Ashes to ashes; dust to dust.

Singularity emptiness of the cosmos; the point of nothingness. Chaotic energy dominates the universe— expanding, inflating, scattering, accelerating, contracting, colliding. Until that infinitesimally unlikely fated moment.

-Primordial Chaos

▪︎▪︎▪︎

Towering trees with sprawling vegetation, intermittent crying of insects and hungry beasts, picturesque mountain range yet a world where only the fittest reign supreme.

Sierra Noluz, a range of interconnected mountains with dense vegatation, unique habitats and abundant lifeforms, both at the apex of the pyramid and those at the bottom, consisting a balance.

In a distant marsh, a level 15 Grizzly Lunar Bear can be seen eyeing a meek level 10 Wood Deer. A Grizzly Lunar Bear is very potent during the night because they receive additional powers when the moon shines.

With its bloodshot eye of the predator, hunger radiates from its pores as it awaits the right opportunity to take its feast.

The unsuspecting deer continues to graze the forbs of broad-leaved plants, enjoying the morning dew of the daybreak when suddenly, it was alerted by its instinct to danger.

'Kchtt'

The Grizzly Lunar Bear, feeling its prey slowly realizing its predicament, know that his opportunity will slip away if it waits any longer.

With hunger as the driving force, the bear greedily pounced towards its prey.

Although it is not night time but early morning, the Grizzly Lunar Bear still has great power owing to higher level and stronger physical prowess than the meek Wood Deer.

The deer tried to bolt out, but unfortunately, it was still a step too late and got cleanly hit by the fast claw swipe of the bear.

Deep claw marks are embedded on its body as it weakly lay down the marsh where it was relishing on just seconds ago with blood gushing out from its wounds.

The bear madly rushed towards its feast and began to tear down the deer's body.

At the same time, in a nearby foliage, an eye with the sharpness of the wild stares with rapt attention towards the hunt.

With an arrow nocked, the hunter started his own hunt of the bear who, after the successful hunt, completely let down its vigilance in favor for filling up its empty stomach.

'Swoosh'

Suddenly, a fast arrow was released and accurately hit the left eye of the bear.

"Arghh-- Grrr"

The bear howled in pain as it tried to locate its attacker.

'Chtiiiii'

A low level fireball was cast towards the heart. Certainly, it is not enough to cause grave injury to the bear.

'Swoosh swoosh swoosh'

Three continuous arrows were released towards the injured bear. Due to the earlier fire ball, the defense around the area of its heart was weakened.

Feeling the threat from the three arrows, it tried to move its large body to avoid hitting its vital organs, hitting instead near its heart.

The bear, enraged, charge to fight back but was stopped by a timely earth spell, "Quagmire", trapping the bear.

The hunter, run closer and took the opportunity to finish the bear in one forceful stab of his sword, towards the heart where the previous fireball hit, ending the bear's life.

Everything is done fluidly, without a pause or hesitation. From the first arrow, the fireball, the consecutive arrows, the timely earth spell to the powerful sword strike.

Evidently, years of practice with steadfast heart and strong mind to do such fluid actions are factors for the instant kill. Of course, the lack of vigilance of the bear played a role as well.

After the hunt, the hunter vigilantly observed his surroundings while mumbling,

"Classic hunting scenario just like my father taught me. I can't let myself falling for the same thing."

Then, he hastily collected the bear's body.

"Just in time for breakfast," the hunter said, gazing at the breaking dawn.

In the law of the jungle, it's common for a hunter to suddenly be the hunted. The mantis stalks the ciccada unaware of the oriole behind.

▪︎▪︎▪︎

Walking towards the village carrying with him the huge grizzly bear and the deer, the hunter was greeted by a few youths, "Good morning Lex, another successful hunt ey."

"That's one huge bear. You really are strong Lex."

"Good morning guys. I just got lucky. Nothing more. hehe,"

Lex replied while lightly scratching his cheek.

The hunter, donned in dark fitted hunting clothes, is named Lex, a 12 year old youth with streamlined body, well toned obviously from constant years of training and practice.

Although he has an average height for his age, about 59 inches, his dignified appearance and steadfast bearing shows the maturity of a nomad living in the wild.

After a few pleasantries with the other villagers, he arrived at the biggest house in the village.

He placed his hunting spoils at the back courtyard before he entered the house through the back door.

After cleaning himself up and putting off his equipment, he rushed to the dining room for breakfast.

Sitting at the head of the dining table, a stalwart man is eating in delight. From his eyes, gentleness and profoundness from years of wisdom can be seen.

"Good morning father," Lex remarks after seeing him about to finish his breakfast.

It was this moment when something in his consciousness is slowly resurfacing.

Then, he heard his father's loud voice calling out to him,

"Lex, what are you dreaming about? You will be late for your training. Get up there!"

It was then that he fully pulled himself out of his dream world and return to reality, waking up inside his messy room.

Looking around, the simple room have one window facing the sun, wooden sword and staff hanging on the walls and some used clothes can be seen strewn on the floor.

On the bedside table, a book titled 'Lord of Order and Chaos' which is a novel about a young man's cultivation journey was halfway opened from last night's reading which probably cause his uncanny dream.

Standing up, he opened his wardrobe to get a clean change before going down for breakfast.

Lex hurriedly seated himself and ate his food before rushing off to the training grounds, bidding farewell to his father.

Luckily, he arrived just in time and the instructor hasn't arrived yet.

The morning training for the youth is consist of muscle training, sword practice, archery practice and other forms of martial path.

A person has limited time so each of them has to focus on one path to train in soon once they determined their path in cultivation but in their young age, they are required to grasp the basic skills different paths.

In doing so, it ensures holistic development and greater survivability which is important in the wild.

Apparently, although it is a secluded village, the nomads are not barbarians.

Every morning at 6 o'clock, the youths are trained and required to practice their skills in martial path to ensure that the strength of the village never dwindle against the constant threat of the powerful mystic beasts in the mountain range.

"Hey, what's up? You've never been late before. Now, on the day you'll get tested, you just barely made it on time. hahaha," a robust man with honest-looking face said as he cheerfully laugh.

Beside him, a thin youth with unremarkable presence added, "I did not expect that from our village chief's son."

"Don't jest me. I just had a life and death battle with a bear and luckily, I killed it. Otherwise, I would be the one dead," he said to the two youths he was well acquainted with.

"You jest. You have a really vivid dream. haha,"

The robust man replied.

"Yeah, luckily it was a dream," Lex said to the robust man.

These two are his childhood friends in the entire village.

Atroth Wenge, a tall robust man, but contrary to his large body, was a cheerful and kind person. He dons a greatsword behind his back.

The other youth who is much thinner and shorter than Lex and has an unremarkable presence is Niles Sable. You would not even notice him unless you focus.

The trio merrily discuss the test which will occur tonight just like the others while waiting for their instructor to arrive.

Shortly after, a serious man enters the training grounds.

Their rigid instructor arrived while the youths simultaneously quietened down and stand on alert, just like in a military.

Lex looked forward, excited just like the other youths and inspired by novels he read, with a simple goal of being the sword and shield of his tribe against the mystic beast of Sierra Noluz.

All these thoughts while unaware how his journey haven't even reach the starting point and his stage is not this small mountain range, but the whole realm of Mundo, the world Agartha and even those beyond. Of course, all of these will have to depend on his choices, will, fate and another key component, luck.