Astraean Calendar - Year 1306, The Dawn of the Hero

The world teetered on the edge of chaos, an age where blood and steel would carve history into the bones of the land. The Astraean Calendar marked the year 1306—the eve of an era where gods and mortals alike would be tested.

A lone figure walked the desolate path of the Obsidian Highlands, a realm of jagged cliffs and whispering winds. Seventeen-year-old Dain Valcrest moved forward with quiet determination, his Radiant Fang sheathed at his side. Unlike the knights adorned in gleaming armor, he bore no sigil of nobility. His resolve alone fueled his journey—to earn the recognition of Goddess Astraea and prove himself worthy of her divine blessing.

The highlands stretched into an abyss of blackened rock and dying trees, remnants of an ancient battle long forgotten. The wind carried a foreboding chill, a warning only fools would ignore.

Then came the sound—a guttural growl, primal and hungry.

From the darkness, gleaming amber eyes pierced the veil of night. Shadows shifted as beasts emerged from the underbrush. Direfangs—feral wolves of monstrous size, their muscles taut with lethal precision. They moved in packs, their hunting instincts sharper than any sword.

Dain's pulse remained steady. He tightened his grip on his hilt, exhaling slowly. Seven. The largest among them, a scarred alpha, stood at the forefront, its fangs bared in silent challenge.

The first lunged.

Dain sidestepped with effortless grace, drawing his blade in a single, fluid motion. A silver arc sliced through the darkness. The wolf's body collapsed, severed cleanly at the midsection. Blood sizzled against the cold earth.

Another attacked from behind—Dain twisted, bringing Radiant Fang in a backward thrust. Steel met flesh. The wolf let out a strangled yelp before falling lifelessly at his feet.

More surrounded him. Five now. No hesitation.

The alpha struck, its claws a blur of death. Dain barely managed to dodge, feeling the wind from its strike graze his cheek. A single misstep meant death. He needed to finish this quickly.

He planted his foot and activated Azure Burst.

A surge of energy coiled around him, his body moving like a tempest. The world blurred as he shot forward, his sword carving through the air in an explosion of speed. The alpha let out a guttural snarl—but before it could react, a flash of silver severed its throat.

The battle ended in silence.

Dain stood alone, his breath steady. He wiped his blade clean and sheathed it. This is only the beginning.

Act 2: The First Meeting

Hours later, the Moonlit Ravine stretched before him, its depths shrouded in an eerie luminescence. This place was infamous—many travelers entered, few returned. Yet, there was no other path.

Dain stepped forward, his senses sharp.

A rustling in the shadows.

His grip tightened on his hilt. "Come out."

A slow chuckle echoed through the ravine. From the darkness emerged a man with wild black hair and twin axes strapped to his back. He smirked with the confidence of a seasoned warrior.

"Not many walk these lands alone," the man said, his voice carrying an amused edge.

Dain remained silent, observing.

The man chuckled, crossing his arms. "Name's Kael Drakethorne. Mercenary, occasional drunk. And you?"

"Dain Valcrest."

Kael's brows lifted. "The hero-to-be? Hah! What luck." He reached for his axes, spinning one idly. "I was looking for a decent fight."

Dain barely had time to react before Kael lunged, his twin axes gleaming under the moonlight.

Act 3: Duel Under Moonlight

Dain's instincts flared as Kael's axes cut through the air like twin crescents of death. He sidestepped, barely dodging the first strike, but Kael was relentless. The second axe came down in a brutal overhead swing.

Fast.

Dain parried with Radiant Fang, steel clashing in a burst of sparks. The force sent tremors down his arm, but he held his ground. Kael grinned, pressing the attack.

"Not bad, kid." Kael twisted mid-swing, changing direction in an instant. His axe scraped past Dain's shoulder, drawing a thin line of blood.

Dain exhaled sharply, stepping back. He's strong.

He activated Azure Burst.

In an instant, his speed doubled. He weaved between Kael's strikes, moving like a phantom. His sword flashed—Kael barely managed to block, stumbling back with a grunt.

"Well, now," Kael laughed, shaking out his arms. "Didn't expect that."

Dain didn't answer. He rushed forward, his blade singing through the air.

Kael blocked the first strike, but Dain's footwork was precise, relentless. A second slash cut across Kael's arm, drawing blood.

Kael grinned wider. "Hell of a swordsman."

He planted his foot and roared, activating Titan's Wrath. A pulse of energy exploded from his body, his muscles bulging with raw strength.

Dain narrowed his eyes. This fight just got serious.

Kael charged with a speed that belied his size. Dain met him head-on. Sparks flew as their weapons clashed in a blur of motion—strike after strike, parry after parry, neither willing to yield.

Finally, Dain saw an opening. Kael had overextended. With a sharp pivot, he brought Radiant Fang upward in a precise arc, stopping just short of Kael's neck.

Silence.

Kael exhaled, then chuckled. He raised his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright, you win."

Dain lowered his sword, keeping his gaze steady.

Kael grinned. "Hah. I like you, kid. How about a drink?"

Dain shook his head. "Not interested."

Kael laughed. "Suit yourself." He turned away, rolling his shoulders. "But I have a feeling we'll meet again."

Dain watched as Kael disappeared into the night. He exhaled, feeling the weight of the battle settle in his muscles.

This was only the beginning of his journey.

End of Chapter 1