Elyan woke up the next morning, feeling surprisingly good. The ache that had plagued his body was now a distant memory. As he stretched, he realized he was on a makeshift bedroll, the softness a welcome contrast to the cold, hard ground from the previous night. The cave's entrance caught his eye, where several familiar backpacks were neatly piled. "Zenith must have carried them inside," he thought, a smile tugging at his lips.

He pushed himself up, expecting a wave of pain, but was pleasantly surprised to find that he could stand with relative ease. His body felt lighter, and the soreness was manageable. He took a moment to steady himself, feeling a small surge of triumph at his progress.

The cave was spacious, much larger than it appeared from the outside. Elyan noticed how neatly everything was arranged, almost like a secret base. Weapons lined one wall, glinting in the dim light. Training dummies stood silently, awaiting their next bout. Each item seemed meticulously placed, hinting at the cave's purpose as a hidden refuge.

A grumble from his stomach reminded him of his hunger. "I could use a bite right now. I only ate breakfast yesterday after all," Elyan murmured. Determined to find something to eat, he decided to look for Zenith. After a thorough search of the cave's various chambers yielded no sign of the memory fragment, Elyan ventured outside, carrying a canteen of water.

The outside world greeted him with the soft light of dawn. The sun had just risen, painting the sky with hues of pink and gold. Elyan took a deep breath, filling his lungs with the fresh morning air. "After being bedridden for two days, I need to move around as soon as possible," it felt good to be outside, to stretch his limbs and move around after being bedridden for two days. He knew he needed to regain his strength and get back on his feet as soon as possible.

He began with some light stretches, feeling his body respond with increasing flexibility. Encouraged, Elyan pulled out his small knife and began practicing his daily routine. The movements were familiar, comforting. Each slash and thrust were precise, a dance he had perfected over years of practice.

As he finished his routine, a sudden voice startled him. "Oh, so you know how to handle a knife?"

Elyan spun around to see Zenith approaching, floating fruits orbiting around him. "Woah, I did not notice you there. When did you arrive here?" Elyan asked, wiping sweat from his brow.

"I saw you from a distance when you just started your practice, so I took my time not to disturb your training," Zenith replied, a playful grin on his face. He tossed one of the fruits to Elyan. "Here! Catch!"

Elyan caught the fruit— the same type he had eaten the day before. Zenith continued, "Sorry, apple is the only fruit I found. I guess the forest has the right climate for apples to grow everywhere but not other fruits, huh?"

"Thanks, Zenith. This is great! ... Wait, what do you call these again? Epel?" Elyan asked, confused but not too puzzled to take a bite.

"Apple, have you not eaten this before? I thought it was a common fruit," Zenith replied, equally confused.

"Yes, but we call it Starlust... not Aypel?" Elyan said, taking another bite while maintaining eye contact with Zenith.

"Right! Hmm... So... Starlust. Then why did I recognize it as Apple? Weird, anyway. Since you are up and about and able to practice your knife skills, do you want me to help with your training?" Zenith suggested.

"You will? Sure! That will be great!" Elyan exclaimed, finishing his Starlust and preparing himself to train.

With Zenith's guidance, Elyan continued practicing for hours. Zenith's magic made the training more intense and precise, pushing Elyan's limits. The two worked tirelessly until Elyan's stomach grumbled again, signaling the end of their fruit supply.

Realizing this, Zenith asked, "Do you know how to hunt with a bow?"

Elyan nodded. "I do know how to hunt, skin, and cook, but I don't have a bow with me."

"Oh, I think I saw an old bow in the cave," Zenith replied, floating towards the cave entrance.

"I didn't see any bow just now, though," Elyan said, following Zenith.

"Of course, you didn't see one over there. That is a melee weapon training area," Zenith replied nonchalantly.

Zenith led Elyan to a section of the cave covered with vines. Using his magic, Zenith took a staff from a nearby weapon rack and knocked on the wall three times. The vines slowly retracted, revealing a hidden doorway. The wall slid back, exposing another part of the cave that appeared to be a place for practicing archery.

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Elyan's eyes widened in amazement as he stepped into the new chamber. Targets lined the far wall, and racks of bows and arrows were neatly arranged. The air was cool and fresh, carrying a faint scent of wood and leather.

"This is incredible," Elyan whispered, his voice filled with awe.

Zenith floated beside him, a proud smile on his face. "This will be your training ground, Elyan. Let's see how good your aim is."

Elyan picked up a bow, feeling its weight in his hands. He selected a few arrows and stepped up to the firing line. Drawing the bowstring back, he took aim at the nearest target. The arrow flew true, striking the bullseye with a satisfying thud.

"Not bad," Zenith said, clapping his hands in approval. "Let's see if you can keep that up."

While Elyan practiced his bow skills, Zenith went to the front part of the cave to check the backpacks. He found a piece of meat that had been processed to not spoil quickly. Excited, he went back to Elyan. "Hey, little one, I found some meat in one of the backpacks. You should cook and eat first before continuing your training."

Elyan looked at the meat and recognized it. "This was the meat that I prepared." He shook his head left and right to regain his composure. "Okay, I will cook it. Can you help me with the fire, please?" Elyan asked as he went towards the backpack to look for anything that could help him cook.

Zenith nodded and went outside to start a fire at the campfire he had made before. Elyan came out of the cave with several other items that could help him cook, mainly vegetables and a small cooking pot. As he prepared the ingredients, he realized that the backpacks that fell down with him were his and Bronnar's.

With mixed feelings, Elyan started preparing the meat and other ingredients to cook. He glanced at Zenith, who watched with keen interest, his ethereal form flickering slightly in the cave's dim light. Elyan took a deep breath, pushing away thoughts of the past, and focused on the familiar, soothing process of cooking.

He grabbed the small cooking pot and headed outside towards the river. The sun had climbed higher, casting sparkling reflections on the water's surface. Elyan filled the pot, watching as tiny bubbles rose and burst, a serene distraction from his recent turmoil. Carrying the water back to the cave, he set the pot over the fire that Zenith had prepared.

Once the water began to boil, Elyan carefully added the meat, watching as it sizzled and browned. He chopped the vegetables, his hands moving with practiced ease. The rhythmic slicing and the earthy scent of fresh produce brought a small sense of normalcy amidst the chaos. He added the vegetables to the pot, stirring occasionally, allowing the flavors to meld together.

The smell of cooking meat and vegetables soon filled the air, creating a comforting atmosphere. Zenith, unable to eat, hovered nearby, his eyes filled with curiosity. "You're quite skilled at this," he remarked, his voice gentle and warm.

Elyan smiled faintly. "I've had a lot of practice. Cooking was one of the few things that brought everyone together in the village."

As the meal neared completion, Zenith's eyes twinkled with curiosity. "Do you think we could add some wild herbs to enhance the flavor?"

Elyan considered the idea, then nodded. "Sure, if you can find some."

Zenith floated off, returning shortly with a handful of fragrant herbs. Together, they added the herbs to the pot, the aroma growing even richer. Elyan stirred the mixture, the steam rising in delicate spirals.

Finally, the meal was ready. Elyan served himself a portion, the food steaming in the cool air of the cave. As he ate, Elyan felt a sense of peace. Despite everything that had happened, this moment of shared companionship brought him comfort.

He glanced at Zenith, who watched with a serene expression, and felt grateful for his presence.

Zenith broke the silence. "Elyan, once you've recovered, what do you plan to do?"

Elyan looked thoughtful, pausing to savor the rich flavors. "I'm not sure. I need to find a way to make things right, to understand why those adventurers betrayed me and what my future holds. It feels like there's so much I don't know yet."

Zenith hovered closer, his form casting an ethereal glow that mingled with the firelight. "Knowledge is a powerful ally, Elyan. Seek it, and it will guide you. The path ahead is uncertain, but every step you take will bring you closer to the truth."

Elyan nodded, his gaze distant as he considered Zenith's words. "I always thought I knew the people around me, but now... I see there's so much more beneath the surface. Maybe it's not just about making things right, but also about discovering who I am and what I'm capable of."

Zenith's eyes reflected a deep understanding. "Self-discovery is a journey in itself. As you uncover the mysteries around you, you'll also uncover your own potential. You should start with what you can do"

A silence settled between them, filled only by the crackling of the fire. Elyan took another bite, the warmth of the food grounding him in the moment. He realized that this pause, this moment of reflection, was just as important as the actions he would take in the future.

"Zenith," Elyan said, breaking the quiet, "I appreciate your guidance. It's only been a few days, yet I've been through so much, and having someone who believes in me… it means more than I can say."

Zenith's form shimmered with what seemed like approval. "We all need someone to believe in us, Elyan. And sometimes, we need to believe in ourselves first. The road ahead might be tough, but every challenge will shape you, make you stronger."

Elyan felt a surge of resolve, a quiet flame igniting within him. "Will you teach me to be stronger?"

"Sure, but the training will be tough, especially for a young boy like you, Elyan. Are you up to it?" asked Zenith.

"Yes"