"Well done," Prince Hima remarked, his voice calm but approving. "You can release your magic now."
Rawa nodded,his gaze still focused on the scorched remains of the rock he had just shattered.Obediently, "Okay," he replied and withdrew his hand, the magical circle that glowed brightly just moments before dissolved into into thin air,vanishing instantly, leaving nothing but silence.
The knights and mages were observing from a distance. A murmur broke out among the knights and mages standing there.
"He's really strong for someone his age," one knight whispered, his voice tinged with awe.
"Yeah, he's... terrifying," another agreed quietly, keeping his gaze locked on Rawa.
Prince Hima turned sharply toward the group. "Enough chatter. Let's move on," he ordered, his tone firm.
With that, they all mounted their carriages and resumed their journey. Once inside the carriage, Prince Hima glanced at Rawa, studying him carefully. "So, Rawa! I believe you have a better understanding of your magic now."
Rawa's gaze drifted outside, observing the serene greenery of the trees and the lush fields that seemed to stretch on forever. "I understand it better, yes," he replied thoughtfully. "But my true powers are still sealed."
"Indeed," Prince Hima acknowledged, his expression serious. "That's why we're heading to the Kingdom—to prepare for battle."
Rawa turned to look at the prince, brow furrowed. "Battles?" he repeated, his tone wary. He had suspected as much, but hearing it confirmed still sent a chill through him.
Prince Hima nodded solemnly. "You need to learn to control your abilities, even if it's just the bare minimum of your power. Right now, you're a raw, untempered force… and that's a risk." He paused, letting the words sink in before continuing. "I've noticed that the knights and mages accompanying us are on edge, even fearful of your presence."
Rawa clenched his hands, feeling a flicker of frustration. "I'll… try to manage it," he said slowly, struggling to keep his voice steady.
The prince gave a curt nod, seemingly satisfied for now. "That's all I ask."
The rest of the journey passed in a tense silence, broken only by the occasional rustling of leaves or the sound of distant creatures in the woods. As the sun began its slow descent, casting long shadows through the forest, Prince Hima raised his hand, signaling the convoy to halt.
"We'll camp here for the night," he declared. The knights and mages sprang into action, gathering wood and setting up tents with practiced efficiency. As darkness settled around them, the campfire's warm glow cast flickering light against the trees, illuminating the small clearing they had chosen as their temporary refuge.
Prince Hima raised his hand once more, and a shimmering dome of magical energy enveloped the camp. The translucent shield crackled softly as it settled into place, sealing them within a protective barrier.
"Impressive," Rawa muttered, eyeing the magical shield with interest.
"Just a basic precaution," Hima replied with a shrug. "There are many creatures in these woods that might be drawn to our presence."
They sat by the fire, sharing a simple meal of roasted vegetables and freshly baked bread. The food was plain, but satisfying, and they ate in companionable silence. As they finished, Prince Hima looked thoughtfully at Rawa across the fire.
"Tomorrow," he said quietly, "we'll begin your training in earnest. You'll learn more than just how to wield magic. You'll learn control, strategy… and what it means to harness true power."
Rawa met the prince's gaze steadily. "I understand, Your Majesty."
"Good," Hima murmured, his eyes gleaming in the firelight. "Because your training will determine not just your survival… but your place in this world."
With that, the conversation ended, and they both retired to their tents, the fire crackling softly as it burned low. The camp remained quiet and still, the magical barrier shimmering faintly in the darkness as the moon rose high above, casting a silver light over the sleeping forest.
As Rawa lay in his tent, staring up at the fabric ceiling, he felt a strange mixture of anticipation and dread. There was so much he still didn't understand about his own power, so many unanswered questions. But one thing was clear: whatever lay ahead, he would face it with everything he had.
Tomorrow, his real journey would begin.
---
The night was serene, a perfect canvas painted with the soft hues of silvery moonlight. The forest surrounding the camp stood still, the shadows of the towering trees stretching like dark sentinels under the gentle embrace of the moon. Tiny clusters of stars shimmered in the velvety sky above, their radiant light twinkling softly, creating a breathtaking spectacle that seemed almost magical in itself.
Prince Hima's eyes snapped open. He lay in his tent, senses alert as a chill swept through the air, brushing against his skin like an unseen hand. Something wasn't right. Slowly, he rose and stepped outside, his movements silent as a whisper. The camp was quiet, the only sound the distant chirping of night insects and the crackling of the dying campfire, now reduced to a soft, glowing ember.
As he emerged, Prince Hima paused, his gaze sweeping across the moonlit clearing. A thin layer of mist clung to the ground, swirling gently in the faint breeze, giving the entire scene an ethereal, dreamlike quality. The magical barrier he had cast shimmered softly, its translucent light blending with the moon's glow, creating an almost surreal, enchanted atmosphere.
Taking a deep breath, he called out softly, "I know you're here."
The silence lingered for a heartbeat, and then a deep, resonant voice echoed through the clearing, as if carried on the wings of the night wind. "It's been a while."
Prince Hima stiffened, his eyes narrowing. He turned slowly, scanning the shadows beyond the shield's protective barrier. "Raksh-Bhrata?" he murmured, his voice low but tinged with a note of recognition.
"Yes, it's me." The figure stepped forward, emerging from the darkness beyond the shield as if materializing from the very mist itself. Raksh was tall and imposing, his form cloaked in deep blue robes that seemed to blend seamlessly with the night around him. His hair, as black as the midnight sky, fell in long waves over his shoulders, and his eyes—pale and glowing like twin moons—held a depth of wisdom and power that could silence even the fiercest storms.
"I never thought you'd show yourself here," Prince Hima admitted, his voice softened by surprise. His posture relaxed slightly, but there was a lingering wariness in his eyes. "What brings a Guardian Mage of the God's Council to such a place?"
"I'm here because of Rawa," Raksh replied, his gaze shifting towards the camp, where Rawa lay asleep, oblivious to their presence. "His powers are not activating as they should."
"Rawa's powers?" Prince Hima frowned, his mind racing. "You mean… someone is manipulating his magic?"
Raksh nodded slowly. "Exactly. It's subtle—almost imperceptible. But there is interference. Someone or something is tampering with his abilities."
"But who?" Prince Hima's brow furrowed in confusion. "Who would have the power to do that? The one capable of such manipulation is long dead."
"True," Raksh agreed, his voice low and grim. "But this is different. Whoever it is, they're not doing this from within Earth 51's domain. They're reaching out… from somewhere beyond."
Prince Hima's eyes widened slightly. "Beyond Earth 51?" He took a step closer, his gaze intense. "Do you mean to say that someone from another plane is trying to control him?"
"That's my suspicion," Raksh confirmed, his expression darkening. "Rawa's magic is unstable because it's being affected from a distance. There's someone out there who wants to keep his true power locked away."
Hima clenched his fists, feeling a surge of anger and concern. "Who could have such capability?"
"I don't know," Raksh admitted, shaking his head. "But I'm certain it's tied to the forces that disrupted the Balance all those years ago. If this continues, Rawa will remain a pawn in a game that he doesn't even know he's a part of."
Prince Hima's gaze drifted back to the camp, where Rawa's tent was barely visible in the shadowed corner of the clearing. "So what do we do?" he asked quietly.
Raksh's eyes met his, glowing softly in the dim light. "Protect him," he said firmly. "I've come to warn you because you are his closest ally right now. You must shield him, guard him, and—most importantly—cast a Kal-Chakra around him."
"Kal-Chakra…" Prince Hima's breath caught. The ancient spell was one of the highest-level protective enchantments, used only in times of great peril. It would form a temporal barrier around its target, isolating their magic from outside interference. "But that spell is—"
"—forbidden, yes," Raksh interrupted, his gaze hard and unyielding. "But necessary. Without it, Rawa's powers may never fully awaken, and he will be vulnerable to whoever is controlling him from beyond."
Hima hesitated, his mind racing. To cast the Kal-Chakra was to defy the laws set by the High Council, risking not just his position but his very life. But one look at Raksh's determined expression, and he knew what he had to do.
"Very well," he said quietly, his resolve firm. "I'll do it. For his sake."
"Thank you," Raksh murmured, his voice softening. He stepped forward, placing a hand briefly on Hima's shoulder. "I know this is not easy. But remember—Rawa is no ordinary mage. His power, once fully awakened, could change the fate of entire worlds."
Prince Hima nodded solemnly. "I understand."
With a final nod, Raksh turned, his form shimmering in the moonlight. "I'll keep watch from afar. But be careful, Prince Hima. The forces at play here are far greater than we imagined. Keep him safe… until the time comes for him to stand on his own."
And with that, the Guardian Mage of the God's Council vanished, melting into the shadows like a wisp of smoke. Prince Hima stood alone in the clearing, the night wind whispering softly around him.
Taking a deep breath, he turned and walked back to the campfire, his gaze lingering on Rawa's tent. The young mage's powers were more dangerous than even he realized, and if they remained suppressed for too long… there was no telling what might happen when they finally broke free.
"I will protect you, Rawa," he murmured softly, his eyes reflecting the flickering flames. "Even if it means risking my life."
With that silent vow, he sat down by the fire, watching the shadows dance as the night stretched on, the stars above shining brightly, unaware of the storm brewing beneath their light.