Elliot’s eyes scanned the opening pages, his brow furrowing as he absorbed the words. The book began with a vivid recounting of the gods’ war, their fall, and the birth of Essentia as humanity’s lifeline. The prophecy about the return of eternal darkness sent a shiver down his spine, and he paused to glance at Towan, still soundly asleep.

"Chosen ones, Corruption..." Elliot whispered to himself, his fingers tracing the faintly embossed text. The idea of an energy so malevolent it could twist even the purest beings into monsters left a knot in his stomach.

The rise of Essentia Warriors intrigued him even more. The book described them as humanity’s greatest hope, their mastery of Essentia a beacon in the shadow of chaos. The vivid accounts of elemental nations, each thriving under their unique bond with Essentia, painted a world both fascinating and foreboding.

But then he reached the parts about Natural Essentia and Vital Essentia. His grip on the book tightened.

“So there were others,” Elliot murmured, reading about Eryndar, the legendary master of Natural Essentia, and the mysterious warrior who defeated him. He felt a pang of unease as he read on, his thoughts swirling.

And then came the mention of Vital Essentia. Its description—a power so consuming it could drain a user’s life force in exchange for overwhelming strength—made Elliot’s heartbeat quicken.

“Who would even dare to use something like this?” he muttered, yet the allure of such power was undeniable.

When he reached the final lines of the chapter, detailing the thousand-year prophecy and the impending return of darkness, Elliot closed the book, exhaling deeply. He stared into the dim embers of the fire, his mind racing.

“This isn’t just history,” he thought aloud. “This… feels like a warning. Like it’s speaking to us.”

For a moment, he considered waking Towan but decided against it. Instead, he placed the book carefully back into his bag.

As he lay back and closed his eyes, Elliot couldn’t shake the feeling that finding the book wasn’t a coincidence. The pieces of the prophecy seemed to echo in his mind, aligning too closely with the challenges they were already facing.

“Maybe we’re part of this story now,” he whispered, staring at the dark sky above. The stars seemed to flicker in agreement, as if they, too, held secrets waiting to be unveiled.

The next morning, they dismantled the tent and scattered the remnants of the campfire, ensuring no trace of their presence remained.

“How long do you think it’ll take us to get there?” Towan asked as they began walking.

“That depends on how fast we’re going,” Elliot replied, adjusting his backpack.

Towan smirked, mischief flashing in his eyes. “Wanna race? Last one there makes lunch!” Without waiting for an answer, he channeled his Essentia, a surge of energy rippling through him, and took off down the path.

“Hey! That’s cheating!” Elliot called after him, though a grin was already spreading across his face. In an instant, he focused his own Essentia, feeling its flow ignite within him. The rush of energy propelled him forward as he sprinted to close the gap.

Laughter and the thud of their footsteps filled the air as they raced through the wilderness, each pushing their Essentia to its limits in a playful burst of competition.

The morning sun filtered through the dense canopy of the forest as Towan sprinted ahead, the faint blue glow of his Essentia flickering around him like an aura. He dodged low-hanging branches with ease, his laughter echoing behind him.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

“Catch me if you can!” he shouted, glancing over his shoulder.

Elliot narrowed his eyes, channeling his own Essentia. A faint golden shimmer surrounded him as he dashed forward, leaping over a fallen log with effortless grace. “Don’t get too comfortable up there, Towan!” he called, his competitive spirit igniting.

The forest around them came alive as their race intensified. Towan’s quick, unpredictable movements wove through the trees, while Elliot relied on bursts of speed to close the gap. Birds scattered from the treetops, startled by the sudden commotion, and leaves swirled in their wake.

Towan darted left, finding a narrow path between a cluster of towering oaks. “Think you can keep up?” he teased, his voice carried by the wind.

“Easily,” Elliot shot back, veering to the right to take a shortcut through a dense patch of undergrowth. His Essentia pulsed, sharpening his senses as he leapt over a small stream and landed on the other side with a satisfied grin.

The forest began to thin as they neared the edge, the trees giving way to open hills bathed in golden sunlight. Towan was the first to emerge, but Elliot was right behind him, his determination unyielding.

“Almost there!” Towan shouted, his Essentia flaring as he poured his remaining energy into one final sprint.

Elliot, refusing to lose, matched his intensity. His muscles burned, but he pushed through, his strides growing longer and faster. “Not so fast!” he called out, his golden glow intensifying as he closed the distance.

The two reached the crest of a hill simultaneously, panting and laughing as they slowed to a stop. In the distance, the spires of the Essentia Academy rose against the sky, its walls shimmering faintly as if resonating with the very energy they had just channeled.

“Looks like it’s a tie,” Towan said between breaths, his hands on his knees.

Elliot grinned, wiping sweat from his brow. “Fine, we’ll both make lunch. Fair?”

Towan chuckled, standing upright to take in the view. “Fair. But next time, no shortcuts!”

“Only if you stop cheating by starting early,” Elliot retorted, their laughter echoing across the hills as they continued toward the academy, their spirits high from the friendly competition.

After hours of walking under the midday sun, the towering structure of the Essentia Academy finally came into view. Nestled atop a sprawling hill, the academy seemed to dominate the landscape, its grand design exuding an aura of authority and privilege.

The main building was an architectural marvel, a blend of ancient craftsmanship and modern ingenuity. Its high walls were etched with intricate carvings depicting the elements—flames roaring, winds swirling, waves crashing, and mountains rising. Tall spires reached toward the sky, their tips glinting in the sunlight as though resonating with Essentia itself. Surrounding the central structure were smaller buildings, interconnected by covered walkways and open courtyards alive with activity.

“This place sure is big, huh,” Towan remarked, his eyes wide as he took in the imposing sight.

“Big is an understatement,” Elliot replied, equally awestruck.

Towan frowned, lowering his voice. “Are you sure they’re going to let us study here? This looks like something for rich people.”

Elliot clutched the letter Eryndar had given them, its weight suddenly feeling heavier in his hand. “I hope they do…” he murmured, his gaze lingering on the academy’s gates.

The two brothers crossed the entrance, their footsteps echoing faintly against the polished stone path. Beyond the gates, they found themselves in a sprawling courtyard filled with life.

Training grounds stretched out on either side, bordered by tall, white-stone columns. Students of all ages and affinities sparred and practiced in groups, their movements precise and fluid. Bright bursts of fire, swirling gusts of wind, cascading streams of water, and jagged shards of rock filled the air as elemental Essentia users demonstrated their mastery. The sheer energy of the place was palpable, a symphony of power and discipline.

Towan stopped in his tracks, staring in awe. “So that’s elemental Essentia, huh?” he said, his voice tinged with amazement.

They had never seen it before; every fighter they’d encountered until now had been a user of natural Essentia. The sight of someone shaping flames with a single gesture or creating barriers of stone as effortlessly as breathing was both mesmerizing and intimidating.

“It’s just as Master described when we were younger,” Elliot said, watching intently. “The power output is incredible, but your flow has to match your element perfectly. Any misstep and…” He trailed off, letting the unspoken danger linger in the air.

“Well, most masters are elemental users, right?” Towan added, his tone thoughtful as he observed a group of students conjuring whirlwinds to deflect incoming projectiles.

“Yes, you’re right,” Elliot said, glancing at his brother with mild surprise. Towan wasn’t usually one for paying attention to technical details.

Their conversation was cut short as the distant sound of a gong echoed through the courtyard. The students paused, gathering their equipment and heading toward a massive central hall.

Elliot and Towan exchanged a look. “Guess that’s where we need to go,” Elliot said, gripping the letter tightly. Together, they stepped further into the academy, the reality of their new journey beginning to sink in.