"Wake up."
A bucket of freezing water fell over his head.
Steiten jumped up, coughing.
"What are you doing?!"
Standing before him was Arven, already prepared for the journey ahead.
"Training."
Steiten stared at him.
"Training starts with throwing water at people?"
Arven smiled.
"No. Training starts with learning that the world will not wait for you to wake up."
Steiten looked around.
They were no longer near the small campfire.
They stood at the edge of a massive valley surrounded by cliffs.
The air felt different.
Heavy.
Dangerous.
"What is this place?"
Arven walked forward.
"The Valley of Echoes."
Steiten frowned.
"Why does it sound familiar?"
"Because many warriors entered this place..."
Arven looked into the darkness between the mountains.
"...and very few came out."
Steiten's expression changed.
"Then why bring me here?"
Arven turned toward him.
"Because your biggest enemy is not outside."
He pointed at Steiten's chest.
"It is inside."
Steiten clenched his fists.
"You keep saying things like that. What exactly am I?"
Arven became silent.
For the first time, his confident expression disappeared.
"That is a question you are not ready to answer."
Steiten stepped closer.
"Why?"
"Because some truths are heavier than lies."
The wind passed between them.
Arven handed Steiten a small wooden sword.
Steiten looked at it.
"A wooden sword?"
"Yes."
"You made me fight a monster with a broken sword yesterday, and now you give me this?"
Arven nodded.
"Because yesterday you survived by instinct."
He pointed at the wooden sword.
"Today, you learn control."
Steiten looked confused.
"Control over what?"
Arven smiled.
"Your fear."
The first hour was simple.
Run.
The second hour was harder.
Climb.
The third hour...
Steiten collapsed.
"I can't..."
Arven looked down at him.
"Stand."
"My body..."
"Stand."
"I said I can't!"
For a moment, anger appeared in Steiten's eyes.
"I lost everything! My family, my home, my purpose! What more do you want from me?"
The valley became silent.
Arven walked closer.
"I want you to understand something."
He looked directly into Steiten's eyes.
"The world does not care about your pain."
Steiten froze.
"Your enemies will not stop because you suffered. Your wounds will not protect you. Your past will not save you."
Arven placed his hand on Steiten's shoulder.
"But your choice will."
Steiten looked away.
"My choice?"
"Yes."
Arven pointed toward the mountain.
"You can remain a victim of what happened to you..."
Then he pointed toward the path ahead.
"...or become the person who decides what happens next."
Steiten slowly stood.
His legs shook.
But he stood.
Arven smiled.
"Good."
As night arrived, Steiten finally reached the top of the mountain.
He was exhausted.
His hands were bleeding.
His body was covered in dirt.
But he was standing.
Arven looked at him.
"Not bad."
Steiten breathed heavily.
"That's it? Not bad?"
Arven laughed.
"Hehehe... You want praise after one day?"
Steiten almost smiled.
Almost.
Then suddenly—
A powerful pressure filled the valley.
The birds escaped from the trees.
The ground trembled.
Steiten looked around.
"What is that?"
Arven's expression became serious.
A shadow appeared on the mountain opposite them.
A figure stood there, watching.
Steiten felt his blood run cold.
"Who is that?"
Arven did not answer.
Instead, he whispered:
"The first person who will try to kill you."
The figure stepped forward.
A terrifying voice echoed across the valley.
"Arven..."
The stranger smiled.
"You finally found a successor."
Steiten looked at Arven.
"Successor?"
The stranger laughed.
"Poor child..."
His eyes locked onto Steiten.
"You don't even know what is sleeping inside your own body."
The wind stopped.
Arven moved in front of Steiten.
"Leave."
The stranger smiled.
"Or what?"
A terrifying aura exploded from him.
"Will you protect him forever?"
Arven's eyes became cold.
"No."
He looked back at Steiten.
"I will teach him to protect himself."
The stranger laughed.
"Then let us see if your little warrior survives the night."
The darkness moved.
And for the first time since his awakening...
Steiten faced an enemy who was not a beast.
He faced a human.
And humans were always more dangerous.
To be continued...