Aren stood inside the guild, looking at his new guild card. His details were written on it, his name and some personal information, as well as the emblem of the Adventurers' Guild, two swords crossed over each other.

He pressed his thumb on the card. A small light shined on it, and his fingerprint was imprinted forever. That was the way they ensured no one could steal the card from you, and even if they did, it would basically be useless.

There was also another very important detail on the card, and that was the one silver star on it. That was Aren's current adventurer rank.

The ranking system was very simple and unique in its own way, and it worked using stars, going from bronze, to silver, to gold, platinum, and finally diamond. Each one had three stars. Right now, Aren was a one silver star.

The way to go up as an adventurer was not like leveling up, as someone could be level one hundred and still be a silver star. It worked based on merit, completing missions or quests to gather merits.

"Look at you, already a one silver star right off the bat," Aiden said as he approached from behind. He and Kira had both gotten a three bronze star rank, which was one step below what Aren had.

"I just got lucky," Aren replied.

"Over-modesty might come off as being prideful sometimes," Kira stated. Aren chuckled in response.

"So what do we do now?" Aiden asked.

"I want to see the city, it's a new place for me, but first I want to head back home outside the domain," Kira said.

"Yeah, same," Aren replied. "I guess I'll crash in an inn for a day and get some things arranged before I head back home," he stated.

"Then when will we get together to explore, or go on a quest together?" Aiden asked.

"I'm not sure, but I'm sure we'll get to do it soon," Aren replied.

"Alright then, I guess this is goodbye for now. It's been great with you two, so don't die before we meet again," Aiden said with a smile, and with a wave of his hand, he was off, leaving them there.

"So this is it for now then," Kira said.

"Not really. You and I agreed to see the city together, so let's come back to the guild in two days by noon to do that, if it works for you," Aren said in a calm voice.

She heard that and her eyes lit up instantly. "Really?" she asked.

"For sure," he replied.

"Alright then, for sure I'll be free. See you in two days, Aren," she said, her cheeks red and a wide smile on her face. She left after that, walking out of the guild.

The moment she left, Aren's stoic face immediately crumbled and a blush formed on his face. "That was crazy, phew. She didn't reject me or say no. I was scared I came off too strong," he muttered to himself. He wasn't the most skilled when it came to ladies, and things like this made him weak in the knees, but it seemed he managed to pull it through.

With a soft smile on his face, he walked out of the guild as well.

[...]

The darkness was deep and heavy, thick and suffocating. It swallowed everything, leaving not a single trace of light behind.

From within that darkness came the slow drip of water, accompanied by shallow, ragged breaths. A figure knelt there in agony.

It was none other than Leon.

He was on his knees, his body drenched in blood no one could see in that endless black. His hands were raised above his head, bound by chains lined with inch-long spikes that dug mercilessly into his flesh. Blood poured endlessly from the wounds.

Leon remained motionless. Hollow.

There was no light in his eyes.

Within that darkness, his body had merged with it completely. He had lost all will, all desire to live. The only thing still burning in his heart was his hatred, hatred for Aren.

But that hatred had begun to twist, to rot, becoming something far more diabolic.

Even so, it was useless.

His will to live was gone.

As Leon endured his eternal torment, he suddenly heard something, like wind passing through a narrow space. A soft breeze brushed against him, carrying a whisper.

It spoke into his ear.

He did not understand it, and so he ignored it, dismissing it as nothing more than delirium.

Then it came again.

Softer. Closer. Caring.

The voice sounded feminine, silken and gentle, yet sharp beneath the surface. Poison wrapped in warmth. A voice that promised comfort while hiding its fangs.

Leon tried to open his eyes.

He failed.

His exhaustion was overwhelming, his body so broken that even lifting his eyelids felt impossible.

"Look at you," the voice whispered. "Chosen. Gifted with so much talent. And yet here you are."

This time, the voice was clearer, loud enough for him to understand.

Leon tried to push it aside. A hallucination, he told himself.

But the voice returned.

"You could have become one of them," it continued softly. "One of the people who would lead humanity to victory over the trials. You are talented. You are gifted."

A pause.

"And yet here you kneel, where no man walks, bound by chains that have killed many before you. This is no reward for someone who sought power to save humanity."

The words slipped past his defenses.

Something inside Leon stirred.

With a final effort, he forced his eyes open.

He could not speak, not with his shattered body, but his mind still worked.

Who are you? he thought.

The voice was speaking directly into his mind. If it could hear him, it would be this way.

"I am your way out," the voice replied, barely louder than a breath. "An option. A path that will free you from these shackles and return you stronger than you have ever been before."

It paused again, savoring the moment.

"And not only that, you will gain revenge on the one who put you in this position."

At those words, the dying spark in Leon's heart flared.

Hatred for Aren reignited, burning brighter despite his broken body. His eyes glistened, filled once more with that dark, poisonous fire.

The voice noticed.

Satisfied, it continued.

"I have a way for you to escape," it whispered.

"And a way for you to have your revenge."

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