chapter ten;The weight of revenge

I stood in the center of the clearing, my eyes closed as I focused on the energy within me. Rohar stood beside me, his voice guiding me as I worked to master my powers.

"Feel the earth beneath your feet, Kael," Rohar said, his voice calm and soothing. "Connect with the natural world, and let its power flow through you."

I took a deep breath, feeling the energy of the earth rise up through my body. I could sense the pulse of the land, the rhythm of the trees and the rivers. It was a powerful feeling, one that filled me with a sense of wonder and awe.

As I stood there, I began to feel a strange sensation in my fingers. It was as if they were tingling, as if the energy of the earth was flowing through them.

Rohar noticed the change in me, and he nodded in approval. "Good, Kael," he said. "You're starting to tap into the power of the elements. Now, let's see if you can control it."

I opened my eyes, focusing on a nearby rock. I could feel the energy of the earth flowing through me, and I reached out with my mind, trying to connect with the rock.

As I did, the rock began to glow with a soft, blue light. I could feel the energy of the earth flowing through it, and I knew that I was controlling it.

Rohar smiled, his eyes shining with pride. "Well done, Kael," he said. "You're a natural."

I grinned, feeling a sense of excitement and accomplishment. I was mastering my powers, and I could feel the energy of the elements flowing through me.

But as I stood there, basking in the glow of my success, I began to feel a strange sensation. It was as if I was being pulled towards something, as if the energy of the elements was calling to me.

Rohar noticed the change in me, and he frowned in concern. "Kael, what's wrong?" he asked.

I shook my head, trying to clear it. "I don't know," I said. "I just feel... drawn to something. As if the energy of the elements is calling to me."

Rohar's expression turned serious, and he nodded thoughtfully. "I think I know what's going on, Kael," he said. "You're starting to tap into the deeper power of the elements. It's a sign that you're ready to move on to the next level of your training."

I nodded, feeling a sense of excitement and anticipation. I was ready to learn more, to master the power of the elements and use it to defend my kingdom and the people I loved.

But as I stood there, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. That the energy of the elements was calling to me for a reason, and that I was being drawn into something much bigger than myself.

I lay in my bed, my eyes closed as I drifted off to sleep. But my rest was short-lived, as I was soon consumed by a vivid and disturbing dream.

In the dream, I saw Heaven's kingdom, its beautiful buildings and gardens in ruins. I saw the people I loved, the people I had sworn to protect, lying dead and broken on the ground.

And I saw the soldiers of Xuchael, led by Xanthea's father, King Valtor. They were the ones who had brought destruction and death to Heaven's kingdom.

I woke up with a start, my heart racing and my mind reeling. It was just a dream, I told myself. But the images lingered in my mind, haunting me.

I couldn't shake the feeling that the dream was more than just a product of my imagination. I had to know if it was true.

I called for my most trusted spies and sent them to Heaven's kingdom to gather information. I waited anxiously for their return, my mind racing with worst-case scenarios.

And then, the spies returned, their faces grim and their eyes haunted.

"It's true, Kael," one of them said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Heaven's kingdom was attacked by King Valtor's soldiers. They killed everyone, Kael. Everyone."

I felt a wave of rage and grief wash over me, and I knew that I had to act. I couldn't just sit back and do nothing while the people I loved were slaughtered.

I unleashed my full power, feeling the energy of the elements coursing through me. I was a force to be reckoned with, and I was determined to make King Valtor pay for what he had done.

I set off towards Xuchael, my heart burning with anger and my mind fixed on revenge. I would show King Valtor the true meaning of power, and I would make him regret the day he ever crossed me.

As I marched towards Xuchael, I could feel the earth trembling beneath my feet. The elements were responding to my power, and they were eager to unleash their fury upon my enemies.

I was a storm about to break, and King Valtor was about to face the full force of my wrath.

I lay on the cold, hard ground, my vision blurring as I struggled to breathe. The sound of clashing steel and the scent of blood filled the air, and I knew that our kingdom was falling.

I saw Kael's face in my mind, his eyes burning with determination and his sword flashing in the sunlight. I knew that he would do everything in his power to protect me, to save me.

But it was too late. The soldiers of Xuchael had broken through our defenses, and they were cutting down our people with ruthless efficiency.

I felt a hand grasp my ankle, pulling me backwards. I tried to struggle, but I was too weak. I was dragged across the ground, my head bouncing off the stones.

As I lay there, I saw Kael's face again. This time, it was filled with anguish and despair. He was shouting my name, fighting his way through the soldiers to reach me.

But he was too late. The soldier who had dragged me across the ground raised his sword, its blade glinting in the sunlight.

I closed my eyes, waiting for the end. But as the sword came down, I opened my eyes and saw Kael's face one last time.

"Kael," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "I love you."

The sword fell, and everything went black.

I stood outside the walls of Xuchael, my heart heavy with the weight of revenge. It had been months since Heaven's death, and I had been consumed by a burning desire for vengeance.

As I looked up at the castle walls, I could feel my anger and hatred simmering just below the surface. I had come to Xuchael with one goal in mind: to make King Valtor pay for what he had done.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. I knew that I couldn't let my emotions get the better of me. I needed to be focused, to be clear-headed, if I was going to succeed.

I made my way through the castle gates, my eyes scanning the courtyard for any sign of the king. I knew that he would be well-guarded, but I was determined to get to him.

As I walked, I could feel the weight of my sword at my side. It was a familiar feeling, one that brought me comfort and reassurance. I had named the sword "Heaven's Revenge," and I knew that it would serve me well in the battle ahead.

I approached the castle doors, my heart pounding in my chest. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what was to come.

I pushed open the doors and stepped inside, my eyes adjusting to the dim light. The castle was quiet, the only sound the soft rustling of the guards' armor.

I made my way through the halls, my footsteps echoing off the stone walls. I knew that I was getting close, that the king's throne room was just ahead.

As I turned a corner, I saw the guards standing outside the throne room doors. They were big and burly, their faces stern and unyielding.

I smiled to myself, knowing that I had a surprise in store for them. I reached into my pocket and pulled out a small vial of potion, one that would render the guards unconscious.

I threw the vial at the guards, watching as they crumpled to the ground. I stepped over them, pushing open the throne room doors.

The room was dimly lit, the only light coming from a few candles scattered around the room. The king sat on his throne, a look of surprise on his face.

"Kael," he said, his voice dripping with malice. "I've been expecting you."

I smiled, my hand on the hilt of my sword. "I've come for you, King Valtor," I said, my voice cold and deadly. "You're going to pay for what you did to Heaven."

The king sneered, his face twisting with contempt. "You'll never leave this castle alive, Kael," he spat. "My guards will see to that."

I laughed, a cold, mirthless sound. "Your guards are unconscious, King Valtor," I said, my eyes glinting with amusement. "And as for leaving this castle alive...I'm not planning on leaving at all."

The king's face paled, his eyes widening in fear. He knew that he was beaten, that I had the upper hand.

I took a step forward, my sword at the ready. "It's time to pay the price for your sins, King Valtor," I said, my voice dripping with venom. "And I'm the one who's going to make you pay."