Crown of Destiny

Whispers

ing circle, his wooden sword hanging loosely in his hand. Around him, his fellow trainees moved with precision and purpose, their strikes rin

er Auron, his grizzled voice cutting through the din.

boy named Garrick. Garrick grinned, his stance confident and unyielding. The match began, and Kael immediately felt the we

ll backward into the dirt. "No wonder

s gaze remained fixed on the ground. His heart sank

ed, dismissing the sparring

rsed, leaving Kael alone

t everything. You must find what makes you special, or you'll al

ond. He gathered the scattered training e

-

ight M

ed out of his home. His heart pounded as he made his way toward th

moonlight filtering through the trees. She wore a cloak o

with a smirk, her voice

"Training ran longer than usu

wavering. "You're far from hopeless, Kael.

strange warmth spread through him, as thou

, "I'm going to teach you

-

nce of

r felt charged, as though the forest itself was alive and

ld around you. The earth beneath your feet, the

ground and the chill of the night air. But then, a subtle hum r

re connected to the flow of energy

spark, a flicker of warmth that grew stronger as he conc

. "This is the beginning of your awakening, Ka

time, he saw a faint glow emanating fr

.. magic?

d. "A gift from the gods, meant t

-

w Re

ed sense of determination. Though his body was still weaker than

n't falter. He anticipated Garrick's moves, dodging and parrying with newfound agi

ng," Garrickmutte

rom the sidelines, his

-

Brewing

gers became restless, their fear and curiosity mounting. Some speculated that

ard a heated discussion

chosen one soon, we'll be left

e long," another added. "They'll wan

cy was becoming unbearable, and he couldn't shak

-

owin

nightly meetings with Lyra. Their bond deepened with each e

th the stars, Kael turned to

the starlight. "Because I believe in you

uite name. For the first time, he felt that he wasn't alone

-

dowing

to come. She spoke of ancient forces and unseen enemies, of a

lage, Kael," she said one night. "Th

ear. He didn't feel ready for such a responsibilit

-

urnin

ay and secret lessons with Lyra by night. The physical toll was immense, but Kael welcomed

n, Kael staggered to the forest. His muscles screamed in

n a moss-covered stone. A faint blue glow surrounded her as she chante

storm," she said, her lips curving

ide her, groaning dramatically. "I

c. "If he doesn't, the gods might. Training

s. "Do you really think I'm meant for something greater? Som

from his forehead. "You doubt yourself too much, Kael. The gods don

heart quicken. He looked away, focusing on the star

aid firmly. "Not if

-

Chal

e training camp. Master Auron stood before

ength, and endurance. The King's Guard is traveling through Ashwood, and

was a symbol of authority and power, and their pr

gaze locking onto him.

trial, not with the eyes of the King's Guard

avy heart. He told her about the tr

avering. "You've trained harder than anyone els

Kael asked, his

"The strength within you. The power

-

Tr

the village square, where a series of challenges had been set up. The vil

the square, their imposing figures w

h lifting heavy stones and carrying them across a field. Kael struggl

matches. Kael's opponent was Garrick, and the c

rrass yourself,"

word, his mind flashing to Lyra'

kes with surprising agility, his wooden blade meeting Garrick's in a series of sharp clashes.

e through the forest. By the time Kael reached the finish line, his b

-

sper of

on the outskirts of the crowd. He felt a small sense of pride for making it through the t

her presence a comfortin

," she said, her vo

ead. "I barely m

countered. "Every step forward i

ent, watching the villagers lau

e would be like if the gods hadn'

about what could have been. I think about what is. And right n

He turned to Lyra, his gaze searching

simply. "You just

-

dowing

The King's Guard departed quietly, their faces unreadabl

nease grew. Kael felt the weight of their expectations pressin

r secret lessons. The glow of his hands grew brighter with each sessio

ensed that the path ahead would on