Rhylen's body lay on the cold ground, his breath shallow, as the sounds of the forest faded into the background. The pain from the wound Valen had inflicted still throbbed, his vision blurred and his mind clouded with the overwhelming shock of betrayal. It was hard for him to process everything that had happened—the cruel strike, the heartache of losing someone he had considered a comrade, and now, his life hanging by a thread.
Kael, his face contorted in worry and anger, was desperately trying to stop the bleeding, but he could see the life draining out of Rhylen. The atmosphere was heavy, thick with despair. Lyra, Moren, and Xara stood by, helpless, watching the scene unfold.
And then, a shift in the air.
The ground trembled as a powerful presence entered the clearing, making the very trees around them seem to bow. It was an energy unlike any other—intense, suffocating, and yet undeniably familiar.
Kael looked up, his eyes wide, as a figure emerged from the shadows—tall, regal, and surrounded by an aura that practically radiated power. The very air seemed to part as the figure walked toward Rhylen. His features were obscured by the golden light surrounding him, but there was no mistaking who it was.
Rhylen's father, the Lord of the World, stood before them.
Without a word, the Lord of the World knelt beside his son. His golden eyes shimmered with ancient wisdom as he looked down at Rhylen, his expression a mixture of concern and something deeper—something that could only be described as fatherly love.
"Father..." Rhylen whispered, barely able to speak through the blood clogging his throat. His body trembled, his vision dimming even further. "I… I'm sorry. I've failed you… I couldn't stop him."
The Lord of the World placed a hand on Rhylen's chest, his touch almost like a soft current of energy. "You have not failed, my son. You were always meant to face this trial. But you are not alone in this fight. I will not let you perish."
With that, the Lord of the World's power began to radiate outward, his aura expanding and enveloping Rhylen's fragile form. It was a sensation like no other—warmth, life, and strength flooded through Rhylen's battered body. The energy surged into him, filling the empty spaces, repairing the damage, and mending the torn flesh.
Rhylen gasped, feeling the sudden, sharp clarity in his mind as the wounds that had threatened to end him were slowly sealed. His heart started to beat stronger, his breathing steadier. He could feel the cold of the earth beneath him fade away, replaced by the incredible warmth of his father's presence.
"What... What's happening?" Rhylen muttered, trying to understand the powerful sensations coursing through him. He looked up at his father in confusion.
"You are healing," the Lord of the World answered, his voice calm and steady. "You were not meant to die here. Not yet. Not until you have fulfilled your destiny."
Rhylen's body began to glow with golden light as his father's powers flowed into him, a direct conduit of the energy that had shaped the world itself. His mind felt clearer, his wounds healed, and his strength renewed in a way he could never have imagined. The strength of his father's essence filled every fiber of his being.
Kael, standing beside them, watched in stunned silence. His eyes flicked between Rhylen and the Lord of the World. He had seen many powers, many strong beings, but this was something entirely different. It was as if the very fabric of reality was bending to the will of the Lord of the World.
Rhylen's hand, which had been clutching his side in agony, now relaxed as the pain disappeared. He sat up, his breathing easier, his body no longer trembling with weakness.
"I don't understand…" Rhylen whispered, his voice still hoarse. "How… How am I still alive? After everything that happened, I should have died."
The Lord of the World's gaze softened, his hand gently touching Rhylen's shoulder. "Because of me. I have infused my power into you, my son. You carry a part of me, and that part will always protect you."
Rhylen shook his head in disbelief. "But… you were never there for me. You left me with so many questions, and now you… you're telling me you were watching over me this whole time?"
The Lord of the World's expression grew serious. "I was never far, Rhylen. I had to let you grow on your own, to face the trials that would make you stronger. You have learned much on your journey. But there is more to come."
Rhylen felt a rush of emotions flood through him—anger, confusion, but also gratitude. His father's power, which he had never fully understood, was now his to wield. And yet, the answers he had longed for still eluded him. The pain of betrayal from Valen, the knowledge that the war was far from over—it weighed heavily on his heart.
"Father," Rhylen said, his voice firmer now, "I need to stop the master. I need to protect everyone I care about. I need to know what to do next."
The Lord of the World stood, extending a hand to help Rhylen rise. "The path ahead is not easy, my son. But you are ready. You have the strength to face whatever comes. The master may have power, but you carry within you something greater—your heart, your will, and now, my power. Together, we will defeat him."
Rhylen stood, now fully healed and standing taller than ever before, a new sense of purpose igniting within him. The weight of his father's words and the power coursing through him filled him with renewed determination. He turned to Kael, who was still standing nearby, his face a mix of awe and concern.
"Kael," Rhylen said, his voice steady, "we're not done. We're going to end this."
Kael nodded, his eyes meeting Rhylen's with a mix of trust and resolve. "Together."
With his father's power now at his side, Rhylen knew the battle wasn't over. But for the first time in a long time, he felt ready to face the future, whatever it may hold.