Theos stood outside the kingdom, gazing at the massive gates that separated him from the world he once knew. The forest stretched behind him, a place filled with countless memories—of Rose, of battles fought, and of the silence that had followed her disappearance. His heart ached as he weighed the decision before him. Should I abandon this place, the one that holds so many pieces of my past, to enter the kingdom?
For a moment, he considered turning back. The forest had been his sanctuary, a place where he had sought solace and strength. But it was also a reminder of everything he had lost. He could no longer remain in the comfort of the past, not when the kingdom stood before him, holding the answers he so desperately sought.
A thought suddenly passed through his mind, one that made his chest tighten with its simplicity. Rose was the only person who kept me from wandering aimlessly in this vast, chaotic world. Without her, I've been adrift, uncertain of my place, my purpose. Maybe I should use this time to enjoy what little freedom I have left, to train, to grow stronger.
But as quickly as that thought emerged, a darker one followed. What if Rose isn't alive? The words hit him like a cold gust of wind. He had sensed something—a faint, yet undeniable energy—radiating from the kingdom. It wasn't just the remnants of his past calling to him; it was something more. A trace of her presence lingered, fragile yet clear. If she is alive, she's somewhere in there. I know it. But how long will I wait before it's too late?
The conflict raged within him. He could spend more time training, honing his abilities until he was strong enough to face whatever lay ahead. Or he could rush in now, risking everything in the hope that Rose was still alive and waiting for him. The stakes were too high for hesitation.
He took a deep breath, steeling himself for the choice he would have to make. I will train, he thought firmly, his resolve hardening like steel. I will grow stronger, push my limits, and then I will enter that kingdom. I will find her, and nothing will stand in my way.
With that, Theos turned away from the gates, walking deeper into the forest. Every step he took felt heavy with purpose. He had a goal now, a plan. And no matter how long it took or what it cost, he would not rest until he found Rose and uncovered the truth of what had happened to her.
Tears rolled down Theos soft cheeks, streaking his hardened expression as his inner turmoil consumed him. Doubt clung to him like a shadow, a relentless reminder of the choices he had to make. Should he set off to find Rose, throwing caution to the wind, or take his time to grow stronger, ensuring he was prepared for whatever awaited him?
His footsteps faltered, and he came to a halt, the cold earth beneath his feet grounding him in the weight of his indecision. His heart raced, his mind a storm of conflicting thoughts. Turning back to face the towering gates of the kingdom, he found himself transfixed, as if the answers he sought were hidden within the shadows beyond those walls.
Taking a deep breath, Theos moved forward, one tentative step at a time. Each stride carried both his fear and his determination, drawing him closer until he found himself pressed against the rough bark of a tree just outside the gate. Hidden in its shadow, he stood silently, his ears straining to catch the sounds of the kingdom beyond. The bustling life within felt so foreign yet familiar, a place brimming with memories and possibilities that seemed both welcoming and foreboding.
But even the closeness couldn't ease the tempest within him. His emotions boiled over, threatening to consume him entirely. Unable to hold back, Theos broke into a run, rushing toward the gate with reckless abandon. His breath hitched as he slowed to a stop, just short of crossing the threshold.
"Who the hell are you?" a gruff voice barked, shattering the stillness and halting Theo in his tracks.
Theos eyes darted upward to meet the source of the voice. A tall, burly man stood before him, his imposing figure clad in heavy armor that glinted faintly under the light. A helmet obscured most of his face, but the strength in his stance was undeniable, his presence radiating authority and experience. The man's eyes, sharp and piercing, locked onto Theos trembling frame, sizing him up in an instant.
The question hung in the air, heavy and unyielding. Theos swallowed hard, his emotions threatening to spill over again. Yet, he forced himself to stand tall, his fists clenched at his sides as he prepared to answer. This moment, this meeting, was the first step toward the answers he sought.
Theos heart raced as the weight of the man's gaze bore down on him. His mind spun, searching for the right words, any words that might spare him from the scrutiny he feared. His voice trembled as the first lie that came to his mind spilled out.
"I'm a slave," he said, his words raw with desperation. "I lost my family to sickness, and now… I'm alone."
The words felt hollow in his mouth, but he couldn't stop them from escaping. He buried his face in his hands, his body shaking as tears welled up. He tried to force the sobs, to make his act more convincing, but the sting of real grief still clung to him. The pain of loss, the loneliness—he couldn't entirely mask it, even in his deception.
For a long moment, the man said nothing, his expression as immovable as stone. The silence stretched out, thick and suffocating, until the burly guard finally spoke again.
"How sad," the man murmured, his voice devoid of emotion. "Do you have any talent for controlling primal energy?"
Theos looked up, meeting the guard's cold, unyielding gaze. The man's face had barely shifted, his stoic demeanor unreadable. There was no sympathy in his words, no pity in his eyes. He was a man of few words, and even fewer emotions. But Theo could sense something deeper behind the guard's question—an underlying curiosity, perhaps even a hidden test.
Theos breath caught in his throat. His primal energy, his affinities—they were part of him now, a force that had shaped his journey. But how much could he reveal to this stranger? The truth could either be his salvation or his undoing.
He forced himself to steady his breath, a flicker of resolve igniting within him. The road ahead was uncertain, but his next words would shape the path he walked.
"Yes, before they died, my family taught me several techniques I could use in battle"
Theos recalled the blades he had conjured, their vivid image etched into his mind. He knew all too well that the technique was nearly unusable, draining an immense amount of energy each time he wielded it.
"Excellent. If you demonstrate enough potential, we could arrange for you to attend the magic academy," the man said with a measured tone.
Theos eyes widened at the mention of the academy, emotions bubbling beneath his composed exterior. The thought of entering such a prestigious place both excited and unsettled him, but he quickly decided to keep his thoughts to himself. Instead, he offered a small nod, masking his true feelings as his mind raced with possibilities.