After his initial success in the competition, Pleo found himself at a frustrating standstill once again. He had reached the limits of his abilities, unable to progress beyond the small stone spikes that had defined his power. No matter how many techniques he tried, no matter how long he practiced, he couldn't achieve the level of mastery he longed for—creating golems, erecting massive walls, or shaping the earth as King Trallod once did. His once-burning enthusiasm began to wane, and he felt as if he were back at square one.
Determined not to give up, Pleo decided to spend more time in the Earthward Academy's library, hoping that reading about the great King Trallod might offer him some insight. The towering shelves of ancient tomes and scrolls contained a wealth of knowledge about earth manipulation, magical techniques, and the history of the four realms. Yet, despite his efforts, the books didn't seem to hold the answers he was looking for.
One afternoon, as Pleo sat at a wooden table surrounded by dusty volumes, a shadow fell over him. He looked up to see one of the academy's most respected teachers, Master Raekon, standing before him. The old man was known for his wisdom and mysterious ways, often appearing at the right moment with just the right advice.
"Struggling, are we?" Master Raekon asked, his voice calm but penetrating.
Pleo nodded, feeling a wave of frustration rise within him. "I've been reading everything about King Trallod, but it doesn't seem to help. I'm stuck... I can't get past these spikes."
Master Raekon stroked his beard thoughtfully and glanced at the pile of books on the table. "Ah, King Trallod... He was a mighty figure indeed, but you're reading about him as a king—long after he mastered his powers. What you need to know is how he got there."
Pleo blinked in confusion. "But all the books about him talk about his great achievements. Isn't that what I need to learn?"
The old teacher chuckled softly. "Achievements are the end of a journey, young one, not the beginning. What you need is the story of Prince Trallod, not King Trallod."
Pleo furrowed his brow. "Prince Trallod? I didn't know there were any books about him before he became king."
Without another word, Master Raekon reached into his robe and pulled out a thin, leather-bound book. It was unlike the grand, ornate volumes that filled the library. This one was simple, almost unremarkable, except for the faint glow of ancient runes etched into the cover.
"This," Master Raekon said, placing the book gently on the table before Pleo, "is the story of Prince Trallod, from his youth until the day he became strong enough to compete with his brothers. It's not a story of greatness—it's a story of struggle, doubt, and perseverance."
Pleo's curiosity was piqued. He hesitated for a moment before picking up the book. The cover felt warm to the touch, as though it held a living memory within it. "Why isn't this in the library with the other books?"
Master Raekon smiled knowingly. "Some stories are meant to be found when the time is right. Now, I believe this is your time, Pleo. Read it. You might find that your journey and Trallod's have more in common than you think."
With that, the teacher turned and walked away, leaving Pleo alone with the mysterious book.
Eager to uncover the untold story, Pleo opened the book and began to read. As the pages turned, he found himself immersed in a different side of the legendary king he admired.
The book detailed Prince Trallod's early life, a time when he was overshadowed by his older brothers. Like Pleo, Trallod had struggled with his power in the beginning. His abilities, while promising, were limited. He could control the earth, but he couldn't create grand structures or summon golems as his brothers could. He often felt weak compared to them, and doubt crept into his heart, much like it had in Pleo's.
The young Trallod had been constantly overshadowed by Helard's flames, Wilord's mastery over water, and Gust's control of wind. As his brothers grew stronger and more confident, Trallod had to face the harsh reality of his own limitations. But instead of giving up, Trallod turned to introspection and began studying the earth itself—the very foundation of his power. He spent days, weeks, and months observing the smallest movements of the ground beneath him, understanding its rhythm and flow. He realized that power wasn't just about raw strength—it was about connection, patience, and subtlety.
Pleo's eyes widened as he read how Prince Trallod had spent years honing his earth manipulation by focusing on the details—the pressure, the texture, the composition of the soil and stone. He had practiced tirelessly, not by trying to mimic the grand abilities of others, but by deepening his own understanding of the earth. It was through this slow, painstaking process that Trallod's true power began to emerge.
The book also revealed something that Pleo had never considered: Trallod's mastery over the earth didn't come from trying to force the land to bend to his will. Instead, it came from learning to work with it. By respecting the natural strength of the earth, Trallod had unlocked techniques that his brothers couldn't even dream of. His famous earthquakes and towering walls weren't acts of brute force—they were the result of harmony between his power and the land itself.
Pleo felt a spark of realization ignite within him. All this time, he had been trying to force his powers to grow, comparing himself to others and feeling inadequate. But maybe his path, like Trallod's, wasn't about trying to compete with others. Maybe it was about understanding his unique connection with the earth, however small it might seem now.
With renewed determination, Pleo closed the book and stood up from the library table. He wasn't sure what the future held, but he knew one thing for certain: he wasn't going to give up. Trallod had started just as humbly, and through patience and understanding, he had become a legend.
Now it was Pleo's turn to carve out his own path, starting with the earth beneath his feet.