The moon had taken its place in the night sky as the Emperor's voice thundered with fury, its resonance filling the expanse of the grand chamber. A lavish red rug, intricately decorated with golden motifs, extended from the entrance, leading towards the grand staircase that commanded attention. The chamber was supported by twelve towering pillars, each a masterpiece of intricate carving that bore the weight of the expansive ceiling. The pristine white marble floor mirrored the opulent surroundings, untarnished by the passage of time.
Situated in Amapá, the capital city of the Wylop kingdom, the Emperor's castle exuded a commanding presence. This majestic fortress stood in the northwestern reaches of the kingdom, a stone tower atop a tall grassy hill.
"It wasn't my doing. You're well aware that Zero was ther—"
"Do not dare shift the blame, Roland!" Emperor Dysixsyx roared, rising from his throne. His regal presence was magnified by a lavish red coat that cascaded around him. After a moment's pause, he regained his composure, settling back into his seat. "My apologies," he said softly, resting a hand on his gray beard, leaning slightly. The torchlight danced in his deep brown eyes, revealing a hint of mischief. "I told you that if you failed, you’d join the others."
Before Roland could respond, a black spear shot forth, piercing his armor and pinning him to the ground. His life ended in a heartbeat.
“Right on time.” Emperor Dysixsyx sighed, his attention drawn to the chamber doors as they burst open.
Zero's voice rang out, "Time to wake up, Dysixsyx!"
The Emperor stood, eyes narrowing, fists clenched. "You should've come with an army."
Zero smirked, summoning his short sword with a flourish. "And Roland called me the arrogant one." In an instant, he teleported above the Emperor, his blade descending in a swift, lethal arc. "Let’s wrap this up quick, I don’t want Varin to wake up and find me gone, okay?"
Dysixsyx reacted with supernatural speed, summoning a blade from the void and slashing it across Zero's midsection. The force was so immense that it cleaved Zero in two, his halves falling to the ground.
Zero's severed form dissolved into a whirlwind of ravens, their dark feathers swirling in a chaotic dance, gathering at the foot of the throne. Then, as if guided by an unseen hand, the ravens merged, reforming Zero.
Standing tall, Zero met the Emperor's gaze, a smirk playing on his lips. "You've gotten slower in your old age."
Emperor Dysixsyx's fingers traced the edge of his silver blade, his voice dropping to a cold whisper. "Do you really think killing me will help Sidra?" His skin began to crack, a sinister dark aura seeping out, his flesh flaking away into ashes. "I keep this island safe." The dark energy enveloped him, stripping away his clothing and revealing a charred, horrific figure. "And you want to take that away?" he roared, the sound echoing ominously. "So be it, then I will just have to be the one to finally kill the mighty Zero!"
With a terrifying lunge, the monstrous Emperor reached for Zero's throat. But Zero vanished, reappearing behind him. The Emperor spun around, his fist narrowly missing Zero's face.
Zero teleported to the throne, crossing his legs and resting his sword on the armrests. "I see you've read the Book of Names, but—" Dysixsyx's enraged roar cut him off as he charged, smashing the throne to rubble. Zero teleported away just in time.
Dysixsyx stood atop the debris, arms limp, head tilting unnaturally. Zero materialized behind him, striking his sword's hilt against Dysixsyx's back. The Emperor's head detached, tumbling to the floor. "But CLEARLY… You didn't read Volume 2, the Book of the Dead… Huh, buddy?" Zero taunted.
Dysixsyx's headless body turned, paused, then began to swell, doubling and tripling in size. His grotesque form expanded beyond the room's capacity, breaking through the ceiling.
Zero looked up at the towering monster, a confident grin on his face. "It's been some time since I've battled a Demon," he mused, flexing his sword arm. "And if memory serves, your colossal size..." In a flash, he teleported above the Demon's neck, drawing his sword back. "...is all for show!"
With a powerful thrust, he hurled the sword at the Demon. A transmutation circle appeared at the blade's base, blue lightning crackling around it, transforming it into a spear mid-flight. The spear pierced the Demon's chest, impaling the red core at its center.
Zero's smile widened, satisfaction gleaming in his eyes. "Jackpot."
He descended gracefully towards the earth, his hand outstretched, and with a fluid motion, the spear effortlessly returned to his grip. As he held the weapon, memories flooded his mind, a whirlwind of moments he had shared with it over time. It wasn't just a tool; it was a vessel of his experiences, a bridge connecting him to his past adventures.
5000 Years Ago
The sky reverberated with thunder, and lightning streaked across it in every direction, causing the entire island of Tzang to quiver with each clash between Zero and Sun-Kong.
"It seems you've truly adapted to that human body," Sun-Kong observed, skillfully blocking two of Zero's punches. "Tell me, how does it feel to be human? Did you really have to divide your soul up?" He deftly evaded Zero's kick, somersaulting backward to put some distance between them while balancing on his staff.
Zero nodded, repositioning himself before walking over to retrieve his shirt. "Yeah, seven parts. Being a human adult is far from enjoyable, but it's a step up from being a human baby. I couldn't even feed myself." He slipped his shirt back on and glanced at Sun-Kong.
Sun-Kong, the formidable ruler of Mount Heven, known as the Monke King, was a sight to behold. His body was covered in dark orange fur, with a delicate layer of yellow across his chest and face. His lean yet muscular frame accentuated the white bandages wrapped around his right leg, and his left leg bore seven black rings tattooed along its length.
His feet were bare, while his shorts were meticulously crafted from thousands of tiny red metal scales, blending together seamlessly. A striking sigil was inscribed on both sides of his shorts, and three golden rings hung gracefully from a leather strap around his waist.
Opting not to wear a shirt, he instead tied a black jacket around his waist, which fluttered like a cape around his white tail. A magnificent golden crown adorned his head, supporting two long, braided strands of hair wrapped in silver beads that cascaded from his forehead.
His eyes held a mesmerizing hue of golden red with a hint of black on the periphery. However, Sun-Kong's most distinctive features were his protruding gold teeth and dreamcatcher feather earrings swaying from his ears.
For three hundred years, Sun-Kong had diligently trained Zero, and today marked a pivotal day—graduation day—the day Zero must challenge Sun-Kong. Victory would grant Zero the freedom to leave the island of Tzang, while defeat meant another hundred years of training. So far, their abilities seemed evenly matched.
Zero stretched his arms a bit further. He extended his hand, causing the staff to be pulled from Sun-Kong's grip and into his own. "Let's consider the last round a tie, but now I get to use Ry-Jing."
Ry-Jing, a golden bo-staff, possessed an enchantment allowing it to transform into thirteen other weapons, among other secrets. Two black bands adorned its rounded tips, with a subtle pattern resembling golden vines in the center.
Sun-Kong shook his head, his gaze fixed on Zero as he attempted to reclaim the staff. However, it remained firmly in Zero's grasp, yielding only slightly to Sun-Kong's pull. "Will you stop calling it that? Her name is Riyu-Jung, and she..." Sun-Kong attempted once more to retrieve the staff, only to be met with resistance. "And she!" He let out an exasperated groan.
Amidst shared laughter, Zero playfully tugged the staff back toward himself. "First of all, he's a male. Second, I didn't bestow the name; he revealed it to me. Third, his name is Ry-Jing."
Sun-Kong shook his head again and then knelt down, his fists ablaze with bright gold flames. "Wukong Style, Gear 2..."
Zero tilted his head. "Seriously? We were having a pleasant conversation."
Sun-Kong lowered himself further, his tail arching upward. "...Wukong Style, GEAR 3..." His tail caught fire, mirroring the golden flames.
Zero tightened his grip on the staff and settled into a stance, a smile etched across his face. His feet dug into the ground, causing the stone beneath them to smolder.
"Wukong Style, Gear 4…" Sun-Kong's voice resonated with determination as his feet caught fire.
Zero dropped his smile and pointed the staff forward. "Alright Sensei, haha, that's enough. I'm still struggling to handle Gear 1 properly,"
Sun-Kong smirked, adjusting his stance. "Wukong Style..."
"NO! Don't"
"...Gear..."
"No… SENSEI?!"
"...5!"
The moon had taken its place in the night sky as the Emperor's voice thundered with fury, its resonance filling the expanse of the grand chamber. A lavish red rug, intricately decorated with golden motifs, extended from the entrance, leading towards the grand staircase that commanded attention. The chamber was supported by twelve towering pillars, each a masterpiece of intricate carving that bore the weight of the expansive ceiling. The pristine white marble floor mirrored the opulent surroundings, untarnished by the passage of time.
Situated in Amapá, the capital city of the Wylop kingdom, the Emperor's castle exuded a commanding presence. This majestic fortress stood in the northwestern reaches of the kingdom, a stone tower atop a tall grassy hill.
"It wasn't my doing. You're well aware that Zero was ther—"
"Do not dare shift the blame, Roland!" Emperor Dysixsyx roared, rising from his throne. His regal presence was magnified by a lavish red coat that cascaded around him. After a moment's pause, he regained his composure, settling back into his seat. "My apologies," he said softly, resting a hand on his gray beard, leaning slightly. The torchlight danced in his deep brown eyes, revealing a hint of mischief. "I told you that if you failed, you’d join the others."
Before Roland could respond, a black spear shot forth, piercing his armor and pinning him to the ground. His life ended in a heartbeat.
“Right on time.” Emperor Dysixsyx sighed, his attention drawn to the chamber doors as they burst open.
Zero's voice rang out, "Time to wake up, Dysixsyx!"
The Emperor stood, eyes narrowing, fists clenched. "You should've come with an army."
Zero smirked, summoning his short sword with a flourish. "And Roland called me the arrogant one." In an instant, he teleported above the Emperor, his blade descending in a swift, lethal arc. "Let’s wrap this up quick, I don’t want Varin to wake up and find me gone, okay?"
Dysixsyx reacted with supernatural speed, summoning a blade from the void and slashing it across Zero's midsection. The force was so immense that it cleaved Zero in two, his halves falling to the ground.
Zero's severed form dissolved into a whirlwind of ravens, their dark feathers swirling in a chaotic dance, gathering at the foot of the throne. Then, as if guided by an unseen hand, the ravens merged, reforming Zero.
Standing tall, Zero met the Emperor's gaze, a smirk playing on his lips. "You've gotten slower in your old age."
Emperor Dysixsyx's fingers traced the edge of his silver blade, his voice dropping to a cold whisper. "Do you really think killing me will help Sidra?" His skin began to crack, a sinister dark aura seeping out, his flesh flaking away into ashes. "I keep this island safe." The dark energy enveloped him, stripping away his clothing and revealing a charred, horrific figure. "And you want to take that away?" he roared, the sound echoing ominously. "So be it, then I will just have to be the one to finally kill the mighty Zero!"
With a terrifying lunge, the monstrous Emperor reached for Zero's throat. But Zero vanished, reappearing behind him. The Emperor spun around, his fist narrowly missing Zero's face.
Zero teleported to the throne, crossing his legs and resting his sword on the armrests. "I see you've read the Book of Names, but—" Dysixsyx's enraged roar cut him off as he charged, smashing the throne to rubble. Zero teleported away just in time.
Dysixsyx stood atop the debris, arms limp, head tilting unnaturally. Zero materialized behind him, striking his sword's hilt against Dysixsyx's back. The Emperor's head detached, tumbling to the floor. "But CLEARLY… You didn't read Volume 2, the Book of the Dead… Huh, buddy?" Zero taunted.
Dysixsyx's headless body turned, paused, then began to swell, doubling and tripling in size. His grotesque form expanded beyond the room's capacity, breaking through the ceiling.
Zero looked up at the towering monster, a confident grin on his face. "It's been some time since I've battled a Demon," he mused, flexing his sword arm. "And if memory serves, your colossal size..." In a flash, he teleported above the Demon's neck, drawing his sword back. "...is all for show!"
With a powerful thrust, he hurled the sword at the Demon. A transmutation circle appeared at the blade's base, blue lightning crackling around it, transforming it into a spear mid-flight. The spear pierced the Demon's chest, impaling the red core at its center.
Zero's smile widened, satisfaction gleaming in his eyes. "Jackpot."
He descended gracefully towards the earth, his hand outstretched, and with a fluid motion, the spear effortlessly returned to his grip. As he held the weapon, memories flooded his mind, a whirlwind of moments he had shared with it over time. It wasn't just a tool; it was a vessel of his experiences, a bridge connecting him to his past adventures.
5000 Years Ago
The sky reverberated with thunder, and lightning streaked across it in every direction, causing the entire island of Tzang to quiver with each clash between Zero and Sun-Kong.
"It seems you've truly adapted to that human body," Sun-Kong observed, skillfully blocking two of Zero's punches. "Tell me, how does it feel to be human? Did you really have to divide your soul up?" He deftly evaded Zero's kick, somersaulting backward to put some distance between them while balancing on his staff.
Zero nodded, repositioning himself before walking over to retrieve his shirt. "Yeah, seven parts. Being a human adult is far from enjoyable, but it's a step up from being a human baby. I couldn't even feed myself." He slipped his shirt back on and glanced at Sun-Kong.
Sun-Kong, the formidable ruler of Mount Heven, known as the Monke King, was a sight to behold. His body was covered in dark orange fur, with a delicate layer of yellow across his chest and face. His lean yet muscular frame accentuated the white bandages wrapped around his right leg, and his left leg bore seven black rings tattooed along its length.
His feet were bare, while his shorts were meticulously crafted from thousands of tiny red metal scales, blending together seamlessly. A striking sigil was inscribed on both sides of his shorts, and three golden rings hung gracefully from a leather strap around his waist.
Opting not to wear a shirt, he instead tied a black jacket around his waist, which fluttered like a cape around his white tail. A magnificent golden crown adorned his head, supporting two long, braided strands of hair wrapped in silver beads that cascaded from his forehead.
His eyes held a mesmerizing hue of golden red with a hint of black on the periphery. However, Sun-Kong's most distinctive features were his protruding gold teeth and dreamcatcher feather earrings swaying from his ears.
For three hundred years, Sun-Kong had diligently trained Zero, and today marked a pivotal day—graduation day—the day Zero must challenge Sun-Kong. Victory would grant Zero the freedom to leave the island of Tzang, while defeat meant another hundred years of training. So far, their abilities seemed evenly matched.
Zero stretched his arms a bit further. He extended his hand, causing the staff to be pulled from Sun-Kong's grip and into his own. "Let's consider the last round a tie, but now I get to use Ry-Jing."
Ry-Jing, a golden bo-staff, possessed an enchantment allowing it to transform into thirteen other weapons, among other secrets. Two black bands adorned its rounded tips, with a subtle pattern resembling golden vines in the center.
Sun-Kong shook his head, his gaze fixed on Zero as he attempted to reclaim the staff. However, it remained firmly in Zero's grasp, yielding only slightly to Sun-Kong's pull. "Will you stop calling it that? Her name is Riyu-Jung, and she..." Sun-Kong attempted once more to retrieve the staff, only to be met with resistance. "And she!" He let out an exasperated groan.
Amidst shared laughter, Zero playfully tugged the staff back toward himself. "First of all, he's a male. Second, I didn't bestow the name; he revealed it to me. Third, his name is Ry-Jing."
Sun-Kong shook his head again and then knelt down, his fists ablaze with bright gold flames. "Wukong Style, Gear 2..."
Zero tilted his head. "Seriously? We were having a pleasant conversation."
Sun-Kong lowered himself further, his tail arching upward. "...Wukong Style, GEAR 3..." His tail caught fire, mirroring the golden flames.
Zero tightened his grip on the staff and settled into a stance, a smile etched across his face. His feet dug into the ground, causing the stone beneath them to smolder.
"Wukong Style, Gear 4…" Sun-Kong's voice resonated with determination as his feet caught fire.
Zero dropped his smile and pointed the staff forward. "Alright Sensei, haha, that's enough. I'm still struggling to handle Gear 1 properly,"
Sun-Kong smirked, adjusting his stance. "Wukong Style..."
"NO! Don't"
"...Gear..."
"No… SENSEI?!"
"...5!"
