Title: Shadow of the Eternal Flame - Chapter 2 : Origin of Shadow and Encounter with Fire

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIE2PRueLVQ

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2k1nm9xje

......... Three years had passed since that night…

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10foF222DC

The night when Khaled changed from a child who lost his parents…

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYG98lDjKS

Into someone who now lived inside the echo of words that never left him.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfXP773XX0

“Become stronger…”

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfPRrFpoAQ

“Do not let your father and mother’s sacrifice be in vain…”

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8Wd8opKlJ

* A Life Under the Shadow *

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW288JkDJE7

In the village of Aros, the wise man Saif silently watched Khaled.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNygBvygq4d

Saif was not just a sword trainer…

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbwmbgvUka

He was the village elder, and a former warrior who understood combat more than magic itself.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh054g6Nsaq

From the very beginning, he decided that Khaled, who possessed no magical talent, would be forged as a sword fighter.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqmLWmmLC5

“Not all strength comes from magic, Khaled…”

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsOk3sNfcf

“Some people are born to fight with their will, not their abilities.”

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVw6BGexcL0

But the night had a different opinion.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5NRq70kNZ

Khaled was not an ordinary child.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ000qBFGtUk

Khaled was no longer normal.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXVb0PwxOh

He had become…

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bkdTWoLSJ

broken, hopeless, his face carrying no expression.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJwmGnwGbq

Darkness surrounded him, and the atmosphere was silent.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe649sY65Pb

He did not fear it… he considered it his only companion.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyn1hMdd7lm

He looked at his hand and drifted back into a memory… the moment of farewell.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYCAujn5xI

“You held my hand… but I couldn’t do anything.”

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Cd1Y3nGMM

“You asked me to become strong, but I am weak.”

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdJYH2p80W

He clenched his fist and said:

“Why… why me… why.”

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QS1rUqN0r

Then he said:

“I won’t even try… what’s the point.”

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYVraj5c8h

Tears fell from his eyes one after another.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtA0U3zoEQ

…

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCulEWpc6YT

Then suddenly he stopped and said:

“No… no. If you saw me like this, you would’ve slapped me.”

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSHFXZXQCa

Yes… just like you always said with my father…

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBc8eGmHIw

“A hero is not a hero if he surrenders.”

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGbtpsRja3

Yes… “A hero never gives up.”

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6B3DTskgS

Khaled stood up and clenched his fist again, but this time he said:

“I promised you… and I will fulfill it.”

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtFx6j5Skv

After that moment…

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMqxwznhE3

Saif noticed something unusual.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMffanjdnMe

Khaled’s training was not like others.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRY2cPY41UJ

Something was moving inside him.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXgudQewkW

Something invisible… yet deeply felt.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOEDUgmfPQ

Saif decided to test his energy.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhViRtQ5uMq

He placed his hand on Khaled’s body…

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzsPzE6DeM

Then suddenly stopped.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoh1OJ9ZJCW

“This… is not normal.”

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8k0B6f3BK

The truth was revealed.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyQ4kn6Q9I

Shadow Magic.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZ9eXnqDLd

A rare power… that only appears from deep pain.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7JaQ6l6yd

Saif looked at him seriously:

“You are not like anyone else, Khaled.”

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHrmbHZaqh

“But the problem… is that this power is unstable.”

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfa3ldppiG

Then he said the words that changed everything:

“If there is someone who can understand what lies inside you… it is him.”

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfC50FvGuxx

* Zira — The Sage of Shadow *

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOh9D182LSL

Zira is the sage of Shadow Village.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrVh4oIdqb

A secluded village rarely mentioned in Aros…

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjE8m69daHk

But known among warriors as the source of

all shadow magic.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlf2zGiYhwp

Zira is not just a teacher…

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVxY7ghlJB

He is one of the strongest shadow users in the known world.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbDbtXqacf

“He is the only one who can understand this power…”

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08IPWZOotr

“Because he lived it before he taught it.”

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbgVEM4tgd

After days of travel…

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTThctM03YV

Khaled left Aros for the first time, looking back:

“I will return as soon as possible, Aros.”

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQHeLgEQPp

* The Forest — The First Encounter *

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpN3LN53Ni

One day, near Shadow Village…

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkwarubqZ7

Khaled heard the sound of battle in the forest.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9gyc93FxD

He moved carefully between the trees…

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64Z2AQiqCh

And saw a boy about his age, around

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ271Uy9UITO

seventeen.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQMIU9r5uk

He was shooting fire from his hands while running.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVSh1ZB61e

“Stay away from me!”

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAWeQmxaMp

But behind him…

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nbShb7lHF

Ice Knights.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡth45llTlEV

Warriors who use water and freezing magic.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtigZxStAJb

Khaled immediately noticed something.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5E77bRDZTU

The boy wasn’t fighting at full strength…

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dzIGBBAN3

It was as if he was afraid to fight.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtN6rkD75Dm

Before the scene ended…

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkzcmOimD9

Khaled moved from the shadows.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhV7oBq7hlY

“That’s enough.”

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmYytFqKlv

Everyone stopped.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUs8iDgzP2

No one understood who had suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1LOiOWNB6

But his presence… was different.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZg2JsikvLm

The battle began.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UzBeoaX2Y

Fire against ice…

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHZig5MHy5

But this time…

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPQfTzdC4d

Shadow appeared for the first time in Khaled’s hand for real.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIW9eH7qhA

Khaled used his power for the first time, and the ground around him cracked.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrxzC3vqaZ

The boy was shocked:

“What is happening… what is this power?”

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEQm7bW8ZO

Black chains erupted from the ground, binding the warriors as the boy struck them with fire.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTZNeoNgUX

Khaled’s magic was awakening.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkh8nV8Ip2I

Not complete…

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpzEzlNCWa

But rising.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqJpRiXxOZ

After moments of battle…

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMhUFpnhT1

Some knights fell.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwBYjbMZle

The rest retreated.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWFJQJZNIh

But the commander did not give up.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSZuc1DHMy

When Khaled restrained him and the fire attack came, the knight blocked it using water magic, broke the chains, and said:

“I will never be defeated.”

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ArhBj1ffs

Khaled replied:

“If you won’t be defeated by magic, then I will defeat you with swordsmanship.”

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnqiMGfKBd

The commander laughed:

“It’s impossible for a boy like you to match me.”

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3kdefAakk

In an instant, Khaled was at his neck.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRrIFQMZjt

“I won’t count this as a victory. Let’s begin.”

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbSGscycwO

He stepped back, shocking everyone with his speed.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KskmKkqOr

Silence filled the battlefield.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWphS5PHsJ3

Then the true Ice Commander appeared.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqa02i7p8u

* The Ice Commander *

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0vxlsy7Eb

“So… you are the ones who defeated my soldiers.”

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZ7oAWw9sU

Khaled didn’t respond.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnmZtGFAwa

He placed his hand on his sword.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCCVxVUKyL

The commander vanished.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWojdnLTNey

“Too slow.”

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPF0omim6O

A voice behind him.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBkpTag7ww

A strike hit Khaled’s back, sending him to the ground.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Fqn1DpNP8

“The cold… slows me down.”

“I won’t lose…”

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXKxIA9IV8

Shadows rose beneath him.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN02ifUdHkF

Then—

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVH9k4LPSEC

They exploded.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsoRBinJph

Black chains shattered the ice.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡau8gd2vDdq

For the first time, the commander stepped back.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8ls5UFQN0

“So this is his power…”

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wnGZhlCBQ

Khaled rushed forward.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeIXybejQE

Sword and shadow combined.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1gXILHzsa

Steel clashed.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyfbUua9hi

A wound landed.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlIODK6TSI

Then ice returned stronger, freezing the battlefield.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dpmDbAY8N

Khaled slipped again.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ewct1haI9

The commander struck—

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqrKtuvffz

But shadow chains grabbed his arm.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxkSlpQF6b

Khaled pulled him in:

“I won’t make the same mistake.”

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6AVfbrYI4

He moved behind him…

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kKDZ7eJnS

Sword at his neck.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgO2plDYcRM

Silence.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSowvcHuKzA

The fight ended.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmKJWEoxSX

The commander withdrew after losing.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSZo4AbjNf

The Ice King would hear of this.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmq022cVCEk

He looked at Khaled:

“You are truly strong.”

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJIjNOV6TL

And left.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5TT3noofM

The boy asked:

“Who are you?”

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OXTKJujoI

“I am Khaled, from Aros.”

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyn2PlgS5oK

Later…

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfiCZtR2am

“I’m hungry.”

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqM5iSdn0Bt

“Come.”

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgysqviavA

“Where?”

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInZd4awc3j

“Food competition.”

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYl25HhsEqv

“You’re weird… I accept.”

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKvCYKAong

“I was actually heading to the Sage of Shadow.”

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOCmQNTToG

“My name is Abdulrahman.”

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPDwsTexsJ

* In Shadow Village *

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmm3QlqyKok

Zira looked at them.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNht8R3zoss

His expression changed.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ083djRGG7c

A mark on Abdulrahman’s neck.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj46AG5pz8r

“A Flame Tribe symbol…”

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvNxZ9UJS1

“Are you Abdulrahman?!”

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2yObPyf6U

“Yes, my old master.”

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKX1LHU8nt

They reunited.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOitHKMz7QZ

Saif explained Khaled’s training.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiu8oPXguGe

Zira agreed:

“They will train together.”

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGZH4YBejs

He thought:

“So… fire and shadow finally meet, just as the legend said.”

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkK0xz6xouD

And deep within Khaled…

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5FIhzY9vO

Something awakened.

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHHE7l0B40

Not just power…

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jUziDLxup

But a path no one could see the end of.

.................................

To be continued…

302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYbDqiJ8NR

ns216.73.216.176da2

Reading Theme:

Font Size:

Line Spacing:

Paragraph Spacing:

Load the next issue automatically