BALLAD OF THE TRACIENTS

The scene opened with a fortified stronghold, its towering walls lined with guards. Inside, the air was thick with tension as a report was brought to the master of the place. The figure who sat in the center of the room was shrouded in darkness, his presence commanding and ominous.

"Report," the mysterious figure commanded, his voice low and cold.

"Sir, we believe what we saw was indeed a wolf Tracient," one of the Hyena Tracients reported, his voice trembling with fear.

The room fell silent for a moment, the tension thickening. Without warning, the Hyena who had spoken was slammed into the wall by an unseen force, his body crumpling to the floor.

"You do realize what would happen if this information is false?" the figure growled, his voice dripping with menace. "However, it seems I must go see this for myself."

With that, the figure stood, his eyes glowing with a sinister light. He popped a cigarette into his mouth and took a deep drag, the embers casting a faint glow on his sharp features. The scene shifted as he turned to leave, the shadows seeming to follow him as he moved.

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The scene reopened to reveal Adam and Kon standing at the Fords of Beruna, a place steeped in ancient history and mystery. The air was crisp, and the frozen waters of the ford shimmered under the pale light of the overcast sky.

"It's believed, back in the day, that one could peer into other worlds from this ford," Kon explained, his voice filled with a mixture of awe and sadness. The weight of history hung heavy in the air, and Adam could feel it pressing down on him.

Adam, still caught up in the excitement of exploring this strange new world, looked around with wide eyes. Everything about this place felt different, yet familiar, as if he were walking through the pages of a long-forgotten story.

"This man is unique and doesn't look like any Tracient I've seen in recent times," Kon thought, watching Adam closely. He could sense something in the young wolf—a power, a potential that was both frightening and exhilarating. "Perhaps, he might actually be…"

But before Kon could finish his thought, he felt it—a surge of odd, sinister, and compressed mana approaching at lightning speed. His instincts screamed at him to move, to protect Adam, but as he turned, he realized the attack was already upon them.

The world seemed to slow as a huge explosion went off, shattering the frozen waters of the Fords of Beruna. The force of the blast sent shockwaves rippling through the air, the ice cracking and breaking apart beneath their feet. But Adam, quick as lightning, sensed the attack just before it hit and managed to dodge the worst of it.

As the smoke cleared, a figure emerged from the shadows, his presence radiating malevolence. His eyes, cold and calculating, locked onto Adam with a predatory gaze.

"I am impressed," the figure said, his voice smooth and mocking. "Not many people can dodge my Plasma Beads."

Kon, recognizing the figure immediately, felt a surge of anger and contempt rise within him. He clenched his fists, his claws digging into his palms as he forced himself to remain calm.

"Razik…" Kon spat the name, his voice filled with loathing.

"It's been a while, cub," Razik replied, a cruel smile twisting his lips.

In the seconds that followed, Razik sent his minions—vicious Hyena Tracients—to capture both Adam and Kon. Kon reacted first, grabbing a nearby stone and hurling it at the Hyenas. The impact threw them off balance, giving Kon just enough time to turn and make a run for it with Adam.

But as they fled, Kon suddenly felt a crushing force slam into him, driving him face down into the snowy ground. The intense gravity field pinned him in place, his muscles straining uselessly against the pressure.

"You were always a pain," Razik commented casually, watching as Kon struggled.

"Let him go!!!" Adam screamed, his voice filled with a desperation he had never felt before.

Razik looked at Adam, his smile widening. "Of course, I will," he said, his voice deceptively gentle. "But you are coming with me, and you will tell me everything you know."

Adam closed his eyes, his mind racing. He could feel something stirring deep within him. When he opened his eyes again, a soft glow emanated from them.

"Fine," Adam said, his voice calm and steady. "I'll come with you. Let him go."

Razik, pleased with the turn of events, released Kon from the gravity field. Kon, however, was too weak to move, the force of the attack having drained him of his strength. As his vision began to blur, he noticed a faint, yellow glow on the ground before him. With the last of his strength, he reached out toward the glowing ring, his consciousness fading as his fingers brushed against it.