Storm stirred and sat up, rubbing his eyes. Someone had placed a woolen blanket over his body, and for a good, long moment, he appreciated the warmth of it. He looked over to where Ronin had been sitting before, but he was no longer there.

Gazing away at the sky, the last touches of the sun’s light were streaking across the horizon, bringing forth a swirl of a thousand different colors. High above it all, he could see the two moons beginning to open their eyes, both shining down on his world with a faint blue hue.

Storm stood to his feet and took the blanket with him, returning it to the cabin. The inside of their home was warm, cozy, and quiet, and nothing stirred from within. The glass door in the ceiling was wide open, and Storm knew that their grandfather was admiring the sunset, as he always did.

A few minutes later, Caim came into the cabin, rubbing sleep out of his eyes. Over his shoulder was a similar woolen blanket, and he blinked a few times, seemingly surprised to find his brother. He didn’t say a word, and after resting his blanket on top of Storm’s, Caim began rummaging through his things. Storm watched him for a fleeting moment, noticing their two wooden swords leaning against the far wall.

Storm took note of his own wooden sword and felt nostalgia for the good times passed. Lying next to the swords were Caim’s collection of rocks, and sitting next to his own bed was a small stack of books, with a copy of the Rings of Chaos sitting right on top. It was a thin book of all the myths of Soria, and although Storm did not give them much credence, he secretly enjoyed some of the stories within. He picked up the book and gazed down at the leather-bound cover; it was a rather small book, not overly thick, and he liked it partially for that reason.

Might be nice to have while we’re gone, he thought and placed it in his back pocket.

Storm looked down the hallway at their room. He remembered sneaking out of it late at night with Caim when they were kids to come sleep next to the fire, and before they had even realized it, they had both moved their beds into the common room. They had never gone back to sleeping in their rooms after that, and Ronin had changed it into a little study stacked with books.

“We should get going,” said Storm, turning to Caim. “We’ll have to hike through Neverend in the dark, and it’s better that we try and get through most of it before midnight.”

“We’re going tonight?” Caim yawned. “Why so soon?”

“You really want to risk missing the most legendary tournament in all of Soria?”

Caim’s yawn turned to a smile. “Good point. Now, where are my sandals?”

Storm collected the few things he needed, put on his black boots by the door, and swung his hooded jacket over his shoulders. He quickly caught his silver necklace from swinging, and gazing down at the thin stone that it held, pressed his fingers against the runes that spelled out his name.

One day . . . I will learn where we came from, Storm thought of the parents he never knew.

Walking out of the cabin, Storm grabbed his new sword and equipped it to his side. Just as he was looking at a silver ring on the end of his hilt and thinking about attaching his necklace to it, Caim walked out. Looking over, Storm noticed that Caim had already equipped his own sword across his lower back horizontally, and hanging from a similar silver ring on the end of his hilt, was his own necklace.

Figures, thought Storm, abandoning the idea. Definitely not copying Caim.

“Where’s grandpa?” Caim asked, stretching down to his toes. Storm pointed up at the roof.

Caim walked around to the front and looked up. “He’s not up there.”

Storm walked out to look, but sure enough, he was not there.

“That’s weird,” said Storm. “No way he doesn’t want to be here when we leave.”

“That doesn’t make sense,” said Caim, looking all around. He finally spotted the old man standing on the cliffs of Falia. “Look, he’s over there.”

The two boys soon leapt across the gap of sky and landed on the grass, then walked up to the old man. Ronin’s gaze was focused on the last remnants of a setting sun.

“So, the time has come,” Ronin said in a calm demeaner. “The journey begins.”

“It’s not such a big deal,” said Storm. “We’re only going to watch the tournament, right?” Despite hearing his own words, Storm could not help but feel like what he was embarking on was something different, something special.

“It’ll be full of adventure!” Caim exclaimed. “And monsters! And swordfights! And new friends!”

“Whether it is a simple journey or not,” Ronin began. “I have taught you all that I could. I am proud of you boys, and the rest you must learn for yourselves. Try and remember that true strength comes from the heart, and know, above all else, what I have told you all these cycles. All of us have a challenge born to be ours. Overcome it, and even worlds can change.” For the first time since they stood next to him, Ronin turned his eyes away from the dark skies and looked at Neverend Forest.

“Do not forget about the Master of the Forest,” Ronin said. “Be on guard, always.”

“How could we forget something like that,” Storm chided. “We’re full-fledged swordsmen now, remember?” He flashed his best grin at their old man, trying to relieve him of his worries.

Caim placed his hands on his hips and laughed, his expression of happiness as reassuring as any. Ronin looked at the both of them, then slightly bowed his head. Caim laughed and ran forward, giving Ronin a hug. At that, Storm turned around and held his hand above his head, walking toward the forest.

“I won’t forget the wine,” Storm called out. “Maybe you’ll even let us try it when we get back. Now, c’mon, Caim, we’re running late as usual.” He came to a stop before the dark trees of Neverend and looked up. In his youth, he would have been terrified to enter the forest at night, but not anymore. He was older now, stronger. Yet deep within, he felt a faint sense of danger lurking within it, and for some reason, every part of his body was telling him not to enter. He stepped forward, brushing away his fears.

Ronin watched Caim turn and run after Storm. “You sure you boys don’t want to eat something before you set off? It might be best to start on a full stomach, and maybe even better, in the morning?”

Caim came to an immediate stop in his tracks. “Food?”

“Oh, now that was a low blow,” Storm twisted around, facing his brother.

Caim reached down to touch his stomach and felt rumbling. He raised his fingers and started counting. “I can’t even count how many shades it’s been since we last ate,” Caim said, looking up in angst.

Storm rolled his eyes. “It hasn’t even been a whole day,” he said, trying not to laugh. “I’m sure you’ll survive. Besides, think of all the great food we’ll find in Neverend along the way.”

Caim looked at Storm incredulously. “Do you know how many meals I normally eat before it gets dark?” He placed both hands on his belly, and this time, all of them heard his stomach grumble.

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“Yeah, yeah, we know. Look, you can stay and eat if you want, but I’m going. I’ll find something to eat along the way. Probably a giant raelic, and I’ll roast it over a nice fire with a view of the Great Tree. Yeah, that sounds really good.”

Ronin shook his head. “I guess two can play at that game.”

Caim looked at Ronin with defeated eyes. There was nothing he could do. Roasted raelic was his favorite meal. Ronin sighed, giving in, and nodded him on. He watched Caim turn and walk up to Storm, who was standing beneath the first canopy of trees.

“We better find something soon. I’m super hungry,” Caim said. He came to a stop in front of his brother and met his eyes. “Storm,” he said, carefully. “You should say something to him. Even though you were faking it in Inner Depths, I think you went a little far . . . and you always give him a hard time about not being our grandpa, but he is, and you know it. At least, he’s the only family we actually have. In the whole wide universe.”

Storm met Caim’s eyes. Deep within, Storm was fighting with his own pride. He clenched his jaw, trying to find something to say. Anything would have been better than nothing. But he could not find the words. Sometimes, pride can be the most troublesome of things.

Storm finally looked back at their grandfather. There he was, standing on the very edge of the cliff, his black cloak whipping about in the wind. For a little passing of time, the three only stood there. As he watched their old man, Storm began to feel the gratitude of having Ronin in their lives, and what he had done for them.

“Don’t be gone too long,” Ronin called out. “Else I won’t have anyone to keep me sharp.”

An overwhelming feeling of accomplishment came over Ronin as he looked at his two grandsons. It was their time. Before he knew it, they had reached the end of their adolescence. Although they still had much to learn, he knew that their new teacher would be life herself. He could not match her, and he smiled as his thoughts settled peacefully. There were many things he wanted to say, but he merely raised his hand in farewell.

“Swift returns!” Caim called out, then turned and made for the forest.

“Oi!” Ronin called out suddenly. “I nearly forgot! Catch!!”

Caim turned to see something shiny spinning through the air and caught it. He looked down to find a vibrant emerald gem sparkling up at him. He held it up to his eyes in curiosity. Within the stone were swirls of energy, much akin to the ever-changing patterns of the wind. It was cold to the touch, and he couldn’t hold it for very long without switching hands.

“What’s that?” Storm asked, trying to get a better look.

“Whoa, what is this thing?” Caim asked. “It looks alive.”

Ronin’s voice was carried on the wind. “That’s your gift for passing your final training. It’s called a Binding Stone, given to me by an old friend of mine, an alchemist by the name of Galileo. If you ever run across her, be sure to let her know you’re my grandsons. But don’t ask me how it works, though. Apparently, it has some very interesting uses, if you can figure out what they are.” Ronin laughed.

“This little stone you don’t even know how to use is the gift for cycles of our pain and suffering?” Storm said. “Doesn’t look like much to me.”

Ronin chuckled. “No. That gift you gave yourselves. This is just something extra I wanted you to have.” Storm smiled back at his old man. “It must really be something special then.” He then bowed his head as deeply as possible. A sign of thanks to his first master, their grandfather. “Thanks for everything, old man.”

Caim quickly followed suit, bowing as well.

A thin smile was hidden beneath Ronin’s beard. “You would do well not to lose it.”

Caim suddenly felt the gem disappear from his grasp.

“I’ll hold onto it then,” said Storm. “You would definitely lose it.” He slid it into the pocket of his black jacket. At that, Storm walked towards the forest. “You’ll thank me later.”

“I would not lose it!” Caim cried out. “Don’t ignore me! Storm! Oi! Oi!!”

“Your pocket has a hole in it!” Storm shouted back over his shoulder.

“How would you know?” Caim muttered. Reaching into his first pocket, he was surprised to find a hole the size of a skipping stone. Caim looked up suspiciously. “How’d you know that!? Don’t tell me you got another new power!? Na, Storm! Oi!!! How do you keep getting all these new powers!?”

Ronin watched them proudly. It was a certain feeling that only a parent could ever really understand. After all the cycles of what had sometimes felt like torture raising the two of them, the time had finally come for Caim and Storm to embark out into the world of Soria.

Storm raised his fist as he passed into Neverend. “Swift returns, old man! Don’t die of old age before we get back, else we’ll just be making fun of you all the way to the spirit realm!”

A vein twitched in Ronin’s forehead, but he simply shook his head. “Little bastard.”

Upon walking into Neverend, Storm felt a strange feeling and stopped. Feeling the sudden urge to look back, he turned to face Ronin. Just beyond their grandfather and past the Edge that they knew so well, his eyes fell on the little island that he had spent his entire life growing up on. The dark wooden cabin was still beneath the starlight, and little traces of smoke were rising from the chimney.

Feeling a bit nervous for the first time, Storm wondered if spending the night and leaving in the morning might be better. For some reason that he couldn’t place, Storm felt something tugging at him from the cabin, telling him to stay. Was it a premonition? Or was it merely a subconscious fear that rested within setting off on his own? Storm closed his eyes, trying to discern the seed of the feeling.

No, he thought. I made this choice. I won’t turn back now. I’ll see it through. We’ll eat a grand dinner after we get back. Storm’s eyes opened, and he smiled widely. As champions of the tournament!

“Oi,” said Caim, staring blankly at Storm. “What are you smiling like that for? It’s weird.”

“Nothing,” said Storm, and after one last look at the cabin and their grandfather, he turned and began walking deeper into the forest. Caim waved one last time to Ronin before following.

“Bye, grandpa!!!” Caim yelled out at the top of his lungs. “We’ll be back before ya know it!”

Ronin watched as Storm’s slim figure disappeared into the shadows, with Caim following closely behind. He could feel their auras becoming more and more distant as the two brothers set out on their new adventure. Taking a deep breath, he pushed away all his worries, choosing instead to believe in the two of them.

After some time had passed, he turned and flash-stepped, appearing on the roof of their cabin. There he found his half-empty bottle of wine and the same cup he always drank from. Sitting down on the edge of the roof, he turned his gaze back to the forest, a small piece of him hoping that the two boys had forgotten something, and might walk back out at any moment.

Ronin laughed quietly. “You’ve really changed,” he said to himself. “They’ve changed you, haven’t they? You fought it, but in the end, they won. And it would seem,” he faintly smiled. “For the better.”

With a subtle flick of his thumb, he popped the cork and poured the ruby-colored wine. The sweet scent of azalia berries filled his nostrils, and he drained half the cup in one swig. His chest grew warm, and a sense of accomplishment swept throughout him.

Yet nearly as quickly as the good thoughts came, the bad followed. Ronin soon began to feel saddened by the thought of time slipping away so easily. Before he knew it, they were gone. The sixteen cycles had flown by in the blink of an eye. His soul found little comfort in watching the far-off trees of Neverend, swaying together in an almost hypnotic dance. He felt the flow of time move through him like wind through the grass.

After a long while, he looked up at the moons and realized that he had completely lost track of time. Closing his eyes, he reached out, seeking the auras of Caim and Storm. Reaching deeper and deeper into the forest, past dozens of hidden creatures and trees and spirits, he finally found them. They were making good time, and Caim’s flustered aura suggested he was still upset about not being able to hold the stone. Ronin couldn’t help but smile as he imagined the two brothers bickering through the forest in the dark. It was a place that most wouldn’t enter in the day, let alone tread through at night.

Turning his sight unexpectedly to the northwest, he could faintly see the distant lights of Risia, home to those of royal blood and nobility. It was magnificent to see under the dark of night, with thousands of tiny lights lighting up its world like a mist of celestial fires. The second floating nation of Soria, a place he would never return to in all the rest of his days.

“Tena,” he said quietly, staring off at the light of the Empress’s castle. “The sorrow of being immortal is that it makes death that much harder to cope with. I have memories of you, the last remnants of your existence.” Ronin took a soft drink of his wine. “And I cherish them more than my own soul.”

Far away, in the center of Risia, and rising high into the night like a spear of light, was the glimmering castle of a thousand colors. Despite it being so far away, his memories allowed him to see it clearly. He took in the picture within his mind, remembering the forbidden touch of its stone walls, and the face of a beautiful girl whose smile was like sunlight after the rain. The voices of Caim and Storm were distant alongside it, as if traveling and echoing across time to reach him. He could vaguely hear their many questions concerning the lands of Risia and the Empress, questions that they had overwhelmed him with throughout their entire childhood.

A cold wind suddenly swept past him, awakening him from his thoughts. Without thinking, and in a voice so light it was carried by that very wind, he spoke.

“Your destiny has come upon you, my boys. And soon, all your questions will be answered.”