The night wrapped the castle in a suffocating heaviness, and at its outer gate, Rayli sat on the dirt, curled up on himself, tears falling without end.
He cried like a child abandoned in a world that didn't want him.
He whispered in a broken voice:
Rayli:
Why… why is my life like this? Why is everything against me? Why was I born cursed… why?
He struck the ground with his small hands until they were covered in dust and blood from how hard he hit.
Then he rose slowly, his gaze empty and lifeless… and walked toward the forest with no direction—just running from everything.
As he wandered, he repeated in a cracked voice:
Rayli:
I'm cursed… I'm cursed…
He didn't feel the passage of time until he found himself standing before a large wooden sign, its edges broken:
"Alkseron Forest"
One of the deadliest forests on the continent… home of monsters, and those who enter rarely return.
He stared at it… then stepped inside.
He wasn't searching for anything—only hatred guiding him, and pain dragging him deeper into the darkness.
Night fell as he staggered between the trees, with no food and no water.
He felt death closer than ever.
Suddenly… he heard a small rustle.
A tiny rabbit hopped between the grass.
He chased after it, maddened… not knowing why.
Until he reached a shallow river, beside it the entrance to a small cave.
He grabbed the rabbit with trembling hands… then devoured it alive.
He cried as he chewed.
Rayli:
It tastes… disgusting… but… I don't want to die… I don't… want to…
He collapsed on the ground and slept in the middle of the forest, unprotected.
---
The next morning
He woke hungry, exhausted, terrified.
He entered the cave to inspect it… it was small and warm enough to be a shelter.
He sat with his back against the wall, tears returning without permission.
He knew he wouldn't survive long if he stayed like this.
Then he muttered to himself:
Rayli:
If I don't learn how to draw mana out… I'll die.
I'll stay here… for three years… no matter what it costs.
And so… the first isolation of his life began.
---
Three years later — Now twelve years old
He walked out of the cave skinny and worn down, his eyes sunken, his face marked with dirt and old scars.
He searched for food in the forest… eating mushrooms and bitter herbs.
But while wandering… he found goblins.
They were collecting water droplets and scraps of food.
He whispered:
Rayli:
I need to kill one… just one…
He approached slowly… then lunged, clasping his hand around its throat, squeezing with all his strength until it burst.
The goblin died screaming in fear.
Rayli gathered what it had:
A dagger — a small buckler — rotting mushrooms.
He returned to his cave… but froze when he saw five goblins occupying it.
He hid behind a rock, watching them… but a branch snapped under his foot.
All the goblins turned toward him.
He screamed
—and they charged.
He lifted his dagger and stabbed the first goblin in the chest.
Another struck him in the face, blood spilling instantly.
They swarmed him, one after another.
He was stabbed in the shoulder… the waist… the arm.
But he stabbed them wildly back, screaming with hatred and fear.
He slit one's throat.
Stabbed the second twelve times until its chest caved in.
And the last… broke his hand before Rayli drove the blade into its heart until it stopped moving.
Then Rayli collapsed into a pool of blood… and began to lose consciousness.
---
A week later — Rayli awakens
He opened his eyes slowly… his whole body in pain.
His stomach empty… his throat dry.
He found nothing to eat… so he was forced to eat the dried goblin meat.
He vomited… then returned to eat again.
Death was worse than that.
He drank from the cave water… then stepped deeper inside, where he found a long sword and torn armor.
He understood the goblins had killed someone before him and stolen their equipment.
Rayli stood, sword on his back, and said:
Rayli:
Mana… and chi… I must learn them.
This time… I'll isolate myself for eight years.
I won't leave… until I become someone else.
And so… Rayli's second isolation began—
longer, darker, and far more brutal.
Eight years in the heart of darkness.
---