Dawn was breaking over the desolate lands of Myralis, bathing the landscape in a pale light. The sky, a pale gray, seemed to reflect the desolation that stretched as far as the eye could see. Caelum and Rowan advanced at a steady pace, leaving behind the smoking ruins of Eryndor. The air was heavy with the acrid smell of ash and burnt wood, a constant reminder of the tragedy that had just unfolded.
Caelum glanced back from time to time, his heart heavy but determined. Each step took him further from everything he had known, from the simple but difficult life he had led until now. The faces of the villagers, a mix of fear and hope, remained etched in his memory, pushing him forward despite the fatigue weighing on his limbs.
"Don't look back, kid," Rowan growled without slowing down. His voice, rough and worn by the years, carried an authority that Caelum couldn't ignore. "What's behind us can't be changed. It's what lies ahead that matters."
The young man nodded, gritting his teeth to ignore the throbbing pain in his injured arm. The wound, though superficial, was a painful reminder of his powerlessness against the black knights. "Where exactly are we going?" he asked, his voice betraying his fatigue and concern.
Rowan stopped abruptly, scanning the horizon with his piercing eyes. The old knight seemed able to see beyond the desolate hills, as if he could perceive their destination through the mists of the future. "Towards the border of Lunaris," he replied after a moment of silence. "If we want to participate in the tournament of nations, that's where we need to go."
The young man's eyes widened, stunned by this revelation. "The tournament of nations?" he repeated, incredulous. "But... I thought Myralis hadn't been invited for generations. We're... forgotten."
A bitter smile crossed Rowan's weathered face, deepening the wrinkles that testified to a life of battles and trials. "That's right, kid. That's why we're going to have to be... creative."
As they resumed their march, Caelum couldn't help but think of his divine tutor, Elyndra. His heart tightened at the thought of disappointing her. What would she think of this decision? She who had always advised him to remain in the shadows, to never seek vengeance... Her gentle and wise voice still echoed in his mind: "Strength without wisdom is only destruction, Caelum. Always keep your heart pure, even in the deepest darkness."
"What are you thinking about, kid?" Rowan's voice pulled him from his reflections. The old knight was observing him from the corner of his eye, his impassive face hiding obvious curiosity.
Caelum hesitated for a moment before answering, weighing his words. "About Elyndra, my tutor," he finally said. "She... she always told me not to seek vengeance, to stay in the shadows. I wonder if she would approve of what we're doing."
Rowan stopped abruptly, turning to Caelum with a piercing gaze that seemed to probe his soul. "And you think that's what we're doing? Seeking vengeance?" His voice was calm, but Caelum could feel the weight of experience and wisdom behind each word.
The young man lowered his eyes, uncertain. Emotions were rushing through him: anger at the injustice suffered by his people, fear of the unknown, the desire to protect those he loved. "I... I don't know," he finally admitted. "I just want to protect my people, give them a better future. But I can't help thinking about all those who abandoned us, who let Myralis sink into oblivion."
The old knight placed a hand on Caelum's shoulder, his touch as firm as it was comforting. "Listen to me well, kid," he said, his gaze locked with Caelum's. "Vengeance is a path that only leads to destruction. I've seen good men consumed by it, lose everything that made them human. What we're doing isn't vengeance. It's seeking justice, recognition. For Myralis, for our forgotten people."
Caelum felt the weight of these words resonate within him. There was an old pain in Rowan's voice, as if he spoke from experience. "Have you... have you ever sought vengeance?" he dared to ask.
Rowan's face darkened, his eyes lost in distant and painful memories. "Yes," he admitted after a long silence. "And I paid the price. It's a debt I still carry today, kid. That's why I'm guiding you on another path."
They resumed their journey in silence, each lost in thought. The landscape around them was gradually changing, the arid lands giving way to denser vegetation as they approached the border of Lunaris. The air was becoming fresher, charged with a humidity that heralded more clement lands.
Caelum observed this change with fascination. All his life, he had known only the desolate lands of Myralis, and seeing the world awaken around him evoked a sense of wonder he had never known. Wild flowers, timid splashes of color in the sparse grass, were beginning to appear. In the distance, he could see the first silhouettes of trees, promising a forest to come.
As the sun reached its zenith, they caught sight of the first silvery gleams characteristic of the moon kingdom in the distance. Lunaris, the kingdom of honor and justice, stood on the horizon like a shimmering mirage. Rowan had them stop at the edge of a small wood, sheltered from prying eyes.
"Let's rest here," he said, taking out some provisions from his bag. "We'll need all our strength for what awaits us."
Caelum sat down heavily, his aching body painfully reminding him of the previous day's events. Every muscle seemed to protest, and fatigue weighed heavily on his shoulders. As he bit into a piece of hard bread, a remnant of Eryndor's meager provisions, a question burned on his lips.
"Rowan," he began hesitantly, searching for words. "Why are you helping me? You don't even know me. You could have left, left Eryndor behind like so many others have done."
The old knight remained silent for a long moment, his gaze lost in the distance. The wind gently rustled the leaves of the trees, creating a soothing melody that contrasted with the palpable tension between the two men. When Rowan finally spoke, his voice was tinged with a deep sadness that seemed to come from the depths of ages.
"I've seen too many young people like you lose hope, Caelum," he said slowly, weighing each word. "I've seen our nation sink into oblivion, abandoned by gods and men. I've seen entire families perish, villages reduced to ashes, dreams shattered by the world's indifference." He paused, his eyes hardening. "Maybe it's my way of redeeming myself, of giving meaning to all these years of wandering. Or maybe I'm just an old fool clinging to one last hope."
He turned to Caelum, a glimmer of determination shining in his time-worn eyes. "But don't be mistaken, kid. The path that awaits us will be fraught with obstacles. The other nations won't welcome us with open arms. We'll be intruders, pariahs. We'll have to fight for every ounce of respect, for every glance that isn't filled with contempt or pity."
Caelum solemnly nodded, feeling the weight of this responsibility on his shoulders. But instead of crushing him, this weight seemed to galvanize him, awakening a strength he didn't know he had. "I'm ready," he said with a conviction that surprised even Rowan. "For Eryndor, for Myralis, for all those who have been forgotten... I'm ready to face whatever awaits us."
A slight smile crossed Rowan's lips, a rare expression that momentarily softened the hard features of his face. "Good," he said simply. "Then let's begin your training. You have heart, kid, but heart alone won't be enough against the champions of the other nations."
The rest of the day was devoted to intensive training. Rowan proved to be a demanding but fair instructor, pushing Caelum to his limits and beyond. He corrected his posture, taught him new combat techniques, honed his reflexes.
"Your style is raw, instinctive," Rowan observed as they exchanged blows. "It's a strength, but also a weakness. You need to learn to channel this energy, to master it."
Caelum listened attentively, drinking in every word, every piece of advice. He felt that each movement, each technique learned brought him a little closer to his goal. The pain in his muscles, the sweat running down his forehead, all of this was but a small price to pay.
As the sun set, tinting the sky with orange hues, Caelum collapsed, exhausted but satisfied. For the first time in a long time, he felt he was moving forward, progressing towards a goal. His body protested, but his mind was clearer than ever.
Rowan sat down beside him, watching the first stars appear in the night sky. The silence that settled between them was not heavy, but filled with mutual understanding, a nascent respect.
"Tomorrow, we'll enter the lands of Lunaris," Rowan said softly, breaking the silence. His voice carried a note of gravity that immediately caught Caelum's attention. "Are you ready to face what awaits us?"
Caelum took a moment to reflect, truly weighing the question. He thought of Eryndor, of the faces of the villagers he had left behind. He thought of his people, forgotten by the world but still proud. He thought of Elyndra, his divine tutor, and her teachings. When he reopened his eyes, his gaze shone with a new determination, forged in the trials of recent days.
"I'm ready," he affirmed, his voice betraying no hesitation. "For Myralis, for our people... I'm ready to face anything. Be it the champions of other nations or the prejudices of the world, I won't back down."
Rowan smiled slightly, a rare expression on his face marked by years and battles. "Well said, kid," he said with a hint of pride in his voice. "But never forget: strength without wisdom is only destruction. Always keep in mind why you're fighting."
Caelum nodded, Rowan's words echoing those of Elyndra. "I won't forget," he solemnly promised. "Every blow I strike, every battle I fight, it will be for them. To give them a future, a chance to be recognized."
The old knight nodded, satisfied. "Then rest, Caelum," he said, standing up. "Tomorrow, our real journey begins. Lunaris is just the first step on a long road."
As night enveloped the world in its dark mantle, Caelum lay down, his body craving rest. But his mind remained awake, filled with a thousand questions and anticipation for what the future held for them.
Rowan, sitting by the fire he had lit, began to speak softly, his voice barely louder than a whisper. He told stories of ancient times, when Myralis was still a respected nation. He spoke of forgotten heroes, epic battles, moments of glory that time had erased from the world's memory.
Caelum listened, fascinated, feeling a sense of pride for his heritage growing within him. Each story was like a seed planted in his heart, a reminder of what he was fighting for.
"Long ago," said Rowan, his eyes reflecting the glow of the flames, "Myralis was known as the nation of self-sacrifice. Our ancestors were renowned for their devotion and sacrifice for the common good. The other nations respected us, even admired us."
Caelum drank in his words, imagining this glorious past he had never heard of. "What happened?" he asked softly.
Rowan sighed, his gaze lost in the flames. "War, betrayal, fear... The other nations began to see us as a threat. Our power of self-sacrifice was misunderstood, feared. Little by little, we were isolated, forgotten."
Silence fell again, heavy with meaning. Caelum felt the weight of this history on his shoulders, but instead of crushing him, it motivated him even more.
"We're going to change that," he affirmed with conviction. "We're going to remind them who we are, what we're worth."
Rowan smiled weakly. "It's a noble goal, kid. But don't forget: the road will be long and difficult. Rest now, tomorrow will be a crucial day."
Caelum nodded and closed his eyes. Lulled by the crackling of the fire and Rowan's stories, he fell asleep, dreaming of a future where Myralis would regain its place among the nations.
The next morning, at dawn, they resumed their journey, their steps inexorably leading them towards the border of Lunaris. The air was becoming cooler, charged with a subtle magic that made Caelum shiver.
As they approached the border, Rowan suddenly stopped. "Listen to me carefully, Caelum," he said gravely. "From now on, we must be cautious. Lunaris is a proud nation, attached to its traditions. We'll have to use cunning and diplomacy to achieve our goal."
Caelum nodded, feeling the adrenaline rising within him. "I'm ready," he affirmed.
Rowan looked at him with a mixture of pride and concern. "Then let's go. Let our journey truly begin."
Together, they crossed the invisible border, entering the lands of Lunaris. The air seemed to shimmer around them, as if to mark this symbolic passage. Caelum felt that his life would never be the same again.
Before them stretched the vast silver plains of Lunaris, bathed in an ethereal light. In the distance, one could see the slender spires of the capital, shining like jewels under the sun. The grass beneath their feet seemed to glow with a silvery sheen, gently undulating under a breeze charged with magic.
Caelum took a deep breath, savoring the pure and fresh air of Lunaris. It was so different from the heavy, dusty atmosphere of Myralis. He could feel the lunar magic pulsing around him, a force both attractive and intimidating.
"Don't forget," Rowan whispered, his voice barely audible, "here, we are strangers. Observe, learn, but don't draw attention to yourself. Not yet."
Caelum nodded, understanding the importance of discretion. They advanced with determined steps, their silhouettes standing out against the luminous horizon of Lunaris. Each step brought them closer to their objective, but also to the dangers and challenges that awaited them.
In the distance, the sound of a horn rang out, probably announcing the arrival of an important group. Rowan and Caelum exchanged a glance. The tournament of nations was approaching, and with it, their chance to change the destiny of Myralis.
"Ready for what's next, kid?" Rowan asked, a slight smile on his lips.
Caelum clenched his fists, his heart pounding with anticipation. "More than ever," he replied with assurance.
And so, under the glittering sky of Lunaris, their true quest began. The future was uncertain, filled with promises and perils, but Caelum knew one thing: whatever happened, he would fight to the end for his people, for Myralis, and for the hope of a better future.