The Emberwood had swallowed Leon whole. For twelve grueling hours, he hacked and slashed his way through the dense undergrowth, the relentless pursuit of his brother driving him onward. But as the sun began its descent, the darkness of the forest threatened to become absolute, and exhaustion finally took hold. His legs ached, his arms burned, and his resolve wavered.

He stumbled upon a small clearing, a pocket of respite in the suffocating embrace of the trees and brush. Deciding to rest, he cleared a patch of ground and gathered fallen branches and dry leaves. With a practiced gesture, he summoned a spark of magic, igniting the makeshift fire pit. Flames licked at the tinder, casting a warm glow that pushed back the encroaching cold and darkness. Fire magic was a legacy of his Emberlight blood; it came as naturally to him as breathing. He thought that at least staying warm wouldn’t be a problem for the next two weeks.

He rummaged through his satchel, retrieving a canteen of water and a parcel of dry bread from the castle kitchens. Bread and water for two weeks, he mused. Not exactly a feast fit for a future Warden. He had spotted small game earlier in the day – a plump rabbit, a scurrying squirrel – but in his haste to find Simon, he hadn't spared a thought for hunting.

With a sigh, he leaned back against a moss-covered log, the warmth of his fire offering a momentary comfort. He decided that he would rest here for the night and resume his search for Simon in the morning. He dimmed the flames, settling into the log, his weary muscles finally relaxing.

Just as he drifted towards sleep, a rustle in the undergrowth jolted him awake. He grabbed his sword, his heart pounding in his chest. Who or what lurked in the shadows?

To his utter astonishment, Ser Merrick emerged from the thicket, fully clad in his black plate armor, his own sword gleaming in the firelight. "Trying to get some rest, are we?" he asked, his voice a low growl.

"Ser Merrick?" Leon stammered, his mind reeling. "How did you find me?"

"Focus less on the 'how,' and more on the 'why'," Merrick replied cryptically.

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Before Leon could process his words, Merrick lunged, his sword whistling through the air. Leon barely managed to roll aside as the blade cleaved through the log where he had been resting moments before, splitting it clean in two.

"Are you trying to kill me?" Leon shouted, scrambling to his feet.

"I am," Merrick stated flatly. "If you intend to survive this, you will need to fight back. With the intent to kill."

Panic surged through Leon. He had no illusions about his chances against Merrick in a head-on confrontation. He dove into the undergrowth, hoping to use the darkness and dense foliage as cover.

But Merrick was relentless. Blades of wind, conjured with a flick of his wrist, sliced through the air, striking the trees around Leon with a sickening thud. Leon knew that they were just warning shots, but the message was clear; there was no escape.

He scrambled to his feet and fled deeper into the forest, the sounds of Merrick's pursuit echoing behind him. The wind whipped through the trees, carrying Merrick's taunts. “Stop running boy! Is this how a Warden faces a challenge? By running away?"

Desperation clawed at Leon's throat. He spotted a thick, gnarled tree and, with a burst of adrenaline, hauled himself up into its branches, seeking refuge in the darkness and the thick leaves.

Merrick's voice continued to echo through the trees. "Hiding like a craven, eh? A bastard and a coward. A fitting combination."

Rage ignited within Leon. "Say that again!" he roared, his voice cracking with fury. "I dare you!"

Merrick paused, his gaze scanning the treetops. He couldn't pinpoint Leon's exact location, but he knew he was close. "I will not allow the likes of you to disgrace the Warden Academy," he sneered.

Leon was blinded by his anger and lost all sense of caution. He leaped from his hiding place, his sword drawn, ready to unleash his fury on Merrick.

A cruel smile twisted Merrick's lips. "Foolish boy," he muttered. "So easily provoked."

Leon landed heavily; his sword raised. His stomach dropped with the realization that he had fallen right into Merrick’s trap, but there was nowhere to run… Merrick's blade met his in a shower of sparks. "You’re too hotheaded," Merrick chided, parrying Leon's frantic attacks with ease. "You let your emotions cloud your judgment."

With a swift kick, Merrick sent Leon sprawling to the ground. Leon gasped for breath, his chest aching, his anger warring with the realization that he was hopelessly outmatched. He glanced around, searching for an escape route, but the darkness offered no sanctuary.

He gritted his teeth and scrambled back to his feet, his grip tightening on his sword. "I may be a bastard," he snarled, his voice raw with defiance, "but I am no coward! I will become a Warden, Merrick! And I will not let you, or anyone else, stand in my way!"