THE EDGE OF RESOLVE

The wasteland stretched endlessly, its barren soil cracked and scorched by the unrelenting sun. Aiden stood silently, watching as Rei sat on a jagged boulder, bruised and scowling. The earlier fight with the monster had left Rei battered, his pride shattered more than his body.

Aiden could tell Rei wasn't just sulking—he was replaying the fight over and over in his head, searching for where he went wrong. He wanted to prove something, but the reality had hit him like the monster's claws. He wasn't strong enough. Not yet.

"You think you're tough, don't you?" Aiden broke the silence, his voice calm but sharp.

Rei glanced up, startled, before lowering his gaze. "I've survived here my whole life. I've fought everything that's tried to kill me. I am strong."

Aiden sighed. "Strength isn't about surviving, Rei. It's about thriving. It's about standing at the edge of death and not flinching." He sat down beside Rei, his eyes distant, as if looking into a past long forgotten.

"You fought that monster like a reckless fool. You let your anger lead you, and it almost cost you your life. If I hadn't stepped in…"

"I would have won!" Rei snapped, his fists clenched. "I just needed more time!"

Aiden raised an eyebrow. "Time wouldn't have saved you. Skill would. Strategy would. And most of all…" He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Control."

Rei frowned but didn't respond.

Aiden stood and stretched. "Rest up. Tomorrow, we start training for real."

The next morning, Rei woke to the smell of something cooking. He sat up groggily, rubbing his eyes, and saw Aiden crouched over a small fire, roasting some kind of meat on a skewer.

"Eat," Aiden said, tossing him a piece.

Rei caught it and took a bite, his eyes widening as the flavor exploded on his tongue. It was the best thing he'd eaten in weeks.

"Where did you get this?" he asked between bites.

Aiden shrugged. "Hunted it last night while you were sleeping. You'll learn how to do that, too. Eventually."

Rei scowled but didn't argue. He knew Aiden was right. He had a lot to learn.

After they ate, Aiden led Rei to a flat expanse of land surrounded by jagged rocks. It looked like an ancient battleground, scarred and pitted from countless fights.

"This is where we'll train," Aiden said. "Every day, until you're strong enough to face anything this world throws at you."

Rei's eyes lit up. "So, what's first? Sword training? Hand-to-hand combat? Some kind of secret Soulcrest technique?"

Aiden chuckled. "First, we're going to work on your endurance."

Rei blinked. "Endurance?"

Aiden nodded. "If you can't last in a fight, nothing else matters. Now, start running."

Rei groaned but did as he was told. He ran laps around the training ground, his legs burning and his lungs screaming for air. Every time he tried to slow down, Aiden would shout at him to keep going.

After what felt like hours, Rei collapsed, gasping for breath.

"That's enough for today," Aiden said, tossing him a water flask. "Tomorrow, we'll go longer."

Rei glared at him but drank the water without complaining. He was exhausted, but deep down, he knew this was what he needed.

Days turned into weeks, and Rei's training continued. He ran, fought, and practiced until every muscle in his body ached. Aiden pushed him harder every day, forcing him to confront his limits and then break through them.

One night, after an especially grueling training session, Rei sat by the fire, staring into the flames.

"Why are you helping me?" he asked suddenly.

Aiden looked at him, surprised by the question.

"Because I see something in you," he said after a moment. "Something… dangerous. But also something powerful. You remind me of someone I once knew."

"Who?"

Aiden's expression darkened, and for a moment, Rei thought he wouldn't answer. But then he sighed and spoke.

"A long time ago, there was a man whose Soulcrest was so powerful, it defied the entire world. He fought against kings, armies, and even the Soulcrest Council itself. No one could stop him."

Rei leaned forward, captivated by the story.

"What happened to him?"

Aiden's eyes were distant again, as if he were seeing something far away.

"They called him the Astral Scar," he said quietly. "Because wherever he went, he left destruction in his wake. But one day, he disappeared. Some say he was killed. Others say he's still out there, waiting for the right moment to return."

Rei shivered. The idea of someone that powerful was both terrifying and thrilling.

"Do you think I could be that strong someday?" he asked.

Aiden smiled, but there was a hint of sadness in his eyes.

"Maybe. But strength like that comes with a price. Be careful what you wish for, Rei."

The next day, Aiden led Rei to a new part of the wasteland—a dark, twisted forest filled with gnarled trees and thick undergrowth.

"We're here to hunt," Aiden said. "But not just any prey. This forest is home to a monster known as the Shadowfang. It's fast, deadly, and almost impossible to kill. If you can face it and survive, you'll be one step closer to mastering your Soulcrest."

Rei's heart pounded in his chest, but he nodded. He wasn't going to back down.

They moved through the forest silently, their senses on high alert. Every rustle of leaves, every snap of a twig made Rei jump.

Suddenly, there was a low growl, and Rei froze.

Out of the shadows, a massive creature emerged. It was twice the size of the monster Rei had fought before, with glowing red eyes and jagged fangs. Its fur was black as night, and its claws gleamed like steel.

"That's the Shadowfang," Aiden said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Be careful."

Rei swallowed hard, gripping his weapon tightly. He could feel the creature's aura—dark, cold, and suffocating.

The Shadowfang lunged, and Rei dodged just in time. He swung his weapon, but it barely scratched the creature's hide.

The monster snarled and attacked again, faster this time. Rei blocked its claws with his weapon, but the force of the blow sent him flying backward.

"Focus!" Aiden shouted. "You've trained for this!"

Rei got to his feet, his body screaming in protest. He charged at the Shadowfang, dodging its attacks and striking whenever he saw an opening.

But it wasn't enough. The creature was too strong, too fast. It was toying with him.

Rei stumbled, his vision blurring. He could hear Aiden shouting something, but his voice seemed far away. The Shadowfang loomed over him, its jaws open wide.

And then everything went dark.

To Be Continued…