Chapter 27: Running Toward Destiny
As dawn began to break, the soft glow of sunlight filtered into the room where Asher and Bran lay asleep. Both boys shot out of bed in a hurry, scrambling to get dressed and ready for the day ahead. It was the day they had been waiting for—the exam that could change their lives forever.
Standing at the door, Joshua and Elara embraced Asher, feeling the weight of the moment. Joshua placed a simple yet meaningful headband in Asher's hands, saying, "Good luck, son. You'll need it."
Elara, barely able to contain her tears, held onto Asher tightly. "My little Asher is all grown up," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion.
Asher smiled, gently wiping away her tears. "No matter what, mom, I'll always be your little Asher. And dad, I'll ace the exam, head for the stars and beyond. Nothing is stopping me. I'll clear this exam and achieve my dream. I'll be the Chief Commander."
Joshua smiled proudly, his eyes gleaming with pride. "Asher, I'm proud of you," he said, patting his son's shoulder.
Before the moment could grow too sentimental, Bran chimed in with a grin. "Hey Ash, let's go! We're gonna be late."
Asher and Bran darted out of the door, their excitement pushing them forward. Joshua and Elara stood by the doorway, watching as their son ran toward his future. Elara couldn't hold back her tears any longer, her mind flooded with memories of a young Asher, just four years old, always running around and announcing his dream to the world. Despite the doubts and the naysayers, that same determined Asher was now sprinting toward the life he had always dreamed of.
On the way to the train station, Asher and Bran spotted Mika waiting for them. Without missing a beat, Asher shouted, "Last one there pays the train fee!"
The three friends ran as fast as they could, laughing and pushing each other forward. The tension of the upcoming exam melted away in that moment of lighthearted competition. They knew the journey ahead would be tough, but together, nothing felt impossible.As the three friends sprinted down the cobbled streets toward the train station, the early morning air filled their lungs with a crisp chill. The city was just beginning to wake up, but their hearts were already racing with anticipation. They dodged street vendors setting up shop and weaved through the small crowds, their laughter echoing off the buildings.
Bran, always one to add humor, puffed as he ran. "Come on, Asher! Don't you want to save your money for something other than paying the train fee?"
Asher laughed, his competitive streak kicking in. "I'm not paying today, Bran! You better hurry up!"
Mika, keeping pace, rolled her eyes at them. "You two are hopeless. Always turning everything into a competition."
As they neared the train station, the sight of the waiting locomotive spurred them on. The sound of its engine humming filled the air, a reminder that time was ticking. With a final burst of speed, Asher reached the station first, triumphantly throwing his arms in the air. Bran stumbled in a few steps behind, breathless but grinning. Mika arrived just moments later, shaking her head at the boys' antics.
"You win, Ash," Bran panted, trying to catch his breath. "But next time, I'll beat you for sure."
Asher chuckled, leaning against a column. "Next time, Bran. Maybe next time."
They paused for a moment, the playful energy settling as the weight of the day began to sink in again. The train station was bustling now, filled with other students heading to the academy for the same exam. The platform buzzed with nervous conversations, the excitement of the exam palpable in the air.
Mika, noticing the shift in Asher's expression, placed a hand on his shoulder. "Hey, everything okay? You look like you're miles away."
Asher nodded, his thoughts momentarily drifting to the conversation he had with Captain Kael just days ago. The mention of the 6-gate divine seal still lingered in his mind, the gravity of it making his chest feel heavy. But he couldn't tell Mika or Bran about it—not yet.
"Yeah, just thinking about the exam," Asher said, forcing a smile. "I just… I can't mess this up."
Mika smiled softly, her golden eyes gleaming with confidence. "You won't. You've been through worse, Ash. You've got this."
Bran nodded in agreement, giving Asher a playful punch on the arm. "Yeah, what she said! You're gonna knock it out of the park, man. Besides, I'll be right there with you, so if you fail, at least you won't be alone!"
Asher laughed, grateful for his friends' support. They were more than just his teammates—they were his family. And that gave him strength.
The train's horn blared, signaling their final call to board. Asher, Mika, and Bran exchanged glances before grabbing their bags and stepping onto the train. The doors closed behind them with a soft hiss, and they found seats by the window, watching as the landscape of their home city began to blur into the distance. The sun was now fully above the horizon, casting a warm glow over the rooftops and the forest beyond.
As the train sped along, Asher's mind wandered back to his promise to his parents, the headband from Joshua still tucked safely in his pocket. He clutched it tightly, a small reminder of the expectations on his shoulders. But he knew he couldn't let it weigh him down. This exam was just the beginning—the first step toward a dream he had been chasing since he was a kid.
He glanced at Bran, who had already fallen asleep, and Mika, who stared out the window, deep in thought. They were all in this together, and no matter what happened, they would face it as a team. With that comforting thought, Asher leaned back in his seat and let his eyes close, knowing that the most important day of their lives was just beginning.
But somewhere in the back of his mind, the weight of the secret Kael had shared still gnawed at him. The 6-gate divine seal, the raw power lurking inside him—it was a mystery he had yet to fully understand. And as the train raced toward the academy, Asher couldn't help but wonder if the exam would be the only challenge he'd face today.