The Brand’s Trial

   Nine years ago in Dimensia, right before the fall. A little girl and her brother are eating with their dad. They finish eating and the father tells them to go play.

“Just don't go too far.”

The kids said they wouldn’t and they headed out to the forest to play. The father waved at them but seemed worried. The little girl and boy went deeper into the forest. The little girl said,

“Enoch , don't you think father seemed stressed?”

“Yeah I think he did Fay. Let's bring him home some flowers to cheer him up.”

“Ok only the best looking ones for dad.”

The kids looked for hours, meanwhile back at the house the dad got a knock on the door. He answered the door. It was the village elder.

“I'm sorry for what I'm about to say, Miranda your wife was killed in battle.”

He started to tear up and cry,

“Who could she have lost to?”

The village elder looked at the sky.

“Him.”

The man's face looked terrified.

“Miranda left a note for you.” The man opened it.

“Dear Sylvan, if you're reading this then I have died in battle in the order of the knights the greatest honor and order to serve. I know it'll be hard for you and the kids but please protect them their special. The manipulation our family possesses can change the fate of the dimensions. I write this part now before my death. Thanatos and the Judge have come to destroy all we built there looking for someone who has exceptional shadow manipulation. I fear when this note reaches you it'll be too late of a warning. Love your shadowy wife Miranda.”

Just as Sylvan finished reading the note he warned the village elder.

“Judge and Thanatos are coming. Warn the village.”

“Why would he come here?”

“Elder please read the note I need to find Fay and Enoch.”

Just as he began to run he felt a presence and then an explosion at the front gate of the village. The gate was blown open, the villagers ready an offensive position and ready all sorts of attacks. Through the gate came Judge followed by a man in purple armor that covered his whole body. The villagers attacked. Judge stopped all the attacks from hitting him and sent them all back to the villagers. He opened a leather bound black book and said,

“I'll be forgiven.”

Then he proceeded to kill all attackers in one flew sweep. Judge said,

“We are looking for a special family and were told they'd be here.”

Then out of nowhere Judge was surrounded by shadows. They came from Sylvan he shouted,

“Leave now or face the wrath of the shadow tribe's fury.”

After he said that the remaining tribe made a wall of shadows. The Judge just laughed,

“You believe your fury can match that of my gods. You naive boy.”

Sylvan formed the shadow's shape into spikes and launched them at the judge. Judge flew up to avoid the spikes. The shadows continued to follow the judge through the air.

“It's no use, they will reach you eventually and it'll be over. I'll never let you hurt my family.”

The other figure hearing that rushed breaking right through the wall of shadows grabbing Sylvan right in the face slamming him down into the ground. Sylvan, caught off guard, tried using his shadows to attack the figure. The figure emitted a purple aura and the shadows immediately vanished. The figure said,

“You must be Sylvan the merciless shadow.”

Sylvan’s eyes widen,

“How do you know that?”

“You can run away from your duties but never your past.”

“Who are you?”

“My name is known by many things god, king, devil but the most common name is Thanatos.”

Sylvan’s expression was of pure terror.

“Now I heard you say your family. Where are they?”

“I'll never tell you.”

“I see.”

He grabbed his arm and ripped it right off and let go of Sylvan. Sylvan immediately yelled in pain. He then got up and stopped the bleeding with his shadows. Exhausted from the attack he shouted.

“I'd rather die than give you an info tyrant.”

Thanatos laughed and said,

“That can be arranged.”

Sylvan took a new stance. The villagers shouted.

“Don't that'll kill you.”

Meanwhile back with Enoch and Fay.

“Fay over here I found it.”

“Let me see, yup that's the death flower. Ok let's head home, it's getting dark.” The kids started to return back.

Back to Sylvan, It was now dark outside. He started to gather shadows and put them all round him to form armor and a new arm with a sword.

“I see you think you can fell a god, Pathetic.”

Sylvan rushed at thanatos. Thanatos summoned Aihsromed And clashed with Sylvan’s shadow sword.

“I see, so I was right.” Sylvan said with a smile.

“What do you believe you have found out, insect?” Thanatos said.

“You can stop manipulations from hurting you or being used but you can't when I use it on myself.”

“Hahaha you figured me out makes no difference.” Judge chimes in.

“I can't sense the ability here at all, my lord.”

“What a shame I do wish we could play longer but I'll end this in the next clash.” Thanatos said.

“I'll never lose to you tyrant.” Sylvan said.

It's funny she said the same thing.” Thanatos said grinning. “You monster!!”

Sylvan Gathered all the shadows and rushed towards Thanatos. Thanatos rushed back as they were about to clash, Thanatos said,

“It’s over.”

Sylvan realized all the shadows disappeared; he was then sliced right in half by thanatos. After Thanatos grabs the upper torso of Sylvan By, his only arm left. He says,

“Do you now understand that I am a god?” Sylvan was dying thinking to himself,

At least Fay and Enoch are safe as long as he doesnt find them. That's all that matters, I'm sorry Miranda I'll be joining you sooner than I thought but at least they'll be ok.

Then from out of the crowd he heard a familiar voice.

“Daddy!!!”

It was Fay and Enoch in a shocked and horrified state. Sylvan, seeing them, used the last of his strength to gather all the shadows and explode them from within, blowing him and Thanatos up. After the explosion the villagers cheered.

“He made the greatest sacrifice but he did it. I can't sense Thanatos.”

Judge from above said,

“You fools.”

After the shadows vanished there stood Thanatos unharmed not a single scratch.

“Judge, bring me the children.”

“Yes my lord.” Judge headed towards the children.

“Run Fay, Enoch run as far as you can.” The village elder yelled.

The villagers ran after the judge. Thanatos started to slaughter anyone who got close. Judge used his gravity to stop the kids movements and caught them. Thanatos enslaved all the remaining villagers. Judge returned with the children.

“Judge which one is it?”

“I can't tell they both seem to emit it.” “Fine will remedy that.”

Thanatos grabbed Enoch and smashed in his head with his hand.

“Enoch!!!!!!” Fay screamed, releasing shadows from all directions, piercing the judge and breaking Thanatos' armor!

“Well we got our answer didn't we judge.”

Fay with pure black eyes started to send shadows after Thanatos. Thanatos avoided them by jumping and slashing them with the sword. He eventually said,

“Enough of this.”

A visible purple aura emitted from Thanatos the shadows stopped chasing him and the black from Fay’s eyes disappeared. He then jumped and slammed Fay into the ground.

“You are definitely the one. Judge scan her.” Judge looked at Fay and said,

“She isn't the one, but a child from her would be able to wield it.”

The Village elder said,

“Yes you're right but she is only nine so you'll have to wait.”

“Wait?”

“Good, that should give Fay at least ten years to find someone.” the village elder said with a smile.

Thanatos laughed.

“Judge how old does she need to be?”

“I would say Nine-teen.”

“Fine.”

Thanatos waved his hand and his left eyed glowed a pure white even through the armor it could be seen. Right in front of everyone Fay started to grow at a rapid rate reaching that of a Nine-teen year old.

“Now she’s the perfect age. Now get to making my perfect warrior. If you will not then you are deemed worthless and I'll kill you now.”

Fay tried to run away and was pushed down by the judge's gravity. The villagers agreed reluctantly. The villagers did as Thanatos commanded. Later on Judge said,

“She's pregnant.”

“Good, can you tell?”

“Too young my lord.”

“Fine.”

Thanatos then speeds up the growth of the baby. The baby is born but deemed unable to use it. Upon the news Thanatos kills the child and says,

“Will try again.”

Two hundred and sixteen times later. Thanatos is summoned to perform the speed birth again. He does. Judge says,

“This child possesses the power my lord, but is blind due to the multiple consecutive births.”

“So useless, fine.”

Thanatos goes to kill the child but Fay screams,

“Please stop!” Thanatos stops and says,

“Why?”

“My mother told me once that one who is born without the ability to see will awaken the strongest power in our family.”
“So you wish to raise the kid?” Thanatos asked.

“Yes.” Fay responded.

“It's not enough. I need to find a new celestial to rule over this domain.” Thanatos said.

“I'll do it, I'll be your celestial just please don't put me through anything else.” Fay said.

“Fine but I’ll age the kid up to nine and you will be branded. Just know if you ever think about not doing what I say, I'll kill you and this planet.”

Thanatos aged the kid up and then grabbed Fay by her ankle and placed a brand upon her. She screamed in pain. Her child looked at Thanatos and said,

“Dad, are you and mom fighting?”

The judge thrown off that the kid could sense what was happening and was shocked.

“No, I'm not your father, child but from now on I'll be the one you obey. Let's judge we have a child to find and a dragon to slay.”

“Right my lord.”

They left. She held her child and cried.

“Mommy, why are you crying?”

“It's nothing I promise I'll protect you.”

“Why? Daddy is plenty strong.”

“Oh no honey he's not your dad.”

“But he felt safe.”

“I know but you'll learn as you grow up.”

“Let's go home, Vero.” Fay grabs Vero’s arm and they walk to the cabin.

Dimensia five years later, Fay was summoned to the celestial emissary castle.

“Yes my king, you summoned me.”

“Yes you haven't been enslaving or forcing work. Why not?”

“Because they need rest too.”

Thanatos stood up off his throne.

“I didn't say they could have breaks. I don't remember giving you an order for that.” “I'm sorry my king, please forgive me.”

“No, you need to be taught a lesson, turn around and take your top off.”

“Yes my king.”

“Gam and Losa form whips and begin to whip her.”

“Yes my king the twins say.”

They form a lava and an ice whip. Before they start they tell Fay,

“Sorry.”

“It's ok as long as the people in my domain aren't punished.”

From that day on Fay endured the whipping every month for her domain.

Four years later, Thanatos summoned Fay.

“I need to redo your brand.” He does.

Fay returns to Dimensia and meets Zero.

Zero wakes up in his own mind. An ambiguous figure appears in front of Zero and says,

“That's interesting, I didn't think you survived the fall.”

“You know me?”

“Of course I know you better than you know yourself at this point.”
“Who am i? Why am I the one who found the sword? Why was I able to see that?”

“You wish for knowledge?”

“Yes please, anything will help me out.”

The figure gave a creepy smile.

“Then let's make a deal. I wish to stay with you for the rest of your journey.”

“What's the catch?”

“No catch i simply will observe you and your growth in return i'll reawaken your memories that were destroyed. How's that sound like a deal?”

How do I know you can do that?

You want proof, fine i'll reawaken all your memories.

The figure pointed at Zero, suddenly all of the lost memories were activities at once. Zero fell to the ground and screamed in pain.

“Aghhhhhhh, make it stop please it hurts!!!!!!”

The figure inched his finger back and all the memories were sealed once again.

“What was all that?”

“Your past memories, it seems it hurts to remember all of them. So now that you know I can do it, will you accept the deal. I'll give you one memory a day in your dreams so you don’t break down and die. you're useless to me if you die that way.”

“I accept your deal but what should I call you?”

“A name if I must give one my name is death. Now shake my hand and the pact will be formed.” Zero shakes the figure's hand. A bright light erupts from their hands.

“To finish the trial interact with the rune behind you.”

Zero looks behind him and sees a rune he touches; he is then inflicted with pain unlike his ever felt before. He wakes up screaming, Everyone is in the room and the door is opened all the students lined up at the door, Fay by his side. Zero says,

“What happened?”

Fay, crying constantly, looked at Zero and smiled.

“You freed me Zero, you freed me.”

“Fay, I'm sorry you had to go through all that. I promise you'll never have to experience that pain again.”

“Zero hello” He heard.

He looked over it was Sierrna, Rhyunous and Rykar. Sierrna said,

“So that's why you wanted to know how to remove a brand?”

“Yes I'm sorry I should have told you.”

“Yes you should have.”

“Sierrna, You need to apologize to Fay.”

“What why?”

“Because she's been through enough. If not for her, for me please.” Sierrna, shocked by Zero’s request, reluctantly apologizes.

“I'm sorry Fay.”

The students in class were all there.

“Why is everyone here?”

“Because Zero you took a brand trial on.”

“What's so special about that?”

“Zero?” Fay asked.

“Yeah Fay.”

“My brand is a special brand.”

“What do you mean?”

“It's the-” Fay was cut off by Viltro entering the room.

“I'm here. Are you ok Zero?”

“Yeah.”

Viltro ran up and hugged Zero

“Don't ever do that again. If you fail a brand trial three times you die.”

“Viltro, He didn't fail it look.”

She lifted her pants leg to reveal the brand changed from a crown to a green Zero.

“It must have been a weak brand then.”

“Viltro, students, what about to say will shock all of you. The brand that Zero had just beat was placed on me by Thanatos!”

Everyone reacted with shock and a big What!!!

The students ran away and said,

“We gotta tell everyone.”

The only student left was Vero and he said,

“Well Zero looks like you'll be a legend.”

He smiled and ran off with the other students.

“Fay you know what this means right?” Viltro asked her.

“Yes I can now fully support you.”

“No, I mean the brand Thanatos will immediately know that it was broken.”

“Yes that's true but I don't believe he'll come here himself.”

“I believe you're right about that but weirder things have happened before.”

Rhyunous spoke up to Zero,

“How's it feel to be a legend big bro.”

“Ha it's not bad little mans.”

“Fay?”

“Yes Viltro?”

“We need to talk about him.”

“You mean judge?”

“Yes, I would like you and the school to train with us.”

“So you want me to announce it to the school.”

“Yes, if it wouldn't be too much of an inconvenience I only ask because I assume judge will bring the top UDF soldiers here to the fight.”

“Yes you're right he already has some very powerful manipulators waiting for his arrival.”

“I figured.”

“But where could we train them?”

“The Dynosian temple!”

Fay was shocked to hear that name.

“Is it really here still?”

“Yes.”

“Ok then i'll talk to the teachers, please give me a few.”

Fay left the room and made an announcement on the intercom,

“All teachers please report to the meeting room.”

Zero looked at Viltro and said,

“I'm sorry I've done nothing but cause problems.”

“Nonsense, you've given everyone hope, even me.”

Just then Vero enters the room.

“Hey Zero, can I talk to you?” Zero shook his head.

“Ok”

Vero got on his knees and bowed his head down

“Please allow me to train with you.”

The group was shocked.

Zero looked at him and said,

“Of course you're my dear friend Vero.”

Vero raised his head, tears in his eyes,

“Thank you, Zero may they also train with us”

He pointed outside to the whole school in the hall.

Val said,

“We don't know what's happening but we want to be by your sides and grow with you all.”

Melody chimed in,

“No matter what it is, we will face it. We will face it together as one.

Arden said,

“Will face it as One United High.”

The whole school cheered and yelled.

Then the intercom Turned on and Fay made an announcement,

“Hello One United High My name is Fay Sophos and I am the principal. Today we had a meeting and we as one united school board have decided to announce something to you all. Zero Dynosian, a student who recently grew to legend status at our school, is being threatened by an extremely strong opponent for those who wish to not hear this may leave.”

Fay gave people a minute to decide in the end no one left they all stayed.

“Ok Jeremiah the Judge will be here in a year's time to kill Zero Dynosian.”

The students were all shocked and concerned but still no one left.

“From today forth all of you will report to a certain location Mr. Viltro will be waiting outside to take you all there, that's all.”

“Well we better get going.”

Viltro headed outside and there he saw thousands of students. He smiled,

“Maybe this time it'll turn out differently Rhy, Leo.”

Zero and the group headed outside. Zero stopped and shouted,

“Thank you everyone for helping us and training with us.”

Val spoke up,

“why wouldn't we? You freed us all.”

Melody said,

“You didn't know we were all slaves. Until the day you stood up and saved us all.”

Zero then realized that everyone here was a slave just like him. He started to then realize one united high was a school for the newly freed slaves. Viltro said,

“Ok let's all go.”

Fay and the teachers appeared.

Everyone ready the teachers and Viltro shouted teleport they disappeared and reappeared on the top of the ruins ground.

Fay said,

“Where is the temple Viltro?”

“Underneath us.”

“I see ok all earth manipulators please rearrange the ground and open it up.”

Thousands of students then put their hands up and the ground started to shift and open up to reveal the temple. They lifted the dirt and then formed stairs leading down to the temple. All the students looked in shock as this was the first time they saw the temple. Viltro and everyone started to head down to the temple.

Fay said,

“So it was here the whole time the original bridges.”

“Yes it was. The sword Zero found Fay, where is it?”

“It's with the UDF. I'm sorry I wasn't allowed to keep it.”

“It's fine, it doesn't matter. Ok let me activate the temple.”

Viltro went inside and stepped on the panel. The walls of the temple moved downward and extended out in all directions. He then said,

“Alright let's get started, welcome to Dimensia’s temple.”