Heroes of the shadow

There was once a guy named Arthur at the age of 19, who was born in an old village in Japan in the
year 803, he was a very smart student who could beat almost anyone when it comes to mind games
especially chess. He was extremely smart yet extremely weak physically. Even though Arthur was weak
physically due to asthma, he still loved exploring areas that were not yet officially discovered. One day,
he and his childhood friend for 16 years were exploring an underground cave when they heard
something weird. While they were exploring, the two friends heard an extremely loud bang by the end
of the cave. Even though Arthur's friend insisted on getting out of the cave, Arthur forcefully convinced
him to check out what the loud bang was with him. When they reached the end of the cave, they saw an
extremely decorated area with a glowing orb at the end. Arthur convinced his friend once again to go
with him to get the orb. Once they went near the orb, a man who was dressed unique suddenly
appeared out of nowhere. He was trying to obtain the orb for himself and when they went near the
suspicious man, he suddenly attacked the two friends and he even ended up stabbing Arthur's friend.
The suspicious man could not believe what just happened since he didn’t mean to stab the young man.
Since he felt so much guilt the man shouted at Arthur telling him to get out of the cave. Before Arthur
escaped, he also rushed and got the orb and made a run for it, but when he took the orb, he ended up
absorbing the whole orb. When the man saw what happened to the orb, he made a run for it and said
“I’m sorry”.

During his friends funeral. Arthur started feeling sick and had a loss of appetite. After a few weeks
when Arthur started to feel better, he noticed that he could see things in a slower speed, he noticed his
ability after witnessing a fly pass by him. Once he made that discovery, he wanted to know how to
master the ability and use it when he wants. After a couple of weeks of researching, he learned that the
man he ran into was part of a group called fatui. Arthur started doing more research about the fatui
until he learned that the fatui is a well-known mercenary group. When he learned where they were
located, he wanted to spy on them. When he arrived at the location, after a few hours he got caught by
2 of the mercenaries, Arthur tried to escape using his time slowing ability. The problem was, since
Arthur hasn’t mastered the ability, it didn’t work. The 2 fatui aimed their swords at Arthur, and right
before Arthur was gonna get sliced he was saved by a fatui man who sliced and killed the other 2
mercenaries. When Arthur recognized the guy, he remembered that the man that just save him was the
suspicious man he ran into in the cave. The man said his name was Zora and he’s sorry for accidentally
killing Arthurs friend. Arthur tried to attack Zora at first, when Zora calmed him down, he explained to
Arthur his side. He said he didn’t mean to kill him because he was aiming to slice his legs with his sword,
but last minute he said the young man crouched and went for a tackle, because of that he ended up
slicing his chest. Zora said he is willing to help Arthur because he is also tired of the fact that the royals
of Japan are abusing their power. When Arthur asked what he meant, Zora just said the one who hired
him was the king of Japan and he said he wanted the orb so that he can be king for as long as he wants
and make japan an unstoppable nation. Zora ended up saying he can help train Arthur when it comes to
using swords because when you slow down time you can find an opening.

A few days passed since they started training, when Arthur told Zora that he could not control his
ability. Zora answered with “the king said he you just need maximum focus with the ability for full
control” Zora also told Arthur since you need maximum focus it will also drain your energy if you
constantly use it. 1 year has passed since they started training when Zora said the best way to beat them
is to make the king reveal his motives with all the citizens and after he gets exposed their gonna kill the
king and all his heirs. When the day of the sabotage happened, Arthur and Zora raided they were
greeted with more than 100 knights of the king. It turns out a fatui member overheard the conversation
of Zora and Arthur. Zora told Arthur to only use his time slowing ability if it’s really needed, when Zora
and Arthur were rushing to kill the knights they were greeted once again by another surprise. The king
prepared a whole cavalry to attack them. Zora suddenly told Arthur that he can take the remaining 80
plus knights while he can take care of the 8 cavalry himself. When Arthur was taking care of the cavalry
he noticed that Zora was slowing down and his slices and strikes are getting weaker, when Arthur took
care of the remaining cavalries he tried to help Zora but Zora said head for the king while he holds back
the knights. When Arthur found the King, the king said he will not tell the citizens the truth, but if he
beats him he will tell the citizens the truth about everything. When Arthur slowed down time and went
near him, as he was about to stab his stomach, he was suddenly surprised by the fact the king reacted
and he blocked the attack. Arthur suddenly learned that if he can slow down time the king can see the
fast forward time, so that’s why he was able to anticipate the attack. Since Arthur knew his power
wouldn’t work against the king, he had no choice to fight without his power and only use his power to
counter the king if he fast forwards time. Meanwhile while Zora was fighting the 20 plus remaining
knights he knew that he won’t last long anymore since he was starting to bleed and he was starting to
get dizzy. After he defeated the remaining 20 knights he fell to ground in his knees but he pushed
himself to go to the king and help Arthur. When he arrived in the room of the king he saw Arthur on the
ground covered in blood. When the king saw Zora he forwarded time and went in front of Zora, but
since Zora was an experienced fighter out of instinct he was able to dodge the sword. Zora gave his all to
fight the king and use his instinct to the max to dodge fatal blows, Zora wanted to retreat but he
couldn’t leave Arthur alone so he had no choice but to fight the king even though it means death. Arthur
woke up to see Zora fighting with only 1 arm and 1 eye and yet not giving up. Arthur suddenly said in his
mind that they should forget making the king surrender instead he should just go for the kill. The king
was caught of guard because of his injuries and he was also giving his all against Zora. While the king
was caught of guard he saw the opportunity and slowed down time, and since his guard was dropped
Arthur was able stab the katana thru the kings chest. When he got stabbed on the chest Zora was able
to stab thru his stomach. The king ended up dying and Arthur was extremely injured while Zora was
dying. Using his last remaining strength carried Zora out of the palace, Zora ended up dying happily after
he told Arthur that after all the training they did together and even though they only fought side by side
once, he told Arthur he made him felt like a brother to him. After that day onwards they were known as
the heroes of the shadow.