Concept Art 35: Zelos pt1 (Patreon)

You might think this big, strong, and imposing man would have it easy in life, but you couldn't be furthest from the truth. The Repha'im, as you might know by now, are a race of giants feared and ostracized by the Ixim (humans), especially because the Arcadia's religion not only supports but encourages the animosity towards them since they are considered as one of the Failures of Creation.

Young Zelos, like many Half-Repha'im in their childhood, lived with his kind in a small town far from Ixim civilization, but no matter how hidden the communities were, the threat of ixim hunters was always present. Giants were only seen as valuable exotic creatures, so it wasn't weird for hunters or mercenaries to always target them to sell them as slaves for a quick coin or offer their expensive meat for twisted and eccentric palates.

Unfortunately, it didn't take long until Zelos' village suffered an abrupt attack at the hands of these greedy bastards, killing anyone that would stand in their way. As much as the adult Repha'im tried to hold them back, it was futile given that hunters had bigger numbers and advanced Magh users with them. Zelos could only watch his family and friends getting butchered in front of him as they tried to protect him. The mercenaries didn't lose time and started abducting the young Repha'im, including Zelos, who couldn't stop blaming himself due to his impotence.

After that, things only became worse as he entered one of the slave camps in the Arcadian black market, where he had to live many years in the worst conditions possible for a kid of his age. Hunger was Zelos's constant company in the camp since only the slaves who finished their daily duties could have access to a small portion of food, and even so, anyone could come and take that food away from you because at the end of the day, only the strong survive and that's by eating the weak, that's a lesson young Zelos had to learn. This cruel world forced him to become stronger and cold-blooded, and just a few years later, he started being a threat to the adult slaves in the camp. He was always getting into fights with anyone who would look down on him, pretty eager to prove that the weak and scared kid that everybody took advantage of a couple of years ago was gone.

One fateful day lord Adonaios visited the camps looking for Diamonds in the rough that could join his forces, and that's when he saw young Zelos, fighting a bunch of adults and winning as if it was nothing. Adonaios was impressed and asked them to bring the kid to him. Zelos looked the man in the eye, immediately sensing arrogance, so he responded to Adonaios' curiosity with a spit on his face. The camp guards immediately grabbed Zelos by the head and started punishing him.

"No, let him be," the lord said.

The guards and Zelos himself were confused by Lord Adonaios' response.

"Do you think you can underestimate strangers just because you believe you are the strongest here? Let me show you what real power looks like. A duel, you and me. If you win, I'll leave you alone, and you won't be punished for your disrespectful acts... but if I win, you will be mine and serve me as I please,"--- said the lord with a grin on his face.

Any other person would have declined because there was nothing to win here, but Zelos felt insulted by the man's overconfidence. Why does he act so superior? Is he implying that the half-giant is nothing but a weakling? Zelos couldn't stand the thought, and Adonaios knew it.

"ok bitch, I'll show you the power you so desire to see, but don't come crying if I  brake your nails or anything else, hahaha," said the cocky teen.

Zelos fights with all his strength while Adonaios only observes and dodges, some moves impress the lord, but ultimately he strikes Zelos into the ground with ease forcing him into submission. Zelos suddenly takes a knife out of his pocket and tries to stab Adonaios while he's focused on holding him down, but the man quickly disarms the young one and locks his arm. Zelos felt humiliated, "Am I truly that weak that this random stranger with no weapon could easily defeat me?" is what he thought.

Zelos' spirit was completely broken after that display of strength, he had no choice but to become the lord's pet, and the young one could only accept it. As the kid followed Lord adonaios outside the Camps for the first time in many years, the man started talking to him.

"Disappointed? You aren't a bad fighter for your age, but your recklessness, overconfidence, and lack of formation obstruct your growth. If you don't change that, you won't be able to improve." Said the lord with a warm face.

"What does it matter now?! I'm weak and useless and all I'll ever be is your fucking slave! Why do you even care?" Says the hot-headed teen.

Adonaios suddenly breaks the chains that tied Zelo's hands, which confuses the young one.

"I don't want a slave, I want a warrior, and you possess the potential and strength to become one of the best of my blades, but if you want to reach your full potential, you'll have to allow me to guide you. However, if you do not desire power nor to become stronger, you may leave right now as you're no longer anyone's slave. You are free, Zelos."

The young man could only watch the lord in disbelief.

"I'm...free?.."Zelos was paralyzed by the overwhelming sound of those few words, words he'd waited his whole life to hear.

Right away, Zelos' tears started to pour down his face as he remembered all the pain he had to endure during all these years, and the only thing he could say was:
"I'll be your blade."
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Sorry for the mini-novel chapter here, I guess I got carried away and inspired halfway, so I decided to expand on what I  imagined for this character! I hope you find it interesting!

Tomorrow, I'll post the second part of his concepts!