As Tristan gazed at the weathered wooden gates, a rush of memories flooded his mind, each one tinged with a sense of longing and regret. He never imagined he'd find himself back at this place, his father's estate, yet here he stood, unable to escape the pull of the past.
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEmiGz2IGN
Loraura's voice broke through his reverie, her concern evident as she addressed him. "Tristan?" she ventured softly, her eyes reflecting the worry she felt for him.
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLqQIa8JV2
Turning to face her, Tristan forced a smile, masking the turmoil within. "Well, welcome home," he replied, though the words tasted bitter on his tongue.
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcK2R63mFEK
Loraura's genuine enthusiasm for the estate contrasted sharply with Tristan's internal turmoil. "This place is amazing," she remarked with genuine excitement, her eyes sparkling with wonder.
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBpLHWgFVZ
But as Tristan surveyed the deteriorating state of the once-grand residence, he couldn't share in her optimism. The gates, worn and weary, seemed to sag under the weight of their history, while the walls, once pristine, now bore the scars of neglect.
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmEwyVMa3P
"Amazing isn't quite the word I'd use," Tristan murmured, his voice tinged with resignation.
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDILgLb9Mv
Undeterred by his somber mood, Loraura stepped forward, her hand resting gently on the aging wood of the door. "I can feel them," she whispered, her eyes closing as if to better grasp the echoes of the past. "The many memories created here in this place."
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKo2ETUhhHB
Tristan's gaze softened as memories flooded back at Loraura's mention. "Memories, huh?" His voice carried a hint of nostalgia, accompanied by a gentle chuckle. "Yeah, I suppose there are," he admitted, a warm smile gracing his lips.
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06WsePTX9D
"Tristan?" Loraura's voice broke through his reverie, drawing his attention upward.
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSwZzn8582
Tristan followed her gaze to a weathered wooden sign above the entrance, its characters etched with precision.
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZD2Yq5QiVV
"Kami Oni No Ken," she read aloud, her tone resonating with recognition.
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoldVikOfYd
"Yeah," Tristan affirmed, a faint smile playing on his lips. "It means..."
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8y0Dju4VqQ
"Divine Demon Fist," Loraura interjected, her familiarity with the language evident.
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZlYHK7PYM
Turning to face him, she posed the question that had been nagging at her. "Why is such a name engraved on this place?"
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhYksEJFHy
Tristan met her gaze, his eyes reflecting a mixture of memories and emotions. Though he couldn't fathom her interest, he felt compelled to share.
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9grODXr5yi
"It's my father," Tristan began, his voice tinged with both fondness and irony. "He's always been more devoted to martial arts than to me, his own son."
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8L3ToSRks
With a wry smirk, he continued, recounting his father's unwavering passion for the discipline and the creation of his own fighting style.
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiR4K8otMH
"Kami Oni No Ken," Tristan explained, his tone carrying a hint of pride. "It's the name of his style. And this place... this is where it all began."
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3j3SWqXwvh
Tristan fell into silence, his movements deliberate as he approached the imposing door, a formidable barrier of thick Puritan pine wood and reinforced steel. Though meant to withstand the strength of a dozen men, Tristan understood the true significance behind the closed door—it was more than just a physical barrier. It was a trial, a testament to the worthiness of those who sought passage. Only the resilient and determined would earn the privilege of entry.
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhFhDYlkVC
With a deep inhale, he closed his eyes, his hand finding its place upon the weathered surface of the door. Time seemed to stand still as Tristan's concentration deepened. With every breath, every heartbeat, his focus intensified
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHCUm4B2Zt
In an instant, Tristan's eyes snapped open, his hand surging with power as his hand pushed against the door. With a thunderous crash, the door yielded, unleashing a rush of wind that whipped past Loraura, a tangible manifestation of Tristan's mastery.
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLW4WDCguF
As the gate swung open before them, revealing the secrets behind, Loraura's gaze lingered on Tristan, his hand trembling with the strain of his exertion.
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HX9zrmNqL
"Dammit," Tristan muttered to himself as a surge of pain shot through his right hand. "I must be more out of practice than I thought if opening a simple door is causing me trouble," he reflected, frustration simmering beneath the surface.
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWUT1SzHHk
Flexing his fingers and clenching them into a fist, Tristan sought to alleviate the discomfort that pulsed through his hand. Each movement served as a makeshift remedy, a temporary relief from the persistent ache.
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnV3TW4VKvK
With determined steps, he advanced toward the imposing temple that loomed ahead, its weathered façade bearing witness to years of neglect and solitude.
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQIRUHanvY
To his right, three weather-worn wooden poles stood sentinel, their sturdy frames wrapped in thick coils of rope. To his left, ancient trees stretched skyward, their gnarled branches reaching towards the heavens, guardians of the forest's secrets.
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrnhScXTdi
"It's been a long time," Tristan remarked softly, a nostalgic smile playing upon his lips. "A very long time."
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GsqXSOcva
Loraura's voice broke through his reverie, drawing his attention to her presence at his side.
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqbRAKRNG3
"Tristan?" she called, concern etched in her features as she glanced at his trembling hand.
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1oBFE0XyA
"Huh?" Tristan replied, turning to meet her gaze.
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2yf3Q70mr
"Did you hurt your hand?" Loraura inquired, her eyes focused on the source of his discomfort.
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiYUxbjHP0
"It's nothing serious," Tristan reassured her with a strained laugh, attempting to downplay the pain.
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqA6BEsB5Df
Unperturbed, Loraura's smile remained unwavering as she pressed on. "May I see your hand?" her request gentle yet insistent, leaving Tristan with little room to refuse.
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxsZSxIkGV
As Loraura grasped Tristan's hand, a gentle pale blue glow enveloped them both, casting an ethereal aura around their intertwined fingers.
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8AbdRjNHj
Tristan blinked, his gaze drawn to the mesmerizing light. "Huh," he murmured, leaning in for a closer look. Within the luminous glow, he discerned intricate symbols dancing in and out of existence, their otherworldly beauty captivating his senses.
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTIPshboM0
Gradually, the light dimmed, fading into the recesses of memory as Loraura released his hand.
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDwBoEWPcV
Tristan flexed his fingers experimentally, disbelief evident in his expression. "The pain's gone," he marveled, turning to face Loraura, who regarded him with a knowing smile.
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHkuxiSf7w
"Thank you," he said earnestly, gratitude shining in his eyes.
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo69SUd9xQy
"You're welcome," Loraura replied, her voice gentle yet filled with reassurance, their connection forged in shared understanding and acceptance.
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeltF0IrkMc
Tristan and Loraura shifted their focus back to the temple grounds, surveying the daunting task that lay before them.
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qsGsGfQSj
Tristan scratched his head, exhaling deeply. "Looks like there's a jungle of weeds, fallen leaves everywhere, and even the roof needs some serious TLC," he remarked with a hint of exasperation. "This is going to be quite the project."
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2fHvyyucY
Stepping forward, Loraura turned to face Tristan, her presence drawing his attention. "But if we tackle it together, the work will fly by," she suggested optimistically. "And who knows, we might even have some fun along the way."
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXpfXvAaVM
Tristan felt the weight of annoyance dissipate as he met Loraura's gaze. "Well, I can't argue with that logic," he admitted with a chuckle. "Let's roll up our sleeves and get to it, then."
***
Author notes: Please support my work on Patreon for early access to new chapters. https://patreon.com/DarkMatteromniverse
ns3.144.225.144da2
