The sharp knock on the door echoed through the quiet house, breaking the peaceful silence of the morning. It was a sound that would send most into a panic, but for Towan and Elliot, it was a different story. They were already attuned to the essence that flowed around them—no normal visitor could hide their presence from them. The familiar aura of their master was unmistakable, though it was different this time. Weaker, perhaps, but unmistakable nonetheless.
Towan stood first, glancing at Elliot with a knowing look before he moved toward the door. Without hesitation, he pulled it open.
Standing in the doorway was Eryndar, his usual presence somewhat diminished. His posture was a little slouched, his movements more measured and fatigued. Despite the weariness that clung to him, his sharp eyes still gleamed with purpose, his essence flowing around him like a faint but steady aura. It was clear that the battle had taken its toll on him.
"Master Eryndar!" Elliot exclaimed, his voice a mix of concern and relief. He had sensed his master’s presence but still hadn’t expected to see him so soon, or in such a state.
“How are you, Master Eryndar?” Elliot asked, stepping forward. His voice held genuine worry. Having witnessed the intensity of the fight, he knew how it must have felt for someone as strong as Eryndar to face an opponent he couldn’t overcome, even for a moment. It had to have been a hard blow, not just physically, but mentally, too.
Eryndar offered a tired smile, though there was something restrained in his eyes. He had never been one to admit weakness, but the weight of his exhaustion was clear. “I’m fine, Elliot. Thanks for asking,” he replied, though his voice carried a hint of the burden he was carrying. “It’s just… been a long battle. But I’m alive, and that’s what matters.”
He stepped into the room, lowering his head slightly as he entered, and Towan stepped aside to let him in. “Are you two alright?” Eryndar asked, his eyes flicking to Towan, then back to Elliot, as if checking for any signs of injury. His gaze lingered for a moment longer on Elliot, who had fought alongside him in the past, sharing the same risks and burdens. “I trust you’ve kept up with your training?”
Towan grinned, his usual bravado returning in full force. “We’re pretty fine,” he said confidently, his posture relaxed. “Lytharos and Axel are in worse shape, though.” He thought back to the battle, the last moments where Axel and Lytharos had fought valiantly but had been pushed to their limits. They’d both been knocked out during the chaos of Dravan’s assault, and Towan could still feel the weight of the fight pressing on his chest.
Eryndar’s expression darkened briefly, the concern for his companions evident in his eyes. “I know…” he murmured. “The fight with Caleis and Dravan took a lot out of all of us. But I couldn’t risk letting them cause any more damage. We have to move past this and focus on the bigger picture.”
Elliot frowned, stepping closer to his master. “Is there something you’re not telling us? About what happened during the fight?”
Eryndar’s gaze hardened for a moment, as though deciding how much he should share. Then, with a deep breath, he continued. “The battle wasn’t just about strength—it was about something more... They were after something, something they planned to use to their advantage. The corrupted essence that they were harvesting—it was no accident.” He paused, gathering his thoughts. “They’re planning something bigger, something we’re not prepared for. And we need to be ready.”
Towan crossed his arms, his expression serious now. “What do we need to do, Master?” he asked. There was no hesitation in his voice. They had been training for this moment for years, but it felt like they were finally getting a glimpse of what lay ahead—something darker and more dangerous than they could have ever imagined.
Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.
Eryndar looked at them both, his eyes softening as he considered their readiness. “We’ll need to move quickly. There are others out there—fighters who aren’t corrupted yet, but they will be if we don’t stop them. This fight... it’s far from over.”
Towan and Elliot nodded in unison, the weight of his words settling into their minds. It was clear now that the battle wasn’t just about them or their master. It was something larger, something that would require every ounce of strength they had.
“We’ll be ready,” Elliot said firmly, his resolve solidifying.
Eryndar gave them a small but approving smile. “Good. We’ll start training again, but this time, we’ll focus on more than just strength. We’ll need strategy, precision... and most of all, we’ll need each other.”
Towan glanced at Elliot, then back at Eryndar. "We’ve got this, Master."
With that, the trio prepared themselves for the next stage of their journey, ready to face whatever came next with unwavering determination.
“However, you will not continue training with me,” Eryndar said, his voice firm and unwavering. “Not with Rhys or Kade either.”
Towan’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “What? Why?” he asked, confusion clear in his voice.
“It’s time you delve deeper into the variations of essence,” Eryndar explained, his gaze settling on both of them with an intensity that made it clear this wasn’t up for debate. “You’ve both learned the basics, but there’s more to essence than just the basics.”
“Delve deeper?” Towan echoed, his expression a mix of skepticism and curiosity.
“Master told us about it, Towan. Have you forgotten?” Elliot said, his voice a little more patient, though still carrying the weight of the situation.
“Well…” Towan scratched the back of his head, still unsure about what exactly Eryndar meant.
“It’s a place where people go to learn about essence,” Eryndar continued, his tone softening slightly. “Though the main focus is elemental essence.” He paused for a moment, watching their reactions carefully before adding, “Don’t worry about the entrance; I’ll write a recommendation letter. That should be enough to get you in.”
“Academy?” Towan echoed again, the idea still not settling well with him. His discomfort was palpable, and the confusion remained in his voice.
“Master Eryndar, no offense, but do we really need to go there?” Towan asked, clearly skeptical. “We already know how to use essence, and we don’t need elemental essence. We don’t have the affinity for it.”
A silence filled the room, the weight of Towan’s words hanging in the air. Elliot was the first to break it. “I don’t always agree with Towan, but he’s right,” he said, his voice thoughtful but firm. “We’ve learned what we need to about essence, and we have a whole library of books at the dojo. I think we’re good on that front.”
Eryndar sighed, his expression turning more serious, the lines of his face tightening. “I’m sorry, but your master asked me to help you get in there,” he said, his voice dropping a notch, becoming more authoritative. “The cult is searching for a suitable vessel for the corrupted essence, and it’s likely they’ll look there for one. That’s what he told me.”
Towan’s eyes widened. The mention of his master, the one who had raised and trained them, was always enough to command his full attention. “Did you meet him?” Towan asked, his voice filled with awe and wonder. “I haven’t sensed his presence around the village since he left months ago.”
Eryndar’s eyes softened slightly, the weight of the moment pressing on him. He looked down for a moment before answering. “I searched for him,” he said quietly, almost as if recalling a difficult memory. “I needed to tell him what happened with Caleis and Dravan, and how things have shifted since then. Caleis—his body couldn’t handle all the corrupted essence much longer. That’s why he had to leave.”
The room seemed to quiet even more as the gravity of Eryndar’s words sank in. Towan and Elliot exchanged a look. The stakes were higher than they had ever imagined, and it was clear now that their journey was taking a different turn—one they were not fully prepared for, but one they had no choice but to face.
“We’ll go,” Elliot said finally, his voice calm but resolute. “We trust you, Master Eryndar.”
Towan hesitated but then nodded slowly. “Yeah, we’ll go. But I still don’t like the idea,” he muttered, a hint of his usual defiance in his tone.
Eryndar gave them a small, approving smile. “I know. But sometimes, we have to take the path that doesn’t make sense right away. It’s the only way to prepare for what’s to come.”
The mention of the cult and the corrupted essence looming over them like a dark cloud made it all too clear: their next steps would shape the course of everything to come. And whether they were ready or not, the academy would be the next chapter in their fight against the darkness.