Two years had passed since Rael left the ruins of his grandfather's house. The boy who had once been weak and uncertain was now a shadowy figure moving through the world, cloaked in mystery and secrecy. At 13, Rael was taller, leaner, and more hardened by the trials of both the Forsaken Blade and the harsh realities of survival. He no longer went by his true name, for it was too dangerous to reveal his identity. To those who crossed his path, he was simply known as the Cloaked Stranger.
The Forsaken Blade, always at his back, hummed with a dark energy that had become as much a part of him as his own blood. But Rael was still an enigma, even to himself. He knew nothing of the three stages—Sword's Path, Sword's Will, and Sword's Bond—that could unlock the true potential of his sword. Instead, he relied on instinct and the lessons his grandfather had taught him before his untimely death.
The people in the villages he passed through spoke of him in hushed tones. He was a ghost, a phantom who appeared when least expected, leaving only rumors and whispers in his wake. No one knew his true purpose, and Rael preferred it that way. The Sword Academy was still in his sights, but first, he had to grow stronger, to understand the blade he carried, and to discover the secrets hidden within his past.
As he traveled through the dense forests near the border of the Eastern Realm, Rael's keen senses picked up a disturbance in the distance. The unmistakable sounds of a struggle reached his ears—screams, the crash of trees, and the growls of a creature that could only be a monster. His body tensed, and without hesitation, he moved toward the source of the commotion.
When he arrived, he saw a B-rank monster—a hulking beast covered in thick scales, with razor-sharp claws and teeth that could tear through steel. It towered over a young girl, no older than ten, who was desperately trying to fend it off with nothing more than a broken branch. Her eyes were wide with terror, and she was moments away from being ripped apart.
Rael acted without thinking. In a flash, he drew the Forsaken Blade from its sheath, the dark energy crackling as it connected with the air. He charged at the monster, positioning himself between it and the girl.
"Run!" he shouted to her, his voice firm and commanding. "I'll handle this!"
The girl hesitated for a moment, her eyes filled with both fear and confusion, but then she turned and fled, disappearing into the underbrush.
Rael squared off against the beast, feeling the familiar rush of adrenaline. The monster roared, its eyes burning with primal fury as it lunged at him. Rael sidestepped the initial attack, his movements fluid and precise, and slashed at the monster's flank. The Forsaken Blade sliced through its scales, drawing black blood that sizzled as it hit the ground.
The beast howled in pain, but it was far from defeated. It spun around, its tail whipping through the air with bone-crushing force. Rael barely managed to leap out of the way, the tail grazing his cloak and tearing through the fabric. He landed in a crouch, his heart racing.
The fight was brutal and relentless. The monster's strength was overwhelming, and Rael had to use every ounce of his skill and the Forsaken Blade's power to keep up. The dark energy of the blade surged with each strike, but it was taking its toll on Rael. He could feel the sword's insidious pull, the way it tried to consume him with each kill, feeding on his emotions and energy.
But Rael was determined. He could not afford to lose—not now, not when he was so close to finding the answers he sought. With a final burst of strength, he drove the Forsaken Blade deep into the monster's chest, piercing its heart. The beast let out a deafening roar, its body convulsing before it finally collapsed, lifeless.
Rael stood over the monster's corpse, panting heavily, his vision blurred. The battle had drained him, both physically and mentally. His grip on the Forsaken Blade loosened, and he staggered backward, the world spinning around him.
Just as he felt himself slipping into unconsciousness, Rael caught sight of a figure emerging from the trees—a man, tall and cloaked in shadows, his features hidden. The man moved with a grace that belied his size, and Rael knew instantly that this was no ordinary traveler.
"Rest now, young warrior," the man's voice was deep, soothing, and filled with a strange power. "You've done well."
Rael tried to speak, to ask who the man was, but his strength failed him. The last thing he saw before darkness claimed him was the man kneeling beside him, a hand outstretched in a gesture of protection.
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Rael sat up slowly, wincing as pain shot through his body. His muscles ached, and he felt the lingering effects of the Forsaken Blade's energy drain. But he was alive, and that meant he had been saved.
The door to the cabin creaked open, and the man from before entered. Now that Rael was awake, he could see him more clearly. The man was tall, with long, silver hair that fell past his shoulders. His eyes were a piercing shade of blue, and his face, though lined with age, held a strength that seemed almost timeless. He wore simple clothing, but there was an aura about him that spoke of power and wisdom.
"You're awake," the man said, his voice calm and reassuring. "That's good. You've been out for nearly two days."
Rael looked at him, trying to gauge his intentions. "Who are you?" he asked, his voice hoarse. "Why did you save me?"
The man smiled faintly, pulling up a chair to sit beside the bed. "My name is Silas," he replied. "As for why I saved you—let's just say I've been keeping an eye on you for some time now. You're no ordinary traveler, are you?"
Rael's heart skipped a beat. He had been careful to remain hidden, to avoid drawing attention to himself. But it seemed that this man—Silas—had seen through his disguise.
"What do you want?" Rael asked, his tone guarded.
Silas shook his head. "I'm not here to harm you, if that's what you're worried about. On the contrary, I'm here to help. I know about the Forsaken Blade you carry, and I know the burden it places on you."
Rael's eyes widened in shock. How could this man know about the Forsaken Blade? It was a secret that only he and his grandfather had shared.
"Your grandfather was a wise man," Silas continued, seeing the surprise on Rael's face. "He knew that the Forsaken Blade was more than just a weapon—it's a force of immense power, but also of great danger. If you don't learn to control it, it will consume you."
Rael's mind raced. How did Silas know so much? Could he be trusted? But there was something in the man's eyes, a sincerity that Rael couldn't ignore.
"You know about the sword's stages," Rael said quietly, more a statement than a question.
Silas nodded. "Yes. *Sword's Path*, *Sword's Will*, and *Sword's Bond*—these are the stages that every wielder must master to unlock the full potential of their sword. But with the Forsaken Blade, the journey is even more perilous. You must learn to control its power, or it will control you."
Rael swallowed hard. He had sensed the sword's influence, the way it fed on his emotions, but he hadn't realized how deep the connection went.
"I don't know where to start," Rael admitted, his voice filled with a rare vulnerability. "My grandfather tried to teach me, but there wasn't enough time. Now I'm alone, and I don't know how to control it."
Silas placed a hand on Rael's shoulder, his grip firm but gentle. "You're not alone anymore, Rael. I can guide you, help you understand the Forsaken Blade and the power it holds. But you must be willing to learn, to face the darkness within you."
Rael looked into Silas's eyes and saw the truth of his words. This man, whoever he was, had the knowledge and experience that Rael needed. But more than that, he offered a chance—a chance to learn, to grow, and to finally begin to understand the mysteries that had haunted him for so long.
"I'll do it," Rael said, his voice filled with determination. "I'll learn."