《Isekai: The Sunblade's Destiny》 The Shimmering Doorway The story begins from when I sat alone in the school hall, lost in thoughts of Anya''s smile the way her hair caught the light like spun gold in the afternoon sun. I wondered if I''d ever be brave enough to confess my feelings.The air felt electric cold, thin layer of shimmering dust coated every surface, unsettling in its stillness. The electrically cold raised goosebumps on my arm and sent a shiver down my spine. Then, suddenly, out of nowhere, a portal appeared, glowing with blue lights so intense it momentarily blinded me. The world dissolved into swirling vortex of blue light, and as I stumbled back, disoriented, I felt a tugging sensation both physical and emotional pulling me irresistibly, towards the swirling blue vortex. Then, a voice whispered from within, clear as a bell despite the chaos, Anar come to me, it is your destiny. I stepped forward to touch it, but then my teacher came rushing in and shouted, "Don''t touch it! It looks dangerous!" But the voice within held me captive. It promised me a chance to fulfill my true potential. I couldn''t resist. The moment I did, a strange, almost magnetic electric energy pulled me in, its magnetic force was inescapable. My heartbeat thundered in my ears. Gravity seemed to shift around me. The air inside the portal felt ethereal, like I was moving through a dream beyond reality, so many different colors revolved around me, space and time twisting and warping around me. The faint voice in my head kept whispering. Anar fear not. I''m here to guide thee. Then, I landed in a royal chamber. swirling light pulsed, like a thousand suns condensed into one point, filled the chamber, almost blinding me. It was a heavenly radiance, warm and intense, as my eyes adjusted, I saw her. The Goddess of light. The air was redolent with combined fragrance of a thousand jasmine and rose blossoms, yet the temperature remained temperate, neither warm nor cool. Beneath my feet, the floor gleamed, a polished expanse of marble reflecting the chamber''s radiant light. Giant pillars, intricately carved and reaching towards the high ceiling, lined chamber walls, adding to the sense of grandeur. Her blonde hair shone like moonlight, her beauty rivaling Aphrodite, the most radiant of all goddesses in Greek mythology. Every word she spoke was like a lullaby, mesmerizing and gentle. Anyone could fall in love with her. It felt surreal. I had never believed in gods before, yet here I was lost in confusion, struggling to grasp the impossible reality before me. She said, "I''m Valeria, Goddess of Light. Do not fear, mortal. I''m here to guide thee, to illuminate thy path. Thou hast journeyed far. Thou shalt succeed in the role of Aerandir Sunblade."This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. I was in fathomless confusion. I asked, "Why me?" She said, "This is thy fate. Thou art the chosen one." I said, chosen? Right. Sure. There''s always a chosen one in these stories, isn''t there? But I''m not buying it. This has got to be some kind of mistake. I''m definitely no a hero. Valeria gaze intensified. I have chosen thee. Thou possessest the potential required for this sacred task, a potential that eludes all others. This is not a matter of chance but destiny. My breath hitched. Destiny? The word felt heavy foreign. Me? "Thou wilt know in time. She continued, her voice resonating with power. I grant thee the strength Aerandir''s arm, the speed of his strike, and the tactical brilliance that made him legend on the battlefield, the once king of Yalinya. A wave of dizziness washed our me. The room seemed to spin. As powerful as Aerandir? I whispered, my voice barely audible. Then, Valeria''s hands, radiating an intense, almost blinding light, moved toward me. As they passed over my body, a surge of power coursed through me, electrifying every nerve. My muscles tensed with newfound strength, and a sense of swiftness, like a current of energy, flowed through my limbs. My breath hitched as I flexed my fingers, testing the my newfound strength that surged through me. A grin tugged at the corner my lips, a flicker of exhilaration. But it died quickly. Valeria''s words echoed in my mind; destiny chosen one. My stomach twisted. This wasn''t a game. This was a real. And it was heavy. A weight settled on my shoulders, not crushing me, but present. A constant reminder. I looked down at my hands, clenching them into fists. The unease was still there, a low hum beneath the surface. But something else had shifted. A resolve. I didn''t understand what lay ahead, but I wouldn''t back down. I had to do this. Gently, Valeria spoke. Now, thou shalt journey onward, to fulfill thy destiny. Her voice, though gentle, held an undeniable authority. I shall transport thee to Yalinya, a land of cold, crisp air and boundless beauty. Through its valleys and ancient cities flows a rich tapestry of history and culture, a legacy of great warriors and noble knights. Shimmering portal materialized before me. Go fourth, Valeria commanded, and succeed in thy destiny. I stepped through the gateway, yet this transition felt unlike any I had experienced before. I found myself in a small town, nestled within a landscape of breathtaking beauty. The air was pristine, cleaner than any I had ever breathed, and melodious chirping birds filled the air. It was a scene reminiscent of the medieval age, a world I had only dreamed of visiting. Discovering a few gold coins within my pocket. I made my way to the town''s tavern. Author''s note: Thank you for reading first chapter of Isekai: The Sunblade''s destiny. I''m so excited to finally share this story with you. A quick note: the story, characters, world of Isekai: The Sunblade''s destiny is an entirely my own creation. I used AI writing tools solely for refining phrasing and ensuring good pacing. I''m eager to hear your thoughts and feedbacks in comments below! The Forbidden Bloodline I entered the tavern, filled with the clamor of voices and the presence of warrior-like figures. The air was thick with the scent of ale and mead, and the lively tavern music tugged at my heart, making me feel oddly at home. I approached the counter and asked for a drink. The lady behind it slid a mug of ale toward me. The moment I took a sip, I was pleasantly surprised by its sweetness the rich flavor warming my senses. She studied me intently, her gaze lingering for a moment. You''re not from around here, are you? Where are you from? I hesitated, unsure of how to respond. I''m from far away. You wouldn''t know my realm. She raised an eyebrow, suspicion flickering in her eyes. Light skin, blue eyes¡­ you look like a Velkynne to me." At that moment, I felt as if she would say my name. I suppose not. I''ve never heard of them. Who are they? Velkynne meant nothing to me. Still, something felt wrong. She glanced around the tavern before lowering her voice. She paused for a beat, then leaned closer. They are forbidden here. If a noble sees you, you must be careful. They will harm you, she warned. A sense of unease settled over me. My grip on the mug tightened, and the chatter around me seemed to fade into the background. This place was not safe. I took my final sip of the drink, but it didn¡¯t taste as sweet as before. Wait, why are they forbidden, and who are they? She eyed me with increasing wariness. You ask too many questions. This place is not safe for talking about them, so please leave it alone. It¡¯s for your safety. Her voice was firm now, and I could sense the urgency in her words. I will be careful, and thank you for the warning, I replied, my tone matching the seriousness of the situation. I left the tavern in a hurry, my mind racing, when I accidentally bumped into a man. He spun around, scowling, and hissed, Hey, kid, watch where you''re going! Sorry, sir, I stammered, offering a quick apology. He studied me, his gaze narrowing as he took me in. You don''t look like you''re from here.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. I tried to move past him, but his voice rang out, louder this time, Hey, stop! You look like one of those Mountain Heretics. Don''t you understand? You''re forbidden here! My heart thudded in my chest, blood rushing to my ears. No, sir, you¡¯re mistaken. I¡¯m not one of them. He sneered, his lip curling in contempt. I know one when I see one. Seize this Velkynne! Fear flashed through me like a lightning bolt, but then a rush of confidence surged. I remembered the power I¡¯d been granted. Before I could think, my fist shot out, slamming into his face. His head snapped back from the force, a grunt escaping his lips. I felt a strange satisfaction¡ªa thrill¡ªlike I had been waiting for this moment, even though I had never struck anyone before. Two more men lunged at me, hands grabbing for my arms. My instincts flared, though they weren¡¯t my own. I moved, almost without thought. The first man swung a wild punch at my face. I ducked, sidestepping with a fluidity that felt unnatural, my feet barely touching the ground. I spun, instinctively delivering a sharp strike to his solar plexus. He gasped, staggering back. The second man lunged at me from the side, but I saw him coming. My body seemed to move on its own. I slipped under his reach, then hit him with a quick jab to his throat. He choked, dropping to his knees, struggling for air. The first man regained his footing and came at me again, but I anticipated his move. I feigned a stumble, luring him in. As he reached for me, I ducked low, and with a twist, I threw him to the ground with a force that surprised even me. His body slammed into the dirt, and he didn¡¯t move. The third man hesitated, but I was already on him. My body hummed with energy, my heart racing. I leaned in, narrowly avoiding his punch, and landed a crushing blow to his nose, feeling it crack beneath my knuckles. Blood splattered, and he staggered back, dazed. I stood, breathing heavily, my chest rising and falling with each breath, but I was in control. I hadn¡¯t learned any of this¡ªit was as if the power had simply flowed through me. The three men were down, and I was standing tall. The fear I had felt earlier had dissolved into something else¡ªa strength I didn¡¯t fully understand, but that felt right in this moment. You will regret this, Velkynne. We will come for you, they muttered before fleeing. As their words echoed in my mind, a realization slowly dawned upon me: I had tapped into something within myself¡ªmy powers. They felt natural, as though they had always been a part of me. However, I knew this was only the beginning. I would need to practice more, to hone my abilities. The men I had just faced were nothing compared to what I would encounter. There would be more dangerous people in my path, and I had to be ready. A figure clad in heavy armor, gripping a long sword, strode toward me. "Where did you learn to fight like that? I hesitated. If I told him the truth¡ªthat my abilities were granted¡ªhe wouldn¡¯t believe me. From my father, I said. He must be a great warrior. He is. His gaze hardened. They¡¯ll return in greater numbers. You need to come with me. Why should I trust you? Collen, he said. I¡¯m not one of them. We believe in unity. We follow Aerandir Sunblade we fight for justice and equality." Aerandir Sunblade. The name wasn¡¯t just familiar it was part of me. His power, his legacy, flowed through my veins, granted by the Goddess of Light herself. If Collen truly served him, then he was an ally. I believe in Aerandir Sunblade, I said. I trust you. Collen nodded. Then hurry. They''re coming. Collen turned, motioning for me to follow, but I couldn¡¯t help asking, Who exactly are we fighting? He glanced back, his eyes cold and distant. The ones who will end us Whispers of the Elven Arrow We moved swiftly through the dense forest, the crunch of leaves underfoot the only sound breaking the silence. The towering trees cast long shadows, making the path ahead feel uncertain. Collen glanced at me. Hey, you never told me your name, by the way. I raised an eyebrow. You never asked. He smirked. Fair enough. I guess I forgot¡ªwe were in a hurry. My name is Anar, I said. But why do they keep calling me Velkynne? His expression darkened. Because you look like them. Is simply resembling them such a big problem? He let out a breath, as if choosing his words carefully. It is, if you''re in Yalinya. I frowned. So who exactly are they? The original people of Yalinya, he said. Before the Sentinari invaded, they lived freely. Now, they''ve been driven to the mountains, forced into the shadows of their own land. When Eredin became king, he completely forbade them from setting foot in Yalinya. I narrowed my eyes. Why would he do that? Collen¡¯s jaw tightened. His usual relaxed demeanor was gone. Eredin and his faction despise the Velkynne. They see them as a threat¡ªwarriors who, if given the chance, would reclaim their land and overthrow his rule. They fear that one day, the Velkynne will return and take back what was once theirs. The wind howled through the trees, making the leaves tremble. A sense of unease settled over me. At last, we arrived at the Fort of the Lightkeepers. The towering stone walls loomed over us, their surfaces worn by time and weather. As we stepped forward, a man clad in leather armor, adorned with what appeared to be magical insignia, approached. Collen, where have you been? And who is this? he asked, his gaze shifting to me. Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions. Collen gestured toward me. This is my friend, Anar. He''s a skilled fighter. Then, turning to me, he said, Anar, this is Balin, my most trusted friend. He''s also a remarkably talented mage. Balin shook his head modestly. No, I simply do my best. I smiled and extended a hand. It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you, Balin. I¡¯ve always had a great respect for mages. Balin smiled faintly, a touch of gratitude in his eyes. People usually don''t care much for mages, he said, but I appreciate that. Thank you. Collen glanced at me, his expression softening. You must be hungry and tired. Come with me. Yes, I''m hungry like a wolf, I replied with a slight grin. We made our way to the dining room, and I couldn''t help but notice the curious stares from the people around us. Collen soon brought me a bowl of stew, its aroma filling the air. It was hearty and delicious, just what I needed after the long journey. After I finished, Collen turned to me. You should rest now, he said. Tomorrow, we have a lot to do. I went to sleep, only to be plagued by a strange dream. In it, a dragon ravaged the land, breathing fire upon innocent people and reducing a once-beautiful city to ashes. I couldn¡¯t understand whether it was connected to my destiny or if it was just a nightmare. The following morning, I observed Balin diligently practicing with his longsword. He turned to me and inquired, What weapon do you wield? I paused for a moment, then replied, I have yet to decide. With a nod, he suggested, Then head to the armory and select one for yourself. I agreed, That will suffice. The armory was filled with an overwhelming array of weapons. I hesitated, unsure of which to choose. My mind wandered back to the times I''d spent in video games, where I always preferred the speed and precision of daggers. I was drawn to a set of finely crafted blades, their weight and balance comforting in my hands. It felt instinctive, as though I had made this decision countless times before. As I fastened the daggers to my belt, I noticed a set of leather armor hanging nearby. It wasn¡¯t the finest, but it was light and flexible¡ªperfect for quick movements. I quickly donned it, feeling the straps settle comfortably into place. Just as I finished, Collen appeared, his face grim. Come with me, he said urgently. The people of Elderwood are in danger. They¡¯ve been attacked by a Cyclops. We need to slay the beast before it''s too late. The weight of his words shifted the air around us. Without another thought, I followed him, my heart pounding with the rush of impending action. We arrived at Elderwood to find the Cyclops wreaking havoc, destroying everything in its path. Collen turned to me and said, Be careful. Strike when you get the chance. Balin swiftly cast a freezing spell on the Cyclops'' feet, hoping to slow it down. However, the creature''s strength proved overwhelming. With a powerful motion, the Cyclops shattered the ice and began swinging its massive limbs, knocking us all aside with its forceful kicks. I knew I had to act quickly. I relied on my speed, quickly scaling the houses and positioning myself above the Cyclops. It charged forward, oblivious to my presence. I waited for the right moment, then leaped onto its head, driving my daggers into its eyes. The Cyclops roared in pain, its massive clawing at its face, trying to shake me off. Then, the Cyclops grabbed me with its massive hands, and I struggled in vain to free myself. Fear coursed through me, and I thought my chances of survival were fading. An elvish strider swiftly came to my aid, releasing a volley of arrows into the Cyclops''s eyes, nearly blinding it. With a roar, it dropped me to the ground. We charged together at the Cyclops, our weapons raised. With a mighty roar, we slammed into its massive frame, sending it stumbling backward. The ground trembled as it crashed to the earth, a fierce growl escaping its lips. I felt my heart race, adrenaline flooding my veins, as we moved in for the kill. With one final strike, the Cyclops was slain. I thanked the Elvish Strider for saving my life, my voice filled with genuine gratitude. Thank you, I said, meeting her calm gaze. She nodded with a quiet grace, her eyes briefly scanning the battlefield before resting on me. You''re welcome, she replied, her voice steady, as though saving lives was second nature to her. I took a deep breath, steadying myself after the chaos. My name is Anar, I said. She gave a soft smile, a flicker of recognition in her eyes. I am Elanor of Ish Tirion. Her name carried weight, like it was tied to something older, something timeless. It felt like an invitation to a story yet to be told.