The days following Aiden's time in the Wailing Ravine were quieter, though no less intense. His training resumed, and the villagers' skepticism turned into hesitant interest. Some even came to watch as he practiced under Kael's guidance.
Aiden remained oblivious to the subtle changes happening within him. To him, every new strength or instinct was the result of his relentless effort. He didn't know that deep within his core, a power unlike any other was stirring, waiting for the right moment to awaken.
A Growing Flame
One morning, Kael handed Aiden a real sword. Its weight was far greater than the wooden training weapon he had grown accustomed to.
"This isn't for training anymore," Kael said. "You've reached the point where sparring won't push you further. You need to learn the way of combat—not just the movements, but the mindset."
Aiden took the sword, feeling its cold steel in his hands. "Combat?"
Kael nodded, gesturing toward a ring of logs stacked in a nearby field. "Your first opponent."
Aiden raised an eyebrow. "Logs?"
Kael smirked. "A good warrior learns to strike with precision. Each of those logs has a weak point. Hit it correctly, and it'll split. Miss, and you'll waste your energy."
Aiden squared his shoulders, focusing on the nearest log. He swung, but his blade glanced off awkwardly.
"Wrong angle," Kael barked. "Try again."
Hours passed as Aiden struck, failed, and tried again. By sunset, the field was littered with splinters, and Aiden was drenched in sweat, his arms trembling.
"You're getting there," Kael said as he walked away. "Keep at it."
Though exhausted, Aiden felt a flicker of pride. Each failure had been a lesson, and each lesson had brought him closer to success.
Shadows on the Horizon
That evening, the villagers gathered in the square to discuss a troubling rumor.
"They say bandits have been spotted near the southern roads," an elderly man said, his voice shaky. "And they're not ordinary thieves—they're armed to the teeth."
Kael listened quietly, his expression grim. "If the bandits come here, they won't find an easy target. But we'll need to prepare."
The villagers exchanged uneasy glances. Most of them were farmers and traders, unaccustomed to conflict.
"We can fight," Darius said, puffing out his chest. "With enough of us, we'll scare them off."
"You'll do more harm than good if you don't know how to defend yourselves," Kael replied sharply. "Leave the fighting to those who are trained."
Aiden, standing at the edge of the crowd, felt a surge of determination. This was his chance to prove himself—not just to Kael, but to the entire village.
The First Strike
The next morning, scouts returned with grim news: the bandits were on the move, heading straight for Ravenwood.
"They'll be here by nightfall," one scout reported, his face pale.
Kael wasted no time organizing the villagers. Barricades were built, and supplies were gathered. Meanwhile, Aiden prepared himself for the fight ahead.
"You're not ready for this," Kael said when he found Aiden sharpening his sword.
"I have to try," Aiden replied. "I can't stand by and watch while others risk their lives."
Kael studied him for a moment before nodding. "Stay close to me. Don't take unnecessary risks."
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the bandits arrived. There were at least a dozen of them, armed with crude but deadly weapons. Their leader, a towering man with a scarred face, sneered as he surveyed the village.
"Hand over your valuables, and we'll leave you in peace," he called out.
Kael stepped forward, his sword drawn. "You'll get nothing from us. Leave now, or face the consequences."
The bandits laughed, their leader raising his axe. "Have it your way."
Aiden's First Battle
The fight began with a clash of steel and shouts. Kael led the charge, his experience evident in every precise strike. The villagers, though inexperienced, fought with desperation.
Aiden found himself face-to-face with a smaller bandit, a wiry man with a dagger. The bandit lunged, and Aiden barely managed to block the attack.
His heart raced as they exchanged blows. Each strike was a test of his training, and each dodge was a fight for survival.
Finally, Aiden saw an opening. He feinted to the left, then swung his blade upward, disarming the bandit. Before the man could recover, Aiden delivered a decisive blow, knocking him unconscious.
He barely had time to catch his breath before another bandit attacked. This one was stronger, faster, and more ruthless. Aiden struggled to keep up, his body screaming in protest.
"You're nothing," the bandit snarled, raising his sword for a killing blow.
In that moment, something within Aiden snapped. A surge of energy coursed through him, and his movements became faster, more precise. He blocked the attack with ease, countering with a strike that sent the bandit sprawling.
Aiden stood there, panting, his mind reeling. What had just happened?
The Aftermath
By the time the dust settled, the bandits had been defeated. Some fled, others were captured, and a few lay unconscious in the square.
The villagers cheered, their fear replaced with relief.
Kael approached Aiden, his expression unreadable. "You held your own out there."
"I... I don't know what came over me," Aiden admitted.
Kael's eyes narrowed. "Whatever it was, it saved your life. But don't let it go to your head. Power without control is dangerous."
Aiden nodded, though his thoughts were elsewhere. The strange energy he had felt during the fight lingered in his mind, both exhilarating and unsettling.
A New Beginning
As the village celebrated their victory, Aiden stood on the outskirts, staring into the forest. He had proven himself, but the fight had raised more questions than answers.
What was the power he had felt? And why did it feel... familiar?
Unbeknownst to him, the world beyond Ravenwood was beginning to stir. Forces both good and evil had taken notice of the boy who refused to fall, and his journey was only just beginning.