The wasteland was silent, the scars of battle from the last encounter still visible on the jagged rocks and scorched earth. Kael stood at the edge of a cliff, the wind whipping his hair and robes, silver light from the mark pulsing faintly beneath his chest.
The wanderer approached, her face unreadable, eyes scanning the horizon. "Kael, this is it. The Shadow Legion will strike again, and Kaelith himself will lead them. You must be ready. Not just for their strength, but for everything they will throw at you — strategy, magic, traps… everything."
Kael clenched his fists, wooden sword in hand, though he knew his real power lay in the mark. "I've trained, learned control, discovered the hidden edge. I feel… ready."
She shook her head slightly, her tone softening. "Ready is only the first step. You must also anticipate, adapt, and act. Kaelith is not a normal enemy. He studies, predicts, and manipulates. Every decision he makes is designed to break you — mentally, physically, emotionally. You cannot falter."
Kael nodded, silver light glimmering in his eyes. "Then I won't falter."
The wanderer moved closer, resting a hand on his shoulder. "Good. But remember, Kael… the prophecy is not about destruction alone. It is about choice. Power is nothing without purpose. You must remember why you fight."
Kael looked down at the mark beneath his chest, the pulse steady and strong. "I fight for those who cannot defend themselves. For those who fear the Legion. For the wasteland… for hope."
A faint breeze carried whispers of his past battles, echoes of the Legion's attacks, and memories of every moment he had trained under her guidance. Kael closed his eyes, centering himself, feeling the dual flow of energy surge and harmonize. The silver light extended subtly, forming protective barriers around him even without conscious thought.
"This is it," the wanderer said, stepping back. "Tonight, you rest. Tomorrow, we face Kaelith. The final storm is coming, and the outcome will shape the fate of this realm."
Kael inhaled deeply, eyes closed. He allowed the calm of the wasteland to fill him, the lessons, the battles, and the prophecy all converging into one single focus. When he opened his eyes, they glimmered with unwavering resolve.
The wanderer studied him silently. "Your control, your mastery of the dual flow, the hidden edge… it's remarkable. But remember, Kaelith will not fight fair. He will use every trick, every strategy, every weakness he can exploit. You must be stronger than both fear and doubt."
Kael nodded, feeling the weight of the world pressing on his shoulders, yet tempered by his resolve. "I am ready. I've faced fear, I've faced doubt, and I've mastered the power within me. Kaelith will not break me. I will stand."
Night fell, painting the wasteland in silver and shadow. Kael practiced quietly, testing the limits of his dual flow, extending the reach, refining the precision, and balancing offense with defense. Each movement, each strike, each pulse of light honed him further.
The stars above seemed to shimmer in response to his mark, the prophecy resonating faintly in the silence. Kael felt it — the destiny waiting, the confrontation looming, and the full potential of his power ready to awaken.
When the first light of dawn broke over the horizon, Kael stood tall, eyes glimmering with silver fire, mark pulsing steadily. The cursed star child was no longer just a boy with a dangerous power. He was a force, a weapon, and a beacon.
The final storm was coming. And Kael was ready to meet it head-on.