The meeting with Bjorn, Sigrun, and the village leaders concluded with a cautious hope. Gabriel stepped out of the hall, the faint glow of morning sunlight reflecting off his robes. The village hummed with quiet activity as villagers prepared themselves, but Gabriel's mind lingered on the unsettling revelations he had shared.
Spotting Astrid, Liv, and Eira by the training yard, he made his way toward them. Their laughter and chatter created a brief moment of normalcy in the otherwise tense atmosphere.
"Gabriel!" Eira called, her tone cheerful as she waved him over. "You look serious as always. Did the meeting wear you out?"
Gabriel offered a faint smile, his wings shifting slightly behind him. "Not quite, Miss Eira. I wanted to share what I discovered during my scouting."
Astrid folded her arms, her blue eyes focused on him. "Is it worse than we thought?"
Gabriel nodded. "Their numbers are greater, at least fifty thousand, and their leader is unlike any warrior I've seen. He is shrouded in dark energy, a power that seems to command and influence the horde."
Liv furrowed her brow, concern etched on her face. "Dark energy? What does that mean?"
"It's difficult to explain," Gabriel replied, his tone calm yet thoughtful. "It's chaotic, destructive, and utterly opposed to the energy I wield. This leader draws strength from it, and it makes him far stronger than the others."
Eira leaned forward, her eyes wide. "Stronger than you?"
Gabriel chuckled softly, shaking his head. "No. I'm confident I can defeat him. But I intend to be cautious. There is no need to reveal my full strength unless it becomes necessary."
Astrid relaxed slightly, though her expression remained serious. "So, what's the plan?"
"For now," Gabriel said, "we continue preparing. Your warriors have spirit, but they need better technique. This afternoon, I'll train them myself."
Liv smiled, though the worry in her eyes lingered. "You're doing so much for us. Thank you, Gabriel."
Gabriel inclined his head. "It's my duty, Miss Liv."
Deep Thoughts in Solitude
When the conversation ended, Gabriel excused himself and returned to his room. The moment the door closed behind him, his calm demeanor gave way to a contemplative expression. He stood by the window, gazing out at the snowy landscape beyond the village walls, his thoughts swirling.
The black energy he had felt from the barbarian leader lingered in his mind. It wasn't just the man's presence that unsettled him—it was the familiarity of the energy itself. He had encountered something like it before, though he couldn't remember when or where. The sensation was fragmented, like a dream slipping through his grasp.
"Familiar," Gabriel murmured to himself, his pale eyes narrowing. "But why?"
As he focused, he realized something even more unsettling. That same chaotic energy wasn't confined to the barbarian leader. It seemed to radiate faintly in every direction, stretching far beyond the horizon. Each signal was different—some weaker, some stronger—but they were scattered across the land like dormant embers waiting to ignite.
"South… west… east…" he whispered, turning his gaze in each direction. "There are so many."
Gabriel's fists tightened at his sides. This world wasn't just threatened by the barbarian horde; it was saturated with this strange energy. Whatever its source, it was widespread, and it was growing.
As Gabriel turned away from the window, a sudden sensation ran down his back. He paused, his expression shifting to one of mild surprise. Placing a hand over his shoulder blade, he felt a faint warmth beneath his skin, as though something was stirring.
"What is this?" he murmured.
It wasn't painful, but it was distinct—a pressure building just beneath the surface, centered between his existing wings. Closing his eyes, Gabriel focused inward, trying to sense the source of the feeling. In his mind's eye, he envisioned a faint outline, the beginnings of something new. Another wing? Perhaps. But it wasn't yet fully formed.
Gabriel let out a slow breath, stepping away from the window. "Not yet," he said quietly. "But soon."
Whatever was happening to him, it wasn't a cause for alarm—at least, not yet. He filed the thought away for later, returning his focus to the immediate task at hand: preparing the village for what lay ahead.
By noon, Gabriel stepped out of his room and into the sunlight. The village was alive with activity as usual, but the tension in the air was palpable. Astrid was waiting for him near the training yard, her spear in hand. She gave him a nod as he approached.
"Ready to whip some warriors into shape?" she asked, a small smirk on her lips.
Gabriel chuckled softly. "Let's see how willing they are to learn."
The training yard was filled with men and women of varying ages, their weapons ranging from swords and axes to spears and bows. They paused as Gabriel entered, their gazes turning toward him with a mix of curiosity and respect. Even those who had doubted him couldn't deny the changes he had already brought to the village.
Bjorn's voice rang out as he addressed the group. "Listen up! Gabriel has agreed to help us train. Pay attention to what he teaches you—it might save your life when the time comes."
The warriors murmured their agreement, stepping into a loose formation as Gabriel moved to the center of the yard.
"Your strength is admirable," Gabriel began, his calm voice cutting through the chatter. "But strength alone won't win this fight. The barbarians are larger in number, and many of them rely on brute force. To defeat them, you'll need more than raw power. You'll need precision, speed, and discipline."
He picked up a wooden practice sword from a nearby rack, holding it lightly in one hand. "Let's start with technique."
Gabriel demonstrated a series of fluid movements, his strikes precise and economical. His footwork was deliberate, his stance balanced, and his strikes flowed effortlessly from one to the next. The warriors watched in silence, their eyes wide as they took in his skill.
"Strength can be overcome," Gabriel said as he completed the demonstration. "A well-placed strike is worth more than ten heavy blows. Let me show you."
He turned to one of the warriors, a young man named Einar who had struggled with his confidence the day before. "Einar, step forward."
The boy hesitated but obeyed, gripping his practice sword tightly.
"Attack me," Gabriel instructed.
Einar blinked. "What?"
"Don't hold back," Gabriel said, his tone patient. "Attack me as you would an enemy."
The boy hesitated for only a moment longer before lunging forward, swinging his sword with all his might. Gabriel sidestepped effortlessly, tapping Einar's wrist with his blade and disarming him in one fluid motion.
"Too much force," Gabriel explained gently. "It makes you predictable. Try again."
This time, Einar adjusted his approach, using quicker, more controlled strikes. Gabriel blocked each one, guiding the boy with subtle corrections.
"Better," Gabriel said, stepping back. "Remember: speed and precision."
Einar nodded, his confidence growing. The other warriors began practicing the techniques Gabriel had shown, their movements gradually becoming more refined under his guidance.
As the training session continued, the warriors began to move with greater confidence and coordination. Gabriel moved among them, offering advice and demonstrating techniques as needed. Astrid joined the sparring sessions, her skill is evident as she quickly adapted to Gabriel's methods.
By the end of the afternoon, the mood in the training yard had shifted. The warriors, once uncertain, now carried themselves with confidence. Gabriel watched them with quiet satisfaction, his pale eyes reflecting the determination he saw in their faces.
Astrid approached him as the warriors began to disperse, her spear resting against her shoulder. "They're getting better," she said.
"They are," Gabriel agreed. "When the time comes, they'll be ready."
Astrid smiled faintly. "And so will we."
Gabriel nodded, his gaze drifting toward the horizon. The shadow of the barbarian horde still loomed, but for now, the village stood strong.