Riya, her body drenched in blood, crawled slowly toward Aamir, reaching out to him, her voice barely a whisper. "Save me, Aamir..."
Around Aamir, chaos reigned. Destruction lay in every direction. His mother, Rajasvi, who had been his only family since his father's death, had been taken by the beasts. Blood stained the ground, and bodies were strewn all around. Amid the lurking beasts, Aamir glimpsed a shadowy figure just before the ground began to tremble, splitting open beneath him. The entire realm seemed moments from destruction.
Aamir jolted awake with a scream. His breathing came fast, his heart pounding. As he looked around, he saw his mother, Rajasvi, sitting by his side, her face full of concern. She pulled him close, holding him tightly. "It's all right, my son. I'm here; everyone is safe."
Gradually, Aamir's panic subsided. His vision cleared, and he realized he was in a small, simple room, with his mother beside him. Nearby sat Riya, who looked fragile and weak. Aamir asked in confusion, "Where are we? And... what about the beasts?"
Riya, her voice gentle, explained, "You've been unconscious for five days, Aamir. The beasts were driven from the capital just in time, and help arrived for us."
Just then, Navin entered the room and looked to Rajasvi with a smile. "Your son, Rajasvi, has a brave heart. And this girl, too—she fought to protect Aamir even after he'd lost consciousness. These two have great potential, and with the right training, they could become exceptional warriors. That's why I want to take them to the capital and enroll them in Nalanda University of Wizardry and Warfare."
Aamir looked at him thoughtfully. "Uncle Navin, you should ask my mother... but don't you think Riya's father should also give his permission?"
Riya's eyes filled with tears. She looked at Aamir, and suddenly she couldn't hold back her sobs. Rajasvi embraced her tightly. "Don't cry, dear. I'll always look after you."
Navin then shared the news: Riya's father had fallen during the attack. Her mother had passed away years ago, just after Riya was born. Her father, though no warrior, had lovingly raised her and encouraged her natural gift for magic.
Aamir reached out to Riya. "I'm so sorry, Riya."
Riya managed a brave smile. "It's all right, Aamir. I have you... and Aunty Rajasvi. I'm not alone."
Navin then turned to Rajasvi. "Rajasvi, why not come to the capital as well? You could live there with the children."
She shook her head. "No, Navin. I'm needed here. But I'll visit often."
Navin then spoke with a healer, who confirmed, "Their injuries have mostly healed, but it will take about ten days for them to fully recover."
Navin nodded. "All right, then. In ten days, we'll head to the capital." Both Aamir and Riya agreed with quiet nods, excitement and resolve in their eyes.
As Navin left, Rajasvi encouraged them, "Now, both of you rest." She left the room, and Riya moved closer to Aamir.
"Aamir, do you remember what happened after the beast injured me?" she asked softly.
Aamir frowned, struggling to recall. "No... When I saw you hurt, I just... I remember being so angry that I couldn't think straight. After that, it's a blur."
Riya's voice dropped to a whisper. "You defeated the beast, Aamir—with a single blow. The guards who saw it were terrified and wanted to restrain you. But Uncle Navin arrived in time to protect us."
Just then, the healer re-entered. "Enough talking. Both of you need rest."
Two days later, Aamir woke early to meditate. Focusing his adrenaline, he felt its energy flowing through him more strongly than ever. Before, he could only control it for forty-five minutes, but since the beast attack, he had become more skilled. Day by day, he trained, gradually learning to sustain it for an hour and a half.
Finally, the day arrived for their departure. Navin returned, smiling as he saw Aamir and Riya, both eager and ready.
"Shall we?" he asked.
"Yes!" they replied in unison, their voices brimming with excitement.
"Oh, I almost forgot," Navin said with a grin. "We're taking the portal to the capital, so we'll need to head to the Hunter's Guild first."
They arrived at the guild, and Navin turned to the children. "How about a race to the guild entrance?"
Laughing, Riya and Aamir agreed. Aamir concentrated, channeling his adrenaline through his body, a bright aura surrounding him. Navin watched in amazement. "You're improving quickly, Aamir. Impressive."
Riya, too, readied herself, wrapping herself in a cloak of wind magic, which made her feel light as air. When Navin counted down, "One... two... three!" all three of them took off, racing toward the guild.
At first, Navin matched Aamir's speed, impressed by his agility, which was easily as fast as a C-rank hunter. But then Navin surged ahead, vanishing from sight as he called, "See you at the guild!"
"Cheater!" they yelled, laughing as they sprinted the last stretch.
When they arrived, Navin chuckled at their complaints. "But you two were giving it your all, weren't you? It was only fair that I did the same."
Inside the guild's portal room, Aamir marveled at the rows of magical gateways shimmering before him. The sight filled him with awe.
Just then, Riya exclaimed, "Wait, Aamir, today's your birthday, isn't it? You're sixteen now!"
Navin's eyes twinkled. "A birthday, is it? Then perhaps we should register you as an official hunter. What do you say?"
Aamir shook his head thoughtfully. "No, Uncle Navin. It's not time just yet."
Navin chuckled, ruffling his hair. "Who knows what goes on in that mind of yours. All right, let's go. To the capital!"
Hand in hand, Aamir and Riya followed Navin through the portal, their next chapter awaiting them on the other side.