As David rested on the floor, his body weary from the relentless training, Xandros's thunderous voice boomed through the air. "Young prince, wake up! The training continues!" David groggily opened one eye, then the other, and grumbled, "Can't I just rest for a bit longer?" Xandros's response was immediate and firm. "We can't afford to waste time, David! Get up!"
With a reluctant sigh, David pushed himself to his feet. Xandros didn't give him a moment's peace, casting a powerful water spell his way. "Aquasurge Kyreos!" David's instincts kicked in, and he raised his hands, conjuring a whirlwind shield. "Aeropex Aegis!" The shield propelled Xandros's spell back at him. Xandros dodged with ease, a hint of a smile on his face. "Nice work, David! You created a shield out of air!"
David sat up, still catching his breath. "I didn't even think about it; it just happened." Xandros nodded thoughtfully. "I see. You have the power to bend spells to your will. That's remarkable, David."
As Xandros instructed David to get into position, a sudden burst of determination ignited within him. "I won't waste this gift." Xandros demonstrated the Voltaeus spell, cautioning David to watch closely. "This requires precision. Step back, slightly." David drifted backward, his curiosity piqued. Xandros pointed to a large rock. "Hide behind that rock." David hesitated, but Xandros's enigmatic smile brooked no argument.
As David hid behind the rock, Xandros took a deep breath, his glowing blue eyes burning brighter. "Voltaeus, Electrio!" The air seemed to hold its breath as the spell took hold. David's eyes widened in awe as lightning rumbled in the sky, sending animals fleeing in terror.
Meanwhile, the dark emperor's minions tracked the spell's trajectory. "There you are," the wizard sneered. "Follow that magic and kill all you see. But leave David alive; he's for our master, Vonhelsine." The ogres responded with approval, charging toward David and Xandros with battle cries.
As Xandros leaned on his staff, exhausted, David rushed to support him. "Did you see it?" Xandros asked, his eyes shining with approval. "Incredible!" David replied. "Now it's your turn. Rest, Xandros," David said, guiding him to a nearby tree.
Xandros warned David, "Be careful, this is an advanced spell; it drains magical energy quickly." David steeled himself. "I can do it." Taking a deep breath, he assumed the stance and shouted, "Voltaeus, Electrio!" But nothing happened. David repeated the incantation, his voice trembling. Still, nothing.
Frustration fueled David's determination. His eyes and mark glowed as he summoned the power within. "Voltaeus, Electrio!" he bellowed. The sky darkened, but the spell remained elusive. David repeated the incantation, his frustration growing. "Voltaeus, Electrio! Voltaeus, Electrio!"
His vision blurred, his magical energy depleted. "David, stop!" Xandros shouted. "You're exhausting your magical energy!" David stumbled, collapsing to the ground. "What's wrong?" David asked, frustrated.
Later, David's eyes fluttered open, met with the warm glow of a campfire. Disoriented, he sat up, his mind foggy. "Where am I?" David wondered aloud. Xandros tossed him a stick with roasted bird meat. David caught it but dropped it, startled by the heat. "Hot! Hot!" David exclaimed.
Xandros chuckled. "Sorry, I should have let it cool." David devoured the meat, savoring the flavor. "This is amazing! You're a skilled cook." Xandros smiled, revealing a surprising past. "I was once a human, a royal night commander and cook for Lord Eris, the god of fire."
David's eyes widened. "Eris?!" Xandros nodded. "Yes, Lord Eris was noble yet terrifying. He sent me on perilous missions to retrieve rare ingredients for his spells." David listened intently, his curiosity piqued.
As Xandros shared his story, David's admiration grew. "What made you become a forest guardian?" Xandros's gaze turned distant. "I died on one of those missions. Lord Eris revived me with his godly essence, but with limitations: I couldn't leave this forest and had to protect it."
David's jaw dropped. "You died?!" Xandros continued, "Lord Eris later appeared to me after you were born, ...instructing me to train you in magic. He gave me this mark," Xandros revealed his forehead, bearing a symbol similar to David's. David's eyes sparkled. "That's how we met." Xandros's expression turned serious. "David, I warned you about carelessness with magic. You almost died from exhaustion." David looked down, ashamed. "Sorry, I just wanted to learn the spell."
Xandros's voice was firm but gentle. "Don't try it again. You can't perform that spell, David." David felt discouraged, but Xandros reassured him. "You've mastered five elements, surpassing human capability. Don't be disheartened." David's determination reignited. "I'll keep practicing, Xandros. I won't give up."
They sat by the campfire, David asked, "Xandros, what's the purpose of the Voltaeus spell?" Xandros's eyes gleamed. "It's a powerful spell, David. With mastery, it could change the course of battles. But it's not just about power; it's about control and precision."
David's curiosity was piqued. "What would happen if I mastered it?" Xandros's expression turned grave. "You would become a formidable opponent, David. But remember, power comes with responsibility. You must learn to wield it wisely."
David's eyes sparkled with excitement as Xandros announced, "Tomorrow, we'll tackle Kyrial, mist magic." The prospect of learning a new spell was like a breath of fresh air, invigorating David's senses. "Really?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. Xandros smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Yes, now rest. You need to recharge for the challenges ahead."
As David settled in, Xandros casted a presence-hiding spell: "Umbracordia Abscondo." A soft, blue glow enveloped them, like a gentle mist wrapping around a mountain peak. The spell was so potent that even the sounds of the forest seemed to fade away, leaving an eerie silence.
Meanwhile, Vonhelsine's minions, hot on their trail, suddenly lost the scent. "What sorcery is this?" the wizard growled, his voice like thunder on a stormy night. "Spread out, find them!" The minions dispersed, their footsteps echoing through the darkness like a sinister orchestra.
Xandros and David slept peacefully by the campfire, David's mind was a jumble of dreams. He saw Valyndor, the legendary sword, embedded in stone, calling out to him. "David! David! You're almost there! Hurry!" The urgency in the voice sent shivers down his spine, like a cold breeze on a winter morning.
David jolted awake, gasping for air like a fish out of water. Xandros stood beside him, concern etched on his face like a gentle crease. "What's wrong, David?" David's breathing slowed, but his eyes still held the intensity of the dream. "I saw Valyndor... and it called out to me. Told me I'm close."
Xandros's expression turned thoughtful, his eyes sparkling with intrigue. "Hmm... that's really strange. In all my time as a guardian of the forest, I've never heard of the sword revealing itself and calling for a wielder. This must mean you're really the chosen one." David's face filled with assurance, but a hint of trepidation crept in, like a shadow on a moonlit night. "Great, just what I needed. More pressure."
David's sarcasm was met with Xandros's warm smile. "You're doing great, David. You're making excellent progress." David raised an eyebrow, his tone dripping with skepticism. "Excellent progress? I'm the chosen one, remember? I'm supposed to save the world. No big deal."
Xandros chuckled, his laughter like a gentle brook babbling through the forest. "Well, when you put it that way, it does sound like a walk in the park." David rolled his eyes, his expression a perfect blend of humor and exasperation. "Yeah, right. A walk in the park... with dragons, wizards, and ancient prophecies. Piece of cake."
The sun's rays peeked over the horizon, Xandros's voice boomed through the campsite, "Rise and shine, David! Today's the day we conquer the uphill battle... literally!" David groggily opened his eyes, his face scrunched up in a mixture of sleepiness and annoyance. "Ugh, do we have to? I'm still in hibernation mode."
Xandros chuckled, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "We can train uphill, and I have one more attack spell up my sleeve. Are you ready to unleash your inner magic?" David rubbed his eyes, his mind foggy from sleep. "Wait, those were attack spells only? Are there other types of spells?" Xandros nodded, his expression turning serious. "Oh, yes. There are spells for hiding your presence, opening doors, seeing long distances, shielding yourself... the list goes on."
David's eyes widened in awe. "Whoa, that's a lot to take in. And I thought I was just learning a few simple spells." Xandros smiled. "A normal human can learn only two attack spells, controlling only two elements. But you're special, David. I'm sure you can learn all of them." David's face lit up with excitement, but his eyes also held a hint of dread. "More spells? That's amazing! But it means more training... ugh."
As they packed their gear, David muttered under his breath, "Chosen one, chosen one... more like chosen to be tortured." Xandros chuckled, his laughter echoing through the forest. "Cheer up, David! It's not the end of the world." David rolled his eyes, his sarcasm dripping like honey. "Oh, yeah, I'm the chosen one... yay. I get to save the world and probably die trying. Joy."
Xandros smiled, his eyes shining with amusement. "Lead the way, David. Let's see what wonders you can do today." David focused, and his mark glowed, illuminating the path uphill. He opened his eyes, determination etched on his face. "This way."