The crowd's cheers began to fade as Sam and Raven stood in the center of the arena, their hands still clasped together. The connection between them was palpable, yet unexplained to everyone watching. As Raven clung to him, tears streaming down her face, memories surged through Sam's mind—memories that took him back to a time three years ago, before Lunaris Academy, before the tournament, before everything.
It was a time when Sam wasn't just Sam, but a young boy named Ryan.
Three Years Ago
Sam was twelve years old, but he was far from ordinary. Even at that young age, he was already more powerful than most seasoned magicians and highly skilled in various martial arts. His abilities, though kept hidden from the world, made him a force to be reckoned with.
He was traveling with his parents, staying in a small, quiet inn nestled in the mountains. It was supposed to be a brief respite, a peaceful vacation away from the hustle and bustle of their lives. But fate had other plans.
That night, Sam lay awake in bed, staring at the ceiling, when he heard it—a scream, sharp and desperate, piercing through the stillness of the night. His heart pounded in his chest as he sat up, every nerve in his body on high alert. Something was wrong, terribly wrong.
Sam knew he couldn't just rush out as he was. He needed to stay hidden, to protect his identity. He reached into his travel bag, pulling out the black hoodie he always carried with him. It was slightly oversized, the hood falling low over his eyes, but it would help him stay anonymous. He pulled it on, feeling the familiar fabric brush against his skin, grounding him.
His movements were swift and silent as he exited his room, slipping into the dark, silent hallway. The inn was eerily quiet, save for the faint sounds of struggle echoing from somewhere down the hall. Sam followed the noise, his heart racing, until he reached a door that was slightly ajar.
Peeking inside, he saw them—a group of men, rough and menacing, surrounding a girl about his age. She was on the ground, her face bruised and streaked with tears, her dark hair tangled and matted. The men were taunting her, their voices low and filled with malice.
Without hesitation, Sam stepped into the room. His presence was immediately felt, and the men turned to face him, their expressions shifting from surprise to irritation.
"Get lost, kid," one of them snarled, brandishing a knife. "This isn't your business."
But Sam didn't flinch. He couldn't stand by and watch someone suffer. "You need to leave her alone," Sam said, his voice calm but carrying an undeniable authority.
The man with the knife sneered, stepping toward him. "Or what? You think you can take us on?"
Sam didn't respond verbally. Instead, he moved—fast. In the blink of an eye, he was in front of the man, his hand shooting out to grab the wrist holding the knife. With a quick twist, he disarmed the man effortlessly, sending the knife clattering to the floor. Before the man could react, Sam delivered a precise, powerful strike to his chest, sending him crashing into the wall, unconscious.
The other men hesitated, shocked by how easily Sam had taken down their companion. But their hesitation didn't last long. They rushed at him, thinking their numbers would overwhelm the boy. They were wrong.
Sam moved like a shadow, weaving through their attacks with ease. His martial arts training was evident in every fluid motion as he dodged, parried, and countered with devastating precision. A punch to the gut sent one man doubling over, while a swift kick to the knee dropped another. Each of his movements was calculated, efficient, and incredibly powerful.
Within moments, all of the men were either unconscious or incapacitated, groaning in pain on the floor. Sam stood in the center of the room, breathing steadily, his hood still obscuring his face.
The girl, still huddled on the floor, looked up at him with wide, tear-filled eyes. "Who… who are you?"
Sam hesitated. He didn't want to reveal his true identity, so he said the first name that came to mind. "I'm Ryan," he replied, offering her a reassuring smile.
She stared at him, her expression a mix of fear and gratitude. "Thank you… Ryan."
Sam knelt beside her, his voice gentle. "Are you okay? What happened?"
The girl hesitated, then began to tell her story. She was from a clan that could use dark magic, a power that made them feared and hated by others. Her clan had lived in isolation, but one night, a rival clan attacked, slaughtering everyone while they slept. Her mother had managed to help her escape, but she was the only survivor.
"The people who attacked me," she said, her voice trembling, "they were going to sell me… to someone."
Sam's heart ached for her. "I'm so sorry… But you're safe now. No one will hurt you while I'm here."
The girl nodded, tears spilling down her cheeks. "Thank you…"
Sam spent the rest of the night talking to her, listening to her story, and offering whatever comfort he could. She introduced herself as Raven, and despite the pain in her heart, she found solace in Sam's presence.
In the days that followed, Sam and his family stayed at the inn, and he continued to visit Raven each night. She was determined to learn how to defend herself, and Sam, though still young, was already a master of several forms of magic and combat techniques. He taught her what he knew, guiding her through spells and martial arts moves with patience and precision. Raven was a fast learner, picking up spells and techniques with surprising ease. In no time, she became proficient in using her dark magic as a means of self-defense.
They trained together in secret, their bond growing stronger with each passing day. Sam admired Raven's strength and resilience, while she found hope in his unwavering support. But as the days went by, the inevitable goodbye loomed over them.
On the final night of their stay, Raven was quiet, a sadness in her eyes that she couldn't hide. "Do you really have to leave tomorrow?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Sam nodded, his heart heavy. "I'm sorry… I wish I could stay, but my family has to go."
Raven looked down, her hands trembling. "I don't want you to go… You're the only friend I have."
Sam felt a lump form in his throat. He didn't want to leave either, but he knew they had no choice. He placed a hand on her shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "You're strong, Raven. Stronger than you know. You'll be okay."
She looked up at him, tears brimming in her eyes. "Will I ever see you again?"
Sam smiled, though it was tinged with sadness. "Maybe someday. But no matter what, I want you to remember what I taught you. And never lose hope."
Raven nodded, wiping her tears. "I won't."
The next morning, Sam left the inn with his family, his heart heavy with the weight of their farewell. He never told anyone about what happened, about the bond he had formed with Raven. But he never forgot her, the girl who had lost everything but found a friend in him.
As the smoke cleared from the arena, the crowd watched in stunned silence as Sam helped Raven to her feet, their connection more than just that of opponents. Eren, trying to make sense of what he was seeing, hesitated before announcing, "The winner is Sam of Lunaris Academy!"
The crowd erupted into applause, but Sam barely noticed. His mind was still on the past, on the girl he had once known as Raven, the girl who had survived against all odds.
Raven hugged him tightly, her tears soaking into his shirt. "Ryan… I never thought I'd see you again."
Sam wrapped his arms around her, comforting her as best he could. "I'm here now," he whispered. "And I'll never leave you again."
As the crowd looked on in confusion, Sara watched from the sidelines, a pang of jealousy tugging at her heart. But she also felt something else—relief. Relief that Sam was still the same person she knew, the same person who would go to any lengths to protect those he cared about.
And as the scene unfolded, the audience could only wonder what had truly happened between Sam and Raven, what connection had brought them together in such a powerful way. The answer to that question would remain a mystery for now, known only to those who had lived it.