Dawn slowly seeped through the dense forests surrounding the borders of Luthoria, where the temporary training camps had been set up. The air was cold, filled with the scent of damp earth and the faint smoke of campfires. Leo stood before one of the ten army commanders, a tall man named Aaron, with a white beard and eyes sharp as a blade.
"We'll begin training today, our new commander," Aaron said in a deep voice, gesturing to the soldiers spread around them. "First, physical endurance – we'll run through the forest for hours. Then mental focus, to control your energy. Finally, magical powers. Are you ready?"
Leo nodded, his eyes steady. "Yes. I need to master these powers before they destroy me… or anyone else."
The training began with running through the forest. The trees swayed as if breathing, and the wind carried the sound of rushing footsteps. Leo felt exhaustion ripple through his body, but he pressed on, recalling Loki's lessons. After hours, they moved to the focus stage: he sat in a circle of stones, breathing deeply, trying to calm the storm within his chest.
"Now, the magical powers," Aaron said, watching him cautiously. "Be careful, Leo. These powers are no game."
Leo removed the upper part of his clothing, revealing his back faintly marked with dormant signs. "I haven't controlled them yet, and I don't know which mark will appear. But I want to discover it." He closed his eyes and summoned his energy. A faint green aura sparked, trembling as if refusing to emerge.
One of the commanders, a woman named Ira with curly blonde hair, approached. "When I summon my power, I remember what is good and what I wish to protect, and what is evil and I want revenge for. Try that."
Leo nodded. "Alright, I'll try." He closed his eyes again, recalling the good: Loki who raised him, Dravis his loyal friend, Leta who had illuminated his heart. Two marks appeared on his back: Light and Bond, shining like stars. Everyone around him gasped quietly, whispering, "Two marks… how?"
But Leo pushed further, his face sweating, his body trembling. He recalled the dark: bloody battles, betrayals, and buried pain. Two more marks appeared: Range and Fracture, but the energy suddenly erupted. Blood spurted from his mouth, and the pressure around him surged as if the world itself pressed down. The soldiers stepped back, ready to intervene if something went wrong.
"Stop, Leo! Control it!" shouted Dravis, watching from a distance.
Leo opened his eyes, collapsing to the ground, panting. "What… what is happening?" The four marks vanished, replaced by a strange symbol linking them, like a network of light and shadow.
⸻
Back at the Luthoria palace, Princess Leta sat with her mother, Queen Anya, in a private chamber decorated with golden floral walls. The queen, elegant with piercing eyes, sipped her tea and looked at her daughter.
"How are you, Leta? You seem tired since that boy Leo arrived," the queen said.
Leta blushed slightly. "I'm fine, Mother. He is from Kraken, a strong man, and he has the potential to lead our army. Father trusts him."
The queen smiled enigmatically. "I didn't mean that, my dear."
Leta looked confused. "Then what do you mean?"
"I think I know much about him, about his parents' past, and his connection to this kingdom. It's not by mere chance. The Supreme Ruler of Kraken is aware of this, which is why he sent him here specifically."
Leta's eyes widened. "What?! What are you saying, Mother? What do you know?"
The queen set her cup aside. "He must come to me. And regarding this matter, I know… everything between you two. Don't worry."
Leta's face turned bright red. "Know what?"
"I know everything. Don't worry, my daughter. Leo is brave and kind. If he weren't, he would either be outside the kingdom or imprisoned. Also, he is destined to inherit this kingdom soon. I trust him."
Leta gasped. "What?! Inherit the kingdom? How? And why?!"
The queen chuckled gently. "You'll understand when he comes and when I have him before me. I believe your father already knows what I will say, so he trusts this boy."
Leta nodded slowly. "Alright, Mother."
⸻
Back at the border, Leo woke up with difficulty, his body trembling. The soldiers helped him to his feet, the strange symbol still glowing on his back.
"What… what is this power?" he whispered to himself, recalling visions: a battle, a strong man fighting, a crying child, a woman protecting him.
⸻
In Gothrz, inside the fortress of darkness, Yuta emerged from the shadows in the Council of Sin, his face hidden beneath a black hood.
"This boy is unusual. Only a fraction of his power has shown. I can feel it," he said.
Thron, sitting beside him, snapped angrily: "What? And he defeated me with just that power?"
Yuta answered coldly, "Silence." Then he added with a sinister smile: "So, the one who awakens the Wraith has appeared.