The village of Kumbhaka was nestled in a forest so ancient that locals believed the trees themselves had memories. Sunlight dripped through the branches, casting dappled shadows on the soft earth where two children sat side by side. They'd found their usual spot on a low-hanging branch overlooking the quiet river that wound through the heart of the village.

"I'll be the strongest knight this kingdom has ever seen," he declared, his young voice confident as he looked out over the village. The boy was ten years old, brown-haired and wide-eyed, with a sturdy build and hands already calloused from hours spent swinging sticks like swords.

The girl beside him laughed, a bright sound that made the river ripple with the music of her joy. "You'll have to catch up to me first, Drona," she teased, nudging him playfully. She was ten as well, but taller, with an agile, cat-like grace. Her dark hair, always unruly, framed a face lit by a mischievous smile.

Drona's heart beat a little faster when she smiled like that, though he'd never admit it. They'd been inseparable since they could remember, the village's troublemakers, always racing, climbing, and exploring every corner of Kumbhaka together. The adults often joked that they were bound to grow up side by side, but to Drona, there was no joke in it. He couldn't imagine a day without her.

Her name was Lyra, and she was something special. Everyone in the village knew it, even if they couldn't quite explain why. She seemed to have a spark, a fire that set her apart from the other children. And Drona saw it too--how she could run faster than the boys, how she could climb the highest tree without fear. He dreamed of one day standing by her side as a knight, protecting their village and each other.

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But on a crisp autumn afternoon, when the leaves were turning gold and red, everything changed.

A royal knight arrived in Kumbhaka, clad in gleaming armor that seemed to catch every last ray of sunlight. He was tall, imposing, with a presence that made the villagers gather in silent awe. He was a towering figure, and his appearance was unusual for such a small, remote village. People whispered as they watched him dismount his horse, wondering what business a Royal Knight had in their quiet lives.

Drona and Lyra, caught up in a game of tag, were oblivious to the spectacle until the knight's gaze settled on them. But as the knight's eyes passed over the village, his gaze again fixed on Lyra. His brow furrowed, and he took a step closer, his armor gleaming in the late afternoon light.

"You, girl," he said, his voice low and grave. "What is your name?"

"Lyra," she replied, tilting her head in curiosity.

The knight studied her, a glint of astonishment in his eyes. He could feel it—a powerful, raw magic radiating from her, untrained but potent. He hadn't expected to sense such a force here, especially from a child.

"A remarkable gift," he murmured to himself. Turning back to Lyra, he spoke with newfound interest. "You have a rare power within you, Lyra. Would you consider coming with me? The Royal Knights could train you to harness that magic—to become something greater."

Lyra's eyes went wide, and Drona felt a jolt of panic rise in his chest. She turned to him, as if seeking his approval, her expression filled with a mixture of excitement and hesitation. He tried to keep his face steady, though his heart twisted painfully.

"You'd be amazing, Lyra," he said quietly, though the words felt heavy.

The Royal Knight looked at her, waiting. And then, with a small, uncertain nod, Lyra agreed. "I'll go," she said.

Her family gathered to say their goodbyes, pride and sadness mingling in their faces. Drona stayed close to her side, his hand brushing hers as they stood by the river one last time, the same place where they'd spent countless hours in carefree play. Drona could barely find the words, his throat tight with things he wanted to say but couldn't. She sat beside him in the fading light, their fingers brushing as they both watched the sky deepen from pink to purple.

"I'll come back," Lyra promised, her voice soft. "When I'm strong, I'll come back for you. We'll protect Kumbhaka together. You'll be a knight too, Drona, I know you will."

He nodded, swallowing hard. "I'll train every day, just like you, Lyra. When you come back, you'll see."

"Promise me you'll train hard," Lyra said, her voice steady, though he saw the emotion in her eyes.

"I will," Drona replied, his voice barely a whisper. "When you come back, I'll be ready. I'll be a knight, just like you."

Lyra smiled, and for a moment, everything else disappeared. But as the Royal Knight led her away, Drona felt a hollow ache settle in his chest. His best friend—his only friend—was leaving. And though he wanted to be proud, he couldn't shake the feeling that something precious was slipping through his fingers.

As she disappeared down the path, Drona clenched his fists, a fierce determination growing within him. He would train. He would become a knight worthy of standing by her side. Whatever it took, he'd catch up to her—no matter how high he'd have to climb.

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End of Chapter 1

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