The forest was alive with its usual symphony of chirping insects and rustling leaves, but Lloyd barely noticed. He gripped his staff tightly, stepping over roots and ducking under low-hanging branches as he ventured deeper into the dense wilderness. The faint glow of the village fires behind him disappeared entirely, replaced by shadows that danced in the dim light of the moon.
His body ached from days of training, but his mind was restless. The test loomed over him, a constant weight pressing down on his shoulders. The chief wasn't just the strongest warrior in the village—he was a seasoned veteran, a man who had defeated dozens of challengers over the years. For Lloyd, a boy with no awakened core, victory seemed impossible.
The storm inside him swirled restlessly, but it offered no answers, only frustration.
"I just need more time," he muttered to himself, gripping his staff so tightly his knuckles turned white.
As if mocking him, a deafening screech shattered the stillness of the forest. Lloyd froze, his heart pounding as the sound echoed through the trees. It was unlike anything he had ever heard—sharp and piercing, filled with fury and malice.
Before he could react, a massive shape burst from the shadows, its wings outstretched and eyes glowing with predatory intent. The griffon landed in the clearing ahead, its talons gouging deep marks into the earth. It was a monstrous creature, its golden feathers shimmering in the moonlight and its leonine body rippling with muscle.
Lloyd's instincts screamed at him to run, but his legs refused to move. The griffon fixed its gaze on him, its sharp beak clicking with an ominous rhythm.
Why is it here? Lloyd thought, panic gripping him. Griffons were rare creatures, apex predators that roamed the skies far beyond the village's borders. For one to appear here…
The griffon screeched again, its wings flaring as it charged.
Lloyd barely managed to throw himself to the side, the beast's talons carving deep furrows into the ground where he had stood. He scrambled to his feet, his chest heaving as he tried to steady his trembling hands.
I can't fight this thing. I'll die.
The griffon turned, its golden eyes locked onto him. It crouched low, muscles coiling like a spring, and lunged.
This time, Lloyd swung his staff with all his strength, striking the griffon's flank. The impact sent a shock through his arms, but it did little more than irritate the beast.
The griffon lashed out with its tail, the force of the blow sending Lloyd crashing into a tree. Pain exploded in his back, and he coughed, struggling to catch his breath.
I can't win. It's too strong.
But as the griffon closed in, something deep within him stirred. The storm inside him, which had always been a dull roar in the background, suddenly surged to life. It wasn't just frustration or fear—it was raw, unrelenting power, a force that demanded to be unleashed.
The griffon's talons came down, aiming for his chest. Lloyd rolled to the side at the last moment, the claws slicing into the earth. He gritted his teeth and forced himself to his feet, the storm building with every beat of his heart.
The griffon lunged again, but this time, Lloyd didn't dodge. He planted his feet and raised his staff, meeting the creature's charge head-on.
The moment of impact sent a jolt through his entire body, but something unexpected happened. The storm inside him burst free, a surge of energy flooding his veins. His staff glowed faintly, shimmering with a strange, ethereal light.
The griffon recoiled, its eyes narrowing as it recognized the change. Lloyd's movements became faster, more precise, as if the storm were guiding him. He struck the griffon's wing, the force of the blow sending a shockwave through the clearing.
The griffon roared in fury, its claws swiping wildly, but Lloyd ducked and weaved, his body moving on instinct. He could feel the storm coursing through him, alive and powerful, pushing him beyond his limits.
But the griffon wasn't done. It leapt into the air, its massive wings beating furiously as it prepared to dive.
Lloyd gripped his staff tightly, the glow intensifying. He didn't know what was happening, but he didn't care. The storm had awakened, and he wasn't going to let it falter now.
As the griffon dove, Lloyd thrust his staff upward, channeling every ounce of the storm's energy into a single strike. The staff connected with the griffon's chest, and the world seemed to explode in light and sound.
When the dust settled, the griffon lay still, its golden feathers dull and its massive body motionless. Lloyd staggered back, his chest heaving and his body trembling. The glow faded from his staff, but the storm inside him didn't disappear.
It had changed.
The walk back to the village was a blur. Lloyd's body was battered and bloodied, his mind racing as he replayed the battle over and over.
By the time he stumbled into the village square, the sky was beginning to lighten, the first rays of dawn painting the horizon.
Villagers gathered around him, their faces a mix of shock and confusion.
"What happened to him?" someone whispered.
"Did you see his eyes? They were glowing."
Elder Renna appeared, her expression unreadable as she pushed through the crowd. She placed a hand on Lloyd's shoulder, her grip firm but gentle.
"Come with me," she said, her voice low but commanding.
Lloyd nodded numbly, too exhausted to protest.