A limp body crashed to the ground with a dull thud, sending a puff of dust and flecks of blood into the air. Bruises, cuts, and old scars painted his skin like a canvas of suffering. The only thing sparing him complete humiliation was a pair of torn, dirt-streaked brown trousers barely clinging to his hips.
His tanned skin, stretched thin over his bones, bore signs of countless beatings—scars only half-healed, wounds just beginning to close.
"Pfft! This is your disciple, Derek?" a voice sneered, sharp and full of mockery. "He's even more pitiful than I imagined. Hahaha!"
Another voice followed, just as derisive, laced with cruel amusement. "I almost feel ashamed watching this. You've won this time, Caron. Well played."
Then came the cold command:
"Friel. Cut off his right arm. Consider it payment for wasting our time."
Standing above the battered boy was a youth of about seventeen. He gripped a heavy axe with both hands. His long crimson hair cascaded down his back, and his deep, black eyes glinted with the twisted pleasure of obedience.
"Yes, Master," Friel replied, almost eagerly.
He stared down at the boy, whose shallow breaths and bloodied form barely clung to life. "You really should've known your place," Friel sneered. "A blind beggar like you? You don't belong here. Be grateful Master Derek even let you live—with one arm, that is."
Then the axe fell.
It crashed into the boy's shoulder with a sickening crack, cleaving through flesh and bone like it was nothing but wet parchment. His arm flew to the side, a trail of blood following it. The world erupted in crimson.
A scream tore through the air—raw, primal, the sound of a soul being shattered.
The boy had awakened—just in time to feel the loss of his arm. He thrashed, his face twisted in agony, snot and tears pouring down in rivers. His body writhed against the rocky ground, sharp stones scraping his already shredded skin. Each movement sent fresh waves of pain crashing through his mind.
But the pain was nothing compared to the laughter.
Mocking. Cruel. Endless.
"Look at him! That's exactly how a blind pig should squeal!" one of the onlookers howled with laughter.
"Pathetic," Derek's voice rang out—stern, disappointed, utterly devoid of sympathy. "You can't even withstand a little pain."
Pain, blinding pain was all he could feel. How did he end up like this?
Well his name was Ren, a blind orphan with talent. He was talented, but well, as an orphan, life would be very hard for him.
Secondly, he was blind. A blind orphan with talent was even worse than a beggar with none.
But that was his reality. He has never wanted to fight in the first place. He was just minding his own business as usual when a soft hand clasped his face and stole his first kiss.
He was a blind kid, so he couldn't see what was happening. Whether a male or female, he didn't know.
All he felt was lips and then a sad voice say, "Unfortunately, we can't be together. This is my last farewell. If fate so desires, let us meet. I will keep my virginity intact for three years in hopes you survive."
And that was it. The next he knew, he was attacked and now he was a slight distance from death.
Being a blind person, he had always been seeing darkness his whole life. When he was asleep, when he was awake, it was always black but now that he was dying, he saw something other than black.
It was huge. So huge, he resembled an ant in front of it. It had no visible structure or stature, whatever it was.
It was just huge and powerful!
And beautiful. He didn't know colors but he could tell that it was beautiful, whatever it was.
"I don't know what you are, but seeing as you've visited me now, I hope you live a good life if you ever live. For now, I think I'm ready to live this wicked world," Ren said with a smile. A smile that was projected to the outside world too, causing them to be confused.
"Are you sure?" A voice so deep and calming echoed in Ren's very soul.
"No! But…"
"We will survive."
"Huh?"
"We will beat them all and stand at the top!"
"How?"
"Just lend me your body."
"It's broken and fragile and missing an arm."
"We will survive without an arm!"
"What the fuck is this idiot saying?"
"Haha! Funny right but don't worry. Just lend me your body."
"Then where will I live?"
"Inside me. Don't worry. You will see."
"Sure. I have nothing to lose."
"Good. Now let's survive, Ren!"
"Right. And, oh I'm blind."
"What the fuck?!"