The sun barely touched the sky when Kael stood at the entrance of the hidden base, his backpack securely fastened to his back. His sword, sheathed and heavy, rested at his side—a constant reminder of the mission ahead.
Yuna was already waiting by the gate, her arms crossed and her gaze fixed on the horizon. She looked almost like she hadn't slept, but Kael knew that wasn't unusual for her. Her mind was always racing, and today was no different.
Kael approached her, tightening the straps of his pack. "Ready for this?"
Yuna shot him a sidelong glance. "I'd be more ready if you weren't glowing like a damn lantern."
Kael rolled his eyes. "I'm sure I'll be a lot less 'glowy' once we get moving."
Yuna smirked, but there was something deeper in her eyes—a quiet determination. She was just as ready for this journey as he was. Even if she wouldn't admit it.
"Let's go," she said, turning on her heel and walking ahead.
The two of them made their way through the dense forest, each step taking them further from the safety of the base. The air grew thick with the sounds of distant creatures—some harmless, others more ominous. Kael couldn't shake the feeling that something was watching them, and Yuna's quiet tension only confirmed that it wasn't just his imagination.
Hours passed in uneasy silence. The only noise was the crunch of leaves beneath their boots, the occasional rustle of branches, and the distant cry of some unseen creature.
Kael glanced at Yuna, his mind wandering back to the sword and the visions. "Do you ever wonder how much longer this is going to take?"
Yuna's eyes darted to him, her expression unreadable. "Every step forward is another one closer, right? Just keep moving."
Kael nodded, trying to push the anxiety gnawing at him aside. "Right."
But just as the silence grew unbearable, the air shifted. The forest seemed to hold its breath, and then, in an instant, it was shattered.
A low growl reverberated through the trees.
Yuna's hand immediately went to her sword. "Stay sharp."
The growl turned into a roar, and from the thick foliage, a monstrous creature emerged. It was a hulking beast, towering over them with dark, jagged armor-like skin. Its eyes gleamed with a feral hunger, and its massive fists clenched, ready to crush anything in its path.
Kael's sigil flared, but he quickly steadied himself. "Titan-type… this could get ugly."
Yuna smirked, unsheathing her sword with a swift motion. "Just stay behind me, pretty boy."
Before Kael could retort, the creature charged.
Kael's heart raced, his body instinctively reacting as the creature hurtled toward them with terrifying speed. The sheer force of its movement shook the ground beneath them, and Kael had no choice but to react quickly.
He reached out with his telekinesis, trying to slow the beast's momentum, but the creature's strength was overwhelming. It tore through the air, shrugging off his attempts like they were nothing more than a breeze.
"Yuna, I can't stop it!" Kael shouted, panic starting to rise.
But Yuna was already in motion, her sword flashing through the air. She moved like lightning, her strikes precise and calculated. She didn't need Kael's help—she was a fighter born for this.
The monster roared again, swinging its massive fists, but Yuna was faster. She ducked under its blow, then slashed upward, cutting across its armored chest. The creature howled in pain, staggering back.
But it wasn't finished. The beast's eyes burned with fury as it lunged again, its claws outstretched.
Kael felt the rush of energy flood his body, his focus sharpening. He focused on his healing power, instinctively reaching out to Yuna as the monster's claws scraped against her side. His hand glowed with a soft, golden light as he healed the wound in an instant.
"Watch out!" Kael shouted, watching as the creature lunged for Yuna again.
But this time, Yuna was ready. She sidestepped, her sword striking the creature's throat with brutal precision. The monster's eyes widened in shock as it crumpled to the ground, lifeless.
Yuna stood over the fallen beast, panting lightly but otherwise unfazed. "You owe me a drink after this, Kael."
Kael exhaled, his hands still trembling. "Next time, I'm leading the charge."
Yuna shot him a teasing grin. "Sure, I'll just stay back and watch the show."
They shared a brief moment of laughter before the forest fell silent once more. But the sense of unease hadn't gone away. This was only the beginning.
As they pressed forward, more creatures—each one larger and more powerful than the last—appeared from the shadows. Every encounter pushed them further, testing both their strength and resolve. The creatures they faced were all Titan-types—massive, hulking beasts that seemed to thrive on sheer force.
Each battle was a brutal reminder of just how dangerous their journey was. And yet, with every monster they defeated, Kael could feel something within him awakening. A fire that had been smoldering deep inside was growing stronger.
Yuna fought by his side without hesitation, her movements fluid and precise. With every strike, she proved why she was so valuable to this mission. She was more than just a companion—she was a lifeline.
By the time the sun began to set, they had fought off no less than five of these monstrous Titan-types, each battle more taxing than the last. They were exhausted, their bodies battered, but the goal was in sight. The mountain loomed ahead, just beyond the treeline.
Kael wiped the sweat from his brow, his eyes locked on the towering peak. "Tomorrow… we reach the sword."
Yuna gave a tired but determined nod. "And we'll get through it. Together."
They set up camp in the fading light, preparing for the final leg of their journey. The world around them was eerily quiet, the monsters momentarily absent. But Kael knew it was only a matter of time before they faced the next challenge.
Tomorrow, everything would change...