The sun had barely begun its descent when the clash of steel fell silent. The glade, once roaring with monstrous screeches and the thunder of combat, now whispered only with the rustle of leaves and the distant chirping of unseen birds. Kaleon sat with his back to a broken tree, one hand pressed against a shallow gash on his side, the other absently tracing the hilt of his sword. Theo lay a few feet away, sprawled out, breathing heavily, tunic shredded, hair matted with sweat.
"Well," Theo groaned, tossing a twig aside, "I'm either dying… or very relaxed. Can't tell anymore."
Kaleon chuckled weakly. "You always talk more when you're nearly dead."
Theo smirked, eyes half-lidded. "It's my defense mechanism. Bleed and banter."
Between them, their two panther cubs lay curled in the shade. No longer the tiny bundles they'd once cradled, the cubs now stood nearly five feet at the shoulder, sleek and majestic—beasts in their own right. Midnight-black fur rippled with faint energy, and their eyes—one pair icy blue, the other amber gold—glowed with quiet awareness.
As the boys rose, stretching sore limbs, the panthers moved. Not with steps, but with shadows. Their bodies flickered and faded into the dark folds beneath the trees, then reappeared yards away, silent and watchful.
"They've awakened," Kaleon murmured, watching the creatures vanish and reemerge.
Theo scratched behind one cub's ear, grinning. "So… they're basically moving shadows with teeth now. Great. That'll help us sleep easy."
With a laugh, they mounted the black-coated horses they'd claimed from the ruined camp. The animals snorted and shifted, sensing their riders' strange energies.
"Where to now?" Theo asked.
Kaleon glanced at the faded map tucked inside his cloak. A faint thrum pulsed from within. "Toward the heart of this forest. Something's calling."
He gave his horse a slight nudge with his heel—and immediately, a wet squelch erupted beneath him. The world tilted. Kaleon's horse startled, and the next moment, the so-called Chosen One was face-first in a steaming pile of cow dung.
Theo's horse stopped abruptly. Theo did not. He flew off the saddle, hit the ground with a thud, and then rolled twice over the forest floor before erupting into a fit of uncontrollable laughter.
Kaleon groaned, propping himself up with trembling arms, dark smears clinging to his chestplate and cheek. "I hate fate."
Theo's laughter turned wheezy. "You—snort—you fell into destiny's actual pile."
Kaleon didn't respond. He simply stood up, grabbed a handful of dung with utter calm, and lobbed it squarely into Theo's open-mouthed laughter.
There was a pause. Then a splat.
Theo blinked.
"...Did you just—"
"Yes," Kaleon said.
"You asshole!" Theo launched himself, tackling Kaleon back into the muck.
They brawled like wild children, laughing, swearing, rolling in mud and filth. The panthers simply observed from a distance, eyes blinking in what could only be feline judgment.
It wasn't until one of the cubs gave a low, guttural growl that they stopped.
"Right, we probably smell like undead goats," Kaleon muttered.
"I feel like one," Theo groaned, wiping a smear of dung from his brow. "River?"
"River."
They walked—staggered, really—until they found it: a winding, silver stream cutting through a quiet clearing, its waters glistening under the dappling sun. Without a word, both boys stripped down and threw themselves into the water with matching gasps.
The cold stung like needles. Bruises bloomed across their skin—some purple, others deep red, with jagged scrapes and shallow cuts along ribs, backs, and shoulders. They floated in silence for a while, letting the water carry their aches.
"Looks like I got clawed by a bear," Theo murmured.
"You did," Kaleon replied. "Twice."
Theo grunted. "And you look like you got love-tapped by a boulder."
Kaleon smirked. "It was a boulder. It rolled. I didn't."
Once they had washed, they crawled onto the bank, dripping and bruised. Kaleon reached into his pack and pulled out a bundle carefully wrapped in cloth. Inside were small vials with swirling mixtures of green and gold.
"The Archmaester's miracle bruise-juice," Kaleon said. "Stole as many as I could before we left."
Theo raised a brow. "He's going to kill you when he finds out."
"He has to catch me first."
They applied the ointment to the worst of their wounds—the deep gash on Kaleon's side, the cracked rib Theo was sure he had. The salve stung at first, then cooled, sinking into their skin with a tingling warmth.
They left the rest of their bruises untouched.
"Badges," Theo said.
"Of stupidity," Kaleon replied.
"Exactly."
They dressed, now cleaner but no less sore, and mounted again. The panthers resumed their flickering trail ahead, slipping through shadows like liquid night.
"Let's just not fall into anything else," Kaleon muttered.
Theo grinned. "No promises."
And so, bruised, half-healed, and still laughing, the two chosen of a forgotten prophecy continued toward the heart of the forest—unaware of the illusions, the beasts, and the trial of souls that awaited in the paradise ahead.
The road led them through winding paths and dense woodlands, but the further they ventured, the more unreal their surroundings became. Trees arched high above like cathedral vaults, their leaves shimmering faintly with bioluminescence. Soft lights glowed in hues of soft green, warm gold, and pale lavender. Vines drifted from branches like silk strands in a windless world, and petals floated lazily in the air, as if suspended in a dream.
Theo slowed his horse, eyes wide. "Either we're hallucinating from blood loss… or we've entered a storybook."
Kaleon scanned the woods cautiously. "Keep your senses sharp. Illusions often come wrapped in beauty."
Streams of water meandered between moss-covered stones, their surfaces glittering with unnatural hues—violet, teal, and liquid gold. Birds sang melodies too perfect, too in sync, as if rehearsed. Laughter rang gently from deeper within the woods, distant and innocent.
They rounded a bend and gasped in unison.
Nestled between towering trunks and swaying vines was a hidden city—carved into the very bones of the forest. It was draped in green, woven with ivy and moss, almost invisible unless you looked closely. Wooden walkways spiraled up the trees. Lanterns swung from the branches, glowing with soft runes. Magic danced openly here—sparkles in the air, bursts of flame and water erupting harmlessly from children's hands.
A group of villagers—tall, bronze-skinned, clothed in earth tones—welcomed them without fear. "Travelers, welcome," one said with a bow. "You've crossed the veil. You are safe here… for now."
Theo raised a brow. "That last part was ominous."
But the people only smiled and led them in.
As they moved through the settlement, merchants shouted in strange accents, peddling vibrant fruits, shifting trinkets, and whispering scrolls. One juggler summoned orbs of flame that spun like planets around him. Another conjured butterflies of light that landed on a child's shoulder. Everything felt alive.
Even the panthers—Umbra and Lyx—seemed at ease. They prowled ahead lazily, sniffing the air, tails flicking in mild interest.
They found a resting place atop a platform nestled between two great trunks. There, a woman with vine-wrapped arms offered them herbal tea and a place to lie down. For a while, the boys let themselves relax—barely.
But rest was brief. As twilight fell, they began to pack once more, tightening straps, checking supplies. Something about the beauty here felt too precise, too curated.
"We should move before night," Kaleon muttered. "If this place is hiding anything, it'll reveal itself under moonlight."
Theo nodded grimly. "I liked it better when we were knee-deep in muck. At least then I knew what was real."
They stepped down from the platform just as the last rays of sun pierced through the canopy.
Suddenly, Umbra froze. Lyx growled, ears flattening.
The cubs' eyes widened. They vanished into the shadows and reappeared ahead, tails lashing, bodies low and tense.
Kaleon's breath caught. He scanned the path ahead—nothing seemed wrong. And yet, every instinct screamed otherwise.
"Something's hiding behind all this beauty," he said quietly.
Then came the shift.
The trees flickered, light bending unnaturally. The ground trembled beneath their boots. The robed dancers from earlier—who had once seemed peaceful—turned slowly.
Their faces... were gone.
Where eyes and smiles once were, now only smooth, gaping voids remained.
Then, the forest screamed.
An unholy wail echoed from every corner, shattering the illusion like broken glass.
The paradise twisted before their eyes—trees grew claws, bark splitting into fanged maws. The streams blackened into tar. Flowers wilted instantly into ash. From the once-golden horizon came the first wave—spirit beasts with vaporous limbs and burning red eyes. Wolves, stags, and malformed humans, all roaring in silent fury.
"Ambush!" Kaleon shouted, drawing Shadowrend in a hiss of darkness.
Theo was already moving, lightning flaring around him. "Knew it was too damn pretty!"
The beasts surged forward.
And the forest descended into war.
As the forest around them twisted and the air crackled with malevolent energy, Kaleon and Theo found themselves thrust into an even deeper nightmare than they could have imagined. The spirit beasts howled and closed in, their forms shifting in and out of existence, their eyes glowing with a terrifying hunger.
Then, just as they prepared for another clash, the ground beneath their feet gave way. The air around them shimmered, and for a brief moment, the world seemed to freeze.
The illusion began.
Kaleon's vision blurred. His surroundings warped like molten glass. The once beautiful forest was now a barren wasteland, with smoke curling from the ground and the sky darkened with storm clouds. He stumbled, disoriented, trying to hold onto the world around him. The silence was suffocating.
Suddenly, a voice—cold, distant—echoed in his mind.
"You have lost. All that you fight for will crumble."
His heart thudded painfully in his chest. The trees around him began to twist into faces, the wood gnarled like wrinkled skin, their eyes empty and sorrowful.
Before Kaleon could react, the ground beneath his feet broke apart, revealing a vision—a future—a nightmare.
He saw his family, Skarnhold in flames, his siblings surrounded by enemies, helpless, their faces frozen in pain. He saw himself standing among the ruins, a blade in his hand, but his eyes were empty. He didn't move to help. Instead, he watched as everything he held dear was destroyed.
"No…" Kaleon whispered, stepping back, but the vision didn't fade. The ground cracked beneath him again, and another image burst forward—one of his brother, Therion, dead at his feet. His body was cold, lifeless, the once-strong warrior reduced to nothing more than a bloody memory.
Kaleon, the failure. Kaleon, the one who let his family die.
Tears welled in his eyes, the weight of guilt crushing him, but before he could crumble, another voice rose above the torment.
"Wake up, Kaleon!" It was Theo, his voice desperate and strong. "This isn't real!"
Kaleon's eyes flicked over to his friend, and suddenly, the illusion shattered around him. The world rippled, bending like paper caught in a flame, and the haunting images faded. But the crackling, pulsating energy still swirled around them.
Theo's mind was under siege now. His expression twisted in pain as the air around him shimmered.
"Your past is a chain, Theo. It binds you. It drags you down."
The ground cracked open beneath Theo, revealing his past—the days he spent hiding from his own fears. He saw his village, Fyrakar, under attack, his parents being struck down before him, and Theo, a powerless child, unable to do anything.
He saw his cowardice, his fear of becoming the man he needed to be. His hesitation cost his parents their lives, and now, he could feel the weight of their loss again, suffocating him.
"No… NO!" Theo shouted, dropping to his knees as a wave of guilt drowned him.
But Kaleon wasn't far behind. He reached out, gripping Theo's arm.
"Theo, fight it. This is just an illusion. You are not that child anymore. You're here, and you're stronger than this."
Slowly, Theo's breathing steadied, his heart racing, but the illusion seemed to pull at him, trying to drag him back into the depths.
Just as the darkness threatened to claim them both, they felt something inside them snap—an awakening. Their souls, connected through trials and struggles, cracked open with a resounding force, and energy surged in a torrent of fire and shadow, lightning and earth.
Kaleon's Soul Ability: Cracked Soul Gate: Infernal Shadow
The moment the gate cracked open, a surge of power filled Kaleon. A faint, ethereal glow flickered around his body, the air heavy with heat and shadow. His eyes flickered between shadowy black and fiery red, a violent mix of elements now flowing through him.
His body felt different—faster, stronger, more resilient. The shadows bent to his will, his reflexes sharp and fluid, like a predator poised for the kill.
He felt an intense need to move, to act. Without a word, he charged toward the nearest spirit beast, his body infused with the power of fire and shadow.
His first strike landed, an explosive burst of shadow and flame cutting through the beast with devastating force.
Infernal Stride propelled him forward with a burst of fire, the ground scorched beneath his feet as he dodged another attack. His muscles burned with newfound strength, and as he twisted his blade, Shadowrend cleaved through the creature's ethereal body with a crackling hiss.
His Shadow Grip took hold, and for the first time, his weapon felt like an extension of his body—unstoppable.
Meanwhile, Theo's Soul Ability: Cracked Soul Gate: Thunderous Earth awakened.
Cracks of electricity danced along his body, his feet leaving faint impressions in the ground as earth energy rumbled beneath him. His heart pulsed with the earth beneath his feet, a connection both grounding and electrifying.
His first punch sent a wave of kinetic force, creating a shockwave that knocked back the closest beast, leaving a trail of lightning in its wake.
Lightning Surge coursed through his body, each strike crackling with a surge of power, enhancing his strikes. His movements were no longer tentative—he was the storm, and nothing could stop him now.
With Earthen Stance, he dug his heels into the ground, the earth beneath him solidifying as he absorbed the impact of an incoming attack. With an unyielding stance, he spun, creating a devastating Thunderstrike that shattered the surrounding beasts, sending them flying in all directions.
The two friends, bound by shared strength and experience, moved together with terrifying synchronicity. They fought side by side, their powers complementing one another perfectly. Each blow they landed sent shockwaves through the illusion, cracking the very foundation of the false paradise around them.
But the spirit beasts were relentless. They charged in from all sides, and the battle raged on, fiercer than ever.
"Ready?" Theo called, his eyes crackling with energy.
"Always," Kaleon replied with a grin.
Together, they unleashed their first named attacks.
Infernal Shadowstorm—a massive wave of fire and shadow—erupted from Kaleon's blade, engulfing everything in its path. The beasts shrieked as the flames consumed them, shadows wrapping around their bodies like chains.
Thunderstrike Tremor—Theo slammed his fists into the ground, sending a massive shockwave of earth and lightning. The explosion of energy tore through the spirit beasts, scattering them like leaves in a storm.
The battle ended in a devastating, victorious silence. The last remnants of the spirit beasts evaporated into nothingness, and the illusion shattered like glass, revealing the true face of the forest once more.
Kaleon and Theo stood amidst the wreckage, breathing heavily, their bodies bruised and battered but glowing with newfound power.
"We've won," Theo said, smiling, though exhaustion clouded his face.
"Yeah, but something tells me this is just the beginning."
The chest hummed with energy, its presence undeniable and magnetic. Kaleon and Theo stood in silence, feeling the weight of destiny heavy in the air. They could feel it deep within their bones: something was about to change.
Kaleon was the first to step forward, his hand grazing the surface of the chest. As soon as his fingers touched the lid, shadows burst out, spiraling around him, as though the very darkness had awakened. The chest groaned, and with a hiss, it opened.
Inside was a blade—its obsidian edge gleamed, absorbing the light around it.
Shadowrend.
Kaleon's breath caught. The blade seemed to call to him, to beckon him closer. With trembling hands, he lifted it, and as soon as his fingers grasped the hilt, tendrils of shadow coiled around his arm—not to harm, but to welcome him.
"Shadowrend," Kaleon whispered, a strange sense of fulfillment filling him as the blade's power surged within him.
Beneath the sword was a cloak, its fabric woven from midnight threads. Kaleon reached down, his fingers brushing the fabric, feeling the hum of energy running through it.
Shrouded Mantle.
As soon as he donned it, the cloak melded with his armor, merging with his shadow, becoming an extension of himself. He could feel the air grow still, the world holding its breath.
Meanwhile, Theo's eyes were fixed on the other chest, its surface crackling with electricity. He stepped forward, placing his hand on it, and the chest opened with a crackle of lightning.
Inside, a silver sword lay waiting, veins of lightning dancing across the blade.
Tempest Fury.
The sword leapt into Theo's hand, and as soon as it did, electricity coursed through his body. He felt the power of a storm within him, yet it didn't burn—only invigorated him. The sword hummed, its presence alive with energy.
"It chose me," Theo said, his voice reverberating with awe.
Beneath the blade, a suit of light armor shimmered. The blue and silver hues of the armor seemed to pulse with electricity.
Stormborn Vestments.
Theo slipped the armor on, and immediately, a surge of energy rushed through him, the air around him buzzing. He felt as though he could command the storm itself.
Kaleon turned toward him with a smirk. "Feel different?"
Theo grinned back, raising his sword. "Like a thunder god trying to be subtle."
Then, from the chest, six crystal vials began to rise, each glowing a different color: red, blue, green, white, black, and gold.
The Six Elemental Elixirs.
They pulsed with power, ready to be claimed.
Without needing to speak, they each grabbed three of the vials, knowing instinctively that these would change everything.
Afterward, the panthers—Umbra and Nyx—emerged from the shadows, their forms more solid, more imposing. Their fangs gleamed, their eyes sharp with newfound intelligence.
Kaleon and Theo, now armed with their new powers, drank from the vials, feeling their bodies surge with energy.
Kaleon—Ashen Veil, Specter Step, and Ember Cyclone—felt a rush of power unlike anything he had ever experienced. The power of shadow and fire merged within him, and a tingling sensation spread through his limbs as new abilities awakened.
He moved instinctively. He blinked out of existence, reappearing several meters away in the blink of an eye, a faint smoky afterimage left behind to confuse any who dared follow. A burst of fiery wind exploded from him, a swirling cyclone of flames and air, pulling everything in its path toward the center before blasting it away with violent force.
Theo—Stormforged Aegis, Graviton Pulse, and Tempest Lash—felt the ground tremble beneath his feet. He stomped the earth, sending a pulse of gravity outward, watching as enemies were slammed to the ground, helpless against the crushing force. The air hummed with electricity as he swung his lightning whip, the weapon crackling with power and sending bolts of energy flying in every direction.
The energy from the Elixirs continued to surge through them, their bodies heightening, strengthening.
And then, amidst the strange calm, they noticed something else. Small, candy-like treats scattered on the ground, shimmering faintly in the low light. They were undeniably tempting, and without thinking, they each took one and ate it.
Aether Bites.
As soon as they did, a light swirled around them, brighter than anything they had ever seen. The energy coursed through their bodies, and they felt themselves growing—taller, more muscular. Their limbs felt lighter, their reflexes faster. The world seemed to slow down around them as their agility and endurance increased.
They both looked at each other in amazement, feeling the subtle yet unmistakable changes. They were stronger, faster, and even a little taller than before—by nearly two centimeters. They stood taller, more confident, and with every step, they could feel the difference in their bodies.
Their panthers, too, were changing. Strange, glowing markings appeared on their fur—Umbra's body rippled with shadow energy, and Nyx seemed to crackle with electric power. The newfound elemental abilities coursed through them, enhancing their speed, strength, and ferocity.
Kaleon and Theo stood, ready for whatever came next. The power of the Elixirs, combined with their Aether Bites, had made them something more than they were. And as they set off once again, they felt the weight of destiny pressing down on them.
The journey was only beginning.
Above them, a shadow passed through the sky. They both looked up.
A dragon—massive, majestic, its wings cutting through the air like thunder. It soared high above them, its gaze sweeping over the land, its form silhouetted against the fading light of the day.
Kaleon looked to Theo, his voice barely a whisper. "It awaits."
Theo nodded, his heart pounding in his chest.
The legends were beginning.
Kaleon and Theo mounted their horses, the weight of their newfound power settling in their bones. Umbra and Nyx, their panther cubs now grown stronger, bounded beside them, their eyes gleaming with the same intensity as their masters.
As they rode, the air grew heavy, thick with the energy of their abilities. Kaleon felt the shadows around him whisper, swirling with the faintest tremor of anticipation, while Theo could hear the crackle of electricity humming in the air.
With a gentle urge of his reins, Theo kicked his horse into motion, and Kaleon followed suit, both riders pushing forward through the dense, shadowy forest. The forest, once calm and serene, now seemed to react to their power. As they moved, the shadows stretched and shifted behind them, fading into the distance, leaving only a faint trace of their presence.
Suddenly, the world seemed to catch fire.
The underbrush began to smolder, as if ignited by an unseen force. Flames began to lick the trees, their tongues curling toward the sky, the heat rising in the cool evening air. The forest around them was alive with movement—fire, shadow, and wind all dancing in a chaotic symphony.
The path ahead became clearer, but the world behind them burned, an unmistakable sign that their journey had begun.
"The dragons are the past and the future, entwined in one. A shadow above, a fire below, and the world will change forever."