Chapter 14 – The Journey Begins

The morning sun barely crested the horizon when Kalen and Seraphine mounted their horses, the chill of dawn still clinging to the air. Though Kalen had regained some of his strength, the weight of his newly awakened power lingered in his mind—untamed, unpredictable, and out of reach. He clenched his fists as he adjusted his grip on the reins. He needed control. He needed answers. And their destination promised both.

Seraphine shot him a sideways glance. "Don't push yourself too hard," she said. "You're strong, Kalen, but strength without control is dangerous."

Kalen exhaled slowly. "I know… I just wish I could tap into it when I need to."

She nodded but said nothing more. There was no use dwelling on something they couldn't change, not when they had a journey ahead.

The road stretched before them, a worn dirt path cutting through the vast plains. According to Seraphine's map, their destination—a hidden sanctuary where warlocks once gathered—was only a two-day ride away. But the journey would be far from peaceful.

Shadows in the Distance

Unbeknownst to them, eyes followed their every move. Hidden among the trees, cloaked figures observed from a distance, their presence masked by dark magic. The Council of Shadows had not forgotten them.

One of the spies, a wiry man with a scar across his cheek, whispered into a small enchanted stone. "They've begun moving. The boy is recovering faster than expected."

A voice crackled in response, cold and devoid of emotion. "Continue tracking them. Do not engage. The Council will decide his fate soon."

The spies melted into the shadows, unseen and unheard.

The First Night

By the time dusk painted the sky in deep hues of crimson and gold, Kalen and Seraphine had covered a great distance. They set up camp beneath the shelter of an ancient oak, its twisted branches stretching like skeletal fingers toward the sky.

Kalen sat by the fire, lost in thought. If the Council of Shadows was truly after him, what did that mean for his future? He had killed Vaelin Drex, an enforcer of their ranks. That alone made him a threat.

Seraphine poked at the fire with a stick. "We should take turns keeping watch."

Kalen nodded. "I'll take first shift."

Seraphine studied him for a moment before sighing. "Just… be careful, alright?"

He managed a small smirk. "You worry too much."

She rolled her eyes before wrapping herself in a cloak and lying down. Within moments, her breathing evened out, and she drifted into a light sleep.

As the fire crackled softly, Kalen stood and drew his sword. The weight felt familiar in his hands, but something was different. I need to grow stronger.

He moved through slow, practiced swings, his muscles remembering every lesson drilled into him. Each arc of the blade cut through the still night air, his footwork steady yet deliberate. I need control.

The hours passed as he trained, lost in the rhythm of his movements. Only when fatigue crept into his limbs did he finally sheath his sword and sit back by the fire.

He stared into the flickering flames, his thoughts swirling like the embers rising into the night sky. He had two days to prepare for whatever awaited him at their destination. Two days to figure out how to control the power within him. And two days before the Council of Shadows made their move.

The hunt had only just begun.