Another Beginning After The End - A TBATE Fanfiction(re-written)

The scene unfolds in a dimly lit alley, the warm hues of the setting sun painting long shadows against the crumbling walls. The air was thick with tension, broken only by the faint whispers of the wind and the shuffling of feet. Noctis found himself surrounded by a group of ragtag children, their ages ranging from seven to thirteen. Despite their youthful appearances, the makeshift weapons they carried—metal pipes, rusted crowbars, and sturdy sticks—told a story of survival in a harsh environment.

"Shit… I should have been more careful," Noctis muttered under his breath, his eyes darting from one child to another, evaluating their positions and potential threats. They moved in unison, like a pack of wolves circling prey, their eyes glinting with determination.

The tension was palpable when Noctis spoke, his voice laced with a mix of frustration and resignation.1

"You all might be thinking, how did all this come to happen? Well, to explain that, we'll need to go back a bit…"

few hours ago....

It had been a week since the incident with the Twin Horns and the beginning of Noctis' self-imposed combat training. Each day, he had been a regular presence at the guards' training ground and watching the gurds practice from the top of the tree , honing his skills by observing their techniques and of those who are sparring under the watchful eye of Captain Varek , and yes that his name he had found it after researching about him in the city pubs. The captain was a force to be reckoned with he fought with his subordinates and trained them properly, Noctis's new improved understanding of captains techniques made his shadowfight with captains imaginary body very difficult , but its still left Noctis both awed and frustrated.

"I can't win against him," Noctis thought during one of their sparring sessions. "Now that I've gauged his skill level, I know I'm still leagues away. That first graze? A fluke. It's going to take a lot more than luck to land a decisive blow."

After the session of his running exercise , Noctis had started his usual trek back to his makeshift home atop an abandoned rooftop. The streets were busy with the usual bustle of merchants and townsfolk, but Noctis kept to the shadows, his face obscured to avoid unnecessary attention.

It was during this quiet walk that a strange sensation prickled the back of his neck—someone was following him. At first, he tried to shake them off, weaving through the crowded streets and ducking into narrow alleys. But no matter where he went, the presence persisted. He quickly realized it wasn't just one person.

"They're everywhere," he thought grimly as he found himself cornered in an alleyway. The narrow passage offered no escape, and now he was face-to-face with his pursuers—children, the ones he was trying to avoid.

Back in the present...

Noctis' mind raced as he assessed the situation. Sweat dripped down his temple as he steadied his breathing.

"I underestimated them… or maybe I overestimated myself. Either way, this is bad," he thought. His gaze shifted as the group parted to make way for a boy who appeared to be their leader.

The boy walked with a confidence that belied his age. The last rays of the setting sun illuminated his face as he stepped closer, revealing sharp, wild features—a mop of brown, untamed hair and piercing light brown eyes. Despite his youthful appearance, there was a hardened edge to him, the kind born from a life of hardship.

Noctis' heart sank. "This isn't just any kid," he thought, his instincts screaming at him to tread carefully. There was a faint aura around the boy, a subtle shimmer of mana particles that only someone attuned to magic could detect. Noctis' unique ability to sense mana confirmed his suspicion—this boy was an augmenter. "at least that's what its looks like."

"Well, this just got a lot more dangerous," Noctis thought, forcing himself to stay calm. "He has a mana core. If this turns into a fight, it's going to get ugly fast."

The boy smirked, tapping the metal pipe slung casually over his shoulder. "Finally caught you, you sneaky bastard," he said, his tone a mixture of amusement and challenge. He glanced over his shoulder at a smaller kid who emerged from the shadows.

"It's him," the smaller boy confirmed, his voice trembling slightly but resolute.

Noctis recognized him instantly—the kid who'd stolen Adam's money bag last week. His gut clenched for a moment, but he forced a neutral expression, masking the nerves beneath.

Noctis kept his posture relaxed, but his mind was racing. He needed to gather information and, if possible, talk his way out of this. He met the boy's gaze and replied evenly, "And who are you guys? Do I know you?"

The leader smirked. He tapped the metal pipe slung over his shoulder and said, "You can call us The Dune Rats. And this is our turf. "

The leader's smirk widened. " And You've been on our turf long enough, you damn bastard," he said. "First, you take down some of my men, then you steal our money, and now you've got the audacity to hang around without paying tribute. That's gutsy… or stupid."

"Looks like there's no way to talk my way out of this anymore." Noctis thought and he met the boy's gaze .

Noctis tilted his head, a faint smile tugging at his lips. His voice dripped with mockery as he replied, "You do realize we're all just kids here, right? Calling them 'men'… doesn't quite suit them."

The leader's smirk faltered, his jaw tightening. Veins began to bulge along his temple, a clear sign of his mounting anger.

"Oh, did I hit a nerve?" Noctis continued, his tone light and casual, though his mind was anything but calm. He knew he had no chance of taking them all head-on, not with the leader's mana core in play. His only hope was to bait the boy into acting recklessly, to cloud his judgment with rage.

"I know I don't stand much of a chance against a mana core user, even if he's only at the start of the red core stage. It's still dangerous to fight him. Even with my Sun Breathing Total Concentration Technique at play, I'm just a 5-and-a-half-year-old and without any mana core . If I were an adult, I could have easily overpowered him—or so I think. But for now, this is the only way." Noctis thought.

"Maybe you're right," Noctis said, his grin widening. "Maybe I did overstay my welcome. But calling these scrawny kids your 'men'? Come on, they couldn't even catch me stealing a loaf of bread, let alone fight me."

"And you, their leader, as the Rodent, came with your scrawny army of rats to catch me," Noctis said with unmistakable mockery.

The leader's face turned crimson, his knuckles whitening around the pipe. "You've got a big mouth for someone cornered," he snarled.

"Big mouth?" Noctis mused, feigning thoughtfulness. "Maybe. But at least I'm not overcompensating by parading around with a stick, pretending it's a sword."

The leader snapped. With a roar, he lunged forward, pipe raised high, his anger fueling a sloppy but powerful strike.

"Gotcha," Noctis thought, his body already moving to dodge. Months of watching fight's among the professional knight's captain and the guards had taught him that fury made people predictable. Every muscle in his body was poised to capitalize on the leader's blind aggression.

As the leader's pipe descended, Noctis' eyes gleamed with sharp focus. This was his moment to turn the tide.

The Fight Begins...

The leader's pipe whistled through the air, aimed straight for Noctis' head with reckless force. Time seemed to slow as Noctis analyzed the strike, his body already moving before his mind fully processed the threat. He ducked low, the pipe missing him by a hair's breadth, the displaced air ruffling his hair.

"Wild, uncontrolled swing," Noctis mused, swiftly pivoting on his heel to gain some distance. "He's strong, but his rage is clouding his judgment—just what I was hoping for. Still, if that hit lands, it's over for me."

The leader snarled, recovering quickly, his eyes blazing with fury. He spun the pipe in his hands, adjusting his grip, and lunged again with a horizontal swipe aimed at Noctis' ribs.

Noctis stepped back, his bare feet sliding on the gritty alley floor. As the pipe came within inches, he twisted his torso, narrowly avoiding the strike. His hand darted out, aiming for the leader's exposed wrist, but the boy pulled back just in time.

"Damn," Noctis thought, his brow furrowing. "He's got decent reflexes for someone this mad. I can't let him dictate the pace."

As the leader charged again, Noctis planted his back foot and surged forward, closing the distance in a blink. His movements were enhanced by Sun Breathing, a technique he'd practiced in secret. The rhythmic breathing filled his lungs to capacity, fueling his muscles with oxygen and sharpening his focus. The controlled, fiery energy coursing through his body amplified his speed and strength, giving him the edge he needed.

He feinted a left jab toward the leader's face, forcing him to flinch, then pivoted into a powerful right hook aimed at his stomach.

The leader grunted as the blow landed, his body doubling over slightly, but he recovered quickly, swinging the pipe upward in a desperate arc. Noctis barely managed to sidestep, the pipe grazing his shoulder and sending a sharp sting through his arm.

"That could've been worse," Noctis thought, gritting his teeth. "I need to finish this before he lands a solid hit."

As the fight continued, Noctis' mind raced back to the countless hours spent shadow sparring with the imaginary Captain Varek. He remembered the captain's fluid movements, the way he seamlessly transitioned between offense and defense.

"Don't just dodge—redirect their energy. Force them to overextend," he reminded himself, shifting into a more defensive stance.

The leader swung again, this time with a downward strike aimed at Noctis' head. Instead of dodging outright, Noctis stepped inside the arc of the swing, his forearm slamming against the leader's wrist to deflect the blow. The pipe clattered against the ground, the impact sending vibrations through the leader's arms.

Before the leader could recover, Noctis delivered a sharp elbow to his chest, sending him stumbling back.

The leader snarled, his wild eyes darting around the alley. He rushed forward again, this time feinting a low strike before pivoting into a sweeping blow aimed at Noctis' side.

Noctis saw through the feint, his Sun Breathing training allowing him to read the subtle shifts in the leader's stance. But as he dodged, he realized something troubling—the leader was adjusting mid-swing, adapting faster than expected.

"He's getting better," Noctis thought, his pulse quickening. "At this rate, I'll make a mistake, and that pipe's going to shatter something."

Out of the corner of his eye, Noctis spotted one of the smaller kids holding a pipe of their own, their grip loose as they hesitated near the edge of the fight.

"Sorry, kid," Noctis thought, lunging toward them.

He spun on his heel, his leg sweeping out in a controlled kick that knocked the pipe from the kid's hands. The weapon clattered to the ground, and Noctis snatched it up in one fluid motion.

Now armed, Noctis turned to face the leader, twirling the pipe experimentally. "Let's even the odds."

The leader hesitated for the first time, his confidence wavering as he saw Noctis wielding a weapon. He growled and charged again, his swings becoming more erratic as frustration mounted.

Noctis blocked the first strike with his pipe, the clang of metal on metal ringing out in the narrow alley. Sparks flew as the pipes clashed again and again, each blow heavier than the last. But while the leader relied on brute strength, Noctis used technique, deflecting strikes at angles that threw the leader off balance.

Finally, Noctis saw his opening. As the leader overextended with a powerful swing, Noctis sidestepped and spun, his pipe whipping through the air to strike the leader's wrist. The pipe flew from the boy's hand, clattering against the wall.

Before the leader could react, Noctis stepped in, his movements swift and precise, honed by Sun Breathing. He delivered a decisive blow to the leader's stomach, followed by a sweeping strike to the back of his knees. The leader crumpled to the ground, gasping for air.

Noctis stood tall over the fallen leader, his chest rising and falling with each deep, controlled breath. The rhythmic inhalations of his Sun Breathing technique filled his lungs, each breath drawing in the fiery energy that swirled within him, igniting his muscles and sharpening his senses. His knuckles were bruised, his shoulder throbbing with the aftereffects of the battle, and several scratches marred his skin, but he remained unharmed. His body, honed by countless hours of Sun Breathing training, began to feel the weight of the exertion, but the burning vitality within him pushed the fatigue aside. His energy surged, his body a living testament to the relentless power of the Sun Breathing techniques he had mastered.

He looked up, his eyes scanning the darkened sky. The clouds had rolled in quickly, obscuring the once-clear sky, and the first raindrop splashed against his face, cold and heavy. Noctis wiped it away absently, his gaze returning to the leader of the Dune Rats. The leader, clutching his stomach, glared up at him with fury burning in his eyes. His breath came in ragged gasps, but his resolve remained unbroken.

With an enraged growl, the leader shouted, "What are you all doing? He's only one! Get him!"

The remaining kids shuffled nervously, their earlier bravado shattered, uncertainty clouding their faces. The smoldering anger from the leader's outburst was the only thing keeping them from retreating completely. Noctis, however, remained unfazed. He could feel the tension in the air, the raw aggression of the group as they hesitated, and he could see the flicker of doubt in their eyes. He turned, locking eyes with the kids around him.

Their faces hardened, each of them nodding at each other as if they had come to a mutual understanding. A brief moment passed, then, like a tidal wave crashing against a cliff, they rushed at Noctis all at once.

"Ah shit," Noctis thought, eyes narrowing. He glanced at the leader, who was smirking from the ground, still clutching his stomach, unable to get back up. The kid's smugness irritated Noctis, and with a swift motion, he swung his pipe downward, striking the leader's head with a resounding crack. The leader crumpled immediately, falling unconscious, and the smirk faded from his face.

Noctis now stood alone, his heart still pounding from the fight. Without the leader to control them, the group of kids surged forward, but Noctis was ready. He felt the familiar warmth of the Sun Breathing ignite within him. He could feel his blood pumping faster, his senses heightening as the rain began to pour, drenching the entire alley in a slick sheen of water and mud.

Noctis' mind sharpened with focus as he considered his next move. " Let's incorporate some Sun Breathing techniques ", he thought. I held back against the leader earlier, aiming to finish the fight quickly. Powerful moves like those deplete my energy fast, and I need to conserve it for the rest of the gang, just in case. That's why I relied on basic swordsmanship and the techniques I observed from the guards.

As the first kid lunged at him,Noctis's body moved as though guided by instinct. His feet slid through the mud as he sidestepped the first strike, a rusty pipe aimed at his head. The rain blurred the movements, but his senses were sharp, his breathing slow and deliberate.

Dance. 

With a fluid motion, he swung his pipe downward, slicing through the air in a swift arc that sent water splashing into the muddy earth. His strike was a masterstroke—precise, clean, and undeniably powerful. The pipe in the boy's hands shattered on impact, the jagged shards flying in all directions as Noctis danced around him, a shadow slipping through the chaos.

The remaining attackers surged forward, a swarm of reckless fury. Noctis could hear the thud of their feet hitting the soaked ground, their erratic breathing fueling their blind determination.

Dancing Flash. 

Noctis inhaled deeply, feeling the surge of energy flood his body. He exploded forward, his movements a blur, his pipe slashing through the air with speed that defied the eye. The first boy felt the full force of the blow—a strike to the chest that sent him sprawling backward, crashing into a puddle. His body crumpled, helpless under the impact.

Clear Blue Sky. 

Noctis spun, fluid as water, twirling on the balls of his feet. His pipe cut through the air in a perfect circle, the motion seamless, elegant. Two more attackers fell in an instant, their weapons knocked from their hands as the blade of Noctis's pipe swept across them, the wetness of the rain amplifying the brutality of each strike.

Desperation crept into the kids' movements, their confidence eroded with each calculated strike. One lunged from the side, a pipe raised high, aiming for Noctis's head.

Raging Sun. 

With a single, fluid motion, Noctis swung his pipe in two horizontal arcs. His strikes were blinding in their precision—each movement calculated and deadly. The boy's attack was parried, a shower of sparks erupting where the pipes collided. Off-balance, the boy stumbled, leaving himself wide open. Noctis didn't hesitate. A quick thrust to the stomach sent him to the ground, gasping for air.

The rain poured heavier now, the mud thickening underfoot, but Noctis's movements were unaffected, every step sharp, every strike unstoppable.

Burning Bones, Summer Sun. 

Noctis spun with a fluid grace, his pipe glowing faintly with the intensity of his strike. The boy with the dagger found himself caught in the swirling motion, his weapon torn from his grasp as Noctis's pipe sliced through the air, a streak of fire against the torrential downpour.

The remaining attackers hesitated, their courage faltering under the weight of Noctis's relentless assault. But one of them, burning with desperation, charged forward, pipe gripped tightly.

Setting Sun Transformation. 

Noctis's body moved with a calculated grace as he backflipped into the air. In a single, seamless motion, he swung his pipe horizontally, the strike laced with deadly intent. The boy attempted to block, but Noctis's speed and force shattered his defense. The pipe was sent flying, leaving him defenseless. A powerful slash to the chest sent the boy crashing into the mud, defeated.

As the last of them gathered, Noctis felt his heart rate quicken. The final boy's eyes burned with a fire born of desperation.

Solar Heat Haze. 

Noctis surged forward, a blur of motion that vanished into the rain. The boy swung his pipe wildly, but Noctis's pipe seemed to materialize out of nowhere, cutting through the air with a heat-haze effect that distorted its true trajectory. The boy never saw it coming. With a swift strike, Noctis's pipe pierced through his guard, grazing his side.

The battle was nearing its end, but Noctis wasn't done. His body surged with energy, pushing him past his limits.

Beneficent Radiance. 

Noctis spun upward, his pipe slicing in a swirling motion. The boy attempted to raise his arms to defend himself, but the attack was unstoppable. Noctis's strike cut through his defenses with a devastating force, sending the boy crumpling to the ground beneath the weight of his defeat.

Noctis's breath was steady, his feet moving almost instinctively as he continued the dance of battle. His opponents, now nothing more than shadows in the rain, faded as he unleashed the full force of his Sun Breathing techniques.

Sunflower Thrust. 

With a single, decisive lunge, Noctis's pipe struck true. The final boy, attempting to dodge, found no escape. The thrust pierced through his defenses, and the boy collapsed into the mud, unable to withstand the force.

Sun Halo Dragon Head Dance. 

Noctis assumed a high stance and unleashed a flurry of rapid, fluid slashes. Each strike flowed seamlessly into the next, his movements a blur of controlled power. The rain made it difficult for the boys to track him, but with every slash, Noctis left a trail of destruction. It was as though the very air around him was alive, a dragon of fire that incinerated everything in its path.

Fire Wheel. 

As one boy tried to flee, Noctis performed a quick flip, landing behind him. His pipe cut in a perfect circle, slicing through the boy's defenses with terrifying precision. The attack was so swift, it felt like a flash of light against the deluge.

Fake Rainbow. 

Noctis twisted and rotated, his movements impossibly fast and precise, creating afterimages that left the remaining attackers confused and disoriented. The illusion of multiple Noctis's scattered through the rain was enough to break their focus, as he moved faster than the eye could follow, his strikes coming from all directions.

With one final, decisive strike, Noctis stood above the defeated group. His chest rose and fell with the deep, steady rhythm of his breath, the adrenaline of battle coursing through his veins.

Flame Dance. 

A final, explosive two-strike combo. Noctis's blade came down in a vertical slash, followed immediately by a horizontal strike. The boys were no longer in the fight, lying in the mud, their bodies broken beneath the overwhelming power of Noctis's mastery of Sun Breathing.

The rain now fell softly, a quiet testament to the battle that had passed.

Noctis's breathing slowed as he surveyed the battlefield. The rain steadily poured around him, mingling with the sweat and grime of the conflict. He stepped forward, standing above the fallen bodies—each one a testament to the power and precision of Sun Breathing.

"Not bad," Noctis thought, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips as he wiped the rain from his face. "But I've still got a long way to go."

He glanced back at the unconscious leader and his group, now completely still, their bodies lying unconscious in the mud. Noctis had won, but this victory—his first—was just another step on a much longer path.

As the rain fell around him, Noctis knew that no matter how many battles he won, more would always await. But for now, the storm would pass, and he could rest in the quiet aftermath, knowing he was one step closer to mastering himself.