This is a standalone chapter from Zyphar Chronicles I: The Becoming.
Carefully refined so it can be read without any prior knowledge of the storyline. You’re invited to read it here, freely.

If you’re curious to know what happened before this begins, you can read the previous chapter by clicking here.

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We were in the city of smoke and mirrors. After my first failure to the Trap, the Wolf Gang was stunned—but not disappointed. Only a silence full of pride, held tight behind their fangs. They had seen warriors fall before. The seasoned wolf stepped forward, placing a hand on my shoulder. He said:

“You probably hadn’t figured out the rhythm yet—and I forgot to tell you, the cheap Traps have the shortest timers. So… let’s take a break, bro. No shame.”

The gang didn’t lose spirit. One fall didn’t matter to them—they were already marked, already experienced.

Even the elite predators in the crowd nodded subtly, as if to say they understood.

We moved as a pack toward the Entertainment Arena.

It’s tradition—where the marked go right after the flame kisses their face. I turned to the seasoned wolf and asked if this was custom—or just optional. He smiled.

“No, brother. It’s a must.”

“When the tattoo burns in, it leaves fire on the skin. You have to come here, cool it down. Otherwise the mark won’t settle.”

But none of us had been marked. He nodded, still smiling.

“Still, we come. It resets the blood.”

At the entrance stood the host of the district—an old monk, cloaked in dust and ash. He didn’t flinch at my loss.

He had the serenity of someone who’d seen too many champions crowned, and too many cowards praised.

When I walked past him, he gave me a quiet nod, full of knowing.
His voice was soft. But it reached me.

“It seems you’re unaware of the Trap’s nature,” he said. “Though all the Traps in this city are aware of you.”

“Don’t mind the flame. Sometimes even hellfire needs to rest—before it can erupt like a volcano.”

We were warmly welcomed. It seemed my fellow wolves were already familiar here—they blended in like known scents.

The seasoned wolf didn’t guide me this time. Instead, he told me to roam freely—and follow whatever curve stirred my fire.

The first wolf moved toward a curve that bent him instantly. There was no shame in him, only amusement. He paid a token to enter—not as steep a price as the Traps, but still a fair one.

When he returned, the ink on his tattoo shimmered—like it had just been carved today.

Now I understood why winners came here.

The wolves kept diving into curves that matched their flame. The seasoned one drove through several. I nodded at his smiling face, letting him know it suited his legend.

I moved deeper into the neon-lit arena, watching champions fall, bend, even shatter—then reset and rise again.

They were enjoying it.

A game at minimal cost, shining their marks brighter.

I wasn’t guided this time, so I wandered—curious to see everything. But none of it pulled me in. Outside each curve was a board, describing its promise in brief. One said:

“Come experience friendships that turn steamy at the curve. Blend in as deep as you want, leave whenever you wish. No strings attached.”

But I already knew what that meant. I’d been through that fire before. No need to feel it again.

Then I saw a curve with a board that almost made me laugh:

“Age is just a number. Drive in, and we’ll make you forget how many years you’ve lived. All at a very cheap cost.”

I knew the real price of it. Age isn’t just a number—it’s wisdom. By driving through that curve, a man may lose it all.

He comes out with the mind of a foolish boy…in the body of someone ninety years old.

Judging by the long line outside, it was clear—many winners wanted exactly that.

I saw vultures—the most respected from the predators’ clan—entering a curve that promised to dance in any shape and form their fire required. These creatures were built for cruelty, as far as I know. But for the first time, I saw a smile on a vulture’s face. That was something new for me.

So I stood there for a while, watching vultures blend in, firing all out like hell. Some of them even burst the curve and came out smiling, satisfied.

Then…I saw the abandoned boy.

The same boy from the Trap’s mask that made me fail.

I was shocked as hell—but only for a second. The curve quickly returned to its tempting shape and started welcoming others again. The music had always been there. But now, my heartbeat was louder than the drums.

I started wondering if this was a curse, or why it was hunting me like that. The old monk walked near me and said—

“Ah, the hero. The flame forged in hellfire. Still found nothing that could inspire you to drive in? No worries. We have some of the sharpest curves—the multi-faced mirrored ones. No one has dared to drive through those yet. But I’m sure one of them will match your class.”

The seasoned wolf blinked at me from afar, a signal we had agreed upon earlier—his way of telling me it was time to face the arena’s best curve, the one we had planned for.

I nodded in response and followed the monk, who waited with the kind of calm that hides too much experience.

He led me to a door no one wanted to open.

There was a price written on it—high—but unlike the others scattered across the arena, there was no description.

He noticed the way I was watching the numbers.

Without hesitation, he offered me a complete discount, said it was a token of love from the ruler himself, given specially for me to blend into the arena. 

I didn’t enter this place to win—I came to experience it. And that offer matched exactly what I came here for.

I thanked the monk and stepped inside.

It wasn’t like the Trap. The air here glowed with color. The entire chamber felt like a mirrored maze—but not one that showed your face.

These mirrors reflected desire, shifting scenes, pulsing with recognition. Some greeted me like forgotten friends. Some offered needs I hadn’t named in years.

Some, without shame, burned with images of women clutching ritual sticks like sacred toys, half-naked and fierce. Others stood clothed in success, draped in respect, shaped like prestige. 

That was when it became clear—this was one of the Curves of Lust. And lust always wears different faces. 

The mirrors knew me too well. They showed exactly what could pull me toward them. But what they didn’t know—what none of them ever know—is why I am called the Friend of the One.

That part, I keep hidden.

I asked the curve what I was supposed to do and what I should expect from it. It answered without pause.

“Anything for you, Zyphar. See what drives your flame and move toward it. I am promised to fulfill your need.”

I asked what it would cost.  

“Nothing. The ruler gives you my service as a gift.”

“I will cost you nothing at all.”

It was playing a game. I could feel it.

But I’ve known this game since the beginning.

All right. I think I’ve already satisfied my curiosity. And since you were given to me as a gift, I’ll return one back.

Can you see the shade of me under your vivid lights?

“Yes, Zyphar,” it said. “Your shade is deep, dependable, and instantly markable.”

Good, then send my shade to the abandoned boy—

as a gift from a father.

The curve didn’t answer back. Nothing moved.

The silence thickened. Then, the mirrors began to break.

One by one, without warning, they shattered—glass falling like rain. The sound was chaos. I didn’t know what was happening.

The old monk burst in, his face marked by surprise. He grabbed my arm and pulled me out, away from the glass, back into safety.  
Outside, the whole wolf gang was waiting.

Their howls filled the air.

Some were dancing. Some were laughing.

The seasoned wolf came close, fire in his voice.

“We knew, Zyphar. We brought them the perfect weapon. Now we’re ready for the next Trap, bro. Let’s show them hellfire.” 

I was telling this story to Nimo. She had been listening intently the whole time. Her grip turned sharp—like metal under skin. Then she lifted her head from my chest and said:

“Zyphar—this isn’t the City of Games. This is the Cathedral of False Fire. The curves were not toys, nor polishing materials. They were mothers, Zyphar—mothers who carry the burden of birth that should be placed on a man’s shoulder to uplift.

Instead, they were devastating something that needs care.
Those winners—the vultures—shattered something that needs to be curated.

It’s the city’s system forcing them to commit a sin that can never be altered—not in heaven, not in hell.They weren’t polishing themselves. They were being prepared for punishment—to be burned in hell forever.”

Nimo’s words surprised me. Surely, having a girl with such deep understanding by my side is a far greater gain than anything this world could offer. So I smiled at the thought—and continued.

The wolf gang, now swollen with confidence, howled fire into the stars and cheered long into the night. That day, we rested.

There wasn’t much to do under the sun, so the veterans told stories—memories of how they’d escaped their own Traps. Even laughter came through as they mocked certain types, talking about them like riddles.

We let the hours pass in quiet company.

Then, as the sun slipped west and dusk spread across the sky, the city stirred again—this time rising in plumes of smoke, painted in strange colors.

The wolves were ready now with fire in their blood.

We returned to the Predator’s Arena.

This time, the seasoned wolf walked towards me with a smile on his face, and said—

“We won’t guide you now. You’re more than capable.”

“Go. Find the Trap that fits your flame.”

I entered the arena more curious than before. I walked the lines, past Traps of every kind and price—some almost dared me to try them. I answered each one with a smile.

From a distance, the gang watched, wondering which I’d choose. I walked deliberately across the entire arena.

And I chose—the same Trap again.

But it had raised its status—and its price—this time.

The seasoned wolf gave a quiet nod as I stepped in without hesitation.

“So it’s you again,” said the Trap.

Yes. I see you’ve been uplifted.

No longer the cheapest Trap here.

“That cre0dit goes to you.”

“I defeated a designated hero. My price and rank climbed.”

I’m glad to see it. Now tell me where we left off. Tell me about the mask—the one that looked like a helpless boy. Why is that even considered a mask inside a Trap?

“Oh, you’re still interested? You shattered one of our best Curves last night. Didn’t find the answers there?”

“Or are you just trying to confirm it?”

I see you’ve already started your play—no innocence this time. That’s fine. Just answer me.

“Oh, curious Zyphar…you risk defeat again.”

“Why not walk away? I think you already know the truth.”

Don’t test my patience, Trap. I won’t just overcome you—I can slay you into pieces. No other predators can do that. But I also know that you’re a Trap.

Deception is your nature. So here’s the deal: I will stay until the bell. I will make you another victory.

“Zyphar…that’s too much. Even I wouldn’t dare dream of defeating a Slayer twice. What you’ve already given is enough.”

“Here’s why I kept that mask. All of us—every Trap—knew you were in the city. And we know what you are.”

“If we lose to another predator, it’s just a setback. We can rise again. But you could end us permanently.”

“And none of us knows which Trap you’ll choose next.”

“So we prayed and asked the Lord to protect us. And the Lord answered—with that mask. A messenger came and said, ‘This is the only thing Zyphar Animas will not slay.’”

The Trap’s answer struck me like a bolt from the blue.
The Lord had given that mask to the Traps—against me!
I even thought the Trap was making another deception.

But the face of the abandoned boy had been haunting me all along. The Trap cannot control my mind. No one else can, except the Lord.

Now I understood—almost all of it.

“You got your answer, Zyphar. Now please… go. It’s time.”

No. I’m not the kind of man who walks back his word.

I don’t fear defeat. I said I’d stay. So, here I am.

The Trap looked stunned, but I held its gaze.

And I stayed, despite its pleas, until the final bell rang.

When I stepped out, the ruler’s voice echoed across the arena—
“Witness this moment. Zyphar Animas, Slayer of the Six, has now lost two challenges in a row. Thank you for being here tonight for this rare event.”

The gang stood silent. Some walked away, frustrated. Others wore their mental breaks like open wounds.

The seasoned wolf approached with sharp eyes and said—

“You lost this one on purpose, didn’t you? Mind if I ask why?”

I told him I had my reasons.

He shook his head slowly, like he understood more than he would say.

Then he said—“All right then. From this point on, our paths separate.”

“You have your own goal to pursue, and I wish you luck. But one thing—don’t take another Trap this year. If you fail three in a row, they’ll mark you for life.”

‘‘Zyphar Animas is Ashamed.’’

“And you’ll be banned from every future challenge.”

I knew the risk, but I still thanked him for the warning.
I had already received the answer I needed. Now I needed to digest the truth. So I returned to my quarters.

I needed time alone.

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If it speaks to you, and you wish to continue, the next chapter is waiting. You can read it by clicking here.

And if the story leaves a mark on you, please feel free to leave a comment and share what it stirred in you.

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~ From Zyphar Chronicles I: The Becoming
This chapter is offered as a standalone reading experience from the upcoming literary saga, Zyphar Chronicles I: The Becoming. It speaks of no ordinary conflict — but of a man cast into a world ruled by unseen laws, faceless power, and systems that feed on silence.

Here, Zyphar walks into the nameless, into a city that demands worth before offering shelter. What follows is a confrontation not with enemies, but with the structure itself — a mirror of our world, sharpened by metaphor and truth.

This is only the beginning.
Follow this page to receive free chapter drops, unreleased insights, and behind-the-flame commentary as the story unfolds.
The fire remembers. And so must we.