First step To Strength

Theos stirred awake, blinking against the morning light streaming through the window, warming the side of his face. His body still felt heavy and tired from yesterday's events, his mind tangled in memories that felt both foreign and achingly familiar. He looked around the wooden room, taking in the simple furnishings: a rough-hewn table beside the bed, the earthy scent of the forest wafting in through an open window.

A creaking sound drew his attention to the door, and he turned his head quickly to see who was entering. To his surprise, it was Roseville. A smile broke across his face, a bright light in the shadowy corners of his memory. But before he could utter a word, she cut him off with her serene voice. "I'll teach you the basics when you're ready."

Her calm demeanor belied the seriousness of her words, and a wave of questions crashed over him. "How did you know?" he asked, his surprise evident.

"Because you're simply too weak," she said firmly, meeting his gaze without flinching. "Your body is not ready to handle the power that Primal holds."

The weight of her words pressed down on him. What if he lost her? The thought of returning to the isolation he had known before clawed at him. "How can I get stronger to protect you?" The fear in his voice surprised even him, rising up like a specter from his past.

Roseville's cheeks flushed a soft pink. "Theos, there are many ways to protect someone, even without Primal," she said, trying to reach him.

Desperation clawed at his chest. "I can't go back to the darkness; I have to find a way!" His voice trembled, reflecting the turmoil within.

She hesitated for a moment, her expression softening as she recognized the fierce determination behind his fear. "Very well," she relented, looking almost defeated. "If you truly want power, you have to train your body. I cannot teach you the power of Primal yet until you are eleven."

His excitement bubbled to the surface, but then reality set in. "Wait, you just said you'll teach me!"

"You have to train your body to be ready. I also can't teach you Primal until we know your affinities." Her tone was unyielding.

"How can I train my body?" he asked, his heart pounding in anticipation.

Roseville smiled knowingly. "You'll need to kill ten monsters by the end of the day."

Theos's eyes widened in surprise, but hesitation quickly transformed into determination. Grasping a small dagger that Roseville gave him in his right hand, he felt the cool metal against his palm. Time was of the essence; he couldn't waste a moment. As Roseville led him outside, he was struck by the world beyond the shadows of his memories—a vast landscape that felt alive, brimming with color and energy. A tear rolled down his cheek, knowing he couldn't afford to be weak or afraid anymore.

He felt a desire igniting deep within him, a fierce resolve to become the strongest being that ever existed. To protect Roseville, to protect this newfound light in his life. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for the first step into a reality where only the strong could shield the vulnerable.

As he stepped into the forest, he moved as quietly as he could, dagger held tightly in his hand. The air was damp and heavy, alive with the sounds of rustling leaves and distant animal calls. Suddenly, he heard something behind a bush. He turned his head slowly and saw a small rabbit with a large, yellowish-gray horn. Its white fur glistened with moisture as it nibbled on red berries.

He crept closer, his heart racing as adrenaline surged through him. With a swift motion, he clutched the dagger and prepared to strike down with all his might. He aimed for the rabbit's neck, summoning an unwavering determination. As he plunged the dagger in, blood gushed out, splattering against the damp grass. Primal energy surged into his soul, invigorating him, filling him with a power he had never felt before.

As he stood up, breathless and exhilarated, he was startled by five other rabbits darting out of the bushes, scattering in all directions. But something else stirred within him—an ominous energy lurking in the shadows. He pushed his senses to their limits, aware that danger was close.

Without warning, he felt a something behind him

Theos heart raced as he saw the minotaur looming over him, a terrifying mass of muscle and fury. Its nostrils flared, and a growl rumbled deep within its throat, sending vibrations through the ground. This is it, he thought, panic rising. I'm going to die.

The creature charged, hooves pounding the earth like thunder. Theos barely managed to sidestep as the massive kick whistled past his ear, the force of it stirring the air around him. He stumbled but quickly regained his footing. I can't show fear, he reminded himself, gripping his dagger tightly, knuckles white with tension.

With a primal roar, the minotaur lunged again, its hulking frame barreling towards him. Time seemed to slow as he braced himself, muscles coiling like springs. Think! he screamed internally. You can't let it win!

Panic surged as he found himself floating in a surreal white void, memories and glimpses of future events swirling around him, ethereal and haunting. In this liminal space, he could see flashes of his life, both past and yet to come—moments of loneliness, fear, and the shimmering light of hope that was the will to win. The vision faded, and suddenly, he was back in the forest, the minotaur looming above him, its eyes burning with fury.

Before he could react, the creature struck him hard on the shoulder, pain shooting through his body like fire. The world spun as he stumbled backward, gasping for breath. At that moment, all he could think was that he would die here if he didn't fight back.

Gathering every ounce of strength within him, he summoned a small but fierce blue energy that flickered around his fist, glowing with intensity. This was his chance—he would not let fear dictate his fate. As the minotaur lunged again, he countered, his fist colliding with the beast's jaw in an explosive clash that sent shockwaves through the ground. Dust swirled around them, forming a thick cloud, and Theos felt the earth beneath him tremble as they struck.The impact sent shockwaves through his body, but the minotaur barely flinched. It spun around, its massive horns catching Theos off guard. He barely managed to roll out of the way, the sharp tip grazing his shoulder. Pain lanced through him, but he refused to succumb to it.

I can't die here. I have to protect Roseville! he thought, the fierce resolve surging through him. The fear of losing her ignited a fire within him. He would not let that darkness claim him again.

As the minotaur prepared for another attack, Theos felt the world around him fade again, but this time, he embraced it. In the white void, he found clarity. He was not just fighting for his life; he was fighting for a future—a chance to see the world around him that he never thought possible.

When the dust settled, he saw Roseville standing above him, a fierce protector, shielding him from the minotaur's rage. He opened his mouth to scream for her to run, but the words stuck in his throat, fear paralyzing him.

In that heart-stopping moment, Theos felt himself slip into unconsciousness, the world around him fading away. 

Promptly after Theos passes out Roseville put forward her arm, a dark green energy surged surrounding her body all of the energy eclipsed the minotaur her energy was pure and radiant, her only desire for letting this beast live was to further Theos improvement, Just as swiftly as she beat the minotaur she sealed the minotaur as she had the perfect plan to train Theos. 

When he awoke, he was back in the wooden room, the scent of something delicious wafting through the air. "Theos, I made you breakfast," Roseville said as she entered, her smile brightening the space. She carried a tray with steaming tea and soup, the warmth radiating from it like a comforting embrace.

As they ate, she told him a story that seemed to weave itself into the fabric of his being. "Long ago, there was an elf who challenged the gods. He fought with all his might, his spirit burning bright. Though he could not defeat them, he left his mark by driving his blade into the heart of a god, a blade steeped in the blood of the divine. But shortly after, he was outmatched by the immense power of the divines. That elf was my father."

Her voice carried a weight of history, reverence, and sorrow. "His strength and courage are etched onto this dagger now, and it's for you to bear."

As she presented the dagger, Theos felt a strange energy surging from it, overwhelming yet familiar. It was as if he had held this blade for lifetimes, an extension of his own spirit. Respect for the man who had dared to challenge the impossible filled him.

With fierce resolve, he tightened his grip around the hilt, his eyes blazing with an unquenchable fire. "I will do what he couldn't," he declared, his voice steady and unwavering, echoing the promise he made to himself.

Roseville's expression softened, pride mixing with the tenderness of a mother. "I believe you can," she said, her voice filled with warmth and hope. "But remember, power is not just about strength; it's also about heart and purpose. We will train together, and I will guide you."

In that moment, Theos felt a bond deepen between them—one forged in the fires of shared struggle and a common goal. Together, they would face the challenges ahead, the weight of their destinies intertwined. The world beyond the horizon called to him, a vast expanse of possibilities, and he was ready to embrace it.

With Roseville by his side, he would not just become stronger; he would become a beacon of hope, a warrior born from the ashes of his past, ready to carve a new path in a world that was both wondrous and terrifying. And as he looked into Roseville's eyes, he knew—he would protect her, no matter the cost