Torana Mountains

  16 years ago

  It is winter season, and a group of armed men push forward against the destructive force of the snowstorms that ravage the region during this time of year.

  With every step, their feet sink into layers of snow piled upon the ground; their movements grow slower and clumsier due to the steady loss of body heat, and their lungs struggle to grasp enough oxygen in such a mercilessly frozen environment.

  This elite squad, advancing through the dense cold of the snow, serves the Empire that has now spent two years rejoicing in the fall of Oberon—a kingdom once counted among the world powers of the continent, revered by many and loved by all… all except for the Empire that brought its history to an end.

  The Empire of Tora, after years of war, managed to seize a large portion of the continent. It is now known for its formidable combat strength and elite forces capable of destroying everything in their path, regardless of the enemy.

  With a sadistic, bloodthirsty ruler who constantly promotes a colonialist mindset and dreams of supremacy over the entire continent—and eventually, the world—a question arises:

  Where did such a powerful empire come from, if Tora used to be nothing more than a ghost town on the southern edge of the continent?

  No one knows where they gained such overwhelming military might, but one thing is certain: their beloved leader never stains his hands with the massacres he believes will bring him the power he seeks.

  That is what the Extermination Order was created for.

  He has shown no mercy to any territory he has sought to devour, and he has slaughtered without remorse anyone who dared oppose his plans—this elite unit of soldiers being the very source of the devastating cries for help echoing across the continent

  This cruel and greedy Empire has turned even the most honorable soldiers into mere killing machines; here, morality means nothing—only strength matters.

  —Captain, at this rate, we’ll never make it back in one piece. I suggest we find shelter. —a soldier exclaimed.

  The blizzard is so intense that even an elite team struggles to move. Visibility is reduced to less than ten meters; the fierce winds push the squad backward, and the thick snow makes each step exhausting, draining the energy their bodies desperately need to avoid freezing to death.

  —Aren’t you supposed to be Tora’s elite? Then why the fuck are you scared of a little storm? —replies the captain.

  —Captain, I—”

  —If you’ve got the balls to kill civilians, then have the balls to face the damn storm, bastard —the captain cuts him off, full of scorn.

  Clearly angry and at odds with the mission he’s been assigned, the captain leading this group marches forward as if longing for death—his only thought, to return to the capital of Tora.

  —Are you still angry, Captain? —another soldier dares to speak. —With all due respect, we were trained to kill, sir. I don’t know what you expected when you accepted your current position.

  The captain halts without saying a word.

  Then he turns to them—and although the snow hides his expression, it’s clear that he is displeased.

  —Do I look like a fucking idiot to you, Romar? —the captain growls, visibly enraged.

  —No, sir, —Romar replies, staying calm.

  —Just because I'm younger than you doesn't make me some kind of idiot, asshole-

  —Then wha-

  —Don’t interrupt me when I’m talking! You son of a bitch —the captain cuts him off. —I didn’t train for this shit.

  “My superiors have changed, and so have the orders I receive. And I can’t refuse them.”

  —Sir, whether we kill innocents or criminals, killing is still killing, —another soldier adds.

  —Tell me something, Roth. Is holding a knife the same for a chef as it is for me? —the captain argues.

  As if they stopped feeling the cold for just a few seconds, the group stopped and goes silent for a moment, as if weighing the question carefully before answering.

  —Obviously not, dumbass, —the captain continues. —He cooks. I kill. That’s all there is to it.

  —Are we supposed to feel guilty now, Captain? —another soldier exclaims.

  There’s not much they can do—especially not against the current emperor of Tora.

  —If I’m being honest, Rohan, I don’t know.

  The former governor of the Tora Empire, despite being a conqueror who turned a ghost town into a sort of utopia, had a strong moral code that earned him respect from both his people and outsiders.

  However, he was succeeded by his son, who—despite always being at his father’s side—never adopted his values or beliefs, especially after the governor died in battle... though his body was never found.

  The Empire of Tora quickly filled with slaves and hitmen in service of the new Emperor, who became the reason why entire towns and kingdoms across the continent vanished—leaving behind only a handful of slaves. The only place they have never planned to invade is the infamous “Mountain of Absolute Zero.”

  —Captain, that over there—could it be...? —Roth exclaimed.

  Even in the middle of the storm, while bracing themselves against the rocks for support, one of the soldiers pointed toward the northwest.

  The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

  —Isn’t that the mountain, sir? —Rohan finished the question.

  —The home of that damn witch? —Romar blurted out.

  —You mean the cursed daughter of Thorri? —the captain responded, seemingly uninterested.

  The storm seemed to be coming from that direction, leading them to believe that The Cursed of Winter was responsible.

  —Legend says she can control snow and ice, sir, —Romar noted.

  —I heard the snowfall gets worse when she’s angry, —Rohan added.

  —Don’t talk crap, you pair of dumbass, —the captain snapped. —If you’re scared, go find somewhere to warm your damn balls.

  “I don’t have time for this bullshit.”

  —We keep moving. —the captain concluded, dismissing their comments entirely.

  From what little culture remained of the fallen Kingdom of Oberon, one legend survived—centered around that very mountain, with The Cursed of Winter as its protagonist.

  It is said that Thorri, the Sovereign of Winter, had a daughter who inherited all of his icy power—but allegedly took her mother’s life only hours after being born.

  Thorri had no intention of abandoning his daughter based on unfounded accusations, so instead, he searched for an explanation for his wife’s death while protecting his child from the zealots who branded her as cursed—a witch.

  Three years later, Thorri’s search finally yielded results, though the truth he uncovered was far from satisfying. It came to light that his daughter had apparently been feeding on her mother from within the womb, which caused the woman’s death shortly after birth—her internal organs having been consumed.

  Blinded by rage, Thorri cursed his daughter, condemning her to remain sealed within the mountain they had once called home. Unable to kill her, he stripped her of her mortality so that her suffering would last forever.

  Since then, with each wave of her anger or sorrow, icy winds and endless snow began to wrap the mountain and its surroundings in an eternal winter.

  This change disrupted the entire region’s ecosystem, making long-term survival impossible and killing anyone who approached without extreme caution.

  —She’s angry again—is that what you’re saying? —another soldier joined the conversation.

  —Whether the legends are true or not, the fact is, these things didn’t happen back when the Kingdom of Oberon still existed —Roth explained.

  —Let’s suppose that damn theory is true, —the captain added. —Then it’s all because of the emperor’s greed. He probably pissed her off, and now the storm’s even more vicious because of it.

  The squad captain seems to hold a firm stance against the current regime, yet also displays a curious disdain toward Thorri’s daughter; while most fear her, the captain’s attitude toward her is one of disgust, not fear.

  —In any case, as long as we don’t get close, we’ll be fine —Rohan commented as they resumed their march.

  “I just want to return to the capital and get all those screams out of my head.”

  —From this point on, march without stopping. —the captain ordered.

  Continuing forward, the silhouettes of the squad faded into the dense snow of the mountain, heading toward the heart of the Empire.

  Tora Capital

  Headquarters of the Order of Extermination

  One day later

  The capital of Tora receives the elite unit that handles the emperor’s dirty work—though not with much cheer.

  Amid the cold wind sweeping through the capital, in a training ground usually bustling with activity, a High Knight heads toward a meeting with the Imperial Admiral.

  The purpose of this meeting is the arrival of the Order of Extermination in the capital—but more importantly, the captain’s request for an audience with them.

  As these two high-ranking men of the imperial army wait calmly, all eyes begin to turn toward a well-known and intimidating figure entering the scene.

  A very tall man with dark skin and scars that tell of uncontrollable battles; golden eyes like the finest bar of gold, and hair so long and black it almost resembles a puma’s mane, walks slowly.

  He wears a special uniform adorned with countless medals and a cap marking his rank—clearly, someone of great importance.

  All eyes follow him discreetly—but the murmurs about him are far less subtle.

  "Did you hear? They say he’s a traitor trying to abandon the Empire."

  "Only an idiot would dare defy the Emperor."

  "Looks like that 'Immortal' nickname has gone to his head."

  "I always said giving that much freedom to a slave would ruin his discipline."

  This beast in human form, without uttering a word, ignores the accusations thrown his way. When he reaches his superiors, he bows respectfully.

  —It’s unusual for a man like you to summon us on a winter day like this, Dust. —the High Knight said, his tone dripping with superiority.

  —Forgive my impertinence, sir. I know it’s cold, but I needed to speak with you —Dust replied, calm and respectful.

  —Weren’t you on a mission? Captain of the Order of Extermination —the Imperial Admiral asked, as though irritated by his return.

  —I have completed the mission assigned to me, sir. — Dust replied once more, fully aware of the reason behind the admiral’s annoyance.

  —So? What did you want to tell me? —the Admiral asked again, clearly more irritated this time.

  —I want to know the status of my resignation request, sir —Dust said, looking him straight in the eyes.

  The Admiral’s displeasure seemed to deepen instantly.

  —Aren’t you rushing into such a request a bit too quickly? —the High Captain remarked.

  Dust is an extremely valuable asset to the Order of Extermination, which is precisely why his request cannot be granted.

  —Follow me. We’ll talk inside. —the Admiral ordered.

  —I refuse, sir —Dust answered firmly.

  The two locked eyes in tense silence, but Dust had no intention of backing down.

  —I’m acting in accordance with the Code of Chivalry, sir. If you won’t grant my request, I’ll force you to —he warned, his golden eyes gleaming with a dangerous intensity.

  —“Chivalry”? —the High Captain scoffed. —You’re a damn slave. Don’t you understand your place?

  —Are you daring to defy the Empire, Dust? —the Admiral demanded, nearly offended.

  —The Empire is the one that turned my sense of justice into nothing more than senseless bloodshed, sir. —Dust shot back.

  With every passing minute, more and more people began gathering around them.

  —I’ve already fulfilled my promise. Set me free, or you’ll learn why they call me ‘The Immortal Puma,’ —Dust added, his tone now openly threatening.

  —“Justice”? —the High Captain laughed. —You’re just a slave, you piece of shit. That word means nothing to you—your job is to kill.

  —Walls Dollum Grey, High Captain of the Toran army… do you really want to provoke me, of all the slaves? The only one who can handle me is the Emperor—and he’s not here right now.

  Still kneeling before his superiors, Dust rose to face them eye to eye.

  —When did we give you permission to stand, scum? —barked the admiral.

  —Sir Bon Decoir Black, without your Emperor, the Empire is nothing but pure shit —Dust replied, ignoring the threats.

  “Watch your mouth, you bastard!”

  “Damn Oberans!”

  “Execute that traitor!”

  Spears and shields at the ready, swords and bows raised high—Dust was completely surrounded by all the soldiers present at the facility.

  —If you can’t even keep your word, then you’re nothing more than a failed abortion that somehow survived —Dust said coldly, unwavering.

  Two years of suicide missions and systematic killings, all for the sole purpose of protecting the captured slaves of Oberon from excessive abuse. Though they expected Dust to fail, he returned alive time and time again.

  —Are you sure you want to go through with this, Dust? You could still apologize. —the admiral said mockingly.

  Around five thousand soldiers—archers, knights, mages, paladins—one hundred and eight captains with weapons infused with essentia from arcane creatures, and the army’s high command—rumored to be half-human, half-arcane—now surrounded Dust.

  —An army against a single man? Brings back such lovely memories! —Dust shouted mockingly. —But this time, it won’t be like two years ago, damn bastards!

  “If only one of you could finally put an end to my misery…

  …but no.

  Trash like you isn’t capable of killing a monster like me.”