Kael stumbled as he landed, his feet sinking into soft earth. The world around him blurred for a moment before snapping into sharp focus. He found himself standing in a lush valley, surrounded by rolling hills and distant mountains that pierced the sky like jagged teeth. The air was fresh, carrying the scent of wildflowers and the faint tang of something unfamiliar.

He glanced down at his hands, still tingling from Astraea’s strange magic. The energy blade he’d summoned was gone, dissipated in the transition. The weight of reality hit him like a hammer—he was no longer in the Elderwood.

“What is this place?” he muttered, his voice barely audible over the gentle rustling of the wind.

“You’re in the Dominion of Eryndral,” Astraea’s voice answered, though her presence was nowhere to be seen. Her words echoed in his mind, calm and authoritative. “A land on the brink of chaos, where fate and power intertwine. This is where your path begins.”

Kael turned in a slow circle, searching for any sign of her. “You could’ve warned me before throwing me here!”

Astraea’s laugh was soft but carried a knowing edge. “Where would the fun be in that? Besides, the lessons you’ve learned will serve you well. Now, focus. Your instincts will guide you.”

Kael clenched his fists, his frustration bubbling beneath the surface. “Yeah, great advice. Real helpful.”

There was no response. Astraea’s presence faded, leaving Kael alone in the strange new land. He exhaled sharply, forcing himself to take in his surroundings. The valley was quiet, but not unnervingly so. Birds chirped in the distance, and a stream gurgled nearby.

For a moment, Kael allowed himself to feel the peacefulness of the place. Then he remembered Thalorn’s words—the world beyond the Elderwood is vast, and it is not as you remember.

That thought sent a shiver down his spine.

Kael’s senses snapped to attention as he heard movement behind him. He turned sharply, his hand instinctively reaching for a weapon that wasn’t there.

A figure emerged from the trees—tall, cloaked, and heavily armed. The man’s face was obscured by a metal mask, and his armor gleamed faintly in the sunlight. Behind him, two more figures appeared, similarly clad.

“Well, well,” the lead figure said, his voice low and gravelly. “What do we have here? A lost traveler, wandering into our territory?”

Kael narrowed his eyes, his body tensing. “I’m not looking for trouble.”

The man laughed, a harsh sound that grated on Kael’s nerves. “Trouble? Oh, lad, you’re already in it. Hand over anything valuable, and we might let you walk away.”

Kael glanced down at his simple attire—there was nothing of value on him. But he knew better than to show weakness.

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“Not interested,” he said, his voice cold.

The man’s posture shifted, his hand resting on the hilt of a wicked-looking sword. “Wrong answer.”

Kael’s mind raced. He had no weapon, no immediate means of defense. But he wasn’t powerless. He closed his eyes briefly, reaching for the well of energy within him.

Focus. Balance. Trust your instincts.

The first attacker lunged, his sword gleaming as it arced toward Kael. In a split second, Kael sidestepped, his hand shooting out to grab the man’s wrist. Energy flared to life, crackling like lightning as it coursed through Kael’s veins.

“Reality Overhaul,” Kael murmured, his voice steady.

The sword dissolved into shimmering particles, leaving the man grasping at air. Kael twisted his arm, sending him crashing to the ground.

The other two attackers hesitated for a moment, clearly unnerved. Then they charged together, their movements coordinated.

Kael exhaled, his focus sharpening. He raised his hand, and the ground beneath the attackers warped. One stumbled as the terrain shifted, while the other managed to leap forward, his blade aimed at Kael’s chest.

Kael ducked, his foot sweeping out to trip the man. As he fell, Kael extended his hand again. “Conceptual Rewrite: Momentum Nullification.”

The attacker froze mid-air, his body suspended as if caught in invisible strings. Kael stepped forward, placing a hand on the man’s chest. “You should’ve walked away.”

He released the energy, sending the attacker flying backward into a tree.

The last man, seeing his comrades defeated, raised his hands in surrender. “Wait! I didn’t mean—”

Kael’s glare silenced him. “Go. Tell whoever sent you to leave me alone.”

The man nodded frantically and bolted, disappearing into the forest.

Kael stood there for a moment, his breathing heavy. His hands trembled slightly, though not from fear—it was the aftershock of using his powers. He’d grown stronger, but the effort still took its toll.

“Not bad,” a voice said behind him.

Kael spun, his energy flaring to life instinctively. A young woman stood there, her arms crossed and a bemused smile on her face. She wore leather armor and carried a bow slung over her shoulder. Her auburn hair was tied back, and her green eyes sparkled with curiosity.

“Who are you?” Kael demanded, his voice edged with caution.

The woman raised her hands in mock surrender. “Easy there, hero. I’m not here to fight. I was just passing by and saw your little scuffle. Impressive work.”

Kael didn’t lower his guard. “That doesn’t answer my question.”

The woman smirked. “Name’s Aelira. And you are?”

Kael hesitated. He wasn’t sure how much to reveal, but he also knew he needed allies. “Kael.”

“Well, Kael, you’ve made quite an entrance to Eryndral,” Aelira said, gesturing to the unconscious bodies around them. “Not many people can take out a squad of brigands on their own.”

“I didn’t have much of a choice,” Kael replied.

Aelira studied him for a moment, her expression softening. “You’re not from around here, are you?”

Kael shook his head. “No. And I don’t plan on staying long.”

Aelira raised an eyebrow. “You might want to reconsider. This land is dangerous for someone on their own. You’re strong, sure, but strength won’t save you from everything.”

Kael frowned, her words echoing Thalorn’s teachings. “What do you want?”

Aelira shrugged. “Just offering some advice. But if you’re looking for answers—or allies—you might want to head to the city of Vehrin. It’s not far from here.”

Kael considered her words, his gaze shifting toward the horizon. “Vehrin, huh?”

“Yeah,” Aelira said, turning to leave. “Think about it. You’ll need more than just brute force to survive here.”

With that, she disappeared into the trees, leaving Kael alone once more.

Kael looked down at his hands, the faint glow of his energy still lingering. He clenched his fists, determination burning in his eyes.

“Vehrin,” he repeated softly. “Let’s see what this world has in store.”