3rd Pov
Seating face to face, Yuu and Horizon shared some tea...
Horizon : Why do you want to know that ?
Yuu : I have my own reason...for now, I just want to understand Dawn-san more.
Horizon : I see...but there is one thing you are wrong about.
Yuu tilted her head confused at his sudden statement.
Horizon : Even if I tell you everything I know, you still won't be able to understand him at all.
Yuu : Why ?
Horizon : Mmh, i wonder why myself...he is just like that i guess.
Closing his eyes, his vague answer was even more confusing...
Horizon : You wanted to know my story too, I think it's a good time to finally share it so listen well.
Yuu : (His story ? Is he really going to tell me ? I mean until now he did everything to keep it hidden...)
Horizon : Back then, when I first met Dawn-san was around 1300 years ago...
1300 years ago, at that time...the Eastern empire's influence was expanding rapidly...otherworldly summoning too spread around like wildfire.
Nation would summon them and throw them away if they had no use...most of them were children who died due to unstable magicule.
Horizon was one of them...at that time, his name was Azuma Kirai, a 11 years old boy from japan.
He was a failed summon who didn't manage to gain an unique skill...his soul was unstable and his magicule rampant.
It was a question of years before he died...thus he was thrown into prison and for the next 2 years served as a good for nothing worker in his cell.
Yuu : That's...this world is really cruel isn't it...
This reminded of her own past as a slave...her family abandoning her...
Horizon : It is...I don't really know...
He had every reason to hate this world but still, the way he looks at it now after living so long...it was a bit different.
Horizon : After 2 long years of torture, i had felt that my time was near...my body was slowly breaking and so do my mind.
But the difference between him and the other was shown at that moment...blinded by the thirst to live, Azuma went crazy.
One night, he overcame his own fate by sacrificing his own name...the overflowing magicule coupled to the sacrifice earned him a unique skill from the voice of the world.
Unique skill : Survival...the sudden surge of power intensified his berserk...and just like that the 62 prison guards and 121 prisoners that accompanied him were slaughtered with his very own hands.
Yuu : Y-you slaughtered them all...at the age of 13 ?
Horizon : Yeah...i can still feel their bones cracking under my grip, their blood splashing everywhere as my hand digs their organs out.
His eyes glowed pure red as a maniac grin formed on his face...Yuu would lie if she said she wasn't terrified by the sight.
She knew he was a heartless monster but this new side might actually be the true Horizon White, a man who killed because he wanted to kill...
Horizon : I had become nothing but a mindless killing machine...if he didn't stop me that day, I would have surely destroyed the kingdom that summoned me.
He continued his story, when he had broken through the prison located under the castle...his next target was the nobility and royalty that made him that way.
Flashback
Smiling wickedly, that nameless 13 year old boy quickly broke through the guards...
The castle was set on high alert as hundreds of guards came in to stop him but none succeeded, one by one they fell under the monstrosity they had fed.
???: Hahahaha !
His laugh could be heard throughout the castle, the royal family was petrified as one by one, reports came in...
Dozens of knights, nobles that visited the castle this day and even the 3rd princess were brutally massacred.
The king and queen could only crawl in fear as they had regrouped all the remaining force in the throne room to protect them.
King : What are you waiting for ! Kill him !
Guard : But milord ! This monster is ripping us apart ! Even our armor is bent under his strength !
King : Then shoot him with bow and magic !
They did everything they could but a unique skill wielder was a pure monster in terms of capability.
Furthermore, unique skill : Survivor gave the nameless monster unlimited stamina, an increase in all physical ability, and removed any primal desire such as hunger or thirst...
And the more he desired to survive, the stronger he will get...for him killing everyone was the same as surviving...because no one will be able to abduct him if there was no one anymore.
???: Kill...i have to kill more...
Finally bursting through the giant door leading to the throne room, the former sweet boy stood there.
His ragged clothes were filled with cut and blood...some wound previously given by the explosion via fire magic was regenerating rapidly.
King : Monster...
???: Kihihihi ! Kill !
An icy laugh froze the knight's blood...they were terrified by this monster, hesitation overcame their confidence...
Yes they didn't know when or how to attack...it was a desperate situation, a total nightmare.
They could only helplessly watch this monster laugh and finally jump at them ready to shred them apart.
Queen : Kyaa !
King : do something ! Ahh !
Screams of terror could be heard from the inside, as one by one the knights were killed...
After a few long minutes, silence came back as ??? successfully murdered the king and his family...now laughing like crazy, he was pulling his organs out one by one.
???: Hahaha ! I survived ! I won !
But unknown to him, someone stood there at the door frame, arm crossed while observing the little monster.
He didn't seem to be fazed at the sight of a dismembered corpse...as you expect the one standing there is Dawn.
Dawn : What a chaotic child, this is almost disgusting.
Despite his words, he was smiling...
Dawn : Oi ! Kid, are you done killing them ?
???: Kill !
Finally noticing this unknown presence, ??? turned around with the same crazy smirk and jumped forward.
His hand dripping in blood, the skill survivor shone once again in his eyes.
Dawn : Kill or be killed, huh...well I'm not really fond of this mindset to start with.
Sighing, Dawn raised his arm and took a fighting position...martial art is pretty as important as swordsmanship.
Though, there is a major difference between them...martial arts aren't meant to kill, they can but their primal purpose is to disarm and fight closely whereas swordsmanship is originally meant to slice flesh and kill.
Dawn : You might be strong physically and have immense bloodlust but still you are just a kid.
When he was close enough, Dawn grabbed his right arm midair, smashed his knee into ???'s stomach before locking both arms behind his back.
A quick succession of moves to stop this rampage.
Dawn : My name is Dawn Arceid, what's yours kiddo ?
???: Kill ! Kill ! Kill !
Dawn : Mmh, you're almost a mindless beast at this point...no name, huh.
Staring at the boy below him, he was moving and fighting like crazy...if Dawn wasn't careful, this beast would even go as far as breaking his own arm to escape his grip.
Dawn : Stay do-
???: Arght !!
Roaring, Dawn was forced to jump back as some sort of claw appeared behind the boy's back...even his appearance was starting to turn into a beast.
Dawn : Is that another skill ? Or is it the effect a unique skill has on a nameless being ?
???: KILL !!
He was bragging about his head, pure bloodlust leaking...something unimaginable from a small kid.
Dawn : I planned to kill you after analyzing your skill but I changed my mind, you could be useful in the future.
Releasing his own bloodlust, with beast like those you can only talk through violence...unsheathing his sword.
Seeing the difference in strength, ??? unconsciously took a step back...the intensity set by Dawn was enough to shake him.
Dawn : Then let's start...
Flashing a smile similar to the boy's, the next few minutes were pure torture...cutting his arms and legs one by one before letting them regenerate.
The cycle happened dozens of times before, at the end the boy laid on the ground...his once lively eyes lit by rage turned down.
His regeneration couldn't keep up with his injuries...slowly he was dying for real this time.
Dawn : I could have killed you 61 times already, you are too weak.
???: G-gha...
Looking up weakly, ??? couldn't help but beg...his instinct just made him do it, no matter how powerful he had become.
This man in front of him was a wall he couldn't pass...no matter what.
Dawn : It seems you calmed down...still, did losing your name also ripped your intelligence ?
Seeing no will of resisting...Dawn did a last swing cleaning his sword from this dirty blood before shealting it.
Dawn : Still you did a good job, still it would have been better if you didn't cause so much destruction.
Looking around, the castle was destroyed...you could see the sky and outside from the many holes and ruins of the building.
His eyes shone as the sight of the horizon reflected in his pupil.
Dawn : It's already dusk, huh...
Dusk : (Called me master?)
Dawn : Nah, go back to sleep...
Dusk : (Hai gladly!)
Sighing at his spirit's antics, Dawn returned his attention toward the boy he had just beaten.
Dawn : Kiddo, do you still want to live ?
???: G-gah...
Dawn : It hurt right, being summoned then thrown away...it seems your classmates were more useful...
Before coming here, Dawn had checked the underground prison and carnage made by this boy...the otherworlder summoned this time were an entire class.
And those useless things were thrown away...among them Azuma and a few others.
While those who gained good abilities were used for war purposes or treated like nobility...well that didn't really matter after all, most of them died either outside or by Azuma's hand.
Dawn : You got some potential, so what do you think ?
Looking up, ??? stayed silent...he opened his mouth but said nothing...at the moment all he could think was based on instinct.
He was literally a beast now...but his cold eyes had a gleam of hope, Dawn saw that and planned to exploit it.
Dawn : Come with me.
Stretching his hand toward the beast, the sun settling the room's atmosphere also went down...everything became dark...
Yet for ???, Dawn shone like a star...his hand hurriedly grabbed his as if feared that if he hesitated, Dawn would retract his offer.
???: Gah...
Dawn : You did good...then from now let's call you Horizon...(His power will surely be useful in the future.)
A single tear ran down Horizon's right eye...Dawn's magicule was transferred to his body, the bestail appearance disappearing slowly.
His once black hair was now white, and his eyes turned orange due to the deformation...it was like the birth of a new human, totally different from his former self.
Dawn : White hair, huh...were you influenced by my power ?
Smirking, after finishing his transformation...Horizon opened his eyes...he was still a 13 years old boy at that time.
Flashback end
Horizon : For me Dawn is like a father, my appearance was influenced by his magicule, my new skills too...
Yuu : I didn't expect the calm you to have such a story behind...
Horizon : You understand now...i enjoy killing, for me when Dawn ask me to kill someone...it's the highest prestige...after all, i was meant to be a weapon to kill.
That's right, Yuu understood...this man in front of her is dangerous...even more than Dawn, his power might not match his but his mindset was truly terrifying.
Horizon : Now why am i telling you this, it doesn't help your case at all...
Yuu : You wanted to show me how merciless Dawn-san was ?
Horizon : Not really, we all know he doesn't care about taking other's life...he is similar to me on this side.
Yuu : Then is that a warning ?
Horizon : Yes...i might not care about any of you but you dying isn't something i want to see.
Getting up, Horizon just walked away...but before totally leaving, he spoke again.
Horizon : Dawn had told me a rather strange story...about a woman named Sola, what you're searching for must be related to her...but be careful, he might kill you with his own hand if you asked directly.
His predatory eyes glared at Yuu...he was serious and this feeling was mutual, Yuu took them to heart.
Yuu : I see...(this might be even more serious than what we thought...)
Now to Ungracia ? Dawn was currently walking down a long path in the jungle near Ramiris's labyrinth.
A bag full of sweets on his shoulder, but as he walked he noticed something odd.
Dawn : (Mmh ? Someone passed here earlier...)
It rained earlier so the ground was fresh and footprints could easily be seen everywhere around.
Dawn : 6, no 7 people...
And judging by some large tools print, they were adventurers...
Dawn : Snowie, can you take these and go to Ramiris first ?
Snowie : (Hai.)
Taking a material form, Snowie grabbed the bag and left...the reason for such print here was obvious.
Humans are greedy and with legends such as the Spirit queen, it was bound to attract a few people.
Dawn : You're up, Dusk ?
Dusk : (Goosh mowrning, Mashter...)
Dawn : We got some prey to hunt so get ready.
Sensing the seriousness in his voice, the light spirit quickly got herself ready and materialized outside.
Dusk : I sense 4 people in the east while the remaining went ahead, they are near the labyrinth...
Dawn : So their goals are really Ramiris, huh...must be hard to be popular.
Despite the sarcastic tone he used to talk, his eyes were dead cold...Ramiris was a sensible subject for him.
Not only is she like an older sister for Dusk and Snowie, she is only one of the few people that has supported Dawn since his youth.
Dawn : Let's make it a quick work..i should be able to kill them in a f-wait kill...
Suddenly taking in a headache, he grabbed his face as if in his subconscious was remembering something.
Dawn : Ugh...
Dusk : Master ?
Dawn : Why did I suddenly react like...could it be the sealed memories ?
He knew he had some sealed memories and that they were sealed via Author skill.
Knowing himself, he would have never done that if the memories aren't something he couldn't take in...even the painful memories of his mother's death and Ria or Luna's death were still present.
Dawn : Did something here trigger those memories ?
Gritting his teeth, he quickly closed his eyes and traveled through his subconscious, soon enough he found the section where the seal was placed.
Dawn : (I should just put another seal to reinforce it.)
Stretching his hand, the process is similar to putting a password and a lock with Ultimate skill : Author.
By redoing the same thing, he could put a second layer of seal above the first one.
Dawn : But something feels off...
And this feeling was quickly confirmed when the second seal failed...
Dawn : Huh ? Try again !
Fail...again, and another fail...no matter how many times or many changes he did, the second seal just didn't work.
Dawn : Why ? My skill never failed me that way before...
This was really confusing but only one answer could explain this...that the first seal is rejecting the second.
And that would only be possible if their nature were different...
Dawn : What happened back then...
The pain intensifying outside, he was forced onto a knee while holding his chest...sounds of people approaching or Dusk's worry reasoned in the background.
Dawn : Shut up already...I'm trying to focus there.
Clear anger dripped from his words...his eyes went into a dangerous red as he unsheathed Dimension...
Bandit Pov
Why did everything go so wrong...me and my friends are simple road bandits who attacked small merchants...
We lived a slow life consisting of robbing and killing...I know we aren't good people but do we really deserve this fate ?
This time, we wanted to try something else...we heard from some elves about a certain labyrinth where the spirit queen resides.
With everyone, we just wanted to get in there and take some treasure since it's a labyrinth, there must be something right...
But when we were searching for the labyrinth, I spotted a guy kneeling on the ground...he seemed to be in pain...
Naturally, I noticed the expensive looking sword on his wrist...calling for the other, we quickly rushed at him with a wide grin.
That's some easy gold, I thought...but the next instant, everything turned grim.
This guy wasn't normal, he is a total monster...his eyes were blinded with bloodlust, in a few movements we were already done.
He mercilessly destroyed us mentally and physically, our dislocated and dismembered body only brought us pain...yet our conscious refused to die.
At the very end, all I could see was the back of this guy walking away...the corpse of my friends laying behind me.
The sound of his footsteps walking through our splattered blood..i could just mutter a single word.
Bandit : Monster...
Before dying...
3rd Pov
Walking away, Dawn grunted as the pain hasn't subdued yet...
This was a really unusual sight as he lost control for a moment, the noise and pain made him act harshly and those bandits became victims of his wrath.
Even Dusk, who had accompanied him for a while now didn't dare talk...she didn't understand how her usually calm master lost control that way.
Dusk : (Master...did something happen?)
Dawn : Ugh...Dusk...do you remember everything that happened the last 2000 years ?
Dusk : (Huh ? Well ye-)
Suddenly freezing, this was enough for Dawn to understand that even Dusk had forgotten.
Dusk : (I-i remember when master summoned me and how he fought lady Luna...but then, nothing until master met sir Horizon...)
Dawn : I see...then maybe I should just open the seal ?
The pain was just getting stronger, he just had enough strength to get into the labyrinth...
Dawn : Ramiris...i know you're here...
His eyes flickering, he felt his consciousness leaving...
Ramiris : Dawn ?! What happened ?
Appearing in a trail of light, a startled Ramiris quickly rushed over her old student's side and checked for injuries but nothing...
Dawn : I-i'll be out for some time...so take care of me...
Ramiris : Eh ? Ehhhh ?!
She got even more worried when he closed his eyes and let himself fall onto her...his weight crushing her...
Velzard Pov
The world was so cold before I met my daughter...honestly, when this spirit Snowie came into my life, I finally started to feel more alive ?
It was a strange feeling, I just liked her presence around...well I also got a student who happened to be my daughter's master.
Those two gave me some company while I had to stay on this cold continent with a heartless demon.
Still, the world has started changing since my little brother Veldora's disappearance...Guy and his small group of demon lords too.
Velzard : It seems demon lord Luminous is starting to sharpen her fang too.
She must have realized that Guy doesn't see her as an ally at all, the only reason she was given the demon lord seat was to keep her in check.
And it's normal for Guy, Luminous Valentine, a divine ancestor who awakened as a True demon lord...and at her side is Dawn Arceid.
Student of the spirit queen and myself, a True dragon...i'm proud to say that in an all out fight, he might have a 5 % chance of beating even the likes of me.
Velzard : Thought that percentage would be much higher if he hasn't changed that much.
Something weird happened back in the ages...well it's not something that I should involve myself in.
What more important is the choice i have to make...Guy and Rudra's game are reaching its end,
Guy is planning something big and he won't only be fighting against the Eastern empire but also Ruberios...it's only a matter of time before they turn against each other.
Velzard : The choice is mine...
Either I keep fighting on Guy's side or I'll join my daughter and student...the world is changing...
In the past I wouldn't have cared but now, I feel like it's my duty to protect those two...at least do what I can to protect them.
Still, this would also mean I turn my back again to the world...
Velzard : Emotions sure are a bother...they make you act irrationally.
I chuckled softly while looking at the horizon covered in ice...though I believe something even bigger is happening right now...