Chapter 4 : A Dangerous Path

Cedric, Ciara, and Orin moved quickly through the dark forest. The trees stood tall around them, their branches twisting in strange shapes. The only sounds were the rustling leaves and their footsteps on the dirt path.

Cedric kept glancing at Orin. He still didn't trust this stranger. But right now, Orin was their only chance at survival.

"We're almost there," Orin said, leading them deeper into the woods.

"Where exactly is this cave?" Ciara asked, still holding her injured arm.

"Not far," Orin replied. "It's hidden in the cliffs. A safe place, for now."

Cedric didn't like the sound of that. For now. That meant the danger wasn't over.

The Truth Cedric Doesn't Want

As they walked, Cedric's mind was filled with questions. Orin had said he wasn't just Cedric. That he had used a power that belonged to a Monarch.

It didn't make sense. He was just a boy from a small town.

But then… he remembered the light that came from his hands. The strength he felt when lifting the cart to save Ciara. The voice in his head whispering Alistair.

"Orin," Cedric finally said, his voice firm. "Tell me the truth. What am I?"

Orin didn't answer right away. He glanced at him, studying his face.

"You already know, don't you?" Orin finally said. "You can feel it inside you. You're not just a human."

Cedric's chest tightened. He didn't want it to be true. He just wanted his old life back.

"Then tell me," he said. "What am I really?"

Orin stopped walking and turned to face him. "You are the Monarch of Light."

Ciara gasped. "That's impossible!"

Cedric shook his head. "No… I can't be. The Monarch of Light is dead."

"His body is gone," Orin corrected. "But his soul—his power—was saved. And it was placed inside you."

Cedric took a step back. "No. I'm Cedric. Just Cedric."

Orin sighed. "Believe what you want. But your power is waking up. And soon, you won't be able to ignore it."

Cedric clenched his fists. He didn't want to be a Monarch. He didn't want any of this.

He just wanted his home back.

A New Threat,

Before Cedric could say anything else, a low growl echoed through the trees.

All three of them froze.

"What was that?" Ciara whispered.

Orin narrowed their eyes. "Something is coming."

The bushes ahead rustled, and then—it appeared.

A Blocker.

The demon had black armor covering its body, but its most terrifying feature was its ability to block power. Any attack using mana would fail against it.

It stood in the path, its glowing red eyes locked onto them. Then, without warning, it charged.

"Move!" Orin shouted.

Cedric grabbed Ciara and pulled her aside just in time. The Blocker smashed into a tree, splitting the wood in half.

Cedric's heart pounded. He had no weapon. No way to fight.

Orin stepped forward. "I'll handle this."

The Blocker turned toward Orin and lunged again. Orin leaped to the side, moving with incredible speed. He reached into their cloak and pulled out a short blade.

Orin slashed, but the blade bounced off the Blocker's armor.

"Not good," Orin muttered.

The Blocker swung its heavy arm, hitting Orin in the chest and sending them crashing into a tree.

"Orin!" Ciara cried.

Cedric felt something stir inside him. A heat in his chest. The same feeling he had when he fought the Pandemonium before.

He couldn't run. He had to fight.

The Blocker turned its attention to Cedric and Ciara. It stomped forward, raising its arm for a powerful strike.

Cedric's hands clenched into fists. The warmth in his chest grew stronger.

Move.

His body reacted.

Just as the Blocker attacked, Cedric stepped forward, raising his arm.

A golden light flashed.

The Blocker staggered back, confused. It had blocked the mana—but this power was different. It wasn't just magic.

It was something else.

Cedric didn't stop to think. He lunged forward and swung his fist—just like he had seen the warriors in his town do.

His fist connected with the Blocker's chest.

A burst of light exploded from the impact.

The Blocker let out a deep, guttural sound as cracks formed along its armor. Then, with a final shudder, it collapsed onto the ground.

Silence.

Cedric stood frozen, his breathing heavy.

Ciara stared at him. "Cedric… what was that?"

Orin got up, wincing. "That," He said, "was the power of the Monarch of Light."

Cedric looked down at his hands. The glow was already fading. But he could still feel it inside him.

This was real.

He really wasn't just Cedric.

After the fight, they didn't waste time. Orin led them further into the forest until they reached a rocky cliffside. Hidden between the trees was the entrance to a cave.

"We'll rest here for the night," Orin said.

Ciara sat down, exhausted. "I don't know how much more of this I can take."

Cedric sat next to her. He felt the same way.

Orin placed his blade down and leaned against the cave wall. "You need to get stronger, Cedric. The demons won't stop coming."

Cedric looked at his hands again. He didn't ask for this power. But if it was his… he had to learn how to use it.

He had no other choice.

The world was changing.

And so was he