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Chapter 2: Awakening the Creation
Paul folded his arms, glaring suspiciously at the man before him.
"Unlock powers? What are you even talking about, old man?"
Ezra laughed heartily, scratching the back of his head. "Old man? Haha! No one has ever called me that. I'm actually happy about it!"
Paul sighed. "Hey, Ezra…"
"Hmm? What is it, my king?" Ezra tilted his head with a smirk. "Wait—how did you know my name?"
Paul frowned. "I can see it on your head, like an arrow pointing right at it."
Ezra's eyes widened. "You can see it? Even we, the Cosmos Beings, can't see our own names. As expected from you, my king."
Paul squinted. "I think I heard you call me 'king' twice now."
"Yes, my king," Ezra said calmly. "But first, as I mentioned, we need to unlock your powers."
Paul raised a brow. "Okay. How?"
"By training you."
"Train me?" Paul groaned. "Oh no—don't tell me I'll be sleeping in a volcano or something!"
Ezra chuckled. "Oh my, nothing like that. What we'll be doing is different. We'll be unlocking your Spiritual Energy, Grace and Mercy, and your Mana Core."
"Everything you just mentioned sounds like something a movie freak would say."
Ezra smiled. "I'm blessed by your words, my king."
Paul crossed his arms again. "How long will this training take?"
Ezra's tone turned serious. "Thirteen years, give or take."
Paul's jaw dropped. "Thirteen?! That's way too much!"
"I know," Ezra admitted. "You're just fourteen, my king. I assume your mother never unlocked any of this for you."
"My mom? What does she have to do with this?"
"Oh my," Ezra said softly, looking away. "She didn't tell you? Well, you're what we call a Creation."
"I don't follow. Please explain clearly."
"You'll understand along the way," Ezra replied. "For now, let's start with the easiest elemental power — Universal Control."
A black orb formed in Ezra's palm, swirling with cosmic light.
Paul smirked. "Let's do this."
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Five Years Later — The Garden of Aethoria
The wind brushed through the garden surrounding the castle, carrying the scent of starlilies and the hum of energy flowing through the realm.
Ezra stood behind Paul, who sat cross-legged beneath a celestial tree.
"It's been five years now, my king," Ezra said quietly.
Paul opened his eyes, glowing faintly with light. "Yeah. I've learned all the elements. I can control Grace and Mercy, balance my Mana Core, and draw Spiritual Energy from my surroundings…" He paused, frowning. "Except—I still don't know how to be a king."
"Being a king doesn't mean you have to be perfect," Ezra replied gently.
Paul gave a faint smile. "You said I'm different from other Creations… that I was made to conquer more than just the realms."
"I've never pressured you, my king," Ezra said. "Everything will come in due time. For now, focus and rule as you see fit."
Paul clenched his fists. "I know, but I haven't even faced a real enemy yet. I don't know what a true battle feels like."
Ezra's grin widened. "Is that so? Then how about a real battle? Travel to the realms. Announce yourself as the Ninth Creation."
Paul blinked. "Shouldn't they already know?"
"That's the problem," Ezra said. "Only the Cosmos Beings and the people of Aethoria know who you are. The Hierarchy is still searching for you."
Paul frowned. "Now that you mention them—"
"No, my king," Ezra interrupted. "You'd lose even to the last seat — Somoso, the Sixteenth."
Paul groaned. "No fair! After all this training, I still can't defeat any of them?"
"Not yet," Ezra said, smiling.
"So, where do you want me to go again?"
"To the Elyndor Realm."
Paul blinked. "Wait—Elyndor has his own realm?"
Ezra raised a brow. "Haven't you been studying those history books, my king?"
Paul shrugged. "Wouldn't say study… more like flipping through pages."
Ezra sighed. "The Nobles rule there. Speak to them. Make them swear loyalty and pledge their support. And please—no fighting."
Paul grinned. "Can't promise that. Besides, I need to get closer to death to unlock my greatest power yet—Future Foresight."
Ezra sighed again. "I'll give you one of two options—"
"I'll pass on the other one," Paul interrupted. "Well, I'm off on my journey."
"Please take an escort with you, my king," Ezra said.
"I'm fine going alone. I wouldn't want anyone getting hurt or dying because of me."
Ezra bowed his head. "Alright, my king. Safe journey."
A shimmering portal opened behind Paul, glowing in hues of silver and blue. Without hesitation, he stepped through.
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Five Years Later — Elyndor Realm
Paul (Narrating):
It's been five years since I began my journey…
Suddenly, a scream echoed in the distance.
"NO! Please, don't take me! I don't want to die yet!" a girl cried.
Paul's eyes narrowed. "Okay… I wasn't expecting this. What the hell is going on here? Stop! What do you think you're doing?!"
An Elyndor Knight turned to him. "None of your business, stranger."
"Please, save me!" the girl begged. "I don't want to die!"
Paul looked at her. "What's your name?"
"Maya… Maya Reyes."
"Alright, Maya. I'll save you. Let her go."
"She's nothing more than a sacrifice to our Elyndor god," the knight replied coldly.
Paul scowled. "Elyndor god? I thought Elyndor was a battle realm. Aren't the Nobles the ones who make the rules?"
A frightened citizen whispered, "Please don't oppose them… if you don't want to die."
Paul's expression darkened. "They're suffering… yet they still can't stand up for themselves." He sighed. "Sorry, Maya, I can't sa—"
Maya cried louder. "No, please! They took my sister before… now me!"
Paul clenched his fists, then descended from above, energy rippling around him. "Take me to your Nobles. I want to speak to them."
"No!" Maya screamed through tears. "Please… I'll offer you my life instead!"
The citizens looked away, sorrow heavy in their eyes.
The Knights escorted Paul to the Nobles' castle.
---
Inside the grand hall, Paul stood tall. "Hello, Nobles. I am Paul Kirman Stark, Grand Creation. I inherited power from Luke Stark, who has fallen."
Noble One sneered. "We don't care!"
Paul remained calm. "I have a request. Stop offering sacrifices to this so-called Elyndor god."
A tall man stepped forward. "I am Duke Austin, leader of the Nobles."
Paul smirked. "I see—you're the only one without a number. Must mean you're that strong."
Duke Austin's eyes narrowed. "As I was saying, you can't just come to our realm and make demands, Paul."
"Demands?" Paul's tone hardened. "No. I'm ordering you to stop. Your people are suffering—not just them, but your entire realm. I've been funding aid for four years!"
Noble Three sneered. "Look, Paul, we Nobles control this realm now. What have you Creations been doing for the last fourteen years?"
Paul clenched his teeth. "I was a child! Please reconsider your decision. Don't kill the girl. I don't want to use force."
"Force?" Duke Austin laughed. "Look at this insolent child."
"Do not seek violence, Duke Austin," another warned.
A man cloaked in black stepped forward. "Excuse me, Creation."
Paul turned. "Who are you?"
"I am the Elyndor Seeker. I communicate directly with the Elyndor god."
Paul glared. "I don't care. I was told not to fight, but you Nobles are really getting on my nerves."
"Continue the sacrifice," Duke Austin commanded.
Paul's aura flared, shaking the ground. "I won't repeat myself again."
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To Be Continued…
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