The church was quiet and heavy like a blanket. Only the drip sound of melting wax candles from iron candle holders broke the silence.
Tall pillars stand around the church hall and their stone is carved with old prayers. Candlelight flickered weakly on the stone floor.
At the center, Saintess Elowen knelt before a large statue of the Goddess Elyria.
Her hands were joined.
Her eyes were closed.
Her voice was gentle.
"My Goddess," she whispered,
"Please accept this sacrifice."
"Their fear… their despair… their blood."
"May it please you."
The large doors of the church opened slowly.
Clang.
Knights entered the church.
Their armor was stained with blood.
One knight stepped forward and knelt.
"Saintess," he said,
"The task is complete."
Elowen opened her eyes and was calm and cold.
"We slaughtered every last student," the knight continued.
"None were left alive. The weak are culled, as commanded."
An evil smile across her lips, soft as a lover's sigh and sharp as a hidden blade.
"…Good."
She slowly stood up.
Her white robe looked pure under the candlelight.
"Did you inform the King?" she asked.
Arms lifted towards skyward and palms open to the vaulted ceiling. "Guide us, Divine Mother. This realm teeters on purification's edge."
Behind her—
The Goddess statue's eyes glowed faintly.
For a brief moment—
Far away, in the dark forest—
A single survivor breathed.
And fate shifted.
Michael ran deep into the dark forest, his heart beating fast and it's getting hard to breathe.
Branches scratched his arms and face as he run forward.
Suddenly—
his foot caught on a thick root.
"Ah—!"
He fell on the ground.
Pain exploded through his body and his vision went black.
He became unconscious due to hunger. Two shadow figures appear.
An old man with a long white beard walked out from trees.
He walked slowly but steadily.
Beside the old man a young girl was standing.
She has bright eyes and a gentle smile on face.
The girl rushed forward and knelt beside Michael. She touched his forehead, then his neck and checked his breathing.
"Why are you touching this stranger?" the old man asked. His voice became sharp and he said in a worried tone, "He could be dangerous. We don't know who he is or what trouble he brings."
"Grandpa, look at him," she said in a soft voice and making a cute face full of worry.
"He is unconscious and hurt badly. His skin is so pale, and he is breathing weakly. We can't just leave him here for the beast in the forest. What if he dies? Please, we have to help."
The old man crossed his arms and frowned. "No, child. We can't take him with us. Our journey is hard enough. Strangers mean risk. He might wake up and rob us, or worse, bring enemies to our door."
She stood up slowly and turned to her grandpa. Her big eyes filled with tears and pleading like a lost puppy. Her face was young and cute like a pretty doll made of soft clay.
She stepped closer and grabbed his hand gently. "Then we watch him closely. Tie him if we must. But leaving him? That's not us, Grandpa. You taught me to be brave and kind. Be kind now. Say yes?"
He looked into her eyes, seeing his late wife in them. A long sigh escaped. "Alright, you stubborn girl. You always win with that face."
He raised his hand and cast wind magic. A gentle wind magic swirled around Michael and lifted him like a leaf in the air. They carried him away.
After some time, they reached a busy city with stone walls and lanterns. They found a cozy inn and went inside.
"Welcome, travelers," the inn owner said with a big smile. He handed over two shiny keys. "Here are the keys to two rooms. One upstairs with a soft bed and window view. The other next door, quiet and clean. That will be five silver coins for the night, meals included."
The old man nodded and paid money. They took Michael to the room and put him on the bed. The old man placed his hands over the boy's chest and started using a healing spell. A soft green light glowed and started fixing wounds.
The girl sat by the bed and looked at Michael's face. "He looks so tired, Grandpa. Who do you think he is? A lost adventurer?"
Next Day
In a forest not far away, a training village stood.
It was built for young knights.
Tall trees surrounded wide open fields.
Wooden dummies stood in rows.
Dirt tracks cut through the land.
A strong knight captain stood at the front.
Students lined up straight, they're both excited and nervous.
"LISTEN UP!" Captain Thorne bellowed, his voice crashing like thunder across the dusty grounds, silencing even the wind.
Jessica standing calm among the students, her steady breath a quiet anchor and face serene as a still pond.
Tom's eyes are calm and cold, face shows not any expression.
Ray stood tall at the front, chest puffed out in proud defiance. His chin jutted high, as if he owned the whole field.
James slouched at the edge, arms hanging loose. But raw power rippled under his lazy smirk—a sleeping beast in human skin.
"From today, your real training begins."
"No more easy days."
"You want to become Heroes? Then you earn it."
He paced in front of them.
"Training has three main parts.
You will train in all three—every single day."
The students swallowed hard and nodded.
"First: Physical Training."
"This builds your body strong like iron."
"You will run laps until your legs burn.
Do push-ups. Lift heavy logs. Climb ropes."
"You will fight with wooden swords."
"No quitting. Pain makes you tough."
"Who thinks they can handle that?"
"YES, CAPTAIN!" a few students shouted.
"Good."
"Second: Mana Training."
"Mana is the power inside you. Like fire waiting to explode."
"You will learn to feel it. Pull it from the air and earth this energy (mana) you can store it safely inside your body."
"You will sit quietly. Breathe deep. Focus."
"Some of you will struggle. Push through."
"Weak mana means you die in battle."
A student raised his hand.
"Captain… what if we have failed to practice mana?"
The captain laughed and then he said,
"Then you learn fast or go home and in the worst case you will die on the battlefield."
"Everyone has will power and focus. Find yourself."
"Third: Magic and Education."
"You learn spells—fireballs, shields, wind attacks."
"You also learn thinking."
"Reading maps. Planning attacks. Knowing your enemy."
"History of knights. Sword forms. Team fighting."
"Books. Lessons. Practice."
He stopped and looked at them.
"These three work together."
"Body for strength.
Mana for power.
Magic for skill."
"Master them—and you become heroes."
"Fail—and you stay weak."
He roared,
"DO YOU ALL UNDERSTAND?!"
"YES, CAPTAIN!" the students shouted.
"Good. Training starts now." the captain said.
"LINE UP FOR RUNS!"