The Unmasked
Chapter 1: The Beginning
A flame blazed across the sky.
Below it, a village was engulfed in fire. Corpses littered the ground—thousands dead. Blood pooled in the dirt, bodies torn apart. One man lay with his head severed from his torso. Another had his intestines spilling from his stomach. A third was impaled against a wall, a sword driven through his mouth.
From the burning ruins, a figure emerged.
He walked slowly, face hidden in shadows. He stepped on intestines with one foot, the other crushing a dead man's face. Without flinching, he moved through the carnage like a ghost. Suddenly, a dozen figures in black emerged from the trees. Assassins. Surrounding him.
He stopped, emotionless.
One assassin stepped forward. "This is your last day."
He hurled a knife.
It missed—just barely—but sliced the figure's cheek. Purple blood oozed out. The man touched it, looked at the strange color on his fingers, and smiled.
The assassins tensed. Something about that smile sent chills down their spines.
Then, it began.
A dark purple aura erupted from his body. The pressure was suffocating. The very air twisted with killing intent. Some of the assassins hesitated, fear flickering in their eyes.
"There are twelve of us," their captain growled. "He's alone. Kill him!"
They attacked.
He smiled wider. Slitting his palm, purple blood streamed from his hand. "You've made the worst mistake of your lives."
As they lunged, they were caught mid-air—suspended.
The purple aura surrounded them, lifting their bodies higher and higher. They struggled. Useless.
The man raised his hand. His fist slowly clenched.
Crack.
Their bones shattered one by one. Screams filled the air as invisible pressure crushed them from every side. Blood burst from mouths and eyes.
With a final snap of his fist, every assassin exploded—a storm of flesh, blood, and bones raining down.
He sat down, blood coating his face.
"It all started eight years ago," he whispered. "When I was just a kid."
Leon Graves was twelve years old, and today marked the most important day of his life: his journey to Astralis Academy.
In his world, four great nations were surrounded by the vast Great Ocean. His homeland, Azrathis, was a kingdom built on power—power that ran through blood.
The color of one's blood determined their strength. Only one in ten possessed the rare blood colors that granted power.
On every child's twelfth birthday, they traveled to Astralis Academy to drink the juice of the Celestara Fruit. The fruit awakened their blood. If it turned color, they were gifted. If it remained red... they were powerless.
Leon stepped onto the wooden cart that would carry him through the jungle.
"Leooooon!"
He turned. Finn Carter, his best friend, came jogging up with his usual wide grin.
"You didn't think you'd leave without me, did you?"
Energetic and loud, Finn was the complete opposite of Leon, but the two had been inseparable since childhood.
They climbed aboard. One of Leon's family servants took the reins, and the cart creaked into motion.
The forest around them grew darker.
Demons roamed these woods. Even Finn quieted, sensing the tension.
Suddenly, a scream echoed through the trees.
A girl.
Leon and Finn exchanged glances.
"Did you hear that?" Finn asked.
Leon nodded. "We need to check it out."
Their servant hesitated. But after some argument, he turned the cart toward the sound.
They arrived at a horrific scene.
Three carts blocked the road. A girl in a wheelchair clutched a bunny, while two older boys jeered and bullied her. One kicked her chair. The other pushed her. Yet she held the bunny tight.
Her servant was being restrained by two men, screaming in vain.
Leon recognized her. Amelie.
He and Finn jumped down.
"Hey! Leave her alone!" Finn shouted.
The bullies barely turned.
Leon stepped forward. "I'm from House Graves. Noble blood. Do you want to test me?"
The boys paused.
"Is he lying?" one whispered.
"We can't take the chance."
They ran.
The girl looked up, eyes wide.
Leon knelt beside her. "Are you alright?"
She smiled. A real, warm smile.
Behind them, Finn smirked. "Man, don't fall in love so fast."
"Shut up," Leon mumbled, blushing as he helped Amelie.
"Thank you," she said softly.
"Why were they hurting you?"
She looked down. "They were burning my bunny. I stopped them... so they turned on me."
Finn's fists clenched. "They're monsters."
Amelie giggled at his outrage.
Leon looked at her with concern. They had known each other since childhood. Whenever he went for sword training, he'd sneak off to spend time with her. She had no friends. To her, Leon was everything.
"Your cart's broken," he said. "Want to ride with us?"
She hesitated, then nodded.
Night fell. Leon spoke, "We need to find shelter."
They found a small village with a hotel. Inside, a beautiful woman greeted them. Finn blushed immediately.
Leon covered his mouth and apologized, dragging him aside. Amelie laughed behind them.
They booked three rooms.
Later that evening, Amelie knocked.
Finn opened the door, saw her, and gave Leon a knowing smile before slipping out.
Amelie wheeled closer to Leon, who sat by the window.
She took his hand.
Leon blushed. "W-What are you doing?"
"Quiet," she said. "You got hurt earlier. Let me apply some medicine."
Her hands were gentle.
Leon looked away, cheeks red. "Didn't your parents try to stop you from coming?"
She paused, sadness in her smile. "You know they never cared. I'm better off without them."
Leon saw the pain in her eyes.
He gripped her hand gently. "You're not alone. I'm with you. And now, Finn too."
She looked at him, heart swelling. Childhood memories rushed back—Leon always visiting, keeping her company.
"Thank you, for everything," she whispered.
Their eyes met.
She pulled her hand back. "I should go."
He nodded.
After she left, Finn returned.
He saw the blush on Leon's face and smirked but said nothing.
The next day, they arrived at Astralis Academy.
The gates were massive, towering. Inside stood a statue.
"That's Zareth Kaine," Leon said. "Golden blood. Strongest warrior in 500 years. Seven years ago, he entered the demon-infested forest... and vanished. They say the Demon King, 'The Unmasked,' killed him."
They entered the academy.
Five thousand students.
Leon spotted the bullies from before. Rage stirred in his chest.
Finn stopped him. "Not worth it."
Leon sighed. He was right. Fighting was forbidden here.
Suddenly, an announcement called them all to the central grounds.
There, before thousands of children, sat the King of Azrathis, Aldric Veyron, on a golden throne.
Beside him sat four nobles: heads of the Everhart, Ravenshade, Beaumont, and Stormhale families.
An instructor spoke. "Each of you will now drink the juice of the Celestara Fruit. If your blood changes, you have power. If not..."
One by one, the children stepped forward.
The moment of truth had come.