I need a break!
Kaleb’s legs felt like lead as he trudged through the rain-soaked forest, each step a reminder of the battle he’d just barely survived. The bruises from Zephyra’s strikes still stung, and the weariness that settled into his bones was like nothing he had ever felt before. His hands shook as he gripped Denkoujin tightly, the sword still humming faintly with residual energy from their last fight.
His heart thudded in his chest as he pushed forward, his breath ragged. The storm inside him hadn’t settled. If anything, it was growing stronger, louder, like a thundercloud brewing inside his chest. Kaleb clenched his teeth, forcing himself to ignore the fatigue gnawing at him. There was no time to rest. There was only time to get stronger.
The Raiden System pulsed on his chest, a soft, steady hum that seemed to press against his ribs. The mark on his chest had never felt more alive, like it was urging him to keep going, no matter how much his body protested.
[Objective Updated: Keep Training. Rest When Needed.]
“Rest?” Kaleb muttered, his eyes narrowing as he took another step. “I don’t need rest. I need strength. I need to get stronger, fast.”
His fingers tightened around Denkoujin, feeling the weight of the sword, the responsibility that came with it. He hadn’t asked for this power, but it was his now. He had to use it. No more mistakes.
The memory of the fight with Zephyra still haunted him—the way she danced around his every move, the way she seemed to anticipate his strikes. She had been a whirlwind of wind and void energy, and he had been nothing but a storm that couldn’t touch her. Kaleb’s jaw tightened.
But despite his burning desire for revenge, doubt crept into his mind.
Kaleb swallowed hard and forced his doubts aside. The Raiden System flashed before him, giving him a flicker of focus.
[Energy Surge Detected. Source: Nearby Threat.]
Kaleb stopped dead in his tracks. The forest had gone eerily quiet, and he could feel the energy in the air—charged, thick with tension. Something was wrong. His instincts screamed at him to prepare for battle.
A figure stepped out of the shadows, moving fluidly, almost silently. Kaleb’s heart skipped a beat. His hand instinctively reached for Denkoujin, ready to draw it, but he held back for a moment, scanning the figure in the dim light. His senses tingled with the raw energy in the air. This wasn’t just any enemy. This was someone dangerous.
The figure revealed themselves fully—Ronan, his twin daggers sheathed at his sides, stepping into the moonlight. Ronan’s eyes were sharp, his expression unreadable. He regarded Kaleb with a mixture of concern and judgment.
“You’re pushing yourself too hard,” Ronan said, his voice flat but serious. “You’ve barely gotten away from Zephyra, and now you’re walking straight into another fight?”
Kaleb’s frustration bubbled to the surface. “I don’t have time to rest,” he spat, his hands clenched into fists. “I need to be stronger. I need to figure out why she was so much faster than me, why I couldn’t keep up. I need answers.”
Ronan shook his head slowly, his gaze never leaving Kaleb. “You think charging into battle without a plan is the answer? What happens when you burn yourself out? What happens when the storm inside you doesn’t stop?”
Kaleb opened his mouth to retort, but Ronan raised a hand, cutting him off.
“Don’t get me wrong,” Ronan continued, his voice a little softer now. “I know how you feel. You’re angry. You want to show them you’re strong. But strength doesn’t come from just fighting harder. It comes from fighting smarter. You’re not invincible, Kaleb.”
Kaleb felt his anger rise. “I know I’m not invincible, but I can’t just sit back and wait for them to come for me! I won’t let them get away with what they’ve done!”
Ronan sighed deeply, his expression softening. “I never said you should sit back and wait. I said you need to train. Rest. And think. Zephyra won’t be the last powerful foe you face. If you don’t learn from this fight, you’ll make the same mistakes again.”
Kaleb’s chest tightened as he thought about his past. He had always relied on brute force. Charging into every fight headfirst, hoping his strength would carry him. But Ronan was right. If he kept fighting the same way, he would lose again. And next time, he might not survive.
He looked at Ronan, the storm inside him still raging, but now with a hint of clarity. “So, what do you suggest? Sit back and wait for the next fight to find me?”
Ronan’s lips curled into a small, knowing smile. “No. You need to train. But you also need to make a plan. You can’t fight like this. You need to learn control. Patience. That’s the only way you’ll survive what’s coming.”
Kaleb’s fists loosened slightly as he listened. His mind was still filled with anger, but there was a small part of him that understood. He had to stop rushing. He had to stop reacting and start thinking.
The Raiden System flashed once again:
[Objective Updated: Return to Camp. Rest and Train. Further Analysis of Zephyra’s Abilities Advised.]
Kaleb hesitated, his breath heavy. “So you want me to go back? After everything that’s happened?”
Ronan nodded. “Yes. You need to gather your strength. You need to prepare for what’s coming. I know you want revenge, but that’s not going to get you anywhere. You’ll only end up dead.”
Kaleb stood there for a moment, his mind torn. He didn’t want to stop. He didn’t want to rest. But deep down, he knew Ronan was right.
“Fine,” Kaleb muttered, his voice rough. “I’ll go back. But I’ll be ready.”
Ronan gave him a brief nod. “Good. But remember, Kaleb. Strength is useless if you can’t control it.”
The two turned to head back to camp, but before Kaleb could take a step, a low growl rumbled from the shadows.
Kaleb’s senses went on high alert. His heart skipped a beat, and he immediately reached for Denkoujin. Something wasn’t right.
Ronan froze, his expression hardening. “What the hell was that?”
The growl came again, closer this time. Kaleb’s eyes darted around the trees, trying to pinpoint the source of the sound. His breath caught in his throat. Whatever it was, it wasn’t just a wild animal. This was something much worse.
“Stay ready,” Ronan whispered, his eyes narrowing as he looked into the darkness. “We’re not alone.”
Suddenly, from the trees ahead, something massive moved into view. Kaleb’s eyes widened as a massive creature stepped into the clearing. It was a beast—tall, covered in dark scales, with glowing red eyes that seemed to pierce through the shadows. It was hunched over, massive claws scraping against the ground as it slowly approached. Its breath was ragged, and the air around it seemed to pulse with dark energy.
Kaleb’s heart pounded in his chest. What is that thing?
The beast snarled, its eyes locking onto Kaleb and Ronan, its massive body tensing for an attack.
Kaleb’s fingers curled around Denkoujin’s hilt, his body ready for the fight, but his mind raced.
Ronan’s voice was low and urgent. “Whatever that thing is, it’s not going to wait. We need to fight, Kaleb. Now!”
Kaleb’s grip tightened, the storm inside him flaring again. But this time, he wasn’t just angry. He was furious!