The cavern was quiet except for the faint drip of water echoing in the distance. Kael sat cross-legged on the stone floor, the shard resting in his palm. Its light pulsed softly, casting a warm glow on his face. Lyra stood before him, her staff in hand, while Thorne leaned against the wall, watching with a critical eye.
"Focus," Lyra said, her voice calm but firm. "The shard's power is tied to your emotions. You need to clear your mind and let it flow through you."
Kael frowned, his brow furrowed in concentration. "I'm trying. But it's not exactly easy to 'clear my mind' when I've just found out I'm some kind of long-lost prince."
Thorne chuckled. "Welcome to the club, boy. None of us asked for this."
Lyra shot Thorne a glare before turning back to Kael. "Ignore him. Close your eyes and breathe. Feel the shard's energy. It's a part of you."
Kael took a deep breath and closed his eyes, trying to push aside the whirlwind of thoughts in his head. He focused on the shard, its warmth spreading through his hand and up his arm. For a moment, he felt nothing but the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. Then, faintly, he sensed something else—a current of energy, like a river flowing just beneath the surface.
"I think I feel it," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Good," Lyra said. "Now, try to guide it. Imagine it as a spark, something you can control."
Kael nodded, his mind reaching for the energy. He pictured it as a flame, small but bright, and willed it to grow. The shard's light intensified, its glow spreading to envelop his hand. He opened his eyes, a grin spreading across his face. "I'm doing it!"
"Don't get cocky," Thorne warned. "That's just the first step."
Lyra stepped closer, her expression thoughtful. "Now, try to shape it. The shard's power is tied to your will. Imagine it as something tangible—a weapon, a shield, anything."
Kael focused again, his mind racing with possibilities. He thought of the sword he had used against the shadowspawn, its crude form imbued with the shard's light. He pictured it in his mind, the blade sharp and gleaming, and willed the energy to take shape.
The light in his hand flickered and wavered, but slowly, it began to solidify. A faint outline of a sword appeared, its form shimmering like molten metal. Kael's grin widened, but as he tried to refine the shape, the light sputtered and faded, leaving him empty-handed.
"What happened?" he asked, frustration creeping into his voice.
"You lost focus," Lyra said. "It's not just about imagining the shape—it's about maintaining it. Try again."
Kael sighed but nodded, determined to get it right. He closed his eyes and reached for the shard's energy once more. This time, he focused on the details—the weight of the sword, the feel of the hilt in his hand, the balance of the blade. The light returned, stronger this time, and the sword began to take shape.
He opened his eyes and held up the blade, its form still faint but unmistakable. "I did it," he said, a note of pride in his voice.
Thorne pushed off the wall and walked over, examining the sword with a critical eye. "Not bad for a first try. But it won't hold up in a real fight. You'll need to make it stronger, sharper."
Kael nodded, his determination growing. "I'll keep practicing."
Lyra smiled faintly. "Good. But remember, the shard's power isn't just about creating weapons. It's a part of you, and it responds to your emotions. If you let fear or anger take over, it could backfire."
Before Kael could respond, a low rumble shook the cavern, sending a cascade of dust and pebbles from the ceiling. Thorne's hand went to his sword, his eyes narrowing. "What was that?"
Lyra's expression darkened. "Something's wrong."
A moment later, a figure burst into the cavern—a young woman with short, dark hair and a panicked expression. "Lyra! Thorne! We've got trouble."
"What is it, Rina?" Lyra asked, her voice sharp.
"Shadowspawn," Rina said, gasping for breath. "A whole pack of them. They're heading this way."
Thorne cursed under his breath. "How did they find us?"
"It doesn't matter," Lyra said, turning to Kael. "This is it. Time to put your training to the test."
Kael's heart raced, but he nodded, gripping the shard tightly. "What do we do?"
"We fight," Thorne said, drawing his sword. "And you, boy, stick close to us. Don't do anything reckless."
The group moved quickly, exiting the cavern and climbing the hidden staircase. As they emerged into the forest, the sound of growls and snapping branches filled the air. Kael's stomach churned as he saw movement in the trees—dark, shadowy forms closing in.
Lyra raised her staff, her voice calm but commanding. "Get ready."
Kael took a deep breath, the shard's light flaring in his hand. He focused on the energy, willing it to take shape. This time, the sword formed more quickly, its blade glowing with a steady light. He gripped the hilt, his fear giving way to determination.
The shadowspawn burst into the clearing, their glowing red eyes fixed on the group. Thorne charged forward, his sword cutting through the nearest creature with ease. Lyra unleashed a barrage of magical energy, forcing the shadowspawn back. Kael stood his ground, his heart pounding as one of the creatures lunged at him.
He swung the sword, the blade cutting through the shadowspawn's form. The creature let out a pained screech before dissolving into smoke. Kael's confidence grew, and he moved to join Thorne and Lyra, the shard's light guiding his strikes.
The battle was fierce, but the group held their ground. Kael's movements were clumsy at first, but with each swing of the sword, he grew more confident. The shard's energy flowed through him, its power a steady presence in his mind.
As the last shadowspawn fell, Kael lowered his sword, his chest heaving. Thorne clapped him on the shoulder, a rare smile on his face. "Not bad, boy. Not bad at all."
Lyra nodded, her expression approving. "You're learning. But this is just the beginning."
Kael looked down at the shard, its light still glowing faintly. For the first time, he felt a spark of hope. Maybe he could do this. Maybe he could be more than just a blacksmith.
But as the group prepared to move on, a distant roar echoed through the forest, deeper and more menacing than anything they had faced before. Kael's heart sank as he realized the truth.