Enlighten: by Nick Venom (best non fiction books to read TXT) 📕

Rethos nodded his head. “You have been a challenging apprentice… but I didn’t mind it. I wish you the best in your journey. Goodbye.”

Eden raised his head with a large foolish smile. “Bye,” Rethos smirked at his response before chanting a spell that sent him back to Koriyx seconds before he was dead. He was now treading on a new path… and he was going to show it.

***

Eden felt his oxygen leaving his body. He returned to Korixy the same moment he left it - a thick rope wrapped around his neck and his body dangling. His oxygen flow was cut off, forcing him to fight against the rope. He struggled with the rope, kicking at the air and trying to swing himself to the log behind him to no success. 

Fortunately, however, before he became brain dead he sliced the rope over him, dropping him to the ground. He had brought Jagged Blade with him, using its sharp blade to drop him. He fell to his knees, gasping out for oxygen. “W-What the hell?” He said in between breaths. He forgot about his suicide attempt over the century of training. It was a memory that was pushed to the back of his mind. However, it now arose.

“Why did I try to die?” He asked out loud as he regained his oxygen. He rose to his feet as he sheathed Jagged Blade in a leather sheath. He surveyed his surroundings. He was standing in the same clearing that he was in a century ago. Not a speck of time had passed since he left, continuing where he left off. 

“I must’ve been stupid.” He thought out loud to himself. “Where do I go? I need to rattle my brain and-” He tapped at his head, hoping that it was going to do something. “-find my way… somewhere.” He took several steps forward, his mind taking in the sights. They were vaguely familiar to him, reminding him of his time spent in Battlefield and with Riley. He shivered at the latter thoughts. 

“She… She can’t leave my mind. Why?” He muttered as he walked in whatever direction he deemed the best way. “Is it trauma? No, it can’t be. I’m sure I just feel betrayed, nothing more.” He reassured him. “Now, let’s hope I’m going in the right way.”

You are. The assassins are on their way and will be arriving in a matter of minutes. In the opposite direction is your house. He heard Rethos’s voice say within his mind. Eden nodded, taking Rethos’s words at face value. He unsheathed Jagged Blade, keeping it close to his chest. He waited for the assassins to reach him, barely able to see a few fragments of them. They were highly trained assassins. They kept their distance, monitoring him. Eden did the same, watching the treetops for any movements. Once he found them, he pointed Jagged Blade at them to spook them. They directed their malicious intent at him for brief seconds, allowing Eden to track them easier. 

“Am I stronger than them or are they as strong as the foolish Council?” Eden muttered to himself.

Watch your tongue, Eden. A hundred years of insults directed towards the Council won’t earn you any benefits in the future.

“Wouldn’t a normal person be dead by hundred years? Unless they are from a fortunate non-human species.” He muttered. He watched the assassins surround him, moving quietly through the trees, jumping from branch to branch. 

You are stronger than them… so go crazy. Rethos told him.

“That’s the plan,” Eden remarked. He charged forward towards the assassin in front of him, being attacked by several throwing knives and stars. The assassins, all dressed in black, that surrounded them decided to join in the fighting, dispatching their entire armory at him. However, he dodged them or deflected them with Jagged Edge as he charged forward. He reached the nearest assassin, who dropped on him. The assassin intended to attack first, but it was parried. Eden counterattacked with several strong and quick slashes, a tactic that Rethos taught him. The quick attack stunned the enemy and left them fewer chances to attack.

With this tactic working tremendously, he overwhelmed the assassin and dealt a final blow that tore into his chest, tearing his heart to shreds. The corpse of the assassin crumbled to the ground, blood spilling out of several wounds. 

Eden stared at the corpse, surprised to see blood. It caught him off-guard, allowing an assassin sneaking up behind him a chance to strike. The assassin took the chance, piercing Eden’s chest, but missing his vitals by mere inches. 

Eden spun on his heels to face the assassin, employing the same tactic and decimating the assassin with five strikes against the torso and a final one through his brain. Blood sprayed onto his chest, staining his clothes with the stench and stigma. 

Behind you. Rethos calmly said.

Eden turned around, barely able to parry the blow before it struck him. He employed the same tactic, but the assassin was prepared for it. The assassin kept his distance, constantly moving farther away from Eden. Without being close to the enemy, Eden’s attack was worthless. 

He got you there!

“What side are you on?” Eden muttered as he glared at the assassin. He felt an assassin behind him, swiftly turning his back to deal with the new threat. The assassin wasn’t as bright as the other one, getting too close and being snared by Eden’s attack. He was dispatched with ease, allowing Eden to turn around and deal with the real threat. The third of four assassins that were sent to deal with Eden before he could take the title of the ruler were all dead.

Eden glared at the final assassin, trying to figure a way to deal with him. Most of his tactics were based on close combat. “Damn, why didn’t you teach me any tactics to deal with long-range threats?” He asked.

Man, your tongue has gotten sharper. As for long-range threats, chuck your sword at them. It usually works for me.

“I shouldn’t have asked,” Eden remarked, nearly face-palming. He stared at the assassin who stared back with intensity. The assassin ran out of tools, armed with a single dagger. However, he refused to get close to Eden. This forced Eden to make the next move. He charged towards the assassin, hoping to catch him off-guard and strike before he could react. Unfortunately, the assassin was quick on his feet, jumping up into the trees with ease. Eden wasn’t able to catch up with him before he escaped. 

Eden stared at the assassin, scowling at him. The assassin glared at him before sheathing his weapon. “You get to live for a few more days.” He remarked as he turned around. Eden watched as he jumped to the next branch, deciding to raise his weapon and hold it like a throwing spear. He chucked it ahead of the assassin, watching as it flew towards him with great force. The blade pierced the man through his gut, nearly cutting him in half. His momentum was cut short as his body folded unnaturally, stuck against the tree.

See, it works.

“Okay… now what do I do?”

You leave. 

“Leave to where? I can barely remember anything about this world… and I know even less about anywhere past this clearing.”

I understand. You’ll be heading to compete in the 100 Swords Tournament. It sees the strongest of strongest people competing to become the strongest person in the world. You’ll get to experience more combat styles and you could even find potential allies there.

“Why do I need allies? Wouldn’t I be the strongest person when I’m the Enlighten?”

Indeed, but ruling by strength isn’t the optimal way to rule a happy nation for long. As an Enlighten, you are expected to rule the world, but not with an iron fist. You need people to help govern the world and become your personal knights. They will help to protect your loved ones, especially since an Enlighten can’t be everywhere and protect everybody. Allies will plug gaps where you will be absent. Rethos explained. 

Eden nodded. “Then I’ll head there.”

You need to do something first, however.

“What is it?”

Get rid of your family name.

“M-My family name W-W-Why?” He said, his speech returning to normal.

Because it will hold you back… and I cannot allow that to happen. Distance yourself from those that mistreat you or else you’ll be stuck in that constant cycle of abuse and discrimination. He informed Eden. Eden nodded, turning around and heading back to the mansion with some guidance from Rethos. The mansion where strangers were. People that used to be family, but now nothing more than memories. He approached the house full of them.

As he neared the house, he noticed Patriarch West and Matriarch West overlooking Jay’s training. They had their eyes focused on Jay that they didn’t notice Eden’s arrival until he stepped in Jay’s way.

“Why are you back? And where did you get that weapon!” Patriarch West exclaimed. “Drop your weapon!”

Matriarch West scowled at him, not showing any fear. “See what kind of pig he is. You should’ve dealt with him better.”

“I see that… I’ll-” Patriarch West started.

“I… I give up my family name. I am no longer a West.”

Patriarch West looked taken back by Eden’s comment, taking several seconds and a few glances at Matriarch West to understand it. “What…? I already kicked you out of the family! You can’t surrender your name!”

Eden, who had Jagged Blade sheathed, brandished his weapon. He pointed it at Patriarch West. “I can… and I will.”

Patriarch West’s eyes widened. Matriarch West stared at him with an open mouth while Jay appeared stunned. They didn’t expect such fierce words coming from the usually meek and worthless child. They were speechless.

Eden turned away, walking away. Patriarch West stuck out his hand and opened his mouth to yell at Eden, but he couldn’t find the words. Instead, he looked frozen in time. His wife and son weren’t any different. Riley watched the scene from afar with both eyebrows raised. “He said that… what happened to him? Did he finally suffer a breakdown?”

Meanwhile, Eden re-entered the clearing before falling to his knees. He touched his face, feeling the warmth of tears streaming down his cheeks. “W-Why…? Why am I crying?”

Although they were despicable beings, they were your family. No matter how terrible they were to you… you always saw them as your parents and siblings. Nothing more and nothing less. Rethos explained. Cry as much as you want. Release the tears.

And Eden complied.

***

Eden stopped crying several minutes later. He picked himself up, shivering. He felt cold because his tears lose their warmth. He wiped off all of the cold tears before looking over his shoulder. The mansion peeked over the tops of the trees, but he could only see the bare roof. 

Are you ready? Rethos asked.

Eden nodded. “I am. Lead me to the tournament.”

You’ll need a full name to participate. How about… Eden Valens?

“Eden Valens? You couldn’t think of a better one?” He cracked a small smile.

Take it or leave it. Rethos responded; his irritation was on full display.

Eden nodded his head. “You’re right… I’ll take it. Eden Valens… I like the name. I’m no longer Eden West..”

Again, welcome the ninety-seven Enlighten… Eden Valens.