Present day

Kaelen walked slowly through the cobblestone streets of Aetherum, taking in the unique atmosphere of the place. The city was a symphony of colors and sounds, where magic pulsed through the air like an endless melody. Buildings of stone and crystal rose high into the sky, and the streets were animated by creatures of all kinds. Every corner of the city seemed to hide a new story, a new mystery, and though Kaelen was accustomed to the harsh, metallic landscapes of Core, he couldn't help but be impressed by the grandeur of Aether.

Although he was used to moving with military efficiency, at that moment, Kaelen wandered aimlessly, letting his thoughts settle. As he advanced, the streets began to fill with strange and wonderful beings—ethereal Sylphar, with silver and blond hair that moved delicately in an unseen breeze; Celestials with glowing skin and luminous eyes dancing through the streets; Durath with sturdy builds and stern faces, carrying their weight with pride.

Near the edge of a clear water canal, where tiny luminous creatures fluttered above the surface, Kaelen was surprised by a familiar voice.

“You’re far from home, aren’t you?” Leira smiled widely, the fire in her eyes gleaming with playful intensity.

Kaelen returned her smile, relieved by the presence of a familiar face. “Just exploring. Aether is fascinating, different from anything I’ve ever seen.”

“Then you’re in luck,” Leira said, stepping closer. “Because I’m the best guide in the whole city.” She extended her arm and led Kaelen on a tour filled with enthusiasm.

As they strolled, Leira proudly showed him the places she loved. The markets were filled with vendors offering magical goods, from amulets that changed eye color to ancient scrolls containing lost knowledge. Kaelen noticed how Leira greeted everyone, clearly well-known and appreciated.

They reached an open arena where several teams of Arcanists were training. The ground beneath them vibrated slightly with each spell cast, and the air seemed to fill with an energy that pulsed in rhythm with their heartbeats.

“This is where we train,” Leira said, pointing to a central stone platform decorated with the ancient runes of Aether. “It’s where friendships are forged, challenges are met, and heroes are made.”

On the platform, a few Arcanists were dueling, their energy pulsing through the air, creating visible waves of force. Their movements were fluid, almost like a dance, and Kaelen could see the talent and discipline that defined Aria’s team.

“See that tall guy?” Leira asked, pointing to a massive man who was just stepping off the platform, wiping his forehead with a towel.

“That’s Taron, Valen’s older brother. He’s one of our strongest tacticians.”

Kaelen observed Taron closely, noting his rugged features, which were not without a certain gentleness. His light blonde hair was long but neatly tied back, complementing his tall and robust frame, while his slightly elongated Sylphar ears hinted at his ethereal heritage."

“Do you want to meet him?” Leira asked with a smile. “I’m sure he’d be thrilled to challenge you to a sparring match.”

Kaelen raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing at the corner of his lips. “Challenge me? I hope he’s ready to be disappointed,” he replied, his tone dripping with playful sarcasm. “But sure, why not? It’s been a while since I’ve had a good warm-up.”

As Kaelen and Leira made their way through the training grounds, the sound of clashing swords and bursts of magic filled the air. The area was alive with activity, a testament to the dedication and discipline of Aether’s warriors. Leira guided Kaelen through the labyrinth of training stations until they reached the central platform, where a group of Arcanists had gathered.

At the center of the group stood Taron, his imposing figure easily recognizable even from a distance. He was finishing a sparring session, his movements precise and powerful, commanding respect from those around him. His hair swayed slightly with each calculated strike, giving him an air of discipline and control.

As he stepped down from the platform, wiping sweat from his brow, Leira called out to him.

“Taron, over here!” she waved, her voice carrying a warmth that caught his attention.

Taron looked up, his sharp green eyes locking onto Kaelen as they approached. There was a brief flicker of recognition in Taron’s eyes, but Kaelen could tell it wasn’t from personal experience, likely from what Aria or Leira had mentioned.

“Taron,” Leira greeted him with a brief smile, then turned to Kaelen. “This is Kaelen. He’s the one who fought alongside Valen during… you know.”

Taron’s expression softened as he looked Kaelen up and down, assessing him silently. “Kaelen,” he said, nodding in acknowledgment. “I’ve heard a lot about you from Aria and Leira mostly. They told me you were there… when Valen fell.”

Kaelen inclined his head slightly, sensing the weight of Taron’s words. “Valen and I didn’t know each other before the mission, but he was… he was someone you could trust in a fight. I’m sorry for your loss.”

Taron paused, his jaw tightening as he processed Kaelen’s words. “Thank you,” he finally said, his voice low. “Valen was a good brother. It means something that you were there with him.”

There was a moment of silence, heavy with unexpressed grief. Kaelen knew this pain all too well, and he felt an urge to lighten the mood before it grew too somber.

“Leira tells me you’re one of the best duelists around here,” Kaelen said, a hint of a smile touching his lips. “But I have to wonder… are those just big brother stories, or can you really hold your own?”

Taron’s stern expression eased into a smirk, the shift in conversation clearly welcome. “She told you that, did she? I suppose there’s only one way to find out if she’s right.”

Leira grinned, stepping back as she saw where this was heading. “Careful, Kaelen. Taron’s not known for going easy on anyone, especially not when his reputation’s on the line.”

Kaelen chuckled, his demeanor lightening as he matched Taron’s playful tone. “That’s good to know. Wouldn’t want it any other way.”

Taron laughed, the sound deep and genuine. “Alright then, let’s see what you’ve got.”

The crowd around the platform grew as word spread that Taron and Kaelen were about to spar. Arcanists and other inhabitants of Aetherum gathered, eager to witness the duel between two skilled fighters.

Taron stepped onto the platform first, his presence commanding. He rolled his shoulders, loosening up as he prepared for the fight. Kaelen followed, his movements fluid and deliberate. The two men faced each other, both exuding a calm confidence that only came from years of experience.

“You know,” Taron said, his voice carrying a hint of sarcasm, “I’m starting to regret this already. What if I lose? I’ll never hear the end of it from Leira.”

Leira, watching from the sidelines, crossed her arms and grinned. “Oh, don’t worry, Taron. I’ll make sure to remind you every day.”

Kaelen couldn’t help but smile. “You know, Taron, it’s not too late to back out. I’d hate to ruin your undefeated streak.”

Taron shook his head, amusement in his eyes. “Nice try, but I’m not backing down that easily.”

With a nod from both men, the duel began. Taron made the first move, summoning a gust of wind that swept across the platform, aiming to unbalance Kaelen. But Kaelen was ready. He countered with a quick dash to the side, his feet barely touching the ground as he moved with the precision of a seasoned fighter.

Taron pressed on, his magic crackling in the air as he combined the elements of wind and earth, creating a swirling vortex of debris that threatened to engulf Kaelen. The ground beneath Kaelen’s feet trembled as the vortex grew stronger, but he remained focused, his eyes narrowing as he assessed the situation.

With a swift motion, Kaelen drew his blade, the weapon gleaming in the sunlight. He darted forward, using his agility to weave through the vortex, his blade cutting through the air with deadly accuracy. Taron countered with a shield of stone, but Kaelen’s strikes were relentless, forcing Taron to stay on the defensive.

“Not bad,” Taron grunted as he blocked another strike, “But let’s see how you handle this.”

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

With a powerful surge of energy, Taron unleashed a wave of force that sent Kaelen skidding backward. The crowd gasped as the platform cracked under the pressure, but Kaelen regained his footing, his expression determined.

“You’re not making this easy, Taron,” Kaelen quipped, his voice laced with humor. “I thought you said this was a friendly match.”

Taron smirked. “This is friendly. You should see me when I’m serious.”

Kaelen laughed, the sound echoing across the platform. But as he laughed, he suddenly felt a familiar sensation—a dark energy stirring within him, like a shadow creeping at the edges of his consciousness. For a moment, his vision blurred, and he heard a distant whisper, as if something deep within the void was calling to him.

He shook his head, trying to push the sensation away. He couldn’t afford to lose control, especially not in front of these people. Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to focus, ignoring the shadows that threatened to consume his mind.

Taron, unaware of Kaelen’s internal struggle, pressed the attack. He launched a barrage of stone spikes from the ground, each one aimed with precision. Kaelen dodged and parried, his movements swift and calculated. But the strain of the fight and the growing darkness within him began to take their toll.

As the fight continued, the crowd watched in awe, their excitement building with each exchange. Kaelen and Taron moved like two forces of nature, each testing the limits of the other’s skill and endurance. Kaelen’s strikes were sharp and relentless, but Taron countered with a calm, practiced precision that spoke of years of experience.

Taron summoned the wind, sending a gust to knock Kaelen off balance, but Kaelen twisted in midair, landing lightly on his feet. He retaliated with a series of rapid slashes, his blade cutting through the air with lethal intent. Taron’s earth magic surged in response, raising stone barriers to deflect the blows. The ground beneath them trembled as their powers clashed, creating a spectacle that captivated the onlookers.

Leira and Elyndra exchanged glances, both sensing that something was different about this match. There was a fierceness in Kaelen’s movements, an intensity that bordered on desperation. It was as if he was fighting not just Taron, but something within himself.

Taron, sensing an opportunity, unleashed a powerful wave of force, intending to drive Kaelen back. But Kaelen didn’t retreat. Instead, he pressed forward, his movements becoming a blur. The shadows around the arena seemed to pulse and stretch towards him, drawn by an unseen force. Kaelen’s vision narrowed, the world around him dimming as a strange power surged through his veins.

Suddenly, everything slowed. Kaelen’s body moved with a speed and precision that felt unnatural, as if something else was guiding him. He weaved through Taron’s defenses effortlessly, the shadows clinging to him like a second skin. The world around him faded into a haze, and all he could see was Taron—his opponent, his target.

In a heartbeat, Kaelen closed the distance between them. His blade flashed in the sunlight, cutting through the air with a deadly speed that caught Taron off guard. Before either of them could fully register what had happened, Kaelen was standing inches away from Taron, his blade pressed firmly against the man’s throat.

The crowd fell silent, the tension in the air thick and palpable. Kaelen stood frozen, his breath coming in short, sharp gasps. For a moment, he couldn’t comprehend how he had moved so quickly, how he had overpowered Taron so effortlessly. The shadows that had fueled his burst of speed receded as quickly as they had come, leaving him feeling strangely hollow and disoriented.

Kaelen blinked, his vision clearing as he realized the position he was in. His eyes darted to Taron’s face, searching for understanding, but what he saw instead was a mixture of surprise and concern.

“You got me,” Taron said, his voice calm but tinged with curiosity as he slowly raised his hands in a gesture of surrender.

Kaelen’s grip on his blade loosened, and he quickly stepped back, lowering the weapon. The realization of what had just happened hit him like a wave, and he felt a surge of confusion and unease. How had he moved so fast? How had he closed the distance between them in an instant?

“Good match,” Kaelen said, forcing a steady tone, though his mind was racing. The darkness that had surged within him now felt distant, yet the memory of it lingered, unsettling him.

Taron nodded, still smiling, though his eyes held a flicker of something more—curiosity, perhaps. “Yeah, it was. You’re one hell of a fighter, Kaelen. I can see why Aria and Leira trust you.”

Kaelen returned the smile, but the words rang hollow in his ears. He had won the match, but it didn’t feel like a victory. The shadows inside him were growing stronger, and he knew it was only a matter of time before they surfaced again.

Leira and Elyndra joined them on the platform, both of them wearing proud smiles. “That was amazing!” Elyndra said, her eyes shining with admiration. “I’ve never seen anyone move like that.”

“Yeah, Kaelen,” Leira added with a grin. “You almost made Taron break a sweat.”

Taron laughed, shaking his head. “I’ll admit, you gave me a run for my money. We should do this again sometime.”

Kaelen nodded, though his thoughts were elsewhere. The power he had felt was both exhilarating and terrifying, and he could only hope that when the time came, he would be ready to face it again.

The crowd’s murmur of excitement was suddenly silenced by the sound of slow, deliberate clapping. The applause echoed through the training grounds, drawing everyone’s attention to a figure standing at the edge of the platform.

“Well, well, well… what an impressive display.”

Thorian stepped into the light, his tall, imposing figure casting a long shadow over the assembled onlookers. He moved with a calm, almost predatory grace, his piercing blue eyes scanning the faces before him, lingering just a moment too long on Kaelen.

Kaelen felt a chill run down his spine as Thorian’s gaze bore into him, the man’s presence unsettling in a way he couldn’t quite place. Thorian’s smile was polite, but there was something cold behind it, something calculating.

“I must say, Kaelen, you’ve got quite the talent. Rare to see someone move like that, especially in such esteemed company.” Thorian’s tone was smooth, almost too smooth.

Taron’s expression hardened, his earlier warmth vanishing the moment Thorian appeared. He straightened his posture, subtly positioning himself between Thorian and the others, a protective instinct taking over.

“Thorian,” Taron acknowledged coolly, his voice devoid of the warmth he had shown moments earlier. “What brings you here? Thought you were off on one of your secretive missions.”

Thorian’s smile widened, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Always so suspicious, Taron. Can’t a man come back home without being interrogated?” His gaze flicked to the others, a brief nod acknowledging Leira and Elyndra. “And it seems I’ve arrived just in time to witness something remarkable. This place hasn’t seen a fight like that in years.”

“You’ve been gone a long time,” Taron replied, his tone sharp. “Things have changed.”

“Indeed,” Thorian said, his voice laced with an almost mocking undertone. “I’ve seen a lot of changes… and a lot that stays the same.” He turned his attention back to Kaelen, his eyes narrowing slightly as if trying to unravel a mystery. “You’re not from around here, are you? Yet you fight like someone who’s had years of training. I’m curious, Kaelen—what drives you to fight like that?”

Kaelen met Thorian’s gaze, feeling the weight of the question. There was something about the way Thorian spoke that made it clear he wasn’t just making idle conversation. He was probing, searching for something deeper.

“I fight because it’s necessary,” Kaelen replied, keeping his tone neutral. “And because I’ve had to learn quickly. The world isn’t exactly kind to those who hesitate.”

“No, it isn’t,” Thorian agreed, his smile growing ever so slightly. “And yet, I sense there’s more to you than meets the eye. Perhaps we’ll get to know each other better… in time.”

Taron stepped forward, his body language clearly signaling his desire to end the conversation. “We were just finishing up, Thorian. I’m sure you have more pressing matters to attend to than watching us train.”

Thorian’s gaze lingered on Taron for a moment, the tension between them palpable. “Always so quick to dismiss me, Taron. You know, I almost miss the old days when we were on the same side of things.”

“Maybe if you hadn’t walked away from everything, we’d still be on the same side,” Taron retorted, his voice steady but carrying an edge that hinted at the depth of their past.

The air between them seemed to crackle with unresolved tension. Leira shifted uncomfortably, her gaze darting between the two men, while Elyndra remained silent, watching the exchange with wide eyes.

Thorian’s smile didn’t waver, but his eyes hardened slightly. “Ah, Taron… Always so straightforward. I admire that about you, even if it does make you a bit… predictable.” He glanced at the others, as if inviting them to share in the joke, but no one laughed.

Taron crossed his arms over his chest, clearly unamused. “Predictable or not, I get the job done. Maybe you should try it sometime instead of… whatever it is you do now.”

Thorian’s expression didn’t change, but there was a flicker of something—hurt, perhaps—before it vanished behind his cool exterior. “Maybe I will. Who knows? The future is full of surprises.” He turned his gaze back to Kaelen, his expression unreadable. “I look forward to seeing what role you play in all of this, Kaelen. I have a feeling our paths will cross again soon.”

With that, Thorian turned on his heel and walked away, his cloak billowing slightly behind him. The crowd parted to let him pass, and as he disappeared into the shadows, the tension in the air slowly began to dissipate.

Kaelen let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. The encounter had left him with more questions than answers, and a sense of unease that gnawed at the edges of his mind.

Taron remained where he was, his eyes fixed on the spot where Thorian had stood. His jaw was clenched, and it was clear that the brief exchange had stirred up old wounds.

Leira broke the silence, her voice tentative. “Well, that was… something.”

“He’s always been good at making an entrance,” Taron muttered, though there was a bitterness to his tone that hadn’t been there before. “But don’t let him get to you, Kaelen. Thorian’s got a way of… twisting things.”

Kaelen nodded slowly, still processing the interaction. He chose his words carefully, trying to gain more insight without being too direct. “Thorian… he’s different from the others, isn’t he? There’s something about him that stands out. What is he exactly?”

“Thorian’s a Celestial, but not like the ones you’ve met before. He comes from a different branch, one that… let’s just say, isn’t talked about much these days.”

Kaelen raised an eyebrow, sensing there was more to the story. “A different branch? Sounds like there’s a lot of history there.”

Taron’s jaw tightened, and he shrugged slightly. “You could say that. Whatever his origins, just know that Thorian’s not someone to underestimate. He has a way of… getting under your skin, and not always in a good way.”

Leira, picking up on the tension, added quietly, “He’s always been a bit of an enigma, even to us. Best to tread carefully where he’s concerned.”

Kaelen nodded, understanding the warning beneath their words. “I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks.”

The conversation only stirred up more questions for Kaelen, but he understood it was wiser not to push for more. The vagueness of Taron’s response only fueled his curiosity, making him wonder just what kind of Celestial Thorian really was, and what secrets he might be hiding.

“Different branch?” Kaelen murmured more to himself than to anyone else.

He exhaled sharply, a wry smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Well... fuck.”