The days following Kael's examination passed slowly, but with a quiet tension hanging in the air. It was as if the whole village was holding its breath, waiting for something to happen. Some people looked at him as though they were waiting for him to crumble, while others... seemed almost too eager to see what he would do next.
Kael didn't have answers, only more questions.
The only thing that felt remotely normal was his training. As always, he went to the practice grounds outside the village to hone his skills. It was the one place where he could shut out the voices and focus on something simple.
His punches were strong but lacked the precision of someone trained in the art of combat. His kicks were fast but often left him off balance. He was quick, but Kael had never been taught the discipline needed to be truly effective. It wasn't a lack of will — it was just that he never had the chance to learn.
The faint mark on his palm burned as he practiced. It wasn't painful, but it felt alive, like a spark waiting to ignite. Kael didn't understand what it was, but it felt wrong to ignore it. The stone, the elders, Master Ryden—everything was connected, and every path led to a dead end.
Kael dropped to one knee, gasping for breath. Sweat dripped from his brow as he looked at his palm once more. It seemed almost too bright now. The pulse that had once been subtle had grown stronger, beating like a second heart.
"You're pushing yourself too hard."
Nyra's voice broke through his thoughts, and Kael looked up to see her standing a few feet away, arms folded and a faint smirk on her face.
"I'm fine," Kael said, trying to brush off the concern. He wiped his face with the back of his hand.
"I never said you weren't," Nyra replied. "But you've been acting like you're running from something. Ever since you touched that stone... what happened?"
Kael hesitated, glancing around to make sure no one else was nearby. "I don't know, Nyra. It's like something's trying to wake up inside of me, but I can't control it. The mark—it feels different. I think it has a purpose, but no one will tell me what it is."
Nyra nodded, eyes narrowed in thought. "And what about Master Ryden? He knows something. He's been looking at you strangely ever since."
"I'm starting to think he knows more than he's telling me." Kael stood up, brushing off his clothes. "But there's no way I can ask him. Not now."
The two stood in silence for a moment, the only sound the wind rustling through the trees. Kael could feel the weight of the village's eyes on him, but it wasn't the villagers that concerned him. It was the presence he could feel, the sensation of being watched—always watched.
Suddenly, Kael froze.
A shadow moved in the distance, hidden beneath the treeline. The same cloaked figure from the night before.
His heart raced, but Kael didn't dare take his eyes off the figure. The watcher hadn't made a move yet, but Kael felt the pressure in the air shift, like something dangerous was drawing nearer.
"Do you see that?" Kael whispered.
Nyra followed his gaze, her expression growing serious. "It's him again."
The figure didn't move, but Kael could feel its presence. It was as if the figure was waiting for something — for Kael, perhaps. For the moment when he would finally make his move.
"I'm not running," Kael said quietly, his voice firm with a resolve he didn't fully understand. "I'm going to find out what's going on, Nyra. I won't wait until it comes to me."
Nyra nodded, but there was something in her eyes that Kael didn't understand. "Just be careful. There's more to this than you realize."
Kael turned to face the direction of the figure, taking a deep breath as he prepared himself.
No more running. It was time to face the unknown.