A group of travelers made their way through the quiet forest trail, journeying from a small village toward the city of Esforia. Among them was a seventeen-year-old boy named Eryx, walking beside his mother (Alina) and younger sister(Sara). With tousled light brown hair and playful brown eyes that always seemed up to something.
Eryx wore a cream high-collar tunic beneath a dark green vest embroidered with subtle patterns. A wide leather sash hugged his waist, tassels bouncing as he moved with casual swagger. Teal sleeves peeked from under the vest, and tall, bark-colored boots completed the look—half adventurer, half village mischief-maker.
Sara looked about sixteen, with light brown hair and piercing grey eyes. Her outfit layered elegance with purpose—a pale blouse with ruffled cuffs and a dark sleeveless bodice laced at the front. A belt cinched her waist above a flared skirt patterned in white at the hem. Faded stockings led into light shoes trimmed with soft fur, and a dark cloak billowed behind her like trailing mist.
Alina wore a cream blouse with an open neckline, layered beneath a fitted black vest laced at the front and trimmed with subtle patterns. A wide brown belt wrapped her waist, lined with small pouches that clinked softly as she moved. Long brown gloves hugged her forearms, and her dark green skirt flowed around knee-high, lace-up boots—practical, grounded, and ready for anything.
Four guards escorted the group, keeping watch for demons, monsters, or whatever else the wilds might throw their way… while Eryx cracked quiet jokes, pretending he wasn't just a little nervous.
The guards wore sturdy leather armor layered over dark tunics, with steel-plated shoulders and boots built for rough terrain—practical gear for fighting monsters, not impressing nobles.
Eryx glanced at Sara, determination in his eyes. "Once we reach Esforia, I'll become a powerful Slayer, just like our father."
Sara smirked, teasing him. "You believe that? Our father was a Starborn-class Slayer, and his rank was Ascendant. I doubt you'll even make it to Seeker rank, hehehe."
Eryx's expression hardened, his voice tinged with anger. "I'll become an Ascendant-class Slayer, and you'll see. Don't think just because you have wisdom, you can defeat those beings who call themselves gods."
Alina, overhearing the exchange, shook her head. "Enough, both of you. Keep quiet for the rest of the trip."
Eryx and Sara glanced at each other and, in unison, said, "Hah... OK, Mom."
Then suddenly, the sky cracked open like shattered glass, lightning splitting through the clouds in an unnatural blaze.
All four guards immediately tensed, weapons drawn."Be ready," one muttered. "Something's coming… something beyond anything we've ever faced."
From the rift descended a woman cloaked in heat and flame—her very presence bending the air around her. She wore a high-collared cream tunic, laced at the neck in a delicate criss-cross, its softness betraying none of the danger she exuded. Over it clung a sleeveless dark green vest, embroidered with glowing gold patterns that flickered like live embers. A leather strap crossed her chest, securing a curved blade across her back, and her teal sleeves flared at the wrists—each movement trailing heat like fire made flesh.
Her eyes burned with a divine fury as she spoke, voice calm but crackling with threat."Your journey ends here, mortals. It's time you met your death."
Eryx stepped forward, eyes narrowing."Who are you? Why are you attacking us?"
"I am Iris, the God of Flames," she said coldly. "And I've come to wipe your kind from existence. One day, all mortals will burn—and I'll start with you."
Eryx gave a half-smirk, arms crossed, trying to mask the tension in his chest."You, Celestia, really love calling yourselves gods, huh? Must be nice being cursed with immortality and a god complex."
"Tch… shut your mouth!" Iris snapped, eyes flaring. "You dare mock me? I'll kill you first."
Then, with a cold flick of her wrist, Celestia raised her hand toward the sky and declared,"Flames, heed my command—burn them all to ashes."
The clouds churned as the heavens ignited. Fire twisted and shaped itself into deadly forms—swords, spears, and blazing arrows—raining down like a storm sent from hell itself.
But she wasn't done.
With a snap of her fingers, the flames surged again, molding into the shapes of snarling beasts: wolves, serpents, and birds, all ablaze and hungry for blood. They leapt toward the panicked travelers, eyes glowing with unholy fire.
The guards, Eryx, and Alina sprang into action, battling fiercely against the flames and the creatures conjured by the Celestia. However, Sara couldn't join the fight—she lacked mana. Instead, she wielded the rare Power of Wisdom, a gift few possessed in the world of Essentia. It was said to be the rarest power of all, and those who held it were always fiercely protected. Hiding beneath a pile of wooden planks, she stayed out of sight, hoping to remain unnoticed.
Alina, a Sentinel-ranked Slayer from the Ironfangs class, hailed from the city of Esforia. Her skill and experience were evident as she fought valiantly alongside the guards. The rest of the guards, determined to protect the travelers, fought with everything they had to hold back the onslaught of enemies.
The creatures and flames tore through the group, slaughtering the guards one by one and claiming the lives of the travelers as well. Eryx turned back in horror, the sound of crackling flames growing louder. His heart sank as he saw the devastation—every single person from their group was dead. Then, through the chaos, he heard a strained voice, "R... Run, Eryx... cough... get Sara and run from here."
Eryx whipped around, his eyes wide with shock. His mother, Alina, was on her knees, sword in hand, bloodied and broken. Flames, arrows, and swords pierced her body, and her mouth filled with blood. She could barely speak, but her words were clear, though strained with pain.
Before Eryx could process it, a cry rang out. "Watch out, Eryx! Ahh!"
He spun again, only to see his sister, Sara, impaled by the spear of the flame creature. Her body trembled violently, blood staining her clothes as she gasped for breath, her face contorted in agony.
In a faint, pained voice, Sara spoke, her words choked by her blood. "Oh, dear brother... You always forget to protect yourself... cough... and I... I always protect you... cough..." Each word came out ragged, as if the pain itself was stealing her breath.
Eryx collapsed beside her, tears streaming down his face. "Why do you do this for me? Why didn't you just hide? If I had died, you should've lived... Why, Sara? Why?"
Sara's body shuddered, her eyes flickering in pain, but she still managed a weak, trembling smile. "Because I'm your sister... and I care about you more than anything... gasp... please... Eryx... save yourself... and live for us... please..." Her words were barely above a whisper, growing fainter with each breath, her voice full of pain as she slipped away.
Then, in a final shuddering breath, Sara's body went still. Her eyes lost their light, and the faint smile that had clung to her lips faded. Life had left her, and with it, a part of Eryx's heart was ripped away.
As Eryx's fury exploded within him, his power surged uncontrollably. His Water core, once the source of his strength, became a barely tapped well in the wake of his rage. A dark, crimson aura enveloped him, crackling with intensity. His sword transformed, the blade flickering with dark red flames, and his hair darkened to a deep blue-black, falling to his neck in wild strands.
Suddenly, a dark mask materialized and covered his face. Black in color, it bore flame-like patterns above his eyes and wings extending from the sides, sharp and menacing. A small, glowing jewel rested in the center, its faint light pulsing with his heartbeat. The mask fit perfectly, its ornate design a chilling reflection of the fury burning within him. As it settled into place, Eryx's power swelled, a deadly resolve forged from grief and anger now taking full control.
Eryx rose to his feet, his dark red aura still raging around him. In one swift, decisive motion, he cleaved through every flame creature, each one falling to the ground with a single, fiery strike. The weapons Iris had created—swords, arrows, and spears—vanished into the air, dissipating as if they had never existed.
Without hesitation, Eryx advanced toward Iris, his steps purposeful and unyielding. As he drew nearer, Iris's eyes widened in shock, her gaze locked on him. "It can't be... this power, this mask, and that hair... It's him. B-but how...?" she stammered, disbelief and fear evident in her voice.
With a roar, Eryx swung his sword, unleashing the full force of his power. The blow landed with a resounding crash, and Iris was struck, her body jerking back as she lost one of her arms. Yet, with the regeneration of her Celestial form, it quickly grew back. Gritting her teeth, she screamed in terror, "We have to kill him now! If we don't, he'll be the end of us all! He can wipe out every one of us if he regains his true power!"
Before Eryx could react, a powerful spell slammed into him, knocking him off his feet and sending him sprawling to the ground. He lay there for a moment, dazed, as the forest around them shifted. A group of Slayers emerged from the trees, their eyes steely and prepared for battle.
"Take that boy in and protect him. I'll deal with Celestia," the young man said, his voice steady and commanding.
In his late teens, with light green eyes and greyish-silver hair, he wore a dark blue velvet cape trimmed with gold. His blue tunic, accented with gold, was paired with black sleeves and pants, both detailed with blue and gold patterns. Brown leather straps and black boots with gold accents completed his outfit, giving him a look that was both regal and battle-ready.
Iris narrowed her eyes at Atlas and asked, "Who are you, and why do you mortals interrupt our fight?"
"I'm Atlas, leader of the Nightslayers," he replied, his tone strong and calm, unwavering in the face of her power.
Iris's gaze sharpened. "I have no business with the humans of the City of Shadow. My target was merely this traveling group, and I've killed them all. Only this boy remains. For now, I'll spare him. But mark my words, I will return for him. His power is that of something dangerous. He'll die, without a doubt." She said this with an eerie calm, though a flicker of fear danced in her eyes.
With a flick of her hand, she opened the sky gate once more, preparing to leave. Before disappearing through it, she whispered to herself, "That power… I can't believe it's still alive in that boy. I must tell the other gods."
As the gate closed, Atlas turned to Navia, his voice steady. "Hey, Navia, take him with you to the city. We'll deal with the dead here and follow you shortly."
Navia stood with an aura of quiet confidence, her blonde hair flowing down her back like a soft wave. Her violet eyes glinted with sharp intelligence as they scanned the scene. She wore a dark, cropped top, simple yet striking, beneath a hooded jacket, the sleeves gathered at her forearms. A deep magenta cape billowed behind her, trailing down to her ankles. A small pouch hung from her hip, practical yet always within reach. Her grey pants, criss-crossed with dark straps, and black ankle boots with light-colored toe caps gave her an adventurous yet elegant look, making her presence impossible to ignore.
"Got it, Captain. I'll see you in the city." Navia's tone was soft, but there was a quiet determination in it as she turned to leave.
"That boy's power… it could be used against the gods themselves," Atlas murmured under his breath. "She was terrified after seeing his form. He's more important than he knows. I'll train him—he must be prepared."
—End of Prologue Part 2—