eyes met mine, and I saw a hint of amusement in her gaze. She didn't seem bothered by Nailah's flirtatious behavior, which put me at ease. "S-sure, exploring sounds like fun," I said nervously, breaking out of my stupor.

Turning to Kudzai who was still looking at us in amusement I shake my head and ask, "And Leon called you Storm King?"

"I forgot to mention I'm the first on the Storm Tower Elemental Mastery Rank board." Kudzai's face becomes filled with pride, "Impressive huh !"

"Definitely impressive, but you might want to becareful, we have a friend who might challege you one of these days!" I say as we we continue to explore the Tower, sizing up everything. The air was very cool and the people around us were in different groups. No one stood alone except a few people.

Their auras were the most pronounced. I also couldn't help but feel both of the two girls skin rubbing against mine. Nailah and Everley both wore different outfits.

Everley wore a white sun dress, with its subtle floral pattern, cascaded gracefully to just above her knees, capturing the essence of summer.

Delicate shoulder straps embraced the sun-kissed glow on her skin, and a thin woven belt accentuated her waist with a touch of elegance. Paired with strappy sandals, the outfit embodied a simple yet timeless charm, mirroring the brightness of a sunlit day.

While Nailah wore a black plaid skirt paired with a neon pink t-shirt adorned with a graphic of a roaring tiger, symbolizing her untamed spirit.

Around her waist, a makeshift belt of intertwined ribbons adds a touch of whimsy. Lily insists on wearing mismatched knee-high socks—one black, the other red declaring her rebellion against conformity. Her choice of worn-in, lace-up combat boots serves as a testament to her readiness for any adventure that comes her way.

What a contrast, I think to myself. Soon we were done exploring. Since Kudzai said that most towers are designed the same way as the fire tower, we decided to call it day and go back to our dorms.

Everley pinched my waist hard before going in to her dorm room as she snorted gently and whispered, "You enjoyed her being close to you too much !"

*Bang* the door shut and I stood there amused and helpless at the sametime.

"Women are mysterious creatures or am I just dumb ?"

I entered my own dorm room and sighed, relieved to be back to what will be my home for the next few year.

*Grumbleeee !* My stomach voiced its dissatisfaction, compelling me to cast a longing glance towards the kitchen.

Should I indulge in the tantalizing spiciness of the Fiery Chicken, or should the comforting aroma of Bison Stew embrace my senses? The holographic menu shimmered with possibilities on the kitchen assistant.

Making my way to the kitchen, the ambient light played on the self-cleaning countertops, giving the space an ethereal glow.

The orb-shaped kitchen assistant hovered gracefully, ready to bring my gastronomic desires to life. The ingredients, meticulously chosen for their quality, teased my appetite, creating an atmosphere of culinary anticipation.

Seated on the chair, the smooth surface of the countertop cool against my palms, I called out to Fran, my AI companion. "Fran," I summoned with a sense of hunger in my voice.

"Yes, Antaeus?" Fran's response echoed, weaving seamlessly into the technological symphony of the kitchen.

"Prepare for me a feast: Bison Stew, Fiery Chicken, and a side of stiff porridge. My appetite rivals that of a Spirit Beast today."

"Affirmative, Antaeus," Fran acknowledged, initiating the culinary spectacle that would soon unfold in the futuristic haven of flavors.

The orb-shaped assistant transformed into humanoid form, its movements fluid and precise. It looked like a normal person with a blank face. Just that it was metallic.

"Do you want me replicate the food or make it traditionally young master." Its voice was robotic.

"I want to go to bed fast today so just replicate it for me, I still don't know how this works." I say with a bit of shame.

"Thats okay young master, I'm here to do your bidding"

Soon the the aroma of Bison Stew and Fiery Chicken overwhelmed my senses and my appetite. The aromatic smell made my mouth water in anticipation.

A minute later the food was infront of me and I ate with abandon.

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While Antaeus Mustafa ate with nary a worry in the world. Something darker was brewing. Will he be able to face it or will his Cursed Fate destroy all he cares about ?

The stars hide no lies but will those who have eyes see the truth they show ?

-Central Region-

-Hells Order-

Across the vast Central Region, within the sinister depths of the Hells Order, a formidable entity resided within a fortress that defied the ravages of time, its impregnable walls shielding a power capable of leveling an entire region.

A figure of imposing presence, adorned with ebony horns that pierced his forehead, sat upon a throne carved from the bones of his vanquished foes.

His crimson eyes, burning with an otherworldly intensity, held the power to strike fear into the hearts of even the most hardened warriors.

A chilling chuckle echoed through the cavernous hall as he declared, "And so it commences, the prelude to the Second Heaven's War, a conflict that will engulf the world in its fiery embrace.

Little did they foresee that a mere boy would possess the Divine Mark Of Laws, a divine power that will challenge the very foundations of their celestial reign. Oh, what a delightful spectacle this shall be!"

With a surge of demonic energy, he rose from his throne, his laughter reverberating through the halls, sending shivers down the spines of those unfortunate enough to bear witness to his macabre merriment.

"Let us bestow upon this boy a glimpse of the formidable forces he must confront," he proclaimed, his voice laced with a sinister relish.

In a deafening sonic boom, he shattered the fortress walls, leaving behind a trail of destruction as he embarked on his ominous mission.

The unfortunate souls who inhabited the fortress were consumed by the chaos unleashed in their lord's wake, their fates sealed by their proximity to this malevolent entity.

And so, the stage was set for a clash of titanic proportions, a battle that would determine the fate of the world.

Would Antaeus, the bearer of the Divine Mark Of Laws, rise to meet the challenge, or would the Hells Order, fueled by their insatiable hunger for power, plunge the world into an abyss of eternal darkness?

The answer, like the stars themselves, remained shrouded in mystery, waiting to be revealed in the pages yet unwritten.

"End Of Volume One: Cursed Fate"

Authors Note:

This was the most enjoyable writing I've ever done. hopefully you guys also find it enjoyable too !

This also brings us to the end of Volume One: Cursed Fate. Volume 2: Betrayed Fate will be....READ ON TO FIND OUT !