Frozen call

The Frozen Call

A young boy trudged through the knee-deep snow, his boots crunching against the deep snow

He had a dark hair and wore a long coat.

Winter had gripped Earth, casting a serene silence over the landscape. He had been looking forward to a relaxing vacation day, but fate had other plans.

As he walked home, the crunch of snow gave way to the rustle of paper. A letter, slipped through the mailbox, caught his attention. Leonis's heart sank as he read the words:

"Mira has been kidnapped. Meet us at old oak tree, Riverside Park. Come alone."

Ice gripped his veins. Mira, his childhood friend, was in danger. Without hesitation, Leonis turned toward Riverside Park, the snow-covered streets blurring together.

As he ran, the biting wind stung his face, but his focus remained fixed on saving Mira. Snowflakes danced around him, momentarily obscuring his vision.

But he pushed on, his feet pounding the frozen ground. The snow-covered trees of Riverside Park loomed ahead.

Leonis's breath came in ragged gasps as he reached the old oak tree.

As Leonis reached the old oak tree, A figure stepped forward, features still obscured. But Leonis's focus wasn't on the stranger; his mind was on Mira.

Mirajane Wilfort, with her bright smile and infectious laughter, had been his lifeline. Growing up.

Leonis had known only darkness. Orphaned and abandoned, always hated by them all.

Every single family that adopted him only crushed him with disappointment, then Mira entered his life.

Mira saw beyond Leonis's tough exterior, and was the only one that understood him and his feelings. She showed him that love and loyalty weren't just words, but tangible forces that could give even a new point of view about life.

Yes, if he had only her in his life that was enough, he didn't ask for lots of friends or parents that showered him with affection, only her was enough.

And now the only person he had in his life was in danger, thought of Mira in danger was unbearable.

"Why?" Leonis demanded, his voice low and menacing, as he faced the mysterious figure.

"What do you want with her?"

The figure slowly revealed its features, and Leonis's world narrowed to a singular focus.

Leonis's eyes locked onto the figure, but his mind recoiled to the shadows of his past. Foster homes, countless and cold, had left emotional scars. The echoes of dismissive words and harsh hands still lingered.

But Mira's presence had silenced these scars. She'd shown him love without condition, acceptance without judgment. Her smile could dispel the darkness, reminding Leonis that he wasn't alone.

As the figure stepped closer, Leonis's instincts flared screamed at him .

Memories he'd long suppressed resurfaced:

The feeling of abandonment, left on a stranger's doorstep.

The endless questions, that were never answered.

The crushing loneliness, eased only by her presence.

Leonis's grip on his emotions faltered. Fear and desperation clawed their way up.

"Mira..." he whispered, his voice cracking.

The figure halted, its gaze flicking to Leonis's trembling hands.

"You're not like the others," it said, voice low and measured.

"Your past doesn't define you, Leonis. But it does explain why you'll do anything to save her."

Leonis's eyes snapped back into focus. The figure's words cut too close to the truth.

As Leonis's eyes adjusted to the dim light, he saw more figures emerging from the shadows.

His classmates, once tormentors, now stood before him, their faces twisted in fear and accusation.

"So you're the reason we're all kidnapped," one of them spat, pointing at Leonis.

"No, it can't be," another whispered, eyes wide with terror. "He's always been so... broken."

Leonis's gaze swept across the familiar faces, but his focus remained fixed on Mira. She stood at the center, her eyes locked on his, pleading for help.

The classmates' words became a cacophony of blame and fear:

"You're the reason we're here!"

"You're the one they want!"

"This is all your fault!"

Leonis tuned them out, their accusations meaningless. He had endured their cruelty, their laughter, and their scorn. But Mira's presence silenced it all.

He didn't care ,only her mattered.

With a quiet determination, Leonis pushed through the crowd, his eyes never leaving Mira's.

The classmates' voices grew louder, their fear boiling over. But Leonis stood resolute

Suddenly, the figure who had first spoken stepped forward.

"Enough," it said, its voice commanding attention.

"Your petty squabbles mean nothing. You're all pawns in a larger game."

The classmates' accusations faltered, replaced by uneasy silence.

"What game?" he asked, his voice firm.if an unreasonable game is more than enough to put Mira's life in danger then he do more than just kicking this asshole's butt

The figure's smile was enigmatic.

Leonis stood resolute, his eyes locked on Mira amidst the trembling classmates. Unbeknownst to them, he harbored a secret.

Years of rigorous training by his master had allowed him to tap into a mysterious energy. This power coursed through his veins, granting him enhanced strength, agility, and reflexes.

Leonis had learned to control this energy, harnessing it to fuel his movements. His senses became attuned to its subtle vibrations, allowing him to anticipate and react to threats.

As the mysterious figure loomed, Leonis's energy stirred. His senses heightened, detecting the dark, ominous aura surrounding the figure.

With a deep breath, Leonis focused his energy. His muscles tensed, ready to unleash a burst of speed and strength.

The figure's smile grew wider, sensing Leonis's hidden power.

"You're not like the others," it said, voice dripping with intrigue. "Your... gift is remarkable. But will it be enough?"

Leonis's gaze remained fixed on Mira, his determination unwavering.

"I'll do whatever it takes," he declared, his voice firm.

Leonis's energy stirred, enhancing his muscles. His eyes locked onto Mira and his classmates, shackled and helpless.

Without hesitation, Leonis strode toward them, his movements fluid and powerful. His augmented strength allowed him to break their shackles with ease.

"Go," Leonis urged, his voice firm. "Leave now."

Mira's eyes welled with gratitude as she rubbed her freed wrists.

But not all of Leonis's classmates shared her sentiment.

"Monster," one spat.

"Freak," another spat.

Leonis's expression remained stoic, his focus fixed on ensuring their escape.

The shady figure watched with interest.

"I don't need them anymore, I already have you where I want you".

Mira's gaze flicked between Leonis and the figure.

.

Leonis's energy hummed, his senses on high alert.

"Get them out of here, Mira I'll see you later," Leonis said.

But, I can't leave you here Leo, she said with desperate hesitation.

"Mira you need to leave this place, Now !."

"But I"… before she could continue the figure gave her a strong kick sending her flying far away from them.

Seeing this Leonis was enraged."Damn youu" !!he roared as he rushed to him at high speed trying to land a punch on him.

However, he dodged it surprisingly.With a flick of his wrist, the room filled with the sound of clanging steel.

One hundred mercenaries materialized, their eyes fixed on Leonis.

The shady figure vanished into thin air, leaving behind only his ominous words:

"The trial begins."

The mercenaries closed in, their faces cold and unyielding.

Leonis stood firm, his energy humming with anticipation.

Leonis focused his energy, enhancing his physique. His muscles bulged, senses heightened, and reflexes quickened.

The mercenaries charged, their footsteps echoing through the snowy landscape. Leonis stood firm, fists clenched.

The first wave of 50 attackers descended upon him. Leonis unleashed a flurry of punches and kicks, his augmented strength sending mercenaries flying.

However, the cold winter was dealing more damage to him than he was doing to the mercenaries.

Frostbite crept up his fingers, numbing his grip. Snowflakes danced around him, obscuring his vision. "Damn it, if I continue this fight I may die".

A mercenary struck, his blade slicing through Leonis's defenses. Leonis grunted, pain flashing through his side.

Seizing the opening, more mercenaries attacked. Leonis stumbled, his energy waning.

"But… I can't afford to die here now can I"?

With renewed focus, he channeled his energy, creating a localized heat aura. The warmth countered the cold, revitalizing his strength.

As the heat aura enveloped him, Leonis launched a counterattack. His fists and feet struck with precision, sending mercenaries crashing into the snow.

The battle raged on, snowflakes swirling around the combatants. Leonis's energy fueled his movements, but the cold continued to sap his strength.

Suddenly, Leonis spotted an opportunity. With a swift kick, he sent a mercenary into a nearby snowbank. The impact created a small avalanche.

Seizing the moment, Leonis charged toward the remaining mercenaries, using the snowslide to his advantage.

Mercenaries stumbled, caught off guard by the sudden deluge. Leonis exploited the chaos.

His augmented strength allowed him to lift and toss mercenaries into the snow, neutralizing them.

The tide of battle shifted in Leonis's favor.

Leonis's momentum faltered as his energy began to wane. The cold had taken its toll, seeping into his bones.

His movements slowed, punches and kicks losing their precision. Mercenaries regained their footing, sensing victory.

One struck Leonis's exposed flank, sending him stumbling. Another landed a blow to his jaw, making his vision blur.

Leonis's legs buckled, knees sinking into the snow. His heat aura dissipated, leaving him vulnerable.

The mercenaries closed in, their blades raised.

Leonis's gaze fell, his vision fading. Mira's face flashed in his mind.

No... I must protect her...

With a final surge of determination, Leonis tried to rise. But his body betrayed him.

He collapsed, snow enveloping him like a shroud.

The mercenaries loomed, their shadows cast over Leonis's fallen form.

The leader raised his blade, ready to deliver the finishing blow.

The mercenaries continued their relentless assault, their blows raining down on Leonis's defenseless form.

Kicks and punches connected with sickening thuds, each impact sending shockwaves through his battered body.

Leonis's vision blurred, his consciousness flickering.

A mercenary's boot cracked against his ribs, sending a jagged pain shooting through his chest.

Another slammed a fist into his jaw, making his teeth rattle.

Leonis's energy dwindled, his will to fight was quickly extinguished.

Just as all seemed lost, a faint memory surfaced: Mira's smile, her laughter, and her unwavering belief in him.

With newfound determination, Leonis summoned his last vestiges of strength.

His eyes snapped open, locking onto the mercenaries.

"No..." he growled, voice barely audible.

As Leonis's vision faded, memories of Mira flooded his mind. He recalled their laughter-filled days, stolen glances, and whispered promises.

He remembered the way Mira's eyes sparkled when she smiled, the way her hair danced in the breeze, and the way her hand fit perfectly in his.

Regret washed over him, heavy as the snowflakes falling around him.

Why hadn't he realized how he felt? Why hadn't he spent more time with her?

Leonis's thoughts swirled with longing.

Tears froze on his lashes as he whispered,

"I wanted to protect you, to keep you safe. But now... I'll never get the chance."

The mercenaries' distant voices, the cold, and the pain faded into the background.

All that remained was the ache in his heart.

"Mira, forgive me. I should have been stronger, faster. I should have—"

Leonis's voice trailed off, still lost in the silence.

His vision dimmed, but the memories lingered.

Mira's smile.

Mira's laughter.

Mira's eyes.

Leonis's thoughts drifted further into the past, memories unfolding like a worn tapestry.

He recalled their first meeting, during that time he was really shy to talk to her and always created a distance between both of them, but she never gave up and was persistent.

The way Mira's eyes lit up when talking to him really made up his day.

With each memory, Leonis's regret deepened.

He wanted his life with her to continue, he didn't want it to end.

Snowflakes continued to fall, gently veiling Leonis's still form.

His vision faded, but Mira's image remained etched in his mind.

His final thought was of her.

"Mira, I …

But before he could finish his words a virtual screen appeared in front of him

QUEST COMPLETED

REGRET OF THE STRONG

OMNI SYSTEM UNLOCKED

YOUR HEART IS ABOUT TO STOP

VESSEL IS USELESS

REQUEST SOUL MIGRATION

ACCEPT.

And suddenly various information started flooding into his mind.

Information about a certain fantasy world,

A world called Elyon.