3 New Beginning, The Two Meet

    ''----''

    ''"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.''

    ''----''

    ''(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..."''