Serena's gaze lingered on the horizon, her thoughts consumed by David, who had departed two weeks prior. "May the gods keep you safe, my love," she whispered, her eyes welling up with concern.
Meanwhile, Vonhelsine, the dark lord, reviewed his campaign map, his malevolent presence suffocating the air. His undead army, a month's march from Adia, seemed unstoppable. Yet, a nagging doubt crept into his mind: "How did David, a mere mortal, annihilate my troop of Dragon Riders?"
Vonhelsine's eyes blazed with fury as he summoned an ancient undead wizard, Xarath, and four majestic Dragons. Their scales shimmered like dark onyx, and their eyes burned with an otherworldly green fire.
Xarath, the wizard, stood tall, his skeletal frame draped in tattered black robes. His eyes glowed with an eerie blue light, and his bony fingers grasped a staff imbued with dark magic.
Four imposing Ogres, accompanied Xarath. Their massive bodies rippled with muscle, and their skin resembled rough, granite-like hide. Each wielded a cruel scimitar, its blade etched with malevolent runes.
Vonhelsine's voice dripped with malevolence: "Xarath, unleash your darkest sorcery! Find David, and bring him before me. Show him no mercy! Crush his spirit, shatter his will!"
The wizard bowed, his bony frame creaking. "As you command, my lord."
With a deafening roar, the Dragons launched into the sky, their riders and the Ogres secured upon their backs. The earth trembled as they vanished into the horizon, driven by an unrelenting hunger for destruction.
Vonhelsine's eyes burned with an unholy intensity: "David will soon learn the true meaning of despair."
Meanwhile…
David slumbered peacefully, the gentle forest breeze rustling his hair, and the soothing sounds of the wind lulling him deeper into sleep. The morning birds' sweet melodies and the rising sun's warmth couldn't penetrate his fatigue.
Suddenly, Xandros's firm grip lifted David off the ground, suspending him in mid-air with the spell Leviticus. David's eyes snapped open, and he shrieked, "Ahh! What's happening here?"
Xandros's calm tone belied the urgency in his actions. "Come down, it's just me. Wake up, sleeping beauty. We have training to do."
David rubbed his eyes, groggily pleading, "Just five more minutes." He yawned, turning in Xandros's magical grasp.
Xandros dropped David unceremoniously, and he landed with a thud. "Awwh! What was that for?" David complained, scrambling to gather his belongings as Xandros strode ahead.
"Where are we going?" David asked, rushing to keep pace.
Xandros's silence was maddening.
As they walked, the gentle gurgle of a stream grew louder, accompanied by the sweet songs of birds. The air filled with the scent of wet earth and aquatic life.
Finally, they arrived at the breathtaking stream. Crystal-clear water cascaded down a rocky slope, creating a picturesque waterfall. Sunlight danced across the ripples, casting a mesmerizing glow.
David's eyes widened. "Wow! This is incredible! How did you find such a hidden gem on this treacherous mountain?"
Xandros remained cryptic.
David stripped off his clothes, eager for a bath. "You see this beauty and want it to go to waste? I haven't bathed in days!"
Xandros raised an eyebrow. "Why do you shed your garments, young prince?"
David grinned mischievously. "Can't let this beauty go to waste!" He charged toward the water, ready to dive.
Xandros tried to warn him, but David was too quick.
"Leviticus!" Xandros shouted, suspending David above the water.
David realized he was halted mid-air and opened his eyes to find Xandros holding him back.
"What's going on?" David asked.
Before Xandros could respond, a shadowy form emerged from the depths, swimming swiftly upward.
David's grin vanished. "It's coming! Pull me out, now!"
A colossal, serpent-like fish with scales as black as coal burst out of the water. Its eyes blazed like embers from the underworld, and rows of razor-sharp teeth glistened in the sunlight. The creature's massive jaws opened wide, revealing a cavernous maw capable of devouring a man whole.
The creature's scales rippled with an otherworldly energy, and its fins sliced through the water with deadly precision. Its tail thrashed, creating a whirlpool that threatened to drag David under.
The creature's jaws closed with a deafening snap, missing David by a hair's breadth.
Xandros released his spell, and David stumbled backward, gasping.
"What...what was that?" David stammered.
Xandros's expression remained stoic. "I tried to warn you."
David's voice trembled. "You should've told me sooner! I almost got killed!"
Xandros's silence was oppressive.
David composed himself. "So, what brings us here if not bathing?"
Xandros's gaze locked onto David's. "Training. I'll teach you to control the element of water."
David's excitement reignited as he hastily dressed. "Let's get started!"
Downstream, where shallow waters glistened, Xandros halted. "Let's commence, young prince."
David nodded, resolve etched on his face.
"Attempt this spell: Leviticus. It's a levitation incantation," Xandros instructed.
David focused, "Leviticus!"
Silence.
Xandros's expression remained neutral, his eyes piercing.
"Don't worry, it's just your first try," Xandros reassured. "Observe me."
Xandros summoned his staff, its wood gleaming. "Leviticus!" Sparkles erupted as he struck the ground.
Effortlessly, Xandros floated upward, his cloack billowing.
David's eyes widened. "Wow, that's incredible!"
Xandros glided through the air, his movements fluid.
"Your turn, David," Xandros encouraged, descending back to the ground.
David concentrated, "Leviticus!" but remained grounded.
He tried again, stretching his arms downward to his feet, "Leviticus!" Still, nothing.
Xandros watched, silent.
David repeated the incantation, frustration mounting.
A bird swooped overhead, leaving a messy gift on his shoulder.
Enraged, David screamed, "Aaah! Why can't I get it right? Am I not pronouncing it correctly?" He collapsed to the ground, defeated.
Xandros approached, his voice calm. "Don't give up, young prince. Focus your energy. Harness your mark's power. Feel it coursing through your veins, just like last time."
David gathered his resolve.
"Okay, focus your energy," Xandros guided. "Use your mark; tap its power. It's your source of magical energy."
David closed his eyes, feeling the mark.
The mark glowed, its energy coursing through his veins.
He opened his eyes, and the glow mirrored in his gaze.
"Le-vi-ti-cus," David enunciated.
Sparkles of magical dust erupted from his hands.
David was lifted upward, his feet leaving the ground.
"I'm doing it! Can you see, Xandros? I'm doing it!" David exclaimed.
Xandros's surprise was evident. "Bravo, bravo, good job, young prince!"
"Move about, David," Xandros instructed. "Just imagine how you want to move and do it."
David tilted his body, imagining flight.
He soared, his movements fluid.
"Whoa!" David landed, grinning. "That was amazing! What next?"
Xandros turned to the stream, his eyes gleaming. "Watch closely, David."
"Aquasurge, Kyreos!" Xandros shouted, his hands weaving intricate patterns.
A shimmering water sphere coalesced, radiating blue light.
With a swift motion, Xandros hurled the sphere. "Aquasurge, Kyreos, Tekton!"
The sphere shot forth, penetrating trees, cutting through some.
David gasped. "Oh my god! Water can cut? I'm impressed!"
Xandros smiled. "Your turn, young prince."
David moved with newfound confidence, facing the river. "Aquasurge, Kyreos!"
But the water he carried was too much to control, scattering everywhere.
He repeated the spell, frustration mounting.
As anger consumed him, a solid hit struck his head.
Xandros chuckled. "You're very hotheaded, young prince."
David rubbed the spot, wincing. "What was that for?"
Xandros advised, "Breathe, focus on your mark. Concentrate on one area of the stream, then carry."
David closed his eyes, feeling his mark's energy.
His eyes mirrored the glow.
"Aquasurge, Kyreos!" David shouted.
A sharp, piercing water sphere formed.
"Kyreos, Tekton!" David added, intensity infusing his voice.
The water sphere hurled forth cutting through trees, creating holes in their trunks.
Xandros nodded, impressed. "That's good, David. Wonderful! You'll surpass me one day."
David beamed with pride.
Xandros's expression turned grave. "Remember, David, you can harness that energy using only your magical energy. However, beware: excessive use can lead to fainting, and surpassing your limit can be fatal. Heed your limits, young prince."
David's eyes locked onto Xandros's, grasping the gravity of his words.
"I'll be cautious, Xandros. I promise."
Xandros nodded, his gaze intense. "See that you are, David. Your life depends on it. Tomorrow, we shall proceed with mastering the earth and air elements. Perhaps, if you prove capable, we will introduce Voltaeus, the element of electricity."
David's curiosity piqued. "Why perhaps?"
Xandros's expression turned solemn. "A normal human can wield only two elements, even with rigorous training. Yet, you have already demonstrated proficiency in three: fire, water, and ice. We must assess your limits while training. The elements remaining to master are Kyrial, the Mist of the Ancients, earth, Voltaeus, and air."
David's exhaustion and hunger began to overwhelm him. "Okay, Xandros, but know I'm starving."
Xandros chuckled, his amusement evident. "You humans are strange creatures. And you Forest Guardians are truly exceptional." David's voice filled with sarcasm.
David smiled wearily. "Let's find food. I'll catch some fish."
He turned to the stream, focusing his energy. "Aquasurge," he whispered.
A shimmering water sphere coalesced, carrying fish within.
David gently lifted the sphere, carrying it toward Xandros. "Let's go."
Xandros watched, his eyes shining with amusement. "This kid is one of a kind."
As David passed by, Xandros fell into steps behind him, his gaze never leaving David's back.
"The Forest Guardians' legacy rests on your shoulders, David. I will ensure you're prepared."
Their footsteps echoed through the forest, the only sound in the stillness.
David's determination burned brighter with each passing moment. Tomorrow's training would push him further, but he was ready.
[Please guys if you enjoy the story pls support me with power stones, likes and comments, this will encourage me to write more exciting chapters, stay tuned and I promise I won't let you down. Love you all
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