The winds whistle was silent, almost steady as the faint hums of the trees created a soothing orchestra by the lake, the water was calm, there was silence, the moon soft whit glow illuminated the tropical zone.
Atop a boulder at the bed of the lake a figure sat crossed legged, his breathing seems to match the pace of the wind as his chest covered only by a red see through robe rose and fell in unison.
The peaceful silence of the scenery was interrupted by a slight rustle in the leaves, the resting figure twitched, his black short hair moved with the wind as his eyes shot opened, instantly unsheathing his blade that seemed to appear from thing air knocking out the silent out of the air.
"You've gotten better Zach", an old man came out of the shadowy covers now illuminated by the moon.
"All thank to your guidance master Cain" Zach bowed respectfully.
"Ha ha, your talent took you this far so be proud", the old man laughed, he looked up into the horizon, his clear eyes reflected the moon back.
"I remember when I just began training you.." he smiled, "you were so eager to learn, like a kid discovering a new toy", he stretched his hand into the air.
"Zach I want to teach you a technique", he unsheathed a blade out of thin air,, walking towards the calm lake.
"It has a little aspect of wind so watch carefully..", Zach quickly rushed over to watch his master, curious about the technique.
"Master I thought, you said mastering any aspect without discovering my flow would hinder my progress in the future", Zach raised a brow.
"Yes it would", he paused for a bit.
The sword in his hand glistened under the moonlight as old master Cain stared into the mirror like blade.
"But all swordsmen eventually learn this technique, so it shouldn't affect your path too much", the old man raised a finger and Zach nodded affirmatively.
"So there it goes", the old man threw the silver blade as far as the eyes could see in the middle of the lake, then he held out two fingers.
"Return".
Then the water rippled as the blade shot out at him at incredible speeds, the old man caught the blade in his hands and looked at Zach.
"This technique is called retrieval", he stated waving the excess water out of the sword. He reached into thin air and grabbed something, pulling out the lack sheath.
Zach eyes twitched, he had been begging master Cain over the past five years to teach him that spatial draw skill but Cain refused stating that it'd damage his future progress whatever that means.
"I've given you all the basics you need for your, swords journey" the old man giving the sword to Zach, Zach, with trembling hands took the gift, as he looked at his master confused.
Because of master Cain's crude way of teaching, most disciples run away from him, but Zach was different, training Zach over the years, Cain realized a few things himself, how to be patient, level headed and witty.
"Zach do you still remember the world before?", the old man arms behind his back spoke as he looked at the moon.
"Oh you mean before the emergence of the astryx?", kneeling behind him asked.
****
The world before, earth before the great cataclysm that broke time, an earthquake so powerful that time fracture and space became unstable.
The devastation destroyed almost all geographical terrains, making space in the earth very fragile, beasts from a different realm—the astryx—would invade earth, humans had to adapt to the changing world, many couldn't and most nations perished.
Only the continent of Africa, Asia and Antarctica managed to survive due to the tower.
The gate way to the astryx also known as the ten layer gate, the gate of oblivion, the continent built massive schools, around the tower hoping to breed exceptional fighters, and fighters, these fighter determine how much power a continent hold, and Zach was in Africa, the weakest continent.
****
"Yes I do remember the world before... what about it?", Zach raised a brow.
"The old man not staying anything sighed "some people think its an earthquake that occured all those years ago.." the old man paused warmth filled his eyes as he looked at his palm.
"But I was there.." he spoke, "and that moment didn't look like an earthquake", he clenched his fist.
"Then what did it look like master?", Zach asked.
"Hehe Zach... always eager to learn new things.." he chuckled softly, "it looked like a battle, a struggle between beings beyond our very comprehension" he smiled as the moon was gradually covered by the dark clouds passing by.
"You can learn the technique I thought you in the trials don't stress yourself too much go and rest up" old man Cain slowly walked away,Zach watched his figure, tentatively taking a deep breath.
"I wonder how humans struggles were like back then" he thought aloud.
He couldn't linger on questions he knew he'd not have the answers to and chose to rest up in his dorm.
****
The next day came in the blink of an eye and all disciples stood in what looked like a field made with black tiles, in the middle of the field was a pillar, a pagoda tha seemed to stretch endlessly reaching the clouds.
"The imperial knight Vlad will address today's aspirants", a voice spoke as a blond hair man fully clad in radiant armor stepped onto the podium, a circular elevated platform, with stairs leading to the round tower.
"So this is the tem trial tower?", Zach thought.
"Hello aspirants", his loud voice boom around the podium.
Today you all are graduating from the lower classes, reaching this level might not have been easy but this is just the beginning of your journey" Vald paused as he walked down the stairs pointing at the large black structure behind him.
"If you feel you are not qualified to take the trail don't do it, if at this stage you're uncertain, then power in this world is not for you", Vald stated coldly.
"To start the trail gentlely place your hand on the black monument" he said as he began walking away.
"Good luck"
The disciple watched his figure slowly disappear in the distance.
Some students walked up to the tower with confidence gently placing their hands on it, Zach watched as the disciple's turned into a mirage of sparks flying in all direction.
Sigh...
Slowly more and more students walked up to the tower touching it and starting their trials.
Eventually Zach moved, his heart thumped as he approached the massive structure, he placed his hand on it and instantly he heard a voice.
A whisper...no more like an almagamation of whispers, joined to form a ghastly orchestra.
[The astryx acknowledges your arrival]
[Trial no 1]
[Welcome to the inner circle]