Rayan and Malrick awoke in a sea of green. Grass swayed gently beneath them, and tall trees loomed above, their leaves whispering in the breeze. They stirred, disoriented, the memory of what had happened still clouded in shadow.
Behind them, a familiar voice called out.
"You both finally woke up," Orien said, standing with arms crossed, relief softening his expression.
Malrick pushed himself up and looked around. "What happened to us? Where are we?"
Rayan winced, pressing a hand to his forehead. "I can't remember... Only that moment, when the king placed his hand on my shoulder. After that, everything is dark."
Orien lifted his eyes to the sky, exhaling slowly. "It's a long story," he said. "I'll tell you what happened."
He sat down beside them, the memory still vivid in his mind.
"When you collapsed, Malrick and I thought the king had killed you. But then he told us you'd only passed out... because of the dark power flowing into you. He said it would settle inside you, and when you woke, you'd be able to use it. Then he turned to Malrick and asked him to step forward. Malrick was terrified, but... somehow, he found the courage to follow. You both lost consciousness soon after."
[ Flashback ]
A soldier came running through the great hall, breathless and wide-eyed.
"King Arvak!" he gasped. "There are soldiers at the kingdom's border. We don't know where they came from!"
The king turned sharply to Orien. "Take your friends," he said firmly. "You're the only one who's still thinking clearly. I'll send a soldier with you. Get them to safety, quickly."
Without hesitation, Orien slung Rayan over his shoulder. The soldier did the same with Malrick, and together they slipped away from the kingdom as battle roared behind them.
Once they reached safety, the soldier set Malrick down and turned to leave.
"You're safe now. I must return to the battleground."
He vanished into the distance.
Orien remained, watching from afar. The clash of steel echoed faintly through the trees. Then, out of the chaos, a blur of motion erupted into the fray—a figure like a living storm. He tore through enemy lines with impossible force, bodies scattering like leaves in the wind.
Orien's eyes widened. "That must be King Arvak," he whispered. "Or maybe... General Mordrek. Whoever it is, he's terrifyingly strong."
[ Back to the Present ]
"I feel something inside me," Rayan said, his voice low. "A darkness... heavy and cold."
Malrick nodded. "Me too..."
"You'll need guidance," Orien said. "You both must meet Martin. He can help you make sense of this power. He knows how to make it work."
Luckily, the way back to Zenithra was short, and the path familiar.
[ Zenithra ]
They entered the quiet town and made their way to Martin.
The man looked up as they arrived and smirked. "Well, you're still alive. That's a surprise."
"The king gave us something," Rayan said. "A lot of dark energy... and we have no idea how to control it."
Martin studied them carefully. "Ah, I see... This power, it's not like the others. It's wild and dangerous. Listen, boy... I can train Malrick. I can draw out his strength, no problem. But you" he turned to Rayan "you're different. With you, I need to be careful."
Orien stood off to the side, quiet, unsure of his place. But Martin noticed.
"I haven't forgotten about you, boy," he said kindly. "I'm taking you to someone who understands the Cold Side better than anyone."
A wind stirred outside.
"Now," Martin said, eyes glinting. "Let's begin your training."