Kael wiped the sweat from his brow as he exited the training grounds. His muscles burned from the hours of pushing himself, trying to make sense of the Guide's cryptic warnings. He needed answers—about the Rebirth Core, the Darkspawn, everything. But the more he trained, the more it felt like he was still stumbling in the dark.
As he walked through the crowded streets of the bustling city, a voice called out from behind him.
"You fight well, but you leave too many openings."
Kael turned sharply, his hand instinctively reaching for the hilt of his sword. Standing behind him was a man draped in a cloak of deep green, the hood pulled low over his face. But even in the shadow, Kael could see the gleam of sharp eyes studying him.
"Who are you?" Kael asked, his voice guarded.
The man smiled—a slow, knowing smile. "Name's Varin. I've been watching you."
Kael narrowed his eyes. "That's not exactly comforting."
Varin chuckled, stepping forward with a fluid grace that betrayed his experience. "Don't worry. I'm not here to fight you. Quite the opposite, actually."
Kael remained on edge, but something about Varin's presence intrigued him. There was no hostility in his demeanor, but there was a confidence, the kind that only came with countless battles and victories. Still, Kael wasn't about to trust someone he'd just met, especially someone who had apparently been watching him.
"You have potential, Kael. But potential only gets you so far. You're strong, no doubt, but you're missing something—technique, strategy. I can help with that."
"And why would you want to help me?" Kael asked, folding his arms. "What's in it for you?"
Varin shrugged, a lazy grin tugging at his lips. "Let's just say I like to keep an eye on players who are… different."
Different. Kael's heart skipped a beat. Did Varin know? No, it was impossible. The Guide had said his power was unique, something no one else should be aware of. But Varin's words struck a chord, and Kael couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this man than met the eye.
Still, he couldn't afford to pass up the opportunity. Varin was right—he needed to be stronger. If there was even a chance that this stranger could teach him something useful, it was worth the risk.
"Alright," Kael said after a long pause. "I'll bite. What do you have in mind?"
The night was quiet—too quiet for Kael's restless thoughts. His mind replayed Varin's words from earlier that evening, each syllable laced with an unspoken promise.
"If you want, I can help train you. You can see me as... your mentor."
Kael sat by the window of his cramped room, watching the stars flicker over the jagged skyline of Erendath. A strange pull had brought him to this city, the same pull that now tethered him to Varin Valen. The older man's brooding silhouette had exuded power—a quiet, lethal confidence that stirred something in Kael. This was more than just training. Varin saw something in him, something he hadn't seen in himself.
"We have similar traits. You dabble in void and shadow elements. So do I. But we need to keep this discreet. No telling your friends at the guild." Varin explained.
That last part gnawed at him. He was used to secrets, but this was different. Varin wasn't just some mysterious figure offering power; he was a man with a past, a mentor whose intentions still felt clouded in shadow. Trust wasn't something Kael gave easily, not after everything he'd been through.
But I need this.
There was no denying the truth. His power had grown since unlocking the Rebirth Core, but it was wild, unpredictable. If he was going to survive the Darkspawn and whatever other threats were looming, he had to learn control. Varin might be his only chance.
With a deep breath, Kael pulled his hood over his head and slipped out the window. The cold night air bit at his skin, but it was nothing compared to the uncertainty of what awaited him tomorrow.