The next morning, the air in Eryndor felt heavier, the laughter and excitement from their training muted by the mysterious encounter from the night before. Ray couldn't shake the image of the man they had found sobbing in the darkness. Who was he, and why was someone like him—a giant among warriors—so filled with sorrow?
Ray, Amy, and Rhyuji sat quietly over breakfast, their minds all on the same thing. Amy, who usually brightened the mood with her teasing, was uncharacteristically silent, tapping her fingers on the table. Rhyuji stared at his sword, as if expecting it to offer some sort of answer.
Finally, it was Amy who broke the silence. "We should talk to him. Find out what's going on."
Ray nodded. "We need to. Something about him... it felt wrong, like he doesn't belong here."
Rhyuji set his sword down and stood. "Let's go then. He was hurting. If we can help him, we should."
The three of them left their quarters, heading toward the spot where they had found the giant man the night before. As they walked, the villagers of Eryndor continued their training, the sound of clashing swords and grunts of effort filling the air. But Ray could barely hear any of it, his focus fixed on the questions swirling in his mind.
When they arrived, the large man was sitting in the same place, slumped over with his head in his hands. He didn't seem to notice them at first, so Ray cleared his throat softly.
The man flinched and looked up, his red-rimmed eyes wide with surprise. He quickly wiped at his face with the back of his hand, trying to hide his tears. "W-What do you want?" His voice was deep, but there was a fragility to it.
Ray crouched down, speaking gently. "We saw you last night. You looked like you needed help."
The man sniffed and shook his head. "No one can help me. I... I'm useless."
Amy frowned and knelt beside Ray. "That's not true. You're here in Eryndor, right? You have to be strong if you made it this far."
The man looked away, his massive frame trembling. "I'm not like the others. I... I'm just a burden."
Rhyuji, his expression softening, stepped forward. "Tell us what's going on. Why do you feel this way?"
For a moment, the man remained silent, but then, as if something broke inside him, he began to speak, his words coming out in a rush. "My name is Hagon. I came here because I wanted to be a great warrior like Ramon. But... I can't do it. I'm too slow, too weak. Everyone here looks at me like I don't belong. And they're right."
Ray exchanged a glance with Amy and Rhyuji. This was not what they expected.
"But you're huge," Amy said, trying to sound encouraging. "You must be strong."
Hagon shook his head, his face clouded with shame. "My size doesn't matter. I've trained for years, but no matter what I do, I'm still worthless. I can't fight like the others. I don't belong here."
Ray felt a pang of sympathy. He had felt out of place too, arriving in this world without magic, wondering if he could ever stand on equal ground with the warriors and mages around him. "I know what it's like to feel like you don't belong," he said quietly. "But you don't have to fight alone."
Hagon looked up at Ray, a flicker of hope in his eyes. "You don't understand. There's more... There's something inside me, something I can't control."
"What do you mean?" Rhyuji asked, his voice gentle.
Hagon swallowed hard. "It's a power. I don't know where it came from, but sometimes... it takes over. I don't want to hurt anyone, but when it happens, I can't stop it."
Ray's mind raced. A mysterious power inside Hagon? Could this be related to the relic they were searching for?
Before he could ask more, a familiar voice cut through the air.
"So, you've found him."
They turned to see Ramon approaching, his expression unreadable. The legendary warrior stopped a few paces away, his arms crossed. "Hagon, I told you to face your fear, not run from it."
Hagon's face fell. "I... I can't do it, Ramon. I'm not strong enough."
Ramon's gaze softened, just a little. "Strength isn't just about power or skill, Hagon. It's about courage. You have a gift—one that even the greatest warriors envy. But you're letting your fear control you."
Ray looked between them, trying to piece together what Ramon meant. "What gift?"
Ramon turned to the group, his eyes scanning over Ray, Amy, and Rhyuji. "Hagon possesses an ancient relic—one that gives him incredible defensive power. But he's afraid of it. Afraid of what it can do."
Amy's eyes widened. "A relic? Wait... could it be the one we've been looking for?"
Hagon nodded slowly. "It's called the Aegis of the Gentle Titan. It... it gives me power, but I don't know how to control it. And because of that, I'm a danger to everyone around me."
Rhyuji stepped forward, his expression determined. "Then let us help you. We've been training with some of the best warriors in the world. If anyone can help you learn to control your power, it's us."
Hagon looked uncertain, but Ramon nodded approvingly. "They're right, Hagon. You've spent too long running from your power. It's time to face it."
Ray placed a hand on Hagon's shoulder. "We'll be with you, every step of the way."
For the first time since they had met him, Hagon managed a small, hesitant smile. "Thank you."
As the group turned to head back to the training grounds, the weight of the mystery surrounding Hagon began to lift. But Ray couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning. If Hagon truly possessed the ancient relic, then their journey was far from over.
And somewhere out there, Ray knew, Miria was waiting. Waiting for the moment to strike.
The battle for the relic—and for Hagon's future—was just beginning.