The Black Knight

The earth beneath Aaron's feet trembled as the Black Knight strode forward, his heavy boots crushing the debris from the destroyed cave entrance. The air seemed to grow thicker as if the very atmosphere sensed the threat that had arrived.

Aaron's heart beat louder in his ears, adrenaline coursing through him like wildfire. The Black Knight was tall—towering, even—his black and gold armor gleaming despite the darkness of the ravine. His eyes, a stark green that glowed unnaturally beneath his helm, fixed on Aaron with a chilling calmness.

Selene stood beside Aaron, her grip tightening around the hilt of her sword. "He's one of the Seven Knights of Eldoria. The most powerful soldiers in the Kingdom, bound to the royal family." She gritted her teeth. "You don't stand a chance against him."

Aaron clenched his fists. A chance? He didn't need luck.

"Move," Aaron said, his voice low and steady. He could feel the power surging within him—the overwhelming, unstoppable force that had been dormant inside him for so long. His muscles rippled with newfound strength, and his mind cleared, focused on one thing: survival.

Selene looked at him, concern flickering in her eyes. "Don't underestimate him. He's not like the wolves or anything you've fought before."

The Black Knight raised a hand, his voice cutting through the tension. "You've already made your choice, anomaly. Now, face the consequences." His voice was deep, cold, and authoritative.

Aaron straightened, meeting the Black Knight's gaze. "I don't need to run anymore. And I don't need to hide."

The knight's expression didn't change. "So be it."

With a roar, he charged forward, his massive sword held high, its edge gleaming in the faint light.

Aaron's body reacted instantly, his reflexes honed by an instinct he couldn't control. He sidestepped the knight's downward slash with ease, the force of the blow cleaving the ground where he had been moments ago. The shockwave sent rocks and dirt flying.

Selene gasped. "He's—he's too fast!"

But Aaron was already moving, his body now a blur. He circled the Black Knight, looking for an opening. With every passing second, he grew more attuned to the flow of battle. He could feel the rhythm of his opponent's movements, his strikes heavy but predictable.

"You're slower than I expected," Aaron said, his voice cool.

The Black Knight growled, spinning to face him. "Your arrogance will be your undoing."

With a roar, he swung his massive sword again, aiming for Aaron's midsection. But Aaron ducked, his body flowing with an ease that defied logic. The sword missed by inches.

Aaron's hand shot out, grabbing the Black Knight's arm and twisting with unnatural strength. The knight staggered back, his grip on the sword faltering for just a moment.

That's it.

Aaron brought his elbow down hard, striking the Black Knight's chest with a brutal blow. But to his shock, the knight barely flinched. Instead, he retaliated with a swift kick to Aaron's ribs, sending him flying backward into the ravine's rocky wall.

Pain erupted in Aaron's chest, but it didn't stop him. Not anymore. He stood, his breath shallow but determined.

The Black Knight advanced again, slower this time, his eyes narrowed. "You're strong, but not strong enough."

Aaron's blood boiled. Not strong enough?

His body heated with fury. Every cell in his body seemed to pulse with raw power. His senses sharpened to the point of clairvoyance—he could feel the knight's movements before they happened.

Without warning, Aaron charged forward, using the same technique that had obliterated the wolves. He leapt, dodging the Black Knight's massive sword as it swung down, and with one fluid motion, he slammed his fist directly into the knight's chest.

CRACK.

The Black Knight staggered back, his chest armor dented from the impact. Aaron could see it in his eyes now—the first crack in his confidence.

But the knight recovered quickly, his aura flaring. "You think you've won?" He roared, his sword glowing with an intense, magical energy. "Then let's see you survive this."

He swung his sword downward, and a wave of dark energy shot out, crashing toward Aaron with the force of a hurricane.

Aaron's eyes widened. He had no time to dodge. He could feel the intensity of the magic, the sheer destruction it would bring.

Instinctively, he raised his hands, and a shield of energy materialized in front of him—crackling with raw power. The blast hit the shield with bone-shattering force, but the energy held. The impact sent shockwaves through Aaron's body, rattling his bones, but he stood firm.

"I'm not like the others you've fought," Aaron said, his voice rising over the roar of the blast. "And I won't lose."

He pushed forward, using every ounce of strength and magic within him to shatter the energy blast, sending it spiraling into the ravine walls. The explosion echoed for miles.

The Black Knight was momentarily stunned

Aaron didn't waste the opportunity.

With a single bound, he leapt into the air, closing the distance between them in an instant.

Before the knight could react, Aaron delivered a crushing blow to his helmet, sending it flying off and revealing the man beneath—young, with short, dark hair and eyes filled with disbelief.

The Black Knight staggered, his sword falling from his hand as he dropped to his knees. "How…?"

Aaron stood over him, his chest heaving with exertion. "You were strong… but not strong enough."

A Dangerous Offer

But before Aaron could deliver the final blow, a voice rang out, sharp and commanding.

"Enough!"

A figure stepped from the shadows—an elderly man cloaked in deep purple robes, his face hidden by a hood.

Aaron turned, his body still on alert. The man's presence felt like a force in itself, unlike anything he had ever felt before.

"Who are you?" Aaron demanded.

The man stepped closer, his eyes glinting beneath the hood. "I am Orin Varyx, Master of the Forbidden Arts." He glanced at the Black Knight, who was now unconscious on the ground. "And you, anomaly, are something more than even I expected."

Aaron's fists tightened. "What do you want with me?"

Orin smiled, though it didn't reach his eyes. "You, my young friend, are about to change everything."