The first real confrontation with Caelum Vire was not what Frank expected.
He had tracked reports of unusual activity at an abandoned fort on the outskirts of a neighboring city—a place whispered about in Aurenfall as a testing ground for elite operatives. The air was cold, thick with mist, and the only sound was the crunch of gravel beneath his boots.
"This is it," Frank muttered. Leo flanked him, tense and alert. "No traps this time?"
"Does it matter?" Frank replied. "Caelum will be here. I can feel it."
THE ENCOUNTER
A figure emerged from the fog, tall, dark, imposing. Caelum Vire. His presence alone twisted the atmosphere. Every step he took seemed measured, as if the ground itself bent to his control.
"You've grown," Caelum said, voice smooth, almost mocking. "But growth without understanding is… dangerous."
Frank stepped forward, fists clenched. "I understand more than you think. You rely on fear and control, but people—people can stand even when the odds are against them."
Caelum's eyes narrowed. "Bold. And naive. Very well… show me."
In an instant, the world changed. Caelum moved with unnatural speed, a blur of strikes and counters. Frank dodged, blocked, and retaliated using everything he had learned in Aurenfall. Sparks flew as sticks met blades, dust rose from the gravel, and the sound of impact echoed across the fort.
THE PSYCHOLOGICAL GAME
Caelum didn't just attack physically—he tested Frank's mind. Shadows shifted in impossible ways, faint whispers echoed from unseen corners, and illusions made him doubt every step.
Frank paused, heart pounding, remembering his town, Leo, and Elara. "I will not be controlled," he muttered, grounding himself. The whispering stopped. The shadows lost their meaning.
Caelum's expression flickered—brief, almost imperceptible—but it was there: hesitation.
Frank grinned faintly. Chaos… unpredictability… that's your weakness.
THE STAND STILL UNBROKEN
Frank attacked again, this time deliberately forcing the battle into areas that disrupted Caelum's rhythm. Each move, each strike, was precise, yet unpredictable. Caelum's attacks became faster but less coordinated, a sign of frustration rarely seen in the mastermind.
"You've learned," Caelum hissed, backing up slightly. "But do you truly understand what standing means?"
"I do," Frank replied. "It's not about being perfect. It's about protecting those who cannot fight, even when it costs everything."
The words hit Caelum with subtle force. For a split second, he faltered—just enough for Frank to land a calculated strike that forced him to retreat into the shadows.
AFTERMATH
Frank stood in the fog, chest heaving, bruises forming, yet unbroken. Leo rushed to his side, astonished.
"You did it," Leo said. "You… you actually made him hesitate."
Frank looked toward the horizon, where the first hints of dawn began to light the misty hills. His mentor's words echoed in his mind: "Once you stand, you cannot return to being unseen."
This was only the beginning. Caelum had revealed a weakness—but he was far from defeated.
Frank clenched his fists, determination burning bright. "I will protect my town, my people… and Elara. No matter the cost."
And somewhere in the darkness, Caelum's shadowed figure disappeared into the mist, silent but not defeated.
"There he stands… alive, aware, and dangerous," Caelum whispered. "The real challenge begins now."