Chapter 5: The Path of Blades
The forest was still again.
Kael stood in silence, sweat rolling down his back, the weight of Astral comforting in his hand. Shade's warning echoed in his mind.
"The next ones won't be testing you… they'll be trying to kill you."
He looked at the medallion once more, then tucked it inside his tunic.
"I need to get stronger," he murmured.
He didn't know how long he had before the next threat came. But he knew one thing now: the world had changed the moment he drew Astral.
And there was no turning back.
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Two days passed as Kael journeyed toward the next village—Velshade. A small, isolated settlement known for its weapon smiths and mercenaries.
He needed answers.
And supplies.
But as he approached the village gates, he noticed something strange. The guards weren't at their posts. The wooden gates had been shattered, like something massive had broken through.
Cautiously, Kael stepped inside.
The village was silent. Too silent.
Burn marks scorched the walls. Swords, broken and bloodied, lay scattered across the ground. A signpost had a symbol scorched into it: a black crescent.
Kael's eyes narrowed. "The Skyless Moon?"
Astral pulsed.
"They were here. Recently."
Kael crouched near a fallen blade and touched the hilt.
Still warm.
Suddenly, a scream echoed from the far end of the village.
Kael didn't hesitate. He ran.
Turning the corner, he saw them—three black-robed figures cornering a young girl against a collapsed stall. One held a dagger. The girl, no older than ten, clutched a wooden staff in trembling hands.
Kael didn't think.
He moved.
In a flash, he appeared between the girl and her attackers. The blade of Astral gleamed with starlight.
"Who the hell—?!" one of the robed figures shouted.
Kael didn't answer. His sword did.
SHING!
With a single swing, he disarmed one and knocked the dagger into the dirt. He pivoted, driving his foot into the second attacker's gut.
The third backed away. "He's got the Starblade—run!"
They vanished into smoke, leaving their wounded behind.
Kael turned to the girl. "You okay?"
She nodded tearfully.
"You're… you're a swordsman, aren't you?" she whispered.
Kael smiled faintly. "Something like that."
"Will you help us? They took my brother… and others."
Kael looked toward the smoke rising in the distance. A camp.
A trap, most likely.
But it didn't matter.
He gripped Astral tighter.
"Lead the way."
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