The morning was still, the air crisp with the promise of a long day ahead. I woke before dawn, the faint light creeping through the cracks in the wooden shutters. I stretched, feeling the lingering aches of yesterday’s training. After making my bed and splashing cold water on my face, I changed into my gear—my usual light clothes, covered by a jacket that shielded me from the morning chill. I wrapped my scarf tightly around my neck, feeling the familiar comfort of its warmth. Finally, I strapped my two daggers securely to my hip, The streets were quiet as I made my way to the front gate, where the journey east would begin. The faint light of dawn painted the cobblestones in a muted gray, and the chill of the morning air bit at my skin. As I approached, the guards stationed there straightened, their leather armor creaking slightly with the motion.

"Up early again, lad?" one of them, a grizzled man with a gray beard, remarked, his voice rough but warm.

I shrugged, a faint smile tugging at my lips. "The early start will help. We’ve got a long road ahead."

The other guard, a younger man with a sharp nose and a quiver slung across his back, leaned on his spear with a smirk. "You’re going after those Shardbacks, aren’t you? Heard a group of seasoned D-ranks struggled with them just last week. Not exactly beginner-friendly."

I chuckled dryly. "Well, if I wanted something easy, I’d still be polishing my father’s boots. Besides, we’ve got a good team. We’ll figure it out."

Graybeard raised an eyebrow, his expression a mix of amusement and concern. "Confidence is good, lad, but don’t let it blind you. Shardbacks are relentless. Those crystal plates on their backs aren’t just for show—they’ll break your blade if you’re not careful."

"You’re full of encouragement this morning," I teased lightly.

The younger guard snorted. "That’s him on a good day. But he’s right. Aim for the joints, and watch their tails. Nasty whip-like thing that’ll send you flying if you’re not paying attention."

"Got it. Aim for the joints, dodge the tail. Any other tips?" I asked, my tone half-joking.

Graybeard’s grin widened. "Yeah, don’t die. And if you see one glowing—run."

I laughed softly, though his words planted a seed of caution in my mind. "Noted. Appreciate the advice."

The younger guard stepped forward and clapped a hand on my shoulder. "You’re a good kid, Duke. Watch your back out there. And your friends' too."

"Always," I replied, a hint of steel in my voice.

As I stepped through the gate, I could hear Graybeard calling after me. "If you survive, stop by and tell us the story! Good luck, lad!"

Before I could respond, I spotted Kael and Elyndor approaching, walking side by side as usual. Kael, with his messy brown dark and perpetual grin, had his daggers strapped to his hips, much like mine.

His lean, agile build was perfect for quick movements, and he wore his usual dark tunic and pants, clothing that didn’t restrict his swift reflexes. The sun caught the glint of his dagger hilts as he casually adjusted his belt, always ready for action yet never losing that carefree expression on his face.

Elyndor followed, looking more serious, his sword strapped across his back, almost as tall as him. His dark eyes surveyed the road ahead, already mentally preparing for the mission.

He wore a simple but sturdy set of clothes—a dark green tunic with leather padding along the chest and shoulders. His strong, broad frame and stoic demeanor made him seem older than the rest of us, though his calm presence was something we all relied on. His sword, gleamed in the morning light, promising power behind every swing.

Next came Kaldor, a stark contrast to Kael and Elyndor. His short, brown fur and his stern face made him look as tough as the armor pieces he wore. Small shoulder guards and forearm plates protected his upper body without restricting his movements.

His large shield and hammer were slung across his back, both looking more like extensions of his bulky form. Kaldor’s quiet determination and resilience made him our frontline, the shield that could take whatever the enemy threw at us. The slight creak of his armor echoed in the morning silence as he approached, his blue eyes sharp with focus.

Bringing up the rear were Sylas and Mira, both cloaked in magical robes that set them apart from the rest of us. Sylas’s robe was deep blue, adorned with intricate gold embroidery along the edges, shimmering under the rising sun.

Her long blonde hair fell loosely down her back, and her piercing green eyes scanned the horizon with quiet confidence. Her wand, which I gifted her when we were 5, still has the red glare as always

Mira, on the other hand, moved with a softer, more reserved grace. Her green robe seemed to almost glow in the morning light, with thread forming delicate, arcane patterns that pulsed with magical energy.

Her silver hair was tied back in a neat braid, and her green eyes held a calm focus. The wand she carried was slender and smooth, wrapped in a vine-like design

"Finally," Elyndor quipped, his piercing green eyes narrowing. "I was beginning to think you’d gotten lost on your way here."

I rolled my eyes. "Good to see you too, Elyndor. You know, some of us don’t get to teleport everywhere like you do."

He smirked, spinning his staff idly. "It’s not teleportation; it’s efficiency. But let’s not debate the finer points of magic, or we’ll be here all day."

Kael grinned, his dark eyes glinting with mischief. "About time you showed up, Duke. I was starting to think I’d have to go after those Shardbacks alone. Don’t worry, I’d save the glory for you."

"Sure you would," I replied dryly. "But then who’d watch your back while you’re busy showing off?"

Kael chuckled, throwing his dagger into the air and catching it by the hilt. "Fair point."

Mira approached with a small smile. "I double-checked our supplies while we waited. We’re good on water, food, and basic potions. I made sure everything was distributed evenly."

"Thanks, Mira," I said, meeting her calm gaze. "We’ll need to stay sharp out there."

Sylas bounded up to me, her excitement barely contained. "Did you hear about the Shardbacks from the guards? They’re supposed to be massive! Oh, I can’t wait to see one!"

"Let’s not get too excited," Kaldor said in his deep, measured voice. "We’ve got a job to do, and they’re not exactly going to welcome us with open arms."

I gave him a nod. "He’s right. We’ll take this one step at a time. Everyone ready?"

Elyndor arched an eyebrow. "As ready as I’ll ever be, though I can’t say the idea of hacking away at rocks is how I envisioned my morning."

"Don’t worry," I said with a grin. "You’ll have plenty of chances to show off those fancy skills of yours."

As the group shared a few chuckles and last-minute preparations, I glanced down the road, the weight of the mission settling on my shoulders. This was our first real task as a team, and while the banter helped lighten the mood, I knew we had a long day ahead.

"Alright," I said, gripping the hilt of my saber. "Let’s move out."

The journey stretched ahead of us, winding through forests, across open plains, and along jagged hills. The air grew cooler as we traveled, the sun climbing higher in the sky before beginning its slow descent. We passed rivers that sparkled under the daylight, and the sound of distant wildlife echoed around us.

By the time the first day was coming to an end, we had covered a lot of ground, but not enough. We set up camp, taking turns keeping watch through the night.

The next day, we finally reached our destination—an eerie clearing, where six towering Shardbacks stood waiting.

The creatures were imposing, their bodies made of jagged rock, and they moved with a slow but deliberate force. One was larger than the rest, nearly twice their size, with thicker arms and cracks glowing faintly from within. The five smaller ones were no less intimidating, each with massive fists and shoulders wide as tree trunks.

Eventhough they are smaller, they are still almost as tall as the second floor of a house

"Here we go," I muttered under my breath as Sylas stepped forward, summoning her magic. With a quick motion, she hurled a fireball into the middle of the group, but to our dismay, the flames licked harmlessly at the golems’ stone bodies, leaving them completely unfazed.

"Great..." Elyndor groaned, gripping his sword tighter.

"Formation!" I called out, and just like we’d practiced against the raiders, we spread out. Kaldor charged first, raising his shield to block a crushing blow from one of the golems. The impact rang out, shaking the ground beneath him, but Kaldor held firm. With a mighty swing, he brought his hammer down on the golem’s leg, shattering part of its stone ankle.

As the golem staggered, Kael and I rushed in, slashing at its arms in perfect coordination. Two of its limbs fell away, and Elyndor darted forward, driving his sword into its chest, ripping out the glowing core. I nodded to the others. "We need the cores as proof. Don’t destroy them!"

Sylas nodded, switching tactics. "I’ll focus on freezing them. Strong magic might damage the cores." She concentrated, casting waves of ice and wind magic that slowed the golems, making them easier to handle. Mira stayed back, casting barriers to block surprise attacks and healing magic when one of us grew too weary from the fight.

The second golem came crashing down on us, its massive stone arms sweeping through the air with terrifying force. Kaldor, always the first to charge, raised his shield just in time to block the strike. The sound of stone slamming against metal echoed through the clearing. His shield buckled slightly, but Kaldor held firm. With a roar, he bashed the golem’s arm aside and swung his hammer down on its knee.

The impact sent a shockwave through the ground, and the golem’s leg cracked under the force. As it staggered, Kaldor moved swiftly, smashing its chest with another powerful blow, knocking the core loose. “One down!” he shouted, his voice hoarse with exertion.

The third golem barreled toward Elyndor, its fists pounding the earth as it ran. Unlike Kaldor, Elyndor didn’t stand still. He danced around the golem’s wild swings, his sword flashing in the dim light. With precise, calculated movements, he ducked under a wide arc of the golem’s fist, slashing upward as he passed. Sparks flew as his blade carved through the stone surface, creating cracks in the golem’s torso.

But the beast wasn’t finished. It swung again, faster this time, forcing Elyndor to roll out of the way. As he came back to his feet, he gritted his teeth and lunged, driving his sword deep into the golem’s chest, right where the core pulsed with energy. “That’s two,” he muttered, wiping the sweat from his brow.

Kael took on the fourth golem with a combination of speed and strategy. Unlike Kaldor’s brute strength or Elyndor’s finesse, Kael relied on his agility, weaving between the golem’s legs with his single dagger flashing in his hand. The golem tried to stomp him out, each footfall creating craters in the ground, but Kael was too quick. He slashed at its ankles, darting away before it could counterattack.

His precise strikes chipped away at the stone, gradually weakening its stance. As the golem stumbled, Kael leaped onto its back, plunging his dagger into the cracks he had made. The golem froze as its core shattered from the inside, then crumbled to the ground in a pile of rubble.

“Four,” Kael said with a grin, hopping down from the wreckage.

The fifth golem was mine. Its hulking form cast a long shadow as it lumbered toward me. I held my breath, steadying my grip on the daggers at my hips. When it swung its massive arm, I dashed to the side, feeling the wind from the strike brush past me.

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I wasn’t as strong as Kaldor or as fast as Kael, but I knew how to pick my moment. I darted in close, slashing at the golem’s side, sending chips of stone flying. It retaliated with a downward slam, and I barely rolled out of the way in time. My heart raced as I watched the ground where I had stood moments ago cave in from the impact.

I needed to end this quickly. With a burst of speed, I dashed forward, slashing at its arms and legs, weakening its movement. The golem staggered, and in that moment, I saw my chance. With a final leap, I drove my daggers deep into its chest, prying the core free as it collapsed at my feet. “Four down,” I panted, feeling the strain of battle in my limbs.

The four golems lay in ruins around us, but the biggest one still loomed ahead, its menacing form pulsating with energy. It was time for the final fight.

"Now!" I yelled, charging forward with my daggers flashing in the fading light. Elyndor and Kael followed close behind, their weapons gleaming as we moved in unison. I unleashed a flurry of slashes against the golem's massive body, my strikes barely leaving scratches on its thick stone hide.

"Sylas!" I yelled, my voice hoarse with desperation.

From a distance, Sylas reacted instantly, her hands moving swiftly as she gathered magic.

"Wind, take form and strike with force! Gale Shot!"

She summoned a gust of wind first, sending it rushing towards the golem, pushing it off balance. The giant creature faltered slightly, giving me and the others a moment to regain our footing.

But Sylas wasn’t done—she followed up with an ice spell, freezing parts of the golem’s legs.

"Cold wind of the frozen north, bite and slow! Frostbite!"

The frost spread rapidly, slowing the creature’s movements even further.

With its legs encased in ice, the golem’s strikes became sluggish, allowing Kael and Elyndor to dodge more easily while landing hits. I could feel the magic around us shifting, giving us the upper hand.

But then, with a terrifying roar, the giant golem swung its arm with brutal force. Elyndor, who had been dancing around its feet, was caught off guard. The golem’s arm connected with his side, slamming him into the ground with a sickening thud. He gasped, the wind knocked out of him, his dagger clattering to the ground.

"Elyndor!" I shouted, my eyes darting toward him, but I couldn’t stop. The golem's attention shifted to Kael, who charged in next, his sword raised for a powerful strike. But the creature was faster than we expected. It swiped at Kael with a forceful backhand, sending him flying across the battlefield. He crashed into a nearby tree with a loud crack, slumping to the ground, dazed and motionless.

The battlefield grew tense as both Kael and Elyndor were taken out of the fight, leaving me alone against the towering golem. But their sacrifice had opened up a chance. The golem's massive form loomed over me as I saw my opportunity.

I leaped high, aiming both of my daggers at its glowing chest. With all my strength, I drove them forward—but as they connected with its hardened stone, the blades shattered into pieces, scattering across the ground.

I landed awkwardly, pain shooting up my leg as I hit the dirt hard. "Damn it!" I cursed under my breath, feeling helpless for a moment. My mind raced.

But I noticed something weird, its chest doesn’t seem to glow as much as the other Shardbacks, also it wasn’t trying to protect the chest either. Maybe the core is somewhere else not inside the chest?

I ponder while letting my guard down create a blind spot for the golem to attack, as soon as I realize it was too late

“Be careful!” Kaldor said while blocking the strike for me

“Thank you, Kaldor,” I said while rolling aside. I glanced at its face and noticed a glare coming from a crack that a strike earlier.

“The core, it is inside the head, aim for somewhere else” I yelled

"Sylas!" I shouted again, this time with urgency.

Sylas’s eyes narrowed with focus as she shifted her approach. Abandoning the ice, she conjured two medium-sized drills made of compacted earth, swirling with raw force.

With a sharp motion, she launched them at the golem’s weakened frame. The first drill struck its shoulder, burrowing deep into the stone with a powerful crunch, while the second hit its leg, shattering the icy coating and sending chunks of rock flying.

Not satisfied yet, Sylas added a gust of wind, pushing the golem further off balance, making sure it wouldn’t regain its footing. The creature struggled to rise, but the damage had been done.

“Kaldor, now!” I shouted, my voice laced with both relief and exhaustion.

With the creature immobilized, Kaldor charged in, hammer raised high. He leapt into the air and brought it down with a thunderous crash onto the golem’s head, creating a hole large enough for us to tear out the glowing core within.

Meanwhile, Mira rushed to Kael and Elyndor’s sides. Her hands glowed with a soft, warm light as she cast healing spells over their injuries. Kael coughed as he slowly sat up, his hand clutching his ribs where the golem had slammed him. Elyndor groaned but managed a weak grin, his body already mending under Mira’s magic.

“We did it!” I exclaimed, forcing a grin as I stumbled toward the others. My body trembled from the intensity of the fight, but the adrenaline still coursing through me made it hard to focus on the pain.

Kael groaned from where he sat propped against a rock, clutching his side. “Define ‘did it,’ Duke. Because if surviving by the skin of our teeth counts, then sure… we nailed it.”

Mira knelt beside him, her hands glowing with a soft golden light as she healed the bruises and cuts along his ribs. “Hold still, Kael. You’re lucky it wasn’t worse.”

“Lucky,” Kael muttered, wincing as her magic began to knit his wounds. “Feels like I got hit by one of those blasted Shardbacks.”

“Join the club,” Elyndor grunted from nearby, slumped against a tree with his sword lying uselessly beside him. Blood seeped from a shallow gash on his arm. “That last one almost flattened me. I thought you said this mission would be straightforward, Duke.”

I gave him a sheepish shrug. “It was… on paper. Don’t blame me for underestimating how stubborn those things are.”

“Straightforward, he says,” Elyndor muttered under his breath, wincing as Mira shifted over to him. “Next time, let’s just stick to bandits. At least they don’t throw rocks the size of carts.”

“Hold still,” Mira said firmly, examining his wound. “You’re lucky this didn’t cut deeper. Honestly, the way you fight, it’s a miracle you’re still standing.”

Elyndor managed a faint smirk. “That’s because I’m too stubborn to fall.”

Sylas plopped onto the ground with an exaggerated sigh, her wand tucked away. “Celebrating? Maybe once my legs stop feeling like jelly. That was way more intense than I expected!”

“Not too intense for you to blast a Shardback right in the face, though,” I pointed out with a small grin.

Sylas beamed. “I was pretty amazing, wasn’t I?”

Kaldor, leaning heavily on his hammer, gave a tired chuckle. He shook his head, a wry grin tugging at his lips. “I feel like I’ve been run over by a herd of stampeding boars. Twice.”

Kael groaned from where he was lying on the ground, Mira diligently tending to his wounds. “At least you didn’t get launched halfway across the battlefield,” Kael muttered, his voice strained.

Elyndor, lying nearby, let out a weak laugh. “Oh, quit whining, Kael. I’d trade places with you. I’m pretty sure I left half my ribs back there.”

Kaldor chuckled again, wincing as he adjusted his stance. “Hey, look on the bright side. We’re all still breathing. That counts for something, right?” He gestured weakly toward the shattered remains of the Shardbacks. “And those rocky jerks? They’re not. So… victory?”

Kael smirked faintly. “If you call barely surviving a victory, sure.”

Mira, focused on healing Kael’s wounds, shot Kaldor a pointed look. “You’re not exactly helping morale, you know.”

Kaldor raised a hand in mock surrender, still grinning. “Hey, I’m just saying it how it is. But fine, fine. We’re all amazing, and we totally crushed those things. Go team.”

Despite his dry tone, there was a spark of genuine pride in his words.

I watched them all, feeling a pang of guilt as I looked at the broken remains of my daggers scattered at my feet. The others had pulled through, giving everything they had, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that I’d fallen short.

Exhausted but victorious, we collected the glowing cores from the golems, the proof of our hard-fought battle. The weight of the stones in my hands should have felt like triumph, but all I could think about was the shards of my daggers, now useless at my side. The walk back was quieter than before, with the usual banter replaced by a thick, uncomfortable silence.

I didn’t say much. The others noticed. I could feel their glances, the whispers exchanged behind me.

"Did you see his daggers break?" Elyndor muttered softly to Kael, just loud enough for me to hear.

"Yeah, I saw," Kael replied, concern in his voice. "That’s not like him... he never lets his guard down."

Mira’s voice was a bit more distant, but I caught it as we trudged through the forest. "Do you think he’s okay? He hasn’t said a word since the fight ended."

"I don’t know," Sylas whispered. "It’s not just about the daggers breaking... something else is bothering him."

Even Kaldor offered his thoughts. "It’s not like Duke to retreat into himself. He’ll tell us when he’s ready."

Their words hung in the air, but I couldn’t bring myself to respond. My mind was stuck on that moment—the feel of the daggers shattering in my hands, leaving me defenseless.

Was I too weak? Did I misjudge my strength? The battle was won, but all I felt was a gnawing sense of failure.

When we returned to the guild, the familiar scent of polished wood and burning torches filled the air, but it didn’t feel as welcoming as usual. Mira carried the pouch of Shardback cores to the receptionist, who blinked in surprise as she opened it.

“You’re telling me you got all of them?” the receptionist asked, her voice tinged with disbelief as she pulled one of the glittering cores out for inspection.

Mira nodded confidently. “All of them. No casualties either.”

That declaration drew several heads from nearby adventurers, their murmured conversations falling silent as they turned toward us.

“First mission and you lot took down Shardbacks?” one burly man asked, leaning on the counter with a raised eyebrow.

Another, a wiry woman sharpening a dagger, chuckled. “Kids these days are something else. Didn’t even lose anyone? I’m impressed.”

The receptionist handed Mira the reward— 2 hefty pouches of bronze coins. “I’ve gotta admit, that’s no small feat, especially for first-timers. So, for now, The Rising Dawn will be working as a C-rank party. Good work out there.”

Mira smiled brightly, the praise washing over her like a warm breeze. Kaldor, standing beside her, offered a weary grin. “Well, it wasn’t exactly a walk in the park.”

Kael, leaning on Elyndor for support, added with a dry smirk, “Unless you count a park filled with killer golems.”

The gathered adventurers laughed, a few stepping closer to ask questions about the mission.

“So, what’s the trick to taking down Shardbacks without getting crushed?” a swordsman asked, clearly intrigued.

“How’d you handle the reinforcements? Those things usually call for backup,” another chimed in.

All eyes turned to me as I stood a little apart from the group, the pouch of reward money hanging limply at my side.

“It was teamwork,” I said curtly, my tone flat. “Nothing more to it.”

The simplicity of my answer seemed to take the crowd off guard. The swordsman frowned slightly. “Well… I suppose that’s true, but—”

“I’ll be resting now,” I cut in, turning to my friends. My voice was steady, but there was a tightness to it I couldn’t mask. “Good job, everyone.”

We splitted the coins evenly. Without a word, I turned and headed straight for my room, my footsteps heavy against the wooden floor of the inn.

As the door clicked shut behind me, the weight I had been carrying all the way back seemed to press down harder.

I tossed the pouch of coins onto the table, but the sound was muted, just like the victory. My hands trembled slightly as I stared down at the remnants of my shattered daggers, lying on the table as a grim reminder of my failure.

Why did they break? Was I not strong enough? Was it my fault?

The questions circled in my mind, relentless, refusing to let me rest. My hands trembled as I stared at them, phantom sensations of the daggers slipping from my grip haunting me. I had always prided myself on my skill, my ability to adapt to any situation. But today, for the first time in what felt like forever, I had felt powerless—truly powerless.

It wasn’t just the Shardbacks. No, this went deeper than that. The cracks in my resolve had started long before today, and now they were spreading wider, threatening to shatter me completely.

Had I grown complacent? I thought back to that day—3 months ago—when I led my friends out of that bandit camp. I remembered the adrenaline coursing through me, the sense of triumph after defeating that insignificant group of thugs. Maybe I had let it get to my head. Maybe I had let myself believe, even for a moment, that I had the world figured out.

But I didn’t.

The world didn’t care about my victories. It didn’t care about the promises I’d made to myself or the people I cared about. This world was harsh—merciless. People died before they could even understand why. Families were torn apart, and loved ones were reduced to memories and ashes. I had seen it all before, hadn’t I?

Thalion.

The memory hit me like a blade to the chest. His lifeless body. Blood that stained the earth beneath him. Losing two of his arms again that damn Arthur. It haunts me even now. Thalion had been strong, a man who had fought to protect his family. But in the end, he had still fallen.

What did that mean for me?

I clenched my fists, a knot forming in my throat. If Thalion couldn’t survive, what chance did I have? I wasn’t some invincible hero. I was a boy playing at being strong, pretending I could shield everyone I loved from the cruelty of this world. But what if I couldn’t?

The thought terrified me more than death itself.

I wasn’t scared of dying—not really. I had lived one life already, and if this second chance ended, then maybe it was simply my time. But what gnawed at me, what left me trembling in the quiet darkness of my room, was the fear that I wasn’t strong enough.

Not strong enough to protect the people who mattered to me.

Not strong enough to stand between them and the horrors of this world.

Not strong enough to keep the promises I’d made.

If I failed, it wouldn’t just be my loss—it would be theirs. Sylas, Mira, Kael, Kaldor, Elyndor,... Michael, Laura, Clara… all the people I cared about. All the people I wanted to spend the rest of my life protecting.

I closed my eyes, the weight of it all pressing down on me like a suffocating fog.

I had let myself forget how harsh this world truly was. I had let myself believe, even for a moment, that I could let my guard down. But this world had a way of reminding you—violently—of the truth.

And the truth was, I wasn’t ready.

But I had to be.

For their sake, I had to be.