บท 1: So It Began
2010. The year considered to be the worst the worst year for Earth and Mankind.
During the year, Armageddon occured, devastating the world. Yet, as if Mankind need more hardship, invaders from other worlds descend to the planet, causing untold massacre, killing many and enslaving just as many.
However, Mankind was not neglected by the gods. Literally.
Gods, monsters, and many more appeared, protecting the world from invaders and disaster the same. When their tasks were done, they left through a portal at Antarctica, but not before bearing gifts to Mankind.
Lights emerged from sky, earth and sea, before disappearing. Realizing it could be gifts from the divine, they search for what was there, before finding it.
Shards.
While the name itself is not creative, describing the object they found, the power inside could not be dismissed nor ignored. For it was with the power of different Shards could Mankind stood against another series of invasion, beating off the otherworlders, and returning the favor.
Throughout the years, Mankind had study the Shards, learning off how to use it. They also learned of where to procure the Shards, as the gods left places that created it, but with a catch.
Inside the places, referred as Sacred Grounds or Temples depending on it outer appearance, there will be creatures inside. Killing them will gift Shards to the slayers.
Using the Shards, Mankind creating weapon called Shard Weapon, allowing the soldiers of Mankind to fight against invaders, as well as conquering different realm and worlds for their gain.
Aside from regular soldiers, there are also those that explored the different realms, as some did not have a civilization, allowing colonization with minimal bloodshed. Those people are called Explorers.
Explorers and military across the world have protect the world as well as conquering new ones, but they will need help. Join the Explorer Guild and obtain your own Sha-"
"Do they have to show this?" Kane mumbled to himself. Currently, it is the summer holiday, yet the blonde young man could not find it in himself to enjoy it.
After all, tomorrow is the day of his birthday. As well as the anniversary of his father's death.
His father die due to an accident, just seconds after he was born. Despite that, his mother did not blame him, calling him the last gift of his father and doing all she could to raise him.
Unfortunately, despite technological innovation making foodstuff cheaper, they could only have three meals a day along with the regular electrical and water service, with little left from spending the salary of his mother.
"It's not like I can join them anyway." he muttered.
While he dreamed of becoming an Explorer to one day repay his mother for all the sacrifice she did, reality was not so kind. He learned that he was born of weak constitution, making it near impossible for him to take strenuous jobs.
And so, the dream of becoming Explorer die during his childhood. Despite that, he did not plan on becoming a freeloader. While his weakness prevent him from becoming a fighter, he decided to focus on his study, learning as much as he could to get any jobs that pays well.
His second dream is becoming a Shardsmith. Shardsmith are occupation that started when Shards were first discovered. They are capable of enhancing Shards, making them even stronger and more powerful for either Explorers or the military.
He planned on joining Camelot Academy, named after the founder, who possess a Shard of Excalibur, who latter reformed England after the Armageddon.
While the focus would be on combatants, there are also courses for Shardsmithing, he planned on taking them to finally get his family off poverty.
"Kane, prepare the table." his mother shout woke him off his daydream.
"OK Mom." he replied. That the less he could do for his patient and kind mother.
-x-
The dinner for the night is a simple fish and chip. Simple yet delicious in his opinion. As they both eat, his mother asked,
"So, are you planning on joining Camelot Academy?" he nodded.
"Yeah. There are no better Academy for Shardsmithing. Besides, I already get the scholarship so there is no need for you to fork any funds to pay the academy fee." he added.
While he is weak, in term of intelligence, he is the smartest in his school, maybe even the district itself. After all, of the prepatory test taken for those interested in joining Camelot Academy, he was able to enter the top 10, cementing himself as one of the smartest students in all of England.
His mother smiled, "That's great. I hope you can achieve your dream."
He smiled in return. "Thanks mom." after all, all he did, aside from achieving his dream was for his mom.
-x-
After dinner, the two watched the news, reporting of the battle that happened in one of the distant realms. After 10, they called it a day, as Kane want to rest before going through another boring day.
Though, he do hope for some excitement. Later on, he would wish he did not ask for such thing.
-x-
Kane opened his eyes to a dark world, yet despite the black and dark surrounding, he could see clearly, at least the different silhouette despite light not being present.
"This is the first time I have such weird dream." he muttered to himself as he walked in the dark new environment. Yet, despite the darkness, he almost thought he was at home for some unfathomable reason.
He tried to find his way out of the place, yet there is only darkness for miles.
"This should be a dream." he muttered to himself, thinking it is the only thing possible. Unless someone decided to drag him into a very dark place for no reason. After all, his family is not reach and killing him can be done by simply shooting.
"Let's get the morbid thought away. Maybe there is a way to wake myself from this dream." Kane said to himself, trying to find any clue in the surrounding.
As he walk deeper into the inky darkness, he stopped, as he laid his eyes on a figure, standing there, calmly.
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