It had been ten years since Argolaith was born. Though he came into the world as a commoner, his humble beginnings never dulled his love for life.
Argolaith found his solace not in the bustling streets of his hometown but in the quiet embrace of the forest. The trees whispered secrets in the breeze, the streams sang softly over the stones, and the sunlight danced on mossy paths. For him, the forest was more than a refuge—it was a world alive with wonder and possibilities.
His hometown, by contrast, teemed with noise and activity. Merchants called out their wares, children darted between stalls, and neighbors exchanged hurried greetings. Though vibrant, it lacked the serene beauty Argolaith craved. The cacophony of life in the town often felt suffocating, pushing him further into the welcoming arms of nature.
There, amidst the ancient trees, he felt at peace. But the forest was not just his sanctuary—it held a deeper purpose. In the coming years, when Argolaith turned eighteen, he would face the sacred rite of passage: choosing five trees to draw their lifeblood. The ritual would bind him to the forest in ways he could only begin to imagine.
Yet, not all aspects of his life were as harmonious. If there was one thing Argolaith despised, it was school. Not because of his studies—he excelled in them, often outshining his peers. What pained him was the isolation. While others shared laughter and companionship, he sat alone. The other children didn't understand him, nor did they try. And so, Argolaith retreated further into himself, his loneliness becoming both a shield and a burden.
On this day, his teacher spoke of the lifeblood ritual, explaining its intricacies. "When the time comes," the teacher intoned, "you will find the five trees that call to you. From each, you will draw its lifeblood—a sap that will forever change you. But be cautious. Harm not the trees, for they are sacred."
The words stirred something in Argolaith . He had spent countless hours wandering the forest, but now he saw it anew. Which trees would call to him? What changes would the lifeblood bring? The thought was both thrilling and terrifying.
The teacher's voice grew solemn. "Choose wisely. Do not be swayed by others' opinions. The trees that resonate with your soul may not be the strongest or the most beautiful. But they will be yours, and they will shape your destiny."
As the lesson ended, Argolaith lingered in thought. The forest had always been his sanctuary, but now it felt like it was calling to him in a way it never had before. He looked forward to the day he would discover the trees meant for him, even as questions of what lay ahead filled his mind.
Young Argolaith ponders his calling—will it be an ancient tree, wise and steady, a youthful tree, vibrant and full of potential, or a delicate sapling, needing care yet offering growth? Each choice reflects a path: wisdom, energy, or nurture. The forest holds the answer, waiting for his spirit to listen. Which will call to him?
But for now Argolaith will Train…
Argolaith's journey began with a singular vision: to forge a body as strong as steel, a soul as unyielding as stone, and a will that could never be broken.
For days, weeks, and months, he trained tirelessly with his sword. Each swing of the blade was a testament to his resolve. He pushed his body to the brink, swinging until his hands were bloody and his arms trembled from exhaustion. Even when he passed out from sheer fatigue, he would wake, rise, and start anew.
Improvement alone wasn't enough for Argolaith. He demanded perfection.
Over time, his perseverance bore fruit. He could cleave boulders in half with a single stroke and endure 10,000 swings without faltering. Yet, this was only the beginning. For Argolaith, being the strongest was not just a goal—it was a necessity. He sought strength not only for himself but to protect those he held most dear.
At just 14 years old, Argolaith was already a prodigy. Though magic was still beyond his grasp—available only at 18—he had dedicated these early years to mastering his body, honing his mind, and fortifying his will.
His determination extended beyond physical training. At school, Argolaith excelled, consistently ranking at the top of his class. Graduation loomed two years away, but he was already planning his next steps. Once he graduated, his path would lead him to the fabled Five Trees, mysterious entities that called to his soul. No matter where they lay, he vowed to find them.
But first, Argolaith had another goal: securing a place in the Grand Magic Academy.
This was no ordinary institution. The Grand Magic Academy was a sanctuary for the elite, a place where the greatest minds and strongest wills gathered to shape the future. To even approach its gates required unparalleled excellence. The academy's rigorous entry test was designed to crush the weak, test the brilliant, and reward only those who combined strength, intelligence, and charisma in equal measure.
To pass, candidates needed a will strong enough to shatter boulders, a mind sharp enough to solve the unsolvable, and a body capable of bearing the weight of a mountain. They had to be kind yet commanding, humble yet unshakable.
For most, these requirements were daunting. For Argolaith, they were a challenge to embrace.
At 14, Argolaith knew he had six years to prepare. By the time he turned 20, he would face the academy's test. Every swing of his sword, every hour of study, and every trial he overcame would be a step closer to his destiny.
Argolaith's journey was just beginning, but his resolve was already unshakable. The path ahead was fraught with hardship, but for one who had trained himself to endure and overcome, it was merely the proving ground for greatness.
As Argolaith sat under the dimming sky, he pondered his future. The path ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear: he would push forward, no matter the cost. For the next two years, until the day he graduates and set off to search for his fabled trees, he vowed to train relentlessly. From dusk until dawn, he would drive his body to its limits, letting bloodied hands and aching muscles remind him of his resolve. Pain was a fleeting sensation; his purpose was eternal.
I, Argolaith, may have no last name, he thought, but I will carve my own legacy. Through thick and thin, I will strengthen my body and sharpen my mind. Until the day I find my trees, I will swing my sword and master my studies. I will do whatever it takes to enter the Grand Magic Academy.
But first, Argolaith's stomach grumbled, pulling him back to reality. I need food, he muttered. A plan formed, and soon he was preparing a meal of lightly salted lamb over an open fire. As the flames danced, he took a deep breath, allowing the aroma of sizzling meat to soothe his weary spirit.
After his meal, Argolaith rested under the starlit sky. Yet, far from the serenity of his camp, the world was stirring.
In the far east, within the treacherous waters of the Forgotten Burial Ground, the sea churned violently. Waves crashed with unnatural force as the wind howled like a wounded beast. Then, a tremor rippled across the land, a pulse of power felt thousands of miles away.
The boiling waters began to part, steam rising as something colossal emerged from the depths. Its body was serpentine, its jagged teeth glinting in the eerie moonlight. Ancient scars crisscrossed its armored scales, each one a testament to battles long forgotten. With a mighty roar, the creature broke free of its watery grave, spiraling into the sky as though waking from a long slumber.
It was a leviathan—a being of legend thought lost to time.
And yet, this was no isolated event. All across the world, similar occurrences began to unfold. In dark forests, ancient beasts stirred. Beneath crumbling mountains, forgotten titans clawed their way to freedom. It was as though the world itself was preparing for a reckoning.
For now, these creatures lingered in the shadows, waiting, watching. But something was coming—something that would change the course of history.
Argolaith, unaware of these unfolding events, slept soundly by his fire. Yet, in time, his path would cross with the ancient forces awakening across the lands. And when it did, his strength and resolve would be tested like never before.