There was silence among the ruins after their struggle with the shadow beast. Chilly air blew through the fractured pillars, and dark clouds were seen moving through the skies. The shadow beast was still lying at the feet of the pillar fragments with marks of swords all around it. Kael was near the beast panting with Umbra and Lux in his hands. He had aching arms and an exhausted body.
For several minutes neither Kael nor the old man spoke. The only sound that could be heard was that of the wind rushing through the remains of the ancient place. Kael stared down at the dark creature lying motionless on the ground.
"A creature born from corrupted Noke."
Those words continued repeating inside his mind.
Kael finally broke the silence.
"Can Noke really create monsters like that?"
The older man looked at the beast calmly.
"Noke itself is not evil."
"Then why did that thing exist?"
"Because power without control becomes destruction."
Kael looked down at the ground. It was such a simple thing to say, but he knew there was truth behind it. If emotions could alter his abilities, then letting go of control would be even more dangerous.
The old man came near the body with slow steps. He then kneeled down near the body and put his hand on the chest of the body.
After that, black smoke began to emit from the body.
Kael watched carefully.
"What are you doing?"
"Removing the corruption."
The black smoke went up into the air and then disappeared. When the blackness was gone, the monster started changing in appearance. Its claws became smaller. The black smoke that covered its fur disappeared.
Very soon, it ceased to be terrifying.
It was pathetic.
The boy's eyes widened.
"It was an ordinary wolf..."
The old man nodded.
"Just once."
Kael looked down at the dead thing. It wasn't a monster from birth. Some change must have taken place.
For the first time, Kael pitied the thing that he faced.
The older man stood up.
"This forest is changing."
"What do you mean?"
"More corrupted creatures are appearing."
Kael frowned.
"Because of Noke?"
"Because of someone using Noke."
The answer immediately caught Kael's attention.
"Someone is creating them?"
"Possibly."
A cold sensation crept into Kael's chest.
If a creature such as the shadow beast was created, then whoever did it must have been very dangerous indeed.
The older man suddenly faced the woods.
"We are leaving."
Kael quickly followed.
"Where are we going?"
"To the nearest town."
"A town?"
"You need supplies. Training. Information."
Kael smiled slightly.
"And food."
The older man glanced at him.
"Especially food."
For the first time that day, Kael laughed.
Their journey continued through the forest.
They continued walking in the shadow of large trees as hours went by. Occasionally, sunlight pierced through the clouds, casting patches of light on the ground.
Kael followed the older man while holding Umbra and Lux on his back.
He took a glimpse of his swords every now and then.
They seemed so surreal to him that Kael could not believe that he was carrying them.
Finally, he decided to ask about them.
"Who made these swords?"
The older man remained silent for a few seconds.
"A master blacksmith."
"What was his name?"
"Nobody remembers."
Kael blinked.
"Nobody?"
"He disappeared hundreds of years ago."
Kael looked surprised.
"Hundreds?"
The older man nodded.
"Umbra and Lux are much older than they appear."
Kael touched the sword handles.
"Then why give them to me?"
"Because they were waiting."
Kael frowned.
"Waiting for what?"
The older man looked forward.
"For you."
That answer created even more questions, but Kael decided not to ask them yet.
As the afternoon continued, the forest gradually became less dense.
The trees grew thinner.
The ground became smoother.
Signs of civilization slowly appeared.
An old road.
Broken fences.
Cart tracks.
Kael immediately noticed.
"We're close."
The older man nodded.
"Very close."
Excitement began growing inside Kael.
For weeks, he had seen nothing except forests, ruins, and training grounds.
A real town sounded wonderful.
Suddenly, voices echoed ahead.
Kael quickly looked forward.
Several people appeared on the road.
Merchants.
Travelers.
Guards.
For a moment, Kael felt nervous.
He had spent most of his life avoiding attention.
Meeting strangers never felt easy.
The older man continued walking normally.
Kael followed.
As they approached, several travelers glanced toward them.
Most people ignored the older man.
But their eyes immediately moved toward Kael.
His white hair.
His pointed elf ears.
His swords.
Kael felt uncomfortable immediately.
Another businessman said something to the other one as Kael and the elder went on their way. An officer standing close by furrowed his brow somewhat as he saw Kael's white hair and pointed ears. Two boys were not ashamed to stare openly at him. Kael felt that old burden in his heart, that burden he knew all too well for many years. That burden of being an outsider. That burden of never fitting in anywhere. Gently, Kael lowered his head and stopped meeting the eyes of others.
The older man immediately noticed. Without stopping, he spoke in a calm but firm voice.
"Stand straight."
Kael looked up in surprise.
"Do not lower your head because of other people."
Kael remained silent, unsure how to answer. The older man continued walking while speaking.
"If you hide from the world, the world wins."
He would never forget those words. He had run away from mockery, ridicule, and abuse for so long. Slowly raising his head and straightening himself up, he even walked a bit more confident than usual. For the very first time in his life, he could look at others without turning away from them.
Last but not least, the path ended at the stone gate, on the other side of which was the large walled city filled with people busily moving around. All kinds of items were for sale by the merchants, while children played near the fountain.
Kael stopped walking completely.
"So many people..."
The older man glanced at him and almost smiled.
'It gets worse."
Kael laughed softly before following him through the gate.
The second that they walked in, Kael was bombarded with noise from all directions. Voices filled his ears from the adjacent streets, where people were conversing, vendors were shouting about their wares, and wagon wheels rolled along stone streets while drawn by horses. Music was even playing somewhere further inside the town.
Kael's eyes moved frantically left and right. The stands had roasted meat and fresh bread for sale. Weapon shops had their wares laid out, like swords and shields. Magic shops offered crystals, wands, and glowing objects. Adventurers meandered down the road, while travelers carried their heavy loads.
The older man continued walking calmly while Kael hurried behind him, trying not to get distracted.
After several minutes, they stopped in front of a blacksmith shop. The sound of metal striking metal echoed loudly from inside. Sparks occasionally flew through the open doorway.
The older man entered without hesitation.
Kael followed.
A big blacksmith with huge biceps and a beard was inside. Sweat was dripping down his forehead as he worked next to the blazing fire. The moment he raised his head and caught sight of the old man, he seemed surprised.
"You're alive?"
The older man shrugged.
"Barely."
The blacksmith laughed loudly.
"I heard you died years ago."
"Many people did."
Kael looked between them with confusion.
"You know each other?"
The blacksmith nodded immediately.
"Unfortunately."
The older man sighed as if he had expected that answer.
Suddenly, his focus moved to Kael. Specifically, the swords that were hanging from his waist. His smile had vanished totally.
"Where did he get those?"
"I gave them to him."
He stared intently at the older man for some time.
"You are serious?"
"Yes."
Slowly, the blacksmith approached Kael. His eyes never left Umbra and Lux.
"Draw them."
Kael carefully pulled both swords from their sheaths.
The moment the blades appeared, silver light reflected across the workshop walls. The blacksmith became completely silent.
He stared at them for almost a minute.
The forge appeared even more silent now.
At last, he spoke up.
"They accepted him."
The old man nodded.
Kael was looking puzzled.
"What does that mean?"
The blacksmith folded his arms across his chest.
"It means that soon you'll have a rather complicated life."
Kael let out a sigh.
"Everybody keeps telling me that."
The blacksmith chuckled.
"Well, if so, they're most likely right."
Just then there came a loud bang outside.
The whole building quaked slightly.
Everyone went still.
Another bang followed immediately after.
It was even louder.
The blacksmith immediately grabbed a large hammer from nearby. The older man's eyes narrowed sharply.
Kael looked toward the door.
"What was that?"
Before anyone could answer, terrified screams erupted outside.
A guard's voice echoed through the streets.
"Monster attack!"
Instantly, the peaceful town exploded into chaos.
People started running around in all directions. The children cried as their parents tried to drag them away from harm's way. The merchants deserted their stands and took flight.
Kael's heart started racing.
The older man immediately reached for his sword.
"Stay close."
Without hesitation, Kael drew Umbra and Lux.
His training, battles,and struggles.
Everything had led to this moment.
For the first time, he would not fight simply to survive.
He would fight to protect others.
As Kael rushed outside beside the older man, a deafening roar shook the town.
The monster was standing right on the other side of the road, enveloped by dark smoke. The monster's eyes were burning bright red, filled with flames of hatred, whereas dark energy was exuding out of it.
The structures around were already destroyed by the onslaught of the monster.
Kael knew very well what kind of aura it had.
A monster that had been corrupted.
A lot larger than the monster in the ruins. And a whole lot more dangerous.