3 Two Sides of an Apple

<p>Craig and Alfred were walking in the crowd, trying to pass through them and reach the caravan the Royals were in. Royals were waving to the crowd, and townspeople were praising them.<br/>After walking for a while, the caravan was in sight. Among the nobles was a figure with a crown on top of their head. Alfred figured that this was the so-called talented prince they were talking about. He tried to take a good look at him, but the crowd was blocking his vision.<br/>"Okay Al, I think we are close enough. Do your magic." Said Craig, and left Alfred's side to distract the guards. Alfred drew his knife just in case and approached the caravan. It was going very smoothly, he managed to steal some jewels, but after a few minutes, there was a shouting heard in the crowd: "IT'S THE THIEVES GUILD! THEY ARE ROBBING THE CARAVAN!"<br/>Somehow they were caught. Alfred mumbled to himself, then left that place immediately. He looked at his back for a moment to see if Craig was still there, but he didn't see him. He thought to himself: 'He probably also escaped after hearing the shout.'<br/>While running, he sensed a projectile coming from behind him and reflexively ducked. At first, he thought it was an arrow, but he started hearing burning noises from the wall behind him.<br/>'What the heck was that? A cannonball?' Alfred started thinking. A gentle voice interrupted his thinking:<br/>"I am surprised a mere thief like you had the reflexes to escape from an attack from a blind spot. You are wondering what that 'thing' was I assume?"<br/>Alfred quickly turned behind and saw a royale behind him. He quickly figured out that he was the talented prince Craig was talking about. This time, he took a detailed look at him. His skin tone was bronze, but not quite bronze. He had black, short, messy hair. There were golden rings on his fingers that were connected to his earrings with golden silk. His face was almost identical to Alfred, except Alfred had white hair and white skin.<br/>He was so interested in the prince himself, he forgot that the prince was hostile against him. While he was in deep thought, another projectile was heading toward Alfred. This time Alfred saw what it was: It was pure fire. Although it was very fast, Alfred dodged it easily this time due to knowing where it was coming from. He was surprised, but then looked at the prince's hand: There were flames around his right arm, forming a spiral.<br/>"I guess it was no fool's luck the first time. You have better reflexes than the soldiers in our castle. This won't be an easy battle it seems. I am Omina Nork, the sixth child of Bazelisk Nork, Emperor of the Nork Empire. What is your na-"<br/>Before Omina could finish his sentence, Alfred quickly threw his knife against Omina. Omina caught the knife, but Alfred was already beside him. Before he could guard himself, Alfred landed a punch to his chin, sending Omina a few meters away.<br/>"I'm Han Alfred, Commander-in-chief of the Thieves Guild. This is your grave, Omina Nork."<br/>Alfred was already sure that he killed Omina with that punch. In the past, Alfred's right hook even took down giants. He was very surprised when he saw Omina stand up like nothing happened. Alfred couldn't hide his surprise.<br/>"Nature Soul; Misty Step. Before you strike me, I slightly moved so the punch wouldn't knockout me. Misty Step helps me do this without my enemy noticing it. Very astonishing, isn't it? Although my Soul awakened yesterday, I already know two styles."<br/>Omina took a battle position, with a smile on his face. He was very excited to have a death match. Only one of them was going to leave this alleyway alive, and Omina was looking forward to this kind of adrenaline his entire life. Alfred picked his knife from the ground and sighed. He also took a battle position. This would be the beginning of great duels between these two individuals.<br/>This time, It was Omina who closed the gap between them in the blink of an eye. He used Misty Step to do so, but Alfred didn't recognize this. He ignited his hands and tried to punch Alfred in the stomach. However, Alfred grabbed Omina's shoulder with his left hand and stopped the fist. He tried to stab his neck, but Omina used Misty Step this time to avoid the attack and retreat to his starting position.<br/>"Didn't they call ya war genius and some other stuff? Some genius you are. You have been using hit-and-run tactics for a while now. Can't ya face me in a proper duel?<br/>"I have been analyzing your combat pattern, Han Alfred. After that exchange, I came to a conclusion."<br/>Omina used another skill, 'Nature Soul; Twig Blade'. A blade made of tree twigs was formed in his arm. He used Misty Step again to rush in, but Alfred was expecting it, so he blocked his attack with his knife.<br/>"You don't have a Soul, do you?"<br/>Alfred didn't pay any attention to his words. He took down so many Soul users just with his knife and tactics.<br/>Alfred threw a knee to his stomach, but Omina dodged it with another Misty Step. He was the same age as him, but he already learned three techniques in a day.<br/>"What is the difference between you and me?"<br/>Alfred looked sad when he asked this question. He didn't need any Soul in this world to survive. But, is survival the only thing he wished for? He also wanted a challenge, he also wanted to explore his possibilities, and he also wanted to use his talents for fun, not for money.<br/>Omina didn't answer his question. He didn't have an answer for it. There wasn't any difference between them. From the exchanges they had, he understood that Alfred's skill in combat matched himself.<br/>Seeing the silence, Alfred threw his knife aside and said only a few words:<br/>"Tch, that is why I hate ya noble bunch. Just kill me already, I don't want to struggle in this shitty empire of yours."<br/>Omina saw the sorrow and anger in Alfred's expression. He couldn't offer any pity, help, or anything.<br/>"When I take over the empire, I will fix this problem. Ones like you will never have to struggle to survive. It was a great duel, Han Alfred. You might be the only opponent that I will ever consider equal."<br/>Omina used 'Twig Blade', and slowly approached Alfred to finish him off. When he was about to cut his head off, a hand stopped the blade. It seemed like a ghost's hand, but it was more magical.<br/>"Unfortunately, I can't let you kill this boy."<br/>A purple aura burst happened in where Alfred was. Due to this immense energy, Omina was blown away. When he looked at Alfred, he seemed possessed. His red eyes turned purple, and he had a purple aura surrounding him. But most importantly, he felt like Alfred, which was Soulles, had a Soul now.<br/>"You are not Han Alfred anymore. May I ask what you are?"<br/>There was no response. Alfred's body started to move slightly, but it was almost motionless. Omina felt fear. He knew as currently, he couldn't face off against this thing.<br/>When Alfred was about to attack, an object dropped from the sky. It had red sparkles around it and crackling sounds coming from it.<br/>When the smoke was cleared, Omina saw a yellow-haired, tall, muscular, and dark-eyed figure. From his books, he knew what that was. It would bring chaos to the battlefield, it would take on an army on its own and come on top. It was none other than the proclaimed strongest creature, Legion of Wrath, Agrio.<br/>"Finally found the anomaly that was happening down here. I thought I wouldn't ever see you again" said Agrio, flickering his fingers and taking a battle position. "What are you doing in here, Helena?<br/>"Sir Agrio! I am grateful for your arrival. It seems that you know what that thing is, what is it? It suddenly took that boy's body-"<br/>"Shut your bitching for a second, will ya? Who the fuck are you even, what is a pretty boy like you doing in these shitty alleyways?"<br/>"Oh, my apologies. I forgot to introduce myself. I am Omina Nork, the sixth child of Bazelisk Nork, and Host of the Extend Soul."<br/>"Damn, that was a surprise. So you are Old man Bazel's brat and the Host of Extend? Heh, he will get shocked when he hears that. I had some business with you, but it can wait for now. Anyway, see that thing over there?" Said Agrio, pointing towards Alfred.<br/>"That thing is Han Helena, the last known user of Extend and killer of your grandpa."</p>