The forest stretched on endlessly, the towering trees casting long shadows across the narrow path as Arin and Master Kael continued their journey. The encounter with the shadowling had shaken Arin more than he wanted to admit. He had barely slept the night before, his mind replaying the swift attack, the hiss of the creature, and the glowing flash of Kael's staff. Darkness wasn't some faraway threat anymore—it was hunting him.
Kael led the way, his staff gently tapping the ground with each step, while Arin trailed behind, lost in his thoughts. The weight of the sword on his back seemed heavier with each mile they covered. Doubt gnawed at him, an insistent voice whispering in the back of his mind.
"How can I fight against this?" Arin muttered to himself, thinking of the shadowling. He had barely managed to react, let alone defend himself. What good was a prophecy if he didn't know how to live up to it?
Master Kael must have sensed his unease. Without turning around, he spoke, his voice calm and steady. "Your mind is clouded with doubt, young Arin. Speak your thoughts. It will help ease the burden."
Arin hesitated, then sighed, knowing there was no point in hiding his fears. "I just don't understand how I'm supposed to do any of this. The prophecy, the sword… the darkness. I've spent my entire life tending fields, not preparing for battles. What if I fail?"
Kael stopped walking and turned to face him, his deep-set eyes studying Arin carefully. "Doubt is a natural companion on any great journey. It is not a weakness, but a sign that you understand the gravity of your path."
"But what if I'm not ready?" Arin asked, his voice tinged with desperation. "What if I'm not strong enough?"
Kael's expression softened, and he stepped closer, placing a hand on Arin's shoulder. "Strength is not only found in battle or in skill with a sword. True strength lies in perseverance, in the willingness to face the unknown and push forward even when fear tells you to turn back. You have already shown strength, Arin, in leaving your home and accepting this journey."
Arin swallowed, feeling a lump form in his throat. "But what if that's not enough?"
Kael withdrew his hand, his gaze never leaving Arin's. "There is no certainty in life, Arin, especially when one is bound by destiny. But know this: the prophecy does not demand perfection. It calls for courage. You will stumble, you will make mistakes, but that is the nature of growth. If you doubt yourself, you must also believe that you can overcome that doubt."
Arin was silent, the words sinking in. He had wanted someone to tell him that everything would be easy, that he would become a hero without struggle. But that wasn't how life worked. The road ahead was uncertain, and it terrified him. Yet, beneath the fear, there was something else—hope. A small flicker, but it was there.
"I'll try," Arin said finally, his voice quiet but resolute.
"That is all anyone can ask of you," Kael replied with a nod. "You are not alone in this, Arin. I am here to guide you, and in time, others will stand with you."
The mention of others piqued Arin's curiosity. "Who? Who else will help us?"
Kael's eyes gleamed slightly, as if he were thinking of someone in particular. "There are those who share in this fight against the darkness, though they may not yet know it. You will meet them when the time is right."
Arin nodded, though the uncertainty still lingered. He was beginning to realize that this journey was far bigger than himself, and he wondered what kind of people Kael had in mind. Would they be like him—afraid, unsure—or would they be the type of heroes he had read about in stories?
"Come," Kael said, turning back toward the path. "We should keep moving. The farther we go today, the safer we will be tonight."
They continued their journey in relative silence, the weight of their conversation settling over Arin like a cloak. His doubts were still there, lingering at the edges of his mind, but something had shifted within him. Kael's words had given him a sense of clarity—he didn't have to be perfect, just willing to try.
As the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting an amber glow over the trees, Kael motioned for them to stop. "We'll camp here for the night," he said, setting his staff against a nearby tree.
Arin nodded, setting down his pack and unwrapping the sword. He looked at it for a long moment, running his fingers over the runes etched into the blade. There was something powerful about the sword, something beyond its physical form. He could feel it in the way it thrummed softly in his hands, like a heartbeat.
"What's the story behind this sword?" Arin asked, breaking the silence as he sat down on a patch of grass.
Kael glanced at the weapon, his expression thoughtful. "That sword was forged in the ancient forges of Eldoria, long before the fall of the Dragon Knights. It was said to be the weapon of their greatest warrior, a Knight who stood against the darkness when no others would. Its power is not just in its steel, but in the will of its wielder."
Arin looked down at the sword, trying to imagine the kind of warrior who had wielded it before. "And now it's mine?"
Kael nodded. "The sword has chosen you, Arin. It is a bond between you and the fate you will soon face. But remember—though the sword is powerful, it is only as strong as the hand that holds it. You must learn to wield it not just as a weapon, but as a symbol of hope."
Arin held the sword a little tighter, the weight of responsibility settling over him once more. "How do I learn? How do I become strong enough to use it?"
Kael smiled slightly. "In time, I will teach you. But first, you must understand that strength is not only about physical power. It is about your heart, your mind, and your will. The path ahead will challenge all of these."
Arin nodded slowly, letting the words sink in. He still didn't feel ready, but he was beginning to understand that readiness wasn't something that came before the journey—it was something that would grow within him as he moved forward.
That night, as they sat around a small fire, Kael shared more stories of the Dragon Knights and the battles they had fought to protect Eldoria. The stories were full of valor and sacrifice, of heroes who had faced overwhelming odds and triumphed, not because they were the strongest or most skilled, but because they refused to give up.
As Arin listened, something stirred within him. The fear and doubt were still there, but they were joined by something else—a spark of determination. He wasn't a Dragon Knight, not yet, but he could be. He had the sword, he had the mark, and most importantly, he had the will to try.
As the fire died down and the forest fell into darkness, Arin lay awake under the stars, his thoughts turning to the future. The road ahead was long and uncertain, but he knew now that he had the strength to face it.
Whatever came next, he would be ready.