Journey Begins

The clearing was eerily silent after the battle. Smoke lingered in the air, the scent of burnt earth and crushed leaves still heavy. Kael stood panting, his body trembling from the effort, while Vorran staggered backward, clearly surprised by the force of the attack.

Kael's heart pounded in his chest as he tried to steady his breathing. His power was still chaotic, unpredictable—but it had been enough to push Vorran back.

"Is that all you've got, boy?" Vorran sneered, wiping the blood from his lip. "You'll have to do better than that."

Kael tightened his grip on the power surging inside him, preparing for another strike. But the old man stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. "Enough."

Kael looked at him, surprised. "But—"

"Vorran is no ordinary foe," the old man said, his eyes narrowing. "This is a fight you're not ready for. You need more than raw power to defeat someone like him."

Vorran's eyes glowed ominously as he took a step forward. "He's right. You need more than just your fruit. And soon, you'll learn that I'm not the only one who will be hunting you down."

"Why are you after me?" Kael asked, his voice steady despite the adrenaline pumping through his veins.

Vorran chuckled darkly. "The fruits are valuable, boy. Very valuable. And those who wield them are even more so."

Kael frowned, his mind racing. "But I'm not… I'm not even fully in control yet."

"Doesn't matter. The world doesn't care about control," Vorran replied, his voice cold. "They care about power."

With that, Vorran turned on his heel and disappeared into the forest, leaving Kael standing there, breathless and uncertain.

The old man sighed. "You need to leave this place, Kael."

Kael blinked. "What do you mean? I—"

"Vorran was just the beginning. There are others, people who will stop at nothing to get their hands on your power."

Kael's pulse quickened as he absorbed the weight of the old man's words. "What should I do?"

"You need to leave. Go on a journey. Find answers. Learn control, and learn what it truly means to wield an Elohim Fruit. There are places far beyond here, ancient temples, secret schools where Armor Masters train."

Kael hesitated, looking at the ground. "But… I don't know where to begin."

The old man placed a hand on his shoulder. "The world is vast, boy. And so are your possibilities. The journey will find you."

Kael nodded slowly, a sense of determination settling in. He knew the road ahead wouldn't be easy. It would be filled with dangers, challenges, and moments when he might doubt everything. But there was no turning back now.

"I'll go," Kael said, his voice firm. "I'll find a way to control this power. And I'll stop those who want to use it for destruction."

The old man smiled. "Good. But be warned, Kael—there are more forces at work than just those who want your power. The world is changing. And you will change with it."

Kael took a deep breath and turned away. His journey had begun.

As he walked through the dense forest, his mind wandered back to the battle. He could still feel the chaotic energy inside him, thrumming with raw potential. But it was only a matter of time before it tore him apart if he didn't master it.

Kael needed answers. He needed training.

And above all, he needed to understand the true nature of the Elohim Fruits.