The forest was quiet again, but the air felt heavier than before. The wind whispered through the trees like a secret, carrying the faint scent of damp earth and smoke. Jonathan moved carefully, his cloak brushing the grass, the black dagger Shadow Fang in his hand.
For the first time since the fight, the dagger seemed alive. Its faint red glow pulsed slowly, as if sensing Jonathan's heartbeat.
"So… you finally survived your first real fight," a voice said inside his mind.
Jonathan froze.
"Who… who's there?" he whispered.
"I am Kael," the voice replied smoothly. "The one inside the dagger you carry."
Jonathan's eyes narrowed.
"A… demon? Or… what are you?"
"Call me whatever you like," Kael chuckled. "But I am your guide now. And perhaps your only chance to survive."
Jonathan gritted his teeth. He had always been alone, relying only on his own strength. Yet something about the dagger's voice felt… familiar, like it had been waiting for him.
"Fine," he muttered. "Then teach me."
Kael laughed softly.
"Teach you? I can explain only the basics. Your world is filled with Meten, energy that flows in every living being. Some can awaken it, some cannot. It's the power of the soul, the essence of life itself. It can enhance strength, speed, or even grant special abilities—but you must learn control."
Jonathan tilted his head.
"And you… you can use it too?"
"I am bound to this dagger. My power is limited unless you wield me. But I can guide you. Your Meten is strong… different. Half human, half cursed, remember?"
Jonathan clenched Shadow Fang tighter. The mark burned faintly on his back, reminding him of the curse that had shaped his life.
"So… I can fight stronger enemies now?" he asked.
"Yes… but that's not enough. Strength without control is useless. And power always comes with a cost."
Jonathan nodded slowly. He had no choice. He needed power to survive, to live, to one day confront his father.
A faint cry
A faint, terrified cry echoed through the trees. Jonathan froze, listening.
"Someone nearby is using Meten," Kael said, a hint of curiosity in his voice.
Jonathan moved silently toward the sound. He pushed through thick branches and emerged into a small clearing.
There she was.
A girl, no older than sixteen. She was short, with pale skin and long silver hair. Her green eyes were wide, glowing faintly under the moonlight. She knelt beside a man lying on the ground, pressing her hands over a wound that bled heavily.
A soft green light emanated from her hands. The blood began to fade, the wound closing slowly.
Kael's voice whispered in his mind:
"Interesting… a Healing Meten user."
Jonathan's eyes narrowed. He had never seen anything like it. The energy was calm but powerful, capable of mending what seemed impossible.
The attackers
Suddenly, the sound of footsteps and rough laughter came from the edge of the clearing. Jonathan's eyes darted.
A group of four rough-looking men appeared. Their eyes glinted with malice.
"A healer? She'll be worth a lot of money," one of them sneered.
The girl's hands trembled. Jonathan could feel her fear. But she didn't scream. She simply glared at them, her hands still glowing faintly.
Jonathan's heart pounded. He gripped Shadow Fang.
"Leave her," he said softly, almost a whisper.
Kael laughed inside the dagger.
"Looks like your first real lesson begins now."
First battle
The leader of the group stepped forward, swinging a rusty sword. Jonathan moved instinctively. He dodged the first attack, slipping past the man's swing, and struck with Shadow Fang. The blade didn't kill—it wasn't supposed to. It merely cut through the man's shoulder, sending him sprawling.
The other three rushed forward, but Jonathan was fast. With Kael guiding him, he moved like a shadow, using the dagger to slash and deflect, avoiding serious injury.
The girl, seeing Jonathan fight, extended her hands again. The green light flowed outward, forming a protective barrier around them. One of the attackers screamed as his arm touched the glowing energy—it burned but didn't injure him permanently.
Kael's voice was sharp now:
"Focus. Her power is Meten of healing. Strong, but limited. If she overextends, she will collapse."
Jonathan nodded. Every strike he made, every dodge, he was learning. Meten was real, and it responded to him when he concentrated. The red glow of Shadow Fang pulsed brighter with each controlled movement.
Finally, the last attacker lunged. Jonathan twisted, dodged, and used a small jump to land behind him. Shadow Fang glowed intensely for a moment as he pressed it lightly against the man's chest. The attacker froze, unable to move, before slipping unconscious.
The clearing fell silent. The girl blinked at him, catching her breath.
"Are… are you a hero?" she asked softly.
Jonathan shook his head.
"I am not a hero. I just hate people who hurt the weak."
Kael snickered inside the dagger:
"He's lying… slightly."
Lira introduces herself
The girl stood slowly, her hands trembling but her voice calm.
"I'm Lira," she said. "I… I can heal, but I'm not very strong."
Jonathan studied her. She was small, seemingly fragile, yet she radiated a strange calm. Something about her energy told him she could survive, if only barely.
Kael whispered:
"She will be useful… if you keep her alive."
Jonathan's gaze drifted to the horizon. The forest was deep, and dangers lurked everywhere. He realized this girl could become more than a companion—she might be the key to surviving this cruel world.
Explaining Meten (introductory)
Kael decided to teach Jonathan a little more, in a simple way:
"Listen, boy. Meten is the energy within all living beings. Each person can awaken it differently. Some are fighters, some are healers, some… something else. There are levels, and mastery comes slowly. You will feel it grow as you fight and as you learn."
Jonathan looked at Lira.
"So… everyone has some kind of energy?"
"Yes," Kael answered. "But few can truly use it. And even fewer survive the trials of this world."
Jonathan tightened his grip on Shadow Fang. He felt the red glow pulse faster, almost impatiently. The dagger itself seemed eager for battle.
Chapter cliffhanger
Suddenly, a loud roar echoed through the trees. Something massive approached.
Jonathan froze.
Lira's eyes widened. Her green light flickered nervously.
Kael hissed:
"This… this is stronger than anything you've faced. Prepare yourself, boy."
Jonathan stepped in front of Lira, dagger ready.
"Stay behind me… or die."
The chapter ends with the three of them standing together—the boy with the cursed dagger, the girl with healing Meten, and the unseen guidance of Kael—as a massive shadow moves closer through the forest, promising greater danger ahead.