The world felt… different.
Heavier.
Older.
Nobu stood still, his eyes scanning the vast land before him. Countless banners fluttered in the wind, each representing a different clan.
This was it.
The beginning.
The origin of everything.
And the place where it all had to end.
"…So this is where it started," Nobu whispered.
His fists clenched slowly.
"This… is the world Malvek created."
A faint coldness filled his eyes.
"And I'll destroy every last piece of it."
But just as he closed his eyes—
A sharp pain exploded inside his head.
"—!!"
Nobu staggered back, grabbing his head tightly.
It felt like something was tearing him apart from the inside.
"Malvek…?" he tried to call out within his mind.
No response.
The pain only intensified.
"Ghh—!"
He dropped to one knee, breathing heavily before finally forcing his eyes open.
The pain stopped.
Silence returned.
Nobu stared blankly ahead.
"…Why can't I reach him?"
Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
After a moment, Nobu slowly stood up again.
"…No. I don't need him right now."
His voice turned calm.
Focused.
"I already know what I have to do."
The main city wasn't far.
If Malvek existed in this time… he would be there.
Nobu pulled a dark cloak over his body and covered his face.
He couldn't risk being recognized.
Not yet.
Step by step—
He walked toward the city.
The streets were alive.
Children laughed as they ran past him.
Vendors shouted, selling food and goods.
Couples walked together, smiling as if the world held no darkness at all.
Nobu paused for a moment.
"…So peaceful."
A faint, almost forgotten warmth touched his heart.
Was this the world… before everything broke?
Before clans turned into power… and power into destruction?
For a second—
He felt… happy.
"HEY— MOVE!!"
A sudden voice snapped him back.
Before he could react—
A boy crashed into him and ran past.
Nobu turned sharply.
Two grown men were chasing him.
"Get back here, you brat!"
Something felt off.
Nobu narrowed his eyes.
Then—
He started running too.
The chase ended in a narrow, dark alley.
The two men finally grabbed the boy and slammed him against the wall.
"Where's our money?" one of them growled.
"I—I'll give it to you! Just give me a week!" the boy pleaded.
But they didn't listen.
A punch.
Then another.
The boy fell to the ground, trying to shield himself.
"Please—!"
"Pathetic," one of them spat.
"Stop."
A calm voice echoed through the alley.
Both men froze.
A cloaked figure stood at the entrance.
Nobu.
"Stay out of this," one man warned. "This doesn't concern you."
Silence.
Then—
Nobu stepped forward.
"…You talk too much."
In an instant—
He moved.
A blur.
Before they could react—
BAM.
Both men dropped to the ground.
Unconscious.
One hit each.
Nobu stood there calmly.
He turned his gaze to the boy.
"…Are you alright?"
The boy stared at him, shocked.
Then slowly nodded.
"Y-Yeah… thank you…"
He stood up, brushing dust off his clothes.
"My name is… Malvek."
Time stopped.
Nobu's breath froze.
"…What?"
He stared at the boy carefully.
Small.
Thin.
Weak.
This… was Malvek?
The same Malvek who would one day create a world of power and blood?
It didn't make sense.
"…You're Malvek?" Nobu asked quietly.
The boy nodded.
"Yeah. Do you… know me?"
Nobu paused.
Then gave a small smile.
"…I had a friend with the same name."
Malvek laughed lightly.
"Really? That's funny."
Then he scratched his head awkwardly.
"Um… you saved me. So… if you don't mind…"
"Can you come to my house? I want to thank you properly."
Nobu hesitated.
But only for a moment.
"…Alright."
This was the chance he needed.
The house was small.
Old wood.
Simple structure.
Nothing like the power Nobu knew Malvek would one day have.
"…This is it," Malvek said with a small smile.
Nobu stepped inside.
And froze.
A young girl sat quietly inside.
Malvek smiled.
"This is my sister. Her name is Hana."
The girl stood up quickly and bowed respectfully.
Nobu blinked.
Then smiled gently.
"…No need."
"Sit! I'll make food," Malvek said excitedly.
"It's not necessary—"
But Malvek was already in the kitchen.
Nobu sighed slightly and sat down.
"…So this is where it all began."
A small hand touched his sleeve.
Nobu looked down.
Hana had sat beside him.
"Were you going to beat my brother too?" she asked quietly.
Nobu frowned slightly.
"…Why would you think that?"
Hana looked down.
"Those men… they come every time. They hit him… and ask for money…"
Her voice trembled.
Nobu's eyes darkened.
"…Not anymore."
He gently placed his hand on her head.
"He's my friend now."
"No one will hurt him again."
Hana's face lit up.
"…Really?"
Nobu nodded.
She smiled brightly and ran back inside.
Nobu's expression slowly faded.
"…So this is his past."
Pain.
Poverty.
Helplessness.
Now it made sense.
Later, Malvek returned with food.
"…Sorry, it's just vegetable soup."
"Meat is… expensive."
Nobu shook his head.
"It's fine."
And for the first time—
They ate together.
Like a family.
That night—
Nobu sat outside.
Silent.
Thinking.
Footsteps approached.
Malvek sat beside him.
"…So what will you do now?"
Nobu looked ahead.
"…I don't know."
Malvek smiled.
"Then stay here."
"With us."
Silence.
Then—
"…Alright."
Malvek's face brightened instantly.
"Really?!"
After a moment, Nobu spoke again.
"…What's your dream?"
Malvek didn't hesitate.
His eyes burned.
"I want to rule the world."
Nobu wasn't surprised.
"I'm tired of this weak life," Malvek continued.
"…People like us suffer while others live happily."
"So I'll create something…"
"Something powerful."
"A clan."
"One that rules everything."
"One where people like us… never suffer again."
He extended his hand.
"Join me."
Nobu stared at it.
This moment—
Would decide everything.
If he refused—
He might lose his chance.
If he accepted—
He would become part of the very system he came to destroy.
"…This is the beginning," Nobu thought.
"…or the end."
Slowly—
He reached out.
And shook Malvek's hand.
Both of them smiled.
Unaware—
That this single moment…
Would shape the fate of the entire world.