The First Men Chronicles

Chapter 20: Echoes of Power

The chapter opened with Huey clapping his hands, the sound echoing through the temple. "Yes, Draven! One more time!"

On top of a temple surrounded by towering, ancient pillars, Draven stood with unwavering focus. He had been practicing a new way to channel his Shen, refining techniques he was quickly mastering under Huey's watchful eye. With his right arm stretched forward, his Shen energy concentrated entirely in his hand. Sparks of red lightning erupted, swirling violently before forming the shape of a dragon.

The energy beast twisted and coiled, its head roaring to life before it shot into the sky. A massive explosion rumbled above, and the clouds above the temple broke open, pouring rain down on the temple grounds.

Roshi, sitting lazily on one of the pillars, smirked. "For someone your age to master two elemental affinities—fire and lightning—that's unheard of. It's rare, Draven. Most Shen users are lucky to have even one affinity in their lifetime." He adjusted his posture slightly, his tone sharpening. "You're no different from Lord Arcade."

Huey twirled to face Roshi, laughing. "Oh, you're absolutely right! But!" He spun dramatically, pointing at Draven. "He's still got a long way to go. Raw talent isn't everything."

Draven, his breath heavy from exertion, shook his head. "I don't have time to rest. I need to keep training. I need to master this."

Huey danced up to him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "No, golden boy, what you need is control. Rushing won't get you anywhere but dead." He leaned in, his tone dropping to a whisper. "Let me tell you a story about someone… someone who reminds me of you."

The rain continued to pour as Huey led Draven inside the temple. The ancient stone interior was dimly lit by faint glowing runes on the walls, casting an eerie ambiance over the space. Huey gestured for Draven to sit while he leaned against a crumbling statue of a forgotten deity.

The Tale of Arcade and Ichabod

Huey's voice took on an almost reverent tone as he began. "Thirteen years ago, there was a boy—a genius blessed by the gods themselves. His name was Arcade, and he was destined for greatness."

Draven leaned forward, his curiosity evident.

"Arcade discovered his immense talent for Shen manipulation at a young age," Huey continued. "He joined the Hunter Association during a time when Seoul was at war with other nations. Back then, war wasn't fought with ordinary soldiers—it was fought with those who could wield Shen. And Arcade… oh, he was unstoppable. A prodigy. The Hunter Association sent him on secret missions—missions where it was kill or be killed. Over time, his strength grew, his power unparalleled. But," Huey's voice dipped, "he wasn't alone. By his side was his best friend and ally, Ichabod."

Huey began pacing, his hands gesturing wildly as he spoke. "Arcade discovered techniques that no one else had dreamed of. He could augment his skin with Shen, making himself nearly invincible. He developed the Sixth Sense, allowing him to detect any Shen-based attack and anyone who had Shen in them at a distance that was god like, even if it came from behind or while he was blindfolded. But his crowning achievement was Domination—a technique that let him overwhelm and control the Shen of others."

Draven's eyes widened. "Control the Shen of others? That's possible?"

Huey grinned. "Oh, it's not just possible—it's devastating. Imagine your opponent's Shen turning against them, their own power bending to your will. That's what Arcade mastered. And here's the kicker—he taught Ichabod how to do it too. Best friends, sharing their secrets… but not their ideologies."

Huey's expression darkened. "As Arcade grew stronger, he began to see the world differently. He saw nations tearing each other apart, and the weak—the ones who couldn't manipulate Shen—suffering the most. So, he decided to 'fix' the world by ridding it of those lesser beings. That's when he created us: The Ten."

Draven's fists clenched. "And Ichabod? What did he do?"

Huey's smile returned, sharp and knowing. "Ichabod refused to join him. He remained loyal to the Hunter Association, seeing Arcade's vision as nothing more than genocide. And so, the best friends became enemies. The Hunter Association rallied behind Ichabod to stop Arcade's 'cleansing.' Their battles were the stuff of legend."

Draven's voice was steady but cold. "How did Arcade die?"

Huey wagged a finger, his grin widening. "Faster than your shadow again, Draven. Let's not spoil everything, hmm?"

Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of heavy stone doors creaking open. A figure stepped inside, cloaked in black with the number 9 emblazoned on his chest.

"Number 8," Huey said, his grin widening. "What news do you bring?"

The man bowed slightly. "We've received confirmation from Number 2. The pet has been located."

Huey clapped his hands together, spinning in place. "Excellent! Everything is going according to plan." He turned to Draven, his expression playful yet serious. "Enough stories for now, golden boy. Come with me. I have something I want to show you."

Morning broke over Seoul as the city buzzed with activity. The tournament arena was alive with energy as vendors set up their stalls, spectators began filing in, and participants prepared for their matches. The break was over, and the tournament was back in full swing.

Feng and Gong, however, weren't part of the festivities. They moved through the outskirts of the city, following the faint trail of Draven's Shen.

"We're getting closer," Gong muttered, his sensory abilities honing in on the faint signature.

Feng nodded, his expression grim. "Good. We need to get to him before things spiral even further out of control."

Meanwhile, back at the arena, Sakamoto had been officially registered for his next match. Standing in the preparation area, he glanced at the other fighters warming up nearby. His mind was focused, his usual carefree attitude replaced with quiet determination.

The commentator's voice boomed through the stadium, announcing the tournament's continuation. The crowd roared, eager for the next battle, as the board began displaying the upcoming matchups.