The yurai clan is a civilized village like any other empire in the realm. They are a special bloodline of humans with the ability to control manarai energy to it's very core through the power of their eyes . Their leader Lord zenin is said to posses the ability to manipulate the energy in others and in his surroundings to his will
Walking through the village,the traveller was looking around at the crowd obviously on high alert.
"Looking at this place,this is the safest place I can be for the time being"The traveller thought as he examined his surroundings with determination
His actions didn't go unnoticed by the guards on standby as they walked up to him
"You look awfully restless for someone with a large pool of manarai energy"The guard said as they approached him,their left eye glowing faint yellow "What is your objective?"the guard questioned
"I can't have them figuring my identity but there's no hiding anything from these guys. Their eyes are a real pain. I better come clean". "I'm being chased by a group of demons hoping to experiment with my ability" the traveller explained
With the word ABILITY mentioned,the guards quickly pulled their swords and positioned themselves ready for an attack
"Who the hell are you?and why are you here!?" The guard asked with a bead of sweat falling from his face
In this world where manarai energy is said to be absolute, ability is a sub category of manarai energy..It represents someone's final and most powerful move on any fight or battle
The inhabitants stopped what they were doing and looked towards the direction of the noise.
"STAND DOWN!" A loud voice bellowed with authority as a man,cladded in red armour, suddenly appeared and walked confidently towards the traveller.
The guards immediately lowered their weapons and stepped aside.
"Captain Raizen!" one of them exclaimed, bowing his head.
The armored man ignored them and kept his eyes fixed on the traveler.
"We were expecting you," he said calmly before turning toward the massive castle overlooking the village. "Follow me."
The traveler hesitated.
"Expecting me? How could they have known I was coming?"
Nevertheless, he followed.
The two walked through the village in silence. Citizens parted as they passed, whispering among themselves. Some stared at the traveler with curiosity, while others looked at him with fear.
Soon, they arrived at the castle gates. Towering walls of white stone rose into the sky, engraved with ancient symbols that pulsed faintly with Manarai Energy.
The gates opened on their own.
The traveler felt a strange pressure wash over him as he stepped inside.
"What is this feeling?" he asked.
"A barrier," Raizen replied. "One created by Lord Zenin himself.
No demon can enter these grounds without his knowledge."
The traveler nodded but remained uneasy.
They eventually reached a grand hall illuminated by floating crystals. At the far end sat a man upon a black throne.
Lord Zenin.
His silver hair flowed down his shoulders, and his golden eyes seemed to glow like miniature suns.
The moment their gazes met, the traveler felt as though every secret he possessed had been laid bare.
"So," Zenin said, his voice calm yet powerful, "the child of prophecy has finally arrived."
The traveler's eyes widened.
"What did you just call me?"
Zenin leaned forward.
"The demons are not chasing you because of your Ability."
A heavy silence filled the hall.
"They are chasing you because you possess something far more dangerous."
The traveler clenched his fists.
"And what is that?"
For the first time, a hint of concern appeared on Zenin's face.
"The Heart of Manarai."
The crystals flickered.
The air grew cold.
And somewhere far beyond the walls of the Yurai Clan, thousands of crimson eyes opened in the darkness.
"The demons have found you."
A deafening alarm suddenly echoed throughout the castle.
BOOOOOM!
The entire hall shook violently.
Dust fell from the ceiling as distant screams erupted outside.
The traveler instinctively turned toward the entrance.
"What was that?!"
Captain Raizen unsheathed his sword.
"They're here."
Lord Zenin slowly rose from his throne. Despite the chaos, his expression remained calm.
"Faster than I anticipated."
A guard burst into the hall, panting heavily.
"My Lord! The eastern barrier has been breached! Hundreds of demons are pouring into the village!"
The traveler's eyes widened.
"Hundreds?"
The guard swallowed nervously.
"No... thousands."
The room fell silent.
Zenin closed his eyes.
When he opened them again, his golden irises had transformed. Strange black markings spread across them, and the Manarai Energy in the hall began to tremble.
"The Yurai Clan shall not fall today."
Outside, dark clouds gathered over the village.
Demonic creatures flooded the streets.
Some were massive beasts covered in black scales, while others appeared almost human, their crimson eyes glowing with malicious intent.
At the front of the army stood a tall figure wrapped in a dark cloak.
His presence alone caused the weaker demons around him to kneel.
The figure smiled.
"So the Heart of Manarai is truly here."
Back inside the castle, the traveler felt a sudden pain in his chest.
A brilliant blue light burst from within him.
"What is happening to me?!"
Zenin appeared beside him in an instant.
"The Heart is reacting."
The traveler fell to one knee as memories that did not belong to him flashed through his mind.
Ancient wars.
Collapsed kingdoms.
A colossal being made entirely of Manarai Energy.
And a voice.
A voice that seemed to come from the beginning of time itself.
"The seal weakens."
The vision vanished.
The traveler gasped for air.
"What... was that?"
Before Zenin could answer, the castle wall exploded inward.
A massive demon crashed into the hall.
Its body towered over everyone present.
The guards charged immediately, but the creature swatted them away effortlessly.
Then the cloaked figure stepped through the smoke.
The demon army's leader.
As he removed his hood, the guards immediately tensed.
There was nothing particularly special about his appearance. He looked like an ordinary demon—gray skin, sharp features, and crimson eyes. Yet the overwhelming amount of Manarai Energy surrounding him made it difficult to breathe.
His gaze swept across the hall before settling on the traveler.
"There you are."
The traveler felt a chill run down his spine.
The demon smiled.
"You've been much harder to find than expected."
Lord Zenin stepped forward.
"You've trespassed into Yurai territory. State your purpose."
The demon glanced at him.
"My purpose is simple. Hand over the traveler, and my forces will leave."
A murmur spread through the hall.
Zenin's expression remained unchanged.
"And if I refuse?"
The demon sighed.
"Then things become inconvenient for everyone."
Dark energy gathered around his feet.
The guards immediately raised their weapons.
The traveler clenched his fists.
"Why are you after me?"
The demon looked at him for a moment before answering.
"Because my master is interested in your Ability."
The hall fell silent.
"That's it?" the traveler asked.
"That's it," the demon replied coldly. "I wasn't told to ask questions. I was told to bring you back alive."
A small grin appeared on his face.
"Whether you're willing to come peacefully is entirely up to you."
The air grew tense.
For several seconds, nobody moved.
Then Lord Zenin chuckled.
The sound surprised everyone in the room.
"You marched an army into my village to make demands?"
Zenin's golden eyes began to glow.
"Either you're brave..."
The stone floor beneath the demon cracked under the sudden pressure.
"...or you're a fool."
The demon's smile disappeared.
For the first time since entering the castle, he reached for the sword hanging at his waist.
And the battle was about to begin.