Corrupted Throne

The moment the Void Room activated, Duke's mind was pulled into the spiral again.

Memories flashed—bright, beautiful, fleeting.

Laughter with jack

Warm food of grandpa

Jax

Frederick's proud hand on his shoulder.

The warmth of the timberline sun.

A moment of peace.

And then—

Snow. Screams. Steel.

He was back.

The air was sharp and cold, the ground wet with melting snow and spilled blood.

Duke found himself once more in **that moment.**

"Hey, stop it," came a voice—cool, female, deliberate.

The masked girl stepped forward from the shadows.

"He saved me. Back near the river, when I fainted."

The second masked man, standing tall and muscular beside her, blinked.

"What? For real?"

"Yeah. Do whatever you want with the other guy. But leave him."

The brute scoffed—his heavy breath puffing in the freezing air.

"Tch. I don't care about your reasons."

He cracked his neck with a sickening pop, gripping his massive warhammer tighter.

"I just feel like crushing some heads. Either one will do."

These are my memories,*Duke realized.

It's all happening again.

He watched as the masked girl stepped closer, just like before.

"Hey," she asked, voice muffled behind the mask. "What's your name?"

But this time—Duke didn't freeze.

SLAM!

He drove a punch straight into her masked face.

She reeled back, stunned.

"My name is "Duke Vento!"

Without pausing, he turned and dashed toward the brute, who was raising his hammer over Jax's unconscious body.

"Tch. Insect," the brute muttered.

He turned just in time and slammed his fist into Duke's chest, sending him sprawling.

"Ufff… it's too real…" Duke gasped, falling to his knees. The impact was brutal.

"I'm going to kill this one first," the brute growled, lifting the hammer again.

"No," Duke hissed—and in desperation, lunged forward and bit into the brute's thigh.

"ARGHHH!" the brute howled, collapsing into the snow.

Duke pulled himself up, grabbed the hammer, and staggered toward the brute, ready to strike.

But then—

"HEY!"

A sharp, mocking voice rang ou

Duke turned.

The third masked bandit.

Lean, cloaked in shadow, standing still.

Still masked.

But Duke knew that voice.

Sorrin.

In his grip—

Duke's grandfather.

Held by the neck. Blade pressed to his throat. The old man trembled in fear.

"What?" the masked man said. "You don't want him to die?"

"Then put that hammer down."

Duke froze—blood draining from his face.

"Stop it! I'll do anything—just don't hurt him!"

His grandfather's eyes widened.

"H-Hey… Duke? Help me…"

Duke's grip on the hammer faltered.

lang.

It dropped to the ground.

"That's it," Sorrin said calmly. "Nice and easy."

Behind him, the brute stirred once again—rage burning in his eyes.

"He's all yours," came the masked girl's voice—low and emotionless.

"End his suffering."

"NOOO!" Duke cried out.

The brute rose, lifting the hammer again.

"DUKE!! HELP ME!!" his grandfather screamed.

"No—no—no—!" Duke shrieked, crawling forward.

SMAAAAASH!

The hammer dropped.

Blood splattered.

Silence.

"AHHHHHHH!!"

Duke bolted upright, screaming.

Miss Violet stood at the edge of the Void Room, her hand raised—she had shut it down the instant his pain became unbearable.

He was shaking.

Eyes wide.

Chest heaving.

Soaked in sweat.

The pain, the memory, the helplessness—

It was all too real.

And yet...

He was still alive.

Back in the real world.

Alone.

With Violet.

And his demons

Violet stood alone in the Void Room.

The echo of Duke's scream still lingered in the air.

So much pain,she thought. So much fire, buried under fear.

Then—

"Uff… Ugh…"

Duke's ragged breath broke the silence.

His eyes were wide. His fists trembled.

He was still on his knees, breathing heavily, chest rising and falling like a drumbeat of chaos.

"We can continue tomorrow," Violet said softly.

"No, ma'am," Duke snapped—his voice raw, burning.

His eyes flared—boiling with rage.

Violet blinked. What is this? That fury… it's real.

"I'm going to kill them," Duke said, his voice low and shaking. "This time… they won't walk away."

Violet studied him—startled. She hesitated… then gave a slow nod.

"Very well," she said. "But this is the last attempt for today."

The Void Room darkened once more.

The nightmare returned.

Snow. Screams. Blood.

The masked girl stepped out of the shadows again, her voice calm, haunting.

"Hey," she said. "What's your name?"

SLAM!

Duke's fist crashed into her face. Her head snapped back, body staggering.

He didn't stop.

He grabbed the broken sword beside him—his old weapon, shattered but still sharp.

And stabbed her.

Once. Twice. Over and over.

"Die. Die—DIE!" he screamed.

She tried to fight back, her arm swinging wildly, but Duke grabbed her neck—and stabbed it.

She gasped, choking.

He didn't stop.

Blood painted everywhere as he kept stabbing—rage unchained.

"They deserve this," he hissed. "Every. One. Of. Them."

But then—

AGH!!

Pain shot through his back—a blade had pierced him.

He turned—gasping—and saw Sorrin, masked, grinning.

Duke screamed in fury, twisted his body, and drove the sword into Sorrin's side.

"AHHHHH!!" Sorrin roared.

Duke pulled the blade out—and stabbed again.

And again.

Quick. Brutal. Unstoppable.

But then—

CRACK!!!

A massive hammer slammed into Duke's side, sending him flying into the snow.

Barnnor.

Towering. Furious.

"Hey, bastard!" he growled. "WHAT DID YOU DO?!"

Duke groaned—blood pouring from his mouth.

But slowly, he rose to his feet.

Unsteady. Trembling.

Still standing.

Their eyes locked.

"AHHHHHHH!!!"

Duke charged—gripping the broken sword like a demon possessed.

The vision cut.

The snow fell silently.

The air was still.

Blood painted the ground—everywhere.

Bodies surrounded him.

Sorrin. The masked girl. Barnnor.

All fallen.

Duke stood alone—covered in blood.

Breathing hard.

"Ugh… ahh… ahhh…"

His hands were shaking.

Then his eyes fell on her.

The masked girl.

Lying motionless.

He stepped toward her.

Knees weak. Mind spinning.

He knelt.

And slowly… pulled off her mask.

His heart stopped.

Touka.

Her violet eyes stared lifelessly toward the sky—wide open. Empty.

The wind howled.

Duke's voice was barely a whisper.

"I really hoped you wouldn't be the masked girl…"

He clenched his jaw.

"Because if you are…"

He stood slowly, blood dripping from his fingers.

"…I will not show mercy."

Duke's eyes flew open—glowing faint green.

He looked around, breath trembling, as the wind around him began to fade—still wild, but calming now.

Miss Violet stepped forward, a rare smile touching her lips.

"Congratulations, Duke Vento," she said.

"You've awakened your Kendra Energy."

Duke blinked, stunned.

The energy still shimmered faintly over his skin—light green, like the color of storm-lit trees.

"Wind…" he muttered. "It's wind."

"Yes," Violet nodded. "A Wind-type Kendra. Very rare."

"But… I've seen people use Tempest Strike before. Isn't that a wind move?"

"Haha—good observation," Violet said. "But Tempest Strike is a neutral technique. Anyone can use it… if they train enough."

She stepped closer, voice firm but proud.

But for you? It won't be just a technique. It will become an extension of you."

Duke's eyes lit up.

Violet continued, "Only a few are born with inherent elemental Kendra affinity—passed down through bloodlines or rare awakenings. Samaira has fire. Kairoz has darkness. And now… you have the wind."

She paused—then added softly,

"Your Wind energy techniques," Violet said, watching the last trails of green shimmer fade around Duke, "will become far more powerful than standard moves. Stronger. Faster. More precise."

Duke blinked. "That's... amazing."

"But..." she added, her voice steady. "Elemental Kendra comes with a downside."

"What is it?" Duke asked.

"You'll have fewer techniques to choose from," Violet explained. "Most of what you'll learn will be wind-based. Unlike others who can dabble in broader forms, your path will be narrower—but more intense."

Duke paused… then smiled faintly.

"I'm fine with that, ma'am. I don't need a thousand techniques. I just need a few strong ones… that are mine."

Violet looked at him with something rare—approval, almost pride.

Then Duke glanced up, hesitant.

"Ma'am… why did you reopen the Void Room just for me? You've helped me since the beginning. Why?"

Violet was quiet for a long moment.

Then she spoke, her voice softer than usual.

"Because I saw something in you."

Duke's breath caught.

"Your discipline. The way you endure pain. The way you speak, even when you're broken."

She turned away slightly, as if looking into a memory.

"And maybe… because I saw myself in you."

Duke didn't speak.

"I was your age when the war broke out," she continued. "I saw towns burn. I saw children crushed beneath walls. I saw soldiers turn on their own people. And I couldn't stop it."

Her eyes dimmed.

"Those memories still live in me."

Duke looked down. His voice shook.

"My pain… it's nothing compared to yours."

Violet turned back toward him.

"You want to repay me?"

He nodded.

"Then do this—stay on the right path. No matter how dark it gets."

Her voice dropped lower, more personal.

"My life was torn apart, but I never turned evil. I never gave in to hate. I fought… to stay good. And I hope you'll do the same."

Duke's chest tightened.

"I will," he said. "I promise."

She stepped past him, pausing only once more.

"And more importantly—stay true to your side."

Duke watched her go, the wind still whispering softly around him.

Duke walked onto the open field where the other recruits were training during their break.

Samaira stood with her glaive in hand, focused, channeling her Kendra. Jack sat nearby, mimicking her breathing techniques.

Lysa stood poised, bow drawn, aiming at a tall tree.

"Focus… focus…" Lysa whispered.

Fosshhh!

The arrow shot through the air and struck the tree dead center.

"Woah!" Samaira broke her stance, clapping.

"Amazing," Jack added, eyes wide.

Off to the side, Touka sat on a stone, arms resting on her knees, eyes distant.

Duke walked toward her slowly, his gaze calm, thoughtful.

She didn't notice him at first—lost in her thoughts.

"Hey there," Duke said as he stopped behind her.

She turned slightly. Her violet eyes narrowed, examining him.

That energy… it's awakened. And it's vast.

"…Hello," she said, casual but alert.

"You're not joining them?" Duke asked, tilting his head toward the others.

Touka scoffed. "Not wasting my break training again. They're ridiculous."

Duke smirked.

Touka leaned back slightly, then asked, "Where were you? You disappeared right after lunch."

"I was in the Void Room," Duke replied.

That got her attention. "Void Room?" she repeated. "Miss Violet opened it for you?"

Duke nodded, his tone suddenly colder. "Yeah. I relived… that day. The ambush. The bandits."

Touka's fingers tightened slightly on her knee.

"And?" she asked.

"I killed them," Duke said flatly. "One by one. In the dream. And when I finished… I awakened my Kendra."

A pause.

Touka's expression didn't change—but her eyes had.

They flickered—just for a heartbeat.

"…Impressive," she said.

But deep down, something shifted.

He's growing faster than expected. And worse… he's remembering everything.

Duke let out a long breath and sat beside Touka.

Then, without a word, he laid back on the grass, arms folded behind his head.

"I need some rest," he muttered, eyes half-closed.

Touka glanced down at him. "Didn't you just wake up from a Void-induced nightmare?"

"That's exactly why I need rest," he replied, voice deadpan.

Just then—

"HEYYYYY, DUKEEEE!!"

Jack's voice came slicing through the air like a war cry.

Duke winced. "Oh, crap…"

"Yep," Duke sighed. "Now he's gonna start yapping."

Jack sprinted across the field, excitement all over his face.

Hey, dude! Guess what? I awakened my power! Heheh!"

Duke rolled his eyes. "Jack, I don't have time for this crap. Let me rest."

"What?!" Jack stopped in his tracks, visibly annoyed. "You bastard! Weren't you the one who was all excited about awakening it back at Timberline?!"

"Just shut up," Duke muttered, eyes still closed.

Jack's expression darkened… then slowly twisted into a smug grin.

"Ohhh… I get it now. You're jealous, aren't you?" Jack said, voice rising. "You haven't awakened yours yet, so now you can't stand seeing me succeed. Wow, Duke… I didn't know you were that type of guy. A jealous bastard."

Touka raised an eyebrow, watching silently from the side.

Duke opened one eye, annoyed.

"I awakened mine too," he said flatly.

Jack snorted. "Haha, yeah right. Stop kidding—"

Then Duke slowly raised his hand.

His fingers crackled faintly… a soft green glow shimmered around his skin. The wind stirred gently around him.

Jack's jaw dropped.

"Whatttt—?!" he shouted, eyes wide. "That's—That's real?! You actually—?!"

"A Wind-element Kendra…" Touka thought, eyes narrowing slightly. His energy really has awakened... and it's powerful.

Duke laid back down with a groan. "Now shut up and let me rest."