Saving Lior 1

Deep within the forbidden regions of the Aetheris Realm lay the Abyssal Cave, a place shrouded in mystery and legend. It was said to be untouched by time, its dark corridors twisting endlessly, filled with echoes of ancient whispers. The air inside was heavy, almost suffocating, laced with a strange energy that made even the most seasoned explorers hesitant to enter. Jagged stalactites hung from the ceiling like fangs, and the faint glow of bioluminescent fungi cast an eerie green light across the walls.

This place wasn't on any map. It existed beyond the reach of kingdoms, known only to a few who dared to delve into its secrets. Tonight, it was alive with hushed voices.

Hooded figures stood in a circle near the center of the cave, their faces obscured by shadows. In their midst floated a shimmering image of a young boy—Lior. His dark hair framed his curious and intelligent eyes, and his small figure radiated a quiet strength, even as a mere projection.

One of the hooded figures stepped forward, their voice low and gravelly. "The child possesses untapped potential, greater than most at his age. A dual-path prodigy, they call him. Such talent is rare."

Another figure nodded, their voice smooth but laced with intrigue. "And under the right guidance, he could surpass even those who stand as giants now. His father's neglect of his potential only makes him easier to sway."

"But he's still a child," another interjected, their tone uncertain. "Seven years old. How can we be sure he will join us willingly?"

A soft chuckle came from one of the figures in the back. "Willingly? That's irrelevant. His potential outweighs his choice. If persuasion fails, we take him by force."

The circle grew quiet for a moment as the group considered the boldness of the statement. Then the first figure spoke again. "His dual paths are impressive, yes. But what of his brother? The boy Kael is... unusual. A prodigy without a path, yet thriving under Varian's guidance. Some say he is destined for greatness."

Another hooded figure dismissed the comment with a wave. "Kael is irrelevant to our plans. His path, or lack thereof, is of no concern to us. Lior is the one we need. His dual affinity could bring balance to our ranks, something we've lacked for centuries."

The leader of the group raised a hand, silencing the murmurs. "Enough. We will monitor the situation carefully. The King's favor towards his sons may complicate matters. But Lior will be ours, one way or another."

The conjured image of Lior flickered slightly as if sensing the malice in their words.

The moon hung high in the night sky, casting its pale light over the empty training grounds. The place was silent, except for the faint rustle of leaves in the cool breeze. Everyone in the palace was asleep, but not Kael.

He stood in the middle of the vast training field, his silhouette illuminated by the faint glow of the energy swirling in his hands. His gaze was sharp, focused, as he worked on perfecting the balance between creation and destruction.

In his right hand, a sword began to form—a sleek, black blade with edges that seemed to hum with destructive energy. The air around it crackled faintly as if the weapon itself were alive. In his left hand, a shield appeared. Its surface was smooth, glowing faintly with a light blue hue, radiating protective energy.

Kael took a deep breath, spinning the sword in his hand before slamming the shield into the ground. The impact sent a ripple through the earth, testing its durability. Satisfied, he grinned.

"Not bad," he muttered, his voice breaking the stillness of the night.

He shifted his stance, twirling the sword with ease. Then, in one fluid motion, he tossed the shield into the air. With a flick of his fingers, it disintegrated into particles of light before reforming as a spear. The spear hovered in the air briefly before he snatched it mid-flight, seamlessly switching between weapons.

Kael lunged forward, striking at invisible enemies. His movements were sharp and calculated, each step more confident than the last. The sword sliced through the air with precision, while the spear spun in his grip before he launched it toward a target he'd created earlier—a large boulder at the edge of the field.

The spear hit its mark, exploding on impact. The boulder shattered into pieces, scattering debris across the ground. Kael didn't stop. He conjured a set of throwing daggers next, small but deadly. With a flick of his wrist, they shot toward a line of wooden dummies he'd set up. Each dagger struck cleanly, embedding itself into the targets.

He paused, wiping the sweat off his brow. His chest heaved as he caught his breath, but his eyes glinted with excitement.

"Alright," he said to himself, clapping his hands together. "Let's up the stakes."

He stepped back, summoning a new creation—a pair of gauntlets that fit snugly over his hands. They pulsed with energy, faint trails of light running along their surface. Kael raised his fists, testing their weight, and then charged forward.

With each punch, the gauntlets released bursts of energy, sending shockwaves through the ground. He moved swiftly, striking the air and dodging imaginary attacks. The training ground became a blur of motion, the sounds of his creations colliding with the environment echoing into the night.

Finally, Kael stopped, panting heavily. The gauntlets faded from his hands, leaving him standing in the middle of the wreckage he'd created. The training grounds were a mess—shattered rocks, scorched grass, and splintered dummies scattered everywhere.

Kael looked around, a satisfied smirk spreading across his face. "Not bad for a midnight workout," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

He glanced at the sky, noticing the first hints of dawn creeping in. With a wave of his hand, the remnants of his creations disappeared, leaving the training ground eerily quiet again.

Just as he was about to turn and head back, something caught his eye.

Movement.

His gaze snapped to the palace walls. In the dim light, he saw shadows darting across rooftops and leaping between buildings with practiced precision. They moved fast and quiet, like predators stalking their prey. Kael narrowed his eyes, watching as they closed in on one particular window.

Lior's window.

A grin crept across Kael's face. "Oh, this should be interesting," he muttered to himself, rolling his shoulders. His muscles ached from the intense training session, but the thrill of a potential fight pushed the fatigue aside.

The figures reached the wall just below Lior's room. Kael watched as one of them signaled to the others. They moved like a well-oiled machine, their movements coordinated and deliberate.

Kael tilted his head, intrigued. "Alright, let's see what you're up to."