Emperor's Reckoning

Lyon and his group stood near the ancient Gong of Thousand Lords, the mountain air tinged with an otherworldly stillness. Moonlight bathed the clearing, casting an ethereal glow on the moss-covered stones and the towering trees that surrounded them.

The night breeze whispered through the forest, carrying a subtle chill that sent shivers down their spines. The distant hum of insects provided an eerie soundtrack to the mysterious setting. The bonfire from the earlier festivities had simmered down to glowing embers, flickering like lost stars.

Cecile leaned against a moss-covered rock, her eyes distant as she recalled, "Liu was a prodigious disciple, a master of stealth and infiltration. He could disappear into the shadows seamlessly."

Kesya nodded in agreement, her face etched with concern, "Indeed. He had an uncanny ability to anticipate his opponents' moves and strike with precision. I heard tales of entire fortresses falling to his strategies, their defenses rendered useless against his cunning."

Cecile looked over at Selena and smiled, "He looked up to you, trying to match your speed but failed to do so, you one-upped him all the time."

Selena chuckled softly, memories of their days dancing in her eyes...

---

In the vibrant meadow, the golden rays of the sun illuminated the lush landscape. The air was filled with the scent of grass and wildflowers. Young Graham, Kesya, and another boy sprinted down the hills, their laughter echoing in the open expanse. Their eyes were alight with excitement as they chased after the elusive three-horned Hellboar.

Graham, full of youthful enthusiasm, called out to Kesya, "Come on, Kes! Let's catch one before Cecile finishes cooking!"

Kesya flashed a determined grin and picked up her pace, her eyes fixed on the prize. "You're on, Graham! No Hellboar's gonna escape us today!"

Meanwhile, Cecile tended to a campfire, expertly cooking a meal for the adventurers. Her eyes would occasionally shift from the simmering pot to the children, ensuring they were safe in their play.

Resting on a slope, a young man observed the scene, absorbing the lively atmosphere. His face bore the signs of adventure and experience, and he was content to take a moment of respite.

Selena, the epitome of grace and strength, practiced her swordsmanship nearby. Her movements were like a dance, each swing precise and elegant. Amidst her training, she sensed the presence of a young boy peeking at her from behind a tree. Intrigued, she allowed her blade to move fluidly, captivating the young observer.

The young boy whispered to himself, "She's... she's amazing."

Selena's intense routine came to a conclusion, and she stood tall, her breath steady and her blade gleaming in the sunlight. With a controlled exhale, she shifted her focus toward the tree where the young observer hid.

Raising her sword with a commanding gesture, she aimed at the tree. The air seemed to tense and crackle with her intent. The tree, once a quiet observer, suddenly felt the weight of her determination. As if acknowledging her prowess, it yielded to her unspoken challenge. With a resounding crack, the tree split in two, leaving the young boy behind momentarily stunned and exposed.

Selena's eyes remained steely, a testament to her unwavering control. The young boy stumbled out from behind the broken tree, a mix of astonishment and amazement on his face. Her display of strength and precision was a powerful reminder of the force she truly was.

Kesya's ears perked up like a predator sensing its prey. Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she abruptly abandoned the hunt. Graham, who was with her, was not pleased and called out to her, but the Hellboar demanded his full attention.

Graham clicked his tongue in mild frustration and then turned to Ian. "Well, looks like it's just you and me, Ian."

Ian flashed a confident grin. "Chill, Graham, we've got this."

Cecile glanced over from the pot she was stirring, raising her brows at the sudden commotion. On the slope, the young man continued to snooze, undisturbed by the lively activity.

Meanwhile, Kesya reached the top of the hill and recognized the young observer. "Hey, you're that sword prodigy, Lue?"

The young boy bounced back from his surprise, his brows furrowing. "It's Liu!"

"Haha, my bad! Are you going to challenge big sister? Just a heads up, you're going to lose," Kesya teased, flashing a playful grin.

Liu snorted and confidently unsheathed his sword, declaring, "So far, nobody has ever beaten me."

Kesya smirked and retorted, "That record is going to be broken, by big sister, of course!"

Liu pointed his sword toward Selena and stammered, "L-Lady, would you have a spar with me?"

Selena, who had been cold and distant, looked over at her husband. Her gaze softened, and she sighed. This subtle exchange did not escape Liu's notice. Kesya, however, was more observant and noticed Liu's frown as he glanced toward the young man still sleeping on the slope.

Selena sheathed her sword and turned away. Cecile asked her if she was going to accept or not.

Meanwhile, Graham shouted, "Ian, the hellboar!"

Ian's eyes widened as he turned to see the charging hellboar. "Oh crap, my bad!"

"It's heading toward Master!" Graham called out in alarm.

Liu furrowed his brows and swiftly moved to intercept the charging hellboar with his sword. However, before he could even blink, his eyes widened in disbelief. Selena had already positioned herself in front of him.

( Such speed! Incre—) Liu's thought was paused by the sudden perk of his ears. A gust of wind made his pupils shrink as he realized that the young man on the slope who was sleeping behind him just a moment ago, now rushed past him effortlessly.

The burst of acceleration left Liu in the wake, as in a heartbeat, the two of them were a whirlwind of motion, a symphony of precision and grace. With blinding speed, they lunged at the charging hellboar. The creature never stood a chance. In a flurry of slashes, they ripped the hellboar apart, leaving Liu utterly gobsmacked, trying to make sense of the incredible display of skill he had just witnessed.

Kesya stood by Liu and crossed her arms, a playful smirk on her lips as she watched Liu's astonished expression. "Close your jaw and forget about challenging him, you'll never win," she teased.

The young man yawned and looked over toward Liu, tilting his head in mild confusion. He didn't recognize the boy.

Liu, feeling a mix of awe and nervousness, gulped. His pupils dilated as he whispered to himself, "That's him... Lyon Torga." The legend he had heard so much about was right in front of him, effortlessly displaying unmatched skills.

---

The moon played hide and seek with the clouds, casting fleeting shadows across the clearing. The environment seemed to be holding its breath as if anticipating the turn of events in this realm.