50. Leader.
In life, some biographies are pieces of quotes, neither too long nor too short, on the other hand, stories die. But some remember in the end, life, is a ballot lit in heaven.
85 was known as the child who was saved by a cry, born from within, and a member of the inner circle. His mind was different - he only conceived of combat and had no mother, father, uncles, or siblings. Things were random places that offered no sense of normalcy - a diffuse life. Adopted and placed, from the age of 10 he never again knew hunger, living in a happiness that seemed extraordinary.
On his first day, he had to train, run, and fight, until the torches and oppression gave a different view than expected. But he felt at ease - the utopia of his life was born with the sight of a new place to call home.
The first weeks were crucial - first 10, then 20, then 40, 50, 90, until reaching 100.
- Each of you will be called by a number. Now you are all brothers, men of love, and will live in peace. Each of you will focus only on being the best, - said Lu Tian, the one in charge of the Gu rituals.
- Yes, elder, - they replied in unison.
Lu Tian's smile was clear, unstressed - brief and somewhat idyllic. To all the brothers, Lu Tian was the one they loved with all their hearts. He taught them to share, to live, to train, to rise early, and to be happy. 85, known as Kun, lived his joyful days alongside the eager children 44 and 45, the twins full of life, 23 the watchful guardian always helping the weak, and 1 the happy first-born who boasted though not the best - they were all brothers.
A few months ago, a young man had arrived - younger, with more childlike features, and chubby cheeks. He was cold, but warm, smiling in secret. The smallest, but the most talented, with an intelligence level surpassing them all. He trained and meditated with an intensity 72 alone had shown, but was the youngest brother to them all. Shorter even than 7, the previous shortest. And so they continued the course of their lives - group fights, meals together, training, laughter. Though forbidden by Lu Tian, it was impossible not to befriend those you had seen day after day for six years.
85's role as a leader was always in its place, helping all his brothers, be happy. Lu Tian was the leader, but the sinister in his eyes frightened some, including 85, for two simple reasons - Lu Tian's solemnity, and the arrival of the Other Niko, which portended something was about to happen. Like news destined to fall to the detriment, like a journey observed in sorrow that falls upon people's lives, destroying the peaceful life, destroying the minimal margin of joy these adolescents lived - soon the truth was told.
- You have 3 months. In 3 months, one of you must live or die. And the last one standing will be granted all the special techniques I have created, and will become an official member of Worn - the place so many of you desire, with its fame, power, and glory, ushering in a new tomorrow, - the Other Niko commented.
It was a slap in the face for 85, who did not understand the words he heard. He smiled and closed the room, total silence - a silence that cut the air as everyone began to scream. He was in the middle, and many of them struck without reason. It only took one beast for the others to become beasts as well.
He received a blow that knocked him to the floor, feet trampling him. Using the iron kata, he sank into the hard earth as the cries reached him. All the people, with nothing more than disturbances, began to scream. He tried to speak, but the words said, each with a driven madness, all fell into place - how they allowed the instincts of the beast to flourish, all marked as beasts.
He killed, and killed. With a hidden depth of self-contempt, he stained his arms with the blood of his brothers, seeing nothing but a dark and deep dilemma. He believed he was the last conscious one, recognizing no one. Could he live as a human after killing his brothers? What was he doing? Was he the vilest trash, his brothers, his brothers?
Something in the air changed. He had been counting an uncountable 14,400 seconds without pause when he saw someone awakening - 101, the young one, the smallest of them all. He was strong, far above average, a war machine. Even surrounded by five people, he beat them all with his fists, faster than a star, shining in harmony, almost like a cloud of power. Each blow was perfect, and no one touched his clothes, his style was different, but his fists were powerful.
Three remained, and it was more dangerous now. His strength continued to grow exponentially - in might, power, speed, and techniques, he was superior in every sense. He could discern the madness in 101's eyes when his fist pierced his torso, feeling his life escaping.
- Well done, 101, - 85 commented, with no breath left, dying.
- No! No, please! I'm sorry for everything! - Kei cried, his eyes splashing over his face.
- You're just a child. My poor brother, - 85 said, with his last breath. He saw the dining hall, all his brothers sharing a great meal in happiness - a happiness that filled everything, before it all faded, dying with a smile.
- No, no, no, - Kei moaned, witnessing such a death.
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
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