Unü_Sûãl

Epic fantasy presence: Ashes Of The First Tyrant [AOTFT]

Prologue – The Law of Aura

They say every soul burns.
Some flare brightly and fade. Others smolder quietly for a lifetime.

But a rare few, rare beyond reason ignite with such intensity that the world bends to them. These are not gods. Not yet.

These are the Tyrants.
And their aura is not a gift.
It is a weight a burden.

In this world, aura is everything.

It is the breath behind a sword strike, the pressure behind a command, the silent will that can crush or inspire. Most are born with it. Few master it.

But only one…
only one in an age
awakens the Tyrant’s Spirit

…the aura that dominates not by force, but by presence alone.

Ashes Of The First Tyrant

The training grounds beneath the Citadel were nothing like the polished arenas above. Here, stone replaced sand, and the air was heavy with the scent of scorched metal and ancient sweat. This was not a place for performance. It was for war. For truth.

Thalen stood at the center of the underground chamber, Kindle strapped to his back, his muscles sore from the morning drills. Every bone in his body ached, but he welcomed the pain. It meant he was growing.

Velis circled him slowly, arms behind his back, watching with eyes that missed nothing.

Thalen lunged at the target post an iron dummy inscribed with aura runes. He swung, feinted, pivoted, struck. Sparks scattered from the blade's edge as it met the enchanted metal. His footwork was tighter now. His form sharper.

Velis raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

After five more sets, Thalen dropped to a knee, panting.

Embers beneath the blade