The sun was setting when the battle finally came to an end, painting the sky a soft orange hue that clashed with the brutal aftermath of war. The barbarians had been routed, their forces crushed beneath our relentless advance. It was hard to believe that only hours ago, the future of Eldoria had seemed so uncertain. Now, standing amidst the chaos and destruction, I felt an odd sense of accomplishment settling in. We had done it. We had pushed back the invaders, secured our borders, and protected the kingdom. But as with any victory, there were costs.
Rodrick and his men had been magnificent. Their swift and calculated movements had turned the tide. The battle had raged fiercely at first, but once Rodrick had reached the New Moon warrior level, his strength surged, and the difference in his abilities became undeniable. He fought like a man possessed, his aura cutting through the battlefield like a storm. His level two New Moon Warrior status was the deciding factor, allowing him to decimate the barbarian forces, their morale crumbling as they witnessed his unyielding strength.
When the dust settled and the last of the enemy lay defeated, Rodrick wasted no time. He ordered his men to pursue any stragglers and locate the source of the barbarian's operations. As I watched his men march off, I couldn't help but feel a certain relief wash over me. Rodrick had proven himself more than capable as a commander, and with him at the helm, I knew the kingdom had a fighting chance.
It wasn't long before they found it—the barbarians' lair. Nestled deep in the hills to the east, the cave system was vast and well-fortified. But what was most surprising wasn't the lair itself. No, it was what lay inside: a horde of treasures, gold piled high, relics and artifacts from other kingdoms. It seemed Eldoria wasn't their first target. The barbarians had been looting and pillaging surrounding lands for years, stockpiling their riches like dragons. And now, by sheer luck—or perhaps, because of my oddly improving luck stat from The Path of Heroes system—we had stumbled upon it.
Standing in front of that glimmering wealth, I could barely keep my thoughts straight. It was a windfall. This treasure could rebuild Eldoria, strengthen our defenses, and secure our future. It was almost too good to be true.
"Looks like the gods are on our side, Your Highness," Rodrick said, stepping up beside me, his voice gruff but tinged with satisfaction. His armor was splattered with dirt and blood, but his eyes gleamed with a fierce pride.
"Or it's just luck," I replied, though I knew there was more to it. Ever since this strange new world had intertwined with the Path of Heroes, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was something else at play. "Either way, it'll be enough to fund the repairs."
Rodrick nodded, surveying the treasure with a calculating gaze. "Enough to fortify the walls, train the army, and maybe even expand the kingdom's influence. We could make Eldoria into the strongest realm in the region."
I raised an eyebrow, glancing at him. "Ambitious."
"We need to be," he replied, his tone firm. "Especially now."
He was right. The battle had shown us just how vulnerable we were. Eldoria's defenses, while strong, weren't impenetrable. The barbarians had nearly breached them. Without these funds, without the resources to rebuild and grow, we wouldn't stand a chance against future threats.
But for now, I was content to revel in our good fortune. Maybe it was the Path of Heroes system, maybe it was sheer luck, or maybe it was the remnants of King Valen's legacy watching over us. Whatever it was, we had been given a rare opportunity.
Rodrick, despite his usual stoic demeanor, had a small grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. "We'll need to plan carefully. With the right investments, this treasure will ensure Eldoria's strength for generations."
I exhaled, the weight of responsibility settling over me once more. "Then let's make sure we don't squander it."
___
Rodrick's ascent to Level 2 New Moon Warrior had been nothing short of extraordinary. He was already formidable, but since the battle, his power had grown exponentially. As a New Moon warrior, the gap between each level was vast—far greater than the star levels beneath it. The difference between a level one and a level two New Moon Warrior was like the gap between night and day. Every strike, every movement he made was sharper, more controlled, and filled with raw power. It was as though he had unlocked a deeper understanding of his abilities, and with it, a greater control over his aura.
It wasn't surprising, though. The stages of cultivation were clear to anyone who had trained in the art. The Star Levels were the foundation, where each star represented a milestone in a warrior's journey. From one-star to nine-star, each level was a step closer to mastering the basics. But the Moon Levels? That was where the true power lay. Starting from New Moon, to Crescent, Half, Gibbous, and finally Full Moon, each phase represented a more profound connection to one's own aura, with the same one to nine levels in each phases as well. Only those who could master their internal energy could ever hope to ascend beyond.
The Sun Levels, however, were something else entirely. The stuff of legends. There were rumors that only a few warriors in history had ever reached the Sun Levels, and even fewer had lived to tell the tale. It was said that the emperor himself had reached the Dawn Sun Warrior level, though no one knew for sure. Sun Warriors were untouchable, their power like that of the gods themselves. The kind of power that could reshape kingdoms, topple empires, and change the world.
Rodrick, though not anywhere near the Sun Level, was now on a path that few could follow. His advancement from New Moon Level 1 to Level 2 was proof enough that he was destined for greatness, and I was lucky to have him on my side.
As I pondered the future, I couldn't help but feel a mixture of awe and apprehension. I was caught in the middle of something far greater than myself, and as much as I had grown in strength and skill, there was still a long road ahead. The battle had been won, but the war was far from over. And as I looked at Rodrick, a man who had fought his way to the very top of the warrior's path, I couldn't help but wonder where my journey would lead me.
Later that evening, I found myself in the king's chambers—my chambers now, I supposed. It was strange being here, in this room that had once belonged to King Valen. The room felt too big, too grand for me. The heavy drapes, the polished wood, the intricate carvings that adorned the walls—it all seemed foreign, as though I was a guest in someone else's life.
I moved to the wardrobe, pulling out one of my old royal tunics. It had been weeks since I last wore any of my princely attire. After the battles, the training, the leveling up from The Path of Heroes, I had become a different person. My body was broader, stronger. Muscles I hadn't even known existed were now prominent, and as I tried to slip on the tunic, it was clear that it no longer fit.
"Damn," I muttered, tossing the fabric aside. Nothing fit anymore. My old life was literally too small for me now. I had outgrown the prince I used to be.
After rummaging through the wardrobe, I found one of King Valen's old robes. It was heavier, more formal than what I was used to, but it fit. The weight of it felt almost symbolic—like I was carrying the burden of the kingdom on my shoulders.
I stood in front of the mirror, staring at the reflection of a man I barely recognized. Bigger, stronger, more confident—but also more distant. The man who stood before me was a far cry from the Eldric Valen I had once been. But I wasn't truly Eldric Valen anymore. I was Darius Caelum, a man from another world, trying to make sense of the life I had been thrust into.
My thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. "Your Highness," a voice called from outside. "It's time."
I took a deep breath, steeling myself. Today was not just any day. It was the day of King Valen's burial and my coronation. Two events that marked the end of one era and the beginning of another.
As I opened the door and stepped out into the hall, I couldn't help but feel the weight of history pressing down on me. I wasn't just stepping into a role. I was stepping into a legacy. And as I walked toward my future, I couldn't help but wonder what kind of king I would become.
The path ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear—I couldn't afford to fail.