The Forgotten Hero's Rise

Darkness surrounded Ren, shifting like living smoke. The void pulsed with unseen energy, and the shadowy figures moved with unnatural grace, their hollow eyes glowing like embers.

Ren gripped the Blade of Echoes tightly, his breath steady. He had no idea where he was or why this trial was happening but one thing was clear.

If he failed, he would never leave this place.

The first shadow lunged. Ren reacted on instinct, swinging the blade in a wide arc. The moment his weapon met the creature, a pulse of silver light erupted from the steel, slicing through the darkness.

The shadow shrieked and vanished.

Ren barely had time to process what had happened before the others attacked.

One from the left.

One from the right.

One from behind.

Ren ducked under the first strike, twisting his body and bringing the sword up in a defensive arc. The glowing runes along the blade flared to life, and as he swung, the energy extended the blade's reach, slicing through two shadows at once.

But the third one was faster.

Ren turned, but not fast enough. A clawed hand raked across his chest, sending a wave of pain through his body. He staggered back, gasping.

The shadow didn't stop.

It rushed at him, and for a split second, Ren felt fear. The same fear he had felt when the kingdom abandoned him. The same fear that had whispered, "You are not worthy."

No.

Ren refused to be weak.

Something inside him snapped.

As the shadow lunged, Ren raised the Blade of Echoes high.

The runes burned brighter, and an explosion of blue-white energy erupted from the blade, engulfing the entire battlefield.

The shadows screamed as they were consumed by the light until one by one, they faded into nothingness.

Silence followed.

The darkness was gone.

Ren stood in the now-empty void, breathing hard. His chest still ached, but the pain was fading. He looked down at the sword, the runes still glowing faintly.

Then, a voice echoed around him.

"You have passed the first trial."

A flash of light consumed his vision and suddenly, Ren was back in the chamber.

The stone chamber was silent, except for the crackling of the blue torches.

Ren staggered slightly, still gripping the Blade of Echoes. Sweat dripped down his face, and his breathing was uneven, but… he was alive.

And something felt different.

Vaelin watched him with interest. "You survived."

Ren forced a smirk. "Was there ever a doubt?"

Vaelin chuckled. "Plenty."

Lyra stepped forward, studying him carefully. "Something changed," she muttered. "Your aura it's stronger now."

Ren frowned, trying to focus. Then he felt it. A new power coursed through him, like a fire that had been ignited deep within his core.

Vaelin nodded approvingly. "The Blade of Echoes does not simply grant strength it awakens what is already within you. The kingdom may have abandoned you, boy… but you are no ordinary hero."

Ren looked at his hand, clenching it into a fist.

For the first time since arriving in this world, he didn't feel weak.

He felt ready.

Vaelin turned toward the chamber's entrance. "Your training begins at sunrise. Rest while you can."

Ren exhaled, finally allowing himself to breathe.

He had taken his first step toward power. But deep down, he knew…

This was only the beginning.

Ren could still feel the energy coursing through his veins, raw and untamed. The Blade of Echoes pulsed faintly in his hand, as if responding to his very thoughts. He had survived the trial, but he knew this was just the beginning.

Vaelin's golden eyes studied him with sharp curiosity. "Do you feel it?"

Ren clenched his fist and exhaled. "Yeah… It's different. Stronger."

Lyra folded her arms, her gaze flickering between Ren and the sword. "What exactly happened in there?"

Ren looked at the blade, the glowing runes slowly fading. "I fought… shadows. But it wasn't just a fight. It felt like they were testing me."

Vaelin smirked. "They were. The Blade of Echoes carries the remnants of the past warriors, spirits, and magic long forgotten. When you touched it, the blade judged you. If you were unworthy, you would have been consumed by the void."

Ren's grip on the sword tightened. "So that was a real risk?"

Vaelin shrugged. "Most don't survive. The fact that you did means the blade has accepted you."

Ren swallowed hard. He hadn't realized just how close he had been to death.

Lyra stepped closer. "You're lucky," she said. "That kind of trial should've killed you. But… something about you changed in there."

Ren frowned. "What do you mean?"

She narrowed her eyes, then placed a hand over his chest. At first, Ren tensed, but then he felt it. A soft warmth radiated from within, like a dormant fire that had been awakened.

Vaelin nodded. "Your magic."

Ren's eyes widened. "Magic?"

Vaelin crossed his arms. "You were a blank slate when you arrived here, but the trial unlocked something within you. Now, you need to learn how to use it. Otherwise, that power will consume you."

Ren's mind raced. He had been abandoned by the kingdom because they thought he was useless. But now, he had something they never saw.

Power.

And he would make sure they regretted underestimating him.

Vaelin turned toward the massive wooden doors leading out of the chamber. "Your training begins at sunrise."

Ren nodded. "I'll be ready."

Vaelin chuckled. "We'll see."

Ren sat on the edge of a stone balcony overlooking the Ravenspire fortress. The cold night air brushed against his face as he stared at the stars above. He still couldn't believe how much his life had changed in such a short time.

From being thrown away by the kingdom… to unlocking a hidden power within himself.

He glanced down at the Blade of Echoes, resting beside him. Its glow had faded completely, but he could still feel a faint connection to it.

Lyra approached from behind, her boots barely making a sound on the stone. "You should be resting."

Ren smirked. "Can't sleep."

She leaned against the balcony, arms crossed. "Thinking about what happens next?"

Ren sighed. "Yeah. I don't want to waste this chance. The kingdom gave up on me, but I refuse to stay weak."

Lyra studied him for a moment before nodding. "Good. Strength isn't just about power it's about how far you're willing to go to claim it."

Ren looked at her. "And how far are you willing to go?"

A shadow crossed her face, but she quickly masked it. "Far enough."

They stood in silence for a moment, the stars above them shining like distant lanterns.

Then Ren smiled. "Tomorrow, we start training. Let's see how strong I can really become."

Lyra smirked. "Just don't die on your first day."

Ren chuckled. "No promises."

As the night stretched on, one thing was clear this was only the beginning of his journey.

He would carve his own path.

And he would make sure the world never forgot his name.