The celebration in the capital lasted long into the night. People cheered for Luke, calling him the hero who had saved their city. Children ran through the streets, mimicking his battle with wooden swords, while adults shared stories of his bravery. Luke, however, felt uneasy.
He stood on the balcony of the palace, staring at the city below. The weight of what had happened pressed heavily on his shoulders. He had trained for this moment for years, yet now that it had come, he felt more uncertain than ever.
The king's voice broke his thoughts. "You've done well, Luke."
Luke turned to see the king standing behind him. Despite his kind tone, the king's expression was serious.
"But this is only the beginning," the king continued. "That demon was just one of many. Our scouts report that the attacks are growing stronger. The demons are gathering, forming armies. If we don't act, the entire kingdom could fall."
Luke nodded. "I'll do whatever it takes to stop them, Your Majesty."
The king smiled faintly. "I believe you will. But you cannot do this alone. You'll need allies and more training. Tomorrow, I'll introduce you to someone who can guide you, a knight who has faced demons before."
Luke felt a mix of relief and nervousness. He wasn't alone in this fight, but he also knew that the challenges ahead would only grow harder.
The Next Day
Luke woke before dawn, the weight of the king's words still on his mind. After a quick meal, he was summoned to the palace courtyard, where a tall figure stood waiting for him.
"This is Sir Alden," the king said, introducing the knight. "He is one of the most skilled warriors in the kingdom and has fought more demons than anyone I know."
Alden was a grizzled man, his armor worn and scratched from countless battles. His piercing eyes studied Luke carefully.
"So, you're the boy who killed the demon yesterday," Alden said, his voice deep and rough. "Impressive. But strength alone won't be enough. If you want to survive, you'll need discipline, strategy, and the will to keep fighting no matter what."
Luke straightened, meeting Alden's gaze. "I'm ready to learn."
Alden smirked. "We'll see about that."
Training Begins
Over the next few weeks, Alden pushed Luke harder than he had ever been pushed before. The knight taught him advanced sword techniques, survival skills, and how to read the movements of his enemies.
One day, during a break, Alden sat beside Luke and shared his story. "I wasn't much older than you when I first fought a demon," he said. "It's not just their strength that makes them dangerou, it's their cunning. They'll use fear, doubt, and even your own memories against you."
Luke frowned. "Memories?"
Alden nodded. "The demons feed on emotions, pain, anger, regret. If you're not careful, they'll use those feelings to break you."
Luke thought of Sophie and the promise he had made to return to her. He couldn't let anything distract him from his mission.