Kai awoke to the gentle light of dawn filtering through his window, its soft warmth contrasting sharply with the turmoil that swirled in his mind. He instinctively touched his chest, feeling the small, cool weight of the pendant nestled within his pocket. The memories of his dream flooded back, vivid and overwhelming. He had seen a battlefield unlike anything he could have imagined—monsters, demons, and beings of countless races standing together in unity against a singular, towering presence.
The image of the woman, alone and fierce with only a spear in hand, left him breathless. Her majesty had transformed the chaotic landscape of war into something profoundly moving, filling him with an indescribable sense of pride and boiling anger. He hesitated for a moment, considering whether he should tell Mira about the vision, but the weight of it felt too heavy, too personal. What could he say that wouldn't seem foolish or overwhelming?
As he prepared for the day, Kai gazed at the pendant once more, feeling its warmth penetrate into his skin. After a moment of reflection, he pushed those thoughts away and went out to meet Lia.
He finally found her, but she wasn't as chirpy as she usually was. The shoulders slumped to one side ever so slightly, and those bright eyes seemed dull for the moment. This is what Kai saw and his heart sank right away. It instantly reminded him of that duel they were a part of in Havenbrook. That sense of powerlessness felt like an entire chasm had opened before them. All those thoughts of cultivation and strength would be forever out of their reach.
"Hey, Lia," he said softly, trying to hide his own disappointment.
"Hey, Kai," she said softly, her voice barely audible.
They walked towards the training grounds but the silence was oppressive. Kai couldn't help sneaking peeks at her, wondering if she felt the same suffocating weight of inadequacy that he felt. The thought hurt him all the more.
Do you think we ever could do what they did?" he broke into the silence.
"I don't know," she murmured. "It feels like we're just. stuck.
Their conversation was cut short by the approach of a tall, burly man—a figure neither of them could mistake. Garrick was the village's renowned swordmaster, and he carried himself with an air of stern discipline, moving his sword with an ease that belied its weight. He nodded them over, his intense gaze sweeping over them both.
"Kai, Lia," he said roughly, but not unkindly. "Heard you two could use some guidance after what you saw at the duel."
Kai's heart quickened on the mention of training. But the academy instructors said he and Lia weren't yet ready. Why now?
Garrick's mouth twisted into a slight smile. "Because I believe you are ready. The heart of a warrior isn't built in ease—it's forged in the fires of struggle. Today, we start that forging."
And with that, Garrick took them to the edge of the Forest of Ashgrove. He took them down a path Kai had never walked upon. The peacefulness of the forest belied what they were going to have to face. And as they walked, thoughts swirled through his mind regarding what training could be like.
In a clear, secluded area, Garrick turned to face them, his face serious. "First, pick up your swords," he commanded, pointing to two iron blades laying in the grass.
"Real swords?" Lia asked, her eyes broadening.
"Aye," Garrick said, folding his arms across his chest. "Iron, not sticks. You'll be needing real weight if you're to understand what it means to wield a blade.".
Kai and Lia regarded each other, looked up at the swords, lifted them. The iron felt cold, heavier than expected. No matter what, both of them were still kids. It was a physical reminder of the responsibility they were taking on. Each step that followed felt weighted by that fact, as though the very dreams they craved now weighed them down.
"Follow me," Garrick said, taking long strides into the dense woods ahead.
As he led them through the actual training, the initial thrill soon wore off. The ground was rugged, covered with roots and rocks which seemed to wait at each step to trip them. The swords weighed down their arms and each movement took increasing effort. Sweat trickled down Kai's brow as he struggled to keep pace.
Lia tripped on a root, landing on her knees in frustration. "How can he run so fast carrying that sword?" she wheezed, barely getting enough breath.
Kai tried to smile, focusing on the pain in his legs to keep himself awake. "Come on. We can't let him get too far ahead.".
They pressed on, thickly under brushed growth snagging at their clothes and branches that scratched arms. Every time they'd stumble or fall, the taste of defeat ate at him. He knew Lia felt it too.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, they reached an open area, panting and disoriented. Garrick had halted at the center of the clearing, where the sunlight poured down in warm streams. He turned to face them, assessing their condition with a gaze that held both disappointment and a hint of pride.
"Good. You've made it," he said, though his voice carried an edge. "Now, this is where the real training begins."
Garrick raised his sword, demonstrating a series of basic maneuvers—thrusts, parries, and cuts. Each movement was fluid, precise, and powerful, yet familiar. But holding the iron swords, Kai and Lia quickly realized the difference in their bodies. The weight made even the most basic stance feel unstable, every adjustment demanding more strength and balance than they had ever needed with wooden swords.
"Although you've practiced these stances and maneuvers for the past year," Garrick said, his voice gruff but instructive, "holding iron is a different story. It demands more from you, and it won't forgive sloppy stances."
Kai's muscles burned from the effort, each swing of the sword a test of endurance. Frustration bubbled inside him, and he glanced at Lia, who was panting heavily, her brows knit in concentration. Yet her face betrayed exhaustion.
"I can't do this!" she finally hollered aloud, placing her sword into the muddy ground.
"Neither can I!" admitted Kai, his own blade slipping from his fingers. He and his opponent stood, heaving for air, the two of them staring into each other's eyes with a mixture of exhaustion and despair.
"Pick up those swords!" shouted Garrick, his voice louder than any sword. "Warriors are not born through victory alone. Warriors are tempered in defeat."
Kai and Lia locked eyes, and there were sparks of fear and determination flashing across their faces. Slowly, they crouched to pick up the swords again, now drawing them up with more conviction.
"I won't let him down," Kai said in a low voice, clutching the hilt more firmly.
Lia nodded her head, furrowing her brow in concentration. "Then let's keep going."
They stood back in their positions, with the stinging of sweat in their eyes and aching in their muscles. The challenge ahead of them was not as daunting this time around because the weight of the swords seemed a little lighter. They had fought their doubts and held on to it, knowing that this fight was just the beginning of something much greater.