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 training field was quiet, the only sounds being the rustling of leaves and the distant chirping of birds. Varek, Dicio, and Vikas stood in a loose circle, catching their breath after another grueling sparring session.

Knox Cthul, however, remained standing in the center, stretching his arms. "Alright, enough warming up," he said with a smirk. "Now, let's get serious."

Dicio groaned, flopping onto the ground. "Serious? I thought we were done!"

Vikas rolled his eyes. "We barely lasted five minutes against him."

Varek, still focused, narrowed his eyes at Knox. "You've never actually shown us your real ability, have you?"

Knox grinned. "You're right. Might as well give you a little preview."

Without warning, his arms tensed, and a surge of mana coursed through his veins. His hands began to shift—his fingers sharpening, his skin hardening into a dark, metallic sheen. Within seconds, both of his hands had transformed into razor-sharp daggers, reflecting the sunlight with an eerie gleam.

Dicio sat up immediately, his eyes wide. "Okay, that's actually kinda scary."

Vikas took a step back. "So… your weapon is literally your own hands?"

Knox twirled his wrist, the dagger-like extensions slicing through the air effortlessly. "Pretty much." His smirk grew. "Close combat is my specialty. These daggers aren't just sharp—they can cut through mana barriers, and I can control their shape."

To demonstrate, he flexed his fingers, and the dagger-formed hands reshaped, one turning into a thin, needle-like point, the other broadening like a cleaver.

Varek's expression darkened with excitement. "That's insane."

Knox tilted his head. "Still wanna spar?"

Varek, never one to back down, stepped forward, clenching his fists. "Of course."

Dicio, however, scooted back. "Yeah, you guys have fun. I like having all my limbs intact."

Knox chuckled. "Smart choice." Then, without hesitation, he dashed forward—his dagger-hands gleaming as the battle began.

Flashback (4)