The forest was quiet, the kind of quiet that made Arun’s skin crawl. The whispers of the Leviathan had subsided for now, but their absence left an eerie void in his mind. He walked beside Kael, his thoughts swirling like the dark waters of the Abyssal Well. The visions he had seen there still haunted him—images of destruction, of a future where he wielded the Leviathan’s power as a weapon of chaos.

“You’re quiet,” Kael said, breaking the silence. “Still thinking about the trial?”

Arun nodded, his gaze fixed on the path ahead. “I saw things, Kael. Things I don’t understand. The Leviathan… it showed me a future where I destroyed everything. Where I became the very thing I’m trying to fight.”

Kael’s expression was unreadable, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes—sympathy, perhaps, or regret. “The Leviathan’s power is tied to your emotions, Arun. It feeds on your fears, your doubts. What you saw in the well wasn’t a prophecy. It was a reflection of your own mind.”

“Then how do I stop it?” Arun asked, his voice tinged with frustration. “How do I control something that’s always one step ahead of me?”

Kael stopped walking and turned to face him. “You don’t control it. You understand it. The Leviathan isn’t just a force of destruction. It’s a part of you, just as it was a part of your father.”

Arun’s breath caught in his throat. “My father? What do you mean?”

Kael hesitated, as if weighing his words. “Your father wasn’t just a blacksmith, Arun. He was the exiled heir of Drakoria, the Dragon Kingdom. He was chosen by the Leviathan, just as you were. But he refused to embrace its power, believing it would lead only to destruction.”

Arun stared at him, his mind reeling. “Why didn’t he tell me?”

“Because he wanted to protect you,” Kael said. “He thought if you never knew the truth, you could live a normal life. But the Leviathan had other plans.”

Arun clenched his fists, a surge of anger and grief rising within him. “And now I’m supposed to finish what he started? To carry this burden alone?”

“You’re not alone,” Kael said firmly. “But you need to understand the truth. The Leviathan’s power is not just a curse. It’s a tool. And if you learn to wield it, you can change the world.”

As they continued their journey, the forest began to thin, giving way to rocky terrain and jagged cliffs. The air grew warmer, and in the distance, Arun could see the faint glow of firelight. They were nearing the border of the Phoenix Kingdom.

But before they could reach it, a figure stepped into their path. She was tall and imposing, her armor gleaming in the sunlight. Her hair was the color of flame, and her eyes burned with an intensity that made Arun’s skin crawl.

“Kael,” she said, her voice cold and sharp. “I should have known you’d be involved in this.”

Kael’s expression darkened. “Lady Seraphine. I didn’t expect to see you here.”

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Arun glanced between them, his heart pounding. “Who is she?”

“Lady Seraphine of the Kirin Kingdom,” Kael said, his tone wary. “One of the most powerful Essentia warriors in the world. And one of the Leviathan’s greatest enemies.”

Seraphine’s gaze shifted to Arun, and he felt as though she could see straight through him. “So, this is the boy who wields the Leviathan’s power. I must admit, I expected… more.”

Arun bristled, but Kael placed a hand on his shoulder, silencing him. “What do you want, Seraphine?”

“The same thing I’ve always wanted,” she said, her voice dripping with disdain. “To protect the world from the chaos your kind brings. The Leviathan’s power is a blight, and it must be eradicated.”

“You don’t understand,” Arun said, stepping forward. “The Leviathan isn’t just destruction. It’s balance. The Essentia kingdoms have corrupted the world, and the Leviathan is here to restore it.”

Seraphine’s eyes narrowed. “Spoken like a true pawn. You think you can control it, but you’re wrong. The Leviathan will consume you, just as it consumed your father.”

Arun’s breath hitched. “What do you know about my father?”

“Enough to know that he was a fool,” Seraphine said. “And you’re following in his footsteps.”

Before Arun could respond, Kael stepped between them, his staff raised. “Enough, Seraphine. If you want the boy, you’ll have to go through me.”

Seraphine smirked, drawing a blade of pure energy from her side. “Gladly.”

The fight was swift and brutal. Seraphine moved like a shadow, her strikes precise and deadly. Kael met her blow for blow, his staff glowing with Essentia energy. Arun watched, frozen in place, as the two warriors clashed in a whirlwind of light and fire.

But as the battle raged, Arun felt the Leviathan’s power stirring within him. The whispers returned, louder and more insistent than ever.

“She fears you,” the Leviathan said. “Show her your strength.”

Arun’s hands began to glow, the energy of the abyss surging through him. He stepped forward, his voice trembling with power. “Stop!”

The ground beneath them shook, and a wave of dark energy erupted from Arun, forcing Seraphine to retreat. She stared at him, her expression a mix of shock and fury.

“You see?” Arun said, his voice steady despite the chaos within him. “I’m not a pawn. And I’m not afraid of you.”

Seraphine’s eyes narrowed, but she didn’t attack again. Instead, she sheathed her blade and took a step back. “This isn’t over, boy. The kingdoms will not rest until you and your cursed power are destroyed.”

With that, she turned and disappeared into the forest, leaving Arun and Kael alone.

Kael lowered his staff, his breathing heavy. “That could have gone worse.”

Arun’s hands were still trembling, the Leviathan’s energy slowly fading. “Who is she, really?”

“A reminder,” Kael said grimly. “That not everyone will see you as a savior. Some will only see the Leviathan’s power and the chaos it brings.”

Arun nodded, his resolve hardening. “Then I’ll have to prove them wrong.”

Kael placed a hand on his shoulder. “You will. But not today. For now, we keep moving. The Phoenix Kingdom awaits.”

As they continued their journey, Arun couldn’t shake the feeling that Seraphine’s words had struck a nerve. The Leviathan’s power was growing stronger, and so was its hold on him. But he was determined to prove that he could wield it without losing himself.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and red, Arun and Kael reached the outskirts of the Phoenix Kingdom. The air was warm, carrying the faint scent of ash and smoke. In the distance, Arun could see the towering spires of the capital city, their peaks glowing with the light of eternal flames.

“This is Aurelia,” Kael said, his voice tinged with caution. “The heart of the Phoenix Kingdom. Here, fire is life, and power is everything. Be careful, Arun. Not everyone here will welcome you.”

Arun nodded, his eyes fixed on the city. “I’ll be ready.”

As they approached the gates, Arun felt the Leviathan’s whispers grow faint, as if the flames of the Phoenix Kingdom were pushing them back. But he knew it was only temporary. The Leviathan was still there, waiting, watching.

And so was the world.