Aldoria: Am I a hero...or not?

{{Valor Manor – Morning}}

The day had arrived for Kyle to leave for the academy. The manor bustled with activity as preparations were finalized.

Kael was about to head out when Cassian summoned him.

"Kael, I need you to escort Kyle to the halfway point," Cassian said, arms crossed. "Originally, Garrett was supposed to go, but he has other matters to attend to. Freya is also preoccupied."

Kael raised a brow. "So, I'm the last option?"

Cassian smirked. "You should feel honored. Besides, you'll only be traveling to the halfway point.. a town under our family's rule. A separate group of knights will take over from there."

Kael thought for a moment before nodding. "Alright."

"Good. Get ready."

{{Outside Valor Manor – Departure}}

Kael stood beside the carriage, adjusting his gear. Kyle arrived shortly after, his expression unreadable. Knights took their positions, some mounted on horses, others stationed around the carriage.

Once everything was set, they departed.

Inside the carriage, silence stretched between the two brothers.

Kyle scowled, arms crossed. "I still haven't forgotten about our last spar."

Kael chuckled. "Still mad about that?"

Kyle glared. "You just got lucky."

"Maybe. Or maybe you should work on your stance, the way you grip your swor–"

Kyle cut him off. "Tch. When we meet again at the academy, I'll show you what real power is."

Kael merely smirked and pulled out a book from his belongings, flipping it open. He paid no attention to his fuming brother, much to Kyle's frustration.

{{Halfway Town – Afternoon}}

A knight knocked on the carriage door. "We've arrived."

Kael stepped out, stretching slightly. Kyle followed, still wearing his irritated expression.

"Guess this is where we part," Kael said. "Good luck."

Kyle huffed but smirked. "You'll need it more than me."

Kael rolled his eyes.

The knights advised him to stay the night before traveling back, but he waved them off. "I'll be fine."

Without further delay, he mounted a horse and set off.

{{Forest Path – Dusk}}

At first the ride was peaceful.

Kael guided his horse along the dirt path, the sky darkening as the sun dipped below the horizon.

Then, a shadow passed overhead.

A shrill screech tore through the air.

Kael's eyes widened. "That's not good."

WHOOSH!

A massive wyvern dove from above, its talons slamming into Kael's horse. The beast shrieked, bolting into the trees.

Kael barely had time to react before the wyvern's claws wrapped around him, yanking him off the ground.

"Damn it!"

Higher and higher they soared, the wind howling in his ears. Kael struggled, twisting his body to break free. He summoned his aura, attempting to strike, but his power wasn't strong enough to harm the creature.

The wyvern tightened its grip, sharp claws digging into his skin.

Then—

FWIP!

An arrow of pure energy tore through the sky, piercing the wyvern's wing.

SCREEEEECH!

The beast flailed, losing control.

Kael's eyes widened. "Who—?"

Gravity took hold.

Falling.

Fast.

Branches snapped, leaves scattered, and pain erupted across his body as he crashed into the forest floor. His vision blurred, the world spinning.

Before unconsciousness claimed him, he saw it..

A figure.

A man, cloaked in shadows.

Then—

Darkness.

{{Inside a Mysterious Cabin}}

Kael tossed and turned in his sleep, trapped in a world of fire and steel.

Screams echoed. The clash of swords rang in his ears. The stench of blood filled his lungs.

In his dream, he stood amid a battlefield drenched in crimson blood. Warriors in battered armor fell one by one, their lifeless bodies trampled beneath monstrous figures cloaked in darkness.

A deep voice boomed across the battlefield.

"Fight, or perish."

Kael's hands trembled as he gripped a sword. It felt both foreign and familiar.

A shadow loomed before him. A towering figure, its face obscured, raised a jagged blade.

Then.

Pain.

Kael gasped, feeling cold steel pierce his chest. Blood poured from the wound, yet he couldn't move.

The shadow whispered.

"You cannot escape what you are."

The world blurred.

Kael's vision darkened—

Then he woke up.

{{Mysterious Cabin– Dawn}}

Kael jolted upright, his breath ragged, sweat dripping from his brow. His fingers dug into the thin blanket as his pulse thundered in his ears.

For a moment, he couldn't tell what was real.

Then the scent of herbs and wood filled his nose, grounding him.

His eyes flicked toward the window. A shadow stood outside.

A silhouette of a man.

As the door creaked open, Kael braced himself, expecting the worst.

Instead, The man placed a bowl of food beside him.

Kael's eyes narrowed. "Is it poisoned?"

The man chuckled, shaking his head. "If I wanted you dead, I wouldn't bother with poison."

Kael didn't relax.

The man smirked. "I saw that look on your face. You're too tense, kid."

Kael hesitated before glancing at the food again. He hadn't realized how hungry he was.

Lucien leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "I forgot to introduce myself, didn't I? The name's Lucien."

Kael finally took in the elf's features.. the pointed ears, the sharp gaze.

Lucien noticed his stare and smirked. "Yes, I'm an elf. And this is the Elf Kingdom, right beside the World Tree."

Kael absorbed the information slowly.

Lucien studied him. "You… interest me, Kael Valor. The moment I saw you, I could feel it. A strange aura. One with history."

Kael's grip on the blanket tightened. "Maybe because I'm cursed."

Lucien tilted his head. "Maybe. Or maybe it's something else."

Kael said nothing.

Lucien's gaze darkened slightly. "I first sensed your aura when passing through that human town. It drew me in. So I watched you."

Kael stiffened. "…You were watching me?"

Lucien shrugged. "Not in a creepy way." His smirk returned. "I saw you training at night. You wielded your aura like someone desperate to control it. But what intrigued me most… was your sword."

Kael's brows furrowed. His broken sword.

He reached for it instinctively, but Lucien raised a hand. "Show it to me."

Kael hesitated before unsheathing it.

The moment Lucien's fingers brushed the blade..

SIZZLE!

Lucien hissed and pulled back, his palm burned.

Kael's eyes widened. "What—?"

Lucien stared at his hand, then at the sword. His expression was unreadable.

"…That's no ordinary weapon," Lucien muttered. "It's one of those relics. A sword that chooses its wielder."

Kael looked at his blade, something heavy settling in his chest.

Lucien exhaled. "You have potential, Kael. And I want to see you grow."

Kael looked up. "…You're offering to train me?"

Lucien grinned. "More than that. I'll help you refine your aura. Right now, it's wild. Barely contained. But with the right training, you could raise it beyond that dark yellow mess."

Kael clenched his jaw. "Before that… I need to know how my family is doing."

Lucien studied him for a moment before nodding. "There's someone who can help with that."

{{Sorcerer's Chamber}}

The Elf Sorcerer sat before him, ancient and wise. "A strand of your hair," he requested.

Kael pulled a few strands loose and handed them over.

The sorcerer began his spell.

Mist swirled in the air, forming images.

Kyle, inside the academy, training fiercely.

Freya, drowning in work.

Selene, comforting their mother, saying Kael was strong.

Cassian and Garrett, fighting.

Their voices echoed through the mist.

"If you had been here, Kael wouldn't be missing!"

Cassian's fury burned through the vision.

Then—

The image of their father.

Trapped.

Deep in a dungeon.

Kael's breath caught. Even the sorcerer's magic couldn't reach him.

The vision faded.

Kael clenched his fists.

Lucien placed a hand on his shoulder. "They're strong. So now, it's your turn to grow stronger."

Kael closed his eyes, took a breath..

And nodded.

{{Elf Kingdom – Evening}}

Kael stepped outside, inhaling the crisp air of the elf kingdom. The streets were lined with glowing blue lanterns, casting a soft light over the white stone paths. Towering trees with shimmering leaves stood tall, their branches forming a natural canopy above the kingdom.

Lucien stood beside him, arms crossed. "Your training begins tomorrow. Until then, rest or explore. But stay out of trouble."

Kael smirked. "No promises."

Lucien sighed but said nothing more as he walked away, disappearing into the crowd.

Kael wandered through the city, taking in the sights. Then, his eyes landed on an enormous structure in the distance.. the royal castle of the elves. Its spires gleamed under the moonlight, standing as a symbol of power and mystery.

As he stared, lost in thought—

Thud.

He bumped into someone.

"Ah, sorry," Kael said instinctively.

The hooded figure in front of him hesitated before nodding. For a brief moment, their eyes met, and Kael caught a glimpse of delicate features beneath the cloak. A girl.

Before he could say anything, she turned and bolted.

"Hey!"

Shouts rang out behind her.

"Stop right there!"

"Come back!"

Several elves dressed in dark leather sprinted after her.

Kael frowned. The way they moved, their expressions, it wasn't just a simple chase. They're hunting her.

His body moved before his mind caught up.

He dashed after them, weaving through the crowd. The girl was fast, her agility far beyond that of a normal elf, but the pursuers were closing in.

She turned sharply into an alleyway. Kael followed.

A dead end.

The girl spun around, eyes darting for an escape, but the pursuers had already cornered her.

"Give it up," one of them sneered. "You can't run forever."

"Come quietly, and we won't hurt you… much." another added with a grin.

Kael stepped forward. "That doesn't sound very convincing."

The elves turned to him, scowling.

"And who the hell are you?" one spat.

Kael shrugged. "Just a guy who doesn't like unfair fights."

The elf sneered. "Tch. Humans always meddle in things they shouldn't."

At that, Kael finally understood. The elves here don't trust humans. It explained the glares he had been getting all day.

One of the pursuers grabbed the girl's arm. She winced.

That was enough for Kael.

He moved.

A swift kick to the nearest elf's side sent him crashing into the wall. The others reacted immediately, drawing weapons.

Too slow.

Kael ducked under a swing, driving his fist into another's gut. The elf doubled over, and Kael finished with an elbow to the back of his head.

The last pursuer hesitated.

Kael cracked his knuckles. "Still want to do this?"

The elf cursed and bolted.

The girl, still tense, stared at him.

"You alright?" Kael asked.

She hesitated before nodding. "I didn't need help, but… thank you."

Kael grinned. "You're welcome."

The girl hesitated again, as if debating something. Then, she finally spoke.

"My name is—"

She stopped.

Footsteps echoed nearby.

Her eyes widened, and before Kael could react, she turned and ran.

As she vanished into the night, her voice lingered in the air..

"I'll repay this favor one day!"

Kael stood there, watching the empty alleyway.

"Well.." he muttered, rubbing the back of his head. "That was interesting."

A familiar voice called from behind him.

"You were supposed to stay out of trouble."

Kael turned to see Lucien, arms crossed, looking unimpressed.

Kael just grinned. "I was just sightseeing."

Lucien sighed. "Let's go."

As they walked away, Kael glanced once more at the direction the girl had disappeared.

Who was she?