Seth and Andrea stood before the announcement board in the academy, scanning the fresh bulletin posted for the day. The notice caught their attention immediately.
"The Test of Courage: Expedition to the Land of Ignis. Teams of three. Sign-ups required. Monsters are a known threat. Prepare accordingly."
Andrea's eyes narrowed as she read the words. The land of Ignis. The monsters there were infamous for causing the downfall of the dragon race, weakening their ability to awaken. Andrea had always harbored a deep frustration with this, especially because of the lack of proper guidance. She hid her irritation well, but Seth could sense the underlying tension in her posture.
"They're sending us there?" Andrea muttered, the sharpness in her voice betraying her displeasure.
Seth, sensing her annoyance, placed a hand on her shoulder briefly, offering a subtle reassurance. He knew the source of her frustration—the dragons who had fallen silent, unable to awaken, their powers stunted by the very creatures they would now face. Ignis was not just another test; it was a painful reminder of the helplessness they all felt during that time.
Andrea took a deep breath, calming herself. "Let's just get this over with."
The pair signed up as a team, ready to face whatever awaited them. To their surprise, they found out that Jake, the boy with the "Sword Flash" nickname, was a student in their group as well. Known for his incredible swordsmanship, he was highly popular among the academy's students, but that reputation didn't necessarily mean he was interested in making friends.
When the day of the test arrived, the academy instructors warned them of the dangers in the field. As the groups ventured deep into Ignis, an unsettling sense of foreboding clung to the air. It wasn't long before the group found themselves face-to-face with an overwhelming monster. The size and power of the creature were enough to send even the instructors into retreat, signaling for the students to escape.
However, Seth and Andrea remained unfazed. Their bond and trust in one another were unshakable. They knew their strength was more than enough to handle the threat.
Jake, on the other hand, seemed to struggle. His team was already using the emergency signal, retreating to safety. But he, stubborn as ever, refused to back down. Determined to face the monster alone, he gripped his sword tighter, his body already weary from the fight.
Seth and Andrea watched from afar, unseen by Jovhan. Using Seth's spacial observation ability to observe from a distance, they kept track of his movements as he squared off against the terrifying creature.
Jake's sword flashed through the air, but each strike felt weaker against the beast. His face twisted with frustration, and his movements grew more desperate. He was about to be overwhelmed, his strength beginning to falter under the weight of the monster's attacks.
Andrea, sensing the shift, took a step forward, ready to intervene. "Dammit, he's losing," she muttered under her breath, already gathering her energy.
But before she could make a move, Seth gently placed a hand on her arm, his expression serious. "Wait," he said quietly, his eyes locked on Jake. "Something's changing."
Jake's aura shifted. His desperation seemed to ignite something deep within him. He looked down at his sword, his body trembling with the realization that he was at his breaking point. Then, in a flash of light, his eyes narrowed with determination.
Flashback:
The night before, Eve had appeared to Jake. She had watched him, and her presence was like an inexplicable force—there was something calming yet urgent in her voice. She had known his secret: He'd been training his ability, refusing to use it out of fear of hurting others.
Jake had been startled when he first saw Eve, suspicion clouding his thoughts.
"Who are you?" he demanded, eyes wary.
Eve had smiled, her voice soothing yet firm. "I am Eve, the one guiding the successor. The one who has the knowledge to lead you."
Jovhan's eyes narrowed. "You know about my ability?" he asked, his voice laced with disbelief.
"I know more than you think," Eve replied, her tone gentle. "You've been trying to control the light for years, haven't you?"
Jake exhaled a bitter laugh. "Yeah. But no progress. No matter how hard I try, it's always out of control."
Eve's voice softened. "You don't need to control the light. You simply need to guide it. Along the way, you will understand it better. Let the light become a part of you, not something you force into shape."
Jake was silent, but the words echoed in his mind as he stood alone on the battlefield.
End of flashback
Back in the present, Jake's grip tightened around his sword. His eyes blazed with newfound understanding. The light—the power he had feared for so long—was no longer something to control. It was something to guide. His body pulsed with energy, and before the monster could strike, he raised his sword high, calling upon the light that surged within him.
The sky seemed to crack open as six radiant wings of light appeared behind him, each feather glowing with an ethereal glow. His sword pulsed, bathing in the purest light, and for a moment, he felt like he could reach beyond his limits.
"from the heart of light, grant me strength,
Wings of purity, answer my call.
Sword of light: devineslash!"
With that final cry, the light exploded from his sword, and with a single, powerful slash, the monster was cleaved in two, its form disintegrating into a burst of radiant energy. The battle was over. The beast, once a seemingly insurmountable threat, was vanquished.
Seth watched in awe from a distance. The sheer magnitude of the attack left him speechless for a moment. "What was that?" he muttered, still in shock. "What is Divine?"
Andrea shot him a sideways glance, her brow raised. "It's a transcendent"
Sebastian's confusion deepened. "What's a transcendent?"
Andrea sighed, her patience thinning. "It's a god, you idiot. A god."
Back on the battlefield, Jake stood tall, breathing heavily as the light slowly faded from his wings and sword. His eyes were wide with realization, a grin slowly forming on his face.
Now I can confidently join the successor, he thought to himself, feeling a weight lift off his shoulders. He had embraced the light—he could control it now.
And with that thought, he knew he was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, with the successor by his side.
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End of Chapter 10