Chapter 1: Chapitre 1
In the dark and winding alleys of the city, a fine rain fell, enveloping everything in a silvery veil. The dilapidated buildings, made of salvaged materials, seemed to whisper forgotten secrets as the drops of water slid down their facades. This place, a true black hole of society, is a chaotic mass of dilapidated structures and mountains of waste, stretched as far as the eye can see. Industrial debris, carcasses of vehicles and the remains of countless obsolete objects form an apocalyptic landscape where rust and decay are the key words.
The air is laden with a nauseating odor, a mixture of smoke, rot and chemicals. This stench, omnipresent, infiltrates the nostrils and never really leaves the inhabitants, impregnating their clothes and their skin. The ground, strewn with sharp debris and rotting detritus, is a dangerous terrain where each step must be measured.
A child with piercing eyes leaned against a cold wall, arms crossed, observing the scene before him. His black hair, wet from the rain, stuck to his forehead, accentuating the hardness of his youthful but determined features. The acrid smell of piled up garbage, mixed with that of rusty iron, filled the air, reminding the child of the precariousness of his situation. Yet his calculating mind did not dwell on these details. With his past experiences, he knew that every day in this devouring city was a battle for survival.
A few steps away from him, a group of children busied themselves around a meager campfire, their wavering heat struggling against the ambient humidity. The crackling of the flames, mixed with murmurs and stifled laughter, created a strange but reassuring symphony in this gloomy night. The flickering light of the fire cast dancing shadows on the children's frazzled faces. The child had been watching them for days, assessing their strengths and weaknesses, before deciding to approach.
"Who's there?" a deep voice for a child asked, as the child cautiously advanced towards the group. His bare feet treading the muddy ground without a sound, each step measured like a predator approaching its prey.
"Fang Yuan," the child, now Fang Yuan, replied, an enigmatic smile on his lips. His voice, though soft, carried a confidence that contrasted with his youthful appearance. The timbre of his voice seemed to resonate in the humid air, bringing an unexpected warmth.
The children eyed him warily, their eyes two dark wells of suspicion, scrutinizing every movement. Their frail figures stood out against the crumbling walls of the alley, their dirty clothes clinging to their thin bodies from the persistent rain. Among them, a little girl with tangled hair and a soot-stained face stepped forward. Her bare feet brushed the damp ground, leaving ephemeral footprints in the mud.
Fang Yuan knew who she was, the leader of this group of five children aged between six and twelve. He had noticed that she seemed very lively, alert and intelligent for someone her age. Her posture, straight despite the difficult conditions, and her precise gestures testified to a natural authority. He could even think that she was an adult in the form of a child, so much did her presence impose respect and fear among the others.
Her eyes, shining like stars in the night, seemed to probe Fang Yuan's soul. They were deep, unfathomable, reflecting a wisdom and hardness acquired through trials that even adults would struggle to overcome. She sniffed lightly, as if to catch his scent and gauge his intentions. The sound, barely audible, was lost in the murmur of the rain that fell in a soft melody on the tin roofs and wet cobblestones.
The air was saturated with the acrid smell of garbage and smoke, a familiar combination of life in the alleys of Meteor City. Fang Yuan could almost taste the mildew in the air, each breath bringing an unpleasant sting to his nostrils. But he did not waver, holding his ground under the girl's piercing gaze.
She stepped forward again, her face inches from his. He could see every detail of her soot-stained skin, feel the heat of her breath mixed with the humidity in the air. Her scent, a mixture of sweat, dirt, and childhood, contrasted with the harshness of her expression.
"What do you want?" she asked, her voice betraying a hard-earned wisdom despite her young age. Her tone was calm, almost detached, but it carried a note of defiance. Each word seemed to weigh heavily in the air, adding to the palpable tension that reigned.
Fang Yuan took a deep breath, feeling the cold, damp air invade his lungs. He held her gaze, looking into the dark abysses of her eyes. "I want to be part of your group," he answered, his voice firm but soft, a quiet assurance emanating from each syllable.
An older boy, his hair ruffled like raven feathers, spoke up. "Why should we trust you?"
"Because I have experience in running away from danger. I have managed to survive until today alone, without help." He said without emotion. Each word was a raw truth, a fragment of his existence laid bare before them.
The silence that followed was charged with tension, like the air just before a storm. The girl, clearly the leader, exchanged a look with the raven-haired boy. A silent understanding passed between them. She nodded, her decision made.
"If you want to be part of our group, you will have to prove your worth," she declared. "You will fight against Yan."
Fang Yuan nodded, an icy calm in his eyes. He knew that this moment was crucial. He also knew this Yan, the oldest child in the group. Yan had a rather imposing build compared to his age and lack of food; among the other children, he stood out.
Despite his stature, he followed the girl's orders because his talent was only in combat. Yan had a certain knack for combat despite his lack of experience, and Fang Yuan had observed him before, which reassured him about this duel.
The rain still fell, creating a soft but persistent melody as it hit the tin roofs and slid down the crumbling walls. Fang Yuan felt each droplet crash against his skin, mixing with the cold sweat that beaded on his forehead. The humid air was heavy, saturated with a metallic smell of rust and mold, making each breath dense and tangible.
Around him, the children stood in a tight circle, their eyes wide, following every movement with palpable intensity. Their tattered clothes were stuck to their skin by the rain, their hair dripping with water. The distant crackle of a campfire mingled with the children's murmurs, a soothing backdrop despite the mounting tension.
The circle of children widened into a makeshift arena. The muddy ground beneath their feet, cold and slippery, added an extra dimension to the clash. Fang Yuan and Yan stood face to face, their gazes locked like two wild beasts ready to tear each other apart.
Yan, on the other hand, braced himself. His massive frame, almost adult despite his young age, stood tall and imposing. His tense muscles betrayed a restrained nervousness, each movement exuding raw energy. Fang Yuan could see the raindrops tracing winding paths on Yan's tanned skin, adding a shimmering glow to his imposing appearance.
Yan charged first, his fists clenched like stones. The thud of his feet hitting the wet ground echoed through the air, each step sending mud splashing around him. Fang Yuan, his mind as sharp as a blade, dodged deftly, feeling the blast of the attack brush against his face. The air displaced by the blow narrowly missed his chin, leaving an icy sensation on his skin.
The world around him seemed to slow down as he focused on every movement, every detail. He could hear the rapid beating of his own heart, echoing in his ears like the drum of an impending war. The metallic scent of rain mixed with sweat and damp earth created a heavy, almost suffocating atmosphere.
Fang Yuan countered with a precise blow to Yan's shoulder, forcing him back. The contact of his fist against Yan's shoulder was like hitting a hard surface, the resistance of flesh and muscle reverberating through his joints. Yan staggered, the impact resonating through his body like a shockwave. A low groan escaped his lips, mingling with the continuous sound of the rain falling in a hypnotic cadence.
The children surrounding the fighting circle held their breath, their wide eyes following every movement with palpable intensity. The crackle of the campfire behind them added a sonic backdrop, its flames licking the air and casting dancing shadows on their tense faces. The smell of burning wood mingled with that of humidity, creating a pungent but comforting scent in this scene of confrontation.
Yan shook his head, regaining his balance. They circled, Yan's feet creating mud splatters with each step, while Fang Yuan remained light, almost airy, his movements calculated and precise. Their eyes met, the tension in the air palpable, like a taut rope ready to snap.
Yan attacked again, this time with a series of rapid strikes. Fang Yuan parried them with almost supernatural agility, each impact resonating through his arms like an electric shock. He could feel Yan's raw strength, the determination behind each blow, but he also knew how to use that strength against him.
Taking advantage of an opening, Fang Yuan stepped aside and, in one fluid motion, grabbed Yan's wrist. Yan's rough, warm skin contrasted with the damp cold air. Using Yan's momentum, he threw him to the ground with fearsome efficiency. Yan landed heavily, his breath taken away, a look of surprise and pain crossing his face.
The silence that followed was deafening, interrupted only by the crackling of fire and the incessant murmur of rain. Fang Yuan reached out his hand to Yan, helping him up. Their eyes met again, this time with mutual understanding. Respect had replaced wariness.
The children surrounding the stage exchanged glances, their faces changing from tense to relieved. The circle closed around them, each member of the group moving closer, sharing the warmth of the fire and their new alliance. The flames danced in their eyes, lighting up their faces marked by the harshness of their lives.
Fang Yuan turned to the girl who had questioned him earlier. She nodded, a barely perceptible smile lighting up her soot-stained face. "You have proven yourself," she said in a soft but firm voice. "Welcome among us."
Fang Yuan allowed himself a smile, a smile that did not reach his eyes but reflected a deep satisfaction. His plan had worked. His mind, clear as crystal, was already formulating his next steps. Life was hard, but it offered unique opportunities for those who knew how to seize them. Fang Yuan knew he would have to navigate carefully, use every resource, every connection, to move forward.
By gaining the trust of these children, he had laid the first stone on his path to immortality. Every relationship formed, every alliance forged, would be one step closer to his ultimate goal.
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