Kalos felt a cool breeze tickle his skin.

He opened his eyes to find himself in a dark, but familiar forest.

The forest that surrounded Silves.

He found himself moving towards something, even though he hadn't ordered his body to do so.

He weaved his way through tree and bush alike before picking up something on the forest floor.

His inspected the item to find that it was a pendant.

His pendant, to he specific.

Kalos brushed off the dirt that covered the pendant's surface before a bright blue light appeared in front of him.

It was so blindingly bright that he covered his eyes with his hand.

Kalos lowered his hands to find that the bright light was gone.

However, his pendant began glowing blue.

A sharp pain then assaulted Kalosýni’s chest.

He fell to his knees and painfully spat out whatever saliva was in his mouth as flashes of terrible scenes appeared in his mind.

He saw a city far off in a distant land only it was surrounded by hordes of dark beings.

They swarmed the city with a golden heart and Kalos could almost see every life that was lost at the hands of those nightmarish beings.

Kalos then saw someone who looked eerily like himself, only he looked bruised and beaten almost beyond recognition.

Kalosýni’s dream self awoke in a cave and gathered his things. One of which was a glorious sword that had a pale blue glow.

Dream Kalos walked out of the cave to find two strange beings in front of him.

Their forms were obscured by a thick dark mist and when Kalos tried focusing on their forms, his head was assaulted by an extreme amount of pain.

Kalos then watched as his dream self received countless attacks from the dark being.

He watched as his bones were broken over and over again.

Reality itself then darkened as Kalos watched the horrible scene, but no matter how badly he got beaten, he remained standing. Something Kalos noted as the vision faded.

.

..

“Kalos.” A voice called, but Kalos felt far too tired to listen to disembodied voices.

“Kalos!” The voice called but louder, forcing Kalos to open his eyes.

He could have sworn the morning sun’s rays had never been so painfully bright. He looked around and saw a vibrant forest floor with his father standing by a tree.

Kalos then realized that he was awake so he stood up and ran to his father. His movements were sluggish, but he eventually stumbled to the tree where his father leaned against.

“Dad, I had the strangest dream!” Kalos said half nervous and half excited.

“Yes, that sounds very interesting. Follow me, I wanna show you something.” Raymond said with wave.

Kalos followed his father deep into the forest until they came across a little pond.

Raymond found another tree to lean against, while Kalos looked around for whatever his father had planned to show him.

“Well? What are we doing all the way out here?” Kalos asked.

Raymond pointed toward the pond, prompting his son to approach it.

Kalos wasted no time and looked at his reflection.

“What the-!” Kalos exclaimed upon discovering that his irises had a bright blue glow. He turned to his father, who had his eyes closed while wearing an accomplished smile.

“Haha! Woooo! This is awesome!” Kalos yelled at the top of his lungs as he ran around the pond’s circumference.

Kalos returned to his father’s side and stood upright with both arms by his side, just like his father had taught him.

“Excited, are we? Now, I’ll have to bursts your little bubble by saying that you won’t be able to forge a fosblade anytime soon. However, I can teach you basic light magic. First one is a divine barrier.” Raymond said as he walked several paces away from his son. He turned around and gave his son a suspicious smile.

“Ok, I want you to focus on your heart. We are made of equal parts light and darkness. Humans are one of the very few creatures that are pure and neutral. When we use magic, we harness the light that already exists within us and use it to manipulate the light around us and there’s plenty of that. I’ll explain more later, but for now, focus on your heart.” Raymond instructed and his son did as he was told.

Kalos stood extremely still as he focused on his heart, he snuck a glance at his father who, unlike the night before, was rather serious.

Kalos stood for about thirty minutes, but nothing happened.

“Mmm… maybe I wasn’t clear enough. Come, sit down.” Raymond said as he sat near the little pond. Kalos joined him almost instantly.

Raymond let out a deep sigh as he looked into the pond.

“I don’t think I ever told you about the way the world really works.” He said.

“Mmm? You mean Nesrafaar and Nar' Agrun? I know about that.” Kalos said.

“Yes, but do you know how that all of creation is in a constant shift?”

“No.”

“Yes. Light in its purest form comes from the highest point in Nesrafaar. It descends and casts itself on creation, but all of creation, life included, is destined to die, crumble or fade. When this happens, the light that is present within all things returns to Nesrafaar, leaving the darkness within to sink, understand?” Raymond asked and his son nodded enthusiastically.

“With this in mind, it’s easier for us to picture the way magic works. All we are doing is manipulating the light in and around us." Raymond said as the sounds of movement echoed in the distance. Raymond’s hearing was acute enough to know that it was just Estella and the others who were waking up.

This then gave Raymond an idea.

He stood up and looked out into the forest.

Kalos followed his father’s lead and blankly stared into the forest as well.

Raymond grabbed his son’s shoulder and pulled him closer, secretly pumping light magic particles into him.

Kalos felt a strange sensation overcome him and looked to his father for answers.

“We’re going to do a little hunting. But you need a weapon.” Raymond said.

“But we already have knives-"

“Ah-ah! We’re going to be using Fos weapons or light weapons.” Raymond said as particles of light gathered around his hand, eventually forming a dagger. It looked extremely hot and waves of what looked like heat rose from it, yet Raymond held it as though it was a normal dagger. Its design was also rather divine.

Kalosýni’s jaw dropped and his eyes widened.

Raymond let out a sly chuckle as Kalos tried to emulate what his father had done.

Then the most awesomely terrifying thing Raymond had ever seen happened.

Particles of light and some dark looking orbs gradually gathered over this hand.

Kalosýni’s eyes widened. He turned to his father for answers, but his father looked about as confused as he was.

The mixed particles eventually multiplied and condensed, forming a razor sharp-looking, ultra-straight dagger. It had a dark metallic look, yet it also had a bit of shine to it. One thing that also separated it from Raymond’s dagger was the fact that it was solid.

“Umm… Kalos… what did you just do?” Raymond asked. His face pale, yet one could also see a hint of excitement.

“I don't know. I just did what you told me to do.” Kalos said while gripping the dagger in his hand.

Raymond wanted to panic, but he wanted to confirm something first.

“Mmm… try imagining it disappearing.” Raymond introduced and just like that, the dagger disintegrated.

Kalos played around and cycled creating and destroying his dagger over and over.

“Ok, that’s enough. Let’s go.” Raymond instructed. They ventured deep into the forest until they found a rather large rabbit.

Raymond and Kalos crouched among the bushes and waited for the perfect time to execute their master plan.

“Listen carefully. Everything that exists on the mortal plane has elements of both light and dark. You, somehow, are able to manipulate both light and dark. I’ve never really heard of anyone being able to do both as men are usually inclined and limited to using one or the other. Anyway, form a spear and kill the rabbit.” Raymond instructed.

Kalos did as he was told, focused on his hand and particles of both light and dark gathered around his hand forming the silhouette of a spear.

Moments later, a completely grey spear formed in his hands.

Kalos approached the rabbit and with one violent motion, leaned back, yanked his arm forward and sent his spear flying towards the rabbit. Unfortunately, the spear disappeared as soon as it left his hand and by this time, the rabbit had sensed Kalosýni’s presence and it ran away.

“Aww!” Kalos whined as both his prize and spear disappeared.

Raymond let out a low hum while encircling Kalos.

“Try forming a dagger.”

“Ok,” Kalos said and in an instant, a dagger appeared.

“Form another one in your left hand.” Raymond and in no time, another dagger appeared.

“Another one,” Raymond said, but as soon as the third solid dagger formed in front of Kalos, the first one disappeared and in a moment of panic, he tried to catch the third one but failed, ultimately losing all three.

“Aww.” Kalos let out another sad whimper, while his father inspected him.

“Mmm… I’d say that the problem is a lack of focus, but to be completely honest, most kn- people form their first magic tools after a few months. Within which they undergo intense training.” Raymond said with a sigh.

“How long did it take you?” Kalos asked, his spirit unshaken.

“Mmm… a day. But you’re still way too fast.”

“Ok, let’s try again.”

.

..

Two hours later.

“It’s afternoon already. Don’t you think we should go looking for them now?” Estella asked while breaking any twigs she could find near her. Eevana kept herself busy by braiding Estella’s hair and Crimwal patiently at the same spot he had been since waking up. Estella noticed that he looked rather stressed.

She said decided not to think about it too much.

“Who taught you how to braid hair?” She asked.

“Some of the girls back in Llendor were kind enough to teach me how,” Eevana said.

“Oh?” Estella said, unable to continue the conversation any further. Eevana seemed like a nice woman, but she never said nor did much. She looked so vulnerable yet strongly kept her feelings to herself.

Estella then turned to Crimwal. Who blankly stared at what used to be their campfire.

“So… you seek adventure. Would you mind telling me why?” Estella asked hesitantly.

Crimwal continued blankly staring at the coals.

Estella assumed he hadn’t heard her.

“Ahem! Crimwal, why do you seek the thrill of adventure?” She pried causing Crimwal to snap out of the daze he seemingly put himself under.

“Mmm? Oh, sorry. I guess the hunger's starting to get to me, hehe.” Crimwal said with a laugh that didn’t appear in his eyes.

“Why do I seek adventure? Mmm… I think I’ve grown rather tired of being a merchant-"

“Thief.” Eevana corrected.

“Ahem! Yes, well I was getting tired of living the way I was. Then I met you and your companions. A trio of innocent farmers who were travelling to the worst town south of Eslaf Retnec, I couldn’t help but develop an interest in you. Then I saw the boy kill what looked like a possessed man, which confirmed that you lot weren’t ordinary farmers.”

“So, you were watching us,” Estella asked, without emitting a sliver of hatred or animosity.

“Well, yes. But- “

“If we hadn’t been so peculiar, would you still have robbed us?” Estella asked, causing Eevana to stop braiding for a moment.

“Uh- well… that’s all in the past. Anyway, I helped Kalos save you from that thug and here we are, on the first step of something I know I’ll definitely enjoy.” Crimwal said and this time Estella could see the joy in his eyes.

“How do you know for sure?”

“Because you didn’t leave me back in Llendor.” He said with a low, sombre voice. His eyes showed a deep sadness that Estella couldn’t even imagine understating. So, she decided to give Crimwal a break.

“You know what? I think our little adventure will be slightly more exciting with you and Eevana around even if Raymond doesn’t think so.” She said with a warm smile.

Everyone then heard some sounds coming from further in the forest.

Crimwal got up and unsheathed his shabby-looking dagger. He looked around but found nothing. Silence befell the forest as he scanned his surroundings.

Then something dashed out of the bushes and ran towards Estella.

Crimwal did his best to track its movements, but it was too small and too fast.

Something flew past him and impaled whatever creature had run past him.

Crimwal looked behind him to find a sweaty Raymond and Kalos.

“Finally!” Kalos exclaimed, jumping high into the air and punching it with all his might.

Raymond on the other hand looked beyond exhausted, so he dragged his feet to where his bed was and sat down with a thud.

Crimwal then looked back at the creature Kalos and his father were seemingly hunting.

After a moment, he found a dead rabbit on the forest floor. He then realized something else as he turned back to face Kalos.

“Uh- Why are your eye’s glowing?” Crimwal asked.