The sun had barely risen by the time Jade and Rael set out, the cool morning air filling their lungs as they traversed through the dense forest. Jade felt the weight of the upcoming journey heavy on his chest. The task ahead was daunting, and the world felt bigger than ever before, yet he couldn't afford to hesitate. Time was something he no longer had in abundance, not with the bounty hunters still tracking him and the prince's wrath looming over them.
Rael led the way, moving with ease through the wilderness, guiding Jade toward their destination. Jade had learned over the last few days that Rael wasn't just any ordinary mercenary; he was a skilled tracker and a survivor, someone who knew the harsh realities of life in this world. There was a certain intensity in Rael's eyes, a quiet determination that spoke of someone who had lived through their own battles.
They traveled for hours, taking a long, winding path through the forest. The trees were thick, their branches creating a canopy above them that filtered out much of the sunlight. Jade couldn't help but wonder about Kuroshi, the mysterious master Rael had mentioned. Who was he? What made him so dangerous? The way Rael had spoken of him hinted at someone with vast knowledge and power, someone whose training could change the course of Jade's life. But could he trust this person?
"We'll be there soon," Rael said suddenly, breaking the silence. Jade glanced at him, his brow furrowing slightly. There was a hint of something in Rael's voice—a warning or maybe just a quiet expectation. Either way, Jade knew this journey was about more than just finding Kuroshi. It was about survival, and survival meant mastering his power.
As they pushed onward, the landscape began to shift. The trees became less dense, and the path began to open up, revealing a rocky terrain that stretched out into the distance. Eventually, they reached a narrow canyon with jagged cliffs on either side. At the base of the canyon, a small village nestled between the rocks, its buildings made from stone and wood, giving it an ancient and somewhat otherworldly feel.
"This is it," Rael said, his voice lowering. "The village of Vehlor. Kuroshi's home."
Jade's heart raced as they descended into the village. The place was quiet, but there was an undercurrent of tension that Jade could feel in the air. Villagers went about their business, but many of them cast wary glances at the newcomers. It was clear that Vehlor was not a place for outsiders. Jade's hand instinctively hovered near his side, where the dagger was tucked into his belt. He hadn't used it yet, but the thought of being surrounded by strangers in an unfamiliar place made him uneasy.
Rael led Jade through the winding streets until they reached the base of a large mountain that loomed over the village. At its peak stood a small stone temple, the entrance guarded by two statues of formidable warriors. Jade had heard whispers of the place—the Temple of the Ancients. It was said to be a place of power, where only those deemed worthy could enter.
As they approached the entrance, Jade's pulse quickened. This was it. The place where his training would begin. But it wasn't just about learning to control his power. It was about survival. Kuroshi was his last hope, and Jade knew there was no turning back now.
Rael stepped forward, his voice firm. "We're here to see Kuroshi. We have business with him."
The guards at the entrance didn't move. They simply stared, their eyes unreadable. For a long moment, there was nothing but the sound of the wind rustling through the trees and the distant chatter of villagers. Then, one of the guards spoke.
"Kuroshi doesn't take visitors."
Rael's eyes narrowed, but his tone remained calm. "We're not just visitors. We have a purpose. We need his help."
The guard didn't respond immediately. Instead, he glanced at his companion, as if communicating silently. After a brief exchange, the guard stepped aside and motioned for them to enter.
Inside the temple, the air was thick with the scent of incense and the faint glow of ancient candles. The walls were lined with shelves filled with scrolls and books, each one carefully labeled and organized. At the far end of the room, sitting cross-legged on a raised platform, was a figure who seemed to blend into the shadows themselves.
Kuroshi.
His appearance was almost otherworldly—his skin pale, his hair long and white, falling in strands around his face. His eyes were an unsettling shade of violet, and they pierced through the darkness, locking onto Jade's with a sense of knowing. He wore simple robes, but there was an aura of power that radiated from him, a presence that seemed to fill the entire room.
Rael stood motionless, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. He wasn't afraid, but Jade could sense the reverence he held for this man.
Kuroshi's voice broke the silence, smooth and calm, yet tinged with an edge that made Jade uneasy. "You've come, boy. I sense the power within you. It's raw, untamed, and dangerous. But I'm sure you already know that."
Jade remained silent, his eyes fixed on Kuroshi. This man... he felt different. His presence, his energy—it was like nothing Jade had ever encountered before.
Kuroshi continued, his gaze never leaving Jade. "I know why you're here. You want to learn how to control your power, to use it without destroying yourself. But power is a dangerous thing. It can consume you. So tell me, boy, do you understand what you're asking for?"
Jade swallowed hard, his throat dry. He had no words, only the weight of his decision hanging in the air between them. This was it. His future. His survival. All of it depended on what happened here, with Kuroshi.
"I do," Jade finally said, his voice steady despite the fear rising within him.
Kuroshi's lips curled into a smile, but it wasn't kind. It was cold, calculating. "Then you will train. And we will see if you are truly worthy of the power you seek to control."