Siki stood frozen, staring at Master Oden in shock. "A storm is coming? What do you mean by that?"

Master Oden held his gaze for a long moment before finally speaking. "By 'storm,' I mean a war is on the horizon," he said, his voice heavy with certainty. "And according to the ancient texts, it will be unlike anything we have ever faced. A war so catastrophic that countless lives will be at stake."

Siki's breath hitched. A war? The weight of those words sent a shiver down his spine. He had always thought of the ancient texts as nothing more than distant myths—stories passed down by the elders of the Sword Clan and the Council, accessible only to the highest-ranking members. They weren't meant to be taken literally… were they?

The mere fact that Master Oden was treating them as a real warning sent Siki's mind into a spiral.

He had always heard whispers of these texts, of the prophecies they contained, but he had never truly grasped their significance.

And now, standing before his master, hearing him confirm the words of those texts, Siki felt an unfamiliar weight settle on his shoulders.

Siki's initial shock slowly turned into unease. He swallowed hard, trying to process the gravity of what he had just heard.

"So… it's actually written in the ancient texts?" he murmured. "A prophecy… about a war?"

Master Oden gave a solemn nod.

For a moment, Siki was at a loss for words. The idea that the fate of the world might be dictated by something written centuries ago made him deeply uncomfortable. But then, a thought crossed his mind—a logical counter to his master's concerns.

"Master Oden… what if this is just a coincidence?" Siki asked carefully. "Lord Hilmya's rapid growth—maybe it's just his talent? What if this has nothing to do with the prophecy?"

Master Oden turned his piercing gaze toward him, studying him intently before answering. "I would like to believe that," he admitted. "And more than anything, I wish that this war does not happen in my lifetime."

Siki nodded, understanding exactly why his master wished for such a thing.

Right now, the world was in a fragile state of peace. The war between their forces and the Megus Tower had paused, but it was only a temporary ceasefire.

Everyone hoped that this truce would last—but deep down, both Siki and Master Oden knew the truth. It was only a matter of time before the war reignited.

Master Oden's concern wasn't unfounded. The way things were going, any small spark could set the battlefield ablaze once more.

Siki clenched his fists, determination flickering in his eyes. "Master Oden, I don't believe we should waste time worrying about a prophecy that may never come true. Right now, we should focus on training Lord Hilmya. If a war is truly coming, we need to prepare him as much as possible."

Master Oden exhaled deeply, considering Siki's words. He shifted his gaze away from him, looking toward the distant battlefield where Hilmya was locked in combat against soldiers. The air was thick with energy, the clash of swords ringing across the battlefield.

"I hope you're right, Siki," he murmured. "I hope this war can be avoided… that we can put an end to it before it truly begins."

Siki followed his master's gaze, watching Hilmya fight with an intensity that seemed almost inhuman. The sheer power radiating from him was undeniable.

"I don't think there's anyone left on this continent who can challenge Lord Hilmya in a one-on-one battle," Siki said confidently.

Master Oden turned to him, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "There are still some," he said, his voice carrying a quiet certainty. "There are still those who can defeat him."

Siki's expression shifted, realization dawning on him. He knew exactly who Master Oden was referring to.

Hilmya stood his ground, his movements fluid and effortless. His white hair gleamed as he dodged and countered their attacks, his crimson eyes sharp and focused.

Siki watched in awe, his heart pounding in his chest. Hilmya's strength was beyond anything he had ever seen. The way he moved, the way he fought—it was as if he was born for battle.

"He's incredible," Siki whispered, more to himself than to Master Oden.

Master Oden nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Yes, he is. But even the strongest warriors have their limits. And if the prophecy is true, Hilmya will need to push past those limits if he hopes to survive what's coming."

Siki frowned, his unease returning. "Do you really believe the prophecy is real, Master Oden? Or is it just a story meant to scare us into action?"

Master Oden's gaze remained fixed on the battlefield. "The ancient texts have never been wrong before," he said quietly. "They predicted the rise of the Megus Tower, the fall of the old kingdoms, and even the birth of Hilmya himself. If they say a storm is coming, then we must prepare for it."

Siki's heart sank. He had hoped Master Oden would dismiss the prophecy as nothing more than a myth, but his words only confirmed his worst fears.

The soldiers, despite their experience, were no match for Hilmya's strength. One by one, they fell, their swords shattering under the force of his attacks. The battlefield was soon littered with the remnants of their weapons, the ground scorched and cracked from the sheer power of Hilmya's strikes.

Siki watched in stunned silence, his mind racing. If Hilmya was this strong now, how much more powerful would he become in the future? And if the prophecy was true, would even he be enough to face the storm that was coming?

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Master Oden placed a hand on Siki's shoulder, his touch grounding. "We must have faith in him," he said, his voice steady. "Hilmya is our hope. If anyone can face what's coming, it's him."

Siki nodded, though his heart was heavy. He wanted to believe in Hilmya, to believe that he could protect them all. But the thought of a war so catastrophic that it could destroy everything they had worked for was almost too much to bear.

As the battle came to an end, Hilmya stood victorious, his sword still glowing faintly with white energy. The 1000 soldiers lay defeated, their bodies battered and broken. Hilmya's crimson eyes scanned the battlefield, his expression calm and unreadable.

Siki and Master Oden approached him, their footsteps echoing in the silence. Hilmya turned to them, his gaze sharp and focused.

"You've done well," Master Oden said, his voice filled with pride. "But this is only the beginning. There is much more you must prepare for."

Hilmya nodded, his expression serious. "I know," he said simply. "I'll be ready."

Siki looked at Hilmya, his heart filled with a mix of admiration and fear. He wanted to believe in him, to believe that he could face whatever was coming.

But the weight of the prophecy hung over them like a dark cloud, a constant reminder of the storm that was on the horizon.

In the jungle -

Adam and Sophia moved cautiously through the dense jungle, carefully weaving their way past thick vegetation and fallen trees.

The towering canopy above allowed only slivers of sunlight to pierce through, casting dim patches of light on the forest floor.

The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and fresh leaves, and the distant calls of unseen creatures echoed in the background.

Adam walked ahead, his sword slicing effortlessly through vines and overgrown branches that blocked their path.

His movements were precise and fluid, each step taken with the confidence of someone accustomed to traveling through unknown and dangerous terrain.

Behind him, Sophia struggled to keep up. She had never ventured beyond the safety of her village before, and the uneven ground beneath her feet made every step a challenge.

Sharp thorns and twisted roots threatened to trip her, and the humid air left her breathless.

She wiped the sweat from her brow and forced herself to move forward, determined not to slow Adam down.

Sensing her fatigue, Adam glanced over his shoulder. He could hear the slight irregularity in her breathing and see the effort she was putting into keeping up. "Should we rest?" he asked, his voice calm but firm.

Sophia shook her head quickly, taking a deep breath to steady herself. "No," she said, straightening her posture. "We can keep going."

Adam exhaled, knowing she wouldn't back down so easily. She was stubborn—he had learned that much about her already. "Alright," he conceded. "We'll stop in an hour."

Sophia nodded, grateful that he wasn't treating her like a burden. She was exhausted, but she didn't want to seem weak. She had chosen to come with Adam, and she intended to prove she was capable of handling the journey.

As they walked, Adam's mind drifted. If I were alone, I could have crossed this jungle much faster.

His pace had slowed considerably to match Sophia's, and while he didn't mind adjusting for her, he couldn't ignore the tactical disadvantage.

His eyes flickered to her from the side—despite her exhaustion, she was giving it her all. It was admirable, considering she had never trained for something like this.

A thought crossed his mind. Should I craft some magical equipment for her? Something that would make traveling easier? Maybe lightweight armor, or enchanted boots to help her move more effortlessly? He made a mental note to think about it later.

But before he could dwell on the idea, his instincts flared. A dangerous presence loomed ahead.

Adam's entire body tensed, his senses sharpening as he stopped abruptly. He switched into a defensive stance, gripping his sword tightly.

His eyes scanned the dense foliage, searching for the source of the threat. The jungle, which had been filled with the soft rustling of leaves and distant chirps, suddenly felt eerily silent.

Behind him, Sophia noticed the shift in his posture. Adam had been moving at a steady pace, but now, his entire demeanor had changed—his muscles were taut, his fingers wrapped firmly around the hilt of his sword. He looked like a predator ready to strike.

A chill ran down Sophia's spine. She swallowed hard and instinctively took a step back, following Adam's gaze toward the unseen danger.

Then, without warning, Adam moved.

In one fluid motion, he flipped his sword in his hand, securing it against the handle of the second sword strapped to his waist. Then, instead of advancing toward the threat, he turned abruptly and sprinted straight toward Sophia at full speed.

Sophia barely had time to react. One moment, Adam was ahead of her, scanning the jungle; the next, he was rushing toward her like a blur.

Before she could move or even ask what was happening, Adam reached her in seconds. His arm wrapped around her waist in a firm grip, and with a powerful leap, he launched them both into the air.

Sophia let out a startled gasp as the ground suddenly vanished beneath her. The sensation of weightlessness overwhelmed her, her heart pounding wildly in her chest. The jungle floor blurred as Adam propelled them upward with incredible force.

The wind rushed past her face, tugging at her clothes and hair. Her arms instinctively latched onto Adam's shoulders, seeking stability in the midst of their rapid ascent.

She barely had time to register the sensation before Adam's feet landed gracefully on a thick tree branch. The impact sent a sharp jolt through her body, but Adam didn't stop.

With the agility of a predator, he leaped again, moving swiftly from branch to branch, climbing higher into the jungle canopy. His movements were effortless, his grip on her unwavering as he carried her through the trees with inhuman speed.

Sophia's breath came in short gasps. She was used to walking on solid ground, not soaring through the air like this. But despite her initial shock, she quickly realized that Adam was moving with a clear purpose. He wasn't running—he was evading.

Finally, after reaching a sturdy perch high above the jungle floor, Adam slowed down. He adjusted his grip on Sophia, signaling her to steady herself. His hand remained firm around her waist, ensuring she didn't slip.

Sophia, still in shock, cautiously placed her feet on the branch, her balance unsteady. She turned her gaze to Adam, noticing his intense expression as he peered down at the forest floor below.

Her cheeks grew warm at their closeness. His arm was still wrapped around her, his body positioned protectively between her and whatever danger lurked below. But before she could dwell on the heat rising to her face, a sound from beneath them caught her attention.

A low, resonant hum, almost like the chime of a bell, echoed through the jungle. It was neither threatening nor aggressive, but it carried a strange, otherworldly presence.

Sophia's breath hitched as she followed Adam's gaze downward.

And then, she saw it.

Standing beneath them was a creature unlike anything she had ever seen before.

A magnificent horse stood in the clearing, its coat as pure as freshly fallen snow. Its muscles rippled beneath its pristine fur, exuding a quiet, dignified strength.

But it was its hooves that truly caught her attention—translucent and shimmering like carved diamonds, glowing faintly as they touched the ground.

And then there was its most extraordinary feature.

A single, perfectly shaped horn adorned its forehead, glowing with a faint ethereal light. It wasn't just a horse—it was a unicorn.

Sophia's eyes widened in awe. The creature was breathtaking, its beauty almost unreal. It moved with an elegance that didn't seem natural, its mane flowing like liquid silver, cascading down its neck in thick, luxurious curls.

For a moment, she forgot everything—the jungle, their journey, even the danger that had prompted Adam's sudden reaction. All she could do was stare, utterly mesmerized by the unicorn's presence.

The light from its horn reflected softly against the leaves, casting gentle patterns of silver and white across the ground. Its deep, intelligent eyes scanned the forest carefully, as if sensing something beyond what human eyes could perceive.

Sophia barely dared to breathe.

Adam, too, remained still, his expression unreadable. His grip on his sword had loosened, but his eyes remained sharp, watching the unicorn with quiet intensity.

And at that moment, the chapter came to a sudden, breathtaking end.