I stood at the window, the cool glass beneath my fingertips grounding me as I gazed out at the lands of Centrallis. The memories—my memories, or perhaps his—swirled within me, a storm of images and sensations that left me struggling to make sense of it all. Aeloria, the world I now found myself in, was vast and unforgiving, its mysteries as deep and dark as the night sky.
Centrallis, the heart of this world, was where my new family, the Oswins—held power. Our estate lay nestled amidst rolling hills and ancient forests, where the land pulsed with an energy that felt both familiar and foreign. It was a place of power, where magic seeped into the very earth, the air thick with the weight of history.
Looking out the window, above all there was Aethera—the sky realm, a place of clouds and light. The floating islands that made up Aethera drifted lazily through the heavens, connected by ancient bridges that seemed to defy the laws of nature. The people who lived there were said to be blessed by the gods themselves, their connection to the arcane stronger than any other. It was a place of beauty and danger, where the air was thin and the magic thick.
There were other continents but for now I didn't really have to worry about them much, cause even I had very little information on it except whatever I knew from Aric's memories.
I closed my eyes, letting the images fade, replaced by the quiet stillness of my room. This was the world I now inhabited, a world as strange as it was familiar, filled with wonders and horrors I could barely comprehend. The Oswins were at the center of it all, their legacy intertwined with the very fabric of Aeloria. And now, I was one of them—an heir to that legacy, with all the power and peril that came with it.
But the more I learned, the more I realized how little I truly knew. This world was not what it seemed, and neither was I. There were secrets buried in every corner of Aeloria, in every whispered word and half-forgotten tale. Secrets that I would have to uncover, no matter the cost.
For now, though, all I could do was stand at the window, staring out at a world that had become mine, and wonder what awaited me beyond the horizon.
...
The training grounds were a stark contrast to the labyrinthine halls of the Oswin estate. Here, the air was thick with the scent of sweat and steel, and the ground beneath my feet was worn from countless drills and sparring sessions. This was where my mornings began, under the watchful eye of Sir Alistair, the knight tasked with refining my combat skills.
Sir Alistair was a man of few words, his stern expression rarely betraying any hint of emotion. He had served the Oswin family for decades, his loyalty unwavering. His graying hair and the scars that marred his weathered face spoke of battles long past, yet his movements were fluid, almost graceful, as he demonstrated the sword forms.
"Again," he commanded, his voice steady, as he corrected my stance. "You must master the basics before you can wield any true power."
I nodded, focusing on the precise movements of the sword in my hand. Despite the weariness that settled in my limbs, I pushed myself to repeat the forms. There was something grounding about the repetition, the way it forced me to empty my mind and focus solely on the task at hand.
Yet, even as I trained, my thoughts often wandered to the world beyond the estate. Centrallis, the heart of Aeloria, was a city brimming with life and mystery. The stories I had heard—the bustling markets, the towering spires, and the hidden alleys that held secrets centuries old—filled me with a restless energy. I wanted to see it all, to understand the world that I had been thrust into.
"Your mind is elsewhere," Sir Alistair observed, breaking my reverie.
I lowered my sword, meeting his gaze. "It's hard not to think about what lies beyond these walls. There's so much I don't know."
He regarded me for a moment, his expression inscrutable. "Curiosity is natural, but it can also be dangerous. The world outside is not as forgiving as the one within these walls."
"I know," I replied, "but I can't ignore it."
Sir Alistair's stern expression softened slightly, a rare occurrence. "In time, you will. But for now, focus on what you can control. Master your skills, and the rest will follow."
His words, though simple, resonated with me. There was wisdom in his approach, a reminder that while the future was uncertain, my actions in the present would shape it.
After our session, I found myself standing at the edge of the estate, looking out toward Centrallis. The city was close, yet it felt distant, like a world unto itself. I knew I couldn't remain within these walls forever. There was too much at stake, too much I needed to learn.
But for now, I would heed Sir Alistair's advice. I would master my skills, prepare myself for whatever lay ahead, and when the time was right, I would step beyond the gates of the Oswin estate and into the heart of Aeloria.
The days following my conversation with Sir Alistair were consumed with rigorous training. Every morning, the clashing of steel against steel echoed through the estate's training grounds as I pushed myself to the limits under his watchful eye. Each correction he offered, each movement he refined, was another step toward mastery. But as the sun set and the estate fell into a quiet stillness, my thoughts always returned to Centrallis.
The clang of steel filled the air as I faced off against another knight, sweat dripping down my brow. My muscles burned from exertion, but I refused to yield. The morning sun was still low, casting long shadows across the training grounds as we moved, our swords glinting in the light.
Sir Alistair's voice cut through the noise, calm and firm. "Keep your stance. Focus on your footwork."
I adjusted my position, feet sliding against the dirt as I raised my sword to block the incoming strike. The knight—a seasoned fighter with years of experience—pressed the attack, his blade slicing through the air with a whistling sound. I barely managed to parry, the force of the blow reverberating up my arm.
"Again!" Alistair's command rang out, and I grit my teeth, pushing back with all the strength I could muster. The knight's sword swept low, forcing me to leap back, my own blade barely managing to deflect the follow-up strike aimed at my side. The impact jarred my bones, but I steadied myself, circling, searching for an opening.
"Too slow," the knight sneered, stepping forward with a quick, precise thrust aimed at my chest.
Instinctively, I twisted, feeling the brush of metal graze my side as I sidestepped. The movement was awkward, unrefined, but it kept me on my feet. I spun, bringing my sword down in a wide arc, aiming for his shoulder. He deflected with a swift motion, the sound of clashing metal ringing in my ears. I stumbled back, my breath coming in ragged gasps.
"Breathe, Aric!" Sir Alistair barked, pacing at the edge of the grounds. "Control your breathing. Don't let the fight dictate your movements—dictate the fight."
I inhaled deeply, forcing myself to slow down, to think. Every strike, every parry was a dance—one that I was still learning. My opponent moved like water, fluid and unyielding, while I struggled to keep pace, my every action reactive, desperate. He was stronger, faster, and more skilled, but there was a fire inside me that refused to die, a drive that kept me on my feet even as exhaustion clawed at my limbs.
The knight lunged again, a feint to my left before swinging right. I caught the trick too late, my parry half-hearted and clumsy. His blade struck my shoulder, a blunt impact that sent a jolt of pain coursing through me. I grunted, staggering, but refused to fall.
"Argh!!"
"Up!" Alistair's voice was unyielding. "Recover quickly. Don't give him the advantage."
I grit my teeth, squaring my shoulders as I raised my sword once more. The knight advanced, his movements almost lazy, as if he knew he had the upper hand. I could see the confidence in his eyes, the certainty that this fight was already won.
A surge of determination flooded my veins, drowning out the pain and fatigue. I surged forward, feinting to the right before pivoting sharply to the left. The suddenness of my movement caught the knight off-guard, his eyes widening in surprise. I swung my blade in a tight arc, the tip grazing his armor just above the hip. It was a minor hit, barely more than a scratch, but it was mine.
"Better!" Alistair shouted, a hint of approval in his tone. "Keep up the pressure."
Emboldened, I pressed the attack, striking with renewed vigor. My sword clashed against his in a flurry of movement—strikes and parries, blocks and counters. Every impact sent vibrations through my arms, but I was learning to read his movements, to anticipate the flow of his attacks. The knight's face hardened, and he stepped up his game, raining down blows that tested my endurance. I could feel my strength waning, my reactions slowing, but I forced myself to push through, refusing to let him break me.
With a grunt of effort, the knight swung low, aiming to sweep my legs out from under me. I jumped, narrowly avoiding the strike, and swung my own blade downward in a counterattack. He deflected, but this time, I was ready. I stepped in close, shoulder to shoulder, using the momentum to shove him back. The unexpected move threw him off balance, and for the first time, he stumbled.
I pounced on the opportunity, thrusting forward with everything I had. My sword found its mark, stopping just short of his chest plate—a decisive, if imperfect, victory.
Sir Alistair called the bout to a halt. "Well done." His praise was measured, but I could hear the pride beneath the stern exterior. "You fought with more heart today. But remember, technique must match your resolve. Passion without precision is reckless."
I nodded, chest heaving as I struggled to catch my breath. The training had been grueling, but it felt like progress—a step toward mastering the skills I needed to survive in this world.
As the knights dispersed, I remained on the field, staring at the sweat-streaked ground beneath my boots. The thrill of the fight still coursed through me, but so did the realization of how much farther I had to go. This was only the beginning. There were battles ahead, both on the training grounds and beyond the walls of the estate, and I needed to be ready.
I tightened my grip on the sword, the weight of it comforting in my hand. One day, I would not just stand my ground—I would dominate it. For now, I would train, struggle, and learn, honing my skills with every clash of steel.
When the time came to face the world outside, I would not falter.
...
The morning sky over the Oswin estate was a muted gray, heavy with the promise of rain. The air was thick and humid, pressing down like an omen of something sinister lurking just out of sight. I found myself standing on the training grounds, the weight of my sword familiar in my hand. Sir Alistair was nowhere to be seen today, leaving me alone with my thoughts and the relentless drills that had become my daily routine.
The past few weeks had been grueling, a blur of sword forms, body exercises, and endless corrections. Yet, no matter how hard I pushed myself, it never seemed to be enough. I felt the weight of expectations—my own, my father's, and those of the Oswin name—bearing down on me with every swing of my blade. There were moments when it all felt overwhelming, but I had no choice but to press on. If I was to survive in this world, I needed to be stronger.
Today, though, my focus wavered. There was a strange tension in the air, a feeling of unease that I couldn't quite shake. I brushed it off as nerves, trying to bury myself in the familiar rhythm of practice. But the feeling persisted, gnawing at the edges of my mind, whispering that something was wrong.
*BOOM!!*
It wasn't until I heard the first explosion that I understood.
...