The morning was quiet in the village, the type of calm that should have felt comforting. But Aiden could sense it now—the way people watched him from the corners of their eyes, whispers trailing behind him as he passed. Just a week ago, he and Elara had been celebrated for their bravery, but now, everything felt as if it had shifted.
As Aiden headed toward the training grounds, he spotted Elara waiting by the fence, staring at the horizon. She looked up as he approached, a flicker of worry crossing her face.
"They're still not saying much to us, are they?" she murmured.
Aiden nodded, his voice low. "It's like they're afraid of us."
They both turned to see Loran approaching with his usual calm stride. He looked tired, though, his brows pulled together. Once he reached them, he sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.
"The council wants to talk to you two," he said, his voice uncharacteristically tense. "There was a… a discussion about your training."
Elara frowned. "Why? Did we do something wrong?"
"No, not exactly," Loran replied, glancing back at the villagers who were carefully avoiding eye contact with them. "They're just… wary. What happened last week with that demon—some believe it was a sign."
"A sign?" Aiden asked, surprised. "We beat it back, didn't we?"
"Yes, but your powers… they're not like what they're used to," Loran explained. "The elders worry about things they don't understand."
The words stung, and Aiden could see the hurt in Elara's eyes. They had fought hard to prove themselves, and now, their strength was the very thing turning people against them.
"Come on, let's get this over with," Loran said, leading them toward the main hall.
As they walked through the village, the familiar dirt paths and neatly kept homes felt more distant than ever. People they'd once greeted daily now glanced away or murmured in low tones. Aiden felt Elara's hand brush against his, and he took it, drawing strength from her presence.
Inside the council chamber, a small group of elders sat waiting, their faces solemn. At the head of the group was Elder Mira, an older woman with silver-streaked hair and sharp, piercing eyes.
"Thank you for coming," Elder Mira began, her gaze shifting from Loran to Aiden and Elara. "You two have proven yourselves capable, perhaps more than any other apprentice we've had. But recent events have raised concerns."
"We've done everything we could to help the village," Elara said, her voice steady but quiet.
"And we appreciate that, Elara," Elder Mira replied, her tone softening slightly. "But the powers you both wield… they're not what we expected. They're unpredictable, and that's dangerous for everyone here."
Aiden clenched his fists, holding back his frustration. "We've been training, doing everything you've asked."
"Yes, but there's more to consider," another elder chimed in. "These abilities you possess, they don't come from the same magic as ours. We worry about the consequences."
"Consequences?" Aiden echoed, his patience wearing thin. "We're trying to protect the village!"
Elder Mira raised her hand, silencing the murmurs from the other elders. "We understand your intentions, Aiden, but until we know more about these powers, we must proceed with caution."
There was a long pause, a tension hanging in the air that seemed impossible to break. Loran shifted uneasily beside them, clearly wanting to speak but holding himself back.
"So what does this mean for us?" Elara asked, her voice calm despite the tension in her eyes.
The elders exchanged glances, and then Elder Mira spoke. "From now on, you'll have limited access to the training grounds. Your assignments will also be supervised by our most experienced members."
The words felt like a blow. After everything they'd gone through, they were being restricted, monitored—treated like they were a danger.
Aiden's voice was tight. "You're saying you don't trust us."
"No one's saying that," Loran interjected, though even he sounded uncertain.
Elder Mira sighed. "It's not a matter of trust, Aiden. It's about ensuring the safety of everyone here, including you both. You may continue training, but you'll need to be patient with our concerns."
Aiden looked to Elara, searching for any hint of reassurance in her eyes, but she looked as shaken as he felt. They'd fought alongside these people, protected them, yet their own strength was now making them outcasts.
They left the hall in silence, Loran trailing behind them.
Once they were outside, Elara let out a shaky breath. "So this is how it's going to be?"
Loran put a hand on her shoulder. "Give it time. People need to feel safe, and sometimes that means being cautious."
Aiden scoffed, shaking his head. "We've been cautious. We've done everything they asked. What more can we do?"
Loran's eyes were filled with sympathy. "Sometimes, it's not about what you do—it's about what people think they see. Just… be careful. Don't give them a reason to doubt you further."
They parted ways, and Aiden and Elara found themselves wandering the village, feeling the weight of the stares and whispers around them.
Later that evening, as they sat outside near the training grounds, Aiden kicked at a loose stone, frustration boiling within him.
"I thought we were finally part of something here," he muttered. "But now they're treating us like strangers."
Elara nodded, her face solemn. "I know. But we can't give up. If they don't trust us, we'll have to find a way to prove ourselves again."
Aiden sighed, looking out at the dimly lit village. "But how? If they won't let us train properly, how are we supposed to show them we're on their side?"
Elara's gaze was steady. "We'll find a way. We always do."
As they sat together in the quiet, a faint rustling sounded from the trees nearby. Aiden tensed, reaching for the small dagger he kept at his side, but before he could stand, a figure stepped out of the shadows.
It was Loran, his face illuminated by the moonlight, looking more serious than they'd ever seen him.
"Meet me tomorrow night," he whispered. "There's something I need to show you both, something I think might help."
He disappeared back into the darkness before they could ask any questions, leaving them with only the echo of his words.