While the winds howled through the mountain ridges surrounding the village of Iseria, Chrizer stood alone in the desolate training grounds outside the settlement. His body was bruised, his mind weary, yet his crimson stone pulsed with untamed energy. He had been practicing relentlessly, honing the powers granted to him by the ancient artifact embedded in his chest—the Crimson Stone of Raelligus.
But before he could delve deeper into his mastery, a siren-like alarm echoed across the skies. The villagers stirred in panic and excitement as word spread: the elite warrior squad known as Merophagus had arrived, and they were seeking a challenger—someone powerful enough to face their might. Few dared step forward. Even the strongest hunters and mages of the village trembled at the mention of their names.
The squad was composed of four fearsome warriors:
Phiona, a psychic of A-rank tier, known for her mind-bending powers and the infamous spell Yuphiozes, which could slice through her opponents' thoughts and bodies alike.
Trizious, a silent swordsman whose blade was said to be forged from the bones of fallen gods.
Yugia, a frost-elemental archer whose arrows could freeze time for a blink.
And their leader, Mizelien, an S-rank being said to carry the Core of Sun Enlightenment—a divine force older than the realms themselves.
Despite the odds, Chrizer stepped forward. Determined and fearless, he made his way to the heart of the village where the Merophagus had set up their campaign. With the villagers gathered in a wide circle, torches lit and anticipation thick in the air, Chrizer approached them and called out his challenge.
Mizelien, regal in posture and wrapped in golden robes that shimmered like the sun itself, examined him carefully. "Very well," he declared. "But first, you must face Phiona."
The battlefield was drawn. Ancient glyphs lit up the stone ground beneath their feet, sealing them within an arena of elemental energy. Phiona hovered slightly above the ground, her long violet hair swirling as her psychic aura gathered.
Without hesitation, she cast Yuphiozes. Razor-thin waves of psychic force ripped through the air and slashed across Chrizer's body. Deep cuts opened on his chest and arms, blood spilling freely. The crowd gasped. Chrizer stumbled, struggling to stay on his feet. Many believed it was over—Phiona had ended far stronger foes with that spell alone.
But as Phiona turned to walk away, convinced of her victory, a violent surge of red energy exploded from Chrizer's body. The Crimson Stone of Raelligus gleamed like a star, radiating a force that shook the very air. His wounds rapidly closed, the blood reversing into his veins as if time itself bent to his will.
Eyes wide with rage and resolve, Chrizer shouted, "I'm not finished yet!"
He raised his hand and called upon the Soul of Will, a manifestation of ancient warrior spirits bound by oath to the Crimson Stone. The sky above the battlefield darkened as a divine weapon descended into his hand—The Sword of Union, a legendary blade that could summon phantom swords forged from raw emotion and spirit.
"Delivilious Blades," he whispered—and in response, dozens of translucent swords burst into the air behind him, glowing crimson, each crackling with spiritual energy. With a wave of his hand, they launched toward Phiona.
Phiona barely had time to raise her psychic shield. The first wave broke through. One sword pierced her shoulder. Another struck her leg. The final blade drove through her side, sending her crashing to the ground, her breath shallow, blood staining her robes.
Mizelien, watching silently until now, immediately teleported Phiona away in a beam of golden light, sending her to their healing tent. He had seen enough. Had he delayed even a second longer, Phiona would have perished.
He raised his hand and called off the match.
Chrizer stood still, panting, sword lowered. His gaze shifted to the remaining members of the Merophagus.
"Who's next?" he asked.
But Mizelien raised a hand. "No one," he replied. "Meet me in two days at the Castle of Verogina. We have matters to discuss."
The castle loomed on a floating island surrounded by aurora-colored clouds. Carved from celestial stone and imbued with solar runes, it pulsed with divine energy. Chrizer approached its gates, the guards bowing without question.
Inside, Mizelien awaited him in a grand hall illuminated by floating orbs of light.
"I've seen what you can do," Mizelien began. "You possess strength, willpower, and something even rarer—unpredictability. I would like to offer you a place in Merophagus."
Chrizer raised a brow. "Why? What's your goal?"
Mizelien stepped forward, his voice lower. "To stop the Era of Bizarre."
Chrizer's eyes widened. A cold memory surged in his mind—visions of gods battling demons, of worlds collapsing, of a voice whispering in a forgotten tongue. "You mean... the war between the gods and the demons?"
"So you know of it," Mizelien replied. "Then you must have heard of the Sword of Dezivileous—hidden on a forbidden planet across the Sea of Realities. It's said to contain the power to end the war... or start it anew. Our mission is to find it."
Chrizer was silent. He had heard the legends. He had seen, in dreams and visions, the chaos that would ensue if that sword fell into the wrong hands. Though he wasn't yet sure he could trust the members of Merophagus, he knew one thing for certain: he had to ensure that sword didn't fall into evil hands.
"I'll join you," he finally said.
Mizelien smiled. "Good. Then the journey begins."
Mizelien smiled. "Good. Then the journey begins."
That night, a celebration was held in the castle courtyard under a sky of twin moons. Music played, enchanted lanterns floated through the air, and food from all corners of the realm was served. Chrizer stood quietly near a fire pit, now part of something larger than himself.
As new allies approached him—Trizious nodding silently, Yugia offering him a frost-kissed drink, and Phiona smiling faintly, now healed—Chrizer couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning.
Because beyond the stars, the Sword of Dezivileous waited.
And with it, the fate of the Omniverse.
Chapter - Ended
Next Chapter - Soon