Ahn barely slept that night. Every time he closed his eyes, the visions returned—battles fought long ago, creatures of shadow and flame, and a lone Guardian standing against the tide of darkness. The weight of the title pressed on him like a boulder, threatening to crush his spirit before his journey even began.
But as the first light of dawn broke through the cracks in the window, Ahn forced himself to rise. Today, his life would change forever.
He stepped outside, the crisp morning air sharp against his skin. The village was still quiet, the tension from the previous night hanging over the streets like a fog. Only a few villagers moved about, their eyes averted as if they knew something was coming but were too afraid to acknowledge it.
Mira and Kael were waiting for him at the edge of the village, near the forest trail that led into the mountains. Kael had traded his elder's robes for a sturdy leather vest and travel gear, a sword strapped to his back. Mira, though seemingly frail, stood tall with a staff in hand, her eyes sharp and focused.
"You're sure about this?" Kael asked, his tone serious. "Once we begin, there's no turning back."
Ahn nodded, though his chest tightened with anxiety. "I'm sure."
Mira gave him a small smile of approval. "Good. The journey ahead will be long, and it won't be easy. But you've taken the first step, and that's the hardest part."
"Where do we go first?" Ahn asked, scanning the unfamiliar path ahead.
Kael unsheathed a weathered map from his pack, unrolling it on the ground. The parchment was ancient, marked with faded symbols and routes that crisscrossed the entire realm. At the center of the map was an icon, a starburst surrounded by concentric circles.
"This is where we need to go," Kael said, pointing to the starburst. "The Ruins of Selvas, deep in the northwestern mountains. It's the last known location of the first artifact—the Heart of Vethor, a relic from the time of the original Guardians. Without it, your powers will remain dormant, incomplete."
Ahn studied the map. The mountains of Selvas were far, farther than he'd ever traveled before. Even in stories, he had only heard whispers of the place—ancient, dangerous, and long-abandoned by civilization.
"And what happens if we find it?" Ahn asked, already sensing the danger ahead.
"If we find it," Mira replied, "you will begin to unlock the full potential of your power. The Heart of Vethor was crafted by the Guardians to amplify their connection to the realm's energy. With it, you'll be able to defend against the darkness more effectively."
Kael rolled up the map and glanced around, his expression darkening. "But it won't be easy. The path to the ruins is treacherous, and there are more than just wild animals in those mountains. The darkness will send its agents. You must be prepared for whatever lies ahead."
Ahn swallowed hard. "How long do we have?"
Mira looked at him gravely. "Not long. The darkness has already stirred, and its reach will only grow. The more time we take, the more powerful it becomes."
"Then we need to leave now," Ahn said, his voice steady, though his heart pounded with uncertainty. He had no idea what lay ahead, but there was no turning back now. He was the last Guardian, and he had a realm to protect.
They set off at once, leaving the village behind as they ventured into the wilds. The landscape quickly shifted from rolling hills and quiet streams to dense forests and jagged cliffs. The path was narrow and winding, and the further they traveled, the more oppressive the atmosphere became. The trees grew taller, their branches like twisted claws reaching for the sky, blocking out the light.
Ahn walked in silence for the most part, his mind a storm of thoughts. Mira and Kael exchanged quiet words as they led the way, but Ahn was too distracted to listen. His thoughts drifted back to the visions he had seen—the ancient Guardians, the battles they fought, and the terrible creatures they faced. How could he possibly live up to their legacy?
Hours passed, and the sun climbed higher in the sky, but the thick canopy above kept the forest dim and shadowy. The air grew colder, and Ahn felt the weight of something lurking just beyond the trees, watching them.
"Keep your eyes sharp," Kael said, his voice low. "We're entering dangerous territory now."
Ahn nodded, tightening his grip on the sword Kael had given him before they left. He wasn't much of a fighter—his skills were limited to the occasional training with wooden swords back in the village—but he knew he'd have to rely on more than just brute strength in the battles to come.
They continued through the forest, the terrain growing more uneven as they ascended into the foothills of the mountains. As they crossed a narrow stream, Mira suddenly stopped, her eyes narrowing as she scanned the trees ahead.
"Something's wrong," she whispered.
Ahn's pulse quickened. "What is it?"
Before Mira could answer, a low growl echoed from the shadows. Kael drew his sword in an instant, his eyes darting around the clearing.
"Stay behind me," Kael ordered, stepping forward cautiously.
The growling grew louder, and from the depths of the forest, several dark shapes began to emerge. At first, they appeared to be wolves, but as they stepped into the faint light, Ahn saw that they were something far more menacing. Their eyes glowed with a sickly green light, and their bodies seemed to shimmer with shadow, as if they were made from the darkness itself.
"Shadowbeasts," Mira muttered, her voice tense. "They've found us."
Ahn's hand shook as he gripped his sword, but he forced himself to steady his breathing. The creatures moved closer, their growls reverberating through the clearing. There were three of them, each one larger and more menacing than any wolf he'd ever seen.
"What do we do?" Ahn asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Kael didn't take his eyes off the beasts. "We fight."
Before Ahn could respond, the first shadowbeast lunged, its claws slicing through the air with deadly precision. Kael blocked its attack with his sword, the force of the blow sending him stumbling back. Mira raised her staff, and a burst of light shot from its tip, striking one of the creatures and sending it howling into the trees.
Ahn's heart raced. He knew he couldn't just stand there, but fear rooted him in place. The second beast darted toward him, its eyes locked on his. Time seemed to slow as the creature leaped, jaws wide, aiming straight for his throat.
In that instant, something deep within Ahn stirred. A pulse of energy surged through him, the same energy he had felt back at the ruins. His body reacted on instinct, and before he knew what was happening, his sword glowed with a faint light. He swung it upward, meeting the creature mid-air.
The blade sliced through the shadowbeast with ease, and the creature dissolved into a cloud of black mist. Ahn stumbled back, his heart pounding in his ears.
"What—" he started, but there was no time to process what had just happened. The remaining beasts were already closing in, their growls growing louder.
Kael grunted as he fended off another attack. "Ahn, focus! Use the power inside you!"
Ahn tightened his grip on the sword, feeling the energy coursing through him. The beasts lunged again, but this time, Ahn was ready. He sidestepped their attack, swinging his sword with newfound precision. The blade glowed brighter, cutting through the creatures like they were made of smoke.
Within moments, the shadowbeasts were gone, their dark forms dissipating into the air.
Ahn stood there, panting, his body trembling from the sudden rush of power. The clearing was silent again, the threat seemingly passed.
Kael sheathed his sword, his eyes still alert. "Well done, Ahn."
Mira stepped forward, her gaze fixed on him. "The power of the Guardians is awakening inside you. But this was only a taste of what's to come."
Ahn swallowed hard, his mind still reeling from the encounter. If this was just the beginning, he wasn't sure if he was ready for what lay ahead.
But ready or not, there was no going back.