The Forgotten Hero's Rise

Ren remained still, his dagger clenched tightly in his grip. The girl before him didn't move closer, but her violet eyes studied him carefully, as if she were analyzing his every breath.

The forest around them was silent, save for the distant howls of wolves in the night.

"Who are you?" Ren demanded again, not lowering his weapon.

The girl's lips curled into the faintest smile. "You're cautious. That's good. But if I meant you harm, I wouldn't have spoken at all."

Ren didn't relax. "That doesn't answer my question."

She sighed, crossing her arms. "My name is Lyra. And you… you don't belong here, do you?"

Ren's breath hitched slightly.

She knows.

His fingers twitched against the dagger's hilt, but he kept his expression unreadable. "What makes you think that?"

Lyra stepped forward, her violet eyes glowing faintly under the moonlight. "Because I can sense it. Your presence is… different from the people of this world. And your aura" She paused, her expression turning serious. "It's fragmented. As if something was taken from you."

Ren's mind raced. She can sense my presence? My aura? He wasn't sure what she meant by that, but she seemed to know something about his situation.

He hesitated. "You said you wanted to help me. Why?"

Lyra's smile faded. "Because we are both outcasts."

Ren narrowed his eyes. "Outcasts?"

She slowly unfastened her cloak, revealing a strange mark on her collarbone a black insignia, swirling like living ink against her pale skin.

"This brand," she said, her voice quiet, "marks me as cursed."

Ren stared. "Cursed?"

Lyra pulled her cloak back over her shoulders, her expression dark. "The people of Eldoria fear those born with magic that is… unnatural. They call us 'cursed ones' and hunt us down, just as they discard those they have no use for like you."

Ren's grip on his dagger loosened slightly.

He wasn't the only one abandoned by the kingdom.

He glanced at the Darkfang Wolf's corpse at his feet, then back at Lyra. "You said you wanted to help me. What exactly do you want?"

Lyra smirked. "Not much. Just a deal."

Ren's eyes narrowed. "What kind of deal?"

She took a step closer, meeting his gaze with quiet intensity. "You need strength to survive in this world. I need someone who won't betray me the moment the kingdom comes looking. If we work together, we both live."

Ren considered her words carefully. Trusting someone in this world seemed dangerous he had already been abandoned once. But Lyra was different. She wasn't part of the kingdom. She had no reason to deceive him.

And more than that… he could see something in her eyes.

A loneliness that mirrored his own.

After a long silence, Ren finally exhaled and slid his dagger back into its sheath.

"Fine," he said. "We'll help each other."

Lyra smiled. "Then let's get moving. The kingdom isn't the only thing hunting us."

As she turned, Ren followed, stepping deeper into the unknown.

This world had abandoned him.

Now, he would carve his own path—one way or another.

Ren followed Lyra as she led him deeper into the forest. The tension between them was still thick neither of them fully trusted the other, but for now, survival took priority over suspicion.

The moonlight barely pierced through the dense canopy above, casting long, eerie shadows on the ground. Ren's senses were on high alert. The Darkfang Wolf had been alone, but who was to say there weren't more lurking nearby?

Lyra moved with an effortless grace, her steps barely making a sound. It was clear she had experience navigating the wild. Ren, on the other hand, had to be more careful his body still wasn't fully accustomed to this world.

"How long have you been out here?" Ren asked, breaking the silence.

Lyra didn't turn to look at him. "Long enough to know that trust is dangerous."

Ren frowned. "And yet you approached me."

Lyra glanced back, her violet eyes shimmering. "You were different. The moment I saw you fight that wolf, I knew you weren't an ordinary person."

Ren clenched his fist. "I'm not special."

Lyra smirked. "Maybe not yet."

They walked for a while longer before Lyra suddenly raised a hand. "Stop."

Ren halted, gripping his dagger. "What is it?"

Lyra knelt down, pressing her palm against the dirt. She closed her eyes, and for a brief moment, the air around her shimmered.

Then her eyes snapped open. "We're being followed."

Ren's pulse quickened. "How many?"

"Three," Lyra whispered. "Two approaching from the west, one circling behind."

Ren gritted his teeth. He barely survived against one Darkfang Wolf if more monsters were stalking them, he wasn't sure he could handle it.

Lyra stood, pulling back her cloak to reveal a dagger of her own, its blade dark and slightly curved. "We need to move. Now."

Ren nodded, but before they could take a step a low growl echoed through the trees.

They were surrounded.

From the darkness, three figures emerged, their eyes glowing with a sinister light. But they weren't wolves.

They were humanoid.

Ren tensed as he got a closer look. Their skin was ashen, their bodies thin but unnaturally tall. Their arms were elongated, with clawed fingers twitching in anticipation. Their mouths stretched into unsettling grins, revealing rows of jagged teeth.

"What the hell are these things?" Ren muttered.

Lyra's grip tightened on her dagger. "Wraithborn."

Ren swallowed hard. He had no idea what these creatures were capable of, but the way they moved their bodies jerking unnaturally made his skin crawl.

The Wraithborn circled them, their grins widening. Then, all at once they attacked.

The first one lunged at Ren, claws slashing toward his face. He barely dodged in time, feeling the rush of air as the attack missed by inches. Spinning on his heel, he lashed out with his dagger, aiming for its chest.

The blade sank in, but the creature barely flinched. Instead, it laughed a distorted, inhuman sound before swiping at him again.

Ren ducked, but he was too slow. The claws raked across his shoulder, sending a sharp burning pain through his body.

"Ren!" Lyra called out.

He stumbled back, clutching his wound. Blood seeped through his tunic, but he forced himself to stay on his feet.

Lyra, meanwhile, had already engaged the second Wraithborn. She moved with deadly precision, her dagger flashing as she weaved between its attacks. Unlike Ren, she seemed to know how to fight these creatures.

Damn it, I'm too weak!

The first Wraithborn lunged at him again. This time, Ren was ready. He sidestepped at the last second, raising his dagger

And drove it into the creature's throat.

A sickening gurgle escaped its lips as dark ichor poured from the wound. It twitched violently before collapsing to the ground, motionless.

Ren panted, his heart pounding.

He had killed it.

But there were still two left.

Lyra had already finished off her opponent, spinning just in time to face the last one. The Wraithborn hissed, eyes darting between them as if realizing it was outmatched.

Then it turned and fled into the darkness.

Ren exhaled sharply, wiping sweat from his brow. His shoulder burned, but he ignored the pain. "What the hell were those things?"

Lyra sheathed her dagger. "Creatures of the void. They're drawn to magic… and to those who don't belong in this world."

Ren's stomach dropped. "You mean me."

Lyra nodded. "And this won't be the last time they come after you."

Ren tightened his grip on his dagger.

If this was the kind of world he had been thrown into, then he had no choice.

He had to get stronger.

Lyra turned to him, her expression unreadable. "Come on. There's somewhere we need to go."

Ren frowned. "Where?"

Lyra's eyes gleamed.

"To a place where you can become strong enough to survive."

Ren winced as the pain in his shoulder flared. Blood dripped from the gash left by the Wraithborn's claws, but he pushed past it, focusing on Lyra's words.

"A place to get stronger?" he repeated.

Lyra nodded, adjusting her cloak. "The kingdom may have abandoned you, but that doesn't mean you're powerless. If you want to survive in this world, you need to learn how to fight properly how to wield magic."

Ren frowned. "Magic?"

She gave him a sharp look. "You think being summoned as a hero meant nothing? Even if they abandoned you, the summoning ritual wouldn't have failed completely. Somewhere inside you, there's power you just haven't unlocked it yet."

Ren clenched his fists. If she was right… if he really did have magic, then why did the kingdom cast him aside? Did they not see his potential, or was there something wrong with him?

He shook his head. It didn't matter anymore. He wasn't going to beg for the kingdom's approval. He would find his own path to power.

"Where are we going?" he asked.

Lyra smirked. "There's a hidden village deep within this forest Ravenspire. It's a place where outcasts like us gather. There, you can train… and maybe even learn what the kingdom doesn't want you to know."

Ren hesitated. A hidden village? He had no reason to trust her completely yet, but staying in the wilderness alone wasn't an option. If this Ravenspire could help him become stronger, then he had nothing to lose.

"Fine," he said. "Let's go."

The Journey to Ravenspire

The two of them traveled deeper into the forest, the dense trees and twisted roots making it harder to navigate. Ren's wound still ached, but he gritted his teeth and pushed forward.

Lyra led the way with silent confidence, occasionally glancing back to make sure Ren was keeping up.

"You're slowing down," she said.

Ren scowled. "I just fought for my life. What's your excuse?"

She chuckled. "I've been running my whole life. You get used to it."

Ren didn't respond. He could tell she had been through more than she was letting on, but he wasn't about to start prying into her past not yet.

After what felt like hours of walking, the forest began to shift. The towering trees grew closer together, their gnarled branches twisting in unnatural patterns. A cold mist clung to the air, sending chills down Ren's spine.

"This place…" Ren muttered. "Something feels off."

Lyra didn't answer. Instead, she stopped in front of a massive stone gate, half-buried beneath the roots of an ancient tree. Strange runes glowed faintly along its surface.

She placed her hand against the stone and whispered something under her breath. The runes flickered then, with a deep rumbling sound, the gate opened.

Beyond it, Ren saw a hidden village cloaked in shadows.

Wooden buildings were built into the massive trees, connected by rope bridges and winding staircases. Lanterns hung from the branches, casting a dim glow across the village. People in dark cloaks moved silently through the streets, their eyes flickering with suspicion as they noticed Ren.

"This," Lyra said, stepping through the gate, "is Ravenspire."

Ren swallowed. He had expected a ruined hideout, but this place… it was alive. A whole society of outcasts, hiding from the world.

As he stepped inside, he felt a dozen eyes watching him. Whispers spread through the village.

"Who is that?"

"Another outsider?"

"He won't last long."

Ren gritted his teeth, but Lyra placed a hand on his shoulder. "Ignore them. Come with me."

She led him through the winding paths, past makeshift forges where blacksmiths crafted weapons, past training grounds where warriors sparred under torchlight. This wasn't just a hiding place it was a fortress.

Finally, they reached a large stone building at the center of the village. Lyra pushed open the heavy wooden door, and Ren stepped inside.

The room was dimly lit, lined with bookshelves and strange artifacts. Sitting at a wooden desk was an old man, his piercing golden eyes studying Ren the moment he entered.

"So," the man said, his voice deep and steady, "this is the abandoned hero."

Ren stiffened. "You know about me?"

The old man nodded. "We know many things here. The kingdom casts aside those who do not fit into their perfect vision. But we… we see potential where they see failure."

He leaned forward, his eyes narrowing.

"Tell me, boy… do you wish to become strong enough to change your fate?"

Ren met the man's gaze, his heart pounding.

This was it. The beginning of something new.

With determination in his voice, he answered:

"Yes."

The old man studied Ren for a long moment, his golden eyes unblinking. Then, a slow smile crept onto his face.

"Good," he said. "Then let us begin."

He stood up, his cloak shifting around him like shadows. Despite his age, there was an undeniable presence about him a weight to his very being that made the air feel heavier.

"I am Master Vaelin," he said. "I oversee the warriors of Ravenspire. If you wish to grow stronger, you will train under me."

Ren clenched his fists. "I'll do whatever it takes."

Vaelin's gaze flicked to Lyra. "You vouch for this one?"

She nodded. "He's determined. He survived an attack by a Wraithborn with nothing but a sword he barely knows how to use. That's more than most can say."

Vaelin hummed in thought before turning back to Ren. "Determination alone won't be enough. You were summoned as a hero, yet you were discarded. That means one of two things either the kingdom was blind to your potential… or you are weaker than you think."

Ren felt a flicker of anger but forced himself to remain calm. "Then I'll prove them wrong."

Vaelin nodded approvingly. "Then listen well. Strength is more than swinging a sword. It is control. It is discipline. And above all… it is understanding the power that already exists within you."

He gestured toward a large wooden door at the back of the room. "Through there is the proving ground. If you wish to train under me, you must pass the first trial."

Ren stepped forward. "What kind of trial?"

Vaelin's smile was cryptic. "You'll see."

He pushed open the door, revealing a stone chamber illuminated by blue torches. The air inside was thick with magic. At the center of the room stood an ancient pedestal, and on it… a single, curved blade with strange markings etched into the steel.

Lyra inhaled sharply. "The Blade of Echoes…"

Ren frowned. "What is it?"

Vaelin crossed his arms. "That blade contains the remnants of old magic. If you wish to awaken the power within you, take it."

Ren hesitated for only a moment before stepping forward. As his fingers wrapped around the hilt, a surge of energy exploded through his body. His vision blurred. His heartbeat roared in his ears.

Then he was somewhere else.

A vast void stretched endlessly around him, swirling with golden light. In the distance, he saw shadows moving twisting figures that looked human but were not.

Then a voice echoed through the space:

"Who are you… to wield this power?"

Ren clenched the blade tighter. "I don't know yet."

The shadows moved closer.

"Then prove yourself."

Without warning, the darkness lunged.

Ren barely had time to react as the first shadow lashed at him. He swung the blade, and for the first time, he felt something awaken a pulse of raw energy bursting from the weapon. The shadow screeched and dissipated, but more followed.

Ren gritted his teeth. He wasn't going to run.

This was his trial.

With a battle cry, he charged into the fray.

Vaelin and Lyra watched as Ren's body stood frozen, his hand gripping the blade. The torches flickered unnaturally, reacting to the magic surrounding him.

Lyra folded her arms. "Think he'll survive?"

Vaelin chuckled. "That depends… on whether or not he truly wants to live."