Kaelan and Lira had been practicing tirelessly, pushing their bodies and minds to the limit in the days since their encounter with Varus and Celene near the ship. Each day, they rose before dawn, sneaking to their hidden training grounds to hone their newfound mana skills. The ancient exercises from the tome were demanding, but the taste of power however slight was intoxicating. And with Varus and Celene growing more active in their search, Kaelan felt the weight of urgency press on him every day.

Their training ground was a secluded clearing in the forest, sheltered by dense trees and hidden from the main paths. Sunlight rarely touched it, which suited them just fine. In the dimness, they were less likely to be discovered.

“Focus on the flow, Kaelan!” Lira called out, her voice slightly breathless. She crouched low to the ground, eyes closed, her hands outstretched as she channeled her mana. A faint glow emanated from her, outlining her form as her wolf-like senses amplified, a skill she’d nearly mastered over the past few days.

Kaelan closed his eyes, tuning into the faint, almost imperceptible hum of mana within himself. He felt it as a trickle, elusive and stubborn, like trying to grasp smoke. But today, something was different. Instead of forcing the mana into his limbs as he’d tried before, he let it flow naturally, almost coaxing it.

He took a deep breath, and as he exhaled, he felt the mana fill his muscles, making him feel lighter, stronger. He opened his eyes, surprised to see a faint glow of energy around his arms.

“Finally!” Lira exclaimed, breaking her concentration. “I knew you’d get it!”

“Not perfect yet,” Kaelan replied with a grin. “But it’s progress.”

Just as they were about to celebrate, they heard the unmistakable sound of footsteps nearby. They froze, exchanging a glance. The steps were heavy, accompanied by the faint sound of voices. Kaelan’s stomach dropped. Varus and Celene.

They moved quickly, ducking behind a cluster of large rocks. Peering out, Kaelan saw Varus’s hulking form and Celene’s sharp, watchful gaze as they walked through the forest, their eyes scanning the trees.

“Are you sure it’s here?” Varus growled, his tone impatient.

“I felt the mana pulse yesterday,” Celene replied, her voice low but confident. “It’s close. This place is hiding something powerful. I can feel it.”

Lira glanced at Kaelan, her face a mixture of fear and excitement. They’d worked so hard to get stronger, but Varus and Celene were seasoned adventurers. If they were discovered, they wouldn’t stand a chance.

“I think we should leave,” Kaelan mouthed to Lira, his heart pounding. She nodded, and they began to inch backward, moving as quietly as they could.

A sudden twig snapped under Lira’s foot, and Varus’s head whipped in their direction.

“Who’s there?” he barked, his eyes narrowing.

Kaelan’s pulse spiked as he grabbed Lira’s arm. “Run,” he whispered urgently.

Without hesitation, they turned and sprinted through the undergrowth. Behind them, they heard Varus and Celene give chase, their footsteps fast and relentless.

They darted through the trees, weaving and dodging branches, but Varus and Celene were gaining on them. Kaelan’s legs burned, but he pushed on, adrenaline flooding his system as they raced toward the village.

Suddenly, Kaelan felt a surge of mana flare within him. In his desperation, he focused on it, letting it fill his legs and propel him forward. His speed doubled, and for a brief moment, he felt as though he was flying over the forest floor.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

He glanced back, reaching for Lira’s hand. “Come on!” he urged, pulling her along.

But as they neared the edge of the forest, Kaelan saw a shadow darting toward them. Celene was faster than he’d thought, her agility almost supernatural. She cut them off, blocking their path with a wicked smile.

“Going somewhere?” she asked, her eyes gleaming.

Kaelan and Lira skidded to a halt, breathing heavily, but they didn’t back down. Kaelan shifted into a defensive stance, willing the last of his mana into his fists. His hands tingled as he felt the faint energy swirling within them.

“You kids don’t know when to quit, do you?” Varus said, his voice a dangerous growl as he emerged from the trees, joining Celene.

Kaelan felt the air around them grow tense, charged with mana. Varus was grinning, clearly amused by their defiance.

“Leave us alone,” Kaelan said, trying to sound braver than he felt. “You’re not supposed to be here. The village elders would ”

Varus laughed, a dark, dismissive sound. “The elders? They’re nothing compared to what I’ve seen, kid. We’re here for the same reason you are the power hidden in that ship. We know you’ve been snooping around. Maybe you’d be willing to share what you’ve found?”

Kaelan swallowed hard. He had no intention of telling Varus anything, but he didn’t see a way out.

Lira stepped forward, her expression fierce. “We don’t owe you anything,” she spat. “This place doesn’t belong to you.”

Celene’s smile faded, replaced by a cold, dangerous look. “Such boldness. But it won’t save you.”

She raised her hand, and Kaelan felt a pulse of mana, sharp and intense. Before he could react, Celene flicked her wrist, and a small, dart-like projectile of mana shot toward them. Kaelan barely had time to react, instinctively raising his arms to shield himself.

But the impact never came. A burst of light flashed in front of him, and when he opened his eyes, he saw a figure standing between them and Celene an old man, robed and radiating a powerful aura of mana.

The figure turned slightly, and Kaelan recognized him: Elder Faelan, the angelic being who had presided over their Awakening Ceremony.

“Enough,” Faelan said, his voice calm but commanding. His gaze held a depth of wisdom and power that made even Varus hesitate.

“Elder Faelan,” Celene said, her voice tense. “We were only… investigating a disturbance.”

Faelan’s gaze hardened. “I know exactly what you were doing, and I won’t tolerate it. The forest and its secrets are protected, as you well know.”

Varus scowled but didn’t argue. Even he seemed to understand that Elder Faelan was not someone to cross lightly.

“Consider this a warning,” Faelan continued, his tone steely. “Return to the village, or face the consequences.”

Without another word, Varus and Celene turned and disappeared into the trees, though Kaelan could feel their anger simmering even as they left.

When they were gone, Faelan turned to Kaelan and Lira, his expression softening. “Are you two all right?”

Kaelan nodded, still catching his breath. “Thank you, Elder Faelan. If you hadn’t come…”

Faelan smiled faintly. “You’re brave, Kaelan. Both of you. But bravery without caution can lead to disaster. Why were you so deep in the forest?”

Kaelan hesitated, glancing at Lira, then back at the elder. He could feel a weight in Faelan’s gaze, as though the elder already knew the truth.

“We… found something,” Kaelan admitted. “An old ship, buried in the forest. We’ve been learning from it.”

Faelan’s eyes softened. “The ship,” he murmured, as though it were a long-forgotten memory. “Yes, I know of it. Many years ago, I discovered it as well, but I left it undisturbed.”

Kaelan’s eyes widened. “Why?”

“Because the power it holds is not to be taken lightly,” Faelan replied. “The knowledge within that ship was not meant for everyone, and there are some things better left untouched.”

“But we want to learn,” Lira said, her voice filled with determination. “We want to become stronger, to make a difference.”

Faelan regarded them thoughtfully, then sighed. “The path you’re on is dangerous. Knowledge and power often come at a steep cost. But…” He paused, considering. “If you’re willing to take that risk, I won’t stop you.”

Kaelan’s heart pounded. “You’ll let us keep going?”

“Yes,” Faelan said, nodding slowly. “But with a condition. Seek the knowledge with humility and respect. Do not let ambition blind you, or it will consume you. And remember, you have friends here, allies who will stand by you.”

Kaelan nodded, a sense of gratitude swelling in his chest. He’d expected resistance, maybe even punishment. But Faelan’s support felt like an unexpected gift.

“Thank you, Elder Faelan,” he said quietly.

Faelan placed a hand on Kaelan’s shoulder, his touch warm and reassuring. “Go, then, and follow your path. But tread carefully, young ones. Destiny is a powerful force, and once you set foot upon it, there’s no turning back.”

With those parting words, Elder Faelan disappeared back into the forest, leaving Kaelan and Lira in awe.

As they made their way back to the village, Kaelan felt a renewed sense of purpose. They were on the path of legends, and while it was dangerous and uncertain, he knew they wouldn’t face it alone.

And for the first time, he felt as though he was exactly where he was meant to be.