Chapter 8: The Last Night Before the Storm
The morning sun bathed the Bloodcrest domain in a crimson hue—warm, proud, and quietly foreboding. In his room, Kaito packed his things, carefully folding each piece of his travel gear.
Selena stood quietly at the doorway, watching him.
The boy who once clung to her skirts, who never slept without a bedtime story, was now leaving to survive alone in a deadly mountain, chasing strength through torment.
She finally broke the silence.
"Time really flies," she whispered, walking closer. "You were just learning to walk yesterday… and now you're walking away to face monsters, storms, and pain."
Kaito paused, sensing the weight in her voice.
"Kaito… you're stronger than most your age, maybe even exceptional. But remember, there's always someone stronger. Don't forget to lean on others when needed. The world outside isn't kind. People betray for gold, deceive for gain. There's no black and white—only perspective."
She reached out, gently placing her hand on his cheek.
"You might be a hero to one, and a villain to another. So when you're lost... hold on to what you love. Remember us. Your family."
Her voice trembled.
"I don't know if I raised you well enough... But promise me you'll eat, sleep, and not push yourself too far. Promise me you won't break."
Tears streamed down her cheeks as she pulled him into a hug—the War Goddess of the realm now just a mother, desperate to keep her son safe.
Kaito clutched her tightly.
"I promise, Mother. I'll come back stronger… not just in strength—but in heart. I'll protect our name… and everything we stand for."
Selena smiled, still weeping.
"Good. Now listen closely. The Dwarf Kingdom… is not just about forges and smiths. There's darkness there—corruption deeper than stone. Stay out of their politics. If things go wrong, don't fight—run."
Kaito nodded, his face firm.
"I'll focus on my training. I don't care about their secrets or power plays. I'll return—stronger than ever."
Just then, Reyzen entered.
"Still not ready yet? I thought warriors don't cry on the battlefield."
He chuckled, lightening the mood. The three of them laughed for a while, the tension melting for just a moment. Reyzen beckoned them.
"Come. We've got one last thing to do."
⚔️ Training Grounds — The Final Duel
They arrived at the Bloodcrest training field. Kiara was already there, mumbling to herself while practicing spells.
"I'll get stronger... I'll protect you, Kaito…"
When she noticed them, she flushed red.
"I-I didn't mean it like—!!"
"Oh?" Kaito smirked. "Protect me from what? A tiny bug? Or your terrible cooking?"
"KAITO!"
"Alright, alright!" Reyzen raised a hand. "Final duel. Me and Kiara... versus Selena and Kaito."
"Ara~" Selena grinned. "Haven't gotten a spotlight lately anyway."
The duel began.
Reyzen's sword burst with flaming mana. Kiara's staff crackled as she launched "Flame Chain Spiral", a spiraling mid-tier fire spell.
Selena countered by shifting gravity, using "Cradle of the Moon"—her advanced weight magic to slow both opponents down.
"Tch—! Still playing dirty, Selena?" Reyzen grunted.
Kaito dashed forward, clad in Mana Shroud, a basic protective enchantment. He slashed at Reyzen and Kiara in tandem.
Reyzen deflected the strike, planting his sword in the ground and roaring:
"You'll need more than gravity to stop me!"
Suddenly, Kiara unleashed her trump card:
"Infernal Blossom: Ember Requiem!"
A flower of blazing heat shot forward. Selena raised a hand.
"You've grown, Kiara… but—"
She shattered the spell mid-air with "Eclipse Null", a legendary spell said to silence any magic within its radius.
"Monster," Reyzen muttered with awe.
Selena's eyes glinted.
"Monster? You wound me…"
She whispered:
"Judgement Arc: Heaven's Wrath!"
A bolt of white-blue lightning burst from the heavens, slamming down with divine fury.
Reyzen, not to be outdone, met it with:
"Solar Vortex: Dragonflame Heart!"
Fire and lightning clashed mid-air, splitting the sky in a roaring crescendo.
"Okay, that's enough!" Selena shouted, halting the chaos. "I think we went a little overboard."
"Agreed." Reyzen coughed, laughing. "We almost blew the estate up."
Both Kaito and Kiara were left speechless—trembling not with fear, but with exhilaration. Having first time witnessing such attacks those only mentioned in legends.
"That was... incredible," Kaito whispered. The attacks just now… I read that nobody in centuries could perform them, yet they did so casually in a friendly duel.
"I want to learn that one," Kiara added.
"Yes, yes… but today, it's time to sleep. Maybe learn tomorrow, okay?"
That night, neither of them slept. Even with bedtime stories, they bombarded Selena and Reyzen with questions.
"What's 'Heaven's Wrath' made of?"
"Is 'Dragonflame Heart' a lost spell?"
Selena and Reyzen smiled despite the fatigue, answering their little heroes.
🌄 The Next Morning — Departure
Kaito stood at the gates. A single feather-shaped pendant hung from his neck—gifted by Selena. It shimmered red like his eyes.
"This belonged to your grandfather," she'd told him. "May it guide you in times of doubt."
The carriage rolled in. Kaito climbed aboard, turning back one last time.
Selena, Reyzen, and Kiara waved at him.
His eyes were calm, but in his heart—a storm brewed.
This is where it begins.
No turning back now.