The morning sun painted the Elderwood training grounds in warm hues, but Kael hardly noticed. His focus was razor-sharp as he worked through his drills, sweat dripping from his brow and muscles burning with exertion. Each swing of his sword, every channeling of energy, had to be perfect. He had no room for error anymore.
Thalorn watched from a distance, his arms crossed over his chest. The elf’s sharp eyes missed nothing, every movement of Kael’s form analyzed with the precision of a master.
“Kael,” Thalorn called, his voice steady but commanding.
Kael halted mid-swing, his chest heaving as he turned to face his mentor. “What is it?”
Thalorn stepped forward, his presence calm yet imposing. “You’ve made remarkable progress, but strength alone won’t see you through what’s coming. You need to test yourself against forces beyond what I can offer here.”
Kael wiped his brow, his grip on his sword tightening. “I thought that’s what this training was for.”
Thalorn nodded. “It is, but there are limits to what sparring can teach. You’ve grown comfortable here, Kael. It’s time to face the unknown.”
Kael frowned, his gaze drifting to the forest surrounding them. “What do you have in mind?”
Thalorn raised his staff, the ground beneath them rumbling faintly as the air shimmered. “Beyond Elderwood lies a place we call the Abyssal Hollow. It’s a pocket realm, a fracture in reality where the boundaries of this world blur with others. The creatures there are relentless, and the environment itself is a test of will and ingenuity.”
Kael felt a chill run down his spine. He’d heard whispers of the Abyssal Hollow from the other warriors in Elderwood—a place where even the bravest hesitated to tread.
“You’re sending me there?” Kael asked, his voice steady but laced with uncertainty.
Thalorn’s expression softened slightly. “I’m not sending you anywhere. This is your choice. But if you wish to grow stronger, to truly understand your abilities, there’s no better place.”
Kael hesitated, his mind racing. The thought of stepping into the Abyssal Hollow was daunting, but the memory of Lyra’s death and his fragmented past spurred him on. He couldn’t afford to stay stagnant.
“I’ll go,” Kael said, his voice firm. “When do I leave?”
Thalorn smiled faintly, a glimmer of pride in his eyes. “At dawn. Rest tonight and prepare yourself. The Hollow will test you in ways you cannot imagine.”
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As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting Elderwood in a blanket of twilight, Kael sat alone near the edge of the forest. The soft rustling of leaves and the distant call of nocturnal creatures filled the air, but his thoughts were elsewhere.
Aelira approached quietly, her footsteps barely audible. She carried a small bundle wrapped in cloth, her expression unreadable.
“You’re leaving tomorrow,” she said, sitting beside him.
Kael nodded, his gaze fixed on the horizon. “Yeah. Thalorn thinks it’s the next step.”
Aelira unwrapped the bundle, revealing a finely crafted dagger with intricate runes etched into the blade. She held it out to him.
“Take this,” she said. “It’s not much, but it might save your life.”
Kael took the dagger, running his fingers over the runes. “Thank you.”
Aelira hesitated, her usual confident demeanor giving way to something more vulnerable. “The Abyssal Hollow... it’s not just dangerous. It’s—” She stopped herself, shaking her head. “Just promise me you’ll be careful.”
Kael turned to her, a small smile tugging at his lips. “I promise.”
The dawn came too quickly, the golden light piercing through the trees as Kael stood at the forest’s edge. Thalorn and Aelira were there, along with a few other warriors who had come to see him off.
Thalorn placed a hand on Kael’s shoulder, his expression solemn. “Remember, Kael. The Abyssal Hollow will challenge not just your strength, but your resolve. Trust in yourself and your abilities. You have everything you need to succeed.”
Kael nodded, gripping the hilt of his sword. “I won’t let you down.”
With that, he stepped forward, the air around him growing colder as he approached a swirling portal that shimmered with an otherworldly light. The Abyssal Hollow awaited.
The transition was jarring. One moment, Kael was in the familiar embrace of Elderwood, and the next, he was plunged into a realm of chaos. The sky above was a swirling mass of dark clouds, punctuated by jagged streaks of crimson lightning. The ground beneath his feet was uneven and fractured, glowing faintly with an eerie green light.
The air was thick and oppressive, every breath a struggle. Kael tightened his grip on his sword, his senses on high alert.
A low growl echoed through the hollow, sending a shiver down his spine. From the shadows emerged a creature unlike anything he’d ever seen—a massive beast with obsidian scales, glowing red eyes, and claws that looked like they could tear through steel.
Kael’s heart raced, but he steadied himself, his golden aura flaring to life. He pointed his sword at the beast, his voice firm. “Come on, then.”
The creature charged, its movements swift and deadly. Kael met it head-on, his blade clashing against its claws in a shower of sparks. The impact sent a shockwave through the air, but Kael held his ground.
“Temporal Rift!” he shouted, time around him slowing as he sidestepped the creature’s attack and delivered a powerful strike to its side.
The beast roared in pain, its tail whipping around and catching Kael off guard. He was sent sprawling, the wind knocked out of him as he hit the ground.
Gritting his teeth, Kael forced himself to his feet, his aura flaring brighter. “You’ll have to do better than that.”
The battle raged on, each clash pushing Kael to his limits. But with every strike, every maneuver, he felt himself growing stronger. The Abyssal Hollow was a crucible, and he was determined to emerge from it forged anew.
As the beast finally fell, its massive form collapsing in a heap, Kael stood over it, his chest heaving and his sword glowing with triumph.
This was just the beginning. The Hollow had more to throw at him, and Kael was ready.