Chapter Three: "Ashes of Loren"
Smoke covered Loren like a funeral shroud. The village burned, its cries fading into the sound of crackling flames. Bodies lay scattered in the streets — friends, neighbors, family.
Raizel limped through the ruins, blade still in hand, vision blurred by sweat and grief.
At the center of the village stood the forge — or what was left of it. His master, old Garven, was there… slumped over the anvil, unmoving.
Raizel fell to his knees. "Master…"
Garven had been more than a teacher. He was the only family Raizel had ever known. Now he was gone, like everything else.
Rage surged in his chest, hot and blinding.
"I'll find them," he growled. "Those warriors… whoever sent them… I'll find them all."
A soft rustle came from behind.
Raizel turned sharply — only to see a girl, about his age, covered in ash and bruises. Her eyes shimmered with fear and something else… familiarity.
"You're… Raizel?" she asked.
He nodded slowly.
"I saw what you did," she said. "You can use aura… just like the legends."
Raizel stood, clutching his sword.
"No," he said. "Not like the legends."
"I'll become something greater."