The walk back home felt endless to Kayn. The streets that normally seemed warm and full of life now appeared gray and desolate. Laughter and conversations around him felt like distant echoes. His argument with Burst kept replaying in his mind, filling him with guilt. He knew he shouldn't have yelled at his friend like that, but frustration had clouded his judgment.
Finally, he reached the entrance to his house. Inside, the silence was palpable. His parents hadn't returned yet, something he was grateful for. He needed to be alone right now.
As he made his way toward the stairs, his gaze briefly lingered on the portrait of his grandfather. He didn't want to face it, didn't want to tell him he had failed.
He climbed the stairs heavily, heading straight to his room. Once inside, he kicked off his shoes and collapsed onto the bed, sinking into the mattress. A long, pent-up sigh escaped his lips. Deep down, he wanted to cry, but he knew it wouldn't change anything.
He stared at the ceiling, its wooden beams forming familiar patterns. He remembered how, the night before, he had been lying in the exact same position, too nervous to sleep. Hours had been spent imagining what his guardian would be like, its form, its abilities. How naive he had been.
Reality had struck him cruelly, and he still refused to believe it. It felt like he was trapped in a nightmare, waiting to wake up and start over.
He imagined the day unfolding differently: waking up in the morning to his mother's delicious breakfast, showering, and putting on his favorite hoodie. Before leaving, he'd say goodbye to his grandfather's portrait with a confident smile. On the way to the central plaza, he'd meet Burst and Lyra, and they'd talk excitedly. When his turn came at the ceremony, he'd summon the perfect guardian, leaving everyone in awe. His parents would beam with pride. It would have been perfect…
A bitter, broken laugh escaped his throat, full of pain. It felt like something precious had been stolen from him—his most cherished dream. He closed his eyes, allowing darkness to envelop him. Perhaps sleep was the best escape. If he let time pass, he wouldn't have to face anything. He wouldn't have to talk to his parents, his friends, or even say goodbye. By tomorrow, it would all be over.
Just as sleep began to take hold, a gentle knock sounded at the door.
"Kayn, can I come in?" his mother's voice asked softly from the other side.
Kayn exhaled deeply. Why couldn't they just leave him alone? All he wanted was for this miserable day to end. He didn't want to talk to anyone.
He didn't respond, instead burying his face in the pillow, silently hoping she'd go away. But the door opened slowly, and Thalia stepped inside, closing it behind her with a soft sigh.
"How are you feeling?" she asked, approaching the bed cautiously.
"Fine, I guess," he muttered listlessly, not even looking at her. He turned to face the wall, avoiding her gaze.
Thalia sat on the edge of the bed, her eyes filled with concern as she studied her son.
"Kayn, I know it's hard to accept this, but sulking won't help."
"And how am I supposed to feel?" he shot back, clenching his fists under the blanket.
"Don't turn this into a drama. You knew this could happen. Just because your father succeeded doesn't mean you would. The bond depends on the soul, not blood."
"I know that, but it doesn't make it any less unfair," he protested. "Burst and Lyra managed to do it. Now I can't go to the academy with them. They're leaving tonight, and I'll be stuck here alone."
"You're not the only one who failed the ceremony. I failed too. A guardian appeared for me, but I wasn't strong enough to be accepted."
"See?" Kayn exclaimed, sitting up abruptly. "At least a guardian appeared for you! None of them wanted to bond with me. It's not fair! What do they have that I don't?"
"I was excited about having a guardian too, but…"
"What would you know?!" he shouted, his voice louder than he intended. Even he was startled by it. Thalia flinched, staring at him with wide eyes, seemingly on the verge of tears. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to…"
Thalia stood up, her expression shadowed. Kayn watched her with regret. It wasn't her fault; she was only trying to help. He understood how difficult it must have been for her to see him like this, and yet he had yelled at her.
At the door, Thalia paused, her hand on the handle. She turned to look at him one last time.
"Sorry for bothering you," she said, forcing a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "It's normal for you to feel this way."
With that, she left the room, leaving Kayn sitting on the bed, guilt weighing heavily on him. He flopped back onto the mattress, his body bouncing slightly.
"I'm the worst," he muttered to himself, staring at the ceiling and covering his eyes with his arm. He'd already fought with two people since failing the test.
Time slipped by unnoticed—minutes, maybe hours—until the creak of the door announced someone else entering. This time, it was his father, dressed in the pristine uniform of the royal guard. Normally, he only wore it for training, which made Kayn dread what was coming. The uniform was adorned with delicate gold accents tracing the high collar, cuffs, and hem. A black leather belt with a gold buckle secured the outfit, with a wooden sword hanging from it.
"Hey, champ. How's the whole failing thing going?"
The question was blunt and a little harsh. Sometimes Kayn wished his father could be a bit more… subtle. He was reliable, but tact wasn't his strong suit.
"I'm not in the mood," Kayn replied, turning his face away. "Please close the door on your way out."
But Galen didn't listen. Instead, he walked in, leaving the door wide open behind him.
"Your mother seemed pretty upset," Galen commented, crossing his arms. "You didn't have to talk to her like that. She was just trying to cheer you up. She wanted you to go to the academy as much as you did."
Kayn lowered his gaze, ashamed. The image of his mother's hurt face flashed through his mind.
"I'm sorry. I was just… really upset," he admitted, watching as his father held up the wooden sword in his hand.
"Come on, let's train a bit. It'll help you forget your spectacular failure," Galen said, earning a frosty glare from his son at the remark.
Kayn buried his head in his pillow, signaling his lack of interest. However, Galen wasn't one to take no for an answer. Without warning, he grabbed Kayn and hoisted him over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.
"Hey! Put me down!" Kayn shouted, flailing and kicking the air in a futile attempt to free himself. But his father's strength far exceeded his own.
Upon reaching the backyard, Galen carefully placed Kayn on the grass. Kayn thought about running away, but perhaps that would have been going too far. He looked around, taking in the garden where they had spent countless hours training. It was at the age of four that he first wielded a wooden sword. He could still hear his mother's protests as she scolded Galen for teaching such a young child to handle a sword. Since then, his skill had grown stronger through constant practice.
On his eighth birthday, he had been given his first real sword, which he still kept alongside the rest of his weapons. Though now it was broken—after an ill-advised attempt to cut through a stone, just as his father had done.
Lost in thought, he didn't notice something flying toward him until it was about to hit. Instinctively, he raised his hand and caught a wooden sword in mid-air. He examined it in confusion, turning it between his fingers. They had been practicing with real swords for some time now; why go back to training ones?
"Why are you giving me this? I'm not a little kid anymore. If we're going to train, I want to use a real one."
"And risk having a problem with how riled up you are?" Galen replied, teasing his son. "No thanks. Your mother's upset enough without giving her something else to worry about."
"Fine, but just for a little while," Kayn sighed, gripping the polished wooden sword.
"That's the spirit." Galen tossed his shirt to the ground, revealing his sculpted muscles. "Come on, attack whenever you're ready."
Without hesitation, Kayn charged. His feet moved nimbly across the grass, closing the distance in the blink of an eye. He thrust straight at his father's chest, hoping to land a blow, but Galen easily deflected it with a slight movement of his sword.
Frustrated, Kayn pivoted on his heels and swung a horizontal slash aimed at Galen's side. His father blocked it again, this time without even stepping back. The unshakable smile on Galen's face only fueled Kayn's irritation.
"Is that all you've got?" Galen teased, taking a light step backward. "No wonder no guardian wanted to bond with you."
"Shut up!" Kayn snapped, his frustration boiling over.
Gritting his teeth, Kayn stepped back and lunged again. He increased the speed of his strikes, abandoning precision in favor of relentless attacks, mixing feints with blows from different angles. His breathing quickened, and he put more force into every movement, but Galen dodged and parried with an almost insulting ease.
Kayn swept low, attempting to trip his father, followed by a rapid thrust aimed at his shoulder. Galen lightly jumped over the sweep and turned, dodging the thrust that passed mere inches from his neck.
"Are you even trying?"
Kayn roared, swinging downward with all his strength. Galen sighed, raising his weapon to block. The wooden swords collided with a sharp crack that echoed through the garden. The impact forced Kayn to step back, stumbling as he panted from the exertion. Sweat dripped down his forehead, and his hands began to tremble slightly.
Why? Why can't I land a single hit?
"You're wondering why you can't hit me, aren't you?" Galen said, his infuriating smile still intact. "Anger clouds your judgment. When you fight, you need a calm mind. Otherwise—"
"I know that! I don't need your lessons right now!"
Without waiting for a response, Kayn lunged again, but his movements were more erratic this time. The sword felt heavier in his hands, and each strike grew less precise than the last. Galen sidestepped easily, letting Kayn rush past him. The boy lost his balance and fell onto the grass, feeling the dampness and the smell of fresh earth beneath him.
Kayn placed his hands on the ground, feeling sweat drip from his forehead onto the grass. His breathing was labored, and dizziness began to creep in from the effort.
"You're wasting your energy like this. Focus more," Galen said, pointing his sword at him.
"Don't tell me what to do!"
Kayn leapt to his feet and launched another desperate attack. But before he could finish the motion, Galen stepped forward and struck Kayn's wrist with precision. The wooden sword flew from his hands, spinning through the air before landing several feet away. A sharp pain shot through his arm, and Kayn clutched the spot where he'd been hit.
"Damn it…"
"That's enough. We're just wasting time like this," Galen declared, fixing his gaze on his son. He let out a deep sigh before sheathing his sword at his waist.
Kayn's eyes filled with tears of frustration as he fell to his knees, staring at the ground. The green grass blurred before his tear-filled eyes.
"Why? Why can't I get this out of my head?" Kayn growled, punching the ground. "I was so excited for this day. Now I'll never be like you or Grandpa. No guardian accepted me. I'm a complete failure."
"That's why I told you not to get your hopes up…" Galen muttered.
A heavy silence hung between them, broken only by the soft whisper of the wind. Slowly, Galen stepped closer and placed a firm yet gentle hand on his son's shoulder.
"Listen to me. You're not a failure. You're stronger than many kids your age."
"What good is that if I can't be a bonder?" Kayn shouted, his tears falling freely. Seeing him like this, Galen ran a hand through his hair and turned his back.
"I wanted to wait a bit longer to tell you, but I think it's time."
"What are you talking about?"
"I know this will sound strange, but… you can still become a bonder," Galen said, turning to meet his son's gaze.
Kayn blinked, surprise flashing in his eyes before suspicion took over.
"You're joking, right?" he asked, clearly upset. "I failed the ceremony. If a guardian didn't react to my anima today, it never will. Everyone knows that."
"The bonding ceremony isn't the only way to become a bonder," Galen replied. "Though it's the conventional method."
Kayn stared at him, bewildered by what he was hearing. It was the first time he had ever heard such a claim. Becoming a bonder was the term used for humans who managed to bond with a guardian. It was through this bond that humans could rival the other species, who were naturally gifted with magic. So why was his father saying this? He didn't seem to be lying. In fact, he had no reason to. Could he be serious?
Noticing the confusion in his son's eyes, Galen continued.
"Don't worry, it's normal to feel confused. This isn't something someone your age would know about. And besides, there aren't any labyrinths nearby."
Labyrinth. It was the first time Kayn had heard the term, but it seemed connected to this alternative method of becoming a bonder. Asking more questions would only make his head hurt. It was better to let his father explain everything.
"What's a labyrinth?" Kayn finally asked.
"Let me think where to start," Galen said, scratching the back of his neck. "After graduating from the Bonder Academy, but before joining the Royal Guard, I spent some time as an adventurer."
Kayn already knew that story. His father had told him countless times about his days as an adventurer and later as a member of the Royal Guard. Those tales were his bedtime stories. However, an injury to his leg during a mission had forced Galen to retire. He couldn't move as well as he once did, and now he mostly trained just to stay in shape.
"While I was an adventurer, I heard stories about incredible dungeons filled with treasures and powerful relics. But none of that compared to what was hidden in their depths."
"Why were they called labyrinths?"
"Let me tell you the story my guildmates shared with me," his father began, clearing his throat before continuing. "It happened about twenty years ago, shortly after the War of Discord came to an end. Back then, I was still at the academy."
In a remote human village, a mysterious door suddenly emerged from the depths at the foot of a mountain. The villagers, frightened, approached to see what it was. The idea of entering terrified them, but a few brave souls gathered the courage to venture inside. Days passed, and the villagers waited for news about what they had seen, but those who entered were never seen again. Despite this, more and more people ventured in, yet not a single one returned.
When it seemed impossible to escape from the dungeon, one day, someone emerged alive. It was a man covered in bruises and utterly exhausted. He was severely dehydrated, as though he hadn't drunk water in days, though only a few hours had passed since he entered the labyrinth. The villagers were confused when they recognized his face. He had gone in with a group of twelve people, including seven bonders. Yet, he was the only one to return. To make matters worse, he wasn't accompanied by his guardian.
The villagers bombarded him with all kinds of questions, but the look in his eyes was one of profound horror. He was traumatized by what he had witnessed. After letting him rest for a few hours, he recounted what he had seen. Beyond the door lay a dungeon unlike any he had ever entered before. He had never encountered monsters with such overwhelming strength. But the most terrifying part was what awaited him at the end of the dungeon: a vast chamber where an enormous spirit began to judge everything he had done inside the labyrinth, mentioning the sacrifices of his companions and even his cowardice during certain trials. It was as though the spirit had seen everything. The spirit parted with these final words:
"You are not worthy."
Before he realized it, he was back at the entrance where he had first entered. The villagers left him alone, but the man never wielded a sword again. Upon learning there was a way to return, more people began venturing into the labyrinth, this time much better prepared. Even so, only a few managed to return, and those who did were never the same.
A dungeon where people disappeared without a trace, as though they could not find their way back. This is why they came to be known as labyrinths.
Nearly three years passed since the labyrinth first appeared. Not only humans but also other species attempted to enter it, yet none succeeded in claiming a reward. During that time, around ten thousand people lost their lives. The villagers began to lose all hope, but one day, a young man no older than seventeen appeared. He wasn't heavily armed and wasn't accompanied by a large group like others before him—only two others were with him. The villagers tried to warn him about the dangers of the dungeon, but he ignored them completely.
Three days later, the ground in the area began to tremble. The villagers rushed to see what was happening and were astonished by the sight. The young man who had entered three days prior appeared before them. But there was something different about him compared to the others who had returned. The door to the labyrinth was closed.
The young man began walking away with the two people who had accompanied him. The villagers ran after him, hoping he would tell them what had happened inside. The young man drew his sword, and after murmuring a few words, an enormous spirit appeared behind him. They thought it might be his guardian, but his actual guardian was still perched on his shoulder. The young man swung his sword, and with a single motion, he opened a massive chasm that destroyed the entire forest. The villagers were left speechless as they watched him walk away without uttering a single word along the path he had just created.
Soon after, more labyrinths began to appear across the world.
"That spirit was...?"
"As you know, guardians are ranked based on their strength or rarity, from E to SS. Pong, my guardian, is ranked A. He's in his final stage and can't advance any further. In contrast, the guardians from the ceremony, with their long growth potential, can eventually reach the highest rank, though they generally start at rank C." Galen paused, watching Kayn raise an eyebrow, not understanding why his father was explaining something he had already studied in school. Galen continued, "However, the spirits of the labyrinths completely break this classification due to their immense power. That's why a unique rank was created for them."
"What rank?"
"Sacred. Sacred Guardians," Galen replied, his tone solemn. "They say that if you reach the end of a labyrinth and the guardian deems you worthy, it will form a bond with you."
Kayn felt a surge of emotion. It seemed like hope, though it felt almost too good to be true. Doubt quickly set in.
"You're not tricking me, are you?" he asked, narrowing his eyes suspiciously.
"Of course not. What do you take me for? Do you really think I'd make something like this up just to make you feel better?"
"Well, let's say what you're saying is true." Kayn adopted a tone that bordered on mocking, irritating his father slightly. "If I form a bond with a Sacred Guardian, could I become a bonder?"
"It's not as simple as it sounds," Galen said, fixing his son with a serious look. "Sacred Guardians are incredibly powerful, and the labyrinths they inhabit are filled with trials and dangers. Plus, there are only twelve of them in the entire world."
"Twelve?" Kayn repeated, visibly disappointed. "I thought there'd be more."
"There aren't." Galen shook his head lightly. "When I was young, five had already been completed, but I have no idea how many remain now."
"Then they could have finished them all."
"I doubt it," Galen said with a heavy sigh. "Many have entered those labyrinths, and most either died or were rejected by the guardians. I was one of them."
"You?"
"Yes," his father admitted, a melancholic smile crossing his face. "When I first heard the stories, I was filled with excitement. I joined a group that ventured into a nearby labyrinth. The trials were grueling, and some of my companions even lost their lives. After much effort, I reached the end, but... I was rejected by the Sacred Guardian."
"And why are you telling me this now? Do you want me to feel better knowing you failed too?"
Before Kayn could react, Galen gave him a light tap on the head, signaling he had misunderstood.
"Don't be an idiot. I'm telling you this so you see that all is not lost," Galen said firmly. "And for the record, this wasn't my idea. Professor Rolland suggested I tell you. Do you think I wanted to explain all this to your mother?"
"Rolland? The one who conducted the ceremony?" Kayn asked, confused.
"The same," Galen nodded. "He believes you have potential. And, honestly, he probably felt a bit sorry seeing how excited you were about not getting a guardian."
Kayn averted his gaze. While hope lingered, doubt gnawed at him.
"I think I'd better forget about it. If I couldn't bond during the ceremony, there's no way I'll succeed with a Sacred Guardian," Kayn said, his negativity surprising his father, who leaned down and ruffled his hair with a paternal gesture.
"Come on, where did all that positivity from this morning go? You'll never know until you try. Didn't you say you were going to be the best bonder?"
"Well, yeah, but..." Kayn muttered as Galen looked at him, his smile unwavering. After thinking for a few seconds, Kayn lifted his head and spoke with determination. "Fine, I'll do it. I'll bond with a Sacred Guardian and prove I can become a bonder... even better than you."
"That's the spirit," Galen replied, laughing with pride. "But let me tell you something: you'll need much more training if you plan to face a labyrinth."
"What do you mean? I'm great with a sword! And besides, I'm only thirteen; it's not like I'm heading to a labyrinth right now."
"I'm not denying it," Galen said, crossing his arms. "But you still have much to learn. Wielding a sword isn't the only thing you need to be strong. You'll need to learn to control your anima."
"What are you talking about? I can't do that without a guardian."
"You see, anima..."
"Tell me tomorrow," Kayn interrupted, dropping the wooden sword to the ground. "I'm exhausted."
Without waiting for a response, he turned and headed back into the house. Galen watched his son's back as he disappeared through the doorway, leaving him with unspoken words.
As Kayn entered the house, he made his way to the stairs to head up to his room. But as his foot touched the fourth step, the memory of his mother's almost tearful face hit him with a wave of guilt. He froze in place.
"I should apologize to her," he told himself.
He stepped back down the stairs and walked to the living room, moving slowly toward the kitchen. When he reached it, he found her sitting at the table, her fingers idly tracing the pattern on the tablecloth. Her gaze seemed lost, fixed on some distant point beyond the window. Kayn felt his heart pounding in his chest as he approached, unsure. Maybe she wouldn't want to talk to him, and it would be fair, given how he had acted.
"Mom..." he whispered.
She slowly turned her head, visibly surprised. Her eyes met her son's. Though there were no tears on her face, the sadness in her expression was unmistakable.
"Kayn..." she replied with a faint smile, the one she always used to reassure him, though this time it seemed forced. "How was training with your father? Did it help clear your mind?"
He nodded, but the words seemed stuck in his throat. He lowered his gaze to the wooden floor, searching for a way to express what he was feeling.
"I'm so sorry," he finally murmured, his voice heavy with regret. "I shouldn't have yelled at you. You were just trying to help me, and I..."
Before he could continue, he felt his mother's arms wrap around him, pulling him into a warm, comforting embrace. And then, the tears he had been holding back finally began to flow.
"Don't worry..." she whispered, gently stroking his head. "I know you didn't mean it. It's not easy to accept when things don't go the way you wanted. It's normal to feel so upset."
"But even so..." he sobbed, his voice breaking, "that doesn't justify yelling at you." He clung tightly to her arms. "You've always been there to help me, and all I did was take it out on you. Forgive me. I don't want you to hate me."
Thalia let out a soft laugh before responding, causing Kayn to look up and meet her warm gaze.
"What are you talking about, Kayn?" she said tenderly. "How could I ever hate you? You're my son. I couldn't hate you, even if I tried. Even if the whole world were against you, I'd always be here to support you."
He nodded, swallowing hard as the warmth of her words lifted some of the weight off his chest. For a moment, he thought that maybe he deserved to carry the guilt, as a reminder not to let her down again.
"I promise I'll never talk to you like that again," he said at last, his voice trembling.
Thalia smiled and hugged him even tighter, wrapping him up as she had when he was little. Kayn felt his body relax, allowing the exhaustion and frustration to melt away.
For a few moments, they stayed like that in silence, until the embrace naturally came to an end. Kayn stepped back, wiping the lingering tears from his face with his sleeve.
From a distance, Galen watched the scene with a wide smile on his face. Without saying a word, he turned and began to climb the stairs.