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[avramplesca]

Ryzen’s Journey

Episode 1: The Destroyed Village

The night air was heavy with silence, broken only by the faint rustling of wind through barren trees. Ryzen, clad in his black hoodie with red writing, strode into the remains of a village. His katana rested on his back, its dark blade barely visible in the moonlight. The village was desolate, its once-proud structures now reduced to charred ruins and splintered wood. Each step echoed in the emptiness, as if the land itself mourned.

He stopped in the middle of what was once a vibrant square, kneeling down to inspect a scorched fragment of a child’s toy. His fingers lingered over the piece before setting it down gently. Rising to his full height, he adjusted the katana on his back and turned his sharp, black eyes toward the darkened horizon.

A sudden, metallic growl shattered the silence. Ryzen turned, his gaze locking on a massive figure emerging from the shadows. The Tetsu-Ryu loomed over him—a hulking, quadrupedal creature forged from jagged metal, its glowing cracks oozing molten lava.

Without a word, Ryzen stepped back, his movements calculated, as the beast roared. Molten Roar erupted, sending waves of fiery debris toward him. Ryzen leapt into action, dodging with inhuman agility. The Tetsu-Ryu charged, its Blade Rush tearing through the ground with ferocity.

Ryzen reached for his katana in a single, fluid motion. The blade gleamed as he drew it, his calm face reflecting the determination in his stance. In one swift movement, he dashed past the beast, the sound of the blade slicing through the air echoing louder than the roar of the molten beast.

The Tetsu-Ryu froze, its glowing eyes dimming. A single, clean cut severed its head from its body. Sparks flew as the creature crumbled into a pile of molten metal and ash. Ryzen stood still for a moment, watching the remains dissolve into nothingness before sheathing his katana.

He walked forward, toward the largest structure still partially standing—a crumbling temple. Its grand doors, adorned with faded carvings, stood ajar, almost beckoning him inside. As he stepped through the threshold, the air grew colder, and a faint, eerie glow emanated from torches lining the corridor.

The silence was oppressive, broken only by the soft echo of his footsteps. At the end of the hall, an altar stood, flanked by two imposing statues. Ryzen approached cautiously, his sharp senses alert for danger. The statues, crafted in exquisite detail, seemed to watch him with lifeless eyes.

Reaching the altar, he spotted a hidden drawer beneath its surface. Sliding it open, he found an ancient scroll inside. The intricate markings on the parchment pulsed faintly with energy. Ryzen carefully tucked the scroll into his pouch just as a low rumble shook the room.

The statues came alive, their stone limbs cracking as they moved. Without hesitation, they lunged at Ryzen, their strikes shattering the floor where he once stood. Ryzen evaded, his movements fluid and precise. His eyes narrowed as he noticed a faint flicker of energy within their bodies—a weak point.

In less than ten seconds, both statues crumbled under his calculated strikes, their shattered remains scattering across the temple floor.

As the last piece of stone fell, the altar trembled, revealing a hidden passage beneath it. Spiral stairs led deep into the earth, their descent shrouded in darkness. Ryzen cast one last glance at the ruined chamber before stepping onto the stairs. The entrance sealed shut above him, leaving only the faint glow of the passage below to guide his way.

And so, he descended, his expression calm yet focused, ready to face whatever lay ahead

To be continued…