Chapter:15-A New Journey

(Kael's vision blurs. His body sways—his wounds, though slowly healing, are deep. The overwhelming battle had drained him more than he thought.)

(As Alden and the others rush toward him, his strength gives out—)

THUD.

Kael (weakly, as he falls): "Tch… looks like… I overdid it…"

(His consciousness fades before he can even hear their voices.)

Elyse Catches Him

(Elyse moves first—her instincts react faster than her thoughts. She drops to her knees, catching Kael's head in her lap. His breath is faint, his body still trembling from the aftershocks of battle.)

Elyse (panicked): "Kael! Hey—wake up!"

(Sun crouches beside her, his usual humor absent as he grips Kael's arm.)

Sun (gritted teeth): "Damn idiot… why would you go alone?"

(Alden places a hand on Kael's chest. A faint glow surrounds his palm as he channels healing magic. His sharp eyes observe Kael's condition carefully.)

Alden (serious, thinking): He fought far beyond his limit… but his body is already adapting. That resilience… it's unnatural.

(Alden exhales, standing up.)

Alden: "We need to get him back to the castle. He's stable, but he needs rest."

(Elyse nods, carefully lifting Kael's arm over her shoulder. Sun does the same, and together, they carry him.)

(As they move, Alden's gaze lingers on Kael's torn clothes, the scars of battle etched onto his body.)

Alden (thinking): He's reckless… but he's not weak. He just doesn't understand his limits yet.

Back at the Castle—Kael's Recovery

(Kael awakens hours later, his body wrapped in fresh bandages. The scent of herbs lingers in the air, and soft candlelight flickers against the stone walls.)

(He groans, shifting slightly—his body still aches, but it's nothing compared to before.)

Kael (muttering): "Still alive, huh…"

(A voice scoffs—)

Elyse (crossing her arms, looking annoyed): "Barely."

(Sun stands beside her, arms folded, looking equally unimpressed.)

Sun: "Seriously, Kael? Alone, in the middle of the night, on a cursed battlefield?"

Kael (exhaling, sitting up slowly): "I just needed some peace of mind… there's a lot going on with me, you know?"

Elyse (softening a bit): "Yeah. We know."

(She sighs, looking away for a moment before glancing back at him.)

Elyse: "But that doesn't mean you get to act like you're alone in this."

Kael (quietly): "…I know."

(Sun leans against the wall, watching him closely.)

Sun: "So? What happened? What did that abyss freak say to you?"

(Kael's expression darkens slightly. He clenches his fists, recalling Zephyrn's words.)

Kael (serious): "He said… that I have to die."

(Elyse and Sun tense.)

Kael: "That I'm not supposed to exist. That whoever is behind him… won't stop until I'm erased."

(Silence.)

(Then—)

Elyse (firmly): "Well, they can try. They're gonna fail."

(Sun smirks, cracking his knuckles.)

Sun: "Yeah. Because unlike you, we're not gonna let you go running off alone next time."

(Alden, who had been silently watching, finally speaks.)

Alden: "Kael."

(Kael looks up. Alden's gaze is calm, unreadable.)

Alden: "You need to take a break for a few days. No reckless fights, no unnecessary training."

Kael (blinking): "Wait, what?"

Alden (firmly): "You pushed yourself too far. Your body needs time to recover properly."

(Kael frowns, opening his mouth to protest, but Alden cuts him off.)

Alden: "No arguing. When the time comes, we'll begin your training—but not yet."

(Alden steps forward, his presence almost overwhelming.)

Alden: "Rest now. Because once we start… I won't go easy on you."

(Kael exhales, leaning back against the pillows.)

Kael (thinking): This guy… is serious.

(The room falls silent as Alden's words settle in. Outside, the wind howls—a storm is coming. And Kael knows… the battle isn't over.)

(Alden turns to leave, but before he can take a step—)

Kael (firmly): "I'm not taking a break."

(Alden stops, glancing over his shoulder. Kael sits up fully, his sharp gaze locking onto Alden's.)

Kael: "My wounds are already healed. And… there's something I need to do."

(He clenches his fists, his expression darkening.)

Kael: "Zephyrn said I have to die—that I was never supposed to exist."

(Elyse and Sun tense, but Kael continues.)

Kael: "Whoever is behind him… won't stop until I'm erased. And if I stay here, that means you guys will be in danger, too."

(He exhales, then slowly stands.)

Kael: "I need answers. I'm going back to my old village."

(Elyse's eyes widen slightly.)

Elyse: "Kael, wait—"

Kael: "No. This isn't up for debate."

(He moves toward the door, but Alden speaks up.)

Alden (calmly): "Do what you want."

(Kael pauses.)

Alden: "I'm not someone who can give you orders."

(Alden's expression remains unreadable, but there's a weight behind his words.)

Alden: "But make sure you stay safe. We can't afford to lose you right now because you are the—"

(Alden suddenly stops himself, his jaw tightening.)

Kael (narrowing his eyes): "Because I'm what?"

(Alden remains silent.)

(Elyse steps forward, her voice steady yet filled with emotion.)

Elyse: "Because you're our friend. Someone important to us."

(Alden exhales, nodding.)

Alden: "Yes. That's why."

(Kael glances at them, his expression softening for a brief moment before hardening again.)

Kael: "I know. You guys are important to me too… That's why I'm leaving. Otherwise, you'll end up in the same situation I was in yesterday."

(Silence lingers in the room.)

(Then—)

Sun (grinning slightly): "Then I'm coming with you."

Kael (frowning): "No, you're not."

Sun: "Yes, I am."

Kael: "Sun, this is my fight—"

Sun (crossing his arms): "And I don't care."

(Kael glares, but Sun doesn't budge.)

Sun: "I'm not letting you run off alone again. You already saw what happened last time, dumbass."

(Kael exhales sharply, realizing there's no point in arguing.)

Kael: "Tch… fine."

(Sun smirks, slapping him on the back.)

Sun: "Good. Now let's go before Elyse starts crying."

Elyse (gritting her teeth): "Excuse me?!"

(Kael shakes his head, a faint smirk tugging at his lips before he turns toward the door.)

Kael: "Let's move."

(With that, Kael and Sun leave together, heading toward the unknown past that awaits them.)