Godwin and the others had slowed their pace as they traversed the forest just past the mountainous lands of the Fort. There were many dangers here, lurking in the shadows, waiting for a single moment of weakness to strike.

Not mentioning the constant threat of bandits striking at them without knowing what occurred.

They expected it, if Godwin was being honest. Thram had mentioned his would be enemies had attempted to assassinate him almost twenty-seven times already. Each one had failed, thankfully, but it boggled the mind at how persistent they were.

Hence, meeting some overly strong bandits down the road would was all but guaranteed.

“Hold!” Thram called from ahead. His senses were far better than anyone of the others, so it was not unusual for him to call the entire group to a stop as he waited for whatever it was to pass.

But this time was different. Godwin did not understand how, yet, he knew from Thram’s body language that the situation had taken a turn. Maybe the destined ambush was up ahead?

“Hya!” Thram rode forward in a gallop.

Godwin could see as the solitary knight’s eyes glowed a freezing silver. As he was about to disappear, he pulled out his sword. The ornate pummel that he always wondered at was finally unsheathed before him.

It left him mesmerized by its odd luster. It was a dull iron sword that did not fit the design of the handle. It seemed so old that it couldn’t possibly reflect light again. Somehow, even through the distance, each one could feel how sharp the blade was.

Now that was a worthy weapon of a knight. Its powers matching its user in every step and character. It was like something destined for Thram to wield in battle.

It made a flame ignite where his sternum sat.

Godwin took a deep breath to control himself. Ever since his transcendence, his emotion had been difficult to control. He hoped it didn’t cause a massive mistake to occur. On this thought, he moved his massive horse closer to Mother Melissa’s carriage. As the only non-combatant, she was the easiest target and most likely to get hurt in a full on battle.

He swore to protect her regardless if he had to sacrifice the honor guards.

She moved the cloth. Lines of worry were present even through the distorted glass.

“Everything will be alright. I won’t let anything happen to you, Mother.” Godwin reaffirmed his promise.

“Lord Teralis. I have a suggestion if you are willing.” The Speaker of the guards said, interrupting Godwin’s time with his caretaker.

“Yes?” He asked. He still remembered the man’s previous suggestion, hoping this one was not nearly as stupid.

“As your retainer keeps the enemy at bay, we should escape and hurry to the county. We must make distance from any uncertain forces that may-” He stopped speaking as he saw Godwin's darkening face.

But it wasn’t the expression that froze him. No, it was the sudden light that slowly covered Godwin’s eyes.

The guards broke out in whispers. To see someone so young, barely at nineteen, to have reached transcendence, it was an occurrence none of them expected to live long enough to see. The average age was almost a decade older, and those were the prodigies and children of highest nobility.

Godwin felt his world shake as the fire in his chest burned brighter. It ebbed back and forth, trying to take over and slay this insolent man before him. But, before he could act on this impulse, Thram returned in a hurry.

“Let’s go! There is a battle up ahead. We’re going to have to cut through the edges with steel and fury. It seems like our meeting with some bandits was diverted through the Father’s gracious luck.” Thram motioned for them to follow before he took the lead into the forest.

“We're going to have a discussion after this, Guard. You should learn your place.” With that he urged his giant horse forward, followed by the chastised guards and carriages.

Thram led with a blistering pace, not worried about the horse's stamina. Behind him, each horse followed, putting their hooves into the ground as hard and fast as their bodies allowed.

Though Godwin felt his own huffed, bored at the lacking exercise.

They tore a path through the road, finding the occasional groups of bandits locked in battle, but they never stopped once, running over anyone who dared stand in their way. And for those who dodged the horses, well, they met cold steel instead. His guards had spread around him and the carriage to strike at anyone who got away from Thram.

The entire time, Godwin couldn’t help but feel the energy in him grow with each moment of excitement. He wanted to wet his unsheathed blade more than his need for safety. He would risk falling off his massive horse just to reach out and strike at someone if given the opportunity.

He swore in his addled mind to get something longer so he could strike at his foes from above.

The number of bandits increased as they rode further into the forest. Unluckily for Godwin, each one regardless of skill was diverted away or slain by his group before he got a chance at them. It only made his breath more haggard as the fire overflowed out of his chest and into his extremities.

His hands trembled. He did not understand what was going on, but the need was overwhelming.

Godwin roared as he spurred his horse forward. The massive thing took delight at the command and sped up faster than even Thram’s mount. It foamed at the mouth for such a chance to show its clear dominance in front of such inferior specimens.

Godwin laughed like a madman. As his eyes grew brighter than lanterns. Without warning, a light green covered the entire forest in all its colors. Every person strong enough to feel the power of a transcendent looked up in confusion, before returning to their battles at hand.

His guards including Thram yelled for him to slow down and return to the safety of the group, but he could not hear a single word they said.

He was so overwhelmed by the sudden ecstasy that covered his entire world. Even his horse took pleasure in pounding its enormous body into its surprised enemies; crushing them by its force alone.

It was a sense of dominance both had fallen in love with.