From Rock Bottom To Hero

The meeting is drawing to a close. Gareth rolls up the map while Father gives a few final instructions. The group looks tense but focused. Preparations are underway, and everyone knows what they need to do.

Cael crosses his arms. "Compared to my squad in Tharien back then, the meetings here are much shorter and organised."

I blink, confused. "Tharien?"

He looks at me. "The kingdom I'm from."

I hesitate. "So, not here?"

Cael shakes his head slightly. "No. I fled to Edravon about a year ago, and now I live in Eldorath."

My brow furrows. "Edravon?"

A brief silence falls. Everyone in the room looks at me.

"You don't know the name of our kingdom?" Cael asks mockingly.

I feel heat rise to my face. I slowly shake my head. "I knew there were other kingdoms, but I had no idea what ours is called or how many there even are."

Next to me, Father scratches the back of his neck, looking embarrassed. "That's... my fault. I forgot to teach you and Shiro that." Father laughs nervously.

Gareth can't help but laugh. "Wow, you're such a great father!"

Father walks over to a cupboard, pulls out a leather-bound scroll, and unrolls it on the table. "This is our world." He points to a kingdom labeled Edravon. "This is where we are." Then he points to the neighboring kingdom, Tharien. "This is where Cael is from. Ever since the demon invasion, that kingdom has been under their control and they want more."

"So that means..." I freeze in shock.

"Exactly." He begins. "We're next. No, they have already taken control of a large part of Edravon."

The mood in the room shifts noticeably. For a moment, no one says anything.

Then Father slowly rolls up the parchment again. "We can't waste any more time. We leave in two days."

The group rises from their chairs and a few last words are exchanged as the first people begin to leave.

Faris gives me a light pat on the shoulder. "Come on. We won't waste any time."

I nod and follow him.

Not long later, we are in the forest. While I train my new technique on trees, Faris sits on the forest floor, trying something himself.

I can't tell what he's trying to achieve, but I can see it's not working.

Hours fly by. One last strike, and then I collapse to the ground. At that moment, Faris suddenly shouts. "Yes! I did it!"

I look over to him, curious. "What?"

Faris smiles. "I managed to swap the position of two stones using my teleportation!"

He drops down beside me. "I've been trying to teleport a single stone away without touching it, but it only works when I swap it with something else."

I look up at the sky. "That's it for today. Tomorrow is the last day. Then... the battle begins."

I close my eyes and feel the cold air on my skin.

For the first time, I wish that morning would never come. But I know it will.