Lior Croft: The Storm They Never Saw Coming!

"I'm going to have a good time with your fiance every night, in your memory."

Lior clenched his fist as remembered those words from his stepbrother.

The pretty Rhea Smith stood there, not bothered as guards tossed her betrothed beyond the gates.

Prince Frederick, Lior’s stepbrother, stepped closer to her, his intent clear — to provoke jealousy.

He wrapped his arm around her gently and winked at Lior, with a sly smile on his face.

Delilah, Lior’s stepmother, remained motionless, her eyes cold as ever.

Before turning away, Lior looked directly into his father’s eyes, wondering what kind of monster he had become.

His father’s gaze held only disgust, cold and unyielding. That moment carved itself into Lior’s memory — the final bond between them severed.

Lior tightened his grip on the smooth jade pendant, warm against his skin despite the freezing rain — his mother’s final gift before the shadow disease claimed her.

"Take this, Lior, and never lose it. It will help you write your destiny." Her weak voice still echoed in his mind.

"Don’t speak like that, mother, you will be fine," he had pleaded, tears streaming as he held her hand.

"No, my time is up. But remember, you will become the greatest among men and gods. Don’t ever lose the jade pendant." Those were her last words.

Those thoughts made Lior clenche his teeth.

The guard's loud voice snapped him back to reality. “By decree of the king,” he said, voice flat, “you are stripped of your title as prince and expelled. Leave before dawn.”

Then the gates shut.

Cold rain hammered the stone steps as Lior stood before the sealed gates of the Azurefang Clan, his clothes drenched, breath trembling in the wind.

Behind those gates were the people who had raised him, trained him, and discarded him without hesitation.

No explanation. No trial. No chance to defend himself. Just exile.

Tears streamed down Lior's cheeks. His father hadn’t blinked before expelling him, ashamed of a son without an A‑tier talent, unlike Frederick who had been gifted from birth.

All his life, his mother had been his only defender. With her gone, and Delilah whispering poison, his father cast him out without even allowing him to bury her.

Something was wrong, but he couldn't figure out. His mother had been strong days before, then mysteriously struck by the shadow disease. How had it reached the palace? He could not understand.

---

The forest swallowed him as he walked, each step heavier, veins throbbing with rage.

The Darkness of the shadow disease had spread across the land, swallowing villages, devouring light, leaving silence behind. Even the bravest warriors feared it.

Lior barely noticed the shadows shifting at the edge of the trees, or the pendant pulsing faintly, or the ancient presence stirring within.

He was blinded by anger.

He sought refuge in Ravenshire, a small village at the city’s outskirts. There he met Seraph, once his mother’s servant, banished years ago.

The villagers survived by recycling scraps from the mines. Lior worked alongside them for five years. And because he worked so hard, he developed a serious illness.

But he kept his illness a secret so Seraph wouldn’t bear the burden. He labored tirelessly, determined to one day take her away from Ravenshire.

But this night was different. Pain tore through his chest. He staggered, whispering, “ I need just one more valuable item to sell…” before collapsing, blood spilling from his mouth.

Lior clenched his teeth. "Is this how it ends? And the novels say the good guys always win? What a shame. So much for happily ever after." He thought bitterly.

"I’m sorry, Seraph. I’ve disappointed you like I did everyone else. I’m sorry, mother. I never gave you a proper goodbye… but I’m coming to meet you cause I am about to die anyways."

His eyes closed. He coughed hard, blood splattered across the jade pendant.

Suddenly the world stopped.

The pendant glowed — soft at first, then blinding. The air trembled. The sanctuary walls groaned as if awakening from centuries of sleep.

A voice echoed in his mind.

"At last… a worthy vessel."

Lior’s breath froze. The voice was ancient, vast, heavy with power.

"Who are you?" he whispered.

"I am Arkanos," it answered, "the God who conquered all realms… and grew weary of victory."

Images flashed in Lior's mind: worlds burning, armies kneeling, stars shattering under a single hand.

"No opponent remained. No challenge endured. So I sealed myself into this jade, to begin again as mortal."

The pendant pulsed like a heartbeat.

"And you… child of despair… have awakened me."

Before Lior could respond, the voice continued, calm and absolute.

"Do not fear. I will not take your life. I will share it."

The pendant melted into his body. Warmth surged through him, knitting torn veins, filling him with strength he had never known.

"Rise, Lior Croft. Your destiny has been rewritten."

The darkness around Lior recoiled.

And for the first time since his exile, Lior felt something spark inside him.

Hope.