The morning sun bathed the quiet village in a warm, golden hue as Rui stood at the edge of the small inn, preparing to leave. The lingering thoughts of his previous encounter with the god weighed heavily on his mind. The gift, that strange and forbidden blessing, had changed something inside him—something subtle yet undeniable. There was a power now, thrumming just beneath the surface of his being, but it wasn't the kind of power he could immediately grasp or control.
The village had been peaceful, a tranquil place compared to the unknown dangers of the capital. But now, with the road ahead stretching out before him, Rui knew his journey had truly begun. Fenrir, standing beside him, broke the silence.
"Ready?" Fenrir's voice was calm, but there was a steely edge to it—his eyes scanning the surroundings, always alert.
Rui nodded, but the gesture felt different now. He wasn't just leaving for the capital; he was leaving behind the boy he once was. The journey to the heart of the Central Continent would push him farther than he could imagine. His silver eyes flickered, uncertainty lurking beneath the surface, but there was no time to dwell on it now.
The group moved in silence, leaving the village behind. The terrain around them gradually shifted from the familiar farmland to the untamed wilderness that stretched toward the capital. The road was rough, but the steady march of the emissaries gave Rui little time to ponder the strange sensations he'd been experiencing since the god's gift.
He felt different. Stronger. But there was a certain tension in his chest—an odd mix of exhilaration and fear. His body seemed to hum with energy, but it wasn't as simple as feeling stronger. It was like he had unlocked something, only to realize that he had no idea how to wield it. The fear of losing control gnawed at him, but there was something else, something deeper—a quiet calling to push forward.
Rui couldn't resist testing himself, just a little. As they traveled, he occasionally accelerated his pace, running ahead of the group. His legs moved faster than he had ever imagined possible, the ground beneath him blurring as his speed outstripped even Fenrir's watchful gaze. He could feel the force in his muscles, a strength that surged within him, but he reined it in quickly. He wouldn't be reckless—not now, not when there was so much at stake.
Despite his restraint, Rui couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this power than he understood. He had never been one to shy away from growth, but this was different.
Their journey took them through dense forests, the trees towering above them like silent sentinels. The air was thick with the scent of pine and earth, but Rui barely noticed. His thoughts were consumed by the strange power inside him.
Occasionally, Fenrir would catch his eye, a knowing glance passing between them. Fenrir didn't speak much, but Rui could sense that the older warrior understood what he was going through. There was an unspoken connection between them—an understanding of what it meant to be a warrior, to fight for something greater than oneself.
As the day wore on, the landscape changed again. The once serene wilderness gave way to more structured lands—the outskirts of the capital. The roads grew wider, more trafficked, and the distant towers of the capital came into view. Rui's heart quickened at the sight. This was the beginning of something much bigger than himself.
The capital loomed ahead like a living entity, its massive walls and towering spires a testament to the power contained within. Rui could feel the energy of the place, a palpable force that seemed to pulse in rhythm with the beating hearts of the thousands within. He couldn't help but wonder what awaited him inside those walls. The academy, the trials, the politics—it was all so overwhelming, and yet he knew that this was the place where his true growth would begin.
As they reached the city gates, Rui paused for a moment, taking in the view. The air seemed different here, charged with an excitement he couldn't quite place. His instincts were on edge, and he couldn't help but feel that something—or someone—was watching him.
Fenrir, sensing his tension, placed a hand on his shoulder. "It's not just about strength here, Rui," Fenrir said, his voice low. "The capital will test you in ways you don't expect. It's a place where only the strongest survive. But strength alone won't get you through."
Rui nodded, understanding the weight of the words. He had trained his entire life to be strong, but he had a feeling that strength would be tested in ways he had never imagined before. There was something else he would need—wisdom, perhaps. Patience. Maybe even something more.
The journey was far from over. In fact, it was only just beginning.
And with a final glance toward the towering city ahead, Rui stepped forward into the unknown.