The gates of the city closed behind them with a loud creak. The bustling market, knights and mages, and hurried townsfolk—all of it felt both overwhelming and thrilling to Kael.

  He walked beside Rin, Elf, and Nika, trying to keep up with their confident pace. The air smelled of baked bread and smoke from distant chimneys. Everything seemed alive.

  “Stay alert,” Rin said, her sharp gaze scanning the surroundings. “The king’s protectors aren’t friendly. They’re strong, and they don’t tolerate mistakes.”

  Kael swallowed hard. He still didn’t know the extent of the power inside him, but the pull in his chest—the strange energy he felt earlier—was growing stronger.

  They reached a wide square in the heart of the city. Knights in shining armor and mages in flowing robes passed by. Kael’s heart pounded as he noticed the difference in skill levels and the aura of authority that radiated from them.

  “This… this is intense,” he muttered under his breath.

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  Nika smirked, nudging him lightly. “You think this is intense? Just wait. Things get… interesting.”

  Elf stepped closer. “Remember what we told you about the portals. You need to be ready. But first… you need to understand your own strength.”

  Kael frowned. “My strength? What do you mean?”

  Rin pointed to an empty courtyard ahead. “Try it. Focus. Let your instincts guide you. You have a gift—light energy flows through you. You can shape it, use it… call forth allies, not from the dead, but from the spirits willing to serve you.”

  Kael hesitated. The others watched silently, their eyes encouraging yet filled with curiosity. Taking a deep breath, he clenched his fists.

  A spark of golden light appeared around his hands. It shimmered, weak at first, then pulsed stronger as he concentrated. The wind picked up around him, and the ground beneath his feet seemed to hum.

  “Feel it,” Elf whispered. “Let the energy flow.”

  Kael extended his hands, and slowly, a faint figure began to materialize before him—a small, ethereal soldier, its form glowing with the same golden light. Kael’s heart skipped a beat.

  “It’s working…” he breathed.

  Nika clapped her hands, eyes wide. “Wow! You’re actually doing it!”

  Rin’s serious gaze softened slightly. “Good… but this is just the beginning. You’ll need to control it, or it could consume you.”

  Kael’s small soldier bowed once before fading into light. A rush of exhilaration swept through him. For the first time, he truly felt the weight and promise of his destiny.

  Cliffhanger:

  As Kael’s pulse raced, shadows flickered at the edges of the city. The Punishers were closer than anyone realized—and soon, his newly awakened power would be tested against enemies who would not hesitate to kill.