The morning sun filtered through the trees, casting long shadows on the forest floor as Kai and Glen packed up their camp. The crackling fire from the night before had burned down to just a few glowing embers, and the air smelled crisp and fresh, the scent of the Wildlands carrying with it a sense of quiet danger and promise.
Glen, still rubbing sleep from his eyes, packed away the last of their gear. He looked up at Kai, his face a mix of excitement and apprehension. "Where are we going today?" he asked, securing the last of the supplies in the bag.
Kai glanced around the clearing, his expression unreadable. "We're going to the edge of the Wildlands."
Glen's eyes widened. "The Wildlands? Isn't that where the wind spirits live?"
"Among other things," Kai said, his tone casual but with an edge of seriousness. "The Wildlands are dangerous, Glen. Not all spirits are friendly, and not all creatures there are as easy to deal with as the ones we've faced so far. But it's a necessary part of our journey."
Glen nodded eagerly, though there was a hint of hesitation in his gaze. "What should I expect there?"
"Expect the unexpected," Kai replied with a small smile. "The Wildlands are a place where the winds themselves can turn against you. There's a constant pressure from the windstorms. They've been known to strip the flesh from bone if you're caught in the wrong place at the wrong time."
Glen shivered slightly at the thought but straightened his posture. "I'm ready."
Kai nodded, pleased with his resolve. "Good. Let's start with some training first, though. We'll need to work on your endurance. The Wildlands will test your limits, and we need to make sure you're ready."
As they set off into the forest, the air grew heavier, a gentle breeze brushing against their faces, as though the Wildlands themselves were watching. The deeper they ventured into the forest, the quieter the world became, until only the soft sound of their footsteps on the underbrush filled the space between them.
"I've been thinking," Glen said after a while, his voice breaking the silence. "I know you've been teaching me to fight and defend myself, but I don't know much about... well, you. How did you end up with the Spirit Blade?"
Kai paused, his hand resting on the hilt of the blade at his side. The question hit close, a memory stirring that he had long kept buried. Leaving Emberland was not a choice he had made lightly, nor was it something he wanted to remember—but Glen's curiosity was honest. And perhaps, he thought, it was time to share his story.
"I didn't always carry the blade," Kai began, his voice low and thoughtful. "I was born in Emberland, a place where the art of blacksmithing and forging was everything. But not just anyone could pursue it freely. The Council ruled over the forgemasters, supposedly to protect our craft. But it had become more about control—and suppression."
"The Council?" Glen asked, his face intrigued and puzzled.
"They were powerful people—meant to oversee blacksmithing and protect ancient techniques," Kai explained, the words heavy with history. "But over time, they turned oppressive. Anyone who showed skill that was... different or unique, especially anyone with spirit-bound weapons, became their target. They saw such abilities as threats rather than gifts."
Glen was silent for a moment. "So they'd... they'd go after people who made Spirit Blades?"
"Yes. The Council despised Spirit Blades because they were tied to spirits—something they couldn't understand or control. They hunted anyone found in possession of one, claiming they were too dangerous. But Master Ashan... he saw things differently. He was a blacksmith who was controlled and tied to the Council. He didn't want to be part of them but he had no choice if he wanted to survive'
Glen's eyes widened. "And he knew about the blade?"
Kai nodded. "Yes, he rescued me when a group of rouge cultivators where about to either beat me up or kill me and collect the spirit blade from me, I don't know which. Then he told me to beware of the council."
Glen's gaze was intense. "And Master Ashan knew it was a Spirit Blade?"
"Yes," Kai said softly, looking away. "I didn't know what to do when the blade spoke to me and he told me that the Council would come for me. He believed the blade had chosen me, and that perhaps it was my destiny to wield it. But even he couldn't protect me."
"What happened?" Glen whispered, enraptured.
Kai's voice took on a harder edge. "Eventually, the Council found out. They came for me one night, demanding the blade and labelling me a traitor to Emberland. Master Ashan warned me to leave. He helped me escape, telling me to flee to the Wildlands, to the Silent Mountains where they wouldn't follow—where I could some secret and the purpose of the Spirit Blade. He told me it was the only way to keep my life and the blade safe."
The weight of his words hung in the air as Glen absorbed the story. "So, you ran?"
"I didn't want to," Kai admitted. "But I had no choice. I left behind my life, my home, and everyone I knew. All I had was this blade."
Glen was silent for a moment, his face pensive. "Do you ever regret it?"
Kai looked down, his hand resting on the hilt of the Spirit Blade. "No. Regret would mean I would change my choice. And though I lost everything, I gained something more. The Spirit Blade... it's more than a weapon. It's a reminder of the life I left behind and the life I'm forging now."
The young apprentice nodded, his face showing a new understanding. "So the Council is still after you?"
Kai's expression darkened. "They don't forget, and they don't forgive. But I'm not hiding anymore. This blade is meant for more than fear and running. I'll make sure the Council knows that one day."
A quiet determination settled between them as they stood, their eyes meeting in mutual understanding. Kai clapped his hands, shaking off the heaviness of the conversation.
"All right, enough talk. Let's get back to training," he said, his voice back to its usual, confident tone.
The day was spent in a mixture of walking and combat training as they ventured deeper into the Wildlands. Kai kept the pace slow, knowing the journey ahead would be physically and mentally exhausting. As they practiced, Kai watched Glen closely, correcting his form, teaching him the finer points of balance and reaction.
By noon, they reached a clearing by a small stream, its waters clear and cold. Kai sat down on a large rock, watching Glen dip his hands into the water to drink.
"This place is different," Glen said, looking around. "It's quiet. Almost... too quiet."
Kai nodded. "The Wildlands are always quiet before a storm."
Glen looked at him, understanding dawning. "You mean...?"
Kai's eyes hardened. "The Wildlands are home to more than just spirits. There are creatures that feed on the winds, monsters that can vanish and reappear in an instant. We need to stay alert."
Glen nodded, his expression serious. "I'm ready."
Kai smiled softly. "Good. That's all I need to hear."