After the disorienting events of the temple, Kael, Jin, and Tarek found themselves in the village, the lingering tension slowly fading from their minds. The sun was low on the horizon, casting long shadows over the simple wooden huts and cobblestone paths that lined the village. The trio made their way through the village square, their eyes sweeping over the lively bustle of people preparing for the night ahead.

Kael felt the weight of the day pressing down on him, but something in the air told him their journey was far from over. As they passed by a group of traders loading their wagons, Jin glanced at Tarek.

"So... we're heading to the academy tomorrow, right?" Jin asked, a slight edge of nervous excitement in his voice. He paused and glanced at her. "You know, you're not going to say goodbye to your family or anything?"

Tarek's face tightened, and she glanced away for a moment, her gaze hardening. When she spoke, her tone was cold, laced with sadness. "They're not my family," she said bluntly, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Only my father was my family. The people I live with… they're nothing to me."

Jin's eyes widened at her words, clearly caught off guard by the iciness in her voice. Kael, on the other hand, felt a quiet understanding. He knew loss, even if his memories of it were foggy. He said nothing, letting Tarek have her moment, but the weight of her words hung heavily in the air between them.

"Sorry," Jin muttered awkwardly, clearly unsure of what else to say. "I didn't know…"

Tarek shook her head. "It doesn't matter. Let's focus on what's ahead."

The next two days passed quietly on the island. They spent their time preparing for their departure to the academy, each of them lost in their own thoughts about what lay ahead. The island itself was a place of quiet beauty, but also of hidden sadness.

There were four major villages on the island, each one distinct from the other. One of them was Kael's home, now reduced to ashes and rubble, a place that no longer existed except in his memories. Another village was where Kael had first met Jin, a lively place filled with people who had no idea how much the world outside was changing.

The third village was the one they found themselves in now, a bustling trading hub with strong ties to the mainland. It was here that they were staying, waiting for the ships to be ready to take them to the academy.

The fourth village was smaller, but perhaps the most important. Its leader, the village chief, was a powerful figure on the island. His son, who had recently been admitted to the academy, was the reason five massive ships were docked at the island's harbor. The ships, sleek and armored, were clearly built for more than just transportation. They were signs of the island's desire to strengthen its defenses in light of the destruction that had befallen Kael's village.

The island was changing, adapting to the sudden shift in power and security that had come with the devastation Kael had unknowingly caused. Every village was fortifying its defenses, bracing for whatever came next. The destruction of Kael's village had sparked something—a wave of fear and readiness that gripped the entire island.

On the morning of their departure, Kael, Jin, and Tarek made their way to the harbor. The towering ships loomed ahead, their dark hulls reflecting the morning light as the crew prepared them for departure. The trio approached one of the vessels, ready to board, when a voice called out from behind them.

"Tarek!"

They turned to see a woman standing at the edge of the village, her eyes fixed on Tarek. She was tall, her expression a mixture of anger and concern.

The woman's eyes brightened, her smile widening as she looked at Tarek. "I'm not stopping you," she repeated warmly. "Just go in the other ship—that small one right there. It's for you. Safe travels."

Tarek stiffened, her face turning cold once more. "You're not my mother," she said flatly. "You have no right to stop me."

The woman's expression faltered for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure. A creepy smile crossed her face, as she couldn't wait for Tarek to leave. "Go on whichever ship you prefer—just go."

"I'll go in whichever ship I prefer." Tarek cut her off, her voice sharp and unyielding.

The woman opened her mouth to respond, but before she could say anything, another voice interrupted.

"Is there a problem here?"

The chief of the fourth village approached them, his presence commanding. He was a tall man with graying hair and sharp eyes, dressed in simple but dignified robes. The woman fell silent immediately, stepping back as he addressed Kael.

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The chief's gaze lingered on Kael for a moment, and then his eyes widened slightly in recognition. "You…" he murmured. "You're Siddhartha's boy, aren't you?"

Kael blinked, taken aback by the mention of his uncle. "You knew him?"

The chief nodded slowly, a hint of sadness in his eyes. "Yes. Your uncle Jiro and I were… friends, once. He always had a way of getting himself into trouble, you know? He could charm anyone into lending him a hand, but then he'd end up leading them on some wild adventure. And Sid—well, he always supported Jiro's antics, no matter how reckless they were."

Kael felt a strange mixture of emotions at the chief's words—pride, sorrow, and a lingering sense of loss. He wasn't sure what to say, so he remained silent.

The chief sighed, his gaze softening. "I see the resemblance. Your father and I never saw eye to eye, but Jiro… he was a good man. I'm sorry for what happened to your village, boy. Truly."

Kael swallowed hard, nodding. "Thank you."

The chief's gaze shifted to the ship. "You're heading to the academy, I take it?"

"Yes," Kael replied. "We all are."

The chief considered this for a moment, then nodded. "Very well. You'll be traveling with my son. He's already on board." He glanced at the woman who had confronted Tarek. "Let them go," he said firmly. "They're heading out on their own path now."

The woman nodded reluctantly, stepping aside. The chief turned back to Kael, his expression serious. "I can't join you myself. There's too much work to be done here. Every village is preparing—fortifying their defenses after what happened to your home. But my people will make sure you reach the academy safely."

Kael nodded, grateful. "Thank you, sir."

The chief gave a small, grim smile. "Good luck, Kael. You'll need it."

Kael, Jin, and Tarek approached the ship, the weight of the coming journey pulling at them with each step. The wooden deck stretched out before them, creaking softly in the breeze, its sturdy masts rising toward the sky. As they neared, the imposing figure of the chief's son came into view.

He was tall and powerfully built, with a lean, muscular frame that suggested years of combat training. His sharp eyes, the color of emeralds, scanned the trio with an unreadable expression. His dark green cloak, embroidered with silver threads, fluttered in the wind, revealing the finely crafted armor underneath. The armor was light but durable, made of flexible leather with steel plates guarding his chest and shoulders, allowing for both protection and mobility.

At his waist, a gleaming sword hung in a simple, worn scabbard. The hilt was intricately carved, the markings hinting at its history, a weapon passed down through generations. On his other hip, a dagger, shorter but just as deadly, rested in a similar sheath. Slung across his back was a bow of dark wood, its string taut, and a quiver of arrows was nestled beside it, each fletching meticulously crafted.

The chief's son radiated quiet confidence, an air of someone who had seen battles and lived to tell the tale. He stood with a disciplined posture, his weapons close but his demeanor suggesting he was in control of every situation he encountered.

Kael couldn't help but notice the sharp edge in the young man's gaze. He wasn't here for pleasantries, nor to make friends, but to complete his task—whatever it may be. The chief's son seemed like a person who wouldn't waste time on idle conversation.

Jin, ever the social one, approached him with a grin. "Hey, you're the chief's kid, right? Nice to meet you."

The young man's eyes flicked to Jin, his expression unreadable. "If you're trying to be friendly because of who my father is, don't bother," he said bluntly. "I'm not his son. Just a friend's kid."

Jin blinked, clearly surprised by the response. "Uh… okay. Got it."

Tarek, who had been silent, stepped forward and gave the young man a nod. "We're not looking for any favors. We just want to get to the academy."

The young man studied her for a moment, then nodded in return. "Good. Just grab a corner ".

As he turned away, Tarek rolled her eyes. "What a jerk."

Jin chuckled. "He really reminds me of someone, I can't remember who."

Tarek replied, crossing her arms. "What's his deal?"

"Probably just trying to act tough," Jin said with a laugh. " Maybe he just wants some peace and quiet."

"Peace and quiet? We're heading to the academy, not a library!" Tarek shot back, her irritation fading into a smirk. "If he thinks he can brush us off, he's got another thing coming."

"Give him some time you know maybe he'll open up," Jin said." NOW let's just hope nothing happens on our way to the academy."

Tarek nodded, her determination renewed. "Maybe something will come along the way"

Kael watched the exchange in silence, his mind still swirling with thoughts of the chief's words. Jiro had been his uncle, but the man's death felt distant—like something from a story, not his own life. But hearing the chief speak of him brought it all rushing back.

He clenched his fists, determined to keep moving forward. Whatever lay ahead, he had to face it.

As the ship began to pull away from the harbor, the island slowly receding into the distance, Kael stood at the railing, watching the waves crash against the hull. The wind tugged at his hair, and for a moment, he let himself feel the weight of everything that had happened.

Jin and Tarek stood beside him, both lost in their own thoughts. The academy awaited them, and with it, the unknown challenges they would face. But for now, they had each other—and that was enough.

Or so Kael thought.

Far away, on a planet unknown to Kael and his companions, a shadowy figure scaled the jagged cliffs of a mountain. The landscape around him was harsh and alien, with twin moons casting an eerie glow over the dark surface. The mountain loomed tall, a treacherous and dangerous place, yet the figure moved with purpose, eyes set on something unseen above.

As it reached the summit, it paused, surveying the rugged landscape with a keen eye. The air around him crackled with a sense of authority, as if he carried secrets buried deep within the very stone of the mountain.

In the fading light, he appeared almost otherworldly, a man shrouded in mystery, his intentions unclear. Then, just as quickly as he had emerged, he vanished into the night, leaving behind an unsettling chill in the air.