Chapter 3 - Vibrations of the Past

I don't know when it all started to go so wrong.

First, it was the dust... that thick cloud that obscured our view for a few seconds. Then, the figure that emerged from the ruins. Every step he took made the ground vibrate. The air grew denser. I could feel it in my lungs.

"Who the hell is that...?" I heard Zayen murmur.

And then I saw him.

ARKHAN DRAEVOS "THE SPECTER," 30 YEARS OLD.

Major of the Gold Elite. A forbidden name even among the most violent.

"Zayen, look out!"

He didn't even have time to raise his hands. Arkhan disappeared for a second, and the next thing was a dull thud. Zayen fell to the ground as if he had been disconnected from reality.

Rhok roared, cursed, and charged at him. I knew it wasn't a good idea, but anger clouded his judgment. He didn't last even half a second longer than Zayen. Another blow. Another lifeless body.

I felt a chill run down my spine. Ken and I were the only ones left.

"I just want what I came for," Arkhan said with a sickening calm. "My lackeys... and the sword. I'm not interested in the motorcycle. If you cooperate... I'll kill you quickly. Painlessly."

The sword...? My fist clenched tightly. That damned sword...

Ken didn't wait. His arms opened like metallic wings, and blades shot out like reflections. Arkhan barely tilted his body, dodging them as if he were dancing.

I followed, attempting a low kick and a flurry of direct blows to his chest. I missed every single one. I felt slow, clumsy... as if he already knew everything I was going to do.

"KEN, GET BACK!"

Arkhan released a wave from his palm. It was invisible, but the sound... that high-pitched hum... made my skin crawl. Ken managed to form a shield just in time. The impact shattered it into a thousand pieces and dragged him several meters backward.

"Your turn will come," Arkhan said to me, pointing his open palm at me.

I ran towards him. I screamed. I screamed with all the rage I had accumulated. My home, my family, everything I lost...

But he dodged every attack as if he were dancing with my fury.

He threw a wave at me. I didn't see it. I only felt the impact. I flew through the air and crashed against a rock. Everything hurt... but I refused to stay down.

"You haven't beaten me..." I heard Ken gasp.

When I turned my head, I saw him standing. Bleeding. Shaking. But standing.

And then... I heard him scream. A scream from another time.

🔁 Flashback (Ken)

I saw his eyes snap open. I saw his body freeze in a memory.

A young Ken, about 20 years old, covered in blood, crawling through rubble. His hand extended toward a man who was barely breathing.

"Master...! MASTER!"

And then him.

Arkhan. Walking among corpses, without a single drop of remorse on his face. He plunged his staff into the back of Ken's master. A dry, horrible sound... like wood breaking from the inside.

CRACK!

"NOOOO!!" Ken screamed. And his scream pierced my soul.

⚙️ Present

He came back to his senses, his eyes burning with rage. And then... his body began to be covered in metal. As if his own hatred was forging it.

An improvised armor covered his torso, arms, and legs. Two sharp blades unfolded from his wrists.

"Now... Specter..." he said through gritted teeth.

Arkhan applauded.

"I have to admit, you look great. But you still don't give me a reason to use my staff."

Ken charged at him.

His blows were fast, precise... but Arkhan dodged them without a single hair out of place. Every time he counter-attacked, he used vibrating waves from his fists. And each blow broke Ken's armor piece by piece.

I saw him bleed.

I saw him keep going.

And I saw him fall.

Arkhan put his foot on his head and then lifted him by the neck like a broken doll.

"I knew it was you. Don't think you're so special. You have a wanted poster for 12,000₫. Very little for someone who broke the law in that place."

And then he took out his staff.

"I'm going to humor you. I'll use it, just like I did with your master..."

He raised it, and just as he was about to touch Ken...

FIRE!

A blaze erupted between them. Strong. Alive. Burning.

Arkhan recoiled.

And I... I got up from the flames.

I don't know how I did it. I don't know why... but the sword was burning, and so was I.

"You're not done with me yet!"

My eyes burned just like my chest.

I'm not going down without a fight.