A sharp ache jolted Isaac awake. His twenty-year-old body felt heavy, his mind foggy. The air smelled of damp earth and herbs.
As his vision cleared, he found himself staring into a pair of wide, startled eyes. A young woman hovered over him, her face inches from his.
For a moment, neither of them moved. Then, her cheeks flushed red, and she stumbled back. Without a word, she spun on her heel and dashed out of the tent, calling for someone.
Isaac groaned and rubbed his temples. His fingers brushed against his medium-length brown hair, damp with sweat. He blinked, adjusting to the dim light, his brown eyes scanning his surroundings.
"Where… am I?"
Forcing himself upright, he ignored the dull pain spreading through his body. He needed answers. With a thought, he checked his status.
[System Integration Progress: 45%.]
He looked down at his chest, where bandages wrapped around his wound. Slowly, he removed them, revealing that the wound had only slightly healed.
"Why is this taking so long? Could it be because the integration isn't complete yet?" he muttered.
Before he could think further, the tent flap opened, and an elderly bald man entered, slightly hunched, with the woman from earlier following behind.
"How are you feeling, sir?" the old man asked, smiling as he held out a cup of water. "Here, drink this."
Isaac accepted the water but didn't drink it right away. "Where am I?"
"We are in the forest of Dudael. It's part of Bulcan."
Bulcan? The name sounded unfamiliar to the new Isaac. He searched his memories and realized it was a neighboring kingdom of Carreon. Unlike Carreon, Bulcan was small and weak, struggling to survive.
"Ah..." Isaac murmured before finally drinking the water.
"And who are you?" he asked.
The old man smiled. "Call me Peter."
"Our companions found you injured and unconscious not far from here. It's a miracle you're still alive, given your wounds."
Isaac stayed silent, but his stomach growled loudly.
Peter chuckled and looked at the woman. "Aiah, could you get some food for the gentleman?" She nodded and quickly left.
"You were unconscious for two days," Peter continued.
"Two days?" Isaac frowned. But the integration is still only at 45%? That didn't make sense. The process should have been much faster.
"May I know your name, sir?" Peter asked.
Isaac hesitated before answering. "Isaac."
Just then, Aiah returned, carrying food.
"Eat first, Isaac," Peter said with a smile. "But eat slowly to avoid upsetting your stomach."
Isaac took a bite, then quickly devoured the rest. Hunger overpowered his caution. Peter watched with quiet amusement.
After the meal, exhaustion crept over him again. Isaac felt his eyelids growing heavy.
Before he drifted off, he faintly heard Aiah whisper to Peter, "The eyeglass measurement says he's just a Class-E."
Peter chuckled. "Sometimes, feelings can see what the eyes can't."
With that, Isaac slipped into sleep once more.
—-----
Inside Isaac's void, everything was darkness. The being could hear distant whispers, Isaac parents' voices, the villagers' screams, and Mikaela's betrayal.
"Your soul should have faded already. Why do you still exist?"
Then Isaac's soul slowly emerged from the darkness, clenching his fists, shaking. "I don't know either."
"This body is mine now," the being declared.
"But here I am, still stuck inside," Isaac replied.
'Is this why the integration isn't complete?' the being wondered.
Before he could think further, a noise broke through the void.
A distant sound, shouting, crying, and clashing metal.
—-----
Back in reality, Isaac's eyes slowly opened. He stood up to see what was happening outside. His body was still aching.
As he stepped out of the tent, the sight before him was brutal. The camp was in ruins. People were being dragged away, their screams filling the air. The soldiers moved through the camp without mercy, cutting down anyone who resisted.
Isaac frowned. "What is going on?"
He didn't know who these soldiers were or why they were attacking. But one thing was clear, these people had saved him. Now they were being captured.
His confusion faded. He made his decision.
He clenched his fists. He couldn't stand by and watch them die.
Ignoring the pain, he rushed toward the nearest soldier. His movements were sluggish, but he managed to slam his fist into the soldier's face. The man staggered back, stunned. Seizing the moment, Isaac grabbed the fallen soldier's sword and swung wildly at another enemy.
The blade was heavy in his hands and seemed unfamiliar. The soldier dodged and countered with a powerful strike. Isaac barely blocked in time, but his arms were shaking from the impact.
'Damn it… why am I this weak?'
His body wasn't fully adapted. His power inside him felt nonexistent.
A soldier lunged at him. Isaac twisted his body, narrowly avoiding the spear aimed at his chest. With a desperate move, he swung his sword and cut down his attacker. But before he could catch his breath, another soldier charged.
This time, Isaac wasn't fast enough. A heavy kick slammed into his side, sending him crashing to the ground. His ribs screamed in pain.
Then, the crowd parted. A towering man in dark armor stepped forward, the commander of the soldiers.
Isaac forced himself to stand and gripped his sword tightly.
The commander smirked. "You're still standing? Impressive for a Class-E."
Without warning, the commander lunged.
His attack was too fast.
Isaac barely saw the blade before it slashed into his chest. His vision blurred as he was thrown back, his body skidding across the dirt. Blood dripped from his mouth.
'I can't move…'
The last he saw was the tall man raising his sword for the final blow.
Then, darkness swallowed him.
—-----
While chaos ensued, Aiah went to her younger brother in their tent.
"Didi, Didi, wake up!" She shook her little brother to wake him.
"Yes, sister?" Didi asked, rubbing his eyes.
"We have to run. The soldiers are here." Aiah quickly carried him out of the tent.
They carefully avoided the chaos to remain unnoticed. When they reached the back of a tree, which seemed far enough from the turmoil, she put Didi down and peeked at the ongoing commotion.
"Didi, stay here," she instructed, holding his cheek. "Don't leave. I'll be back."
Didi nodded.
Aiah carefully stepped out from behind the tree, her heart pounding. She looked around, searching for Elder Peter. The camp was in chaos. People screamed and ran, while others fought desperately against the soldiers. Some had already been captured.
She had to help.
A soldier raised his sword, about to strike an old man. Without hesitation, Aiah lifted her hand. Heat gathered in her palm.
"[Fireball!]"
A small burst of fire shot forward, hitting the soldier in the chest. He stumbled back, his armor scorched. The old man quickly escaped.
Before Aiah could react, another soldier charged at her with his sword, but she quickly ducked and rolled to the side. Raising both hands, she created a ring of fire around her. The soldier hesitated, stepping back.
She turned just in time to see another enemy lunging at her. Aiah raised her hand again. Flames shot out, burning the soldier's arm. He yelled in pain and fell to the ground.
Other soldiers noticed her. They stopped, watching her closely.
From a distance, a deep voice gave an order.
"Capture the fire mage!"
Aiah turned and saw a tall man in dark armor. His eyes were cold and focused on her. He was the chief of the soldiers.
The soldiers around her attacked at once. Aiah clenched her fists. She raised her hands and sent another wave of fire forward, forcing them back. Sweat now ran down her face. She was using too much energy.
"Aiah!"
She turned and saw Elder Peter running toward her. His face looked worried.
"You have to escape!" Peter grabbed her arm. "They must not capture you!"
Aiah shook her head. "I won't leave you behind!"
Before Peter could respond, three soldiers rushed toward them. Aiah stepped in front of him, raising her hands. Fire burst out, blocking the soldiers' path.
The soldiers spread out, trying to surround her.
Aiah took a deep breath. She swung her arm, sending a stream of fire at one of them. The soldier barely dodged, but another attacked from her side. She blocked with a fire barrier, but her movements were slowing.
The commander watched from a distance. He saw that his men were struggling to capture her.
After using a measuring eyeglass, he stepped forward.
"Enough!"
His voice was firm. The soldiers immediately stepped back.
Aiah turned toward him, breathing heavily.
The commander ran a hand over his chest plate and smirked. "What a feisty little thing." His gaze roamed over her body, making Aiah's stomach churn.
"You know," he continued, grinning, "I like my women with some fire in them." He laughed at his own joke. "Come quietly, little firefly, and I might just keep you for myself instead of making you a slave like the others."
Aiah's fingers tightened into fists.
The commander sighed dramatically. "Or... you can resist. That'll be fun too." He spread his arms. "I do love it when they squirm."
Aiah glared at him, her chest burning with rage.
The commander licked his lips. "Mmm, I wonder how long you'll keep that fire before I break you."
Aiah raised her hands, her flames burning brighter.
The commander grinned wider and drew his sword.
"Let's see how hot you really are."