The morning fog clung to the mountains like a veil when the royal horn echoed across the training fields.
Prince Kael stood among a small group of young warriors, each carrying travel gear and training weapons. The air smelled of cold iron and wet grass.
This was not another practice.
Today they were leaving the palace.
A tall commander stepped forward.
"You will travel through the western passes," he said. "Bandits have been attacking traders."
The commander's gaze paused briefly on Kael.
"This will be your first field mission."
Some of the trainees looked nervous.
Ronan only grinned.
"Finally," he muttered.
Kael glanced at him.
"You're excited about bandits?"
Ronan shrugged.
"Better than hitting wooden dummies."
The horn sounded again.
The group mounted their horses and rode out of the palace gates.
For the first time in years, Kael rode beyond the walls that had slowly become his cage.
---
The mountain road twisted through sharp cliffs and deep valleys.
Hours passed before they saw the smoke.
A broken merchant cart lay overturned near the path.
Two guards were already dead.
The commander raised a hand.
"Stay alert."
Before anyone could move further—
Arrows whistled from the trees.
"AMBUSH!"
Bandits rushed out from behind the rocks.
Chaos erupted instantly.
Kael barely managed to block the first attacker's blade.
The clash of metal rang across the valley.
Another bandit rushed him.
Kael stepped aside and struck.
The man fell.
But more enemies surrounded them.
Nearby, Ronan fought fiercely, moving quickly between attackers. His strikes were fast and direct, each movement sharp and instinctive.
One bandit tried to attack Kael from behind.
Ronan shoved him away just in time.
"Watch your back!" Ronan shouted.
Kael spun and knocked the attacker down.
The fight ended as quickly as it began.
The surviving bandits fled into the forest.
Silence slowly returned to the mountains.
Kael stood still, staring at the man he had just defeated.
His hands trembled slightly.
It had not been training.
It had been real.
Ronan walked over and nudged him lightly.
"You're still standing," he said.
Kael nodded slowly.
"Yes."
---
Far away, deep in the forest, another battle was beginning.
But this one was quieter.
Harder.
Naisha stood in a clearing surrounded by tall trees.
Across from her stood Ishan, holding a wooden staff.
"Attack," he said calmly.
Naisha lunged forward.
Her strike was fast—but Ishan moved aside effortlessly.
The staff tapped her shoulder.
"You're dead."
Naisha frowned.
"Again."
She attacked once more.
This time she moved faster.
Ishan blocked her strike and gently knocked her off balance.
She fell to the ground.
"You rely too much on anger," he said.
Naisha stood again immediately.
"That anger kept me alive."
Ishan watched her carefully.
"Yes."
He lowered the staff.
"But anger also blinds you."
Naisha said nothing.
Ishan gestured toward the forest.
"Come."
They walked through a narrow path until they reached a tall rock wall.
Scratches covered the surface.
Deep claw marks.
"What made those?" Arin whispered.
Before anyone answered, something moved above them.
A massive mountain beast leapt down from the rocks.
Its claws slammed into the ground with a thunderous crash.
Arin screamed.
Naisha instantly stepped in front of him.
Ishan did not move.
"Fight," he said simply.
Naisha stared at him.
"That thing will kill us!"
"Exactly."
The beast roared and lunged.
Naisha rolled aside just in time.
The creature's claws slammed into the ground where she had been standing.
She grabbed a fallen branch and struck its leg.
The beast roared again.
Naisha moved quickly, dodging its attacks again and again.
Finally she climbed onto a rock and struck the creature's head with all her strength.
The beast staggered.
Then it fled back into the forest.
Silence filled the clearing.
Naisha collapsed onto the ground, breathing heavily.
Ishan finally stepped forward
"Good."
Naisha glared at him.
"You tried to get me killed."
Ishan shook his head.
"No."
He looked toward the forest where the beast had disappeared.
"I showed you that fear is faster than anger."
---
High in the mountains, the Temple of Vishraka stood silent.
Inside the ancient hall, Priest Devyash slowly lit another candle.
The flame flickered against the old stone walls.
The priest closed his eyes briefly.
Far away, the children were no longer children.
The world had begun testing them.
And somewhere beyond the mountains…
Dark forces had also begun to move.