The sun had barely risen when the alarm bell rang across the fort.
Kael's heart tightened.
"Already?" Ryn said, sprinting toward the gates.
Kael didn't answer. He had expected this—his father would not ignore the rumors of a rising prince.
Through the mist, figures appeared along the ridge: soldiers wearing the kingdom's armor, armed with spears and swords, moving like a shadow against the dawn.
"Get everyone inside," Kael ordered.
The villagers ran to the inner halls, fear in their eyes. Kael, Ryn, Lyra, and the others took their positions on the walls.
Kael drew his sword, feeling its weight.
"This is the first test," he muttered.
"Not just for me… for all of us."
The soldiers charged.
Ryn met them first, his movements precise, cutting through the front lines with practiced strikes. Kael joined, sidestepping a spear and striking the soldier behind it.
Amid the chaos, Kael noticed a girl standing apart on a cliff, watching silently. Her hair was silver, eyes sharp, and she carried a bow across her back.
Kael's instincts told him she was no ordinary villager.
She stepped forward, nocking an arrow, and fired with deadly accuracy. Soldiers fell before they even reached the gate.
Kael caught her gaze. She nodded once, then moved with the precision of a trained warrior.
After the skirmish ended, the remaining soldiers fled into the mist, leaving their fallen behind.
Kael walked toward the girl.
"Who are you?" he asked.
She lowered her bow, face calm.
"Name's Selene," she said.
"I've been watching. You protect those who can't protect themselves… and I choose to follow."
Kael felt something he hadn't before—a spark of admiration, respect, and trust all at once.
"Then you're with us," he said.
"From now on, we fight together."
Ryn smirked.
"Looks like you've already started growing your… little army."
Kael looked at Selene and then back at the fort. His people. His followers. His future.
The first test was over.
But the real trials—loyalty, courage, leadership—were just beginning.
(To be continued)