Zack found himself in an unfamiliar place.
Zack (looking around, confused):
"Where... am I? How did I get here?"
This place... it feels strangely familiar.
He glanced around carefully—and then it hit him.
Zack (eyes widening):
"This... this is the orphanage... The place where Albus and I grew up."
Suddenly, he heard a familiar voice echo through the air.
Voice:
"Zack! Zack! Come on, let's go play!"
Zack turned quickly—and there he was.
Albus. Smiling. Alive.
And then, a younger version of Zack came running from behind.
Young Zack:
"Yeah! Let's go!"
Zack's eyes welled up. His throat tightened.
Just as he was about to run after them—
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
A loud alarm blared.
Zack shot up in bed, breathing heavily.
Zack (whispering):
"Albus... When you were alive, I didn't treasure you enough.
And now, all I can do is see you in my dreams... and miss you."
He stood up, got ready, had a quiet breakfast, and geared up.
Wearing his combat uniform and strapping his sword to his back, Zack stepped out.
Soon, he arrived at the Abyss portal, where Argon was already waiting for him.
Argon (smiling):
"How are you doing, Zack?"
Zack:
"I'm good, Master. What about you?"
Argon:
"I'm great too."
He stretched his arms.
Argon:
"Alright, let's head into the Abyss."
Argon had already mapped out where their training would take place.
He had a plan—and it was about to begin.
The two stepped into the Abyss together.
After a while, they arrived at a specific location.
Argon:
"I've tracked down ten known monster nests.
We'll clear them out one by one...
And during all of that—you'll be training."
Zack (nodding):
"Understood."
Argon:
"Alright then, let's move. Time to hit the monster's nest."
They headed out together toward the location Argon had marked.
Soon, they arrived.
Before them stood ten D-rank monsters—Evil Spiders, each as large as a human.
Argon gave a nod to Zack, signaling the start.
Without hesitation, Zack charged in.
He swiftly took down the first spider with ease.
But then—two more spiders leaped at him from different directions.
Zack struggled a bit but managed to cut them down as well.
Argon raised his voice.
Argon:
"Stay calm, Zack!
Still your mind. It's just you, your swordsmanship, and these monsters.
Use what I've taught you—but use it with clarity."
Zack took a deep breath and refocused.
He steadied his stance, cleared his mind, and let instinct take over.
One by one, he cut through the remaining spiders, his movements flowing more smoothly now.
Each strike showed better understanding of the first form of Argon's swordsmanship.
To be continue...