"Look! It's him! The boy who slew the beast!" "He is so skinny! How did he do it?" "Hey, Astar! Come! I have just collected some fruit. You want some?" Sirius wanted to run away as much quickly as he could. On his way to the Chief's house, the villagers would often detect him during their works, cheering him with loud voices, making the poor boy want to hide in some dark corner.  He didn't enjoy being the center of attention. The embarrassment wouldn't allow him even to raise his head to look straight. Although it had become a part of his everyday routine since that incident, he couldn't become used to it, despite the fact it had already been a week. It was not that he wasn't proud of his accomplishment, though. He had managed to achieve something similar to David's feat when he killed Goliath. No, his might have been even more formidable. He was only a kid, after all, neither a soldier nor a fighter. However, he still won against a beast

"Maybe I should explore the area a little?" Sirius muttered as he watched the man disappearing into the darkness. Waiting alone in the wild was too nerve-wracking for the boy who had just experienced a forest's dangers first-hand. Since he had to be patient anyway, Sirius thought it would be better to listen to the man's advice and walk around the place. His eyes scrutinized the surroundings excitedly as if they were trying to engrave the landscape to the boy's memory. Sirius wondered how great was the size of the forest that seemed to spread infinitely. If a forest was so big, how vast was the sea that surrounded the island, then? Despite the fact he had been here for a year, he realized he was living until now in a microcosm, ignorant of the new world he had found himself in. The boy kept on daydreaming while admiring the sight, forgetting about the former worries that were bothering him previously. Unfortunately, an abrupt sound coming from some bushes, similar to on

It was a full moon tonight, beautiful and breathtaking, yet so much hateful. I hate the moon, the stars, and that dark sky. I hate them with all my heart, yet I am doomed to never escape from the night. And there were also these burning torches surrounding me, torches which their intense flames seemed like they were about to devour me. But no matter how much I hated all of them, they didn't hurt me. They couldn't. Not like these dozens of contemptuous gazes around me. "Do you have anything to say for your defense?" Was I supposed to say something? Would they hear me out if I shouted that I was maltreated? Would they give me an answer if I asked them why I was not any more welcome here? "This is the only chance you'll be given to redeem yourself. Are you sure you want to remain silent... You dare to laugh?" How could I not laugh? They had condemned me even though I hadn't committed any crime, treating me like I was some kind of sinn

The dragon looked with amusement at the boy whose face was filled with happiness and pride. Simultaneously, its opinion of him also somewhat rose compared to its initial evaluation of him. Dragons had always been arrogant creatures that looked down on the other races. Still, they were also beings that admired individuals with wisdom and intelligence unconditionally of their background or identity. "Not bad, boy. Your answer is correct. However, your test isn't over yet. If you rest on your laurels now, your future might become foreboding. Don't forget you took part in a trial in which you might lose your life at any moment. Although you have done well until now, you are not in a position where you have the ease to feel cocky. Since you raised my expectations a little, don't disappoint me now." "I am sincerely grateful for your advice," Apollyon answered politely while lowering his head in respect. The broad hidden smile on the boy's face, though, didn't pas

"Welcome, boy, to my humble accommodation, the place in which the trial of blood and fire will be held. Among the one hundred seventy-three people who have taken part in this trial, you are the third person who had managed to pass my test and arrive here," the dragon declared while its expression started to become serious. As the trial was about to begin, the creature had to show the appropriate respect towards the trial's sacredness, the holy pact between the four godly beasts of the Divine Realm. "Your goal is simple, yet, the hurdles will seem unapproachable," Stormbreaker added and then fell silent as bright white light, appearing out of nowhere, started to pour on a specific spot on the other side of the room, the place where a small altar dedicated to the Four Gods was located. A small object seemed to form upon the altar, its shape resembling that of a cup. And while the light began fading, the object's features became clearer and clearer until its appearance was