Chapter 3: Eventual Meeting of the Fated Ones

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"U-ugh..." A low pained groan passed through the stifling atmosphere. After doing so, Apollo opened his eyes to find that he couldn't see anything. He was surrounded by darkness!

As he realized this, a slight panic entered Apollo's already unsound mind. Furthermore, a feeling of itchiness crossed his chest. And after that, his chest burned. Wherever he was, the lack of air made it a monumental task to breathe.

'Where am I? Why does it hurt so much…'

He blinked but he was unable to tell. Whether opened or closed, the darkness looked all the same to him. Then it hit him. Not only did it feel hard to breathe, it felt like he was being crushed. For a moment, no matter how much he wanted to, he couldn't move. The fear of the unknown had paralyzed him.

After closing his eyes, Apollo calmed down. He twitched his arm and was thankful he continued to regain more control as time passed.

Soon enough, Apollo began tapping his hand against what felt like a stony surface. He tried with all his might to move whatever was restricting him from seeing light.

Only after countless attempts did his movements yield slight progress. His actions shifted a few stones allowing an iota of light to enter.

However, as if some sort of trigger, the moment the ray of light met his pupils, his body stiffened once again, but this time was different. A flood of memories similar to a panoramic movie scene bombarded his mind causing a faint headache.

"Apollo...Kaiser. Where are these memories coming from? These, aren't mine. Wait, Astarat? Is that the name of this darkness? No that can't be right. These dark scenes take place in the light of day, so may this is another world?" Apollo continued to question amid a marvel taking place in his mind.

Numerous harrowing scenes repeated in his mind. The prior owner of this body would be beaten senselessly until black and blue and tormented by the younger family members of his generation.

Disturbingly, the older members would turn a blind eye to it although they were aware of the events taking place.

"How sad, you were thrown away as well. No one cared for you, and now you're just gone. For what, because your body was no good; because you were ill? That is not fair!"

As he spoke to himself, the frail Apollo's eyes filled with warm tears. Although the tears agitated his eyes, surprisingly, he didn't acknowledge it. Not only did his current situation not allow for him to remedy that itch, but his mind also wasn't focused on that.

When looking through the scenes, there were instances where the former Apollo was buried alive by his peers and left to struggle and ultimately find his way out.

Unfortunately, this time was different. This particular beating was too severe causing him to fall unconscious under the rubble. While unconscious, the lack of oxygen ultimately led to his doom. Hence, the appearance of this Apollo from another world. 

"P-people are disgusting! Even though we're harmless, they still abuse us. Someone needs to show them what it is like," Apollo muttered while hammering the stones above him.

Due to his vehement pounding, small pieces of rubble fell into his eyes paining him, but his judgment was clouded by anger. In comparison, the burning in his eyes meant nothing to him. 'Despicable people!'

At that moment, an unfamiliar voice spoke to him. Moreover, their words resonated deeply with Apollo.

[Do you see the world around us which despises the weak? They are hypocritical beings. The state of this world is horrible yet they foster individuals who prey on each other instead of ridding the world of that plague. Under these false notions of protection, one must uncover the world for what it is; deceitful!]

"Yes...this world is just the same as the one I came from. Will I suffer death again?"

[No, what you shall do is take your fate into your own hands and stand above everyone! Will you ascend to a mantle achieved only once before? If so, do you accept the presence of the Demon Monarch System?]

"Demon...Monarch System? What is that? Will it help me be strong?" Apollo questioned, pausing his pounds. 

[Yes, it is your path to undeniable strength, but it alone cannot make you strong. You must be ready to face pain and tribulation to become strong.]

"I-I am 10 years old but I have already seen two deaths. What other 10-year-old can say that? I...I will accept because I want to obtain strength! Will you help me do that?"

[With pleasure, I will help you become strong. However, you must strive to activate more of the system. It relies upon you and as of right now, it isn't at its greatest strength. Activate...Demon Monarch System!]

A shockwave emanated from the body of Apollo which caused the rubble that covered him to turn to dust. A moment later, Apollo began climbing out of the human-sized ditch. As he exited, he coughed continuously.

Due to the coughing fit, his throat still stung but fresh air entered his lungs generating a wondrous feeling. Moreover, light from the two suns above shone down on him, highlighting his dark grey eyes filled with hatred.

At the same time, a small screen appeared before Apollo's face. It was the system the voice talked about earlier.

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(Demon Monarch System) Lvl.1

Name: Apollo Kaiser

Race: Human

Age: 10

Level: 1

Experience: 0/100.

Health: 2/10

Stamina: 10/10

Body Cultivation Realm: N/A

Physique: Mortal (Low)

Zuls: 1

Strength: 1.0

Agility: 1.0

Intelligence: 8.0

Vitality: 1.0

Stat Points: 0.0

The screen only showed him his stats and nothing else. There were no skills, no background information. Nothing that told him of the background information related to this world.

[These are your current stats. However, what you need to aim for is the 3rd level of the system. I will give you let's say approximately 5 years to do so. That is when you will be of age to achieve the next level. At that time, train yourself well. I will be providing missions that will assist you.]

«System Alert! First Main Mission!»

Quest Name: Journey to Sovereignty Part One

Quest Information: The road to power is tiresome—one filled with both pain and strife. In your past life and this one, you were unable to create your own resounding name, however, that is no longer the case. Step upon your road to Sovereignty and begin your journey to becoming the monarch of the demons.

Objectives:

-Achieve the 3rd Level of the Demon Monarch System. (0/1)

-Reach Zul Warrior Realm. (0/1)

Time Limit: 5 years

Rewards: ????, ????, ????

"Wait…do you know about this world?" Apollo tried searching through the memories he saw earlier only to realize all he could remember was the consistent bullying and apparent shunning. The knowledge of this world and its history was vague—nearly nonexistent. This young boy was barely taught anything.

[I do, but it seems as if I'm prohibited from telling you. Nevertheless, I can disclose the reasons being. One, your mind is unfamiliar to the body at the moment due to the abrupt injection. Two, there is not much that this young boy knows. It seems he was deemed a lost cause making his family's focus lay elsewhere.]

"Oh, okay and my mission?" a small frown appeared on Apollo's lips. In addition to being confused, hearing those last words left a sour taste in his mount.

[Yes, here.]

«System Alert! First Mission!»

Quest Name: Knowledge of the New World

Quest Information: Although you have become an outcast in your family, that does not stop you from seeking knowledge. Return to your family and obtain information about this world.

Objectives:

-Attend the family lessons in which knowledge is imparted until what you need to know is clear.

Reward-

- 100 Experience

- .5 Intelligence Points.

"A mission...but how does this make me strong? Also, this body has an illness...how can it train? And...and...what should I call you?"

[It is what guides you to pursue power. Now, pertaining to your body, you asked for my help, and my assistance is what you have received. As for what to call me, Azridan will suffice. I am the warden of your system.]

'Azridan...huh.' Apollo thought to himself, rubbing his chin. He felt this name sounded kind of cool.

[Anyway, it is time for you to head back. This body has been here all night. It's near a state of full collapse again.]

"Okay, okay. I will go home."

From a single step, Apollo's body staggered. Although he felt a semblance of energy in his body, it was in a terrible state. His leg had a large gash on it with multiple bruises surrounding it.

"Children here are mean...my leg is almost broken from the stones they piled on top of me," Apollo muttered as he winced in pain.

Along with the pain, Apollo continued to drag his battered body towards the manor in the distance. Occasionally, he would perform small hops due to the pain in his right leg. When it became too much, he gave it a break.

Soon enough he reached the back gates of his family's mansion. Gazing at the slightly familiar gates, Apollo froze.

"Some things are coming back to me now..."