The Ashen Vale

The path into Valoria led them into a vast expanse of cracked earth and rising steam. The air was hot and heavy, carrying the sharp tang of sulfur and burnt rock. The landscape was a stark contrast to the damp shadows of Nytheria; here, the land itself seemed hostile, alive with fire and fury.

Elara wiped sweat from her brow, her boots crunching against loose volcanic gravel. The oppressive heat made her lightheaded, but she forced herself to keep pace.

"We're in the Ashen Vale now," Kael said, his voice steady despite the stifling air. "The Valorians consider this sacred ground. Step lightly."

Oran glanced around at the barren wasteland, his threads flickering idly at his fingers. "Sacred? Doesn't look like much to me."

Lyra shot him a sharp look. "That's because you're not Valorian. To them, this land is where strength is forged. Where the weak are burned away."

Her words hung in the air, heavy and ominous.

Elara shivered despite the heat. She could almost feel the weight of countless battles fought here, the echoes of lives lost and victories won.

"Why are we here, then?" Oran asked. "Shouldn't we, you know, avoid sacred warrior grounds if we're trying not to die?"

"We don't have a choice," Kael said, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "The next Convergence Point is deeper into Valoria. If we're lucky, the Ashen Vale will give us some cover."

"And if we're not?" Elara asked.

Kael's faint smile didn't reach his eyes. "Then we'll have to remind the Valorians why they respect legends."

Oran chuckled nervously. "That's comforting."

The group reached a narrow canyon carved into the volcanic rock, the walls towering on either side. The heat seemed to intensify as they moved deeper, and Elara's skin prickled with unease.

"This is a perfect place for an ambush," Lyra said, her voice low.

"Thanks for that," Oran muttered, glancing at the cliffs above them.

Kael raised a hand, signalling for the group to stop. His gaze swept the canyon, his posture tense. "We're not alone."

Elara strained her ears, but at first, she heard nothing. Then, faintly, the sound of footsteps—slow, deliberate, and coming closer.

A figure emerged from the shadows ahead. They were tall and broad-shouldered, their armor blackened like cooled magma, and a heavy blade rested across their back. Prismatic energy pulsed faintly along the seams of their armor, a reddish glow that flickered like embers.

Lyra tensed, her hand already reaching for her bow. "A Valorian champion," she said quietly.

The champion stopped a dozen paces away, their helmeted head tilting slightly. When they spoke, their voice was deep and resonant, carrying a weight of authority.

"Outlanders," the champion said, his tone neutral but edged with menace. "You have entered sacred ground. State your purpose."

Kael stepped forward, calm and composed. "We're passing through. We have no quarrel with Valoria."

The champion studied him for a long moment, then shifted his gaze to Lyra. "You carry the mark of Nytheria. Your kind has no place here."

Lyra's expression didn't waver. "We're not here to fight."

"Then why are you armed?" the champion asked, his hand resting on the hilt of his blade.

"Because there are worse things than Valorians in this world," Kael said evenly.

The champion's grip tightened on his weapon. "Prove it. If you're strong enough to survive, you may pass. If not, the Ashen Vale will claim you."

Oran groaned. "Of course. It's always a fight."

The champion drew his blade, the prismatic energy along its edge flaring bright red. He gestured toward a circle of blackened stone at the canyon's center. "One of you will face me. The others may observe. If your chosen fighter falls, so do the rest of you."

Elara's stomach dropped. She exchanged a glance with Oran, who looked equally uneasy.

Kael and Lyra stepped forward without hesitation.

"I'll do it," Lyra said, her voice firm.

"No," Kael said. His tone wasn't forceful, but there was no mistaking the finality in his words. "I will."

Lyra frowned, but she didn't argue. She stepped back, her eyes narrowing as she studied the champion.

Kael turned to Elara and Oran, his expression unreadable. "Watch closely," he said. "This isn't about brute strength. It's about control."

Elara felt a pang of awe—and fear—as she realized what he was about to do.

Kael stepped into the circle, his posture relaxed but ready. The champion entered as well, his massive blade resting casually at his side.

"Begin," the champion said, and the duel was on.

The champion moved first, his blade cutting through the air with a roar of prismatic energy. Kael didn't dodge—he swapped places with a rock at the edge of the circle, the blade smashing into the ground where he had just stood.

Elara's breath caught. The move was seamless, almost elegant.

The champion recovered quickly, pivoting to face Kael again. "A trick," he said, his tone unimpressed.

Kael smirked faintly. "Perhaps."

The champion charged, his blade igniting with a burst of energy. This time, Kael didn't swap places. Instead, he deflected the blow with a calculated movement, using the champion's momentum to throw him off balance.

The duel continued, each exchange more intense than the last. Kael's positional swaps and precise movements made it impossible for the champion to land a decisive blow.

"Look at him," Elara whispered, her voice filled with awe. "He's not just fighting—he's…playing with him."

Lyra crossed her arms, her expression a mix of pride and something softer. "Kael doesn't fight to win. He fights to teach."

"Teach who?" Oran asked, his threads twitching nervously.

"Us," Lyra said simply.

The duel ended with a decisive move. Kael swapped positions with the champion mid-charge, appearing behind him and tapping the champion's back lightly with the hilt of his dagger.

The champion froze, then slowly turned. "You had the kill."

Kael inclined his head. "I didn't need it."

The champion stared at him for a long moment before sheathing his blade. "You may pass."

As the group continued deeper into Valoria, Elara couldn't shake the memory of the duel. Kael had made it look effortless, but she knew it wasn't.

"How do you do it?" she asked him quietly.

Kael glanced at her, his expression thoughtful. "Patience. Discipline. And the understanding that every move matters."

Elara nodded, the awe she felt deepening into something closer to respect. If she could learn even a fraction of what Kael and Lyra knew, maybe—just maybe—she'd survive this journey.