Caelum felt his heart race as the stranger emerged from the shadows, a glinting blade in his hand. The young prince, though trained in combat, knew he was no match for this opponent. He leapt back, narrowly avoiding the first attack, but his mind was gripped by panic.
The man before him was no colossus, but his posture, the precision of his movements, betrayed great experience. He wore a simple outfit, reinforced with black iron plates, suggesting that he was neither a simple peasant nor an ordinary warrior. Caelum realized he had to think quickly to avoid a fight he could not win.
The man stopped at a cautious distance, eyeing Caelum warily. "What are you doing here, kid?" he asked in a deep voice. "This is not a place for playing."
Caelum hesitated. Should he reveal his identity, or play the ignorance card? He chose the latter. "I didn't know this was a restricted area," he replied casually, though his mind was on alert. "I was just passing by."
The man didn't seem convinced, but he didn't attack again. "You're on dangerous ground," he said, pointing to the energy crystal that glowed faintly at their feet. "This is no place for children. These crystals are far more valuable than you think."
Caelum gritted his teeth, trying not to show his nervousness. He knew the crystals were vital to Arkhadia, but he still didn't understand why this particular man was interested in them. "And what are you here for?" he dared to ask, hoping to buy time.
The man raised an eyebrow, but didn't answer immediately. He leaned over to pick up the crystal, examining it in the starlight. "I'm a seeker of power crystals," he said finally. "These crystals power everything on Arkhadia, from machines to weapons. They're our only source of energy."
Caelum nodded, remembering Lyra's lessons. He knew what seekers were, but this was the first time he'd met one in person. He'd heard they were both respected and feared, their power matched by their expertise. "Why here?" he asked, trying to understand.
The man looked at him with a glint of amusement. "Because those who know where to look always find something, even in the most unlikely places." He tucked the crystal into a small pouch attached to his belt. "It may not be much, but it's enough to power a small machine for months."
Caelum listened intently, aware that he was facing a man who knew far more about Arkhadia and its secrets than he did. He couldn't hope to beat him, and he knew it. "So what are you going to do with me?" he asked finally, trying to mask his fear behind a tone of defiance.
The man stared at him for a moment before answering. "I'm not here to kill children. But listen to me," he said, his tone turning serious. "Never come near those mountains again. The crystals attract people far more dangerous than I. People who wouldn't let you live."
Caelum nodded, acknowledging the gravity of the warning. He knew he'd gotten lucky this time, but he couldn't count on the leniency of his next opponents. The man turned away, disappearing into the shadows of the forest as quickly as he had appeared, leaving Caelum alone with his thoughts.
The young prince stood still for a moment, trying to calm his racing heart. The encounter had been a shock, but it had also opened his eyes. He was far from ready to face the dangers that awaited him, but he knew now that he had no choice but to become stronger, more cunning.
With a new determination, Caelum turned and started back to the shelter. The fear and guilt were still there, but he pushed them from his mind. Tomorrow, he would train harder. He would learn, he would prepare. For he knew that he could no longer afford to be a mere child lost in the mountains.