First Lost

"Ryn, you know how crucial the morning workout is. You're late!" Dastarn turned around, his ears perking up at the sound of approaching footsteps. It was Ryn.

Though Ryn had been diligent with his morning training lately, Dastarn wouldn't have been shocked if his son decided to skip a session, considering Ryn's preference for books over physical activities.

"I know, Dad. You always remind me," Ryn mumbled the end of his words, barely audible. Dastarn raised an eyebrow, asking him to repeat himself. "Nothing, Father," Ryn replied, dismissing his own words with a wave of his hand.

"Alright, let's get started with our usual routine," Dastarn said, stretching his body to prepare. He spread his legs, attempting to touch his toes and alternately shifting his weight from one leg to the other.

After ten repetitions, he stood straight, legs together, and bent over to touch his toes again. Next, it was time for arm exercises, mimicking the motions of a bird in flight.

He swung his palms while his hands were spread wide, and then repeated the motion while bending forward. Ryn mirrored his father's movements, standing opposite him.

After the warm-up, they began running in circles around the edge of the backyard. Then, they practiced basic stances for spear and blades, essential skills for hunting.

Ryn recognized these stances as part of the traditional hunting knowledge passed down in their village.

When Dastarn switched to the blades, it signaled the end of their workout. Usually, Ryn would continue with the additional stances he had deciphered from the mysterious data he had received in the past.

However, he had lost interest in them over time and stopped practicing.

As Ryn sat beneath the tree in their backyard, his mind wandered. Something felt amiss, and he struggled to pinpoint what it was.

Then, it hit him he hadn't engaged in the contest with the shadow entity for the past couple of days.

Adjusting his posture, he sat cross-legged and began to meditate. Gradually, the noise and air around him faded, and before his eyes fluttered open, he found himself standing in front of the entity.

"Whoa! You surprised me," Ryn exclaimed, taking a few steps back.

The shadow entity replied with a simple "Welcome," its reaction unchanged from their previous encounters.

However, Ryn sensed a subtle difference this time. The air around the entity felt colder, and its facial expressions seemed more subdued.

"Maybe it was always like this, and I didn't notice," Ryn pondered subconsciously.

Additionally, the entity no longer seemed to read his facial expressions as it had before; it simply stood there, staring at him in silence.

Finally, it broke the stillness, asking if they should begin the competition.

"Start what?" Ryn replied, perplexed by the entity's question.

"The competition, of course," the entity responded, confirming Ryn's suspicion. It seemed to consider something before accepting the challenge, and as always, the surroundings shifted and a platform for the contest materialized before them.

A standing table with an arm pole appeared, and they both took their positions, gripping each other's hands. The countdown began a sphere filled with disappearing charts until only the middle part remained, marking the start of their arm wrestling match.

Ryn had never been defeated in previous arm wrestling contests, so he was confident the outcome would be the same this time. He matched the entity's strength initially, and they remained locked in a stalemate for a while.

Then, with a calculated move, Ryn unleashed almost all of his power, catching the shadow entity off guard. Slowly, he gained the upper hand and was on the verge of victory.

In a final push, he released some of his strength, intending to utilize it for a decisive move. But that's when it happened.

With a resounding boom, Ryn heard the sound of victory, only to realize something was off. His body was in an awkward position, and his hand was beneath the shadow entity's on the other side of the table.

"Ah!" Ryn couldn't believe it. The cold glint he had seen in the entity's eyes before losing flashed through his mind, leaving him baffled and uncertain of what had just transpired.

Ryn's mind raced as he tried to make sense of the unexpected outcome. The defeat had caught him completely off guard, leaving him bewildered and filled with questions. How had he lost? What had changed in that crucial moment?

He stared at the shadow entity, searching for any hint or explanation in its enigmatic presence. Its form remained unchanged, yet there was an undeniable shift in the atmosphere.

The air seemed heavier, charged with an unfamiliar energy. Ryn couldn't shake off the feeling that something significant had transpired, something beyond the surface of their competition.

The shadow entity, seemingly unaffected by Ryn's confusion, maintained its stoic demeanor. Its eyes, once familiar and expressive, now held a mysterious glint that sent shivers down Ryn's spine. He couldn't help but wonder if there was more to this entity than he had initially realized. Could its motives extend beyond their contests, reaching into realms he had yet to comprehend?

Curiosity mingled with a hint of caution within Ryn's mind.

He had always approached his encounters with the shadow entity with a mix of excitement and trepidation.

It had become a mysterious companion, a source of both challenge and intrigue. But now, with this disorienting defeat and the subtle changes he perceived, Ryn couldn't ignore the nagging sense that there was something deeper, something hidden beneath the surface.

As he stood there, grappling with his thoughts, the shadow entity broke the silence once again. Its voice, a calm and measured tone, pierced through Ryn's contemplation. "There is more to discover," it whispered, its words resonating within Ryn's being. "This is just the beginning."

The entity's cryptic statement only fueled Ryn's curiosity further. What lay beyond the realm of arm wrestling? What secrets awaited him in the depths of his interactions with this enigmatic being? Ryn knew that he couldn't rest until he unraveled the mysteries that surrounded them.

With newfound determination, Ryn squared his shoulders and met the shadow entity's gaze. He was ready to embark on a journey of self-discovery and exploration, to delve into the unknown and uncover the truths that awaited him.

The defeat had become a catalyst, igniting a fire within him to push beyond his limits and uncover the secrets that lay obscured in the shadow's embrace.

As they stood there, the platform fading away, Ryn knew that the next chapter of their encounters would be unlike anything he had experienced before.

He was prepared to confront the challenges that awaited him, to face the shadow entity and himself with unwavering resolve. Whatever lay ahead, Ryn was determined to seize the opportunity, for he understood that within the depths of defeat, true growth and enlightenment could be found.

"The moment has arrived for you to honor your end of our agreement." the Shadow entities words rang in Ryn's mind, bringing clarity to his thoughts.