Chapter 2: A Faint Light in the Darkness
Eli stumbled through the thick forest, his breath ragged, his body trembling under the weight of his mother. His legs ached, but he refused to stop. Gloria's breathing was faint, barely noticeable against the cold night air.
"How did this happen…?" The question echoed in his mind as he pushed forward. Only hours ago, his village was peaceful. Now, it was nothing but blood and corpses. His sister… gone. His home… destroyed. And now, his mother was barely clinging to life.
His vision blurred from exhaustion, but he pressed on, passing through a neighboring village in search of a doctor. But there was none. The people were either too afraid or simply didn't have the skills to help.
Night fell, and the cold bit into his skin. Eli's steps became slower, his arms weaker. Then, in the distance, he saw it—a house with light.
"Maybe… Maybe they can help."
Summoning the last of his strength, he carried his mother toward the house. As he approached, an odd smell filled his nose. Blood.
He hesitated, but desperation overruled his fear. Ignoring the scent, he stepped inside.
And then—
He saw it.
A grotesque creature, its skin dark and cracked like dried leather, was hunched over a corpse, devouring it with a sickening grin. Blood dripped from its jagged teeth as it turned its gaze to Eli.
"Finally… fresh meat."
Eli froze, his body stiff with fear.
Then—another presence.
Something grabbed his mother.
He spun around, his heart lurching. A second creature, identical to the first, loomed behind him, holding Gloria over its shoulder.
"Let her go!" Eli shouted.
The creature merely grinned.
Eli acted on instinct. He grabbed his axe and hurled it at the monster holding his mother—
But with a swift motion, the creature caught it mid-air and laughed.
"Are you mocking me, human?"
Before Eli could react, the first creature lunged at him, punching him in the stomach. The impact sent him flying across the room. He crashed to the ground, his forehead splitting open. Blood trickled down his face.
The second creature tugged on Gloria's arm.
"She's mine," it growled.
"No, we share," the first one argued.
Eli gritted his teeth, his body trembling with fury. Ignoring the pain, he grabbed a nearby wooden plank and struck the creature holding his mother.
It barely flinched.
Instead, they both kicked him to the ground, laughing.
The first creature crouched beside him, licking the blood from its fingers.
"Maybe you'll be my next meal."
Eli's heart pounded. Desperation surged through him. He clenched his fists and did the only thing he could—
He activated his power.
A weak light flickered from his hands, illuminating the dark room.
The creatures stopped. Looked at each other.
Then—
They burst into laughter.
"This… this is your power?" the first one howled.
Eli nodded weakly.
Their laughter grew louder.
Then came the kicks. One after another. Mocking. Beating. Breaking him.
Darkness was closing in.
And then—
A presence.
A figure appeared in the room.
Dressed in black assassin robes. Face hidden behind a hood. A cold aura surrounded him.
The creatures froze. Their eyes widened with fear.
Eli, barely conscious, lifted his head.
Hope surged through him.
Because standing before him was a legend—
One of the Awakened.
An S-Class hero.
The man moved with inhuman speed.
A flash of silver—blood sprayed across the walls.
The creatures barely had time to react before their bodies were sliced apart. Within seconds, they were nothing but dust.
Silence filled the room.
Eli gasped for breath, his body screaming in pain.
The man turned to him. His eyes, hidden beneath his hood, studied Eli carefully.
Then, he extended a hand.
Eli took it.
A warm light enveloped his wounds. His injuries healed instantly.
Relief washed over him.
Eli stared in awe.
"You… You're an Awakened…" he breathed.
The man said nothing, only kneeling beside Gloria. His expression darkened.
"She's been infected," he murmured.
Eli's heart dropped.
"No… No, she's still alive!" he protested.
The Awakened warrior sighed. "I'm sorry, but she won't survive. The Threat's poison is already inside her."
Eli fell to his knees.
Tears welled in his eyes.
"There has to be a way," he whispered.
The warrior hesitated.
Then, his gaze hardened.
"There is one way."
The Awakened warrior stood tall, his cloak shifting slightly with the night breeze. His sharp eyes studied Eli, as if weighing his resolve.
"Can you walk?" he asked.
Eli, despite the pain gnawing at his body, clenched his fists. His legs trembled, his vision was still blurry from exhaustion, but he refused to show weakness. He couldn't.
"Yes," he said, his voice steady.
The warrior gave a small nod.
"Good. Then listen carefully."
He stepped closer, lowering his voice.
"There is someone who might be able to help your mother," he said. "A man who has knowledge beyond any healer. He was one of the Founders of the Awakened. His name is Joseph."
Eli's eyes widened.
A Founder? The ones who created the Awakened—beings strong enough to stand against the darkness?
"Where can I find him?" Eli asked, his heart pounding.
The warrior turned, pointing towards the distant mountains. Even in the dark, their silhouette loomed against the blood-red sky.
"The Mountain of Eghwu. That is where he resides."
Eli followed his gaze, swallowing hard. He had heard of that place before—an ancient land, untouched by time, filled with secrets and dangers. If Joseph was truly there, then Eli had no choice.
The warrior placed a hand on Eli's shoulder.
"This journey will not be easy," he warned. "You will encounter things far worse than what you faced tonight. The Threats lurk in those lands. Many have entered the mountains and never returned."
Eli's grip tightened around his mother.
"I don't care," he said. "I will do whatever it takes."
The warrior studied him for a long moment before stepping back.
"Then may your will be strong, Eli."
With that, he turned and vanished into the shadows, disappearing into the night.
Eli exhaled sharply, steadying himself. His body screamed for rest, but he didn't have time. He looked down at his mother, still unconscious, her breathing shallow.
Then he lifted her again, gritting his teeth.
His journey to Eghwu Mountain had begun.