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Chapter 2: The Rebirth of Vanthelis Blackthorn

After years of being reborn into this strange world, Ian, now known as Vanthelis, had learned much about the land of Sera. His memories from his past life were fragmented, but there were things that remained clear. The most prominent was his heritage: he was the son of a war hero, his father Valiz, a name spoken of in awe and reverence across the continents.

Sera was a planet divided into eight continents, each with its own unique culture, races, and powers. The world was vast and filled with mystery, its history shaped by centuries of conflict.

The continents were as follows:

Aethalon – The central continent, home to the Holy Empire, a vast and dominant empire that sought to control all the lands of Sera. Their knights, mages, and warriors are renowned for their strength and faith.

Arkamor – A land of dense forests and mystical ruins, home to the Elven Clans. Their cities are hidden in the towering trees, and their magic is intricately tied to the natural world.

Vorathal – A continent of great mountains and treacherous terrain, ruled by the Dwarven Kingdoms. They are skilled craftsmen, miners, and warriors, their underground cities rich in ore and resources.

Zypheris – A desert continent, home to the Nomadic Tribes and Djinn. These desert people are known for their powerful elemental magic and trade routes that stretch across the continent like lifelines.

Neradum – A frozen, tundra-covered land, inhabited by the Barbarian Tribes and various magical creatures. It is a land of survival, where only the strongest endure.

Vroxia – A continent with sprawling cities and high-tech academies, ruled by Alchemists and Mechanists. This is a land where magic and technology intermingle, creating wonders and dangers in equal measure.

Seldara – A continent dominated by seas and islands, where Pirates and Merchant Guilds thrive. The people here are hardy and cunning, with a strong affinity for maritime combat and trade.

Irethal – The smallest of the continents, known for its dark and mysterious history. This is where Ian's Blackthorn Clan resides, a family of necromancers that has been both feared and revered for centuries.

Vanthelis own clan, the Blackthorn Clan, was one of the oldest and most unique. Necromancers, they were feared across the continents. Vanthelis should have been proud of his heritage, but he couldn't stand the very thought of being a part of the necromantic legacy. He hated the dark arts that ran through his veins, the power that was both a gift and a curse. But there was no escaping it. He was the son of Valiz, a legendary warrior who had fought in the great planetary wars, and soon, it would be his turn to awaken his own powers, just as the others did on their fifteenth birthday.

"Vanthelis, come here for a second. I need to tell you something," called his father, Valiz, from across the room, his deep voice booming with authority.

Vanthelis, despite his inner turmoil, walked over to his father, his footsteps soft against the stone floor. Valiz stood beside a man Ian had never seen before, a tall figure with a stern expression.

"Vanthelis, let me introduce you to someone," his father said. "This is my friend Krir Tondaz, and his son Ishlar Tondaz. I hope you two will become good friends, for you'll need each other when the time comes. Ishlar will be your next retainer, after all. Understood?"

Vanthelis nodded, forcing a smile at Ishlar. The boy was older than him by a couple of years, his face serious but not unfriendly. It wasn't that Ian didn't like Ishlar—it was more that he had little interest in being tied to his father's legacy or the people who followed it.

The two young men walked out onto the balcony, overlooking the sprawling Blackthorn estate. The air was crisp, the sun slowly dipping behind the distant mountains of Irethal. They both leaned against the railing, staring out at the view.

"So," Ishlar said, breaking the silence, "Our fathers, huh? They really did a number on the world during those wars."

Vanthelis sighed. "Yeah, I've heard the stories a thousand times. How they fought against giants, sea monsters, and even a one-eyed octopus, slaying them with nothing but their enemies' warriors. What was it you called that again? 'Using the blade of others to kill'? I think I've heard that enough for a lifetime."

Ishlar chuckled, nodding. "It's true, though. Our fathers were legends. Historians are still trying to put it all together in books, but we already know how it went down. We lived through it, even if we were just kids back then."

The two continued to chat, exchanging stories of their fathers' legendary feats. But just as they were deep in conversation, a loud explosion shattered the calm evening air.

"What the—?" Ian snapped, his head whipping around as the sound echoed through the valley.

The ground trembled beneath their feet, and the distant horizon flickered with fire.

"Stay here, Vanthelis," Valiz's voice called out from inside the house. "We're under attack. Get to safety!"

Vanthelis's heart raced. This wasn't the peaceful life he had been expecting.