BearBrush

Varek Solin was born into a world where power is given at birth. On his 10th birthday, every child opens their Vault, a source of mana that will shape their future. In a society divided by wealth and rank, those born into riches are granted Diamond Vaults, while the poor settle for Bronze Vaults, their strength bound by fate.

But Varek’s path was never meant to follow the ordinary. With a Bronze Vault in his chest, his future seems set—until a war between humans and demons turns his world upside down. Amidst the chaos of battle, Varek encounters a force beyond his understanding—a mysterious power that will alter the course of his life.

As his powers awaken and the world around him shifts, Varek must face the truth of what lies within him. A boy from the lowest ranks, with a vault like no other. What is this power that calls to him from the shadows? And how far will he go to understand it?

In a world where strength determines your fate, Varek Solin will soon learn that the greatest power lies not in the vaults of wealth, but in the mysteries buried beneath the surface.

The Shadow's Beneath

The sun hung low in the sky, casting golden light over the training ground. Varek wiped sweat from his forehead, glancing at Dicio, who was sitting on a rock, humming to himself while tossing pebbles into the air. The atmosphere was peaceful—until Dicio suddenly flopped onto the ground with a loud groan.

"Man, I'm so tired! Varek, carry me!" Dicio whined dramatically, stretching out his arms like a child.

Varek rolled his eyes. "You're the one who spent half the training session messing around."

Knox snorted in amusement, watching from the sidelines, while Vikas shook his head.

"I was saving my energy!" Dicio shot back, smirking.

Varek crouched beside him, studying him for a moment. "You're really different now compared to how you were in the tournament."

Dicio's grin faltered slightly. "Oh? What do you mean?"

"You were serious. Focused. You weren't acting like a little kid." Varek crossed his arms. "Now you're always joking around. What changed?"

Dicio sat up, tapping his chin as if deep in thought. Then, he chuckled. "Nothing changed. This is just how I am."

Varek frowned. "Then why did you act so differently before?"

Dicio leaned back on his hands, staring at the sky. "Because in battle, people don't take a childish opponent seriously. They underestimate them." He smiled slightly. "And I hate being underestimated."

Dicio turned his gaze back to him, this time more serious. "When things get real, I have to be real too. That's just how I survive. But when I don't have to be serious, why waste the chance to have fun?"

For a moment, Varek said nothing. Then, he smirked. "So basically, you're a kid when it's safe and a soldier when it's not?"

Dicio grinned. "Exactly! Why stress out all the time when you can enjoy life?"

Vikas sighed. "I swear, you're exhausting."

Knox simply chuckled, shaking his head.

Varek, however, just smiled. Dicio's words made sense in a way only he could explain.

Flashback (3)