CHAPTER 25
Kael swung his sword.
Again.
And again.
The blade cut through the air in a smooth arc, then returned to his starting stance. His breathing was steady, his movements precise.
But there was no power behind them.
Alkeos watched from the edge of the clearing, arms crossed, his father's sword resting against a nearby tree. After a few more swings, he spoke.
"Do you know about Eidric power?"
Kael stopped mid-swing and looked at him. "No."
Alkeos pushed off the tree and walked over. "Then you're training wrong."
Kael frowned. "I'm getting faster. Stronger."
"Maybe. But you're not getting *better.*" Alkeos tapped his chest. "Everyone has Eidric energy. From birth. It's in your blood, your bones, your breath. Most people never learn to use it. They live their whole lives without even knowing it's there."
Kael lowered his sword. "Then how do you use it?"
"Training. Experience. Control." Alkeos held up his hand, and faint light flickered around his fingers. "You expand your energy through discipline. You learn to channel it without waste. That's what separates someone who's strong from someone who's just swinging a sword."
Kael stared at his own hand. "I don't feel anything."
"You wouldn't. Not yet." Alkeos let the light fade. "But it's there. You just have to learn how to reach it."
Kael looked at his sword, then back at Alkeos. "Teach me."
Alkeos smiled faintly. "That's the plan."
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**One year later.**
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The sun rose over Dream Land, painting the sky in shades of gold and red.
Kael stood at the edge of the cliff, looking out over the forest. The island had changed over the past year—or maybe he had. The trees looked smaller now. The cliffs less imposing. The monsters less terrifying.
Behind him, the others were packing.
Liora folded blankets and stowed them in their bags, her movements quick and efficient. Rynn checked their weapons, testing blades and grips. Alkeos stood near Garran's cabin, speaking quietly with the old man.
Garran smiled as always, his hands resting on his hips. "You're really leaving, then?"
"We have to," Alkeos said. "We've stayed long enough."
"Long enough to get stronger, maybe. But not long enough to stay out of trouble." Garran laughed. "You've got that look again. The one that says you're about to do something stupid."
Alkeos grinned. "Probably."
Garran shook his head, still smiling. "Well, don't get yourself killed. I didn't feed you for a year just to have you die the moment you leave."
"We'll try not to."
Garran's expression softened. He placed a hand on Alkeos's shoulder. "You've grown, kid. All of you have. Not just in strength. In here." He tapped his chest. "Don't forget what you learned on this island."
Alkeos nodded. "We won't."
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Kael walked over, and Garran turned to him.
"You too, Kael. Don't carry everything on your shoulders. It'll break you."
Kael met his gaze. "I'll remember."
Garran smiled. "Good."
Liora and Rynn joined them, and the group stood together in front of the cabin one last time.
"Thank you," Liora said quietly. "For everything."
"Don't thank me. You did the hard part." Garran gestured toward the forest. "I just made sure you didn't starve while doing it."
Rynn smirked. "Your cooking's not bad either."
"High praise," Garran said with a laugh.
They stood there for a moment longer, the silence comfortable, familiar.
Then Alkeos stepped forward and extended his hand. Garran took it.
"Take care of yourself," Alkeos said.
"You too. All of you."
They turned and walked toward the path leading back to the cove.
Garran stood in the doorway of his cabin, watching them go, his smile still in place.
"Don't forget to smile," he called after them.
Kael glanced back and nodded.
Then they disappeared into the trees.
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They were halfway to the ship when they heard it.
A low growl.
Everyone stopped.
Kael's hand moved to his sword. Alkeos shifted his weight, ready. Rynn cracked her knuckles. Liora's hands began to glow faintly.
The creature burst from the undergrowth—the same type of monster they'd fought a year ago. Black fur. Glowing eyes. Claws like daggers.
It snarled and lunged.
Kael moved.
One step forward. One swing.
The blade cut clean through the creature's neck.
It didn't even slow down. The body collapsed mid-leap, hitting the ground with a heavy thud.
Silence.
Kael sheathed his sword without looking back.
Alkeos stared at the corpse, then at Kael. "That was—"
"Easy," Rynn finished.
Liora exhaled slowly. "We've come a long way."
Alkeos smiled faintly. "Yeah. We have."
They kept walking.
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The ship was waiting for them in the cove, just as they'd left it.
They loaded their supplies, checked the rigging, and prepared to set sail.
Kael stood at the bow, looking back at the island one last time.
Dream Land.
A year ago, they'd arrived broken, grieving, weak.
Now...
He flexed his hand, feeling the faint hum of Eidric energy beneath his skin.
Now they were ready.
Alkeos joined him at the bow. "Next stop?"
Kael looked at him. "Kazan."
Alkeos nodded. "Let's finish what we started."
Rynn raised the sails. The wind caught them, and the ship began to move.
Liora stood at the stern, watching the island shrink into the distance.
And Kael stood at the front, his eyes fixed on the horizon.
They were no longer running.
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**END OF CHAPTER 25**
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**END OF VOLUME 4 – DREAM LAND**