As Akin helped Jane to her feet, they stood before the vast ridge that overlooked the edges of Elarian. The cursed land stretched behind them like an ominous shadow, but ahead lay the realm they were about to infiltrate—an empire soaked in secrets and power. The sky had begun to darken slightly, clouds swirling as if they knew change was coming.
Akin swept his gaze over the terrain. "We'll map this land in secret," he said, voice calm but firm. "Elarian must remain hidden—for now."
Jane nodded, her breathing steadier now, aura calmer than before. She had grown stronger since their bond. And tonight, her training would rise another level. Akin motioned his fingers, and runes spiraled into the air like fireflies before bursting into a vortex of glowing energy. "I'll teach you something advanced tonight—portal conjuring."
Her eyes widened.
He extended his hand, showing her how to mold her aura and will into the air. "Feel the thread between space," he whispered, "then twist."
Within an hour, Jane could open a basic portal. To test her growth, Akin gave her coordinates outside Elarian's border—regions still crawling with the remnants of beasts. "Clear them out," he said. "Rampage. Learn how to flow with your instincts."
Without hesitation, she vanished into the portal.
The night came fast.
Inside the ancient chamber, Jane now lay curled, sleeping on smooth stone. Akin sat nearby, legs crossed, mind linked to Elan through silent thought.
"Elan," Akin said via thought transmission, "I'm testing her potential. She's responding well."
Elan's voice echoed in his mind like wind through crystal. "Try reaching her consciousness. Teach her the sound link."
Akin looked over to Jane. He smiled slightly.
"Oi, Jane," he said aloud.
Her eyes flicked open instantly.
"In your head," he continued, "reply to me. Just think it."
Like this? her voice echoed faintly in his mind.
"Good," he replied, grinning. "This is how we'll communicate in public. No one can hear it. Don't ever talk about Elarian outside."
Understood, she responded.
"Now rest," Akin said. "You'll need your strength."
The chamber fell back to silence.
At dawn, golden light beamed through the cave cracks like blades. Jane rose and turned to Akin. "I'm sorry about yesterday," she said. "But… I need a weapon."
Akin frowned. "No."
"But—"
"I said no." His voice was stern, final.
Still, she knelt before him, not pleading but showing respect. "Please," she said quietly. "Just something to help. I want to fight beside you."
Akin closed his eyes briefly. Then he remembered something.
From the vault portal, he summoned a dagger—his old weapon, forged with condensed Nexis during one of his first battles. Its black-metal blade hummed faintly with electric resonance. He handed it to her.
"Manage with this. I'll forge you something real… when the time comes."
With a wave of his hand, a bright portal swirled open before them. They stepped out—into the same village Akin once saved.
As they emerged, a woman gasped and pointed. "That's the warrior! The one who saved us!"
Akin, unsure of the capital's path, lowered his hood and approached her. "I'm heading to the capital," he said gently. "I'm lost. Can you guide me? Coordinates? Direction?"
The woman, caught in his charm and presence, smiled dreamily. "You'll need to join the merchant caravan. They're heading to Empheria's capital."
Akin touched her hand softly. "Thank you."
Her knees nearly buckled from excitement.
He signaled Jane, and together they approached the caravan. One merchant inside the nearby inn looked out—eyes narrowing as he recognized the robe, the cloak, the aura. Akin stepped forward.
"We're heading to the capital. What's the cost?"
"One gold," the man answered. "It's a full day's ride."
Akin reached into his pouch and handed over the coin without pause.
Soon, they were off—passing forests, rivers, small towns. Hours flowed. Just before the final forest outside the capital, the caravan halted.
A city under siege.
Smoke rose beyond the hills.
Monsters had breached a nearby town.
Guards, led by a warrior named Iswell, had been holding the line. But they were losing ground.
Akin stood beside Jane. His fingers twitched.
"I'm not waiting," he said, then turned to the lead merchant. "I'll be right back."
The merchant, now certain of who Akin was, simply grinned. "Make it fast."
With a storm in his gaze, Akin stepped forward, drew his blade, and whispered to Jane, "Let's finish this."
Jane unsheathed her dagger, eyes gleaming.
"They let this drag on long enough," Akin muttered, raising his hand.
Thunder cracked across the sky as his blade lit up with blue lightning. Akin vanished and reappeared amidst the monsters like a shadow of death. The moment his blade struck the ground, a massive pulse of lightning exploded outward in all directions.
Crack!
Dozens of monsters were electrocuted mid-roar, falling like ash-covered statues. The ground trembled.
Iswell, fighting in the distance, looked up in shock. "Who—who is that?"
Then came Jane. A flash of green sliced through the second wave. Her speed left afterimages, and her strikes were precise, merciless. She cast twin blades of wind and cut through beast after beast with elegance.
Akin turned to a charging behemoth and smiled. "You sure about that?"
He plunged his sword into the ground. Lightning shot into the earth and rose beneath the beasts like dragon fangs. Screams echoed.
In mere minutes, the field was cleared.
Covered in blood, Jane cast a cleansing spell that purified their robes in a shimmering aura. As they walked back toward the caravan, Iswell rode forward.
"Young warrior," he said, breathing heavily. "May I know your name?"
Akin turned slowly.
"Me?" He smirked. "Oh yeah—call me Ak—"
"Don't." Elan's voice echoed sharply in his mind. "Use an alias. He's connected to royalty. You just entered their city."
Akin replied mentally, And so? That's exactly what I want. Let them know I'm coming.
Looking back at Iswell, he said aloud, "Akin. And this is Jane. We're heading to the capital."
Iswell bowed slightly. "Honored. Travel safely."
As he rode off, something clicked in his mind. That name—Akin. The same name Annabel and Jendol had whispered about, their long-lost friend, the one cast away.
His eyes widened.
He leapt on his horse and galloped toward the capital.
The capital city of Empheria shimmered in the distance, its spires gleaming beneath the rising sun. As Akin and Jane stepped off the chariot and crossed the massive stone bridge that separated the noble district from the outer villages, the bustle of city life hit them: chariots clanking, nobles in silk garments, and knights patrolling.
Akin tipped the merchant two more gold coins.
"Thank you," he said.
The merchant's jaw nearly dropped.
"Which way to the palace?"
The man pointed. "Tallest building. Straight ahead."
Akin grinned. "Easy."
He turned to Jane, grabbed her wrist, and vanished in a blur. Wind rushed as they zipped through alleys, markets, and boulevards, too fast for the eye to follow.
The merchant simply nodded. "Something's about to happen."
Seconds later, Akin landed before the grand gates of Empheria's palace. Guards, clad in black armor, crossed halberds.
"I'm here to see the king," Akin said coolly. "With the two heroes. Bring them to me."
The guards scoffed. "You dare demand that?"
One stepped forward and pointed his blade at Akin's neck.
Akin smiled, stepped forward slowly, and raised a single finger. He tapped the sword—and it shattered like glass. The pieces scattered like rain.
The guards paled.
Without a word, they turned and ran into the palace to inform the king.
The storm had entered Empheria.
And it bore the name Akin.