Kaleb crouched low, the dim light filtering through the forest canopy casting flickering shadows around him. His body moved instinctively, his breaths shallow as he tracked the voices.
The whisper of leaves and distant murmurs pulled him forward. His steps were deliberate, his worn boots barely brushing the ground as he advanced.
"Stay quiet," Floki said, his voice unusually serious. He floated nearby, lounging against the air like it was a throne, his usual grin subdued.
Kaleb shot him a look but didn't respond. The air felt heavier here, charged with something he couldn't name.
Through the underbrush, figures emerged—three of them, cloaked and hooded. Their movements were quick, almost mechanical, as if they were on a mission.
Kaleb's pulse quickened, his mind racing. Who were they? Why were they so close to the altar's location?
He edged closer, his hands brushing against the rough bark of a nearby tree. The conversation grew clearer, their voices low but sharp.
"...The altar's power still lingers," one said, his tone clipped. "He can't have gone far."
Kaleb's heart stilled, the weight of their words settling over him. They were searching for him.
Floki's presence shifted, leaning closer to Kaleb. "Looks like you're popular. Should we send them a gift basket or just say hi?"
Kaleb waved him off, focusing on the strangers. Their movements were precise, deliberate, like predators stalking prey.
The tallest of the trio pointed toward the stream, his voice steady. "There are tracks here. He's not alone."
Kaleb's stomach twisted, his thoughts swirling. If they found him now, still drained from the trials, he wouldn't stand a chance.
Floki yawned loudly, his voice cutting through the tension. "What's the plan, champ? Hide and hope, or something more... proactive?"
Kaleb glared at him, his voice low. "Can you not draw attention for five seconds?"
Floki smirked, his eyes gleaming. "Oh, I can. But where's the fun in that?"
The tallest figure paused, his head tilting as if he'd heard something. Kaleb froze, his muscles tensing as his mind raced for options.
Before he could move, the stranger's gaze snapped toward his hiding spot. "There!" he barked, pointing directly at Kaleb.
Kaleb bolted, his legs carrying him faster than he thought possible. The forest blurred around him as branches whipped past his face.
Behind him, the sound of pursuit was immediate. Footsteps crashed through the underbrush, accompanied by shouts and the sharp hum of something unnatural.
Floki floated alongside him, his grin wide. "Running? Bold choice. What's next? Tripping over a root?"
"Not helping!" Kaleb snapped, leaping over a fallen log. His breath burned in his chest, but he didn't slow.
A sharp crack split the air, a bolt of energy slamming into a tree inches from Kaleb's head. Splinters exploded, the force nearly knocking him off balance.
Kaleb stumbled, his feet skidding on the loose dirt. He ducked behind a boulder, his mind racing.
"You're doing great!" Floki said, applauding sarcastically. "Truly inspiring stuff. Maybe try not dying next?"
Kaleb ignored him, his hands pressing against the cool stone. His breath came in ragged gasps as he assessed his surroundings.
The strangers fanned out, their movements coordinated. Energy crackled between their hands, glowing faintly in the dim light.
Kaleb steadied himself, the weight of exhaustion pulling at him. He couldn't run forever, and they wouldn't stop chasing him.
"Fine," he muttered, rising slowly. "If they want me, they'll have to fight for it."
Floki's grin widened, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Now you're talking! Let's make this a show."
Kaleb stepped out from behind the boulder, his stance low and steady. His Chi stirred, flickering like a weak flame.
The tallest figure sneered, his energy flaring. "You've led us on quite the chase, boy. But it ends here."
Kaleb didn't respond, his focus narrowing. The forest seemed to hold its breath as the tension thickened.
The first attack came fast, a searing bolt of energy slicing through the air. Kaleb twisted, the heat grazing his shoulder.
He retaliated with a burst of wind, the force throwing his attacker off balance. The figure stumbled, his hood falling back to reveal a scarred face.
Kaleb pressed forward, weaving fire into his strikes. Flames licked at the edges of his Chi, driving his movements.
The scarred man growled, his energy surging in response. The two clashed, their attacks creating shockwaves that rippled through the forest.
Floki cheered from the sidelines, miming punches and kicks. "Yes! Drama, action, tension—it's all here! Keep it up, kid!"
Another figure joined the fight, water swirling around her like a shield. Her strikes were fluid and relentless, forcing Kaleb to adapt.
He shifted his stance, drawing on the earth beneath him. His feet dug into the ground, anchoring him as he deflected her attacks.
The third figure circled, his lightning-fast movements hard to track. Kaleb's head snapped toward him just as a strike landed against his side.
Pain flared, but Kaleb refused to falter. He spun, a gust of wind propelling him into a counterstrike that sent the lightning wielder sprawling.
The three attackers regrouped, their expressions hardening. They moved as one, their combined energy pressing down on Kaleb like a tidal wave.
Kaleb's knees buckled, the weight almost unbearable. His Chi flickered, threatening to extinguish under the pressure.
Floki appeared beside him, his voice uncharacteristically calm. "Focus, kid. Breathe. You've got more in you than this."
Kaleb inhaled deeply, the storm within him stirring. His Chi roared to life, each element aligning with his movements.
The forest lit up as fire, wind, water, and earth converged around him. Kaleb's strikes became a symphony of power, each blow precise and devastating.
The attackers faltered, their coordinated assault breaking under Kaleb's relentless counter. One by one, they fell back, their energy spent.
Kaleb didn't respond, his gaze locked on the retreating figures. Questions burned in his mind, but he had no answers.
Vorrick stood in his private chambers, his gaze fixed on the faint glow of a Chi crystal atop his desk. Its light pulsed rhythmically as a faint voice emerged.
"My lord," the voice said, strained and low. "The boy… he was stronger than anticipated."
Vorrick's grip tightened on the edge of the desk, his knuckles whitening. "You failed me," he said, his tone sharp and controlled. "Explain."
The voice hesitated, crackling faintly. "He fought with an unyielding force, commanding elements as if they were extensions of himself. We underestimated him."
Vorrick's lips thinned, a wave of cold fury flashing through his eyes. "Underestimated a child? Do you think I tolerate incompetence?"
The silence on the other end was deafening. The faint sound of labored breathing was all that answered.
Vorrick exhaled slowly, his voice softening into something more sinister. "Consider this your last mistake. You won't live to make another."
The Chi crystal dimmed, its light snuffed out. Vorrick leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled as his mind churned.
The boy's survival was an inconvenience, but not insurmountable. Plans would need to shift, and measures taken to ensure no further failures.
A faint chuckle echoed from the shadows, drawing Vorrick's gaze. "Struggling to kill a fledgling? My, how the mighty Bjorn have fallen."
Vorrick's eyes narrowed, his voice low. "If you have something to say, say it."
The figure stepped forward, their face obscured by a hood. "The boy is more than you realize. Perhaps your grip on this situation isn't as firm as you think."
Vorrick's anger simmered, but he let it go unspoken. Instead, his gaze sharpened, the seeds of his next move already taking root.