Episode 3: The journey begin
Episode 3
Darkness. A deep, unending void.
Then—light.
Kael’s eyes fluttered open, his vision hazy. The scent of old wood and faint lavender filled his nostrils. The ceiling above him was unfamiliar, made of aged timber with a few cracks running across it. His body felt heavy, his limbs sore. He tried to move, but a sharp pain shot through his muscles.
“Ah, you’re awake.”
A gentle voice pulled him from his daze. Kael turned his head slightly and saw a woman, probably in her late forties, standing by the doorway. She had kind eyes, though filled with curiosity and caution.
“Where… am I?” Kael’s voice came out hoarse.
“The orphanage. Someone found you unconscious outside, carrying a little girl in your arms.”
The memories rushed back. The girl. The bandits. The desperate escape. Then—nothing. He must have collapsed right at the doorstep.
“Is she… safe?”
The woman nodded. “She’s resting. Poor thing has been through a lot.”
Kael let out a relieved sigh.
“Who are you?” the woman asked.
Kael hesitated. It was clear she didn’t know him. It was better that way. “Just… a traveler.”
She raised an eyebrow but didn’t press further. “Well, traveler, you should rest. You were badly injured.”
Kael sat up despite the pain. “I need to leave soon.”
The woman sighed. “Stubborn, I see. Fine. But at least eat something before you go.”
Kael nodded in gratitude.
The Journey Begins
By midday, Kael had left the orphanage, venturing deeper into the dense forest. The morning mist still clung to the ground, making every step feel uncertain. His wounds had not fully healed, but he couldn't afford to waste time. He needed to grow stronger—strong enough to protect those who couldn't protect themselves.
Not long after entering the forest, Kael encountered a group of goblins lurking near a clearing. Their grotesque, green faces twisted into sneers as they noticed him. Five in total, each armed with crude weapons fashioned from bones and rusted metal.
One of them let out a guttural screech before lunging at him.
Kael sidestepped, bringing his blade down in a swift arc. His sword cut clean through the goblin’s arm, sending it howling in pain. The others hesitated but then charged all at once.
Kael weaved between them, parrying wild swings and striking with precision. His sword slashed across one goblin's chest, another fell with a stab through the throat. The remaining two attempted to flee, but Kael was faster. He leapt forward, slicing through their backs before they could escape.
Breathing heavily, he wiped his blade clean. This was only the beginning.
A Test of Strength
As Kael ventured further, the forest grew darker. More creatures lurked in the shadows—feral wolves, monstrous insects, and even skeletal warriors left behind by ancient battles. Each encounter tested his stamina, his reflexes. He learned to anticipate attacks, to strike before his enemies could react.
His body ached, wounds accumulating from the relentless battles. Still, he pressed on, driven by an unshakable resolve.
Then—the air changed.
A low growl rumbled through the trees, deep and menacing. The forest fell eerily silent. Kael instinctively gripped his sword tighter.
From the underbrush, a massive shadow emerged.
A wolf, but unlike any he had seen before. Its fur was pitch black, matted with streaks of dried blood. Its eyes glowed with an unnatural golden hue, filled with malice and hunger. Its sheer size dwarfed any normal wolf, closer to that of a horse.
Kael barely had time to react before it lunged.
He rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding razor-sharp fangs. The beast’s claws raked through the ground, leaving deep gashes in the earth. Kael swung his sword, aiming for its throat, but the wolf twisted mid-air, dodging with inhuman agility.
It was fast—too fast.
The beast pounced again. Kael raised his sword just in time to block, but the force of impact sent him flying backward. He crashed against a tree, pain exploding through his ribs.
The wolf wasted no time. It lunged once more, claws bared.
Kael barely managed to roll away, but he knew he couldn't keep dodging forever. He needed an opening.
Gathering his strength, he steadied his stance. He feinted left, then pivoted sharply, bringing his sword down in a powerful strike. The blade connected, slashing deep into the beast's shoulder.
The wolf howled in agony but did not falter.
Instead, it retaliated with blinding speed, its massive tail whipping around and striking Kael square in the chest. He felt his breath leave his lungs as he was thrown across the battlefield.
His vision blurred. The beast stalked toward him, eyes glowing with the certainty of victory.
Then—a loud explosion.
A silver streak shot through the trees, followed by a sharp whistle. Something struck the wolf in the side, sending it skidding across the ground.
Kael gasped for air and turned his head.
A young man stood nearby, a sword in hand, its blade gleaming under the moonlight. His smirk was confident, almost cocky.
"You looked like you could use some help."
Kael didn't respond, still catching his breath.
The stranger didn't wait. He dashed forward, his movements precise and controlled. His sword cut through the night, striking the wolf with expert precision.
The beast roared in fury, but the stranger remained unfazed. He sidestepped its attacks with ease, his counterstrikes swift and deadly.
With a final, calculated move, he drove his blade deep into the wolf’s heart.
The monster let out one last, anguished cry before collapsing, lifeless.
Silence.
Kael slowly pushed himself up as the stranger retrieved his blade.
The young man turned to him, extending a hand.
"Name’s Gideon."
Kael hesitated before taking it. "Kael."
Gideon smirked. "Well, Kael, looks like you owe me one."
Kael scoffed but didn't argue.
A Fire in the Night
As night fell, the two of them sat around a crackling fire. Gideon had caught fish from a nearby stream, skillfully roasting them over the flames. The warmth of the fire flickered in their eyes as they ate in silence.
"So," Gideon started, leaning back against a rock. "Where are you headed?"
Kael glanced at him, choosing his words carefully. "I need to get stronger."
Gideon let out a small chuckle. "That makes two of us."
For the first time in a long while, Kael felt a sense of camaraderie. He didn’t know what fate had in store, but for now, at least, he wasn’t alone.
That night, under the star-filled sky, Kael and Gideon rested, unaware of how deeply their fates would intertwine—and eventually, collide.
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