《Beneath No Banner》


 Chapter 1 : Rivenstead

    The village of Rivenstead nestled in the valley like a untouched pearl inside an oylster, hidden beneath towering cliffs and the dense embrace of the Eldermire Forest. Cobblestone paths wove between sturdy cottages, their thatched roofs bending under the weight of time. The river Vehlis, clear as polished glass, carved its way through the land, feeding the soil and the people alike. Smoke coiled lazily from chimney stacks, carrying the scent of fresh bread and burning oak.


    The world beyond Rivenstead barely acknowledged its existence, and the villagers preferred it that way. Here, life was simple, unbroken by war or the schemes of the powerful. The people of Rivenstead toiled with their hands, shaping the earth, harvesting grain, tending to livestock. Laughter often echoed through the fields, and children ran barefoot through the meadows, untouched by the weight of the world.


    It was a village of submission, though few saw it that way. The Chain dictated their fates, and so they followed it, as had their ancestors before them.


    The morning was a melody, songs of birds and the soothing sun rising through the valley. The boy, Auren, was used to waking early. His father, Edrin, always said that the world belonged to those who greeted the dawn with open arms.


    "A day well met is a battle half-won", Edrin had often chuckled.


    Auren didn''t always understand his father. He was a man of contradictions, a farmer with the heart of a warrior. He spent his days working the fields, bartering in the village square, and teaching Auren how to mend fishing nets. But then there were moments¡ªbrief and fleeting¡ªwhere something in him shifted. He moved like a predator, eyes sharp as a blade, as if waiting for something unseen. It never lasted long. The next moment, he''d be grinning again, running his fingers through Auren¡¯s hair, his voice rich with mirth.


    That morning, they stood by the riverbank. Edrin was teaching Auren how to catch fish with his bare hands.


    "Too slow!" Edrin laughed as another silver-scaled shape slipped through Auren¡¯s grasp.


    "They''re too fast!"


    "That¡¯s because you¡¯re thinking too much. Don¡¯t think¡ªfeel. The river isn¡¯t your enemy; it wants to help you. You just have to listen."


    Auren scowled, but he tried again. This time, he let the water run between his fingers, waiting instead of rushing. A flicker¡ªa shimmer of movement beneath the surface¡ªand then, in a single motion, his hands snapped forward. Water splashed, and when he lifted his arms, a fish wriggled wildly in his grasp.


    Edrin clapped him on the back. "There you go, lad! Now, You are listening!"Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    Auren, but before he could say anything, a sound rang through the air.


    A horn. Low, deep, and unmistakable.


    The village went silent.


    Edrin¡¯s smile faded. His entire stance shifted¡ªhis playfulness gone like a breath in the wind. His jaw clenched. He turned towards the village, his voice quiet but firm.


    "Auren... Go home. Now."


    By the time Auren reached the village square, they had already arrived.


    A group of armored men, their cloaks bearing the sigil- A hound- of the house Valthrone . At their center, astride a massive black horse, sat Hadric Valthorne son of Lord Valthorne himself. He was a man of luxury¡ªtoo much for a man who did too little¡ªand he held himself with the weight of authority. A thin smile curled his lips as he looked upon the villagers.


    "People of Rivenstead", he began, his voice smooth and practiced. "I trust the harvest has been plentiful this year?"


    The villagers did not respond, knowing the obvious , They remained still.


    Valthorne continued as if he hadn¡¯t noticed the silence. "His Lordship requires an additional tithe this season. Due to unforeseen intensity of the war , the tax has been increased. Effective immediately."


    A murmur spread through the crowd¡ªfear, not respect.


    Yet, none of them dared to step forward.


    They will have to starve if they are to pay another another tithe. Some might even resort to theft. Poverty makes a man do things, he never would.


    Edrin stepped forward.


    "We have already paid," he said, voice steady.


    Valthorne turned his gaze to him, amused. "And you will pay again. His Lordship¡¯s will is absolute. Or do you question it?"


    Edrin¡¯s eyes locked onto the noble¡¯s, Fed up with the tyranny. "I question nothing. I DENY it."


    A gasp rippled through the villagers. The weight of his words was suffocating. No one denied a command given by the Chain.


    Auren¡¯s heart pounded in his chest. His father stood alone, unmoving, while the others lowered their gazes in submission.


    Valthorne¡¯s smile thinned. "You speak bold words for a farmer. But the Chain is clear. To deny an order from above¡­ is treason."


    Edrin laughed. "Is that what they tell you? That the Chain is law, and law is unbreakable?" His voice was laced with something dangerous. "Tell me, Lord Valthorne, did you earn your power? Did you fight for it? Or did you take it like a dog handed a bone?"


    Valthorne¡¯s face darkened. He gestured, and one of his enforcers stepped forward¡ªan armored warrior, eyes vacant yet ruthless, bound to Valthorne¡¯s will by the Chain.


    "Then let this be your lesson," Valthorne said. "You don''t need to pay, You will not be here to pay anything."


    The warrior struck.


    Steel met flesh. Edrin staggered. Blood dyed his chest. The villagers did not cry ,they did not move¡ªthey could not, For they feared the same fate will befall them.


    Auren tried to move. He wanted to scream. He felt his world crumble right before his eyes. he wanted to fight. But he couldn¡¯t ,he was too weak to even stand against them. The weight of the Chain was crushing, forcing his body to remain still, making him watch as his father crumpled to the ground.


    Edrin¡¯s breath came in ragged gasps. He turned his head slightly, just enough to meet Auren''s eyes.


    And he smiled.


    "Even if the whole world demands you must kneel¡­ stand." he whispered, voice trembling.


    Then, he was still.


    Auren¡¯s vision blurred. Something inside him cracked.


    He stumbled and tried to reach his father, he felt the weight of the chains acting on him.


    But something in him screamed against it. Fought against it .Raged against it.


    For the first time, the weight of the Chain wavered.

 Chapter 2: The Art of Not Getting Eaten

    "Don''t let his death be in vain, kid," the Elder whispered, his voice filled with guilt. His hands trembled as he clutched Auren¡¯s shoulder, holding him back.


    "You''ll only bring more death upon us," another voice warned, the grip on his arm tightening.


    Auren gritted his teeth, fury twisting his gut. "Cowards," he spat. Then, he ran.


    He ran towards the dreaded forest.


    His breath came in ragged gasps, but he did not stop. The weight of his father¡¯s death, the weight of the Chain, pressed down on him like an iron collar.


    Somewhere in his mind, he clung to the image of Rivenstead¡¯s old withered oak, standing alone in the village square¡ªscarred, gnarled, yet unyielding. That was how his father had stood before death. Unbent.


    But Auren? He was breaking. His stomach twisted with hunger and grief. He had not eaten since the morning before the tithe collection, and now, every step sent a wave of dizziness through him.


    The wilderness was not kind. He knew of the bandits who thrived in the shadows. Yet, his hands were empty, and his knowledge was shallow. He had never needed to fend for himself-Until now. He scoured the forest floor for anything edible, but the berries he found were bitter, barely easing the pain in his gut.


    He pressed on, searching for water. His lips were dry, his throat raw, but the only sound that reached him was the whisper of leaves and the distant caws of birds. He followed the faint scent of damp earth, hoping it would lead him to a stream, but his legs faltered before he found one. He collapsed against a tree, panting, eyes unfocused.


    Time passed in a haze. The sun shifted, shadows stretched. He lost track of how long he sat there, slumped and defeated. His mind drifted between exhaustion and stubborn resolve.


    Then, the growl came.


    Auren froze. The night was still young. He could not even run. He stumbled and fell.


    His fingers clenched the bloodstained cloth tied around his head¡ªa keepsake from his father¡¯s tunic. He had thought it would give him strength. Instead, it had drawn some uninvited guests.


    A pair of glowing green eyes emerged from the darkness. Then another. Then more.


    Wolves.


    Auren¡¯s gasped. He crawled back. The largest of the wolves¡ªa beast with a scar running down its snout¡ªstalked closer. It bared its fangs, saliva dripping onto the forest floor. The others circled him, leaving no room for escape.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    Auren felt death looming closer than ever. He gritted his teeth.


    "No. Not like this. Even if I die,it will be after I claim that bastard''s head!"


    Auren grabbed the nearest thing he could find¡ªa jagged rock, rough and cold in his palm. He clenched it as hard as he could. He didn¡¯t think. He moved.


    The rock met flesh.


    A sickening sound echoed through the forest as the wolf yelped and staggered, blood darkening its fur. Auren wasted no time. He scrambled to his feet and drove the rock down again, striking with everything he had. The wolf went still.


    For a heartbeat, the pack hesitated.


    Then, the growls grew fiercer. Auren barely had time to lift his hands before the rest of them closed in.


    A blur of motion.


    A flash of steel.


    A sickening thunk¡ªshiekkk¡ª


    The second wolf collapsed mid-leap, an arrow lodged deep in its skull. The others had begun to run as a shadow stepped into the dim moonlight, bow still drawn, another arrow already nocked.


    A man.


    His cloak was dark, hiding his face, his hair streaked with gray, but his eyes were sharp¡ªtoo sharp for an ordinary hunter. He exhaled, lowering his bow slightly as he studied Auren¡¯s bloodied hands and the dead wolf at his feet.


    Then, with a smirk, he spoke. ¡°Kid, if you¡¯re trying to die, there are quicker ways than wearing a dinner bell on your forehead.¡±


    Auren, still shaking, removed the bloodstained cloth from his head.


    The man sighed, slinging his bow over his shoulder. ¡°Come on. You¡¯ll last two more nights out here, maybe three if you stop bleeding all over the damn place.¡±


    Auren hesitated. He didn¡¯t trust this man.


    But he had nothing to lose, nowhere else to go.


    So, with one last glance at the darkened trees, he followed.


    Eventually, they reached a small clearing. A camp, a few hunting tools, and a single, weathered tent. The man gestured for Auren to sit by the fire. He followed, too exhausted to argue.


    From a pack, the man pulled out a strip of dried meat and tossed it to him. ¡°Eat.¡±


    Auren caught it with shaking hands, barely hesitating before biting down. The taste was coarse and salty, but to him, it was the finest thing he¡¯d ever eaten. He devoured it in seconds.


    The man watched with an unreadable expression. After a moment, he spoke. ¡°Name¡¯s Corren.¡±


    Auren swallowed hard. ¡°Auren.¡±


    Corren gave a slow nod. ¡°Well, Auren, you¡¯re either brave or a fool to wander these woods alone.¡±


    Auren met his gaze, determination burning behind his exhaustion. ¡°I didn¡¯t have a choice.¡±


    Corren studied him, then smirked. ¡°No one ever does.¡±


    Then Corren chuckled, shaking his head. ¡°Seriously, though, the blood-soaked headband? What?, were you planning on intimidating the wildlife? ¡®Cause let me tell you, the only thing you scared was me-thought I¡¯d found some lunatic forest spirit.¡±


    Auren frowned, glancing at the cloth in his hands.


    Corren sighed. ¡°Fine, fine, keep your sentimental death-rag. Just¡­ maybe don¡¯t wear it like a damn target next time.¡±


    Auren huffed but tucked the cloth away. He wasn¡¯t ready to let go of it yet.


    Corren grinned. ¡°See? You might just survive, kid. Maybe.¡±


    He poked at the fire, then shot Auren a sideways glance. ¡°You got a plan, or are you just winging this whole ¡®lone avenger¡¯ thing?¡±


    Auren hesitated, then met Corren¡¯s gaze. ¡°I have a plan.¡±


    Corren chuckled again, shaking his head. ¡°Well, this I gotta hear.¡±


    The fire crackled between them, and for the first time in days, Auren felt warmth¡ªnot just from the flames, but something else.


    Maybe, just maybe, he wasn¡¯t alone in this.

 Chapter 3: So, About That Genius Plan...

    Corren leaned against a fallen log, eyes glinting with amusement. "Alright, kid. Let¡¯s hear this grand scheme of yours."


    Auren took a deep breath and then, with complete seriousness, said, "I¡¯m going to join the bandits."


    Corren blinked. "...You¡¯re going to what?"


    "Join the bandits," Auren repeated, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Think about it. They already hate the nobles. If I join them, I can work my way up, gain their trust, and when the time is right, I¡¯ll turn them against Hadric Valthorne. We¡¯ll burn his estate to the ground."


    For a moment, Corren just stared at him. Then, slowly, he covered his face with his hands and let out the deepest, most exhausted sigh Auren had ever heard.


    "Kid," Corren said, voice muffled through his fingers, "that is the single stupidest thing I¡¯ve ever heard. And I once watched a man try to fistfight a boar."


    Auren scowled. "It¡¯s not stupid!"


    Corren dropped his hands, looking at him with something between amusement and pity. "Oh, it¡¯s real stupid. You do realize bandits aren¡¯t some silly little band of rebels, right? They don¡¯t take in strays with a sob story about revenge. They¡¯ll rob you blind, cut your throat, and leave you in a ditch. If you¡¯re lucky, they might let you carry their gear before stabbing you for fun."


    Auren hesitated. "...Not all of them are like that."


    Corren scoffed. "Name one bandit who¡¯s got a noble heart."


    Auren opened his mouth, then shut it. He thought for a moment, then muttered, "They could exist."


    Corren let out a laugh. "Oh, sure. And maybe pigs will grow wings and start patrolling the skies." He shook his head. "Kid, you want revenge, I get it. But throwing yourself into a pit of vipers isn¡¯t the way to do it."


    Auren clenched his fists. "Then what is the way? You just want me to sit here and do nothing?"


    Corren¡¯s smirk faded slightly. He studied Auren for a long moment, then sighed. "No. I want you to learn how to survive first. Then, maybe, you¡¯ll figure out a plan that won¡¯t get you gutted in your first week."


    Before Auren could argue, a rustling in the bushes made them both turn. A boy, younger than Auren, stepped hesitantly into the firelight¡ªhis eyes wary, his frame thin.


    Corren sighed, rubbing his temples. "Ah, hell. Not another one."


    Auren turned his gaze to the newcomer, taking in his frail form. The kid looked about ten, maybe younger, his clothes tattered, his face smeared with dirt. He hovered just outside the fire¡¯s glow, his thin shoulders drawn up like a cornered animal.


    The boy flinched at the sound of his voice but didn''t run. His hands clenched at his sides.


    Corren sighed. ¡°Alright, kid, what¡¯s your story? You running from someone? Or just got lost and decided to stroll into the first fire you found?¡±


    The boy stayed silent. His eyes flicked from Corren to Auren, suspicion thick in his gaze.


    Auren frowned. "He looks scared out of his mind."


    Corren raised a brow. ¡°Yeah, probably because two strange men are staring at him in the middle of the damn woods.¡± He turned back to the kid. ¡°Relax. If we wanted to kill you, we¡¯d have done it by now.¡±


    The boy took a step back.


    ¡°¡­That wasn¡¯t comforting, was it?¡± Corren muttered.


    Auren shook his head. ¡°Not even a little.¡±


    Corren exhaled, rubbing his face. ¡°Look, kid, we¡¯re not gonna hurt you. You hungry?¡± He reached into his pack and pulled out a strip of dried meat, holding it out.


    The boy hesitated, eyes darting between them, but his stomach betrayed him. The softest growl escaped his lips.If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    Auren took a step forward, crouching to make himself seem less threatening. ¡°I was starving too, y¡¯know. Before Corren found me. Just take it.¡±


    The boy¡¯s fingers twitched. Then, as if deciding it was worth the risk, he darted forward, snatched the meat, and retreated just as quickly. He tore into it with desperation, barely chewing before swallowing.


    Corren let out a low whistle. ¡°Damn. Kids these days eat like a starved wolves.¡±


    Auren watched him for a moment, something gnawing at his gut. ¡°What happened to you?¡± he asked softly.


    The boy¡¯s chewing slowed. His gaze darkened. He didn¡¯t answer.


    That night, as Corren snored softly beside them, Auren found Rhett awake, staring at the stars. The boy had barely spoken, but now he seemed¡­ lost in thought.


    Auren hesitated, then whispered, "I lost my father."


    Rhett¡¯s fingers tightened over the tattered fabric of his shirt.


    "Hadric Valthorne came to our village, Riverstead," Auren continued, voice barely above a breath. "He took what he wanted. And when my father wouldn¡¯t give him more, he made an example of him. I watched him die. I couldn¡¯t do anything."


    Silence.


    Auren had spent enough time around people to know when someone didn¡¯t want to talk. Rhett was one of those people. But something about the boy¡¯s silence unsettled him. He wasn¡¯t just quiet¡ªhe was watchful, cautious, like a stray dog waiting for a kick that might never come.


    Auren exhaled, rubbing his temples. ¡°You don¡¯t talk much, do you?¡±


    Rhett didn¡¯t answer. He didn¡¯t even flinch.


    Auren leaned forward, elbows on his knees. ¡°Look, I get it. You don¡¯t trust me. But if we¡¯re stuck together, we might as well say something.¡±


    Still nothing.


    Auren sighed and leaned back, staring at the sky. He wasn¡¯t good at this. He¡¯d never had siblings, and making friends had never been a priority. But Rhett¡­ he wasn¡¯t just quiet. He was wounded. Auren could see the way his fingers twitched when the fire crackled too loudly, the way his eyes darted to the shadows like something might come crawling out of them.


    Auren decided to try again. ¡°You ran from something, right? Just like me.¡±


    This time, Rhett stirred, but only slightly. His fingers curled around his own arm, gripping the fabric of his ragged sleeve. Then, slowly, he rolled it up.


    Auren¡¯s breath caught.


    Scars. Ugly, twisting lines of healed-over flesh, some thin and surgical, others jagged as if torn open by something not meant to heal. More than that, there were patterns burned into his skin, dark lines like brands, curving in strange, almost deliberate designs.


    ¡°What the hell¡­?¡± Auren muttered, unable to stop himself.


    Rhett met his gaze for the first time. His voice, when he finally spoke, was hoarse, barely more than a whisper. ¡°Burning..knife..¡±


    Auren didn¡¯t know what to say. His first instinct was to ask who had done this, but the answer was obvious. Whoever had experimented on him hadn¡¯t been kind. They had carved into him, changed him. For what purpose, Auren couldn¡¯t guess.


    He clenched his fists. He thought he had known cruelty. He had watched his father die. He had felt helpless as Hadric Valthorne took everything from him. But this¡ªthis was different. Rhett hadn¡¯t just lost something. He had been changed by the hands of those who saw him as nothing more than a tool.


    Auren swallowed hard. ¡°You got out.¡±


    Rhett nodded. ¡°Ran.¡±


    Auren exhaled. ¡°Yeah¡­ I get that.¡±


    For the first time, there was something in Rhett¡¯s expression that wasn¡¯t just fear. It wasn¡¯t quite trust, but it was acknowledgment. Auren wasn¡¯t sure if that was enough, but for now, it would have to be.


    Just then, Corren returned, carrying a pair of freshly caught hares. He raised an eyebrow at the two boys. ¡°You two bonding yet, or do I need to lock you in a cage and let you fight it out?¡±


    Auren rolled his eyes. ¡°Hilarious.¡±


    Corren grinned, dropping the hares near the fire. ¡°Good, you¡¯re getting used to my humor. Now, since we¡¯re all getting cozy, how about a little lesson in survival?¡±


    Auren straightened, grateful for the change in subject. Rhett merely stayed still, but his eyes flicked to Corren as the man crouched near the fire, pulling out a knife.


    ¡°First thing,¡± Corren began, expertly skinning one of the hares, ¡°you two need to understand something. Out here, no one¡¯s coming to save you. You don¡¯t eat unless you catch your food. You don¡¯t stay warm unless you make a fire. And you sure as hell don¡¯t survive a fight unless you learn how to wield something sharper than your own fists.¡±


    He finished the first hare in record time and started on the second. ¡°Now, Auren, you¡¯ve already proven you can bash a wolf¡¯s head in with a rock. Impressive, but messy. We¡¯re going to work on efficiency.¡±


    Auren smirked despite himself. ¡°What, you got a secret weapon stash hidden somewhere?¡±


    Corren chuckled. ¡°Kid, I am the weapon stash.¡±


    Auren snorted, but he didn¡¯t doubt it. He had seen the man move, seen the way he dispatched the wolves without hesitation. Corren wasn¡¯t just a hunter. He was something more.


    ¡°You ever used a blade before?¡± Corren asked.


    Auren hesitated. ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Good. That means you won¡¯t have any bad habits for me to break.¡± Corren glanced at Rhett. ¡°What about you, quiet one?¡±


    Rhett didn¡¯t answer. Instead, he slowly reached behind himself and pulled something from his belt. A small, wickedly sharp dagger. It was well-worn, the handle smooth from use.


    Corren whistled. ¡°Well, well. You¡¯re full of surprises.¡±


    Rhett said nothing, but his grip on the blade was steady.


    Corren nodded in approval. ¡°Alright then. Tomorrow, we start with the basics. Blade work, tracking, maybe even a bit of archery if I¡¯m feeling generous.¡±


    Auren raised an eyebrow. ¡°And what¡¯s the catch?¡±


    Corren grinned. ¡°You keep up, or you don¡¯t eat.¡±


    Auren groaned. Rhett didn¡¯t react, but Auren could swear he saw the faintest twitch of his lips¡ªalmost like the ghost of a smirk.


    Corren stretched, cracking his neck. ¡°Now, eat up and get some rest. You¡¯re gonna need it.¡±


    Auren sighed but didn¡¯t argue. He had a feeling he was in for the hardest days of his life.


    But for the first time in a long while, he wasn¡¯t alone.

 Chapter 4: Hunting 101鈥擫et Rhett Do It

    The spear slipped in his sweaty grip as Auren crouched lower. If he missed, he wouldn¡¯t eat. Again.


    The rabbit twitched its nose, ears flicking at the faintest whisper of movement. It hadn¡¯t seen him yet, but it would in seconds. Auren¡¯s fingers tightened. He had to strike now.


    He exhaled, muscles tensing¡ªthen threw.


    The spear whistled through the air.


    And missed.


    The rabbit bolted into the bush, vanishing in an instant. Auren clenched his jaw.


    Behind him, Corren let out an unimpressed snort. ¡°Well, that was sad.¡±


    Auren turned, face burning with frustration. ¡°I almost had it.¡±


    ¡°You almost went hungry,¡± Corren corrected. ¡°Again.¡±


    A rustle. A blur of movement.


    A second spear cut through the air¡ªsilent, precise. The rabbit barely had time to react before it was impaled, its squeal dying in an instant.


    Auren¡¯s head snapped toward Rhett, who lowered his arm with mechanical calmness. His throw had been effortless, precise.


    Corren watched him.Amused.


    Rhett didn¡¯t respond. He simply strode forward, pulling the spear free. Blood darkened the dirt. The boy held the rabbit by its hind legs and extended it toward Auren.


    Auren hesitated before snatching it. His stomach churned, but hunger gnawed at him harder.


    Corren smirked. ¡°You missed the shot, you clean the kill.¡±


    Auren groaned. ¡°You¡¯re making me do this again?¡±


    Corren spoke, folding his arms. ¡°The wild doesn¡¯t care if you fail. You learn, or you starve.¡±


    Auren grumbled under his breath but sat down with the knife Corren had given him. The first time had been the worst. The second wasn¡¯t much better. He tried to focus, blocking out the sickly squelch as he worked the blade through fur and flesh.


    Across from him, Rhett crouched by the fire, silent as ever. His face was unreadable, but Auren swore he saw the flicker of something in his expression. Not disgust. Not satisfaction.


    Just¡­ nothing.


    The storm rumbled overhead. Lightning streaked across the sky. The wind carried the sharp scent of rain.


    Corren¡¯s gaze flicked to Rhett again.


    And this time, he was sure.


    The boy wasn¡¯t just unaffected by the storm¡ªhe was connected to it...


    The Next day ,The river shimmered in the dimming light, reflecting the storm clouds rolling above. Auren stepped into the water, letting the cold bite into his skin.


    ¡°This is different from hunting,¡± Corren said from the bank. ¡°No running, no throwing. Just patience.¡±


    Auren exhaled, stretching his fingers.


    Corren raised a brow. ¡°Being implusive won''t help you ,kid¡±


    Auren waded deeper, ignoring the way the current pulled at his legs. He waited. He let the water settle. Then¡ªThis tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    There. A flicker beneath the surface.


    He struck.


    Water splashed, and when he straightened, a fish flailed in his grasp. A grin tugged at his lips. ¡°Got one.¡±


    Corren let out a low chuckle. ¡°I¡¯ll be damned.¡±


    Rhett, watching from the shore, finally spoke. ¡°You¡¯re fast.¡±


    Auren blinked. Rhett had barely spoken a word to him before now. Before he could respond¡ª


    Lightning split the sky.


    The crackling boom followed instantly. The air itself felt charged, humming with raw energy.


    And Rhett didn¡¯t flinch.


    Auren shivered at the static prickling his skin, but Rhett only lifted his head, as if listening to something far away. The light illuminated his face, and for the first time, Auren noticed the faint, unnatural markings on his skin.


    Not scars. Not tattoos.


    Something else.


    Auren¡¯s stomach turned. He wasn¡¯t sure if it was fear or curiosity.


    But Corren¡­ Corren looked at Rhett like he had just confirmed something.


    The Chain and the Trials


    By the fire, the air still heavy with the storm¡¯s presence, Corren leaned back on his elbows. ¡°Alright,¡± he said. ¡°You two earned a lesson.¡±


    Auren perked up. ¡°On what?¡±


    ¡° The World.¡± Corren¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°And how it keeps men weak.¡±


    The flames cast jagged shadows across his face as he held up a charred stick.


    ¡°You know how power works, don¡¯t you? It trickles down. From emperors to kings. From kings to nobles. From nobles to the dirt beneath their boots.¡± He let the stick crumble into the fire.


    ¡°That¡¯s the Chain. They don¡¯t just rule with strength. They decide who gets to have it.¡±


    Auren¡¯s fists clenched. He already knew that truth. His father had died because of it.


    ¡°But there¡¯s another way,¡± Corren said, voice quieter now. ¡°A way to take power, instead of waiting for someone to give it to you.¡±


    Rhett looked up.


    ¡°The Trials of Honor,¡± Corren continued. ¡°Once, they were known to all. A way for anyone¡ªcommoner or noble¡ªto claim power, to stand equal to those born with it. But the Chain doesn¡¯t like competition. So, they buried it. Erased it from history.¡±


    Auren¡¯s breath hitched. ¡°But the Trials still exist?¡±


    Corren nodded. ¡°They do. And they¡¯re different for everyone. They don¡¯t just test strength. They test your will. Your strategy. Your soul.¡± His gaze flicked to Rhett. ¡°Some pay more than others.¡±


    Rhett¡¯s face remained unreadable. But Auren saw it now¡ªjust beneath the cold, quiet exterior.


    Pain.


    Corren stood, stretching. ¡°That¡¯s enough for tonight. Rest up. We head deeper into the woods tomorrow.¡±


    As Auren lay back, staring at the storm-touched sky, a thought took root in his mind.


    If the Trials were real¡­ if there was a way to stand against the Chain without being born into power¡­


    Then he had to find them.


    And no matter what price they demanded¡ªhe would pay it..


    But before Auren could dwell on it, something shifted in the air.


    The forest went silent.


    A shiver ran down Auren¡¯s spine. Corren stiffened, slowly turning his head.


    A low, guttural growl rumbled through the trees.


    Then, it stepped out¡ªa hulking beast, larger than any wolf Auren had ever seen.


    It was a Duskfang wolf. A large, battle-scarred wolf with dark fur streaked with silver. Unlike normal wolves, its claws were sharper, its muscles thicker, and its instincts honed for ambush tactics


    Auren stumbled back, gripping his spear uselessly. Rhett stood still, watching.


    Corren, however, merely sighed. "Took you long enough."


    The beast snarled, muscles tensing. Then, it lunged.


    But Corren wasn¡¯t there anymore.


    A blur¡ªthen an impact. Corren¡¯s palm slammed into the beast¡¯s snout, stopping it mid-charge. Dust exploded around them.


    The creature staggered back, dazed but not down.


    Corren rolled his shoulders. "I was hoping for a quiet evening, but sure. Let''s make this fun."


    Then, he lifted his hand, and the air around him shifted.


    A pulse of energy rippled outward as a shape began to form behind him. Auren felt it before he saw it¡ªan overwhelming presence, something ancient and powerful.


    A massive figure emerged from the void. A bear¡ªbut not just a bear.


    Its body was made of shifting shadows, streaked with glowing, ember-like veins. Its molten gold eyes radiated intelligence. When it moved, its claws left afterimages, as if existing in multiple places at once.


    The monstrous beast before them froze.


    It knew its end was inevitable.


    Corren tilted his head. "Run. Or don¡¯t. Won¡¯t change how this ends."


    The predator turned¡ªtoo late. The bear-spirit pounced.


    Auren barely processed what happened next. One moment, the beast was there. The next, it was being ripped apart.


    A final, echoing snarl¡ªthen silence.


    The bear-spirit turned, glowing eyes locking onto Corren. For a brief moment, something unspoken passed between them. Then, the spirit dissolved, fading into glittering dust as the air settled.


    Corren exhaled, brushing off his coat. "Well, that was dramatic."


    Auren stared, mouth dry. "What... what was that?"


    Corren simply smirked. "Not everything strong comes from the Chain."


    Rhett, watching silently, curled his fingers slightly¡ªhis first reaction to anything all night.


    Auren swallowed hard, realization settling in. The world was far bigger¡ªand far deadlier¡ªthan he had ever imagined.


    And he was still at the very bottom of it.

 Chapter 5: The "Not-So-Heroic" Way to Win

    Auren crouched low, pressing his back against the rough bark of a gnarled tree. His breath came slow, measured, just as Corren had taught him. Somewhere in the dense forest, Rhett was doing the same, though with far less effort.


    "If you fight every battle head-on, you¡¯ll be dead before you ever get strong enough to win the real fight," Corren¡¯s voice carried through the trees, calm but firm. He moved through the dense forest like a wraith, steps so light they barely rustled the fallen leaves. "So, if you can¡¯t win, you disappear."


    Auren peeked from behind his cover. Corren was walking between the trees with a casual ease, yet something about the way he moved made his presence flicker. At one moment, he was in plain sight, the next, his form seemed to blur between the shadows, slipping just outside of focus.


    "How are you doing that?" Auren whispered.


    "Perception is a weapon," Corren answered, vanishing behind a tree. "And people only see what they expect to see. Most don¡¯t pay attention to the empty spaces between moments. That¡¯s where you move."


    Auren glanced at Rhett, who hadn¡¯t so much as flinched since the lesson began. If anything, the boy seemed to already understand, blending into the underbrush with eerie stillness. Typical.


    Corren reappeared, arms crossed. "Alright, lesson time. You¡¯re being hunted. No weapons, no chance in a fight. How do you escape?"


    Auren frowned. "Run?"


    Corren sighed. "You ever seen a rabbit try to outrun a hawk? Doesn¡¯t end well. Running is the last option. First, you lose the scent."


    With a swift motion, he scooped up a handful of damp earth and crushed it between his palms, the scent of rich soil and decaying leaves filling the air. "Animals track by smell. People? Not so different. Get yourself covered in something stronger than your own scent. Mud, blood, anything that throws them off."


    Auren wrinkled his nose as Corren smeared the damp earth across his arms. "That¡¯s disgusting."


    "So is getting gutted in an alleyway," Corren shot back. "Your move, prince."


    Grumbling, Auren followed suit, rubbing dirt over his skin. Rhett, without a word, did the same, though his expression remained unreadable.


    "Next, you stay low, move slow," Corren continued. "Most people scan for movement first. The more you blend into the world, the less they see you."


    Auren took a careful step, mimicking Corren¡¯s low stance. He moved forward, foot sliding silently across the mossy ground¡ªonly to snap a twig.


    Corren winced. "You just alerted half the damn forest. Try again."


    Auren muttered a curse and adjusted his steps. This time, he moved carefully, listening to the world around him, stepping where the earth was soft, where fallen leaves wouldn¡¯t crunch beneath his boots. It took effort, but after a few attempts, he began to feel the rhythm of it.


    Corren nodded. "Better. Not good, but better."


    Before Auren could respond, a sharp crack echoed through the trees.


    Silence fell.


    Corren¡¯s expression darkened. In one fluid motion, he stepped back into the shadows, vanishing from sight. Auren stiffened, gripping his spear. The forest had been alive with sound moments ago, but now? Now, it held its breath.


    Then, movement. Something large. Heavy.


    A branch snapped, closer this time.


    Auren barely saw it before it moved¡ªsomething between a stag and a predator, with jagged, mismatched antlers and slit-pupiled eyes that gleamed like burning embers. It sniffed the air, muscles tense beneath a pelt of coarse, matted fur. This was no ordinary beast.


    And it was hunting.


    Rhett remained motionless. Auren forced himself to do the same, resisting every urge to turn and bolt.


    The creature¡¯s gaze swept across them, lingering where they crouched. Auren¡¯s heart pounded against his ribs.


    Then, something changed.


    The air grew heavy, thick with unseen pressure. The shadows around them shifted, stretching unnaturally. A sound¡ªlow and primal¡ªrumbled through the clearing, though it didn¡¯t come from the beast.


    The creature¡¯s ears twitched. It hesitated. Then, with a snort, it turned and slunk back into the forest, vanishing into the gloom.


    Auren let out a slow, shaky breath.


    Corren reappeared, arms folded. "Sometimes, the best way to disappear¡­ is to make something else scarier than your predator."Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.


    Auren stared. "You scared it off."


    "Not me," Corren said, his smirk returning. "The idea of me."


    He left it at that, turning back toward their camp. Rhett followed silently. Auren, still shaken, fell in step behind them.


    Tonight, he had learned more than just how to vanish.


    He had learned just how little he understood about Corren.


    "How do we do that though??".Auren asked, his voice filled with curiousity.


    Yet. Stangely, There was no reply.


    The night air was thick with tension. The scent of damp earth clung to Auren¡¯s skin as he crouched low beside Rhett, hidden beneath the twisted roots of an ancient tree. Corren had vanished into the forest moments ago¡ªwithout a word, without a sound. He had been the one teaching them how to disappear, and now he was gone.


    Auren clenched his fists. Something about the way Corren had left felt wrong. Not calculated. Not part of a lesson. He had left because he of afraid -of what he might do to the uninvited guests of the forest.


    The reason became clear moments later.


    Footsteps. Heavy, deliberate. A dozen figures emerged from the treeline, their armor dulled to avoid catching the moonlight, patterned with the symbol of golden hawk. Mercenaries. Their leader, a broad-shouldered man with a thick scar running down his cheek, surveyed the clearing with a knowing smirk. A presence clung to him, something that made the air feel heavier.


    An Initiate.


    ¡°I know you¡¯re out there, boy,¡± the leader called, his voice like gravel. ¡°We ain¡¯t here to kill you. Not yet. We just need to have a little talk.¡±


    Auren swallowed hard, gripping his spear tighter. He knew better than to believe a man like that. They wouldn¡¯t stop at talking.


    Rhett, beside him, exhaled slowly. ¡°They don¡¯t know where we are yet.¡±


    Auren shot him a look. ¡°And when they do?¡±


    Rhett¡¯s gaze was unreadable in the darkness. ¡°Then we fight.¡±


    The mercenaries spread out, moving in a slow, steady sweep. One of them, a lanky man with an axe, was getting too close. Too close to the roots where they hid. His boots crushed twigs underfoot as he passed within a few feet of them.


    Auren held his breath.


    Then, the man stopped.


    He sniffed the air, eyes narrowing. Auren¡¯s grip tightened around his weapon, his muscles coiled, ready to spring¡ª


    A flicker. A shift in the air. And then Rhett moved.


    One second he was beside Auren, crouched low. The next, he was in front of the mercenary, a streak of motion too fast to track. A hand shot out, gripping the man¡¯s face. Before the mercenary could so much as gasp, a surge of electricity crackled through Rhett¡¯s fingers.


    The air snapped with a deafening crack. The man¡¯s body went rigid, his limbs seizing violently before he crumpled to the ground, smoke rising from his armor.


    Silence.


    Then¡ª


    ¡°There!¡± one of the mercenaries shouted, pointing at Rhett.


    Auren launched into motion before they could overwhelm Rhett.


    He darted forward, his spear whistling through the air. The first man barely had time to react before Auren¡¯s weapon buried itself into his shoulder, forcing a pained cry from his lips. Auren twisted the spear free and spun, ducking under a wild sword swing before jabbing the blunt end of his weapon into another mercenary¡¯s ribs.


    Rhett, beside him, was a storm given form. Sparks crackled along his fingertips as he slammed his palm against a man¡¯s chest. The mercenary convulsed violently before dropping like a stone. Another lunged at him, but Rhett sidestepped, lightning arcing between his hands as he backhanded the attacker with a crackling fist.


    Auren didn¡¯t have Rhett¡¯s power, but he had something just as deadly¡ªprecision.


    His spear shot out, catching a mercenary behind the knee. As the man fell, Auren flipped his grip and struck the hilt of the man¡¯s sword, knocking it from his grasp. A quick step forward¡ªhis elbow slammed into the mercenary¡¯s face, sending him sprawling.


    Then the leader moved.


    Auren barely had time to react before something blurred toward him¡ªfaster than any normal man. A fist slammed into his stomach, sending him skidding backward, his breath ripped from his lungs. He gasped, trying to steady himself, but the leader was already on him.


    A sword swung¡ªAuren raised his spear just in time. The impact jarred his arms, nearly wrenching the weapon from his grasp.


    Too fast. Too strong.


    The leader wasn¡¯t like the others.


    Auren barely twisted away as a second strike came, the curved saber grazing his ribs. Pain flared, but he forced himself to move. He had fought before, but never against someone on this level.


    A bolt of lightning split the night.


    Rhett was there, stepping between them. His palm slammed forward, a crackling arc of energy streaking toward the leader.


    For the first time, the man actually reacted.


    The Initiate twisted his blade, slicing through the air. The moment the lightning touched his weapon, the energy dispersed¡ªabsorbed into the metal before harmlessly crackling off into the night.


    Auren¡¯s eyes widened.


    He countered Rhett¡¯s lightning.


    Rhett frowned, eyes narrowing. ¡°Interesting.¡±


    The leader exhaled slowly, rolling his shoulders. ¡°You¡¯re strong, kid. Both of you. But power without control?¡± His gaze flicked to Rhett. ¡°That gets people killed.¡±


    Auren scoffed and forced himself to stand, spear still tight in his grip. His ribs burned, but he ignored the pain.


    They were losing.


    Think, damn it.


    Then Auren¡¯s gaze flicked toward the trees¡ªthe deep part of the forest. Corren had always warned them about the beasts that lurked there. The ones even mercenaries feared.


    Auren didn¡¯t hesitate. He turned and ran¡ªnot away, but toward the forbidden part of the woods.


    ¡°Auren?!¡± Rhett barked.


    But Auren didn¡¯t stop. He knew the mercenaries would follow. They couldn¡¯t let him escape.


    He just needed to run deep enough.


    He pushed through the underbrush, breath coming in ragged gasps, his cuts and bruises screaming in protest. Then he heard it.


    A low, guttural growl.


    A shadow moved in the darkness, something massive, something that didn¡¯t belong in this world. The air itself felt wrong.


    A beast of the deep woods.


    Auren skidded to a stop, heart hammering. The mercenaries were right behind him¡ªand then they saw it too.


    The leader¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Oh, shit.¡±


    Auren turned and bolted the other way.


    The beast lunged.


    The mercenaries scattered, weapons forgotten, their earlier confidence shattered. The Initiate leader cursed, barely dodging as the monster¡¯s claws raked through a tree, splintering it like kindling.


    Auren didn¡¯t look back. He ran toward Rhett.


    And when he finally stopped, gasping for breath, he saw the mercenaries¡ªrunning.


    Not from him.


    Not from Rhett.


    But from the thing in the woods.


    The beast let out a chilling snarl, before vanishing back into the darkness, satisfied with its chase.


    Auren collapsed onto his knees, letting out a sharp, breathless laugh. ¡°That worked.¡±


    Rhett stared at him. Then at the retreating mercenaries. Then back at him.


    ¡°¡­You¡¯re insane.¡±


    Auren grinned, wiping blood from his mouth. ¡°Maybe. But we¡¯re still alive.¡±

 Chapter 06: A Hawk鈥檚 Regret, A Storm鈥檚 Call

    The fire crackled in the quiet of the night, flickering shadows stretching long across the forest floor. Auren sat cross-legged, absently running his fingers over the bloodstained cloth tied around his head. Rhett, lounging nearby, prodded the fire with a stick, sending a small flurry of embers into the night air. Corren sat opposite them, his face half-lit by the fire¡¯s glow, his eyes lost in something neither of them could see.


    It wasn¡¯t unusual for Corren to fall into silence. But this time, something was different. The usual sharpness in his gaze had dulled, replaced with something distant, something haunted.


    Auren noticed first. ¡°Corren?¡±


    No response.


    Rhett smirked, tossing a twig at him. ¡°You¡¯re brooding more than usual, old man. That a new hobby?¡±


    Corren blinked, the trance breaking. He exhaled sharply through his nose, rubbing his temples. ¡°You two never learned when to keep quiet, did you?¡±


    Auren and Rhett exchanged glances before Rhett shrugged. ¡°Not really.¡±


    A pause. Then Corren sighed, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. ¡°You want to know why I left you two behind that day, don¡¯t you?¡±


    Auren nodded. ¡°You saw something on that mercenary. Something that made you leave.¡±


    Corren¡¯s jaw clenched. He stared into the fire for a long moment before he spoke. ¡°A golden hawk.¡±


    Silence stretched between them. The fire popped, and a breeze rustled the leaves overhead.


    ¡°The Red Hawks,¡± Corren continued, his voice quieter now, ¡°were the ones who killed my wife. My son.¡±


    Neither Auren nor Rhett dared to interrupt.


    ¡°They weren¡¯t always that way. Once, they were just another mercenary company, swords-for-hire, no worse than the rest. But greed rots everything. One day, they took a contract they shouldn¡¯t have. A noble wanted to erase a debt, and rather than pay it, he paid them to erase the ones he owed.¡±


    His fingers curled into fists.


    ¡°My family had nothing to do with it. But we lived on that land. And the Silver Hawks¡­ they didn¡¯t leave witnesses.¡±


    The weight of his words pressed against the night. Even Rhett, usually the first to make some flippant remark, stayed silent.


    ¡°I came home to a graveyard.¡± Corren¡¯s voice was steady, but it was the kind of steadiness that took effort. ¡°My wife, my boy¡­ gone. Just like that. And I¡ª¡± His breath hitched, just for a moment. ¡°I became something else. I wasn¡¯t a man anymore. Just a blade looking for a throat.¡±


    Auren felt the hairs on his arms rise. This wasn¡¯t the Corren they knew. This was something older, something raw.


    ¡°I hunted them. Every last one.¡± His eyes lifted to them, sharp, cold. ¡°Tracked them across mountains, through cities. It took me years. But I made sure none of them walked away.¡±


    Rhett let out a low whistle. ¡°Damn.¡±


    Corren smirked, but there was no humor in it. ¡°Damn indeed.¡± He leaned back, looking to the sky. ¡°And when it was done, when the last of them had bled out at my feet¡­ I felt nothing. No satisfaction. No peace. Just¡­ emptiness.¡±


    Auren swallowed, his throat dry. ¡°So when you saw the golden hawk¡ª¡±


    ¡°My first thought was to kill him,¡± Corren admitted. ¡° But then I saw you two.¡± He shook his head. ¡°I left because I wasn¡¯t sure what I would do if I stayed. I wasn¡¯t sure if I was still that man. And I didn¡¯t want to find out.¡±


    The fire crackled between them, filling the silence. Corren¡¯s expression had softened, but the weight of his story lingered, thick as the night air.


    After a moment, Auren nodded. ¡°Thank you for telling us.¡±


    Corren snorted. ¡°Didn¡¯t do it for you, boy.¡±


    Rhett stretched, cracking his knuckles. ¡°Well, that was one hell of a bedtime story.¡± He smirked, but there was a strange respect in his eyes now. ¡°Guess that explains why you fight like a demon.¡±


    Corren rolled his eyes. ¡°Get some sleep. We move at dawn.¡±


    Auren watched as Corren leaned back against a tree, staring at the sky, lost in thoughts he¡¯d never fully escape. And for the first time, Auren truly understood the man who had taken them under his wing.


    The Next Day.


    The morning air was crisp, the scent of damp earth mingling with pine. Auren steadied his breathing, fingers tightening around the worn wooden bow. The target¡ªan old tree with a cluster of leaves marked by Corren¡ªstood twenty paces away. He exhaled, loosing the arrow.


    Thwack.


    A little off-center.


    ¡°Again,¡± Corren instructed, leaning against a rock with his arms crossed.


    Auren retrieved another arrow, but his focus wavered. His thoughts lingered on last night, on the weight of Corren¡¯s past, on the unspoken emotions that still clung to the air.Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.


    Rhett sat a few feet away, idly running a knife over a piece of wood, his expression unreadable as usual. But Corren¡¯s eyes lingered on him today, a gaze sharpened by something more than just training.


    ¡°Rhett.¡±


    The boy paused, knife stilling mid-stroke.


    ¡°How much do you remember?¡± Corren asked.


    Rhett¡¯s grip on the blade tightened. ¡°¡­Of what?¡±


    Corren sighed. ¡°You know what.¡±


    Silence stretched between them. The wind whispered through the trees.


    ¡°Nothing before the orphanage,¡± Rhett finally muttered. ¡°Just flashes. Pain. Lightning.¡± His fingers twitched. ¡°That¡¯s it.¡±


    Auren lowered his bow. He had always known Rhett¡¯s abilities weren¡¯t normal¡ªhow his body seemed to hum with energy, how his reflexes were unnaturally sharp, his movements almost too fast for the eye. But they had never questioned it. Not until now.


    Corren stepped closer, gaze steady. ¡°Your body¡­ it wasn¡¯t meant to be like this.¡±


    Rhett frowned. ¡°What the hell does that mean?¡±


    ¡°You weren¡¯t born with this power,¡± Corren said. ¡°It was forced onto you.¡±


    Auren¡¯s breath hitched. ¡°What?¡±


    Corren exhaled. ¡°House Kaelor. They¡¯re the weakest of the four great houses, but what they lack in strength, they make up for in desperation. They¡¯ve spent years trying to manufacture power, breaking the natural order.¡± His voice darkened. ¡°Experiments. Torture. Trying to create something greater than what nature allows.¡±


    Auren glanced at Rhett, who was staring at the ground, jaw clenched.


    ¡°Lightning attunement isn¡¯t rare,¡± Corren continued. ¡°But yours isn¡¯t natural. It¡¯s stronger, unstable. I¡¯ve seen the signs before. And those scars...¡± his gaze flickered to Rhett¡¯s arms, where faint, lightning-shaped burns still marked his skin ¡°..those weren¡¯t made by accident.¡±


    Rhett¡¯s fists clenched. ¡°You¡¯re saying¡­ they did this to me.. to make me some abomination ?¡±


    Corren nodded. ¡°It¡¯s likely.¡±


    Auren felt the weight of the truth settle over them. He had always envied Rhett¡¯s strength, his speed, his near-invincible reflexes. But now¡­


    Rhett slowly stood, the knife still in his grip. His face was unreadable, but Auren could see it¡ªthe storm gathering behind his eyes.


    Corren placed a hand on his shoulder. ¡°You¡¯re more than what they did to you.¡±


    Rhett didn¡¯t respond. He simply turned away, his fingers sparking with faint traces of electricity.


    Auren watched him for a long moment before turning to Corren. ¡°What does this mean for him?¡±


    Corren¡¯s expression was grim. ¡°It means he has a choice. To be their experiment¡­ or to be something else.¡±


    Auren swallowed. ¡°And the other houses? They just let this happen?¡±


    Corren scoffed. ¡°They pretend not to see it. House Kaelor''s experiments are open secrets¡ªeveryone knows what they do, but no one speaks of it. The stronger houses look down on them, thinking their experiments are failures, just the desperate attempt to power of a weak house.¡± His jaw tightened. ¡°And sometimes, Kaelor ensures their silence. Bribes, favors¡­ or well-placed disappearances.¡±


    Auren shuddered at the thought. How many had been lost to their twisted experiments? And how many had suffered like Rhett¡ªlike the ones who didn¡¯t survive?


    Corren¡¯s gaze darkened. ¡°Veltharion¡¯s rulers tolerate it because they think some breakthroughs might serve them. A controlled monster is still a weapon.¡±


    Rhett let out a hollow laugh. ¡°Guess I slipped through the cracks.¡±


    Corren sighed. ¡°You¡¯re more than that.¡±


    The words lingered. The morning felt colder than before.


    ¡°Get some rest,¡± Corren finally said, stepping away. ¡°We¡¯ll talk more tomorrow,You kids still have a long way to go.¡±


    The day passed,stars filled the sky.


    The grassland stretched endlessly, a sea of silver under the pale glow of the stars.


    Auren lay on his back, staring up at the sky. The cool night air carried the distant hum of insects, a rare moment of peace after everything they had learned.


    Beside him, Rhett was still, his usual silence blending with the quiet of the night.


    Corren sat nearby, sharpening his knife, the rhythmic scrape of metal against stone the only sound between them for a long while.


    "Try again," Corren said without looking up.


    Auren groaned. "What¡¯s the point? It¡¯s not working."


    Corren exhaled. "You give up too easily."


    Rhett smirked, a rare expression on his face, but said nothing.


    Corren leaned forward, his voice steady, instructive. "Summoning isn¡¯t about force. It¡¯s about calling something that already wants to be here. Spirits have lingering wishes, things left undone. Masters help fulfill them in exchange for their service. You can¡¯t just demand¡ªthey have to answer."


    Auren scowled. "Then maybe no spirit wants to answer me."


    Corren studied him for a moment before reaching into his satchel, pulling out a small pouch of finely ground silver dust. "Let¡¯s start from the beginning. Again."


    With practiced ease, he traced a sigil into the grass with the dust, the intricate lines forming a spiral interwoven with runes that pulsed faintly under the starlight. The air around them grew colder.


    "Kneel before it," Corren instructed.


    Auren sighed but obeyed, settling onto his knees before the pattern.


    "Now, place your hand over the center. Feel the energy¡ªnot yours, not mine, but the thread between worlds. Close your eyes and repeat after me."


    Corren¡¯s voice dropped to a near whisper, the words ancient and rhythmic:


    O lost soul, bound by time and sorrow,


    I call thee from the veil of shadow.


    In whisper, in wind, in silent breath,


    Answer me from beyond death.


    Auren inhaled deeply, feeling something stir beneath his fingertips as he repeated the words. But even as the cold curled around him, nothing took form. The sigil remained lifeless.


    Auren¡¯s hand curled into a fist. "Still nothing."


    Before Corren could respond, the air around Rhett crackled. A gust of wind swept through the clearing, and arcs of violet lightning flickered around him. The silver dust on his sigil burned with sudden brilliance. Then, with a resounding crack, the form of a massive eagle emerged from the spiraling glow of the summoning circle.


    Its feathers were streaked with lightning, its eyes burning with ethereal energy. The air smelled of ozone, and the very earth trembled as the spirit spread its wings. A sharp cry echoed through the night, a sound like the roar of a storm.


    Auren watched, slack-jawed. Rhett, unfazed as ever, simply lifted a hand. The eagle lowered its head, allowing him to rest his palm against its beak. Lightning danced at his fingertips but did not harm him.


    Corren nodded in approval. "A spirit that mirrors its summoner. An unique one at that."


    Auren looked between them, frustration clawing at his chest. Why had Rhett succeeded so easily while he had failed over and over?


    Corren didn¡¯t scold him. He merely leaned back on his elbows, gazing at the sky. Then, after a long pause, he spoke, almost absentmindedly. "Not all spirits answer right away. Some wait for the right moment."


    Auren frowned. "What¡¯s that supposed to mean?"


    Corren answered, his gaze distant, as if seeing something Auren could not. "You''ll know when the time comes."


    Corren sat up, brushing grass from his coat. "There¡¯s a Trial. Not far from here. An old one, meant for Initiates. It¡¯s dangerous, but if you¡¯re looking for a way forward, it might be exactly what you need."


    Auren hesitated. The frustration of failing gnawed at him, but so did the idea of proving himself another way. "What kind of Trial?"


    Corren¡¯s lips curved into something that wasn¡¯t quite a smile. "One that will test more than just your strength."


    Auren glanced at Rhett, who merely watched him with those unreadable eyes, waiting for his decision. The weight of the choice settled over him, heavy and uncertain.


    Then, with a slow breath, Auren straightened his shoulders. "When do we start?"


    Corren chuckled. "At dawn."


    Above them, the wind howled through the grass, and somewhere in the distance, thunder rumbled.

 Chapter 07: Floating Stones, Flying Fangs, and One Bad Idea

    The morning air was crisp, laced with the scent of damp earth and pine as Auren tightened the bloodstained cloth around his head.


    Beside him, Rhett adjusted the straps of his pack, his usual restlessness tempered by something heavier, anticipation and eagerness. Before them, Corren stood silent, arms crossed, his gaze unreadable as the forest whispered with the wind.


    "This is where I leave you," Corren said at last. His voice carried no warmth of a farewell, only the weight of understanding. "The path to the Trial of Honor isn¡¯t mine to walk. You have to find it on your own."


    Auren glanced at Rhett, whose brows furrowed in frustration. "You found it, though. You could at least show us the way."


    Corren shook his head. "That¡¯s not how it works. I am an Ascended. If I interfere in a trail meant for initiates, the trial will reject you outright. Honor isn¡¯t something that can be given,it has to be earned."


    Rhett scowled but didn¡¯t argue further. Auren, however, let the words settle. He had spent years dreaming of growing strong. Now that the path to defy the chain stood before him.


    "Then tell us what to expect," Auren said. "The trials...what are they really?"


    Corren exhaled, running his fingers through Auren''s hair, which remined Auren of his father. "The Trials of Honor are Unique to each warrior that seeks it''s power. Before the Chain ruled the world, strength came to those who proved themselves worthy. Each trial is different, shaped by the one who seeks it. The deeper you go, the more it reveals about you."


    Rhett crossed his arms. "So it just throws obstacles at us? Tests our skills?"


    Corren gave him a sharp look. "More than that. The trial doesn¡¯t test what you can do, it tests what you are. It will push your limits, break the lies you tell yourself, and if you aren¡¯t ready to face them, it will destroy you. Many have sought the Trials of Honor. Few ever leave."


    Silence fell between them, thick with unspoken fears.


    Auren swallowed hard but kept his voice steady. "And where do we start?"


    A small smirk tugged at Corren¡¯s lips. "You¡¯ll start with a riddle. A single clue. Find the trial, survive what stands in your way, and earn your place."


    He turned toward the trees, eyes dark as the night sky. "Now listen well, because this is all I can give you."


    And then, he spoke the riddle:


    "Where the shadows break, yet no sun shines,


    Follow the whispers of stone to find the line.


    Step with faith, not with sight,


    For stone obeys the weight of fright."


    Auren and Rhett exchanged a glance. The path ahead was uncertain, the dangers unknown. But this was it, the moment they had been waiting for.


    Without another word, they turned toward the wilds, stepping forward into the unknown.


    Dawn¡¯s first light stretched over the horizon as Auren and Rhett followed Corren¡¯s riddle through the dense forest.


    They moved through the shifting shadows of the trees, watching the way the light broke against the trunks, guiding them forward.


    Hours passed, the morning sun creeping higher, until they emerged into a valley surrounded by towering mountains.


    At its heart lay a lake, its waters dark and unmoving, like a mirror reflecting the sky. But what caught their attention wasn¡¯t the lake,it was the floating stones.


    They hovered in midair, forming a winding path above the water, leading to a doorway with no walls, standing alone, leading seemingly to nowhere.


    Rhett let out a low whistle. "Well, that¡¯s not ominous at all."


    Auren bent down, picking up a loose stone from the shore. Without a word, he tossed it onto one of the floating steps. The stone landed without a sound, hovering just like the others. It didn¡¯t sink.


    Rhett crossed his arms. "That doesn¡¯t tell us if it can hold us."


    Before Auren could stop him, Rhett stepped forward onto one of the stones.


    For a heartbeat, it held. Then-


    It shifted.Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    Rhett¡¯s foot slid out from under him as the stone tilted violently, sending him plunging toward the water below.


    "Rhett!"


    Auren lunged, grabbing his wrist just before he fell. He heaved with everything he had, dragging Rhett back onto the shore. The younger boy lay there, panting, staring at the floating stones with wide eyes.


    "Ouch..Okay, Not stable."


    Auren didn¡¯t answer. He was watching something else.


    A rabbit had emerged from the underbrush, its small body twitching with curiosity. It sniffed the air, then, without hesitation, leapt onto one of the floating steps.


    The stone didn¡¯t waver.


    The rabbit hopped to another, then another. It made it across the lake with ease, vanishing into the entrance beyond.


    Auren¡¯s mind raced. Step with faith, not with sight¡­ For stone obeys the weight of fright.


    He exhaled. It¡¯s not the weight.


    It was doubt.


    Before Rhett could protest, Auren stepped forward. He placed his foot on the same stone Rhett had slipped on, only this time, he didn¡¯t hesitate.


    The stone held.


    Auren smirked. "You hesitated. That¡¯s why it moved."


    Rhett scowled. "Well, excuse me for not wanting to drown."


    Auren ignored him and took another step. Then another. With each confident stride, the stones remained firm beneath his feet.


    Rhett groaned but followed, this time stepping with certainty.


    Slowly but surely, they moved across the lake, finding their rhythm, their stride unbroken. The entrance grew closer, the air around them humming with unseen energy.


    Just Then...


    A sharp caw split the silence.


    Auren¡¯s heart clenched.


    Rhett froze. "Tell me that was just some normal, harmless bird."


    The sound echoed again, closer this time.


    A gust of wind howled across the lake, sending ripples across the water¡¯s glassy surface.


    From the darkened clouds above, a massive shape descended ,swift and soundless.


    Auren barely had time to react before it emerged from the mist.


    The predator was a Duskwing Harbinger, A spirit beast of shadow and wind, feared in old legends for its silent hunts. It was larger than any normal eagle, its wingspan stretching nearly twice the size of Seig¡¯s. Its feathers were a abyssal black. Instead of talons of bone and claw, its feet were lined with obsidian-like hooks, sharp enough to rend flesh from bone in a single strike.


    A spirit beast born from the forgotten times.


    Its eyes were empty, devoid of anything.


    Then it attacked.


    With a sudden dive, it moved faster than a shadow cast at dusk. Auren and Rhett barely had time to throw themselves to the side as the force of its movement sent a shockwave rippling through the lake.


    The floating stones trembled, vibrating in place as if they, too, feared the Harbinger¡¯s presence.


    Above them, the creature hovered, its massive wings barely making a sound as it circled. It wasn¡¯t just watching them¡ªit was hunting.


    Rhett clenched his fists. His breath came sharp and steady, his body thrumming with energy.


    "No choice now," he muttered. "Seig¡ªcome forth!"


    A thunderclap split the air.


    From the crackling storm of Rhett¡¯s summoning, a streak of lightning descended, forming into the shape of a great eagle. Seig¡ªThe initiate level beast Rhett has summoned before¡ªburst forth, his electric-blue feathers gleaming, his talons sparking with raw energy.


    The Duskwing Harbinger let out a soundless shriek,its cry resonating through sheer force of presence. A pressure crashed down on them, like a storm without rain.


    Then, in a blur of motion, it dove.


    Seig met it head-on.


    Their talons clashed with a burst of force that sent arcs of lightning scattering into the mist. The Harbinger¡¯s obsidian claws scraped against Seig¡¯s with a piercing screech, its smoky wings twisting unnaturally midair to evade.


    It didn¡¯t move like a normal bird,it flickered, appearing and reappearing in rapid bursts, as if reality itself struggled to hold it in place.


    It was unnatural. Unsettling.


    The predator struck again, but this time, Seig countered¡ªflaring his wings wide, he let loose a burst of lightning, forcing the creature back. The crackling energy sent shockwaves through the valley, illuminating the Harbinger¡¯s dark form in brief, stuttering flashes.


    Auren and Rhett could only watch from the floating stones as the two spirit beasts battled above them, their struggle shaking the very air.


    "Seig¡¯s faster," Rhett noted, eyes sharp. "But that thing...it''s adapting."


    Auren could see it too. The Harbinger wasn¡¯t just attacking wildly,it was learning. Every time Seig struck, the beast adjusted. The way it dodged became more fluid.


    It was analyzing Seig¡¯s movements, mirroring them.


    And Seig was starting to slow.


    The battle raged on, lightning and shadow clashing in a deadly dance above the lake. But the longer it went on, the clearer it became, Seig couldn¡¯t win in a battle of endurance. The predator was too strong to beat in a direct confrontation.


    Rhett clenched his jaw. "We need to finish this. Now."


    Auren¡¯s mind raced. There had to be a way...Some weakness,A flaw.


    Then he saw it.


    "The eyes," Auren breathed. "It doesn¡¯t track movement. It¡¯s following fear..just like the stones!"


    Rhett blinked, then his gaze sharpened. "Then we use that against it."


    He took a deep breath, steadying himself. When he spoke again, his voice was calm. Confident.


    "Seig! Rise with the storm!"


    Lightning flared around Seig¡¯s body, crackling in bright, jagged arcs. Instead of dodging, he charged,but not with hesitation. With certainty.


    The predator lunged at him, talons poised to rip him apart.


    But this time, Seig didn¡¯t waver.


    At the last moment, he twisted into the storm, becoming nothing more than a blur of light and fury. The Harbinger lashed out, only to hit nothing but air.


    Seig reappeared above it in a flash of lightning.


    Then he struck.


    A single, thunderous blow to the back of the predator¡¯s skull.


    The beast let out a strangled, soundless cry as its body locked up, its wings seizing. The force of the impact sent it plummeting, crashing through the floating stones before vanishing into the abyss below.


    Silence.


    Seig hovered in the air, his wings crackling with the last remnants of lightning.


    Then, slowly, he descended, perching on Rhett¡¯s outstretched arm.


    Rhett exhaled shakily. "Holy hell."


    Auren grinned. "Took you long enough."


    Rhett rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Let¡¯s just get moving before something else tries to eat us."


    They turned toward the entrance, the floating stones still firm beneath their feet.


    The path was clear now.


    The Trial awaited.