[The Eighth Volume: Marionette of Chaos]
It was a world of grey and dark where storms raged and tsunamis touched the skies.
Traversing through such a harsh landscape required extreme strength and willpower to not kill oneself and give up.
Appearing like a tiny dot, a figure zapped through the stormy night and made his way towards the faint calling he could hear.
In the eye of the storm, there was a moment of peace and quiet.
A faint glow shimmered at the bottom through a hazy mist.
Streaking near it like a bolt of lightning, Lith saw a rune stone glowing a bright shade of green.
There were indecipherable letters etched on it but somehow, Lith could understand the meaning behind them.
[End of the tutorial.]
[Do you wish to continue?]
Lith’s heartbeat quickened as a faint sense of wonder mixed with disbelief washed over him.
If surviving this stormy night and harsh environment was nothing but the tutorial, what would lay beyond this place?
What would be the horrors and the predicament he’d face if he continued?
It had been a long time since Lith ever felt a challenge. He was unbeatable at all times in the same realm and fighting even a realm above was no problem for him.
Life was starting to get boring.
Ever since his birth, there was never a time he had to struggle. Strength, wealth, and women, he had every single thing.
Right now, there was not a single need to risk his life and continue.
If he died, his family would be saddened and this would be the stupidest mistake anyone could ever make.
Despite knowing everything, Lith’s heart longed in anticipation.
’This is so strange...’
Even he was in disbelief at his own conflicting emotions and thoughts.
To continue or to leave, that was quite a difficult question.
Something within Lith was stirring as if sensing his dilemma.
A warm glow streaked along the veins in his hands and stopped at the tip of his index finger. A burning hot sensation spread from there.
Soon, the fiery red glow turned pitch black and spread all over Lith’s body.
Once he was totally engulfed in it, a tiny warm glow formed on his magic core. This eventually began spreading through his entire body through his meridians and a pair of bright wings erupted through his back.
Everything disappeared just as quickly as it appeared.
Though, their appearance was enough to make Lith tremble.
His breathing quickened as his heart rate increased.
’This... wasn’t this the Phoenix Providence?’
It was some time ago. Back in the Astral World, Lith underwent the Chosen Ones trial and became the bearer of the Phoenix Providence.
At that time and even now, he still didn’t know what it meant or what its use was, but currently, this question he faced was immediately resolved with its appearance.
Phoenix represented Rebirth, the cycle of death and renewal, transformation, and resilience.
It meant rising again after destruction, renewal through fire, death not being an end but a phase, the new self not being identical to the old one, and enduring absolute ruin and still returning.
While there was no guarantee that this Phoenix Providence could help him in any way, the very reason of its appearance was enough for Lith to come to a decision.
"There never was greatness in comfort!" Lith exclaimed as his adrenaline surged and he felt restless.
"I don’t know if I’ll die or if I’ll be able to return, but this thing flaring up is a good sign in itself. At least, I hope so."
After a moment of silence.
"Fuck it, we ball!"
Such excitement was rare.
Lith really wanted to venture into the unknown and see for himself what lay beyond the tutorial.
And thus, staying true to being an impulsive, hot-blooded young man, he chose to continue.
A green glow erupted and engulfed him whole.
The rune disappeared along with Lith and the eye of the storm returned to being lonely.
.....
In a luxurious bedroom, on a velvet pillow, sprawled silver hair fluttered lightly.
The owner of these regal hair woke up with a jolt, looking around in confusion and wonder.
Staring at his trembling hand, Lith exhaled a sigh.
"Recalling that scene sure riled me up. That was definitely one of the best decisions I’ve made. I don’t regret it."
The blanket slid aside. Lith’s bare feet touched the floor, and his muscular legs—etched with Calamity tattoos—moved toward the body mirror standing in the corner.