(Kael and Hong Sun return to the castle, still sore from their battle with the Ghost Knight. As they walk through the halls, they notice unease among the soldiers—hushed whispers, tense faces. Something feels off.)
(Hong Sun nudges Kael.)
Hong Sun (whispering): "Okay, either we missed something big, or everyone's suddenly terrified of the weather."
Kael (frowning): "Something happened while we were gone."
(They continue toward Alden's study, the castle's vast library where the old scholar spends most of his time buried in ancient texts.)
(As they step inside, the room is dimly lit, the scent of old parchment thick in the air. Alden sits at his desk, flipping through an aged tome. But when Kael and Hong Sun enter, he doesn't look up.)
Alden (calmly): "You've seen him, haven't you?"
(Kael and Hong Sun exchange glances.)
Kael: "The Ghost Knight. You knew about him?"
(Alden finally looks up, his gaze sharp and knowing.)
Alden: "I suspected he would come for you eventually."
Hong Sun (throwing up his hands): "Of course! Because nothing in Kael's life can ever be normal!"
Kael (ignoring him, stepping forward): "He spoke to me, Alden. He said… 'The shadows will reach me soon.' What does that mean?"
(Alden closes his book with a soft thud. He leans back in his chair, exhaling slowly.)
Alden: "It means you don't have much time."
(Kael stiffens.)
Kael: "Time for what?"
(Alden doesn't answer immediately. Instead, he stands, walking over to a shelf filled with old scrolls. He pulls one out, glancing at it before placing it aside.)
Alden: "Listen carefully, Kael. From this moment on, you must train as if you alone are fighting an army of a billion."
(Hong Sun blinks, clearly not expecting that answer.)
Hong Sun: "Uh. That's… specific. And insane."
Alden (ignoring him): "Your strength, your will, your resolve—none of it is enough yet. If you hesitate, you will die. If you falter, you will be erased from history."
(Kael clenches his fists. He's used to Alden being cryptic, but this time, there's a weight in his words that feels different. Like he's holding something back.)
Kael (serious): "Then tell me what I'm preparing for."
(Alden meets his gaze, unshaken.)
Alden: "That is not for you to know yet."
Kael (frustrated): "Why?"
Alden: "Because knowing now would change nothing. You are not ready."
(Hong Sun, sensing the tension, raises a hand awkwardly.)
Hong Sun: "Okay, cool. Love the whole 'mysterious mentor' act, really. But you could at least tell us what direction to swing our swords in, right?"
(Alden turns, walking back to his desk.)
Alden: "Your next step is clear. You must become stronger."
Kael: "Stronger than what?"
(Alden sits, his gaze like a storm cloud.)
Alden: "Stronger than fear itself."
(A heavy silence follows. Kael doesn't look away. He knows Alden well enough to recognize when he's hiding something. But for now, pushing will get him nowhere.)
(Hong Sun, sensing that Kael is lost in thought, sighs.)
Hong Sun: "Well. Guess we're back to hellish training again. Fantastic."
(Alden smirks slightly.)
Alden: "This time, it will be worse."
(Hong Sun groans loudly, flopping onto a chair.)
Kael (thinking): "Whatever is coming… it's bigger than anything I've ever faced."
(As he leaves the study, Alden watches him go, his expression unreadable. When the door closes behind them, he finally whispers to himself.)
Alden (softly): "I only pray that when the time comes… you will be enough."