Chapter 3: Warrior of Prosperity

Somewhere dark.

A foggy place, shrouded in silence. A small, innocent girl stood in the middle, surrounded by a circle of ominous red figures. Her cries—painful and sharp—could pierce the heart of anyone listening.

"I... I'm scared... all are evil..."

Her voice trembled as she spoke. The vision zoomed in—her situation worsening—as the girl hunched lower and lower and...

"NOOOOO!!!"

"Hah!"

Andro jolted awake in bed, sitting up in shock.

It was... just a dream? But it felt so real...

"What the hell..." he muttered, rubbing his sleepy eyes. He glanced out the window—the bright morning had already arrived.

He turned to the clock above his luxurious wardrobe. It was already 9.

"Aghh..." he groaned, stretching lazily in just his black pants. "I hope I don’t get that dream again. Damn."

Knock.

Knock.

Knock.

—As usual—

A servant dressed in formal attire gently opened the door.

"Andro, it’s time to get ready. Training is soon..."

Panicking as always, Andro suddenly realized he was shirtless—quickly covering himself with the blanket.

His cheeks flushed. "Ah!" He was talking to a female servant. "I’ll get ready right away!"

The servant left, likely without a second thought.

Andro leaned against the wall, flustered and embarrassed. "From now on, I’m definitely not doing that again..."

He looked down at his toned body. Then, in a goofy voice: "When will I ever get a girlfriend...?"

He lazily scratched his head.

One hour later...

Now dressed, Andro strolled through a luxurious hallway. Soft, angelic music filled the space—like a choir in a garden of flowers.

"So fancy..." he murmured, closing his eyes for a moment.

WOOSHHH!

Suddenly, in that peaceful silence, a hand—soft like silk—grabbed his wrist and yanked him swiftly behind a glass cabinet.

Andro stumbled, only to find himself pinned in the corner by a girl. They were extremely close.

His cheeks turned red.

"Shhh..." she whispered, placing a finger on his lips.

She looked about two years younger. Mischief and cruelty shimmered in her yellow eyes.

Then, like lightning, the girl in pastel green leapt to the ceiling, landed with a thud, and—with a small but sharp blade—slaughtered five monstrous bugs in one strike.

"Nice!" she cheered, her tone playfully chaotic and overly friendly.

Andro, frozen in place, slowly peeked out to get a better look.

The girl had cream-colored hair like Les, tied in two small pigtails above her ears. Her bangs draped over mischievous eyes, and her cute face carried a deceptive energy.

She was short, but her presence said otherwise. Her body was small and delicately curved, but her strength was undeniable.

"Oh, Warrior of Peace. You almost became lunch for those five."

Andro scanned her from head to toe. Her outfit looked elegant yet modern—a short pastel-green jacket over a white top that flowed into a skirt.

"Who... are you?"

"Me," she said slyly, eyes twinkling.

"Yes, you." Andro deadpanned.

"Oh," she giggled softly. "You don’t get it, do you, handsome?" she said in a teasing tone. "Name’s Akura Zea, Warrior of Prosperity."

"Oh..."

"You look younger than me."

Akura winked. "I dunno. I’m 16. You?"

"Eighteen," Andro replied, still eyeing her cautiously.

Akura smiled. "I thought newbies in Thyra were always younger than True Warriors, but I guess you’re the exception." She leaned closer. "But don’t expect me to call you big brother or anything. I like calling people by name."

Andro returned a blank stare. "Honestly, you’re young... but you look powerful. And scary."

"Oh, excuse me?" Akura smirked mischievously.

"You got it, sir," she added, placing her right hand over her elegant chest. "Being small doesn’t mean being weak. You must appear strong before your enemies... because our enemies—"

"All are evil..."

Shooooshhh...

Andro’s heart skipped. That voice... like the dream...

He drifted into thought while Akura stared at him in confusion.

"Hey, space cadet!"

She waved her hand in front of his face.

"Oh, yeah!" he snapped out of it. "So your name’s Akura... Akura Zea..."

Akura shook her head, puzzled. "What were you thinking about? You looked totally spaced out... classic rookie."

Without another word, Akura vanished like wind.

And Andro? He could only stare.

That girl... Akura. Playful, yet strong.