The city of Terraverde sprawled out before them, vibrant and bustling with life. Ashura glanced back at the dense forest behind him, a sense of nostalgia creeping into his chest. Valerie walked ahead, her steps confident and purposeful, but he hesitated, his gaze drawn to a familiar path off to the side.
"What's wrong?" Valerie asked, noticing his pause.
Ashura looked at her, a thoughtful frown on his face. "I'll be right back. I... forgot something."
Before Valerie could respond, he darted off into the forest, his feet light on the worn path. Memories surfaced as he traced his way back to that clearing the one where he used to wait for Valerie during his early days of training. There it was the massive rock, unchanged yet strangely significant.
He stepped closer, his fingers brushing the rough surface as his mind drifted to that peculiar memory. The first time he'd sat on that rock, an otherworldly presence had approached him a luminous, radiant being, its form blurry and almost celestial. The being's voice had resonated within his soul, offering him something he hadn't fully understood back then.
The being had planted a sharp mirror fragment into his body, separating his soul from his body. Then it made an offer to be its successor. Ashura hadn't fully comprehended the gravity of that offer, but he had accepted without hesitation. As if in approval, the being had smiled and offered the rock as a gift a simple, unassuming stone that he hadn't thought much of at the time.
Standing before it now, Ashura couldn't help but wonder what that gift truly was. He crouched down, circling the boulder, and noticed faint markings at its base runic words etched into the stone. They were strange, ancient symbols, he didn't understand.
His instincts urged him to reach out, so he pressed his palm against the rock and channeled his Cosmic Aura. The energy flowed from his hand, enveloping the stone, and the runes reacted glowing softly before shattering into tiny fragments of light that dispersed into the air like fireflies.
The atmosphere around the rock changed the subtle pressure that had always lingered there vanished, leaving an odd emptiness in its wake. Ashura's gaze narrowed as he examined the rock further.
"Was that some kind of seal?" he muttered.
He took a deep breath, focusing his energy into his legs, arms, back, and core. With a determined push, he heaved against the rock, muscles straining as he shifted the enormous boulder. It groaned and rolled aside, revealing something hidden beneath.
A box, wrapped in an old, tattered cloth, its fabric stained with dried blood. Intrigued and cautious, Ashura knelt and picked it up, carefully unwrapping the cloth. The box was crafted from dark wood, engraved with symbols similar to those on the rock.
His heart pounded as he ran his fingers over the smooth surface, a sense of significance weighing on him. Holding the box tightly, he turned back and sprinted toward the city.
When he finally reached Valerie, she raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. "What was that about?"
Ashura caught his breath, holding up the box. "A forgotten gift."
Valerie glanced at it, curiosity flashing in her eyes, but she didn't press him. Instead, she just nodded. "Fine. Let's get moving. We have a lot of things to do."
Ashura followed, his thoughts swirling around the strange gift and the memories of that being. Whatever it was, he had a feeling it was something important something he'd have to understand eventually.
As they left the forest behind, the bustling heart of Terraverde greeted them with its lively streets, merchants calling out their wares, and warriors sparring in open training areas. The sheer energy of the city was invigorating, and Ashura's eyes wandered from stall to stall, observing the vibrant life all around.
Valerie led the way to a nearby inn, pushing the heavy wooden door open. The place was modest but clean, with a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Valerie approached the innkeeper and paid for a room before handing Ashura a small bag of coins.
"Go get something to eat from the food stalls outside," she instructed. "I'll put away our stuff."
Ashura nodded and stepped back outside, the aroma of grilled meat and baked bread hitting him instantly. His mouth watered, but before he could decide on where to start, a familiar, cocky voice cut through the crowd.
"Well, well! Look who finally made it out of the woods!"
Ashura turned to see Ryuto, his older brother, strutting toward him with his usual smug grin. At 14 years old, Ryuto looked proud and full of himself, dressed in finely woven training gear, his bronze hair tied back.
"Oh? Didn't know they let little runts like you wander the streets alone," Ryuto taunted, looking Ashura up and down. "You still trailing behind your babysitter? Or did she finally give up on you?"
Ashura didn't respond, his gaze calm and unwavering.
Ryuto scoffed, crossing his arms. "You know, you really should stay in the forest. The Ironblood Tournament is coming up, and you'll just embarrass yourself if you try to enter. Not that you'd even qualify, mute."
Ashura barely reacted, but Valerie, who had just stepped out of the inn, raised an eyebrow. Ryuto noticed her and straightened up, clearly trying to show off.
"I'll dominate that tournament," Ryuto continued, puffing out his chest. "*Hazel* said I have the best chance of winning. After all, I'm Clan Nova's prodigy. Everyone else is just filler."
Ashura remained silent, his expression stoic, but something sparked in his gaze when Ryuto mentioned the tournament. Ryuto smirked, mistaking his interest for intimidation.
"You planning on entering too?" Ryuto sneered. "Maybe I'll let you watch me crush the competition if you beg for it."
"Okay," Ashura said simply, catching Ryuto completely off guard.
Ryuto's jaw dropped, eyes widening as if he'd just seen a ghost. "You..You can talk?!"
Ashura ignored him, turning to Valerie for approval. She gave him a nod, a faint smile playing on her lips.
Ryuto regained his composure, but the shock hadn't faded from his face. "Hah! Don't think you'll last five seconds. I'll wipe the floor with you if we meet in the arena!"
Ashura didn't bother responding, already heading toward the registration area with Valerie in tow. Ryuto just stood there, too stunned to form another insult.
As they walked through the bustling streets, Valerie glanced at Ashura. "I see you're already making rivals."
Ashura shrugged. "He's loud."
Valerie chuckled. "That he is. Come on, let's get you signed up."
As they approached the registration table, Ashura couldn't help but feel a faint thrill at the thought of testing himself in the tournament. Despite Ryuto's boasting, he knew that the real challenge wasn't his brother it was proving just how far he had come.
To be Continued