Growing up, he heard countless tales of his father's bravery and honor in the kingdom. The king himself would sometimes request his father's assistance. Inspired by these stories, he dreamed of becoming an adventurer just like his father. However, unlike his skilled father, he lacked any particular talents. Despite this, he never gave up hope and tirelessly pursued his dream.
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Shiv stood before the cracked mirror in his modest home, studying his reflection. His average features stared back at him - slim build, fair skin, and a mop of semi-curly black hair framing equally dark eyes. He sighed, running a hand through his unruly locks. How could someone so ordinary ever hope to become a great adventurer?
But Shiv refused to let his unremarkable appearance dampen his spirits. With determination, he grabbed his worn leather satchel and headed out into the bustling streets of Kaldoria's capital. Perhaps today would be the day his fortunes changed.
As he made his way through the crowded marketplace, Shiv's ears pricked up at the sound of excited whispers.
"Did you hear? The king is seeking volunteers for a dangerous quest!"
Shiv's heart raced. This could be his chance! He elbowe
Shiv approached the receptionist to sign up as a volunteer for the quest.
"I also want to join in on this adventure," he said eagerly.
"Unfortunately, you have to be an experienced adventurer to volunteer," the receptionist replied.
His face fell with a heavy weight of sadness.
"Really?" he replied, his tone and expression matching the depressed mood.
Shiv shuffled away from the receptionist's desk, his shoulders slumped in defeat. He had been so close, only to have his dreams dashed once again. As he neared the exit, a booming voice caught his attention.
"Hold on there, young man!"
Shiv turned to see a tall, broad-shouldered man with a salt-and-pepper beard striding towards him. The man's eyes twinkled with curiosity as he approached.
"I couldn't help but overhear. You're eager to join this quest, are you?"
Shiv nodded, his voice barely above a whisper. "Yes, sir. More than anything."
The man stroked his beard thoughtfully. "What's your name, lad?"
"Shiv, sir. Shiv Windsor."
The man's eyebrows shot up in recognition. "Windsor, you say? As in Aarav Windsor's son?"
Shiv's heart skipped a beat. "Yes, sir. Did you know my father?"
The bearded man let out a hearty laugh. "Know him? Why, we fought side by side in the Battle with the Demon Army! Your father saved my life that day." He extended a calloused hand. "I'm Thor, Captain of the King's Guard."
Shiv's eyes widened as he shook Thor's hand, scarcely believing his luck. "It's an honor to meet you, sir."
Thor's expression softened. "Your father was a great man, Shiv. I see that same fire in your eyes." He paused, considering something. "Tell you what, lad. I can't send you on this quest - it's far too dangerous for an untrained youth. But I can offer you something else."
Shiv leaned in, hanging on Thor's every word.
"How would you like to train with the King's Guard? It won't be easy, mind you. We'll work you to the bone. But if you've got half the talent your father had, you might just make something of yourself."
Shiv's heart soared. This was more than he could have ever hoped for. "Yes!" he exclaimed, then quickly composed himself. "I mean, yes sir. I would be honored."
Thor chuckled at the boy's enthusiasm. "
As soon as the king's quest ended, Shiv began his training with the king's guard. The intensity of the training matched what Thor had warned him about. Despite his efforts, Shiv found himself unable to gain any new skills. "Anyone else would have given up and left by now," Thor said, clearly disappointed. "But I see potential in him, just like his father. He has some swordsmanship skills, but that's all."
Thor's words stung, but Shiv refused to let them discourage him. He redoubled his efforts, rising before dawn each day to practice his sword forms and staying long after the other recruits had retired for the evening. Sweat poured down his face as he swung his blade again and again, determined to prove himself worthy of his father's legacy.
Weeks turned into months, and while Shiv's swordsmanship improved, he still lagged behind his peers in other areas. He couldn't hit a target with a bow to save his life, and his attempts at hand-to-hand combat often left him flat on his back, staring up at the sky, he doesn't have knack for magic too.
One evening, as Shiv was preparing to leave the training grounds, Thor approached him with a concerned expression.
"Lad, I've been observing you closely these past few months. Your dedication is commendable, but I'm afraid we can no longer continue your training," the guard said, his expression filled with helplessness, as it was a direct order from the new king.
Confused about what had upset the king, Shiv replied, "Yes, I understand," and turned to head back home. The next day was his 18th birthday, he had a dream, he saw himself surrounded with smoke and a voice echoed through Shiv's mind, ethereal and ancient. "Awaken, child of destiny. Your true path begins now."
Shiv's eyes snapped open, his heart pounding. The room was bathed in an otherworldly smoke, emanating from a glowing symbol that had appeared on his forehead. He stared at it in wonder, tracing its intricate lines with his finger.
As the light faded, Shiv felt a surge of energy course through his body. He leapt out of bed, grabbed his training sword, and began to move. To his amazement, his body flowed through complex forms he had never mastered before, his blade singing through the air with perfect precision. Shiv felt a surge of magic coursing through him. After finally stopping, panting and exhilarated, he realized something fundamental had changed. The symbol on his forehead pulsed one last time before disappearing. He noticed his eyesight had improved significantly, his height had increased to seven feet, and he had developed impressive muscles. "Wow, six-pack abs!" he exclaimed in amazement.
Eager to share his transformation, Shiv sprinted toward the king's guard training ground to find Captain Thor. Upon arriving, he asked a guard, "Excuse me, can I speak with the captain?"
The guard replied, "He's left for an important meeting with the neighboring kingdom."
"That's fine; I'll go meet the captain there myself," Shiv said confidently, fueled by his newfound powers, and headed back home to prepare for his journey.