Title: Shadow of the Eternal Flame - Chapter 2 : Origin of Shadow and Encounter with Fire

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7jqhSB1QV

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwUSsBNOcI

......... Three years had passed since that night…

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qM5aGLgsI

The night when Khaled changed from a child who lost his parents…

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK06mmjve95

Into someone who now lived inside the echo of words that never left him.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaa0vdL0kDF

“Become stronger…”

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaAxzMb8LD

“Do not let your father and mother’s sacrifice be in vain…”

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBI2I44ckgp

* A Life Under the Shadow *

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyc8mgS2Vjz

In the village of Aros, the wise man Saif silently watched Khaled.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCnrrDm962

Saif was not just a sword trainer…

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxFvZk4kDN

He was the village elder, and a former warrior who understood combat more than magic itself.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOx1zYlmt4l

From the very beginning, he decided that Khaled, who possessed no magical talent, would be forged as a sword fighter.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOavI9H3oG

“Not all strength comes from magic, Khaled…”

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnIVXt0Flw

“Some people are born to fight with their will, not their abilities.”

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfWaflGIBH

But the night had a different opinion.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhJyJudRqJ

Khaled was not an ordinary child.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfICHU5YUm

Khaled was no longer normal.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6soPKpHar

He had become…

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaXrka13Ee

broken, hopeless, his face carrying no expression.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0EEfqTEMj

Darkness surrounded him, and the atmosphere was silent.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxlVIZaRXY

He did not fear it… he considered it his only companion.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlltWQ20Zpg

He looked at his hand and drifted back into a memory… the moment of farewell.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzUQ8IQT78

“You held my hand… but I couldn’t do anything.”

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHylYzCFDW

“You asked me to become strong, but I am weak.”

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtc6YOwljfQ

He clenched his fist and said:

“Why… why me… why.”

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXC9yGqJQXU

Then he said:

“I won’t even try… what’s the point.”

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBNexGc7j4

Tears fell from his eyes one after another.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScmU1NB1X2

…

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZkSEGPYvo

Then suddenly he stopped and said:

“No… no. If you saw me like this, you would’ve slapped me.”

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA13DLtxczm

Yes… just like you always said with my father…

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BwxE95mJ2

“A hero is not a hero if he surrenders.”

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIY3H1ehK2

Yes… “A hero never gives up.”

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1T0wlFLCy6

Khaled stood up and clenched his fist again, but this time he said:

“I promised you… and I will fulfill it.”

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnWDeYBxgU

After that moment…

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPAlOx2tLC

Saif noticed something unusual.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dyMarV4eR

Khaled’s training was not like others.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd19jFxlnHe

Something was moving inside him.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTt2HLEz90

Something invisible… yet deeply felt.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd43yknebpb

Saif decided to test his energy.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECXudn0oqg

He placed his hand on Khaled’s body…

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqu2dzzkW9

Then suddenly stopped.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEVCTTTr3z

“This… is not normal.”

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QsC49Pozh

The truth was revealed.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bOqSsJNm4

Shadow Magic.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOLqsxjtP7

A rare power… that only appears from deep pain.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eBy7ReTJV

Saif looked at him seriously:

“You are not like anyone else, Khaled.”

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5S0FYBZBt

“But the problem… is that this power is unstable.”

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpO2yxSKO27

Then he said the words that changed everything:

“If there is someone who can understand what lies inside you… it is him.”

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYsUWmYsCa

* Zira — The Sage of Shadow *

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmFvbD9dXg

Zira is the sage of Shadow Village.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNwxtPGQlX

A secluded village rarely mentioned in Aros…

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXUfOXRnw7

But known among warriors as the source of

all shadow magic.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8yuKCgjQE

Zira is not just a teacher…

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZiuvUNcBx

He is one of the strongest shadow users in the known world.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOa7d8KfR4

“He is the only one who can understand this power…”

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYo21cPrVF

“Because he lived it before he taught it.”

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJud7Sp7u61

After days of travel…

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUl6hHIf2A1

Khaled left Aros for the first time, looking back:

“I will return as soon as possible, Aros.”

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfshp0MRzy

* The Forest — The First Encounter *

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfC7bc0XtXl

One day, near Shadow Village…

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kjLoGetMk

Khaled heard the sound of battle in the forest.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Ffk0Tyql5

He moved carefully between the trees…

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNj2YsipSa

And saw a boy about his age, around

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOtWncJf4y

seventeen.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrD8NjgTQ1z

He was shooting fire from his hands while running.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscEcmzDtUJ

“Stay away from me!”

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPzkjwi5UL

But behind him…

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8DdcnVP8S

Ice Knights.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohLKrr7Ft6

Warriors who use water and freezing magic.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImSqXaPbsR

Khaled immediately noticed something.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJ2tOeszQj

The boy wasn’t fighting at full strength…

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtbd2A2D7T

It was as if he was afraid to fight.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEMPkip3eY

Before the scene ended…

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfGuSWzuUT

Khaled moved from the shadows.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5qwiN6WO6

“That’s enough.”

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6A8Siglhg

Everyone stopped.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZHPcZw9S7

No one understood who had suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2a9SYAagN

But his presence… was different.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgNDdc7CAh

The battle began.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fnn3IkxLU

Fire against ice…

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4dGu5vDAd

But this time…

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0A2YraPiry

Shadow appeared for the first time in Khaled’s hand for real.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ANbrsMSc6

Khaled used his power for the first time, and the ground around him cracked.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlX1oxJSn9R

The boy was shocked:

“What is happening… what is this power?”

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivdvkxDl2O

Black chains erupted from the ground, binding the warriors as the boy struck them with fire.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbyrcNahb0

Khaled’s magic was awakening.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgNqVoUwtt

Not complete…

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiIBSiChos

But rising.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsToXoLqonl

After moments of battle…

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEdaHg37IY

Some knights fell.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sFNajcfUO

The rest retreated.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBe7fICAZ9

But the commander did not give up.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJXdsqUpfj

When Khaled restrained him and the fire attack came, the knight blocked it using water magic, broke the chains, and said:

“I will never be defeated.”

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhdo3VDty6

Khaled replied:

“If you won’t be defeated by magic, then I will defeat you with swordsmanship.”

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7FNtV2Lw0

The commander laughed:

“It’s impossible for a boy like you to match me.”

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAvZgwV8Eu

In an instant, Khaled was at his neck.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7XFLUWHdK

“I won’t count this as a victory. Let’s begin.”

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSLnmTzW3m

He stepped back, shocking everyone with his speed.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1kaH4Xr5R

Silence filled the battlefield.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uwenjA2Gp

Then the true Ice Commander appeared.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe53t4qbbzy

* The Ice Commander *

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3nvbsSf9o

“So… you are the ones who defeated my soldiers.”

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDPyM4CCz9

Khaled didn’t respond.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtBkwDbn3G

He placed his hand on his sword.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOH4Y1KJsQ4

The commander vanished.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43mKO2tuwU

“Too slow.”

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZGnbMEmp4

A voice behind him.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkZIQ0o1sK

A strike hit Khaled’s back, sending him to the ground.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZO9x8q3uRQ

“The cold… slows me down.”

“I won’t lose…”

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQOnmw7SCr

Shadows rose beneath him.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEozD1HuMon

Then—

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡug25ulPYGi

They exploded.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPQCnTX3f8

Black chains shattered the ice.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QC5MuM1ox

For the first time, the commander stepped back.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhF0TKAJqR8

“So this is his power…”

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiQH78BCjQ

Khaled rushed forward.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGss8vJFvd

Sword and shadow combined.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IpIL4O9Nm

Steel clashed.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu80EeycV6W

A wound landed.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhmcB2aGAc

Then ice returned stronger, freezing the battlefield.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckFUwEquDJ

Khaled slipped again.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRORSXTkUZ

The commander struck—

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiSrzW3Krd

But shadow chains grabbed his arm.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7m3cGKQZW

Khaled pulled him in:

“I won’t make the same mistake.”

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuORANKNAj9

He moved behind him…

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjjb3hFePO

Sword at his neck.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijAADzsQ18

Silence.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYz0rrvh58

The fight ended.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfa7Av3fqj

The commander withdrew after losing.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPcsfC5mOP

The Ice King would hear of this.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzg7QbBdN0e

He looked at Khaled:

“You are truly strong.”

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpO7VmimJoB

And left.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DJplCzrxQ

The boy asked:

“Who are you?”

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwDnAH1MvP

“I am Khaled, from Aros.”

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtw7FvujOW

Later…

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1I6da7O4K

“I’m hungry.”

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5O1isYVGR

“Come.”

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBP6bAFBdSq

“Where?”

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTRNSt0REL

“Food competition.”

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT79Cb3FCau

“You’re weird… I accept.”

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjGq6PDiys

“I was actually heading to the Sage of Shadow.”

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3kbrylt8s

“My name is Abdulrahman.”

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwQIhwX3ZI

* In Shadow Village *

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHYv934tqJ

Zira looked at them.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUc7Wbp8x3

His expression changed.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63I7f280Nt

A mark on Abdulrahman’s neck.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVxsjXS400

“A Flame Tribe symbol…”

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLwXBZ7hHY

“Are you Abdulrahman?!”

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKcTaaxOhB

“Yes, my old master.”

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCyhsBiIbu

They reunited.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnKtmpj9aA

Saif explained Khaled’s training.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdvNBe6GYe

Zira agreed:

“They will train together.”

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSNZcKomY3

He thought:

“So… fire and shadow finally meet, just as the legend said.”

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqf3zyNHsa

And deep within Khaled…

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLimZRfMw4

Something awakened.

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAcpyTaimV

Not just power…

201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgaVRhH1Kr

But a path no one could see the end of.

.................................

To be continued…

(But what is Abdulrahman’s story? What is that legend? Who is the Ice King? And what awaits our two heroes? All of this and more will be revealed in the next Chapter.

ns216.73.217.22da2

Reading Theme:

Font Size:

Line Spacing:

Paragraph Spacing:

Load the next issue automatically