Kai and Umbra traveled back home. Back to Scry.

  The journey took only five days now that Umbra could fly, and they didn’t need to stop anywhere.

  Slowly, Umbra descended into the clearing in front of the Arcanum. Kai jumped off her back and inhaled the familiar air, smiling.

  “Scry, we’re back home, buddy!”

  The doors to the Arcanum opened. Umbra shrank to her original size to fit through the entrance. Inside the main hall, familiar crystals glowed softly. The small white tiger floated before them, his crimson wings fluttering nervously, a huge smile stretching across his face.

  “Friends, you’ve been through so much. I’m truly glad you returned unharmed.” His eyes shimmered with moisture.

  “I’m sorry. This trip was my idea to make you stronger, and you both nearly died, multiple times.” He covered his face with his paws, shaking his head.

  “We did go through a lot,” Kai said gently, “but we also grew stronger. Wasn’t that the point of the training trip?”

  “Also, who could’ve known there’d be a general in those caves? Nobody expected that. So, stop sulking and catch.” Kai tossed a Soulberry fruit toward the spirit.

  “This should help stabilize your body and help you grow stronger.” He smiled warmly.

  “Are you sure? This… this is too much. I’m not sure I deserve it.”

  “Oh, shut up and eat, you baby,” Umbra cut in with her crisp voice.

  “Birdy! Your voice is pleasant to the ears, I might add. And congratulations on reaching Tier 7!” Scry finally snapped out of his depressed state.

  “Hmph. Don’t call me birdy anymore. I’ll bite your wings off.” Umbra growled.

  Kai laughed. “Stop it, guys. Scry, she missed you, too. That’s what she’s trying to say.”

  Umbra shot a weak shadow arrow into Kai’s back in protest. He laughed out loud.

  Scry smiled, “I missed you guys. Tell me everything. I didn’t see some parts.”

  Kai began recounting everything that had happened, with Umbra filling in the gaps. Scry laughed, cried, and got mad.

  Kai told him about the Redtip brothers, the near-death experience, the moonlight mana, the Dawnbreaker’s inheritance, and the war between the Eldari and the Thalunids. He explained his desire to uncover what happened to them.

  Scry had never heard of the Thalunids. But he did know of the Eldari, rulers of the Central Continent, arrogant and cohesive, believing themselves to be the true masters of Sacra. But they were far from that. Over the years, other races have grown stronger, especially humans. Now, alongside demons, they stood as equals.

  Scry explained that while many smaller races existed, the Big Three were the Eldari, Demons, and Humans. Just behind them were the Cinderfolk, master magesmiths and magetech geniuses who cared little for politics, driven only by the urge to create. Other races like the Sylvans, Beastfolk, Dracorious, and Nords lived across Sacra but rarely involved themselves in the wars of the major powers.

  If the Thalunids had survived, Scry speculated they might have hidden in a separate realm or changed their name, disappearing into some forgotten corner of Sacra. After all, Sacra was vast, ten times larger than Earth.

  Kai nodded sadly and continued the story. He described the swamps, the caves, and awakening his quasi-aura. Scry insisted Kai show it to him immediately, which Kai now could do with ease.

  He told him about the world of the Grimoire, Tenebria, and the trials of the old spirit.

  He also mentioned that he managed to create a magic circle and was now ready to learn some spells.

  Scry’s eyes widened. He felt like he’d missed out on everything. The more Kai spoke, the more the urge to leave the Arcanum gnawed at him.

  When the story ended, Kai urged him to absorb the Soulberry fruit and offered to help guide the moonlight mana.

  Scry held the fruit and slowly absorbed its mana. His body grew more stable, no longer see-through. His soul solidified. His eyes gleamed with life.

  Kai helped him stabilize further until the fruit was fully absorbed. Scry felt whole, like he could finally break his connection to the Arcanum.

  Feeling stronger, he could finally unlock some other rooms of the Arcanum.

  “Kai, I can finally unlock the master’s study for you,” Scry said, his voice trembling with excitement. “You’ll be able to read his spellbooks and see what you can learn. I’ll also unlock the armory. There should be weapons and armors Master crafted in his free time. But to use them, you’ll need to grow stronger and pass the tests he left behind.”

  Kai’s eyes gleamed. He needed a new weapon. Right now, all he had was a bone stake and a few centipede legs.

  “Lead the way, Scry. Umbra, want to join us?”

  “No. I’m going to rest in the bedroom. Call me when dinner’s ready.” She turned and left.

  Kai laughed. She was a glutton, but he was glad she liked his cooking.

  ***

  Scry floated forward, and the rooms around him began to shift. Walls moved, passages opened, and a new hallway revealed itself. At its end stood a massive door, etched with glowing runes. Scry channeled a bit of mana, and the door creaked open.

  Inside was a vast chamber, far larger than Kai expected. Displays lined the walls, filled with floating robes and staves, each locked in shimmering magical barriers.

  “Scry, this is amazing… but these are mage weapons and clothes.”

  “Yes, yes,” Scry chuckled. “I didn’t mean for you to fight with a stick in a dress. Don’t worry.”

  They moved deeper into the room. Kai’s eyes widened. The space was enormous, far larger than the Arcanum’s exterior suggested.

  “How is this room so big? It’s bigger than the outside.”

  Scry smiled. “Arcanums are mage headquarters. They’re built with pocket dimensions; each room is linked to its own space. The size outside doesn’t limit what’s inside. They are incredibly expensive. You’re lucky to have stumbled upon one.”

  “Now then, check these displays!” Scry floated excitedly toward the weapon cases.

  On both sides of the room stood rows of display cases. Inside floated weapons and armor of every kind, swords, spears, bows, daggers, and hammers. Armor ranged from light leather to full plate. Enough gear to outfit a small army.

  Kai’s gaze locked onto a dark scimitar. Its blade radiated cold, dark light, and the dark silver handle wrapped around it like a glove. As he approached, a note appeared in his mind:

  “Hunt a divine beast and sacrifice its core to unlock the restraints. Required level: Peak Knight mana.”

  Kai shivered. He sighed and moved on.

  Next, he found a red double-edged gladius with a golden handle and a crimson gem embedded in the hilt.

  “Kill a King-level beast and reach Master Knight level.”

  “Scry, what are you doing to me, man? I can’t use any of this. Got anything for my level?” Kai groaned.

  “Oh, damn. I forgot, hehe. Let me explain.” Scry floated beside him. “Just like people, weapons and armor have levels: Simple, Rare, Unique, Legendary, and Mythic. The sword I gave you before was Simple, mass-produced. For example, a Grand Master would wield a Legendary weapon, which has a weapon spirit and can fight on its own. A Rare weapon, which you can use now, channels mana easily and can handle beginner aura without crumbling.”

  “Here, check this.” He floated to another case.

  Inside was a silver double-bladed longsword. Its handle was shaped like a snake’s head, mouth open in a silent hiss.

  Kai read the requirements:

  “Reach a knight-level body and train in aura before reaching Master Knight level.”

  He grinned. “Perfect!”

  He pressed his hand to the case. A scan passed over him, and the protective barrier vanished. Kai took the sword and gave it a test swing. It was light, sharp, and balanced.

  He poured mana into it. It flowed naturally, like the sword had been waiting for him.

  He activated his core and summoned his quasi-aura. Guided by his magic circle, the mana stabilized around the blade. The azure glow was more vivid, more real.

  “I have to admit,” Scry said, watching in awe, “I can’t stop watching you activate your aura or quasi-aura, as you call it. It looks too cool. Try focusing some mana on the handle.” He added.

  Kai did as instructed. The snake came alive, wrapping its tail around Kai’s arm. In battle, it could stabilize the sword and merge it with his grip, making it easier to wield.

  “Awesome!” Kai beamed. “Is there some light armor I could use?”

  “Sure, but I don’t think anything here matches that sword’s synergy.” Scry floated to another case.

  Inside was a dark leather armor set, crafted from high-quality spirit, or possibly divine beast leather. A dark glyph shaped like a small wolf was embroidered on the chest. The armguards and shin guards were reinforced with metal, and a black gem sat in the center of the belt.

  “This is Shadow Armor. It hides your presence and can withstand attacks from a peak Tier 9 Spirit Beast. I wouldn’t test it against a divine beast, though. As long as the glyph shines, it can absorb mana attacks or spells at that level. Once depleted, it takes a month to recharge. The belt contains a storage gem, three times the capacity of your bracelet. The armguards are made from Arg metal, so they can deflect basic magic attacks. It’s a solid upgrade.”

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  “I’ll wear it with pride. Is there a requirement to take it?”

  “Not for this one. Master made it directly, so anyone I choose can claim it.”

  “Wait… wasn’t everything here made by your master?” Kai asked.

  Scry hesitated. “To be honest… I’m not sure. Some memories are foggy after all these years. I know Master made this one, but the rest. I don’t remember. Some things are crystal clear, others are lost. Sometimes I feel like he wasn’t really my master… other times, I remember every detail.”

  He looked troubled.

  “That’s why I want to break free from the Arcanum. I need to find the truth about myself and about him.”

  Kai placed a hand on Scry’s now-corporeal head. “I’ll help you. As much as I can.”

  “To release me, we need to unlock the control room. You’ll have to become the new master of the Arcanum. Once you do, you’ll learn everything about this place.”

  Kai picked up his new sword and stored the armor in his bracelet. He preferred his martial fighting clothes for now; he’d wear the armor when needed.

  The two left the chamber filled with countless artifacts. Kai couldn’t wait to return one day and claim them all.

  ***

  Scry led Kai into the study. A massive desk dominated the room, with an enormous bookshelf behind it, crammed with ancient tomes.

  “This is the master's study,” Scry said, his voice tinged with reverence. “He spent countless hours here, poring over books and scrolls, searching for a way to ascend to Archon. But in the end, he failed.” He sighed deeply.

  “Most of these books are extremely advanced. You won’t be able to cast many of the spells without gaining more circles. For example, take a look at this.” Scry pulled out a thick tome with an ember-like glyph glowing on its cover.

  “This spellbook contains the high-level fire spell Meteor Shower. With it, you could destroy an entire city. But it requires six circles to cast. Or consider this one.” He picked up another book. “This holds the secrets of an Arch Mage-level spell, Plasma, a ninth-circle spell capable of burning even souls. As you can see, being a mage is quite extraordinary.”

  He turned to Kai with a thoughtful look. “Since you’ve managed to form your first circle, you now have the potential to train in both fighter and mage disciplines. That versatility will serve you well in combat. But for now, start with this.”

  Scry pulled a lighter tome from the shelf and handed it to Kai. Its title read The Six Elements and Their Uses.

  “This book contains basic spells for each element, along with enhancement magic to strengthen your body and weapons during battle. Study it when you have time.”

  With that, he turned and walked out of the study. Kai followed him down a long hallway into a vast, dark room. The only source of light was a crystal ball floating in the center.

  “You need to place your hand on it and pour your mana into it,” Scry instructed. “There should be a test left behind by the last master. If you pass it, you’ll become the next owner.”

  Kai laid his hand on the floating crystal ball and poured in some of his mana. The room spun violently, and then he vanished.

  Scry floated in stunned silence. He hadn’t expected Kai to disappear so suddenly. He waited, hoping nothing terrible had happened.

  Kai reappeared in a colossal hall, seemingly built for giants. The chamber stretched at least thirty meters in height and width. White crystals adorned the walls, glowing brightly and scattering the surrounding darkness. Lavish portraits of men and women lined the walls, each beneath a display case containing a weapon or piece of armor, every one of them cracked or broken.

  It felt like a museum. Or perhaps a memorial.

  Kai walked through the hall and entered a wide corridor that led to an even larger chamber. He pushed open the massive doors and froze.

  A fantasy creature had come to life.

  A twenty-meter-tall lizard lay curled within the chamber, its crimson scales gleaming faintly. Two massive wings rested behind its back, tattered and worn. It was a dragon, majestic and ancient, a creature Kai had only seen in games and books. His heart pounded as he stepped inside.

  Mountains of mana crystals, weapons, and treasures were neatly stacked around the chamber, encircling the dragon like offerings.

  The dragon sensed Kai’s presence and opened its enormous reptilian eyes. A wave of mana pressure crashed over Kai, forcing him back. Gritting his teeth, Kai activated his core and pushed forward, step by step.

  It feels like a test. Let’s endure as much as I can.

  With each step, the mana density intensified. His serpent-like magic circle glowed, and the silver serpent within his core stirred. Its gaze locked onto the dragon’s eyes. Something deep within Kai awakened, a shimmering silhouette of a silver snake appeared behind him, its green eyes burning with resolve.

  The serpent exuded fierce, unwavering determination.

  The dragon smiled and increased the pressure. Kai’s pace slowed to a crawl. The silver serpent surged more mana through his body, coiling protectively around him. Kai trembled. He knew what this was: a soul projection. Some powerful beasts could awaken their bloodlines and summon soul spirits to channel strength and activate bloodline magic.

  This was unexpected; it seems that his soul had reacted to the dragon's provocation.

  Was this the result of the serpent he had absorbed? Or was his soul naturally serpentine?

  He feared the implications. On Earth, serpents were symbols of evil and death. He hoped his soul wasn’t inherently malevolent.

  The serpent hissed, its defiance unmistakable.

  The dragon smiled again and ceased the test. Kai’s body relaxed. The snake glanced once more at the dragon, satisfied, and vanished. The silver serpent within Kai’s core closed its eyes.

  An ancient voice echoed through the chamber.

  “You did well. Your soul is fierce. But I must admit, this is the first time in my many years that I’ve seen such a pure soul spirit, but this time it’s within a human. Your spirit holds great potential. Do not squander it.”

  Kai bowed respectfully. “Thank you, mighty dragon. I didn’t mean to intrude. A crystal ball transported me here. May I ask, where am I?”

  Laughter broke the silence.

  “You were so fierce a moment ago, and now you bow and apologize. You are a funny one. You are in my lair, the Halls of Fire. I am the protector of this region, known as Dragon King Arthraxius.”

  Kai’s knees buckled. He had been transported into the mountains surrounding the jungle, straight into the lair of the undisputed ruler of this part of the continent. Sweat dripped down his face.

  “Don’t worry. I won’t kill you, though this was unexpected. I thought no more Chosen would be summoned to this land. The last one arrived three hundred thousand years ago.”

  Kai trembled. The dragon knew about the Chosen, and it had been many millennia since the last one. What had happened to them? How was the dragon connected?

  “If I may ask, sir…, how do you know about the Chosen? Do you know Tenebria?”

  The dragon’s eyes widened in shock. “You’ve met Tenebria? How is that possible? She rarely allows Chosen to find her before they become strong enough. She must like you. What did she say?”

  “She said I’m the last one,” Kai replied. “She wouldn’t tell me much more; said it would be dangerous to know.”

  “The last one!?” the dragon roared. “Could it be? I’m almost free! Hahaha!” His laughter echoed through the chamber. “So many years… countless years… I’ve watched over this forsaken place.”

  Dragon sighed. “Look, I’ll tell you as much as I am allowed… but I don’t know details.”

  He paused, then continued.

  “Fifty billion years ago, there was a war, a war that shattered reality itself. Gods died, entire races vanished, and planets were utterly destroyed. In a desperate attempt to save what remained, one of the head gods sacrificed his body to split the universe, creating a new realm and separating us from the invading force. Within this realm, another head god established new rules, and thus our universe began. It is called the Infinite Nest.

  Sacra is the first universe, and within it, others are nested, each one birthing another, infinitely. Even now, new universes are being born. I don’t know why it was designed this way, perhaps to ensure that some part of our reality survives, no matter what.

  Your universe is one of the younger ones. Each differs greatly: some have mana, some don’t; some rely on technology, others on energy or spirituality.

  As for the Chosen Ones… there was once a plan to train individuals who showed exceptional talent. I don’t know how they were selected, but the god who created our world’s rules designated the Beastworld Jungle as a training ground. I was contracted as its guardian, and even your friend Scry was chosen to guide the Chosen, to help them adapt and grow stronger.

  Unfortunately, few survived. The project was slowly abandoned. Scry’s memories were altered to ease his suffering. He watched over all of them… and all of them died. Some fell early; others grew strong but were unable to advance further, or they perished somewhere in the vast world.”

  Kai stood frozen, unsure how to respond.

  Arthraxius continued, his voice heavy with memory.

  “You see, Chosen are beings destined from birth to wield great power. But not everyone can bear that burden. Most fail. That’s why the project was halted nearly three hundred thousand years ago. I didn’t know Tenebria was still searching for one last candidate, for you. If she truly believes you’re the final Chosen, then once you leave, I’ll be free of the contract that binds me here.

  Whether you survive Tenebria’s future trials… that’s another matter.”

  He paused, then added solemnly:

  “Regarding Scry, if you wish, I can unlock his memories of all the friends he’s lost. But it would be unbearably painful for him. Before all this, he and I were warriors in our universe’s armies. I was Commander of the Draconic Battalions. Scry was one of the High Spirits. We were mortally wounded in the final battle. The goddess saved us, binding Scry to the Arcanum to stabilize his soul and giving me an immortal body to fulfill a task when my services were needed.

  Then she came to us with a plan, and we agreed to it willingly, hoping to help our world survive. But it was all for naught. Now, no one knows what lies beyond the Infinite Nest… or if the enemy still lives. The people of Sacra live their lives, and the rest has been forgotten.”

  Kai listened, overwhelmed. He had just learned the origin of his universe and that he was chosen to be some kind of godly warrior. He couldn’t see himself that way. He didn’t know what Tenebria saw in him… but he wasn’t that.

  He took a deep breath, pushed down all the fears and the implications. He needed to know more.

  “May I ask, sir… how did the other Chosen die? And did Scry’s last master come from them?”

  Arthraxius raised his head, lost in thought, and continued.

  “When this plan began, about a fifty million years after Sacra was torn from the outside universe, the goddess, whose name I am forbidden to speak, devised a plan to raise warriors. She had already saved our lives, so Scry and I were eager to help. She created a system to find fighters from Sacra and, later, from the infinite universes. She created a spirit which would oversee all of this and called it Tenebria. The three of us worked together at first. We had around a hundred Chosen from across Sacra, and we trained them personally.

  But tragedy struck.

  One night, demons invaded the continent and slaughtered half the population. We sent our hundred disciples, nearly all Grand Masters and Arch Magi, but they were all killed by the Demon Warchiefs. The goddess did not intervene. And we couldn’t leave this place to help. After a long battle, humankind repelled the demons with help from Archons, Seraphs, and even Beast Emperors.

  The remains of our disciples were collected and returned to us, and we built the memorial you saw when you arrived.

  They were like my children. It broke my heart. Scry lost his mind; his already fragile soul cracked further. I begged Tenebria to help, and she repaired his soul by sealing his memories.

  After that, we received fewer Chosen. Some died during training. Others grew strong but were unable to progress further and died in the outside world. Year after year, we failed. Scry broke further, and we sealed his memories again.

  Tenebria made the training rules stricter. She created the Trials of Sacra to test younger generations. But the strong didn’t need us, and the rest were mediocre at best. Billions of years passed. We’d get a Chosen maybe once every million years. They grew weaker over time.

  Eventually, I stepped back. I simply guarded the valley, which had grown into a jungle. Beasts settled here, and I allowed it, as long as they didn’t disturb me. Scry slept in the Arcanum between Chosen appearances. Tenebria only revealed herself to those she believed in.

  The last Chosen was an incredible mage, Quan the Raging Fire. He passed all the trials, became an Arch Mage, and even taught at a Magic Tower. But he never reached Archon level… and died. He left behind a family and instructed them to send any genius descendant here for training.

  That’s how Scry’s last master arrived. He came as an Arch Mage. I accepted him as long as he caused no trouble. He lived peacefully. Scry loved him dearly. But in the end… he too died.

  That is the curse of an immortal soul. You watch as your friends and family perish. It is a difficult burden to bear.”

  Arthraxius looked at Kai with a mix of hope and sorrow.

  “Now you know everything that I do. I wonder why Tenebria called you the last one. I don’t know what she saw in you… but your growth is astonishing. I can smell it. You’re not even eighteen, yet you’re already a Knight. You possess a strange magic circle… and a soul spirit. Boy, maybe you are the one we’ve been waiting for. I truly hope so. Then my life will not have been in vain.”

  He stood tall, his voice resolute.

  “After you leave, my mission will be complete. I can finally leave this valley and search for my race. I’ll create a hidden dimension to protect the jungle and its beasts. Only you and I will be able to find it. The beasts may leave once they reach the Divine level, as always.

  Go now. Take ownership of the Arcanum. You will know how to once you return. Set Scry free. He may choose to return to the Spirit Realm… or join you on your journey. Tell him what you will.

  Once you’re strong enough to face a Divine Beast, go to Tusk. He is my subordinate. He will show you how to leave the jungle. But before that return once more to me, I shall give you a blessing for old times’ sake, as a last disciple of this failed project.”

  Arthraxius raised his draconic hand, and Kai was teleported back. His mind swirled with questions.

  He saw Scry floating before him, unaware of anything. Kai sighed. He had made his decision; he wished to tell Scry everything.

  Sidekick Fights Back

  by TheLazyDreamer

  What to Expect:

  ? Cunning Protagonist

  ? Rich World-Building

  ? Unique Destiny Manipulation (LitRPG-Adjacent)

  ? Romance and Family Building

  ? Epic Conflicts and Intriguing Mysteries

  [Winner of Writathon Challenge, April 2025]

  Chapter length: 1.4–1.6K words