The forest was cloaked in darkness, the only light coming from the faint glow of the Leviathan’s energy in Arun’s hands. The guardian—a massive, glowing wolf—lay motionless on the ground, its chest rising and falling in slow, steady breaths. Arun stared at it, his heart still racing from the encounter.

“You did well,” Kael said, stepping forward. His voice was calm, but there was a hint of pride in his tone. “But this was only the beginning. The Leviathan’s power is vast, and you’ve barely scratched the surface.”

Arun looked down at his hands, the blue light flickering like a dying flame. “I don’t feel like I did well. I just… reacted. I didn’t even know what I was doing.”

“Sometimes, that’s all it takes,” Kael replied. “Instinct is a powerful tool. But to truly master the Leviathan’s power, you’ll need more than instinct. You’ll need control.”

Arun frowned. “How do I get that?”

Kael gestured to the stone altar in the center of the clearing. “By understanding where the power comes from. The Leviathan is not just a force of destruction. It’s a force of balance. To control it, you must understand its purpose.”

Arun stepped closer to the altar, his eyes drawn to the ancient runes etched into its surface. They seemed to pulse faintly, as if alive. “What do you mean?”

Kael placed a hand on the altar, his expression solemn. “Long ago, the Leviathan was bound here by the first Essentia. They believed its power was too dangerous to be left unchecked. But they also knew it was necessary. Without chaos, there can be no balance.”

Arun’s brow furrowed. “So the Leviathan’s power is… necessary?”

“In a way,” Kael said. “But it’s not something to be taken lightly. Your father understood that. He spent years learning to control it, to channel it. And even then, it was a constant struggle.”

Arun’s chest tightened at the mention of his father. “You keep talking about him, but you never tell me anything. What was he like? What did he do?”

Kael hesitated, his gaze distant. “Your father was a good man. A strong man. But he was also… conflicted. He believed in the Leviathan’s power, but he also feared it. And in the end, that fear cost him everything.”

Arun’s stomach churned. “What do you mean?”

Kael shook his head. “That’s a story for another time. For now, focus on your training. The more you understand the Leviathan’s power, the more you’ll understand your father’s choices.”

Arun wanted to press further, to demand answers about his father’s past and the choices that had led them here. But the look in Kael’s eyes—distant, almost haunted—told him now wasn’t the time. Instead, he clenched his fists, the faint glow of the Leviathan’s energy flickering beneath his skin. If mastering this power meant unraveling the mysteries of his father’s life, then he would push himself harder than ever. No matter the cost.

The Training Intensifies

Over the next few days, Kael pushed Arun harder than ever. They spent hours in the clearing, practicing control and focus. Kael taught Arun to channel the Leviathan’s energy in small, controlled bursts, rather than letting it explode uncontrollably.

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“The key is balance,” Kael said, as Arun struggled to summon a small orb of blue light. “You must find the middle ground between chaos and control.”

Arun gritted his teeth, his hands trembling as he focused on the energy within him. The whispers in his mind grew louder, more insistent, but he pushed them aside, focusing on the task at hand. Slowly, the orb began to form, its light steady and controlled.

“Good,” Kael said, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Now, hold it.”

Arun nodded, his concentration deepening. But just as he thought he had it, the orb flickered and vanished, the energy dissipating into the air.

“Damn it,” Arun muttered, frustration bubbling to the surface.

“Patience,” Kael said. “This is not something you can master overnight. It takes time. And discipline.”

Arun took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. He knew Kael was right, but the frustration was hard to ignore. Every time he felt like he was making progress, the Leviathan’s power slipped through his fingers, leaving him feeling more powerless than ever.

One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Kael and Arun returned to the small camp where Arun’s mother and sister were waiting. But as they approached, they noticed something was wrong. The camp was empty, the fire reduced to smoldering embers.

“Mother? Lira?” Arun called, his heart racing.

Kael’s expression darkened as he examined the area. “They’re gone.”

Arun’s stomach dropped. “What do you mean, gone? Where are they?”

Before Kael could respond, a voice echoed through the trees. “Looking for someone?”

Arun turned, his heart pounding, as a figure emerged from the shadows. It was a man, tall and broad-shouldered, with a sword strapped to his back. His armor bore the insignia of Drakoria, the Dragon Kingdom.

“Who are you?” Arun demanded, his hands glowing with the Leviathan’s energy.

The man smirked, his eyes glinting with amusement. “Name’s Garron. And I’ve been sent to bring you in.”

Arun’s chest tightened. “Bring me in? What are you talking about?”

Garron’s smirk widened. “You didn’t think the kingdoms would just let you go, did you? You’re a threat, boy. And threats need to be dealt with.”

Kael stepped forward, his staff in hand. “You’ll have to go through me first.”

Garron chuckled, drawing his sword. “I was hoping you’d say that.”

The clearing erupted into chaos as Garron lunged at Kael, his sword flashing in the dim light. Arun watched in horror as the two clashed, their movements too fast to follow. He wanted to help, but the Leviathan’s energy within him was unstable, pulsing erratically.

“Focus, Arun!” Kael shouted, blocking a blow from Garron’s sword. “You have to control it!”

Arun clenched his fists, the energy surging through him. He didn’t know if he could do this. But he didn’t have a choice. Garron was here for him, and if he didn’t fight back, he would lose everything.

With a roar, Arun unleashed a wave of blue light, sending Garron sprawling. The man groaned, struggling to his feet, but Arun didn’t give him a chance to recover. He charged forward, his hands glowing with the Leviathan’s energy, and slammed into Garron with all his might.

For a moment, there was silence. Then Garron rose, his eyes blazing with fury. “You’ll regret that, boy.”

But before he could attack, Kael stepped in, his staff glowing with a faint light. “This fight is over.”

Garron hesitated, his gaze flickering between Kael and Arun. Then, with a snarl, he turned and disappeared into the shadows.

Arun collapsed to his knees, his breath coming in ragged gasps. “What… what just happened?”

Kael knelt beside him, his expression grim. “What happened is that the kingdoms know where you are. And they won’t stop until they have you.”

Arun’s chest tightened. “What about my mother? And Lira?”

Kael’s gaze softened. “We’ll find them. But first, we need to get out of here. It’s not safe anymore.”

As they gathered their things and prepared to leave, Arun couldn’t shake the feeling of dread that settled over him. The Leviathan’s power was growing stronger, but so was the danger. And if he didn’t learn to control it soon, he would lose everything—his family, his future, and himself.