The warm light of the morning sun bathed the village square as people gathered to bid farewell to Samson and the young heroes. The air buzzed with murmurs of awe and disbelief as villagers exchanged whispers, their eyes fixed on the departing group.

"They killed two trolls?" a man whispered. "And they're just kids?"

"Most of the knights were injured, and some didn't make it…" another added, shaking her head. "But those boys… they're something else."

The village chief approached the group, his expression solemn but filled with gratitude. He bowed deeply, his voice carrying the weight of the village's appreciation.

"I humbly thank you for protecting our village," the chief said, his gaze earnest as he met Samson's eyes. "The damage and losses we've suffered from those maniacs… it will take time to rebuild. But thanks to you, we can begin anew."

Samson nodded, his face impassive but respectful. "Send the man who controlled the trolls to the Kingdom of Camelot. It's not safe to keep someone like him here, especially in a simple prison. Mana users like him are too dangerous."

The chief straightened, nodding firmly. "I've already sent a request to Camelot. Their knights should arrive shortly to escort him. And…" He gestured to a nearby villager holding a chest. "This is your reward for protecting our village. Please, take it as a token of our gratitude. Feel free to visit us anytime. You're always welcome here."

Samson turned to look at the boys—Artreus, Mikael, and Aidan. They stood a few steps behind him, their injuries bandaged but their spirits unbowed. Despite their youth, the fire in their eyes hinted at the strength they had yet to fully realize.

The chief's voice softened as he looked at the boys. "Those kids of yours… they're not ordinary. I've never seen anything like them."

Samson's lips curled into a faint, knowing smile as he regarded his disciples. "They are not ordinary," he agreed. "They are the new saviors of this world."The villagers watched as the group departed, their figures growing smaller as they walked toward the horizon.

The forest was alive with the sounds of clashing steel and the rhythmic crunch of boots on soft earth. A slight breeze rustled the leaves above as Artreus and Aidan circled each other in a clearing, their swords drawn, their gazes locked in an unspoken challenge.

Artreus stretched his shoulders, rolling his neck as he readied himself. His black sword, now infused with his growing mastery of lightning mana, crackled faintly, sparks dancing along the blade. He smirked, confidence etched across his face. "Ready, Aidan? This time, I'm strong enough to take you down."

Aidan's lips curled into a smirk, his sword glinting in the soft sunlight. "Don't fool yourself, shithead. Your tricks won't work on me. I'm faster, stronger, and better in every way that matters." He crouched slightly, his blade poised like an extension of his body. "Come at me."With a burst of energy, both boys charged. Their blades clashed, the sharp sound reverberating through the clearing. Sparks flew as Artreus's mana met Aidan's precise strikes, the air crackling with the force of their blows.

MONTAGE SEQUENCE: Training and Adventures (Ages 9–12)Time flowed like a rushing river, carrying the three young warriors across landscapes and battles that honed their skills and shaped their bond.

In the Depths of the Forest:Artreus, Aidan, and Mikael faced a massive woodland creature towering over the treetops. Its roars shook the ground as it swung enormous wooden fists. Artreus's attacks were clumsy but powerful, each swing of his sword driven by sheer determination. Aidan moved with razor-sharp precision, his strikes aimed at weak points, while Mikael's shadow magic allowed him to dart in and out of the creature's blind spots. When the beast collapsed, taking Aidan with it, Artreus lunged forward, grabbing his wrist. "I've got you!" he yelled, his grip unyielding. With Mikael's shadows reinforcing the hold, they pulled Aidan back to safety, their bond deepened by the shared struggle.

Training Across the World:Samson's grueling regime pushed them beyond their limits. Meditating beneath the crashing force of a giant waterfall, carrying massive wooden logs up treacherous mountain paths, and learning to refine their unique techniques became their daily reality. Artreus channeled his lightning mana into precise, crackling strikes, Aidan earned a katana forged in Japan as a reward from a shogun, and Mikael perfected his shadow magic, creating spectral blades that struck like vipers.

Battles in the Dark Swamp Woods:Mikael faced a swarm of flying creatures, his short swords slicing through the air. Using his shadows, he summoned a barrage of ethereal blades, which shot through the darkness like comets, each strike finding its target. "Stay still, you ugly beasts!" he muttered, his grin sharp despite the chaos.

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Present Day: The Final DuelBack in the forest clearing, Artreus and Aidan, now twelve years old, fought with the skill and precision of seasoned warriors. Their swords collided with thunderous force, each strike showcasing how far they'd come since their days of stumbling through Samson's training.

Artreus darted forward, his blade crackling with mana. His strikes were sharper, faster, each one carrying the weight of countless hours of practice. But Aidan remained a step ahead, his katana a blur as he countered each blow with ease.

"Is that all you've got?" Aidan taunted, sidestepping a particularly fierce strike.

Artreus growled, tightening his grip. "You're not winning this time, Aidan!"

The duel raged on, neither boy willing to back down. Mikael watched from the sidelines, his arms crossed, a smirk playing on his lips. He casually flipped a short sword into the air, catching it with practiced ease.

"You two are always fighting," Mikael said with a chuckle. "Meanwhile, I'm over here perfecting my aim. You should give it a try sometime."

Finally, with a final clash, their swords locked, the boys panting heavily. Sweat dripped down their faces, their breaths coming in ragged gasps.

"That's enough!" Samson's voice cut through the air, sharp and commanding.The boys separated, their swords lowering as they exchanged a look—a look of mutual respect, of brotherhood forged through battle.

After the DuelAs they regrouped, Mikael grinned, tossing a short sword into a nearby tree with perfect precision. "Man, that was intense. But I'd still say I'm the most versatile fighter here."

Artreus shot him a playful glare. "Yeah? Try saying that when I'm aiming my lightning at you."

Aidan sheathed his katana with a flourish, his expression unreadable. "Talk less, train more."

Samson shook his head, his stern expression softening slightly as he watched his disciples. "Come on, boys. Enough with the banter. There's a village nearby. How about I treat you all to dinner? We've earned it."

Mikael's eyes lit up. "Dinner? Oh man, I'm starving!"Artreus smirked. "Just don't hog all the food this time."As they set off, their laughter echoed through the forest.

The tavern in Fernwood Village buzzed with life, the warm glow of lanterns spilling out through its windows and casting inviting light onto the cobblestone streets. Inside, laughter, music, and the clinking of mugs filled the air, creating an atmosphere of carefree cheer. For once, the weight of training, battles, and looming threats was forgotten. Tonight was a night to relax.

At the center of it all sat Samson, surrounded by a group of rowdy drunkards. His laughter boomed louder than the tavern music, his cheeks rosy from the countless mugs of beer he'd already downed.

"Oh weee... another round!" Samson declared, slamming his empty mug down on the wooden table. His loud demand was met with a cheer from the patrons around him, and the bartender quickly hustled over to refill his drink.

Across the room, the boys were seated at their own table, their plates piled high with roasted meats, fresh bread, and steaming potatoes. They ate heartily, their spirits high after days of grueling training and adventures.

Near their table, a small crowd had gathered around Artreus, who was locked in an arm-wrestling match with a large, muscular villager. The stranger grunted, his arm trembling as he tried to push against Artreus's strength.

"You're strong for a kid... but no way you're beating me!" the villager growled, his teeth clenched as sweat dripped from his brow.

Artreus grinned, his confidence unshaken. "Oh, please... I'm not even using my full strength yet! Come on, what'cha got?!"

With a final burst of effort, Artreus slammed the man's arm down onto the table with a resounding thud, drawing gasps and cheers from the onlookers.

"Hahaha! I'm the strongest around here! Who's next?!" Artreus declared, leaping to his feet and raising his fists in triumph. His voice rang out over the cheers, his youthful pride shining through. "You people keep underestimating the strength of Reigns! Hahaha!"

The crowd erupted into laughter and applause, some clapping Artreus on the back, others throwing coins into a growing pile of bets.

At their table, Aidan watched the spectacle with a neutral expression, sipping from a mug of water. But a faint smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth as he watched Artreus bask in the spotlight.

Meanwhile, Mikael leaned forward, his eyes gleaming mischievously. "Let me handle this one, people. We've trained together, after all. Place your bets on me! Hehe."

Artreus turned to Mikael, raising an eyebrow. "You dare to challenge me? My own brother?"

Mikael leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms with an easy grin. "Well, brother, I'm about to wipe that smug grin off your face."

Artreus laughed, shaking his head. "Alright, let's do this. But no hard feelings, yeah? I'm gonna humiliate you in front of everyone here."

The crowd roared with anticipation as Artreus and Mikael locked hands over the table. The wooden surface creaked under the combined weight of their strength as they each prepared for battle.

"Ready?" Mikael asked, his grin never fading."Always," Artreus replied, his tone serious despite the playful rivalry.

The match began, their arms straining as they pushed against each other with everything they had.

The crowd's cheers grew louder with every second, the excitement reaching a fever pitch.

"Come on, Mikael! Show him what you've got!""No way! Artreus is unbeatable!"

Samson, seated across the room, watched the boys with a fond smile. The sight of his disciples laughing, competing, and enjoying themselves warmed something deep in his usually stern heart.