Prologue: The Boy with the Blindfold
[The world calls you! ] [The chains are hanging tight on you]
In the Kingdom of Klyra, chaos reigned. Lands were burning, people were being killed, and the demons grew stronger and stronger. They came in different forms sometimes as black shadow figures with blood-red glowing eyes, and other times as small creatures with black skin and red eyes. They came from the inter-world.
"Why are they coming to us?" a small brown haired boy asked as he sat on a large wooden plank.
The boy smiled. He sat among other children who all seemed happy, yet one thing set him apart from the rest
the wore a large black blindfold over his eyes. He had tied it so tightly that no one could see even from the side. The children around him stopped asking about it, as no one knew the reason except the king and his parents.
It seemed, however, that the boy's question had been heard. Before the curious children stood a tall, older man, as if ready to tell a story. The blindfolded boy asked again, "Why are they coming here?"
The man's expression grew more serious. "Well, let me explain."
He coughed once and began. "The demons come to our world because theirs is breaking apart. There are four worlds in total. Our world was created by the gods. For us, we were given many gifts, like magic.
Then there is the demon world, ruled by the Great Demon King. Their world breaks apart from time to time, which is why the demons come to us they try to invade our world. But we will never let that happen!"
The man paused and met the children's eager eyes. "Now, yes, we are losing the war… but it is said that the Three Great Warriors will soon gather and together defeat the Demon King. So, all hope is not lost!"
The man stopped, then asked, "Lux, tell me the next two worlds."
The boy with the black blindfold jumped to his feet, swaying slightly as he stepped forward. The wood beneath him creaked and groaned. He was excited.
"Well, um… there is the Realm of the Gods. The gods live there, but they are in a long sleep. And, um… the last realm is the Realm of Chains. Here, everyone gains powerful abilities. Who created this world is unknown, but its workings are clear. The trials one completes grant these powers.
Every human, upon awakening, can see their own chain. There are four trials in total, yet even the strongest have only completed two. Soon, they will attempt the third trial. The problem is… they say the second one is already impossible!"
Suddenly, Lux stopped explaining. A small stone flew toward him. It seemed someone had thrown it. Instantly, Lux's hand shot into the air, catching the gray stone in his palm. Upon impact, the stone crumbled and sifted through his fingers. The children gasped in awe; whispers spread. No one spoke again.
After a few minutes, the storytelling ended. The parents called the children inside, and friends said their goodbyes. Lux, however, had no one to bid farewell to he had no friends.
On the way to the small house where his parents waited, Lux thought, "I'm not that unlikable, am I? Why does no one want to be my friend? I'll show them in my Chain Trial… just a few more years."
The four Chain Trials were the source of strength. No one knew where they originated, but everyone knew they were the best chance to become powerful.
As Lux approached the house by the river, he pondered what he might be doing wrong, but no answer came. As he reached the door, his mother immediately greeted him, embracing him.
"Lux! Was it good?"
Lux grinned. His mother, a slim, brown haired warrior in her mid thirties, had even completed the first trial herself. Lux could hardly wait.
"Yes, it was okay!" he smiled. After a brief pause, he sighed, "Is father training again?"
His mother's expression darkened slightly. Truth be told, Lux didn't like his father. He yelled constantly and only gave orders. Lux hated him.
"He's training!" his mother said.
Lux's grin widened. "Mother, I want to train too but not with him, with you!"
Time passed quickly. Months went by, and then years. Lux trained hard. The years changed not only his body he grew stronger but also his personality. Soon, Lux and others would attempt the first Chain Trial. The day came faster than Lux expected.
The moonlight illuminated the entire castle. Lying on his bed, Lux thought about the coming day.
"I wonder what my powers will be… well, I already have some, thanks to my blindfold. My mother gave it to me. She said it was for my own good. I trust her… no one else in this world. She is what keeps me alive."
Of course, Lux wanted to know why, but he never asked. He didn't even know himself.
"I will succeed. Then no one will avoid me. I'll be the boy who completes the first trial without any prior skills! I will!"
A glimmer of immense motivation shone in Lux's eyes. He rolled to the side and stood up. The bed creaked loudly as he pulled himself up.
"I can't sleep anymore. I'd better check my weapons again."
For the trials, one could take only two chosen items, holding them tightly. No one knew why only two were allowed. The Chains were full of mysteries, a whole different realm in themselves—a living world.
Lux looked at the wooden floor. A sword and a small knife lay side by side. The sword had a gray hilt, its blade stretching across the floor, glowing white in the moonlight. Lux shifted his gaze slightly to the right. A sturdy leather armor lay next to the weapons.
"Well, it's better than nothing!" Lux picked up the armor and put it on. A sheath for the knife hung on the side of the tunic perfectly fitted. Above it was a larger sheath for the sword. Fully equipped, Lux grinned.
"I probably look like a real warrior now!"
Suddenly, a sharp headache struck him. His hand slipped off the sword's hilt, loosening his grip. Within seconds, Lux collapsed. His eyes closed, yet he remained conscious.
He felt the surroundings shift. When Lux opened his eyes, he was on a massive stone. The sky was red, burning as if on fire. The enormous stone stretched for meters, and above Lux floated a throne. On the shadowy seat, nothing sat but Lux could clearly feel a presence.
"W-what is happening here?" he asked, his voice echoing.
Chains shot into the air, long and extending for many meters. More and more chains appeared from nowhere, circling the stone. Black, trembling letters formed above Lux this was the system of the Chains, communicating with the world of the awakened.
Lux received a message. The black script began to form words: [You are awakened!]
"I-I'm awakened? I'm supposed to awaken tomorrow… what the…!?"
With a questioning look and trembling eyes Beneath the blindfold.
He read again: [You are awakened!]