Akin followed the elder through the narrow corridors of the beastmen's city, the walls adorned with intricate carvings and the flickering light of torches casting long shadows. The air smelled faintly of incense and wild herbs, adding to the atmosphere of mystery that surrounded this ancient place. His footsteps were heavy, but his mind was sharp, wondering what lay ahead. The elder seemed to sense his curiosity and didn't say much, his pace steady, yet there was an undercurrent of excitement in his movements.
They arrived at a grand hall, the doors massive and adorned with the markings of long-forgotten deities. As Akin stepped inside, he could feel the weight of the elders' gaze upon him. The council was gathered, each one seated in an elevated position, their eyes focused on Akin with an intensity that could almost burn through stone. The room was quiet, save for the rustling of robes and the occasional creak of wood.
"Who is he?" one of the elders spoke up, his voice deep, filled with authority.
The elder who had brought Akin here stepped forward. "He is the young lad with the energy of our homeland. I believe our gods have come down to bring us back."
Akin remained silent, his gaze steady, scanning the room. The murmurs of the council grew louder, but there was one elder whose voice rang out, angry and skeptical.
"And how are you so sure he's not an imposter or a fake?" the elder demanded, his eyes narrowing.
The question hit Akin like a punch to the gut. He remembered the day of the summoning, when they had called him an anomaly, a mistake. The thought of being called a fake again burned in his chest. Without thinking, he let his aura surge, a wave of pressure that filled the room, pushing against the elders. His eyes glowed as the power radiated from him. It was only for a moment, but that moment was enough.
The room went silent. Akin stood tall, breathing steady, the weight of the moment sinking in.
One by one, the elders slowly rose to their feet and, to Akin's surprise, bowed. They bent their heads low in respect, their actions a silent acknowledgment of his power.
"Please not this again, c'mon" Akin muttered, his hand running through his hair in frustration.
A moment later, a smile tugged at his lips. "Men... fuck it," he said under his breath, frustration turning to amusement.
He waved his hand casually, and the ground beneath him trembled. Rocks rose from the earth, forming into a chair with a soft rumble. Akin sat, leaning back in the makeshift seat, looking up at the elders with a bemused expression.
"Wait hold on, let me get this straight," he said, his voice cool and collected. "Your ancestors are from Elarian, but you managed to escape to this land before it was destroyed and sealed. Hmm, it's strange, but I can feel your sincerity." He paused, his gaze shifting over the council. "Well, let me introduce myself again. I am Akin Maxwell, and my great-grandfather is Elarian."
The deity, Elan, couldn't hold back a chuckle, his voice echoing in Akin's mind. "Wow, I never knew you were such a good liar..."
Akin smirked, his eyes gleaming with amusement..... He continued "I started having visions of our land's deity a few months ago. Suddenly, I was transported to the land in my dream. It felt like the past, and I saw how the land was good and flourishing. I met a man named Elan, he calls himself the deity of the land, and he said to me, 'You are going to restore our land. There are survivors of Elarian in other races, gather a few allies, and restore our land back to what it used to be. I will give you our power. Your journey starts now.'"
The elders listened intently, nodding slowly as Akin spoke. "When I woke up, I found myself with these abilities... but please, keep it a secret."
Elan was still in shock, his disbelief almost clear. "What the fu—"
Akin's voice cut through his thoughts. "Do gods swear?"
Elan was deeply awe.
The elders seemed to believe him instantly. They were quiet, deep in thought, before one of them finally spoke.
"We will keep your secret, Akin Maxwell. May your journey succeed," the elder said solemnly, and the others nodded in agreement.
But there was a problem.
"You have entered Jaquarim," another elder added, his tone serious. "You must meet with our king before leaving."
Akin stood up, the chair crumbling back into the earth as he straightened. "That's not an issue. Just lead the way."
The journey to the king was swift, and as they approached the royal quarters, Akin could feel the weight of power in the air. The guards, the warriors, and the very ground seemed to hum with anticipation. Upon entering the throne room, Akin's eyes immediately locked onto the king. The beastmen ruler stood tall, his aura powerful and commanding, the kind of presence that could freeze a room with a single glance.
Akin bowed slightly, showing respect. The king's gaze pierced through him, as though sizing him up, weighing his every word. The silence in the room was thick, almost suffocating.
"Where do you come from, and what brings you to my land?" the king asked, his voice low but filled with authority.
Akin's mind raced. He couldn't reveal too much, but he needed to craft a story that would be convincing enough.
"I'm from a distant land," Akin began, "A place far from here. My people... we're survivors, and we're searching for a way to rebuild. My journey led me here to your land, where I believe there is strength to be gained."
The king stared at him, a flicker of something in his eyes.
"You speak of strength," the king said, his voice shifting. "We have a tradition in Jaquarim. If you wish to earn respect here, you must prove your strength by defeating one of our warriors in combat."
Akin's eyes sharpened. "Okay," he said, but there was a glint of curiosity in his tone. "Apart from respect, is there anything else I can gain if I win?"
The king raised an eyebrow, a slight smile playing on his lips. "A strong warrior should always be rewarded. If you win, I will grant you one of our slaves."
Akin's jaw dropped slightly. He had not expected that.
"Jesus," he muttered under his breath, surprised by the king's bluntness.
The King looked at him and raised his hand. "You bow in gratitude, and then we will take you to the battlefield where the duel will take place."
Akin, still stunned, nodded. "I'm grateful for the reward."
As the guards escorted him to the battlefield, Akin's mind was still spinning. He hadn't anticipated such a prize. "A slave, so slave trades is still legal... wow, I hope to see stunning heroine" he muttered again, his thoughts lingering on the implications.
"Who's the strongest here?" Akin asked as he arrived in the arena, facing the gathered warriors.
The crowd murmured among themselves, some laughing, some jeering. It was clear that this was no ordinary duel. One of the beastmen stepped forward, his body the shape of a human cheetah, sleek and fast, with a vicious gleam in his eyes.
"You'll have to get through me if you want to face the strongest," the beastman said, his voice dripping with confidence.
Akin smirked. "Is that all?"
The beastman's face twisted in irritation, his hands clenching into fists. As the spectators shouted start!, he dashed forward..... He was fast—very fast. But Akin had already sensed the flow of energy, his keen instincts sharpening as the beastman lunged forward.
With a burst of speed, the cheetah-man charged, aiming to end the fight in one blow. His form blurred as he reached Akin in the blink of an eye.
But Akin was faster.
Before the cheetah-man could land a hit, Akin's presence shifted, and the beastman felt a powerful force before he even reached him. Akin stood there, unmoving, as if time itself had slowed. The cheetah-man's fist passed inches from Akin's face, but it was already too late.
Akin's hand shot out, his fingers locking around the beastman's face, and with a single movement,
"You're fast," Akin said with a smile, "but not that fast."
he slammed the warrior's head into the ground with enough force to shake the very earth beneath them.
The impact was enough to send shockwaves through the arena, and the crowd fell silent. The cheetah-man lay motionless, his body twitching slightly. The earth trembled beneath Akin's feet, as if the very land acknowledged his strength.
Akin straightened, looking down at the fallen warrior. "Well, that was easy."
What's next for Akin on his journey?
Follow his path as he uncovers more about his powers, the slave reward, the secrets of the beastmen, and the hidden mysteries of his destiny.