The grand gates of the kingdom groaned as they began to open, the heavy locks unlatching with a slow, deliberate creak that seemed to echo across the land. From beyond the gates, a dazzling light spilled forth, radiant and alive with the joy and vitality that pulsed through the heart of the kingdom. It illuminated bustling streets and colorful banners, casting the scene in an almost ethereal glow.
Yet, for Theos, the brightness was not a beacon of wonder but a cruel, blinding reminder of all he had lost. Each ray seemed to pierce him, a sharp contrast to the shadows he carried within. The light didn't warm him; it weighed him down, forcing him to confront the gaping void that sorrow had carved into his soul.
He stepped forward hesitantly, each footfall heavy with the ache of his longing. The towering knight behind him urged him onward with an unspoken authority, but Theos mind was elsewhere. His eyes roamed the lively streets just beyond the gates. He saw children laughing and running freely, their faces lit with unbridled joy. Families strolled arm in arm, their bonds as vibrant as the city itself.
A pang of bitterness surged through him. This world of light and connection, so full of life and love, felt unattainable—something he couldn't even allow himself to dream about. These were things he had once touched, if only briefly, and now they stood before him as an unreachable mirage.
His fists clenched at his sides as he continued forward, his gaze hardening. The bustling streets, the laughter, the happiness—it all served as a stark reminder of what had been taken from him. But deep within that sorrow, a flicker of resolve stirred. He would not crumble beneath the weight of his longing. This kingdom held answers, and perhaps, even the path to Rose. If he had to walk through the brightness of their joy to uncover the truth, he would do so—no matter how much it hurt.
Theos straightened his posture, his steps steadying. The path ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear: he could not turn back now.
I will be your guide through the academy," the man said, his voice low and measured, carrying an air of finality that seemed to resonate with every word. "But after the first day, don't expect any further help from me." His gaze was unwavering, and the weight of his tone made it clear that he was not to be questioned. The implication was simple: the academy would be a place where Theos would stand on his own, a world of immense challenges and little mercy.
Theos paused for a moment, absorbing the gravity of the man's words. The idea of stepping into such an environment, a place of both promise and potential peril, was both intimidating and exhilarating. His journey had always been a path walked alone, yet the thought of entering the academy, of finally honing his skills, made the solitary nature of the journey seem more like a necessity than a burden.
After a beat of silence, Theos nodded, his head moving with purpose. His expression softened, but there was a flicker of something deeper in his eyes—a mixture of determination and resolve. The man might not offer much more assistance, but that only meant he would have to rely more on himself, a challenge Theos had grown accustomed to.
A small, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corner of his lips, a fleeting moment of quiet confidence. It wasn't a smile of amusement, but one of quiet understanding. I've come this far alone. I can keep going. He straightened, his resolve solidifying.
With one final glance at the man, Theo began to move forward. The academy loomed ahead, and he knew the road to his goals would not be easy. But for the first time in a long while, he felt something akin to hope stirring within him—faint, but unmistakable. This was his chance. No one would stand in his way now.
"Wait, you idiot!" the man yelled, his voice sharp with irritation. "You can't just charge in like that." He gestured toward the imposing gates of the academy, their towering height and intricate carvings radiating authority. "The academy doesn't just take anyone off the street. Every year, they hold a test to determine who's worthy of entering. You'll have to prove yourself before they let you set foot inside."
Theos halted, his earlier determination faltering under the weight of the man's words. He turned slowly, his eyes narrowing as he absorbed the challenge.
"I'm only helping you because..." The man's tone softened slightly, though the hard edge of his seriousness remained. "Because I've been where you are. I've felt that pain—the loss of family, of friends. I know what it's like to want to grow stronger, to fight against the weakness that let everything slip away. But know this: strength doesn't come easy, and the academy won't hand you anything for free. You'll have to earn your place, just like everyone else."
Theos clenched his fists, the resolve in his heart burning brighter. He stepped forward, standing tall despite the weight of the man's words. "Then tell me what I have to do. I didn't come this far to give up at the gates."
The man studied him for a moment, his piercing gaze scanning Theos as though searching for something. After a long silence, he gave a small, reluctant nod. "Fine. You want to try your luck? The test starts at sunrise tomorrow. Stay close to me until then—I'll make sure you don't get thrown out before it even begins. But after that, you're on your own."
Theos heart thudded in his chest as he followed the man through the gates, stepping into the courtyard of the academy. The air was charged with energy, filled with the murmurs of other hopefuls preparing for the challenge ahead. Banners adorned the tall, imposing buildings, their vibrant colors a stark contrast to the stern faces of the academy instructors watching from above.
That night, Theos barely slept. As the stars blanketed the sky, he sat by the flickering light of a small lantern, reflecting on how far he'd come. His journey had been a relentless climb, and now, this was the summit—his chance to prove himself.
At dawn, the courtyard was alive with activity. Dozens of candidates gathered, each one exuding confidence or masking their nerves. Theos stood among them, his fists clenched at his sides. The man from before stood near the edge of the crowd, watching Theos with a faint nod of acknowledgment.
The instructors stepped forward, their commanding voices silencing the crowd. The test was announced, its trials outlined in vivid detail. Combat, strategy, mastery of primal energy—it would push every candidate to their limits.
As the gates to the first trial opened, Theos pulse quickened. He glanced up at the academy towers, a spark of determination igniting in his chest. He had come too far to fail now. Stepping forward, he felt the weight of his journey fall away, replaced by a single, undeniable truth: this was his moment.