Morning had barely broken over the kingdom of Newfield.
Golden rays crept through the palace windows, painting the stone halls in soft light, yet for Niel Adamson, there was no warmth to be found within this dawn.
Sleep had abandoned him long before sunrise.
Though his body had rested upon his bed…
His mind had not.
How could it?
Today was the day he would leave behind everything he had ever known.
His home.
His people.
The palace he had walked since childhood.
And most painfully of all…
Her.
Princess Aira Elesteen.
Niel stood silently near his chamber window, his silver eyes gazing toward the waking kingdom below. His heart beat heavily within his chest as countless thoughts raced through his mind.
If only she could see beyond strength…
If only she could see me…
But reality was cruel.
In this world, a man's worth was measured not by the knowledge in his mind…
But by the strength in his sword arm.
And Niel possessed neither sword…
Nor strength.
At least…
Not yet.
His fingers slowly tightened.
King Duston.
The very thought of that name caused his heartbeat to quicken.
He knew almost nothing of the man—only stories.
Stories of endless battlefields.
Stories of broken warriors.
Stories of men who entered his kingdom as boys…
And either emerged as legends…
Or never emerged at all.
And yet…
Even with fear gripping his heart…
The image of Princess Aira was enough to silence every doubt.
Her silver eyes.
Her tears.
Her words.
One year.
Defeat Aidan… and I will marry you.
Niel closed his eyes.
"No matter what awaits me…"
He whispered softly.
"I will return."
Preparations had already been made.
The palace courtyard bustled with soldiers, horses, and servants preparing for the long journey ahead.
King Garron stood proudly beside his queen, his expression calm, though concern lingered in his eyes.
Queen Angelina's smile remained warm…
But the sadness within it could not be hidden.
Niel approached them, dressed in simple traveling garments, carrying only what little belonged to him.
From one of the palace windows high above…
Princess Aira watched in silence.
Her expression unreadable.
She offered no farewell.
No wave.
No smile.
Only silence.
And though Niel felt her presence…
He did not look up.
Perhaps…
Because he feared what he might see.
Or worse…
What he might not.
Just as the group prepared to depart—
A familiar voice called out.
"Niel!"
The soldiers turned.
Aidan approached confidently, his armor gleaming beneath the morning sun.
A proud smile rested upon his face.
He stopped before Niel, folding his arms across his broad chest.
"I must admit…"
Aidan said with a smirk.
"I'm jealous of two things."
Niel raised an eyebrow.
Aidan chuckled.
"First…"
He gestured toward Garron and Angelina.
"You're being personally escorted by the king and queen. That hardly ever happens."
The soldiers nearby exchanged glances.
Even Garron allowed a small smile.
"And second…"
Aidan's eyes sharpened.
"You're about to meet the great King Duston."
He leaned closer.
"What an honor."
Niel remained silent.
But Aidan's smirk only widened.
"Though…"
He shrugged casually.
"I should tell you something."
His voice lowered.
"I've spent years mastering the battlefield."
He tapped the hilt of his sword.
"Not even King Duston himself could help you defeat me."
The courtyard fell silent.
Aidan smiled arrogantly.
"So don't get your hopes up."
His eyes drifted briefly toward the palace window where Aira watched.
"Princess Aira…"
He said softly.
"She will be waiting for me."
He stepped back.
"Farewell, Niel."
And with that—
He turned and walked away.
Not long after…
The horses were prepared.
And the journey began.
Days passed.
Mountains rose.
Forests faded.
And eventually…
The skies themselves seemed darker.
Niel sat upon his horse as an enormous kingdom slowly came into view.
Dark stone walls.
Towering gates.
Massive banners dancing violently in the wind.
And warriors…
Everywhere.
Queen Angelina suddenly raised her hand.
"Niel."
He turned toward her.
Her eyes softened.
"My son…"
She spoke gently.
"One year…"
She smiled sadly.
"…will feel like forever."
Niel listened quietly.
"If there is any way to return sooner…"
She continued.
"Then train harder than anyone."
Niel nodded.
"Yes, my queen."
Angelina hesitated.
Then her voice lowered.
"As your queen…"
She said softly.
"I ask only one thing of you."
Niel looked confused.
"What is it?"
She smiled faintly.
"Dont fall in love.
" Do not give your heart to another woman."
Niel blinked.
Then…
For the first time in days…
He smiled.
"My queen…"
He said warmly.
"My heart belongs to Princess Aira."
His eyes burned with determination.
"It is because of this love…"
"That I am here."
"I will return stronger."
"And I will fight for my princess."
Angelina's eyes watered slightly.
But she smiled.
Perfect—I know exactly what you want now.
At last…
They entered.
The kingdom of Duston Elesteen.
A land feared across every known border.
A kingdom whispered about by merchants…
Respected by warriors…
And feared by kings.
Known by many as—
The Kingdom of Beasts.
Massive black walls rose toward the heavens like mountains carved by monsters. Towering watchtowers overlooked the land, each guarded by warriors whose bodies looked more like forged steel than flesh.
Even the air felt different here.
Heavier.
Wild.
Untamed.
As Niel rode beside King Garron and Queen Angelina through the enormous iron gates, countless eyes immediately fell upon them.
Warriors.
Servants.
Blacksmiths.
Young trainees.
Women.
Children.
Everyone stopped what they were doing.
And stared.
At the center of the kingdom…
Atop a massive throne carved entirely from black stone and beast bones…
Sat King Duston Elesteen.
Massive.
Broad.
A man who looked less like royalty…
And more like war itself.
His crimson cloak draped over shoulders that seemed capable of carrying mountains, and even while seated, his presence alone made the entire hall feel smaller.
The moment his golden eyes landed upon his younger brother—
Silence.
Then—
Duston laughed.
Alone.
"HAHAHAHAHAHA!"
The sound exploded through the palace like thunder splitting the sky.
The walls trembled.
The torches flickered.
Even Niel felt the vibration in his chest.
Yet…
No one else laughed.
Not the warriors.
Not the servants.
Not even the guards.
Duston's laughter slowly came to a stop.
And then—
His smile disappeared.
His gaze slowly drifted toward the thousands gathered before him.
A dangerous silence followed.
Duston's voice dropped low.
"…What are you all staring at?"
No one moved.
Then—
His grin returned.
And he pointed directly at Garron.
"LAUGH!"
The command exploded through the hall.
And instantly—
The kingdom erupted.
Roars of laughter filled every corner of the palace.
Warriors bent over.
Servants covered their mouths.
Even some of the guards pounded their fists against their armor as they laughed.
Duston threw his head back.
"HAHAHAHA!"
"My brother…"
He rose slowly from his throne.
"…King Garron Elesteen…"
He began walking down the stone steps.
Each step felt like thunder.
"I thought you'd grow old…"
Step.
"…lose your hair…"
Step.
"…and die of boredom…"
Step.
"…before ever setting foot in my kingdom."
More laughter erupted.
Garron let out a long sigh.
"Brother…"
He said calmly.
"Must you always make an entrance?"
Duston stopped only inches from him.
Then grinned.
"Must you always look so serious?"
Duston slapped Garron hard on the shoulder.
Hard enough to make even the surrounding warriors flinch.
"Tell me…"
His golden eyes narrowed.
"What disaster has finally forced the mighty King Garron…"
A grin.
"…to come crawling to his older brother?"
Before Garron could answer—
Another voice spoke.
"Father."
The hall fell quiet.
A young man stepped forward.
Tall.
Broad-shouldered.
Calm.
His eyes carried intelligence far beyond his years.
Prince Henry.
Duston's son.
Henry bowed slightly.
"If Uncle Garron has traveled this far…"
He said calmly.
"Then whatever he seeks must truly matter."
Duston glanced toward his son.
Then laughed.
"Henry…"
He said.
"You've always been too soft."
Henry remained silent.
"Help him, Father."
Duston's laughter disappeared.
Silence.
He turned away.
Walked back toward his throne.
And sat.
"No."
The hall froze.
Garron narrowed his eyes.
"Duston—"
Duston raised a hand.
"I said no."
Henry stepped forward again.
"Father."
Duston's gaze hardened.
"Enough."
Henry did not back down.
"If a king travels across kingdoms…"
He said firmly.
"With his queen…"
"With his most trusted advisor…"
"And with pride cast aside…"
He paused.
"…then at least hear him."
Silence.
Long.
Heavy.
Then—
Duston smirked.
"…Fine."
Two days passed.
Two long days.
During those days, Garron explained everything.
Niel's confession.
Princess Aira.
Aidan.
The challenge.
The one year.
And the reason they had come.
Duston listened.
Sometimes laughing.
Sometimes drinking.
Sometimes saying nothing at all.
But on the second day…
His eyes finally landed on Niel.
And everything changed.
Duston stood.
Walked toward him.
And without warning—
Grabbed Niel by the back of his neck.
Lifting him into the air as though he weighed nothing.
Duston laughed.
"THIS?"
He looked toward Garron.
"This…"
He shook Niel slightly.
"…is what you brought me?"
The hall erupted with laughter.
Duston examined him.
"So thin."
"So soft."
"So fragile."
He smirked.
"This boy couldn't survive one night in my kingdom."
He dropped Niel onto his feet.
Niel clenched his fists.
But said nothing.
Garron stepped forward.
"Niel is no ordinary man."
Duston snorted.
"Healer."
Garron nodded.
"Yes."
"And gifted."
Duston laughed.
"We do not heal weakness here."
He pointed toward the training grounds.
"We destroy it."
Henry stepped forward once more.
"Father."
Duston looked at him.
"Train him."
Henry's voice remained calm.
"If he dies…"
He shrugged.
"Then nothing was lost."
Silence.
Then—
Duston smiled.
A slow…
Dangerous smile.
"…Fine."
Later that morning…
King Garron and Queen Angelina prepared to leave.
Niel stood at the gates in silence.
Angelina embraced him one final time.
Garron placed a firm hand upon his shoulder.
Then…
They rode away.
Niel stood motionless.
Watching.
Watching…
And watching…
Until their figures became smaller…
Smaller…
And finally—
Disappeared beyond the horizon.
And for the first time…
Niel realized.
He was truly alone.
"Good."
Duston's voice came from behind him.
Niel turned.
Duston walked toward him.
A massive sword resting upon one shoulder.
Then—
Without warning—
Duston slammed the sword into Niel's hands.
Niel nearly collapsed from its weight.
Duston grinned.
"Niel the healer."
He leaned closer.
"You came here chasing one woman."
A smirk.
"How pathetic."
Duston spread his arms wide.
"But once I'm done with you…"
His voice thundered.
"Women will fall at your feet."
The warriors nearby grinned.
Duston's smile widened.
"You won't chase women…"
He pointed at Niel.
"They'll chase you."
He leaned closer.
"You'll be able to have any woman your heart desires."
He spread his arms toward the kingdom.
"And this…"
His voice boomed across the land.
"Will become your paradise."
Duston turned.
And began walking away.
Then stopped.
Without looking back—
He spoke.
"I'm sending you to one of my finest trainers."
A pause.
Then—
A smile that sent chills through Niel's spine.
"We will not simply turn you into a warrior…"
Silence.
Then—
"We will turn you…"
"…into a beast."
To be continued