Dark clouds covered the sky around the ruins, as the cold wind howled among the broken pillars. But while he stood beside the old man silently, Kael could not help but recall what he had just found out. Again and again, his mind kept replaying the words "Noke" and "sealed power." For many years, Kael believed that he was weak because he lacked talent.
Kael slowly looked at his hands while dark thoughts filled his mind.
"So all this time… I wasn't weak?"
The older man stood calmly beside one of the old stone pillars.
"You were sealed."
Kael lowered his eyes.
"Then why would someone do that to me?"
For several seconds, the older man remained silent. The wind moved through the ruins while leaves rolled across the ground. Finally, he answered quietly.
"Because people fear power."
Kael clenched his fists tightly.
"They ruined my life because they were afraid?"
"Yes."
The black flames began to emerge in Kael yet again gradually. The ridicule from the students of the academy towards him, the teachers saying to him how he was good for nothing and useless, and his sleepless nights when he had questioned himself. Everything flashed before him at once.
The older man noticed it immediately.
"Control yourself."
Kael gritted his teeth.
"How can I stay calm after hearing this?"
"Because rage will only strengthen the curse."
Kael froze after hearing that word.
"Curse?"
The older man slowly turned toward him. His eyes looked colder than before.
"Half-elves carry unstable power."
Kael's breathing became heavier.
"What does that mean?"
"It means your emotions affect your Noke."
It looked like Kael's dark aura was becoming a little bit more threatening, combining both fear and rage inside him. Unexpectedly, the ground beneath his feet started cracking. Startled, Kael looked down at the cracks forming under his feet, which were accompanied by dark energy escaping from him.
"I can't stop it…"
The older man stepped forward immediately.
"Focus your breathing."
Kael tried to control his emotions but found that energy was building within him. He could feel the pressure of the environment increasing around him, and even the old ruins started trembling. Fear was visible from his blue eyes since he now understood that energy was anything but human.
Then painful voices suddenly echoed inside his head.
"Monster…"
"Half-breed…"
"Failure…"
The boy grabbed his head hard, kneeling down to the ground. The voice seemed like something from his memory, except much harsher this time. Dark energy suddenly exploded from him, sending particles of dust and leaves flying everywhere around him.
The older man quickly placed one hand on Kael's shoulder.
"Listen to my voice."
Kael struggled to breathe.
"It hurts…"
"You must control it now."
The dark aura continued moving wildly around Kael's body. For a brief moment, his blue eyes flashed black. The older man's expression became serious immediately.
"Kael."
Kael slowly looked up.
"What's happening to me?"
"The curse is reacting to your emotions."
Kael's voice trembled slightly.
"Am I becoming a monster?"
The older man answered without hesitation.
"No."
"Then why does this power feel so dark?"
"Darkness itself is not evil."
Kael remained quiet after hearing such remarks. The elderly man then took his hand off Kael's shoulder and went on to talk.
"True power becomes dangerous only when one loses control of their power."
Kael looked down at the dark energy surrounding his hands.
"So if I lose control…"
"You will destroy yourself first."
The forest returned to its peaceful state once again. Kael steadied himself to continue breathing normally. The dark energy that had been present within him dissipated completely. He was sweating heavily and felt very tired.
After several moments, Kael finally stood up again. His legs still shook slightly, but his eyes looked steadier than before.
"So this is the curse of half-elves…"
The older man nodded once.
"Many feared your kind because strong emotions could awaken terrifying power."
Kael looked toward the broken ruins around him.
"Then why help me?"
The older man became quiet for a few seconds before answering.
"Because someone once helped me."
Kael seemed surprised because for the first time in the conversation, the elder man referred to himself. However, before Kael could ask another question, the elder man quickly made a move towards his waist and brought forth two things covered with black cloth.
He threw them toward Kael.
"Catch."
Quickly, Kael snatched the items before they fell to the floor. He peeled back the coverings, and his eyes grew wide immediately. In the coverings lay not one but two real swords. The first sword was totally black as if made from nothing but darkness, and the second was pure silver against the gray skies.
Kael stared at them in shock.
"These are…"
The older man looked directly at him.
"Your swords."
Kael slowly touched the black sword first. The instant his hands touched the sword, a darkness aura was faintly around the sword. Then, Kael touched the silver sword that gave off warmth from its metal body.
"What are their names?"
The older man answered calmly.
"The black blade is Umbra."
Kael looked toward the silver sword.
"And this one?"
"Lux."
The wind rushed around the ruined structure as Kael held his pair of swords tightly in his hands. Finally, he felt like he had made some progress in life after years of traveling.