Chapter Two

  Mud and Blood

  The universe... existence... matter... and time...

  All of them form the reality we live in.

  Even though their compositions are too complex for the human brain to fully understand, there is no doubt about their immense importance in shaping the life of creation (and it is not necessary for man to fully understand them).

  The Creator who designed this magnificent reality is the only one who understands and crafted these cosmic elements, and even gave every creature a soul (even though the soul cannot be seen).

  Despite the universe's complex structures, they are fundamentally made up of four simplified elements: fire, water, air, and earth.

  These four structures are the origin of the chemical compositions that form matter.

  They are the source of all forms of energy.

  They govern the laws of physics and mathematics.

  Even though some may see them as mere philosophical concepts, they are the building blocks of everything in the universe.

  And just as they create matter, they also create emotions:

  The Blue Dragon (Omi) - Element of Water

  The Volcanic Tiger (Fuigos) - Element of Fire

  The Rocky Phoenix (Rokhoros) - Element of Earth

  The Metallic Serpent (Wynd) - Element of Air

  These four beings represent the non-physical states of the visible elements in the universe, and each one of them has its symbolic form...

  ---

  Outside the Cottage:

  After W.o.N fought A.F inside the burning cottage, he exited to ensure there was no immediate threat.

  The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  He eventually reached the city...

  But it was eerily quiet and empty of people.

  He walked around, confused by the strange silence.

  W.o.N:

  "Strange... it's not usual for the streets to be this empty during the day...

  Could it be that the guy who attacked me cleared out the people to avoid collateral damage if the fight spilled outside the cottage?

  But I defeated him easily (even though he could've burned down the whole place along with the garden)...

  Maybe... there are others coming to fight me... but there's no trace..."

  As he was thinking, a sudden strong gust of wind tore off part of his cloak of icy wings, then it disappeared instantly.

  W.o.N:

  "!!! What happened? There's no one around... looks right and left... truly no one... reforms his cloak with his wings... I have to stay alert, I could be attacked at any moment."

  Again, even stronger winds shook the roads violently.

  Amidst the raging winds, a warrior appeared within the whirlwind, wearing a metallic suit and a silver battle helmet, carrying a portable wind cannon.

  This was the hero Technologic Wind, the symbol of hope and victory, and wielder of the element of air.

  T.W.:

  "Hmm... looks like he didn't last long against you.

  Water does have an advantage over fire after all.

  lowers his helmet

  Sorry if it seems rude, but we came to arrest you, Mr. Water of Nature."

  W.o.N:

  "?? Again someone saying they came to arrest me...

  Can't we talk first? Who are you?"

  T.W.:

  "I'm Technologic Wind.

  We were supposed to be colleagues (by the way, I'm originally American).

  Look, to make it short — if you've forgotten — you killed an important figure about two weeks ago. Get the idea?"

  W.o.N:

  "Yeah, I remember.

  You mean you're defending him?

  I killed Garry Osbourne — a vile man who deserved it.

  If you're here to defend him, then I won't forgive you either."

  T.W.:

  "So you admit your crime...

  At least you're honest.

  But still — I won't forgive what you did."

  Each of them stared at the other, ready to fight.

  W.o.N grabbed his sword, with an electric spark flashing in his eyes, while T.W. raised his cannon and the winds around them grew stronger.

  T.W. fired a powerful blast of air that W.o.N barely dodged, and quickly counterattacked with his sword.

  The battle was fierce.

  Both had incredible power.

  Sharp water slashes sliced through buildings, while fierce winds shattered roads.

  Each dodged the other's attacks, and their strikes were devastating.

  T.W.:

  "huff huff You're tougher than you look... huff huff

  But I won't let you win!"

  W.o.N:

  "huff huff Hmph... nor will I let you!"

  Suddenly, the winds calmed.

  T.W.:

  "My part is done...

  He's here."

  Violent earthquakes shook the ground!

  Before W.o.N could react, he received a devastating blow that shattered part of his skull and launched him into a nearby building, which collapsed on him.

  Out of the dust emerged a towering warrior, half a meter taller than the others, wearing a massive stone armor highlighting his muscular frame, a short violet cape fastened with golden metallic buttons.

  He was the strongest of the four heroes: Legendary Earth, the symbol of endurance and resilience, wielder of the element of earth.

  L.E.:

  "soft growl clenching both fists"

  T.W.:

  "You're finished now.

  No way you can win two against one!"

  W.o.N (bleeding):

  "huff huff

  I don't go down that easily!"

  He tried to finish his sentence, but L.E grabbed him and hurled him into a nearby mountain, shattering it!

  W.o.N struggled to breathe as L.E continued brutally beating him to the point of severe bleeding.

  Even when W.o.N tried to slash or wound him with his sword, he couldn't penetrate L.E's armor, harder than diamond.

  His sword shattered against L.E's defense, and massive boulders crushed him without mercy.

  In the end, W.o.N was completely crushed and killed at L.E's hands... or so it seemed.

  Suddenly, from within W.o.N’s subconscious:

  ???? (inside W.o.N’s mind):

  "Pathetic...

  Let me take control now — it's part of the pact."

  To be continu

  ed...