A TRICKLE OF HOPE.

***In Continent 'Eclipse of the Oceans'..

***In the South East region of the Continent..

***Coastal clan's territory..

***Golden Anjings Province..

...

A big traditional mansion lies near the center west position of the infamous 'Golden Anjing' Province. This traditional mansion can be considered as massive considering it's wide structure though around these structures lies an even bigger compound that holds a distinct touch of martial at every turn.

It is very obvious that this environment is the home of a cultivation master and it is quite a home considering the space and luxury in it's wooden designs.

There are unique trees planted in various gardens, low grasses by the side of the walkways and concrete sculpture at eye-catching locations. The age of some of the trees in this broad traditional compound suggests that prehaps the mansion has been inherited through generations and is now serving at a new hand.

Walking on a stony pathway in a section that can be considered to be the back-yards of this broad traditional mansion is a not-so-recognized young master.

This not-so-recognized young master is currently using the prestigious compound's back door to exit his family's mansion while under the supervision of his personal guard.

For as long as Urus can remember, the small metal gate at the backyard has served as his only exit and entry in and out of this vast compound.

The only time that Urus remembers ever coming into the compound through the front gates has been over five years ago. This memory was created when his mother had first gotten married as a concubine to his step-father and they moved into the .

This fact may sound cruel and it may even be misunderstood but in honesty, it isn't at all that Urus is forbidden from using the front door but rather his own circumstances prevents him from doing so.

For Urus, using the compound's main-doors means exposure to the ruthless and judging public's eyes which in turn means staining his powerful step-dad's reputation which in turn means fingers pointed to his mother in disgust and distaste.

In total, Urus had been quick to find out that his condition has cost him the luxury of bring seen and so, on days like today when he finds the willpower to step outside his zone Urus is perfectly fine with using the back doors.

†CREAK†..

With these thought in mind, Urus wacthes on as his personal guard helps him with pushing the door open.

The armoured standing guards on the outside of the back gate give Urus a small bow but Urus pays them no mind as he knows that it's all nothing but formalities.

Looking outside to the streets, Urus is slow with movement. It has been three long months since Urus has last found the willpower to step outside his space and its been eight months since he has found enough will in himself to go outside the compound.

Once or twice a year, when Urus is feeling less depressed than usual he would affords himself the luxury of a stroll through the outside world.

Covered from head to toe in overflowing dark robes, Urus finds himself actually looking forward to today's stroll. Breathing in softly, he uses a short metal staff to support his crooked body as he starts to walk forward with the pace of an elderly.

The small backyard gate closes behind Urus as he walks out to the streets with his guard following two steps behind him.

"Where are we going today?.", Fiena (Urus's guard) calmly asks as she matches Urus slow pace.

Hearing her question, Urus slowly turns his face to give a glance at Fiena whom he has not seen for months. The relationship between Urus and Fiena can be said to be far from anything special though it can be said to be cordial.

Urus had first met Fiena a few months after his mother's wedding with his step-father. At that time, Fiena had been over eight years older than Urus and she is quite the genius cause she had just sensed mana.

In a distinguished cultivation household like that of Urus's step-father's, it is the norm for every young master and miss to have a sworn guard by their sides. Since it is likely that this sworn guard might stay with them through a lifetime then the age difference between the master and the guard cannot be too great.

At the time of the introduction, Urus's condition had not yet deteriorated to this extent and he has not been old enough to truly possess a sworn knight.

Stuck on duty, Fiena had followed Urus around for a few months but it soon becomes obvious that Urus is not worthy to have her as a sworn guard as she showed tremendous talent for the sword's pathway. Soon, Fiena had began to forge her own path and slowly disconnected herself from Urus.

Considering his step-father's position, Urus could have likely still forced Fiena to become his sworn knight but he just did not have it in him to hold her down. It's not like Urus is not already the biggest threat to his own life.

Over the passage of time,Urus and Fiena become more and more distant as she makes cultivational breakthroughs and carves her own path. Fiena is currently a Mid-level Rank Two sword's-woman and through the last few years, she would only escorts Urus through his once-in-a-blue-moon outdoor strolls.

Unlike any other guard Urus could have gotten, Fiena does not look at him with disgust. It is obvious that she cannot find it in her to respect Urus as a master but atleast she truly respects him like a fellow person.

For Urus, this is enough.

"We are going to gamble.", Urus replies to Fiena's question with his voice cracked and dry though Fiena can find a very rare trace of optimism in his tone.

"Why?.", Fiena calmly asks Urus who keeps walking forward with a shaky pace though Fiena notes that Urus is walking a bit faster than usual.

"Because my fate is on the line.", Urus responds to Fiena while leaving her with more questions than answers.

*COUGH¡*.. *COUGH¡*..

"Mystery does not suit you.", Fiena says to Urus who coughs twice lightly as his throat aches beneath his heavy robes.

"For the foreseeable future, I would *COUGH¡*.. be strolling to gamble often. I would need your help with some things.", Urus says while Fiena raises a brow at Urus words.

Urus is always depressed and he has every reason to be. This is not an insult but rather a plain fact.

For Urus, going out of strolls is a once in a blue moon activity that he does to suppress rather than erase depression. Adding this fact with the fact that Urus does not have the will to gamble talk-more gamble often then Fiena's next words are fully justified.

"Are you ok?.", Fiena asks with true concern in her tone as she follows behind Urus's crooked figure.

*COUGH¡*..

"No.", Urus calmly responds to Fiena who blinks twice at his words. Urus's response is the obvious truth yet.. the plain truth feels off in this situation.

"I'm not ok but I found a very slim chance out there that I might become ok.", Urus says with his voice cracked though Fiena understands the implications of his words.

"It starts with your help and gambling.", Urus says while stifling a cough as he keeps walking forward with his heavily hooded crooked figure attracting a bit of attention.

"How do we start?.", Fiena asks Urus who clears his throat as he begins an explanation while still walking forward.

A trickle of Hope has finally entered into Urus's hopeless life.

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