Narration: Back in Darok's past, when he first started going to another school…
5 years ago
The classroom buzzed with laughter and chatter. Darok slid quietly into a seat near the back. Almost instantly, two boys in the front spun around and pelted paper balls at him.
Darok clenched his jaw.
Darok (low, trying to sound tough): "Don't mess with me."
The bullies just snickered, their laughter echoing in his ears like mockery carved into stone. They didn't take him seriously.
The hours dragged until lunch break. The cafeteria reeked of fried food and cheap bread. Students shouted across tables, trays clattered, and in the corner, Darok sat alone with his small bag of chips — the only thing he looked forward to.
But then, chaos erupted.
A chair screeched across the floor. A loud crack — a fist colliding with someone's jaw. Voices spiked into violent shouts. In seconds, the cafeteria turned into a warzone.
Darok's heart pounded.
Darok (thinking): What's happening? What am I supposed to do?
His body froze, muscles heavy with fear.
Then—
Guy (shoving him): "Oi, what are you standing around for?! This is a fight!"
Darok's chips spilled onto the floor, trampled under stomping feet. He stumbled, nearly falling, when another student shoved him from behind.
Like a wolf on prey, a kick slammed into his stomach, knocking the air from his lungs. He dropped to his knees, clutching his side.
Darok (weakly): "I… I wanna run. I just wanna go home…"
But there was no escape. Another boy stormed toward him, eyes burning with adrenaline. Darok tried to move — but a knee crushed into his gut. His vision exploded white.
Darok (gasping in thoughts): Why… why isn't anyone stopping this? Why me?
The crowd roared with excitement — some cheering, others mocking. To them, it was entertainment. To Darok, it was survival.
His body screamed to give up. Yet, with trembling arms, he forced himself to rise.
Darok (out loud, voice cracking): "C-can I… just go home?"
A fist answered, smashing across his cheek. The taste of iron flooded his mouth.
Darok (thinking, gritting teeth): It hurts… it hurts so much… but I can't fall… I'll tank it. I'll survive.
Punches rained down, each heavier than the last. His knees buckled. Finally, his body collapsed, motionless.
Guy (scoffing, standing over him): "Hah… weakling."
But then—movement.
Darok's fingers twitched. His broken body pushed against the ground. Slowly. Painfully. Blood dripped from his lip, his frame trembling, but when his eyes lifted—something had changed.
The bully froze, his smirk faltering.
Guy (hesitant): "What the hell…? You're still getting up?"
The cafeteria's roar dimmed into whispers. Students leaned forward, unsettled. Darok's presence wasn't loud, but it pressed on their chests like a weight. His aura was raw, jagged, primal — a will that refused to break.
Darok stood crooked, his breaths ragged, but his gaze burned like fire refusing to die.
The bully forced a laugh, but his hands trembled.
Guy (forcing confidence): "S-so what? You're still just a small fry."
But deep down, even he felt it — that suffocating pressure, the sense that this boy was no ordinary weakling.
Narration: That day, in that cafeteria, something inside Darok began to awaken. Something no fist or boot could ever crush.
And from that moment, the path of Darok — the boy who refused to stay down — had begun.
Chapter 13 End