In the kingdom of Medtron, King Hydris and his robed advisers stood in a great chamber. Four stone pillars loomed around a glowing seal etched with runes. All awaited the arrival of Grandmaster Shu.
"He will come," Hydris said with certainty, though one adviser trembled.
"But, my king… what if the Grandmaster fled to save himself? What if he—"
Hydris's glare could have split mountains. The adviser nearly collapsed on the spot.
"You dare doubt the one I trust most?"
The adviser shrank into the shadows, silent. The room grew tense.
Then, the runes began to hum.
Vrrrrrrr
A blinding light tore through the chamber. Hydris smiled and spread his arms wide. "Finally. Always so dramatic, Shu—some things never change."
The light faded. A body fell into his arms.
But it wasn't Shu.
It was a boy. Naked except for a few blades at his waist.
"...What?" Hydris blinked.
The boy stirred, green eyes snapping open. He looked up at Hydris, realization dawning—
"WHAT THE—?! Why am I naked?! You shameless pervert, taking advantage of me like this!" Shen shrieked, smacking Hydris in the face before tumbling to the floor.
Hydris froze, utterly scandalized. Shameless? Me? He's the one running around my throne room bare as a babe…
The advisers erupted.
"How dare he strike the king!"
"Such insolence!"
"He should be executed immediately!"
One clutched his chest and fainted outright.
Hydris rolled his eyes. "Drama queens, the lot of you."
Shen scrambled back, clutching his daggers. "Who are you people? Where's Shu? What did you do to him?!"
Hydris's gaze fell on the blades. Recognition flashed. "Those daggers… they're Shu's."
But Shen didn't wait. He lunged. Hydris sidestepped with ease, catching the boy by the wrists and flipping him onto the floor like a ragdoll.
"Gah!" Shen cried, but still kicked at Hydris's legs. It was like kicking iron. "Ow—damn it!"
Hydris sighed, calm as ever. "Warping scrambles the mind. Sit still." He gestured, and the guards loosened their hold on Shen. "I mean you no harm. I am Hydris Aceton Leon, King of Medtron. And you are?"
Shen glared, but when Hydris draped his own blue cape over him, the boy's bravado faltered. "...Tanda Shen."
Hydris's voice softened. "Where is Shu?"
Shen's throat tightened. "The last thing I remember… we were in the temple. Then… he pressed a scroll to my chest. I woke up here." His fists trembled. "Wait! He's still there—I have to go back! I can save him!"
The chamber went cold. Everyone stiffened at Shen's next words:
"It was the Four Grandmasters."
Hydris froze. Even the advisers fell silent, their blood running cold.
"Stop," Hydris said firmly.
"What?" Shen asked.
"Did Shu give you those blades?" Hydris asked, his eyes boring into the boy's.
"Yes."
Hydris shut his eyes, the truth settling like a weight. "Then… it's too late. He's gone."
"No!" Shen's voice cracked. "I was just with him! If I hurry—"
"STOP!" Hydris's voice thundered. The walls seemed to tremble. "It has been two hours. The scroll took that long to bring you here. Even if you returned, what could you do against one Grandmaster? Let alone four? You would be as an ant beneath their heel."
Shen staggered. His knees buckled, the strength leaving him. Hydris caught him before he fell.
The boy's tears spilled freely. "Master… he's really…"
Hydris's voice dropped low, heavy with respect. "He is gone. But you live on. And that is what he wanted."
Shen looked up, eyes burning red. Hydris grinned slightly.
"And frankly… you're the one who will save us from this war. That's why he chose you."
"What? I'm too weak—I couldn't even bruise you!"
"For now, yes," Hydris admitted. "But soon? You'll surpass us all. Those blades prove it."
Shen blinked. "Blades…?"
Hydris held them aloft. "Few know this custom. When a Grandmaster gives away his weapon, it means he has chosen his one and only successor. His last student. His heir."
Shen's throat tightened again. He remembered Shu's final words: "Promise you'll live… and remember me."
The tears welled up again, but now they burned hot. He grasped Hydris's hand and stood.
"I will honor his memory. And I will bring vengeance in his name."
Hydris smirked. "Good. But for now—try not to stab me again. Or at least put pants on first."
Shen blinked, then realized he was still mostly naked under the cape. His face flushed red. "Tch—damn it! Why did you have to remind me?!"
The advisers exchanged nervous glances. Hydris just chuckled. "Yes. This one will do."