In the heart of a kingdom teetering on the brink of ruin, the people await a prophesied savior to deliver them from the growing shadow of the Black Cult. At the cult's helm is Zugu, a priestess driven by ambition and vengeance. Once in love with Malekor, the kingdom's staunch defender, Zugu's path diverged when Malekor chose duty over their bond. Now, she seeks to bend the world under her control, wielding forbidden powers that threaten all who oppose her. Fred, a seemingly aimless young man with a penchant for mischief and women, discovers latent superhuman abilities. Though destined for greatness, Fred squanders his gifts, and indulging in fleeting pleasures with women, zugu also bewitched home to have him In her. As the kingdom falters and Malekor's strength wanes, Fred is forced to confront his past and embrace his role in the kingdom's salvation. Battles with monstrous wolves, treachery from within, and Fred's transformation into a reluctant hero weave a story of sacrifice and redemption. Yet, as the Black Cult's influence spreads and Fred faces mounting challenges, the question looms: Will he rise to fulfill his destiny, or will his indulgent past haunt him forever?

Chapter 1 The Attack of Ardentia

The sun hung low not too far off, projecting a foreboding red tone over the sustained walls of Ardentia. The air was thick with strain, the sort that sinks into the bones and murmurs of destruction. The realm's keep going expectation laid on the shoulders of a tired magician, Malekor, who remained on the palace's most elevated tower, his robes surging in the breeze. Underneath him, the combat zone stirred with turmoil as huge monsters conflicted with Ardentia's powerful heroes.

The beasts were not common animals. They were the produce of the Dark Religion - a shadowy secrecy set on diving the world into murkiness. Lumbering monstrosities with obsidian paws tore through lines of warriors. Serpentine monsters with venomous teeth crawled through the positions, leaving trails of death afterward. Above them, winged repulsions shrieked, their rough wings obliterating the blurring daylight. The realm's safeguards, however fearless and talented, were dwarfed and overpowered.

Malekor's voice transcended the chaos, reciting an old mantra. The expressions of force sparkled in the air before him, shaping images that gleamed with crude energy. He push his staff into the ground, and a flood of light emitted, spreading across the war zone. The spell eased back the development of the beasts, driving them back quickly, yet Malekor's face was fixed with strain. His powers were perfect, yet even they had limits.

"Hang tight!" roared Lord Bano, his blade sparkling as he cut down a colossal wolf rushing at his men. His brilliant defensive layer, however imprinted and bloodied, sparkled as an encouraging sign in the midst of the gore. Around him, his first class monitor battled fearlessly, their safeguards locked as they confronted the attack. "For Ardentia! For the divine beings!"

The troopers mobilized to their lord's cry, their cutting edges blazing as they stood up against the tide of haziness. However, the Dark Faction's powers were persistent. From the back of their military, a figure shrouded in dark watched the fight with an evil smile. Zugu, the high priestess of the faction, lifted his hands, and the ground underneath the champions' feet shuddered.

A crevice split the earth, and from it arose a transcending animal of shadow and fire. Its eyes ignited with malignance, and its thunder shook the sky. The warriors vacillated, dread grasping their hearts.

"Malekor!" Ruler Bano yelled, his voice frantic. "We want you!"

The magician gritted his teeth, sweat gushing down his face. Bringing his leftover strength, he raised his staff once more and released an electrical jolt at the animal. The bolt struck valid, making the monster falter, yet it simply appeared to anger it further. The animal turned its blazing look toward the pinnacle where Malekor stood and started its development.

---

Amidst the turmoil, a little fellow named Fred watched from the wellbeing of the internal walls. His green eyes were wide with both apprehension and interest. Fred was no customary kid; he had confidential, one he had kept even from his supportive family. He had abilities, odd and unexplainable, yet he scarcely grasped them. Seeing the alchemist using enchantment filled him with both wonder and yearning.

"Is there any good reason why they won't allow me to battle?" he mumbled to himself, holding his clench hands. "I could help."

His more established siblings, warriors in the lord's military, had prohibited him from leaving the wellbeing of the palace. They thought him feeble and disgraceful, a simple ranch kid with no put on the war zone. Fred's disdain consumed more sweltering as time passes as he watched the valiant champions tumble to the enormous crowd.

---

On the war zone, the tide of fight moved. The shadow monster arrived at the foundation of the pinnacle and swung its enormous paws, tearing through stone like it were paper. Malekor staggered, almost losing his balance as the pinnacle shook savagely. He peered down at the animal, his psyche hustling for an answer.

"Incredible divine beings above," he murmured, "award me strength."

He started another chant, his voice ascending in urgency. The images of force gleamed more splendid, and a boundary of sparkling light conformed to the palace. The monster thundered in dissatisfaction, battering against the safeguard, however it held firm - for the time being.

Ruler Bano took advantage of the opportunity. "As far as I might be concerned, fighters of Ardentia!" he yelled, rushing the animal. His men followed, their weapons glimmering as they struck at the monster's legs. The animal cried, becoming suddenly angry with paws and blazes, yet the ruler's attack diverted it from the alchemist.

Malekor saw his opportunity. He raised his staff high, diverting all his excess power into a solitary spell. The images around him burst into flares, and a light emission energy shot forward, striking the animal in the chest. The monster let out a last, earsplitting thunder prior to falling, its monstrous structure breaking down into debris.

A cheer rose from the warriors, yet it was fleeting. The triumph had included some significant pitfalls. The combat zone was covered with the assemblages of the fallen, and the Dark Faction's powers, however lessened, were not even close to crushed. Zugu, actually remaining at the back of the adversary armed force, glowered as she watched his valued creation fall.

"This is nowhere near finished," he murmured, withdrawing into the shadows.

---

As the fight slowed down, Fred couldn't contain his indignation any longer. "For what reason must I stay here, weak, while they battle?" he said out loud, pacing the palace patio. He recollected the day he found his powers, the purple light that had erupted from his hands and killed the wolf going after his dad's sheep. He had been frightened then, at that point, yet presently he considered those powers to be a gift - one not entirely set in stone to utilize.

"I'll show them," he mumbled. "I'll demonstrate I'm not feeble."

As night fell, Fred got out of the palace, his brain set on a certain something: joining the battle. Much to his dismay, his choice would show him a way that would change the destiny of the realm for eternity.

The palace entryways lingered high and forcing, however they presented little test to Fred, whose slight edge permitted him to fall through the shadowy fissure close to the guardhouse. The night hushed up, save for an intermittent rattle of defensive layer or the far off mumble of troopers trading tired discussion.

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