Their First Mission Timeskip by 1 1years the boys are now 18
The following morning, the sun barely peeked over the horizon when Jake gathered Allen and James in the main hall of the guild. The wooden floors creaked under his heavy boots as he dropped a thick parchment onto the table before them. The guild members, some already preparing for their own missions, cast glances their way—some with curiosity, others with skepticism.
"You've both come a long way," Jake said, his gruff voice carrying a hint of pride. "But training in the safety of the guild is one thing. Out there"—he gestured toward the large oak doors leading to the world beyond—"is where you prove yourselves."
James picked up the parchment, scanning the details. "A bandit camp?" he muttered.
"More like a mercenary group gone rogue," Jake corrected. "They've been attacking merchant caravans along the eastern trade routes. Normally, we'd send more experienced adventurers, but you two need field experience. Your task is simple—gather intelligence on their numbers, find out who's leading them, and, if possible, sabotage their supplies. But under no circumstances are you to engage unless necessary."
Allen frowned, rolling his shoulders as the faintest flicker of purple energy sparked around his fingers. "We can handle it," he said, though a shadow of doubt lingered in his tone.
Jake studied him for a moment before nodding. "I know you can. But control is just as important as strength, Allen." His gaze flickered to James. "And James, keep your brother in check."
James smirked. "Always do."
The two brothers packed their gear—James securing his sword at his hip and Allen adjusting the leather gauntlets covering his hands. The guild's crest, a silver insignia of a dragon entwined with a sword, was pinned to their cloaks, marking them as official adventurers.
Before they left, Jake clapped a hand on Allen's shoulder. "One last thing—trust each other. You're stronger together."
With those parting words, they set off.
Into the Wilds
The road leading east stretched long and winding, cutting through thick forests and rolling hills. The brothers traveled on horseback, the rhythmic clopping of hooves filling the silence between them.
James, ever the optimist, was the first to break it. "So, think we'll get a fight?"
Allen shot him a look. "Our mission is reconnaissance, not battle."
James grinned. "Sure, sure. But if we happen to run into trouble, a little swordplay wouldn't hurt."
Allen sighed, shaking his head. "You're impossible."
Despite the lighthearted banter, an uneasy feeling settled in Allen's chest. He couldn't shake the sense that something—or someone—was watching them.
By the time they reached the outskirts of the bandit camp, the sun was dipping low, casting long shadows across the forest. They dismounted, tying their horses to a hidden grove before proceeding on foot.
James motioned for silence as they crouched behind thick brush, surveying the scene. A dozen or so men loitered around the campfire, their weapons resting against logs and crude tents. Barrels of stolen goods were stacked nearby, and beyond that, a large tent stood at the center—likely the leader's quarters.
Allen narrowed his eyes. "We need to get closer."
James nodded, the two of them creeping forward like shadows against the underbrush. They could hear snippets of conversation now.
"Boss says we move out tomorrow," one of the men grumbled, kicking at the dirt.
"Where to this time?" another asked.
"Some noble's caravan is coming through. Big money in this one."
James clenched his fists. "Robbing nobles now? This isn't just banditry—it's a full-blown operation."
Allen placed a hand on his brother's shoulder. "We have to be smart about this."
They edged closer, but just as they reached the supply crates, a twig snapped under James' boot.
A nearby sentry turned sharply. "What was that?"
Allen cursed under his breath. "We need to move—now."
But before they could retreat, the man's eyes landed on them. "Intruders!"
The Battle Unfolds
Chaos erupted.
James drew his sword in a flash, parrying an incoming strike as two bandits rushed toward him. Allen's eyes glowed with a faint purple hue as he extended his palm, releasing a shockwave of energy that sent another enemy stumbling backward.
"Try not to bring the whole camp down on us!" James shouted, knocking a bandit unconscious with the hilt of his blade.
Allen grit his teeth, his hands tingling with raw energy. He had to hold back—he had to. But as another enemy lunged at him, something inside him snapped.
A burst of violet light flared around him, and in the blink of an eye, he was behind his attacker. The bandit froze, eyes wide with fear, before collapsing unconscious.
James stared. "Allen… what the hell was that?"
Allen didn't have an answer. He barely understood it himself.
More bandits swarmed toward them, but before the fight could escalate further, a booming voice rang out.
"Enough!"
A tall figure emerged from the leader's tent, his cloak billowing in the firelight. But it wasn't his presence that made Allen's blood run cold—it was his face.
The hooded figure from his nightmares.
"You've grown, Allen," the man mused, his lips curling into a knowing smirk. "And yet, you still don't understand what you are, do you?"
Allen's heart pounded in his chest. "Who are you?"
The man tilted his head. "Someone who has been waiting for you. And now that I've found you again, it's time you learned the truth about your power."
James stepped in front of Allen, his sword raised. "If you think we're going anywhere with you, you're dead wrong."
The hooded man chuckled. "Oh, I'm not here to take him. Not yet." His gaze locked onto Allen. "But the time will come when you won't be able to run from the truth anymore."
Before either brother could react, the man raised his hand, and a wave of dark energy exploded outward.
The brothers were thrown back, crashing into the underbrush as a thick, unnatural fog engulfed the camp. By the time they recovered, the man was gone—and so were the bandits.
James groaned, pushing himself up. "What the hell just happened?"
Allen remained silent, staring at the spot where the man had stood.
He had more questions than ever.
But one thing was clear—this was only the beginning.
Shadows of the Past
The fog lingered in the air long after the hooded man had vanished, a chilling reminder that this was no ordinary foe. Allen sat in stunned silence, his mind racing as the final words of the mysterious figure echoed in his ears: "The time will come when you won't be able to run from the truth anymore."
James, brushing dirt off his cloak, let out a frustrated growl. "Damn it! Who was that guy? And how did he just—vanish like that?"
Allen exhaled sharply, forcing himself to focus. "I don't know, but he knew me, James. He knew about my power. This isn't just some coincidence."
James sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. "Well, we can't stay here. We need to get back to the guild and tell Jake what happened."
Allen nodded. But as they turned toward their horses, a rustling in the trees made them freeze.
Both brothers tensed, James gripping his sword while Allen let his fingers twitch with the barely contained energy within him.
A small figure emerged from the shadows, hands raised in surrender. It was a girl—no older than fifteen—with tangled auburn hair and piercing green eyes. She wore tattered clothes, a belt of pouches around her waist, and a dagger strapped to her thigh. She looked underfed but alert, her gaze flickering between the two brothers as if assessing whether they were a threat.
James was the first to break the silence. "Who are you?"
The girl hesitated before stepping forward cautiously. "My name's Liana. I was a prisoner here—held by those bandits. But you scared them off." Her eyes locked onto Allen. "Or rather, he did."
Allen frowned. "A prisoner?"
Liana nodded. "They raided my village a month ago. I was taken with others, but most of them were sold off to slavers. I managed to escape from my cage before they could decide my fate. I've been hiding, waiting for a chance to get away. And now... they're gone. Thanks to you."
James's expression darkened. "Slavers? Damn it, these bandits were worse than we thought. We should've taken them out when we had the chance."
Allen turned back to Liana. "Do you have anywhere to go? Family?"
Liana shook her head. "No one left. Just me."
James crossed his arms, glancing at Allen. "We can't just leave her here."
Allen sighed. "I know." He turned back to Liana. "You should come with us. We're heading back to our guild."
Liana hesitated but then nodded. "Alright. But don't expect me to be useless. I can fight."
James smirked. "We'll see about that."
Return to the Guild
The journey back to the guild was uneventful, but Allen felt uneasy the entire time. Something about the hooded man's words wouldn't leave his mind. He had to get answers.
As soon as they arrived, Jake was waiting at the entrance. His sharp eyes immediately took in their expressions, lingering on Liana before settling on Allen.
"Report."
James recounted what had happened, sparing no detail. When he reached the part about the hooded man and his powers, Jake's expression turned grim. When the story ended, the guild leader sighed, rubbing his temple.
"This isn't good," he muttered. "That man—whoever he is—knew exactly where you'd be. That means he's been watching you, Allen."
Allen's hands clenched into fists. "I need to know why. I need to know who he is."
Jake studied him before nodding. "I might have an idea of where to start. But first, I need you two to take on another mission."
James groaned. "Already?"
Jake smirked. "You're adventurers now. Get used to it."
He handed them another parchment. "This time, you're escorting a noble's caravan. We received word that a group of mercenaries—possibly the same ones who fled—are planning an attack. You leave at dawn. And take Liana with you. Consider it a test."
Liana raised an eyebrow. "A test for what?"
Jake grinned. "To see if you belong in this guild."
Liana's lips curled into a smirk. "Fine by me."
The Caravan Attack
The next morning, the trio set off with the caravan—two grandly decorated carriages surrounded by armored guards. The noble they were escorting, Lord Carston, was a portly man with expensive robes and an air of arrogance. He barely acknowledged them as they took their positions around the carriages.
James leaned toward Allen. "I don't like this guy."
Allen smirked. "You don't like any nobles."
James rolled his eyes but didn't deny it.
For a while, everything was peaceful. Then, just as the sun began to set, the attack came.
Arrows rained down from the trees, striking the first set of guards before anyone could react. The caravan erupted into chaos as masked mercenaries charged from the shadows, weapons gleaming in the twilight.
"Ambush!" James shouted, drawing his sword.
Liana was already moving, daggers flashing as she took down the first attacker who came too close. Allen raised his hands, his power crackling as he sent a wave of force outward, knocking several enemies back.
But then—
A familiar, chilling voice rang out.
"I told you we'd meet again, Allen."
Allen's breath caught as the hooded figure emerged from the shadows, his dark energy swirling ominously around him.
James cursed. "You again?!"
The hooded man smirked. "You've improved. But not enough."
He raised a hand, and suddenly Allen's entire body locked up. The purple energy within him reacted violently, twisting and churning inside him like a storm barely contained. Pain exploded in his chest as he dropped to one knee, gasping.
"Allen!" James lunged forward, but with a flick of his wrist, the hooded man sent him flying backward into a tree.
Liana darted toward the enemy, but he easily sidestepped her, grabbing her wrist mid-attack. "Feisty. You might be useful later." With a flick of his fingers, she was thrown back as well.
Allen gritted his teeth, trying to regain control of his body. "What… do you want from me?!"
The hooded man knelt beside him. "To awaken your true potential. You've been suppressing it for too long. Let go of your fear. Embrace it. And then…" His smirk widened. "You'll finally understand who you really are."
Allen's vision blurred as the power inside him surged dangerously. The last thing he heard before everything went black was James screaming his name.
TO BE CONTINUED...