The next day, Rowen and Gavin headed to their usual training ground, a secluded spot away from their home. However, today was different, as Elara accompanied them as well.
This presented Morwyn with the perfect opportunity to seize Rowen's locket. After a busy day of training, as they headed towards their home, they found themselves surrounded by Morwyn's team.
"Morwyn, what is the meaning of this? Why are you surrounding us?" Gavin asked Morwyn, his tone a mix of confusion and concern.
Morwyn stepped forward, his gaze fixed on Rowen's mysterious locket. "I'm sorry, Gavin, but I have reason to believe that Rowen's locket holds significance beyond what he has revealed."
Morwyn explained, his voice firm but measured. "I must ask that you hand it over for further investigation."As Morwyn made his request, Gavin's mind raced with conflicting thoughts. He understood the gravity of the situation and the importance of protecting Rowen's secret.
However, he also knew that if the locket fell into Morwyn's hands, he would recognize its true significance as a formidable item crafted by an expert.If it is not what I think it is, then I will return it," Morwyn added, his words carrying a sense of assurance.
As Morwyn made his request, Gavin's mind raced with conflicting thoughts. He understood the gravity of the situation and the importance of protecting Rowen's secret. However, he also knew that if the locket fell into Morwyn's hands, he would be able recognize that it's an formidable item crafted by an expert.
Morwyn's tone shifted, becoming more somber and determined. "Then you leave me no choice," he said gravely. "I was being considerate as a fellow hunter, but now I see that my old ways are best to solve this kind of problem." His voice carried a sense of resolve, indicating that he was prepared to take matters into his own hands.
"This is your last chance, Gavin. Leave this boy here and go, otherwise..." Morwyn's voice trailed off, the unspoken threat hanging heavily in the air, his demeanor now radiating a chilling aura of killing intent.
Gavin stood his ground, his voice steady and unwavering. "No," he replied firmly. "He is our family, and I will never abandon my family."
Morwyn's laughter echoed with a sinister edge as he spoke. "Family? He is not even a resident of Aurora Vale," he sneered. "I have investigated everything about him. It's only been one and a half years since he came here. And you are calling him your family, that weakling.
What a fool you are. You should have accepted my generosity." "Now, both you and your wife will pay the price for his deception," Morwyn declared coldly, his words laced with malice as he leveled a menacing gaze at Gavin and Elara.
Gavin's eyes locked with Rowen's, his voice urgent yet resolute. "Rowen, run and take Elara with you. I will hold them back for some time. Go to a safe place," he instructed, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Rowen's voice, laced with concern for Gavin, revealed his deep sense of loyalty and determination. "No, how can I leave you here?" he protested, his resolve unwavering. "I will fight with you. You can't take on everyone of them; they are all at the same rank as you, and Morwyn here is one rank above you."
"How can you handle them alone?" His words echoed with conviction, emphasizing his steadfast commitment to stand by Gavin's side in the face of danger.
I have trained with everything I have to become strong," Rowen continued, his voice steady but filled with concern. "But if I run and leave you behind, how can I live with myself?"
Gavin's voice softened as he spoke, his eyes reflecting a mix of determination and concern. "Don't be emotional. You can't fight them. I'm giving you the most important task: protect yourself and Elara. And don't worry about me; I will be right behind you. Now go."
Turning to Elara, Gavin's gaze conveyed a silent reassurance. "Elara, take Rowen and run," he instructed firmly, his words leaving no room for hesitation.
Gavin's gaze softened as he looked at Rowen again, a mixture of pride and gratitude in his eyes. "Thank you, Rowen," he said, his voice filled with emotion. "But my duty is to protect both you and Elara. Trust me, I can handle this. Now, go!"
With a determined nod, Gavin turned his attention to the approaching threat, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. As Rowen and Elara hesitated for a moment, Gavin's commanding voice urged them into action. "Go!" he repeated, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Reluctantly, Rowen and Elara obeyed, their steps quickening as they fled from the impending danger. Gavin watched them go, a sense of both pride and sorrow swelling in his chest. As he braced himself for the confrontation ahead, Gavin's thoughts remained with his family, knowing that their safety was now in his hands.
As Rowen and Elara disappeared into the distance, Gavin turned his attention back to Morwyn and his team, his stance unwavering despite the odds stacked against him. With a steady breath, he prepared himself for the inevitable clash, his mind focused on protecting his loved ones.
Morwyn said to Gavin, his voice laced with a chilling edge, "You think they will be able to run from me." He then turned to his two team members and ordered, "Go, follow them. And bring me the locket. If anyone intervenes, don't hesitate to kill them. I'll handle the aftermath." The command hung heavy in the air, a grim reminder of the stakes at hand.
As Morwyn's team members dashed off to pursue Rowen and Elara, Gavin's heart sank with dread. He knew that Morwyn's ruthless determination meant that his family was in grave danger. With a grim resolve, Gavin braced himself for the impending confrontation, knowing that he would have to face Morwyn and his team alone.
The clash was fierce and relentless, each blow exchanged echoing through the empty training ground.Despite being outnumbered,
Gavin fought with the unwavering determination, his every move fueled by the fierce desire to protect his loved ones for any threat.
As the battle raged on, their clash energy waves all the way to the centre of Aurora Vale, where numerous Hunters gathered in Nexus of Destiny. They all felt the violate clash which have killing intent in them.
Gavin's mind raced with thoughts of Rowen and Elara, praying that they would find safety. With each passing moment, the weight of responsibility pressed down upon him, urging him to fight on despite the overwhelming odds.
With every ounce of strength and courage he possessed, Gavin continued to hold his ground, determined to face whatever challenges lay ahead in order to ensure the safety of those he held dear.
As the battle raged on, their clash sent shockwaves of energy rippling all the way to the center of Aurora Vale, where numerous Hunters had gathered in the Nexus of Destiny.
Each Hunter present felt the violent clash, its intensity and killing intent unmistakable even from afar.
In the Nexus of Destiny, murmurs spread among the gathered Hunters as they sensed the disturbance. Their attention turned towards the source of the energy waves, curiosity mingled with concern etched on their faces.Something significant was happening, and they knew they needed to be prepared for whatever consequences it might bring.
Sensing the urgency of the situation, the Hunters in the Nexus of Destiny quickly mobilized, their determination driving them to move towards the direction of the energy clash.
As the people following Rowen and Elara reached them and blocked their way ahead, Rowen's instincts kicked in. He swiftly drew the sword he had been carrying for his training, his grip firm and determined. Turning to Elara, he spoke with resolve, "Aunt, get behind me. I will protect you." His voice was steady.
They both laughed at Rowen and said, "What a weakling like you can protect anything by himself. If it wasn't for Gavin, you would already have been dead."
Rowen's jaw tightened at the mocking laughter, but he refused to let their taunts shake his resolve. "You underestimate me," he replied, his voice steady despite the surge of anger within him.
"I may not be the strongest, but I will do whatever it takes to protect my family." With a determined stance, he prepared to face his adversaries, his resolve unwavering in the face of adversity.
Rowen leaped towards them with his sword, but they effortlessly dodged his strike, their movements fluid and precise. Undeterred, Rowen adjusted his stance, readying himself for another attack as he remained vigilant for any openings to exploit.
As Rowen's strikes continued to be deflected, frustration began to gnaw at his resolve. Each attempt to land a blow seemed futile against the agile opponents before him. Yet, he refused to yield to despair, his determination burning brighter with each failed attempt.
With a deep breath, Rowen steadied himself, his focus sharpening as he analyzed his opponents' movements. He recognized patterns in their dodges and feints, searching for a vulnerability to exploit. Gathering his resolve, Rowen adjusted his tactics, ready to adapt to the ever-shifting rhythm of the battle.
After numerous persistent strikes, Rowen's perseverance paid off. With precise control and a cool mind, he managed to land a scratch on one of his opponents.
Despite the odds stacked against him, Rowen refused to relent, drawing strength from the small victory. With each strike, he remained focused and calculated, searching for further opportunities to turn the tide of the battle in his favor.
As the intense battle raged on, a commanding voice suddenly echoed from behind, freezing Rowen and his adversaries in their tracks. "Now, now, let's end this quickly. The other hunters should be coming here soon," came Morwyn's voice, chilling in its authority.
Rowen's heart sank at the sight of Morwyn, who held Gavin in his right hand, his grip firm and unyielding.
As Rowen's gaze fell upon Gavin's battered form, his heart clenched with anguish. Gavin's body bore the marks of numerous sword strikes, each one causing blood to flow relentlessly, staining his clothes and the ground beneath him.
Despite his valiant efforts, Gavin struggled to maintain consciousness, his strength waning with each passing moment.
With a heavy heart, Rowen addressed Morwyn, his voice steady despite the turmoil within him. "Let Gavin and Elara go," he pleaded, his gaze unwavering as he met Morwyn's eyes. "I will surrender myself and the locket to you."
Morwyn replied, "No one is getting out of here alive," and gave a signal to his team members to catch both Rowen and Elara.
Rowen pleaded with Morwyn, desperation lacing his voice. "Please, Morwyn, let both of them go. I will do anything you say."
But Morwyn paid no heed to Rowen's plea. With a callous disregard for life, he throw Gavin's barely conscious body before Rowen's eyes and drove his sword into Gavin's heart.
Rowen and Elara's cries of anguish echoed through the air as they watched in horror, powerless to stop the tragedy unfolding before them. "No, Gavin!" they shouted in unison, their voices filled with grief and disbelief.
After the brutal act, Morwyn gave a signal to his team member who was holding Elara, ordering them to end her life.
After extinguishing both lives, Morwyn moved in front of Rowen and spoke with accusation dripping from his voice. "This is all because of you," he uttered, his tone heavy with blame and resentment.
Rowen's voice seethed with anger as he faced Morwyn. "Morwyn, remember this day. If I live through today, I swear I will find you and kill you with my own two hands. No matter where you are," he vowed, his words laced with determination and a thirst for vengeance.
Morwyn's laughter rang out coldly as he delivered a brutal punch to Rowen's stomach. "Live? How will you live? No one is coming to save you," he sneered, his words laced with contempt as he asserted his dominance over Rowen.
As Morwyn's fist connected with Rowen's abdomen, a mouthful of blood gushed forth, staining Rowen's clothes and the precious locket with crimson. In that moment of pain and desperation, Rowen's thoughts turned inward, consumed by a fervent longing for strength.
"If only I was stronger. If only I wasn't this weak," he lamented silently, his resolve burning brighter amidst the chaos surrounding him. With each labored breath, Rowen's determination solidified, fueled by the harsh reality of his own vulnerability.
"If I get another chance at life, I want to be stronger," Rowen vowed to himself, his voice a whisper amidst the turmoil. "I need strength which is second to none."
After uttering these words, Rowen's gaze fell upon his locket, a glimmer of hope stirring within him. "If there is any meaning in that old man's words. If what he said – that I hold the key to my Dream Reality – is true, then I want to change my reality. I want to be stronger. No, I want to be the strongest."
Suddenly, a voice pierced through the chaos around him, ringing in Rowen's ears. "Kid, do you desire strength?"
Without hesitation, Rowen responded, his voice raw with desperation as he teetered on the brink of death. "Yes, I desire strength. The strength to change reality. The strength to live life on my own terms and the strength to protect those who I held dear to me."
In that moment, the voice replied, "Good. Then come to me." With those words, a strange light emanated from the locket, enveloping Rowen and transporting him to an unknown destination.