Master chapter (22)

The grand halls of the castle felt strangely empty as Rudra, Ray, and Riven walked toward the king's chamber. Their footsteps echoed through the marble corridors, the sound a quiet reminder of the weight that was steadily settling upon their shoulders. The servant's announcement had stirred something inside them, a vague sense of anticipation mixed with apprehension. The air in the castle felt charged, as if the very stones themselves could sense the tension that hung thickly in the air.

The king's words were always decisive, but today, there was something different in his tone—something beneath the authority that hinted at deeper concerns. Each of them had their own thoughts as they approached the door, yet none dared speak. They had all been raised to understand the gravity of a summons, especially one as solemn as this. It was not just a call for a meeting. It was a call to action.

As they entered the hall, the king sat upon his throne, draped in the rich garments of his station, his eyes piercing as he regarded each of them in turn. His presence was overwhelming, though his expression remained calm, almost neutral. He had always been a ruler of strength, of unwavering resolve, yet today there was an undercurrent of unease that was palpable even to the most perceptive of his sons.

King Theron's voice broke the silence, deep and commanding. "Tomorrow, all of the princes from neighboring kingdoms will arrive. They will come with their masters and a handful of guards. The purpose of their visit is to attend the ceremony of key as you know

A quiet murmur rippled through the room, but the king silenced them with a single raised hand. "This is a matter of great importance. These time it's said to be all other gateway is going to connect to our one "

Ray, always the one to question, stepped forward, his brow furrowed in concern. "What about my master, Endir?" His tone was not one of defiance but of a quiet worry.

His master edhir had immense power, a warrior revered by many and feared by all. His absence from the upcoming trials of strength was more than concerning.

Before the king could respond, a voice as sharp and cold as the northern winds cut through the room. "So, in my absence, you refer to your master by his name?"

The words were spoken with a quiet authority, but there was an undeniable warmth beneath them, a familiarity that made Ray's posture relax despite himself.

From the corner of the room, a figure emerged—tall, commanding, and wrapped in an aura of darkness. The very air seemed to still as Master Endir, know as

The Seven Heavens

Made his presence known. His reputation was unmatched, his abilities legendary, and yet in that moment, he was no longer the fearsome figure everyone spoke of. He was simply a man returning to his pupil.

Ray's heart clenched as he saw his master step into the light. Endir's gaze, dark and intense, met his, and for a brief moment, all the tension in the room seemed to dissipate. Endir's gaze softened, and he approached Ray with a deliberate calmness, as if the very act of walking toward him held significance beyond words.

Without warning, he pulled Ray into a tight embrace, the power and weight of the man almost overwhelming. "I am sorry," his master murmured, his voice low but full of something raw—something that Ray could feel deep in his chest. It was an apology long overdue, one that spoke of more than just absence. It spoke of a bond that had been tested by time, by distance, and by the weight of their responsibilities.

For Ray, the embrace was everything. It was the reassurance he needed, the validation that his loyalty had not been in vain. But even as Endir's arms encircled him, the weight of the future pressed down upon them both. There was little time for sentimentality, no room for distractions. The king's mission was clear, and the path ahead would be far from easy.

Endir released Ray, his dark eyes flicking to the king, who had observed the reunion with quiet understanding. "Ray,and you boy called Rudra,you will also " he said, his voice now once again commanding. "For the next ten days, you will train with him There will be no time for rest, no time for hesitation. Your skills, your strength, and your endurance will be tested like never before."

The king's voice rang out as he confirmed what had already been alluded to. "And you, Rudra, will train with ray as well. No exceptions."

Rudra's gaze was cold, unwavering, his face a blank mask as always. "Me, also," he replied, his tone flat, the lack of emotion betraying nothing. He was no stranger to the idea of training, of pushing his body to its absolute limit. His existence, after all, was one of constant preparation.

The king turned to them both, his eyes filled with unspoken command. "Prepare yourselves. The tests ahead are unlike anything you've faced. And remember," he added, his voice sharpening, "your strength will not be determined by your muscles alone, but by your resolve, by your will to endure. And, above all, by your ability to push through the pain."

Rudra gave a small nod in acknowledgment, though his thoughts remained distant. Pain meant nothing to him. Endurance was not a challenge, but a constant state of being. He had never known a life where he didn't push through his limits.

But Ray, ever perceptive, looked at his master. "What do you expect of us?" His question was laced with the quiet urgency that had driven him for so long.

Endir's eyes darkened, and for a moment, there was silence. Then, in a voice that seemed to reverberate with ancient power, he spoke. "What I expect of you is simple—your everything. You will be tested not just in combat, but in every facet of your being. Mind, body, and spirit. For those who falter now may never rise again."

The weight of his words was not lost on any of them. Rudra's heart did not race at the prospect of such challenges. Ray's face tightened in preparation. But all three knew that the days ahead would be a crucible—a test of every skill they had honed, every ounce of power they had fought for. They would be pushed to their absolute limits, and for Ray and Rudra, there was little choice but to accept that.

As they turned to leave the hall, the king called out to Riven. The prince stood still, his back straight, his expression unreadable. His father's voice was a quiet command, laced with something unspoken. "Riven, you stay behind."

The others exited, leaving Riven to face his father alone. The king's gaze softened as he studied his son.

"You have been preparing for your third sin"

Do not underestimate it. The challenge will be unlike anything you've faced before."

Riven nodded, his face a mask of stoic resolve. "I understand, Father."

But the king's eyes darkened. "Do not forget, Riven, that this sin is not just a matter of strength. It is a matter of the heart. You will be tested in ways you cannot yet comprehend. Do not take it lightly."

Riven bowed his head slightly, acknowledging the weight of his father's words. "I won't fail."

The king's voice faltered for a moment, and a trace of pain leaked into his otherwise controlled tone. "I cannot afford to lose you. Not now. Not .....

A long silence filled the room, the king's eyes clouded with a sorrow that his words couldn't fully convey. Finally, he gave a stiff nod. "You may leave now, Riven. Practice hard. The future of this kingdom—and of our family—depends on it."

Riven's gaze lingered for a moment longer before he turned and left the room, his mind already turning toward the trials to come.

Hours passed, and as the sun dipped below the horizon, Ray stood on the training grounds, awaiting the arrival of his master. Master Endir was always on time, always precise. And when he appeared, it was as though he stepped out of the very shadows themselves.

Ray's body tensed, and for the briefest of moments, the bond between master and student, forged through countless trials, seemed to stretch between them. "Let's go to the training grounds," Endir said, his voice cutting through the air like a blade.

Ray nodded, his eyes narrowing as he glanced over at Rudra. "I'll get Rudra there," he said, but before he could finish, Endir had already disappeared, vanishing into the darkening shadows as though he had never been there at all.

The path ahead was clear. The next ten days would shape them all in ways they couldn't begin to comprehend. But as Ray and Rudra followed their respective masters into the unknown, they knew that nothing would ever be the same again.

The weight of destiny pressed down upon whom?