Ascension of the Forsaken

Chapter 1: Final Prayer

The sound of clashing steel echoed through the desolate battlefield, a cacophony of chaos matching the turmoil within his chest. Blood pooled around him, dark and thick, the scent of death lingering in the air. His body, battered and broken, felt as though it could shatter with the slightest movement. Yet, the fire in his eyes refused to be extinguished. His mission was clear: protect them, no matter the cost.

The last thing he remembered was the faces of those he had fought to protect, the people who once called him a brother. They had turned their backs on him—not in the heat of battle, but after the dust had settled. The knife in his back had been the final, brutal punctuation to his sacrifices.

His body trembled with the weight of betrayal as he collapsed to his knees. His vision blurred, his senses fading with each breath, the taste of blood thick in his mouth. He had given everything—his time, his strength, his very life—all for their benefit. And yet, in the end, they had sold him out, leaving him to die in this forsaken place. The pain was unbearable, a searing wound deeper than the one on his back. His heart, once full of purpose, now ached with an emptiness that felt like it would consume him whole.

His body, fading, was on the verge of death. But his soul? His soul refused to rest. The flickering embers of his spirit surged, spurred by a desperate, final prayer—a plea to anyone, to any force that might be listening.

"If there is any power out there, any being that can hear me, I pray to you. Grant me another chance. Let me live… let me live for myself. I will no longer sacrifice for others. I will no longer bend my will to anyone but myself. Give me the strength to follow my desires, to pursue my dreams without hesitation. Let no one hold me back, and let nothing shackle me again."

For a moment, the world fell deathly silent, as if holding its breath. The stars above flickered, an unseen force shifting in the quiet void. His eyes, dim and almost closed, saw a light—an immense presence, a being of incomprehensible power, towering before him, its form not entirely visible but radiating overwhelming energy.

The voice that followed was both distant and intimate, rich with the weight of eternity itself.

"How amusing."

The voice, though gentle, carried with it an ancient, almost imperceptible hum, like the endless turning of an age-old wheel. The being observed him, as though studying a curious specimen. A spark of amusement flickered within its presence.

"You… wish to live for yourself. How trivial. Yet, how refreshing."

The being's voice grew more audible, and the young man's fading consciousness fought to remain tethered. It was as if the very concept of life and death had become irrelevant.

"I have watched countless lives, each one burning brightly only to fade into the abyss. But you… you seem different. Perhaps you will offer some entertainment to a being who has seen it all, experienced it all."

The young man's heart skipped a beat. A part of him knew this moment was not ordinary, but the words had yet to register fully. Was this… real?

The voice continued, a wisp of amusement in the unseen force's words. "I will grant you what you desire. A second chance, a new life, the cultivation world, a world where power reigns. But in return… entertain me."

"Entertainment?" The words barely left his cracked lips.

The presence seemed to smile in the darkness, though the features of its face were beyond comprehension. "Yes, live for yourself, as you wish. But your journey shall not be easy. You will face dangers, battles, and trials beyond your imagination. Your path will be one of conflict and ascension all in a bid to stave off my boredom."

The young man struggled to remain conscious. "Then… grant me the strength I need to live, to survive."

The being paused. Its laughter was rich, echoing like a bell ringing in the distance, vibrating through his very bones. "Very well. I will grant you six absolute talents, powers beyond your wildest dreams. Talents that will allow you to carve a path to the top, no matter the challenges you face. Your life will be as unshackled as your will. But remember this: I offer you no favors beyond this. Entertain me."

The man, weakened and barely able to speak, nodded slowly, his lips curling into a final, determined smile. "Then I'll make sure to live a life worth watching."

The being seemed pleased, though its true thoughts were beyond mortal understanding. "So be it."

The void around him shifted again. The world of pain and betrayal faded into oblivion as the young man was torn from his body and thrust into a new existence. His body, bruised and broken, was reborn in a place where strength was the only currency. Here, in this realm of power and cultivation, his journey would begin.