The first gift someone would receive is a name, sometimes even before you were given life. A name can last for as long as you live, or a few decades after your death. However, there are names that last for eternity. For carbon-based lifeforms, it’s the closest thing they could get to immortality.

Inside the very depths of Red Dragon Castle is the Red Dragon herself. A being with enough power to wipe out an entire city in a single breath is sealed in a prison. In front of her is the ruler of the empire holding a spear made out of bones. He threw the spear directly at the Red Dragon’s heart. A large hole was created at her chest but the speed of its recovery is fast, the hole recovered even before the spear could pass through her back.

The Red Dragon opened its eyes slowly and roared at the human in front of her. The walls of the prison trembled and thousands of mana arrays lit up in response.

“Your ancestors failed to do it, your grandfather failed, your father failed, even your precious big brother died. Once my soul is united back with my body I’ll destroy you first and your nameless empire next.”

“Why are you so stubborn? If you would just let us use your name, you wouldn’t have to suffer this torture every day.”

“I let you humans inside my territory, gave you arable lands, sheltered you from the harsh elements of the world. But the moment you gain little strength you played tricks and betrayed me! You even dared to take my name!”

“Are you regretting it now? Once we find your soul we will destroy you and you won’t be able to do anything about it.”

“Ha! Regrets? Destroy Me? I would be surprised if you don’t destroy your selves first. You label yourselves as unique but you’re all the same. You would never understand what’s truly important. Miserable creatures!”

The Emperor left the chamber, he slammed the walls of the underground prison with his hands before leaving.

He went back to sit on his throne and upon arriving a fully armored knight kneeled in front of him.

“Your Majesty a letter from a Kaiser arrived just now.”

He read the letter that was sent from the Manus Kingdom. After reading it, he crumpled the paper in the palms of his hands and it turned into ash.

“Send the last two Kaiser that we recently recruited to me.”

“Yes, your Majesty.”

***

In the front lines of battle, the Vice General is defending what’s left of the ice wall that was erected by the Arch Wizard. Arrows are flying everywhere and blood is being spilled by the second.

“Vice General, the reinforcements of the Sydu’s arrived earlier than expected.”

“Worry not, I already sent word of the invasion they should arrive soon, and once the mana returns some of our sentries will work again.”

Outside the opposite gates of the city a summoning circle appeared, 15 5th-Rank Knights came out of the circle.

Once they entered the city the eerie silence welcomed them. Normally citizens would cheer at their arrival but there isn’t a single civilian out on the roads. Curious, their leader asked the guards on what’s going on.

“What happened here? I know those dirty Sydu’s are attacking but they will never harm the civilians.”

“My Lord, there is a monster lurking in the streets and if you pass that corner you wouldn’t be able to manipulate mana.”

“Nonsense! According to the reports, only a 3rd-Rank Swordsman is the cause of all this. We came to aide the defense and to eliminate the possible cause of the disappearance of mana.”

“You! Test it.”

The knight approached just in front of the street corner and tried to use a skill it worked like it usually does. However, when he took a single step forward and tried to use the same skill nothing happened it’s like the difference between dry sand and the sea.

When he’s about to turn around and leave his jaw dropped on the ground.

He quickly leaped backward and saw a man holding a sword.

As they locked eyes the man backed away deeper inside the place without mana and left them a message.

“McTwat tart chocolate truffle”

“Don’t be fooled, he’s luring us. Scouts ready your weapons spread out and flank him from behind.”

“Tanks at front and archers from behind, and supports. Don’t leave this area without mana.”

“Some soldiers should follow us. Just in case.”

The scouts tracked Rus and ended up inside the wealthy district of the city. What they saw made them swallow their saliva. In a few minutes that they left the guy away, he already made such a mess.

The personal soldiers of the nobles and merchants are guarding their bosses but they too are quivering in the sight of this monstrous being.

The Knights finally arrived at the scene

“Traitor of the Empire, I will not give you a peaceful death”

“Cookie cunt cockroach cockless critter!”

I was never one of you.

On top of the roofs Geal, Byal, Korpic, and Emeralda are holding a metal tube the size of an adults arm.

“Guys, remember to wear the mask later. We will start the operation when that happens.”

The 3 are watching the events that unfold below them. They could see the knights behind and in front of Rus.

They could hear the cheers of the nobles and merchants that almost lost their lives today.

Unlike the vigor that he showed when he first started the massacre, his movements became duller and duller as time passed by. Arrows are embedded in his arms and legs, he can barely avoid the sword slash by the knights, and can’t push back the tank like he was doing before.

“It’s time, wear the mask we’re going in.”

Three loud bangs were heard and the surrounding was immediately filled with green smoke. Everyone in the streets got high from the concentrated drugs that were fired from their weapons.

Some were laughing hard, some was holding their heads afraid that they would fall. Some were walking wonkily.

“Ahh! Such waste! We could have enjoyed some of it!”

“Father” “said” “do” “not” “get” “high” “in” “your” “own” “supply”

“Shut up! And carry father away from here chwik!”

They got out of the smoke as fast as they went in. Korpic was carrying Rus on his back. They entered an empty alley and was about to go back to their carriage. But a huge man was blocking their way.

“Where are you guys headed?”

“My brother! Was attacked by a maniac and we’re bringing him to a doctor! Please help us, My Lord.”

“And where is this so-called maniac now?

“He’s being attacked by knights with shining armor and is about to die My Lord.”

It seems that our reinforcement arrived and currently dealing with the problem.

“Is that so, little-guy let me help you carry him he seems too large for your size.”

“Thank you, My Lord.”

Rus' face was deformed due to the beating that he took earlier. The General carried Rus and escorted them to the plaza where he saw hundreds of corpses. The General’s eyes were red, and he clenched his chest. He could only imagine what kind of horror happened to this place.

All this time the twins and Emeralda didn’t speak. Afraid that the huge man will find it suspicious. The general saw a crippled guy that was staring at them as they approach.

“Thank you for your help, My Lord this man here is a doctor that will take care of my brother!”

“I’m glad to help, I know that any citizen of the empire would do the same.”

The General left them, he went back to the defense of the city.

“Put him inside my carriage quick, he’s bleeding internally.”

Rus can barely open his eyes and force words to come out of his mouth.

“I….s S..em..ira o..k?”

“Yes, yes she’s alright and well, you need to rest.”

As soon as he closed his eyes Bethel worked on his wounds. The operation last for a couple of hours and Rus was breathing normally again.

The mana didn’t return to the surrounding and the war still rages on.

***

Rus woke up and saw Bethel grinding some dried herbs and rolling it on a paper.

“How long was I out?”

“You were out for 3 days.”

“Tell me what happened.”

“The Sydians are marching their army in the streets to show their victory. Since the mana didn’t return every citizen and even the invaders want to abandon the city.”

“What do you mean the mana didn’t return? This happened once before but the mana returned after the I lost consciousness.”

“I guess that your ability increased once again.”

Bethel lends Rus his old crutches he went out to go to his own carriage.

He grabbed a few lettuce leaves from his vase and fed it to the baby Guise Turtle with shaking hands.

He closes his eyes and remembered every detail of what he did. The weight he’s carrying increased he felt that every move he makes shakes the foundation of his soul.