IThe forest was cloaked in shadow, the faintest traces of sunlight having long faded into the cool embrace of night. Tyr navigated through the trees, guided by the crude arrow markers he had carved earlier. The sharp ache in his arm throbbed with every movement, but he pressed on, his breath visible in the chill of the air. Through the dense canopy, he spotted the faint flicker of firelight weaving through the gaps in the branches.I made it back, he thought, though his legs trembled under him.As Tyr stepped into the clearing, the warmth of the fire touched his skin, chasing away the biting cold. Hagar's voice cut through the silence, calm but expectant."How did your hunt go?"Tyr emerged from the forest's shadow into the flickering light. The fire illuminated his small frame, highlighting the blood splattered across his clothes and the disheveled state of his hair. His posture was weak, his movements shaky, and his expression distant.Hagar's sharp eyes narrowed, concern rising in his voice. "What happened, boy?"Tyr said nothing at first. He pulled out a bloodied slab of deer meat from his pack and handed it to Hagar before sinking wordlessly onto the ground across the fire. The light played across his face, revealing a boy who had aged in a single day, his eyes reflecting both the fire's glow and a haunted look that Hagar recognized all too well.Hagar studied him, his own thoughts swirling. That look... the look of someone who has faced death and come out alive. The boy has awakened.But Hagar held his silence. Instead, he spoke in his usual commanding tone. "I asked you a question, boy."Tyr slowly raised his head, meeting Hagar's gaze. His voice was soft, almost detached. "It went good. I tracked a deer, butchered it, and came back."Hagar wasn't convinced. The gaps in Tyr's story were glaring, but he decided not to press the boy just yet. Instead, he nodded and offered a faint smile. "You did great. You passed."Tyr blinked, his expression shifting to confusion. "So you were testing me?""Yes," Hagar admitted. "I wanted to see if you could survive on your own when I'm not around."Tyr lowered his gaze to the fire, its flames dancing in his wide eyes. After a long silence, he muttered, "Something happened to me."Before he could continue, Hagar interrupted, his voice calm but certain. "I know, boy. You awakened."Tyr's head shot up at the word. "Awakened?" His hands, still trembling from exhaustion and adrenaline, clenched unconsciously.Hagar leaned forward, his tone taking on the weight of a teacher. "When someone stares death in the face, something deep within their soul can awaken. It's a force beyond normal strength—a gift, or curse, depending on how you look at it. It grants power, sometimes even magic. Not everyone awakens, but those who do... they carry that moment of death with them forever."Tyr listened intently, piecing together the events of his encounter with the wolf. So when the wolf almost killed me, that's when it happened... because I was going to die.His curiosity spurred another question. "Are you awakened?"Hagar's face darkened, his shoulders tensing under the weight of old memories. "Yes," he said after a long pause, his voice heavy with grief.Tyr noticed the change in his demeanor and spoke gently. "I think I died."Hagar looked at him, puzzled. "But you're alive."Tyr's voice was quiet as if dredging up the memory hurt. "The last thing I remember before waking up in the forest was Raina holding me. She was crying. I couldn't move, couldn't speak. I'd never seen her look so scared. Then... I felt cold, and I woke up here."Hagar's expression softened as he listened, the story stirring his own buried pain. For a moment, there was a fragile silence, lost in their thoughts.Finally, Hagar spoke, his voice trembling. "My family is dead." He looked away, his fists clenching. "I couldn't save them. I wasn't strong enough. They died in front of me... and I was powerless to stop it." His voice grew sharper, tinged with anger and self-loathing. "That's when I awakened."The firelight caught the glint of tears streaming down his weathered cheeks. His anguish filled the clearing, raw and unrestrained.Tyr rose quietly, crossing the small distance between them. He knelt beside Hagar and, with surprising gentleness, embraced him. Hagar stiffened at first but then let the boy's compassion wash over him."Loss affects us all," Tyr said softly, his voice steady despite his own grief. "All we can do is remember them and carry them with us every day."Hagar froze at the words, a memory flashing in his mind. Those were my words to him. The realization broke through his sorrow, and a faint smile tugged at his lips."Thank you, Tyr," he murmured, his tone full of affection.The two sat in silence after that, the fire crackling softly between them. The night stretched on, cold and still, but within the clearing, the warmth of understanding and shared pain bound them closer than ever.IIThe crisp cold of morning blanketed the earth in frost, each step crunching underfoot with a weight that echoed through the forest. Tyr's breath hung in the air, visible puffs dissipating into the chill as he followed Hagar down the narrow trail."We're nearing town," Hagar said, his voice low but commanding. "Keep your guard up, boy."Tyr glanced at him, noticing the sharp edge in his tone. "Is something wrong?""This close to town, forest bandits like to ambush travelers," Hagar replied, his eyes scanning the dense woods.Tyr's heart quickened as he nodded, his gaze darting around them. He tried to match Hagar's focus, but Hagar's calm yet precise movements made him feel woefully inadequate.Without turning his head, Hagar whispered, "Behind us. Left and right."Tyr stiffened. He had noticed movement behind them but hadn't been aware of the flanking sides until now. His senses are incredible, Tyr thought, swallowing the growing knot of unease."Forest bandits," Hagar continued in a barely audible tone. "Eight of them. When I give the signal, get behind me."Tyr nodded silently, dread twisting his stomach as he prepared himself."Now, boy!" Hagar's bark broke the stillness like a whip.In one fluid motion, Hagar spun, his bow already drawn, and loosed an arrow into the woods behind them. A pained scream pierced the air, and Tyr darted behind him, clutching his own bow tightly. From the shadows, seven figures burst forth, surrounding the pair."Well, well, what do we have here?" a voice drawled, mocking and confident.A man stepped into view, his bulky frame towering over the others. A grotesque scar ran across his face, twisting his expression into something almost demonic. His sword—a crude, flat-edged monstrosity known as a horse chopper—rested on his shoulder, its blade reflecting the dim morning light."An old man and a scrawny little runt," the scarred man continued, laughing cruelly. "Easy pickings, eh boys?"The other bandits snickered, their bloodlust palpable."Hand over your wares," the leader sneered, his grin widening, "or we'll gut the boy while you watch, old man."Hagar remained unshaken, his posture calm and steady as he gripped his bow. His voice was as sharp as the morning air. "Walk away."The scarred man's laughter echoed through the forest. "This one's got a mouth! Boys, let's show him what happens to people who don't know their place!"The men cheered, weapons drawn as they closed in.Hagar didn't flinch. Instead, he spoke to Tyr in a commanding tone. "Listen to me. Run. These men are too strong for you to handle."Tyr hesitated, his feet rooted in place. "But—""Run!" Hagar snapped, leaving no room for argument.Reluctantly, Tyr turned and sprinted down the trail, his heart pounding with every step.Two bandits broke away from the group, chasing after him. "You're not getting away, you little shit!" one of them snarled.Hagar's gaze flicked toward them, his movements a blur. Before the men could reach Tyr, the sound of metal slicing through flesh echoed in the air. Blood sprayed across the frosted ground as Hagar's blade tore through their throats in one swift motion.Tyr glanced back, his eyes widening at the sight of crimson arcs painting the forest. Hagar's stance was unyielding, his presence radiating an almost inhuman strength."I said run!" Hagar barked again.Tyr clenched his fists, forcing himself to obey, even as his instincts screamed to stay.Back in the clearing, the scarred man growled. "Looks like the old man's got some fight in him." He pointed his massive sword at Hagar. "Kill him!"The first bandit charged, screaming as he raised his sword high.Hagar adjusted his stance, his spear a flash of motion. The bandit's scream was cut short as the weapon impaled him, ripping through flesh and bone. Blood gushed from the wound as Hagar, muscles tensing, hoisted the man into the air. With a grunt, he hurled the corpse into another charging attacker, the force of the impact sending both crashing into a tree.A bandit loosed an arrow from the treeline. Hagar twisted his spear to deflect it, the arrow splintering against the shaft. In a seamless follow-up, Hagar hurled his spear at the archer. The weapon streaked through the air like a lightning bolt, its force sending shockwaves through the forest. The archer was pinned to a tree, his body convulsing as blood poured from the gaping wound.The scarred man roared in frustration, gripping his horse chopper tightly. "I'll handle you myself!" He charged, his movements swift and deliberate, his blade aimed to cleave Hagar in two.Hagar sidestepped the attack with expert precision, the ground erupting as the massive sword struck dirt. The bandit leader snarled, recovering quickly.But before he could launch another attack, Hagar spun, slamming the tip of his bow into the jaw of another attacker. The makeshift weapon pierced through bone and brain, the bandit collapsing in a lifeless heap.The scarred man and his last ally regrouped, circling Hagar. Unleashing a flurry of strikes against Hagar, overwhelming him. Blood dripped from slashes in Hagar's clothes, his breathing heavy.Meanwhile, Tyr stopped on the trail, panting. Something gnawed at him—a growing unease that rooted him in place. Why does this feel wrong? Memories of Hagar flashed in his mind: the warmth of shared meals, the lessons, the camaraderie."I can't leave him," Tyr whispered, a fire lighting in his chest. "I can't lose him too."Conviction surged through him as he turned back, sprinting toward the battle.Tyr arrived just in time to see Hagar on one knee, blood pooling around him. The scarred man towered over him; his sword raised."You put up a good fight, old man," he sneered. "But it's over. And don't worry—we'll find that boy and gut him too.""No!" Tyr's voice resonated with a raw, uncontainable force. The forest stilled, as though nature itself held its breath. The air around him shifted, growing heavier. A soft blue glow emanated from his body, rapidly intensifying into a blinding blue aura. The ground beneath him cracked and splintered, small stones lifted into the air, spinning in an unseen vortex.Tyr raised his bow, the weapon trembling as an arrow of pure energy materialized, pulsating with violent power. The very air around it seemed to distort, crackling with arcs of lightning. Each heartbeat sent waves of pressure radiating outward, forcing even the scarred man to falter."What... The boy is awakened?" the bandit stammered, his bravado crumbling.Tyr pulled the bowstring taut, his voice a mixture of fury and resolve. "I won't let you touch him—or anyone else!"He released the arrow, the force of its launch sending a shockwave that flattened the surrounding grass. The arrow streaked through the air, splitting the sky with a deafening roar. The remaining bandit turned to flee, but the projectile tore through him, obliterating his body into a fine mist of blood and ash. The arrow continued its path, carving a deep scar through the forest. Trees exploded in its wake, their splinters raining down like deadly shrapnel.The scarred man stared in horror, his grip on his weapon slackening. "The kid... he's a monster..."Hagar seized the moment, rising unsteadily to his feet. Blood streaked his face, but his eyes burned with determination—and pride.The bandit leader snarled, clutching his sword. "No... I'll finish this myself!"Hagar's hand trembled as he gripped the air, but his voice was calm, resonant. "I told you to walk away."Casting off his cloak, Hagar stood tall, his form bathed in a crackling purple aura. Lightning coursed around him, wrapping his body in an incandescent storm. His veins glowed with purple energy, and the very air vibrated with raw, elemental power.The air in his hand shifted, elongating and solidifying into a weapon of pure lightning. It pulsed, humming with a destructive intensity that lit up the darkened forest. Thunder rumbled in response, the heavens seeming to answer his call."Thunder Lord's Spear!" Hagar roared, his voice echoing like a tempest.With a surge of strength, he hurled the spear. It left his hand with an earth-shattering boom, the air splitting as it flew. The scarred man raised his sword in desperation, but the spear struck him before he could react.The impact was cataclysmic. A dome of purple lightning erupted, engulfing the bandit leader in an unrelenting storm of energy. His screams were swallowed by the deafening roar as the ground quaked, fissures splitting open and swallowing nearby trees. When the light faded, nothing remained of the scarred man but a charred crater, smoke rising from its depths.The surrounding forest lay in ruins, the ground scorched and barren, as though the wrath of a god had descended upon it.Tyr collapsed, his consciousness fading. His last vision was of Hagar, glowing faintly in the aftermath, approaching him with a weary but proud smile.IIITyr's eyelids flickered, the blurred world around him gradually coming into focus. His vision settled on a broad, battered figure sitting a few feet away. The man's back, hunched slightly, was crisscrossed with scars—long, jagged slashes that looked like the work of swords, some smaller punctures likely left by daggers. Old burns marred his upper shoulders, the skin twisted and weathered, yet the marks seemed alive with stories untold.Tyr groaned as he tried to sit up, but his body protested violently, sharp pain radiating from every muscle and joint. The sound alerted the figure in front of him, who turned with an almost instinctual precision."Don't move, boy," Hagar said firmly, his deep voice carrying both authority and concern. As he turned fully, Tyr's eyes widened. Hagar's chest was a tapestry of scars, a battlefield etched into his very being.Tyr's voice was hoarse, trembling. "What... happened?"Hagar resumed wrapping a fresh bandage around his forearm, his movements methodical. "What do you remember?""I... I saw you on your knees," Tyr stammered. "That man with the scar—he was about to strike you. Then there was a weird glow—purple light—and then... nothing." He paused, confusion clouding his face. "Why can't I move?"Hagar looked down at him, pausing mid-wrap. His voice was heavy with both pride and concern. "You reached the first stage of your soul awakening." He hesitated, his tone shifting. "But someone your age shouldn't have that much power. Your body couldn't handle the energy output."Tyr's curiosity cut through his pain. "Soul awakening? Soul stage? What does that even mean?"Finishing his bandages, Hagar leaned forward and grabbed a small wooden bowl filled with a viscous green liquid. "Drink this," he said, holding it to Tyr's lips. "It will help with the pain."The boy gagged as the foul concoction slid down his throat, its bitterness gnawing at his senses. Hagar chuckled, his laughter a rare break from his usual stoic demeanor. "Didn't say it'd taste good, did I?""That was awful," Tyr sputtered, his face scrunching. "What was that?""A natural painkiller," Hagar replied simply.Tyr managed to sit up, though every movement came with a wince. The medicine dulled the edges of his pain but left him stiff and sore. Hagar pulled his shirt over his scarred torso and began speaking, his tone calm yet deliberate."Soul awakening is a phenomenon that occurs when someone faces certain death. If your soul is strong enough in that moment, it awakens, granting inhuman strength and other abilities. Yours awakened in the forest when you were hunting."Tyr's mind flashed back to the Great Forest Wolf, the terrifying moment it charged at him, and the surge of strength he felt.Hagar continued, "Normally, after a soul awakens, it takes years of rigorous training to reach the first stage. You not only reached it in a single day—you surpassed it and achieved the second stage."Tyr's lips curled into a faint grin. "So, I'm super strong now?"Hagar's response was sharp, almost scolding. "No. If you use the second stage with the body you have now, it will kill you. It's a miracle you're even alive."The weight of Hagar's words pressed down on Tyr, his excitement fading into frustration. "Then what's the point of having this power if I can't use it?""You weren't listening, boy," Hagar said firmly. "You can't use it now. Your body needs to grow stronger first."Realization dawned on Tyr, and determination filled his voice. "Then I'll get stronger." His tone softened, curiosity returning as he recalled the purple glow he had seen. "Before I passed out, I saw you glowing with that purple light. What was that?"Hagar glanced at him, a flicker of pride in his eyes. "That was my awakened soul art—the Purple Soul, also known as the Soul of Manifestation. It allows me to turn my soul energy into physical manifestations."Tyr's eyes widened, wonder lighting up his face. "Whoa! Can I do that?""No," Hagar said bluntly, dousing Tyr's excitement.Tyr slumped, crestfallen. "Why not?""Because your soul is at the Blue Soul stage—the Soul of Strength. Manifestation is beyond your reach for now. But perhaps, in time, you could surpass me and achieve the White Soul.""The White Soul?" Tyr asked, his voice tinged with awe."It's the Soul of Enlightenment—the final stage of soul awakening," Hagar explained. "Only a few in history have achieved it. It grants complete mastery of the soul and the ability to unlock its inner realm."Tyr's gaze burned with resolve. "I'm going to achieve the White Soul."Hagar placed a hand on the boy's head, his expression softening. "I'm sure you will, boy."As the day wore on, Tyr's mobility gradually returned, aided by the concoction's healing properties. The two resumed their journey along the trail, the forest thinning as sunlight began to pour through the gaps in the canopy.Ahead, the trees gave way to a vast open field, its golden grasses swaying in the breeze. Smoke rose on the horizon, a thin column against the backdrop of the setting sun.Hagar stopped at the edge of the forest, his eyes fixed on the distant scene. "Looks like we've made it to Ferndale," he said, his tone both relieved and somber.The boy and the warrior stood side by side, the fading light casting their shadows long across the earth. A new chapter awaited, and with it, the promise of trials yet to come.