Journey Across The Tensura Verse

The grand hall of Soma's palace was a spectacle of opulence. Crystal chandeliers hung from the vaulted ceiling, their light reflecting off the polished marble floors. Nobles and dignitaries mingled, their laughter and chatter filling the air as servants weaved through the crowd with trays of wine and delicacies. Kai stood near the center of the room, a goblet of wine in hand, his sharp eyes scanning the crowd.

He had been welcomed with all the pomp and ceremony befitting a hero of his reputation. King Aldric himself had greeted him at the throne room doors, his smile warm but his eyes calculating. The king had spoken of alliances, of mutual prosperity, but Kai's instincts told him there was more to this meeting than diplomacy.

As he sipped the wine, Kai noticed the subtle shifts in the room. The nobles who had been so eager to speak with him moments ago were now drifting away, their smiles replaced by wary glances. The servants, too, seemed to be avoiding him, their movements hurried and furtive. And then there were the guards—stationed at every exit, their hands resting on the hilts of their swords.

Kai's grip tightened on the goblet. Something was wrong.

He set the wine down on a nearby table, his senses on high alert. The taste had been off—bitter, with a metallic aftertaste. Poison. But thanks to his **Poison Resistance**, a skill he had acquired long ago, the toxin had no effect on him. Still, the attempt on his life confirmed his suspicions. This was no diplomatic meeting. It was a trap.

Before he could act, the room erupted into chaos. The nobles scattered, their masks of civility slipping as they fled to the edges of the hall. The guards moved in, forming a tight circle around Kai, their weapons drawn. Among them were mages, their hands glowing with the telltale light of spellcraft.

Kai's eyes narrowed as he assessed the situation. "So this is how Soma treats its guests," he said, his voice calm but laced with steel. "I expected better from a kingdom that prides itself on honor."

One of the mages, a tall man with a sneer etched across his face, stepped forward. "Honor has no place in war, Unifier. You've become too powerful, too dangerous. The king cannot allow you to live."

Kai's lips curled into a grim smile. "Then he should have sent more men."

The battle began in an instant. The mages unleashed a barrage of spells—fireballs, lightning bolts, and arcs of pure energy—while the soldiers charged with swords and spears. Kai moved like a shadow, his **Agility** and **Combat Mastery** allowing him to dodge and counter with precision. He disarmed a soldier with a swift strike, using the man's own sword to block an incoming spell. The air crackled with magic and the clash of steel.

Despite the overwhelming numbers, Kai held his ground. His **Molten Aegis** flared to life, deflecting spells and burning any who came too close. His **Infernal Mastery** turned the mages' fire against them, while his **Soul Dominion** summoned spectral warriors to fight by his side. The hall became a battlefield, the once-pristine floors now scarred by scorch marks and blood.

But even as Kai fought, he knew this was only the beginning. The mages were relentless, their spells growing more powerful with each passing moment. And then, just as the battle reached its peak, Newton's voice echoed in his mind.

\*\*\[Unique Skill: Newton has detected a high concentration of magicules. A powerful being is approaching. Estimated time of arrival: 30 seconds.\]\*\*

Kai's heart sank. He barely had time to process the warning before the world exploded.

A deafening roar filled the air as the ceiling above him shattered. A massive spell—a swirling vortex of fire and lightning—slammed into the palace, tearing through stone and steel like paper. The force of the blast sent Kai flying, his body slamming into a pillar before he was buried under a cascade of debris.

When the dust settled, the grand hall was in ruins. The once-majestic chandeliers lay shattered on the ground, their crystals scattered like stars. The walls had crumbled, exposing the night sky, and the air was thick with smoke and the acrid smell of burning stone.

Kai groaned as he pushed himself up, his body aching from the impact. He was trapped under a pile of rubble, his movements sluggish as he struggled to free himself. His mind raced, trying to make sense of what had just happened. Who—or what—could have unleashed such a devastating attack?

As he finally managed to crawl out from under the debris, Kai looked up to see a figure standing amidst the ruins. It was no ordinary mage. The being radiated power, its aura so intense that it seemed to warp the air around it. Kai's instincts screamed at him to run, but his body refused to move.

The figure turned its gaze toward him, and for the first time in a long while, Kai felt true fear.