Kael's mind churned with the weight of Lira's words. Leaving the Citadel. It was a radical thought, a dangerous one, but it had already started to take root. The next day, as Kael prepared for yet another training session, he found himself standing in front of the massive gates of the Citadel, staring out into the world beyond. The training fields stretched out ahead of him, but beyond them was the wilderness, the wilds that had long been untamed.
He had been trained for years to control his powers, to harness the raw energy of the Ecliptine, but he was still not in full control. He knew he wasn't ready to face the world beyond the Citadel's walls—not yet. But the thought of staying here, of being confined to this place, felt suffocating. He had been trained for greatness, but greatness had a price. His father's legacy had set expectations for him, and every time Kael used the power, it felt as though he was just walking in the footsteps of someone else.
Lira's words echoed in his mind: "Stop following the path others have set for you and find your own."
She had no idea how much those words had shaken him.
Kael's gaze shifted back to the training fields, where students sparred and practiced with weapons, their movements swift and sure. He could join them, could blend in with the others and continue his training. But for some reason, the thought didn't appeal to him anymore. He had seen the pattern: the endless cycle of tests and trials, the constant push to prove themselves in combat, to become one of the greatest warriors.
But Kael knew there was more to life than this. More to power than just combat. He had felt it from the very moment he first wielded the Ecliptine power. It wasn't a gift meant for war—it was something more. Something he had yet to understand.
As Kael stood there, lost in thought, Instructor Rian's voice called out from behind him.
"Kael, you're not in the training hall. You've been slacking in your duties. Do you really intend to throw away your future?"
Kael turned slowly, his expression unreadable. He had known the day would come when Rian would push him, but hearing it spoken aloud still stung.
"I'm not throwing it away," Kael replied quietly. "I'm just trying to figure out what comes next."
Rian's eyes narrowed, suspicion flickering in his gaze. "What comes next? You think you're just going to walk away? This place is where you belong. It's where you can truly make something of yourself."
Kael shook his head. "I'm not so sure anymore."
The silence between them hung thick. Rian didn't say anything at first, but his expression softened for a moment, a flicker of something akin to understanding flashing across his face. But just as quickly, it was gone, replaced by the stoic mask Kael had come to expect.
"You'll regret it," Rian said, his voice hard. "The world out there is a wasteland. You think you'll find your answers out there? You're just running away from your responsibility."
Kael stood still, feeling the weight of the words, but something inside him stirred. Running away. That was how Rian saw it. But it wasn't running away—it was a journey. A search for something more, something deeper.
Before Kael could respond, Rian walked away, his boots echoing in the stillness. Kael watched him go, his thoughts unsettled.
But the decision had already been made.
Later that evening, Kael stood before the gates once again. The Citadel loomed behind him, and the wilderness stretched out ahead. The world beyond was a chaotic mix of untamed nature and remnants of old civilizations. It was dangerous, yes, but it was real. It was alive. Kael could feel it—the pulse of the earth beneath his feet, the raw energy of the world waiting for him to discover it.
His hand clenched around the hilt of his sword, the familiar weight grounding him. The Ecliptine power within him hummed, ready to be unleashed. Kael wasn't afraid anymore. Whatever lay beyond the gates, he would face it. He would discover what it meant to truly be himself—not as a Beast Slayer, not as a follower of his father's path, but as something entirely his own.
With one final glance at the Citadel, Kael stepped forward. The path ahead was uncertain, but he would walk it. Alone, but not lost. His journey had just begun.