The Hardship
Prologue
" In a place where you cannot see and cannot be seen , divided into brightness and darkness full of regret and mischief..yet full of good fortune and joy too..lies the World of this journey... SHADORESU ( shadowless ).
(The day starts with Ayann waking up from his sleep in his room, about to start the day by going to school)
MC name is Ayann Adham.
"Alarm rings"
Ayann : (opens eyes) Another day huh…
(gets up slowly from his bed watching the wall before him closely
, the house appears to have no ceiling and is missing part of the walls, basically almost completely ruined to the ground,
he gets up and walks outside through the ruined wall).
( As we see the MC walking outside , the city seems to be rumbled and destroyed, a wasteland one could say..of buildings alone...and there seems to be no signs of life..anywhere at the moment...)
Ayann : (While walking looks up to the sky and stares into the Sun)
*sigh* What a lovely day...to be all by yourself…(looks away from the sky and keeps walking..)
( We see the MC walking inside the object of a school , climbing up the stairs to the 2nd floor, he enters the empty class and sits on the last row to the very right by the window, more than half of the class is destroyed and dirty as if it hadn't been used for years…
Ayann : (starts talking to himself) Used to be lively in here...afterall here is where it all started...the terror...( puts on an angry face as he dwells into his memories 4 years ago…)
(4 years ago)
( Ayann age 14 , Erica age 14 )
( We see the city in its normal state as it should be.. People walking by the streets, cars moving on the road , birds surfing the sky , and...a class full of happy kids in school enjoying the sunny day together…)
("Erica Hearst" the 2nd char to be shown in the manga , she's the MC's childhood friend and classmate).
Erica : (suddenly sits on the MC's desk before him and starts talking to him) Hey Ay-chan why are you spacing off like sloth today?
Ayann : Oh hey there Erica , nah it's nothing just a bit tired as all ( yawns )
Erica : Yeesh did you stay up lateeee again playing your videoooo games?? Gosh you're hopeless!
Ayann : (while scratching head) Cmon lay off , Erica i said im tired remember, i need rest, and not you giving me a headache sheesh!
Ayann : Anyways that's not it , i couldn't sleep all night because i had a really bad feeling about today…as if somethings gonna happen…(serious face)
Erica : (surprised face) Oh?, Are you serious or is this just another one of your stupid pranks? (annoyed face)
Ayann : (Yawn) Who knows...
Erica : Heheh maybe you're planning on asking someone out and the bad feeling is cause you know you're gonna get dumped! Hahahaha
Ayann : ( annoyed ) Will ya shut ya yappin!! -
Class Student : ( looking through the window) Hey guys check it out , there's a bunch of guys on our school grounds watching this way...
(The school ground is almost filled with people wearing the same black cloak and strange hats)
(All the class students rush to windows to check it out ,including Ayaan and Erica)
Random student : Shady looking fellas...what are they doing here..
Random student 2 : Hahaha is this some Circus show or something , look at how they are dressed like some magicians !
Random student 3 : Hahahaha I know right , what are they gonna do , start pulling out bunnies from their hats?? ( More than half the class starts laughing and joking around).
(The people in cloaks are round up like an army, and 1 of them steps up ahead (the leader of the army) and looks up , you could only see half his face since the shadow of the hat covered his eyes).
(The name of the leader is Baron Strivia )
Baron : (shouts loudly) Hello there! I go by the name of Baron Strivia, Students of Gnolaya , you have nothing to fear…
Baron : the reason why me and these men behind me are here is nothing to be worried about...we're only here for the porpuse...of eleminating you all...
Students : What… , huh??? , hahahaha is this supposed to be funny?, what is this clown doing gosh?, Is he for real….? , is this a prank? , im scared… (some students seem to think its a joke , an act , a clown? , some are scared , some are just confused…).
Erica : What…? What is this out of nowhere...Ay-chan im scared..
Ayann (thinking to himself) Did he just say...they want to kill us all...
Random Soldier : Excuse me for interrupting sir Baron, but maybe we shouldn't have announced that we're here to kill them all you know...that'll just cause panic and make them run away in fear...
Baron : Hmmmmm (smiling)....
Random Soldier: Um...sir Baron?
Baron : Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm(smiling)....
Random Soldier :Uh….(soldiers look at eachother confused)
Random Soldier 2 : (Psst)You must be a newbie so you dont know much but this is how sir Baron does things so just lay low and observe man, plus dont you love it when they run for their lives!
Baron : Now start the operation!
Soldiers : YES SIR! (Grinning)
(The men start spreading around the place entering the school objects swiftly running like madmen)
(Baron takes off his hat and remains standing alone at the same spot as before, and looks up to Ayann, the moment Ayann makes eye contact with Baron, Baron instantly teleports before Ayaans face inside the class right before him, Ayaan has a confused look on his face as Baron is smiling at him and saying…)
Baron : Well hello there...
Ayann: How...is thi-
(Baron punches Ayaan in the face and sends him flying across the classroom..)
Baron : Hmmm you must be asking yourself how i did that just now? How is it possible? well there's alot you little runts dont know..and sadly you will all perish knowing nothing...
Baron : If it were up to me I wouldn't waste potential soldiers like you but what can i do...orders are orders…
(Ayann comes back conscious...and wipes the blood off his nose…he seems to be severely hurt)
Ayann: Damn you...why are..you doing this...what did we ever do to you guys…
Baron : Wow not bad kid...you're still conscious after that? You seem like a tough bone unlike these other snotty chumps over here…
Ayann: Just leave them alone...you bastard!
Baron : Haven't seen a kid with balls like you for a while now hehehe..say what ill give you a reward just for that…
Baron : The rest of you brats listen too...might as well tell you since you're all gonna die soon anyway…
(Baron points up his finger with a serious face and says :) Listen carefully now cause you wont be around enough to hear it twice, what i did before...was my ability...
Baron : the very earth we sit on is a unexplained living phenomenon and its emitting with energy...different kinds of energies that evaporate from the very seed of this being we call "Earth", of course they cannot be seen by the eye ,and they choose their owner depending on their personality ambition,menace…whatever emotion pushes them the furthest to achieve their goal, it will recognize it and gift the chosen person or even animal the power to lessen the gap btw them and their goal…
Baron : Of course it goes without saying that not everyone can achieve their powers some just don't have it in them..now that thats off my chest lets get back to my ability...
Baron : So to keep it short my ability lets me teleport to anyone who makes eye contact with me, for a period of 1 second and above, no less , and once that criteria is fulfilled i can teleport instantly to them in a circle area that surrounds them 2m from all directions that means inside that circle i can teleport behind you, in front of you, above you starting from a distance of 2 meters and below...yes I can even get 1 cm of distance in front of you with no problem...hehehe
Baron: Well? aren't I just awesome (runs through his hair with his hand)
(Students seem shocked from hearing all this and are confused and afraid, they've frozen in place from fear, while you can hear the screams of the rest of the school students…)
Baron : Hmmm hear that? Looks like they're almost done, well i have to clean up here too enough school lessons for today ay? What do you say kid? (Looks at Ayann smiling)
Ayann : …*thinking to himself while looking at every students terrified and hopeless faces* Is this...the end for us?...
(After hearing Baron say that, some of the other students try to escape while screaming for help running to the exit door, while not looking back...the closest one to the door is a boy who almost makes it but…)
(Baron quickly gets in front of the door with high speed blocking his way...the boy looks terrified after seeing him pop out of nowhere)
Baron : Cmon kid forgetting already? I told you no one leaves until they're dead (says it while putting his hands on the boys shoulder and smiling)
Boy : Arghhhhhh someone help me arghhh-
(Baron thrusts his hand through the kids stomach leaving a hole...the students coughs lots of blood and dies..Ayann has a lifeless look on his face as he watches Baron kill the student...the other students start screaming in terror as they his hand popping out from the kids back...)
Baron : Nghhh dont you hate it when kids start crying outta nowhere..its such a pain sheesh!
(Baron looks at the other kids crying).
Baron : Didn't you all hear what i just said…(looks at them with lifeless eyes)
Ayann : Hey...
(Baron notices the dangerous gaze of Ayann watching him and looks back at him)
Baron : huh?
Ayann : That was my friend...you just killed…
Baron : Ah? That was your friend? Damn you should of told me so , I thought you 2 didn't get along well...hahahahaha
Ayann : …
(Ayann keeps looking to the ground not saying a word…)
(Baron looks at Ayann's reaction to the kill and slaps his hands together making a big clap, the kids get shocked and look at him making eye contact, he quickly teleports to a girl this time behind her which happens to be Erica)
Baron : Is she your friend too…?
(Erica looks back at Baron from behind her...and then looks at Ayann crying..)
Erica : Ay-chan…
Baron : I guess she is….(devilish smile)
(As Baron says that , he starts raising his hand to thrust her stomach too from behind)
Baron : Here….we...GOOOO!
(As his hand is almost close enough to impale Erica, Ayann pops out of nowhere above Erica's head in front of Baron and kicks him in the face with a flying kick...Baron was letting his guard down and doesn't notice it and gets hit, the kick sends Baron flying to the wall…)
Erica : Ay-chan…(surprised face)
Ayann : Dont worry...i will protect you all even if it kills me…
(Theres shadows pouring from the ground wrapping around Ayann's legs and going up to his thighs slowly…)
Erica : Your legs…
(When Ayann looks at Erica she feels chills down her spine cause of the look on Ayanns face, his face giving an expression of rage and hatred)
Students : Ayann… , how did you do that?? , wait look at his legs...hes one of them , what? No way… , He just saved Erica!!! , HE HAS POWERS LIKE THEM HES A FREAK !!!
Ayann : ….
Baron : Hahahahaha...these are your precious friends? Its almost like a bad joke (says while getting up from the wall on his feet)
Baron : You fight to protect this ungrateful filth? You lay your life for them? are you kidding me...hehehehe
Ayann : SHUT UP!!!!!!!
(Baron quickly teleports behind to one of the students who made eye contact with him)
Ayann : NO WATCH OUT!!!!
Student : huh…?
Baron : Dont move or hes dead…before we continue our fight i have some questions to ask you cause damn kid youve piqued my interest…
Ayann : Let him go….
Baron : First question, whats your name?
Ayann : ….
Baron : Do you want him to die hmmm?
Student : Arghhh pls (crying)
Ayann : its Ayann , Ayann Adam…
Baron : Ayann huh...very well Ayann i have a proposal for you...join us!
Ayann : Join you?...
Baron : Yes...it would be a real waste to kill a talented guy like you , especially after you seem like you had your powers awakened for quite some time now...so how about it? (Smile)
Ayann : Join you?....the people who are slaughtering my friends...and everyone else in this school...
(Looks at Baron with threatening eyes while clenching his teeth)
Baron : Sigh...well I thought as much
Ayann : Are you done with your stupid questions now? Let him go…
Baron : Hold on there's 1 more…
Baron : Tell me...in what way do you want me to end your life Ayann…
(Ayann charges at him with full speed but he cant make it before Baron snaps the kids head, the moment Baron kills the kid he teleports to another…but Ayann sees through his eyes where they are looking and anticipates where he will teleport and quickly fly kicks him but Baron blocks with his right arm and gets pushed away from the kid...)
Baron : * thinking to himself* So he followed my eyes to my target...what a pain
Ayann : IVE HAD ENOUGH OF YOUR SHIT *screaming out loud*
*The moment he says that, Baron's men walk in the class through the door*
Baron : Oh you guys , done already?
Soldiers : Of course sir Baron it was like a walk in the park
Soldier : What about you sir im surprised you haven't cleaned here yet, you having fun toying with them perhaps? Hehehe
Baron : Well well i was about to but I ran into an interesting kid here you see…
Ayann : Hey you….what happened to the other students…
Soldier : Huh?? This brat? *moves infront of Ayann looking down at him*
Ayann : Answer me…
Soldier : Spooky!! Ahahaha , well what do you think happened squirk , of course we killed them all…*grinning*
Ayann : I see...
Soldier : How is this brat any trouble to you sir Baron, you must be joking hahahah
(While the soldier is talking scene shows Ayann thinking to himself with the following words)
Ayann : *thinking to himself* Everyone else besides in this room...is dead, is this what you meant by hardship...Gramps…
(A past memory of Ayann and his grandpa is shown)
Grandpa : Oi Ayann come over here brat * says while laying on bed*
Ayann : Huhhh what do you want old man! Cmon cant you see im busy here *is playing videogames*
Grandpa : If you come here right now ill give you a candyyy!!!
Ayann : Old man...who do you think I am…
Grandpa : *smiling*
Ayann : *sigh , goes by the grandpas side*
Ayann : What do you want old man?
Grandpa : Listen Ayann...you're still a child now so you might not fully understand what im about to say...but as you get older life gets harder too and many hardships and misfortunes might await you my grandson…
Ayann : Old man…
Ayann : But you must never let yourself sink into those things, be strong...while also being kind...be fearless while still concerning for those around you...and most importantly never let anything get to you...always move forward giving your best for what you believe is right...ik you can do it…*while shivering gives the candy to Ayanns hand and grasps his hands* Afterall...you're my grandson...hehehehe
Ayann : G-grandpa….*says while tears fall down his cheeks*
Grandpa is shown dying and Ayann crying and the scene goes back to normal*
(As the soldier is still talking Ayann screams with all his might)
Ayann : ARGHHHHHHHHH!
Soldier : Huh!! Whats with the screaming all of the sudden you lil twerp *attempts to grab Ayann by the hair but before he gets to touch him Ayann punches him in the stomach*
Soldier : *coughs blood* You..little *falls on the ground unconscious*
Soldiers : Oi oi...what was that?
Baron : what are you morons waiting for, get him hes just a kid…
Soldiers : R-right hahaha…
(They start moving towards Ayann to atk)
Baron : *thinking to himself* Thats right kid...amuse me more, let the rage consume you..., SHOW ME YOUR POWER!*
Ayann : *thinking to himself* Thats one down…
Soldier : Playtime is over kid
(The Soldier tries to grab him by the neck but Ayann swiftly dodges and kicks him on the back of his left lower leg and the soldier falls on his butt)
Soldier : YOU LITTLE-
(Ayann empowers his leg even more with his shadowlike power and strikes him in the face and kills him with 1 blow)
Ayann : ….ngh… thats 2 down….
Baron : *keeps watching*
(3 other soldiers atk Ayann from different angles)
Ayann : *thinking to himself* everything you taught me Gramps…
(He leashes out the shadow aura surrounding his body and pushes them away)
Soldier : *laying on the ground* Whats up with this kid!
Baron : *starts walking and goes past the soldier that was talking just now* You're no match for him clearly...guess ill have to do it myself.
Ayann : *thinking to himself* everything you guided me through...has been for this day huh…*
Ayann: ….*watches Baron as he approaches*
Erica : Ay-chan be careful *shouts out while crying*
Ayann: Erica...
Baron : Its been fun but we have to get back now, cant waste all our time here kid…
Ayann : Dont worry...it wont take much time to send you all to your graves *smiling*
Baron : Hahahah Thats a good one...kid…
(Baron swiftly runs towards Ayann)
Baron : Ill show you the difference in our powers kid...back then i was going easy on you.
Ayann : Oh yeah?!!!
(Ayann runs towards him as he approaches and slides down before his legs , pushes his body up with his left hand and tries to high kick from below , Baron catches his leg with ease with his right hand and swirls him throwing him into the wall)
Baron : Cmon is that all?...
Ayann : *coughs blood* (damn this bastard...ig he wasn't bluffing)
(Baron makes eye contact with him and teleports before him)
Baron: You shouldn't let your guard down against me…
(Grabs Ayann by his face and slams his head into the wall and pushes his head against the wall)
(Ayann empowers his leg with shadow aura and tries to kick him in the waist , but he dodges and moves a few steps back)
Ayann : *breathing heavily*
Baron : There's something i should tell you kid…
*forms a fist on his right hand and the fist starts glowing with a yellow aura*
Baron : Some ppl can obtain 2 different powers…
Ayann : Impossible…
Baron : This is my true power *forms a fist with his right hand, and it starts glowing in red crimson colour*
(Baron moves with high speed infront of Ayann and punches him with the glowing fist on his stomach)
(He sends Ayann flying through the wall out of the school building throwing him in the forest trees near school)
Erica : AY-CHAN !!! NOOOOOO *is crying*
Baron : *thinking to himself as he watches through the hole* To think a kid pushed me to use this much of my power...he's gonna be a nasty one in future...I wonder who taught him to awaken his potential powers…and his powers...pure shadows emitting around his body, its a rare one indeed…*
Soldier : Sir what do we do with the remaining kids over here?
Baron : Exactly what you did with the other twerps , kill them
(Erica is shown jumping at baron from behind and hitting him in the back)
Erica : YOU MONSTER!!! How could you do that to Ay-chan *is crying*
Baron : Hahaha you're a lady but you sure don't act like one kid...worried for your boyfriend over there huh * grabs her by her clothes and holds her up*
Erica : Y-you...monster *her eyes start flashing in green color*
Baron : No way….she's awakening? Bhahahaha this is magnificent!!
(As Baron is holding her in the air , green aura starts forming around her arm like a cloak in the form of a claw)
Erica : Arghhhhh! *she tries to hit Baron with her empowered fist*
(Baron quickly hits her on the neck with a karate chop and leaves her unconscious)
Baron : Truly magnificent...she awakened by pure hatred towards me because of what I did to that boy she holds dear…
Soldier : We killed everyone else , now she's the only one left
Baron : We're not killing this one
Soldier : Oh? Thats a rare decision for you sir
Baron : Well she is rare , she's more valuable than all of you pawns combined...I have plans for her , also you will not tell anyone of her , including the higher ups, you got that?
Soldier : Y-yes sir I understand!
Baron : Good...now let's move out before They arrive…
TO BE CONTINUED...
(Thats the end of Chapter 1)