Chapter 19: The Warrior From Hundred Years Ago
Zero's body tumbled through the dense mist of the chasm, falling without control. His mind drifted in unconsciousness, but a voice echoed faintly through the haze.
"Oh… so you're the boy from thirty years ago," the voice murmured, low and commanding. Zero didn't respond; he was too far gone in unconsciousness to response a words. The voice continued, calm yet laced with authority: "It seems I will have to watch over you myself."
A week before the battle between Zero vs Voltraz begin,
Far away, in the center of the land of Zerath, a massive tower pierced the clouds, majestic and towering above the surrounding lands. Crowds of people trained and gathered around its base, hoping to ascend and claim the opportunities that awaited within. Among them, elite trainees refined their abilities while others observed and prepared.
At the top of the tower, sitting in meditative silence, sat a powerful man.... the Shadow Master. His elemental aura radiated in pulses of fire, water, wind, lightning, and darkness, subtly blending with the inner energy that swirled around him in constant motion.
A messenger (Eldest Senior Brother) knelt before him, reporting in a hushed tone, "Master, he has entered the island. I have confirmed all the information and observed him personally. Zero has arrived at the island."
The Shadow Master's eyes, sharp and calculating, narrowed. "I see… he has practiced as much as he can at this time. Monitor him closely. Did you feel any unusual fluctuations as he was transported through the portal?"
The messenger hesitated. "Yes, Master. When opening the portal, there was a subtle presence… fluctuations in the aura. It resembled the power of the Great Ones from the past hundred years."
Shadow Master's gaze hardened. "Impossible… that should not exist anymore." His voice carried a mixture of concern and suppressed frustration. It was clear the echoes of past wars lingered in his mind.
Another figure appeared.... the Second Senior, reporting in equally respectfully. "Master, there is a presence on the island. Demonic forces remain. It seems the threat has not been fully eradicated."
Shadow Master exhaled, a weight settling on his shoulders. "So it remains… someone from Netherborne survived. I need one of you, one of my nine Disciple, to observe him closely. Watch Zero's progress, ensure his safety, and report to me immediately. Communicate telepathically if necessary. Even the smallest details. Understand?
Both seniors bowed. "Yes, Master."
Somewhere else, Master Zeyn (Old man) moved quietly through the remains of the island's forests, observing Zero. The old man's face was calm, yet his eyes betrayed the vigilance of decades of battle experience. His mastery over ninja techniques, stealth, and inner energy had prepared him for situations like this. He had trained Zero well over the past month, helping him unlock his Shadow techniques and inner energy control.
Three weeks had passed since Zero's arrival on the island. Master Zeyn monitored every step of his pupil. Then, unexpectedly, a shadow flitted across the trees. A messenger arrived, reporting that the island was still not free of demons. The elemental aura detected during the portal's opening had not disappeared.
Zeyn's brow furrowed. "It seems my suspicions were correct. Something else lingers… and it is powerful."
He turned back to his small, unassuming training house where Zero trained. "Don't worry, Zero. You'll face it when the time comes. For now, focus on mastering your skills and energy. I'll handle what's hidden."
After hours of being unconscious, Zero's eyes flickered open. The first thing he noticed was the bright sunlight filtering through the trees. His body ached, yet he felt alive, the inner energy and elemental energy from the previous battle slowly returning.
Around him, nearly fifty to sixty people were training hard, honing their elemental and combat skills. Their movements were precise, disciplined, and calculated. An elderly voice cut through the grumbling.
"So… you've finally woken up."
Zero blinked, confusion clouding his mind. He looked up at the voice.... a man with piercing eyes and a presence that radiated immense power. "Who… are you?" Zero asked cautiously.
The man smiled faintly. "You won't remember me, not yet. You were only a child when we last met. I am Master Sylver, once a warrior in the Great War… now merely a fragment of my former self. My body may be gone, but my soul remains."
Zero's heart skipped. "A… Soul Fragment? How is that possible? You… you were a warrior?"
Master Sylver's expression turned serius. "Yes. A hundred years ago, during the Great War between the people of Zerath and the demons of the Underworld (Netherborne) , I fought alongside my comrades. I was injured back then. Now, I exist only as a soul fragment to observe, guide, and prepare the next generation. You, Zero… are part of that future."
Zero's mind whirled. "I… I see. So you've been watching over me all this time?"
Master Sylver nodded slowly. "Not exactly. I have remained in waiting, restrained by the limitations of my form. But the energy I sensed during your arrival confirmed one thing: the power you carry… it is extraordinary. The remnants of history have awakened within you."
Master Sylver studied Zero quietly before speaking, his tone steady and calm.
"There is something you must understand, Zero. Your existence… is not ordinary. You carry the legacy of someone far greater.... the Shadow Master himself."
Zero froze, eyes widening. "Legacy…? What do you mean?"
Master Sylver shook his head gently. "Not now. The details are not for this moment. What matters is... the power within you, your affinity to the Dark Elemental, your Inner energy, your instinct in battle — none of it is coincidence. You were born with a purpose tied directly to him. And the more important is the power of your 6 Elemental."
Zero felt the weight of those words settle deeply. "But… all this time my master take my elemental power & seal it, i don't know how to react to this matter."
Master Sylver added, "And because of that, Zero, your path will not be easy. Another power will move because of you. Enemies will rise because of what you bring. But remember....power alone is meaningless without determination."
Zero clenched his fists slowly. "If it's true… then I'll face whatever comes. I won't run."
A faint smile touched Sylver's lips. "Good. Hold onto that resolve. But know this.... being his legacy comes with burdens even I cannot explain yet. There will be truths you must uncover on your own… when the time is right."
As Zero absorbed the truth, the air around the training grounds shifted subtly. A surge of foreign energy pulsed through the distant horizon, so faint that only trained warriors could sense it.
Master Sylver's eyes narrowed sharply.
"…So it begins. A new threat has awakened."
Zero looked toward the disturbance instinctively. Even without knowing what it was, he felt it — a cold pulse that stirred the shadows inside him.
Whatever peace he had found here was already slipping away.
Something was coming.
Something connected to his identity… and the legacy he barely understood.
The war wasn't over.
It was just beginning.