Thornton

  The sun is sitting high in the sky doing its daily observation over the Belfour Kingdom and all of Kirk. Rays of lights slivers through the forest and gleams off the lakes and ponds. Water is rapidly racing and crashing into the streams below.

  "Three, two, one GO!

  As soon as I say go, an arrow hiss pass my head causing a few of my locks to sway from the wind it created . I hear a loud thud and crack behind me as the impact of the arrow violently rips through the bark of a small oak tree in the distance reducing it into sawdust . A swift ringing generates from my scabbard collar as I unsheathe my steel sword; immediately I charge forward carefully maneuvering and slicing through the barrage of arrows that started raining upon me. As I approach closer to my sister Jade, she shoots one last arrow that I slice in half, the difference with this arrow is that it explodes and sends me flying backwards into the stream getting soaked.

  I slowly get back up to my feet dripping with water as I await another barrage of arrows. I wipe off the soot from sword and armor. Jade slowly walks over to the river bank with her bow dangling from her left hand shaking her head.

  "You have to be able to tell the difference between enchanted arrows and regular arrows Thornton! If this were a real battle, you would be seriously hurt. Let's try again." Jade commanded.

  "Alright this time I'll be ready," I said with a sigh.

  I climb back onto the rock across from the one Jade is standing on, water dripping from my armor. The stream's cold bite reminds me of the sting of failure, but this time, I won't repeat my mistakes. Watching the arrows more closely, I finally notice how the enchanted ones sway through the air, glimmering faintly, and move a little slower than their mundane counterparts. Now, I have a plan. I'll close the gap between us more quickly this time, dodge the barrage, and land a decisive blow. Little does Jade know, I've been perfecting a new attack for weeks. Today, she'll see it in action.

  "Three, two, one GO!

  Once again, a barrage of arrows rains down upon me. This time, however, I can distinguish the enchanted arrows from the regular ones. Skillfully slicing through the regular arrows and dodging the enchanted ones, I manage to close the distance between Jade and me. She smiles, a glimmer of pride in her eyes, and I find myself mirroring her expression. With a fluid motion, she secures her bow in the holster on her back and draws her sword.

  "I hope you've been honing your hand-to-hand skills, Thornton," Jade said with a sly grin.

  "That, and more," I replied confidently.

  As I close the distance, I swing my sword, but she deflects it with ease. Seizing the opportunity, I attempt a leg sweep, but she leaps gracefully over it and counters with a swift 360-degree kick to my right shoulder. The impact sends me rolling backward, but I recover quickly with a backward handspring.

  Reaching into my dagger pouch, I hurl two blades toward her, hoping to divert her focus. As expected, she effortlessly swats them aside—but that's when I make my move.

  I close my eyes and channel all my mana, forcing it to surge through every fiber of my body. As the power courses through me, I catch a glimpse of Jade's expression twisting in confusion.

  "I'm not sure what you're trying to pull, but you'd better get serious!" she shouts, starting to charge toward me.

  Then it happens. She halts abruptly, her look of confusion deepening.

  "Thornton? Thornton? Where are you?"

  It worked—I was invisible. I knew it because the world around me had turned gray, drained of all color. But I also knew I needed to finish this training session quickly. This technique came at a cost: my body was already growing cold and fatigued. Worse, the invisibility would only last a minute.

  As Jade scans the area frantically, I seize my chance. Charging at her, I deliver a solid kick to her stomach.

  "What the hell!" she grunts, stumbling back.

  Without missing a beat, I unleash a flurry of strikes into her ribs. Desperation flashes in her eyes as she swings wildly, hoping to land a hit.

  Now about 20 seconds into my invisibility, I step back, taking a moment to assess her movements and plan my final attack. Summoning energy into my hand, I begin to conjure a fireball, ready to end this.

  But then—something unexpected happens.

  She smiles in my direction, her expression sharp and focused, as though she can see me. In one swift motion, she draws her bow and fires three arrows in perfect unison. I have no choice but to hurl the fireball earlier than planned, aiming to intercept them.

  WHOOSH! The fireball collides with the arrows midair, creating a blinding flash of light. My invisibility clock is ticking—I'm about 45 seconds in now.

  As the brilliance fades, I scan the area for Jade, but she's nowhere to be seen. Suddenly, I feel the cold edge of her sword press against my back.

  "You had me for a moment," she says with a smirk. "But when you're standing still, you're dripping with water."

  With a sharp kick, she sends me tumbling to the ground just as my invisibility wears off.

  "If you weren't soaked, those fireballs might've actually worked," she remarks. "Who taught you how to use that technique?"

  "No one," I reply, brushing myself off. "I was meditating one day, and when I stopped, everything turned grayish. At first, I thought I'd gone blind and freaked out. But as I walked around the house, I noticed I couldn't see my reflection in the mirror. I thought I'd turned into a vampire or something! Then, just like that, I could see myself again, and everything went back to normal."

  "That's incredible, Thornton!" Jade exclaims, her eyes gleaming. "I've got something new to show you, too."

  Reaching into her quiver, she grabs two arrows and nocks them simultaneously. With a deft release, she fires them into the sky. Then, her hands glow faintly as she radiates her aura, taking control of the arrows mid-flight.

  I watch in awe as one arrow begins to chase the other, weaving gracefully like birds in an intricate dance. If I hadn't seen her shoot them, I'd think they were alive. After about 30 seconds of this mesmerizing display, the arrows straighten out and strike a distant tree in perfect unison.

  "That was amazing. How long have you been able to do that?" I asked, still in awe.

  "Actually, today was the first time," Jade admitted with a small smile. "But for weeks now, I've noticed that if I focus enough mana into my hands, I can move objects. You and I just saw it happen for the first time. I wanted to try it during our sparring session, but I didn't want to risk accidentally hurting you."

  I could only stare at Jade in amazement. We had both come so far since we first started training.

  "Let's pack up and head home," I said, shaking off the lingering adrenaline.

  Jade and I began removing our training armor and organizing our equipment. I carefully placed Jade's bow into her satchel alongside her daggers, arrows, and sword. Then, I folded her training armor and tucked it neatly next to the rest of her gear. I did the same with my sword and armor, methodically packing everything away.

  "Are you excited to celebrate our birthday today?" Jade asked as we finished up.

  "I am," I replied with a grin. "But you know what I'm really looking forward to? Our first mission!"

  Jade's expression shifted, her excitement giving way to concern. "Aren't you a little scared, though? I've heard the first mission can be really tough. People... people don't always make it back," she said, her voice tinged with worry.

  "Jade, the past three years we've endured harsh and treacherous training from the village elders to prepare for this moment. We've been broken physically, mentally, and emotionally. On top of that, we added our own daily routines to stay sharp. I'm excited to show everyone that we're more than ready to take on missions."

  Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

  "You're right," Jade said, though her voice was hesitant. "But most people don't even think about accepting their first mission within two years of turning twelve—let alone on their birthday."

  "I heard Emberes might lead our mission!" I said, unable to hide my enthusiasm. "How can you not be excited? He's one of the strongest people in our age group, and I'm sure he'll keep us safe."

  Emberes is the 14-year-old son of the Canu village's prime elder, Drexel. Over the years, Drexel and Emberes have become like family to us, especially since we've had no one else for the last decade. If Emberes is leading this mission, I feel confident we'll succeed and return safely.

  Jade adjusted her satchel, dusting off the grime that had built up during training.

  "Alright, let's head back and get some rest before meeting Drexel about the mission," she said.

  Jade stood at 5'1, with a slender frame that couldn't have weighed more than a hundred pounds. Her golden-bronze skin glowed under the sun, and her double afro puffs swayed slightly as she turned to lead the way. I slipped my satchel onto my shoulder and followed her as she walked ahead.

  "The walk to the village takes five minutes, but I'll race you there," I said to Jade.

  Jade glanced at me and laughed.

  "Thornton, you're not going to beat me. You rarely do."

  "Whatever. Are we racing or not?"

  "If it makes you happy," Jade replied snarkily.

  Beating Jade wasn't my goal today. I just enjoy moving quickly, knowing a five-minute walk could become a two-and-a-half-minute run. This workout was the perfect chance to turn the walk into a race with Jade.

  "On your go," Jade said.

  I took off running, and Jade followed. I pushed myself as hard as I could without using mana, but Jade quickly passed me. I could tell she wasn't using any mana either, but I decided to tap into mine. I focused it into my legs and feet, feeling a surge of power. Three giant steps later, I shot ahead of her. I hadn't really cared about winning, but when Jade mentioned how rarely I beat her, I felt embarrassed.

  "So you're not playing fair?" Jade yelled.

  I laughed and kept running, jumping over bushes and sliding under branches that tried to grab me. I was closing in on the gates of Canu village, certain that today I'd finally win. But then, I tripped when my left leg wouldn't move forward. As I tumbled, I realized Jade's mana had been leaking from her hands when she passed me. She had stopped my leg from moving and kept me pinned to the ground for five more seconds. By the time I got up, she was at the gates. I just stood up and walked the rest of the way.

  "That's what happens when you don't play fair."

  "I'm sorry," I said with a sigh.

  "You have to take things more seriously! You want to accept our first mission so badly, but you're still pulling these cheap tactics! You need to realize the enemy won't take things as lightly as I do."

  "Whatever. The enemy isn't ready for me. I know what I'm capable of!"

  "But do you know what they're capable of?"

  I didn't answer Jade, just continuing to walk through the village gates. She may be right that I don't know what the enemy can do, but since they don't know what I can do, I can easily exaggerate my abilities. Some might say I'm overconfident, but I don't believe in being scared. Fear is the quickest way to die. As we walked through the village, a few villagers greeted us.

  "Look, the twins are back!"

  "Thornton, Jade, how was your training?"

  "Whew, you two look beat up."

  "Happy birthday! You only turn twelve once!"

  "The people here are so nice, but one thing I'll never get tired of is how beautiful this village is," Jade said.

  "I'll have to agree with you."

  "I heard from Drexel that Canu Village is the largest village in the Belfour Kingdom. The other two villages are Lye and Exile Village," Jade added.

  "I'd love to visit those two villages! I heard they're a lot less strict there."

  "You know, Canu is the closest to Belfour City, which is why it's so strict and heavily protected. But look on the bright side: Canu sits between giant mountains that touch the sky. Valleys so deep, you'd think they lead to the other side of the world, surround the village. The forests are so rich in life that the village could hunt for ten years and barely make a dent in the animal population. I don't think the other two villages have that luxury."

  "Hey, wait! Slow down!" a voice called from a distance.

  Jade and I stopped walking and saw Emberes sprinting toward us. He came to a stop with a smile. Emberes has dark skin and stands about 5'10", despite being only fourteen years old. His hair is dreaded down his back and moves restlessly as he walks or turns his head. His muscles are so big and defined that if we didn't know his age, we'd think he was an adult. The only thing that gives away his youth is his bare face.

  Emberes has been training just as hard as we have and was recently assigned as a leader for missions. At first, many thought he was rising through the ranks so quickly because his father is the village's prime elder. That rumor was quickly put to rest when Emberes completed a difficult mission with no help.

  "How are you two?" Emberes asked.

  "We're doing fine, just on our way back from training," Jade replied.

  "You two look beat up," Emberes said with a laugh. "Mind if I come back to your place so we can all head to the mission briefing together?"

  "You know you're welcome over anytime! You and your father have treated us like your own for so many years," I said.

  "Thank you, Thornton," he said, his deep voice steady.

  "I don't even know why you ask anymore," Jade replied, clearly annoyed.

  After passing about a dozen houses and shops, we reached the back of the village. Our house is isolated from the rest, sitting on its own plot of land. We have a field about one hundred yards wide, a balcony, and a locked shed. We've tried to open it a few times, but a magic seal protects it. Originally, no one from our clan lived inside Canu Village; we were located on the outskirts. But we were close enough to be considered part of the community. Our clan kept a house here for events, as they didn't like having too many outsiders on our grounds.

  Jade took off her satchel and opened the front door. She dropped it on the floor, and the loud thud echoed as her weapons shifted inside the bag. I followed suit, stepping through the door and doing the same. Emberes walked over to a chair and sat down. As he began speaking, there was a seriousness in his tone.

  "We have about two hours before the briefing. I suggest you two get some rest and drink plenty of water. On this mission, I have complete control over your actions. If you act without my knowledge or approval, it falls back on me," Emberes said sternly.

  "Don't worry about us, we'll be fine. The training helped," I said.

  "Thornton, while the training may have been beneficial, it was all structured. Out there, on real missions and in battle, the only thing structured is what we have. Everything else is unpredictable."

  "Thank you, Emberes. I tried to explain to him earlier that missions aren't as easy as he thinks."

  "You're absolutely right, Jade. But for you, don't second-guess yourself. You have to act without hesitation against your opponent." Emberes gave me a quick look.

  "Do you mind fetching me a cup of water?" Emberes asked.

  "Of course," I replied.

  As I walked toward the kitchen, I began to sweat heavily, and my body grew hot. Each step felt like a hundred. I tried swallowing and licking my lips, but my mouth felt as dry as the deserts in the east of Kirk. After a few more steps, I felt myself starting to collapse.

  "You sure are confident for someone who can't even control your mana enough to ward off a weak surprise attack," Emberes said, laughing.

  "Weak!" I said, startled.

  "Yes, weak. I tried the same technique on Jade, but she always keeps a small layer of protective mana on. She didn't even feel the attack. Now, make sure you always have that small layer of mana protecting you. You should never go without it."

  Maybe I'm not ready for a mission. He said that attack was weak, but it felt like I was going to roll over and die. Slowly, I stood up and tried to process the power I had just witnessed.

  "You're one of the strongest people around, though, right?" I asked.

  "Yes, but there are people much stronger than I am. Just bring the water and get some rest," Emberes replied.

  I filled a pitcher with water, grabbed three cups, and headed back to the living area. I handed Emberes his glass, placed Jade's next to her on the table, and began filling them up. While I was getting the water, Jade was collecting fruit and meat from the cooling box and arranging the food on the table.

  I grabbed a handful of grapes and shoved them into my mouth. They were the juiciest grapes I'd ever tasted, and the burst of juice instantly quenched my dry mouth. I completely disregarded the glass I'd gotten for myself and chugged water straight from the pitcher. After about five minutes, all the food and water were gone, and we began cleaning up. Jade gave me a look and let out a contagious yawn.

  "I'll go take a quick nap," Jade said.

  "So will I."

  "Good. While you two sleep, I'll get all your equipment together in your satchels. I'll add a few things for the travel as well," Emberes said.

  "Thank you, Emberes. We appreciate you," Jade said.

  We both headed upstairs silently. I wanted to tell Jade that after that brief encounter with Emberes, I was a little nervous about this mission, but I refused to show fear to anyone. Jade walked into her room and closed the door behind her, and I entered mine, which was adjacent to hers. I kicked off my shoes and lay down in bed. The bed grew softer the longer I stayed there, but I remained restless. The constant doubt from witnessing Emberes' power overwhelmed me. The thought of having to fight someone stronger than him kept me awake. Would I ever be as strong as him? Is being a warrior even worth it?

  In my restlessness, I got up and looked out the window. A blinding ball of light shot into the sky, faster than an arrow leaving a bow. I stared at it in confusion as the light began to expand. The heat radiating from the ball intensified, growing hotter by the second. Peering closer, I noticed the shadow of a man forming within the light. My heart pounded in my chest when I realized the figure was staring directly at me with a malicious smile.

  He raised a staff and pointed it at me. Suddenly, the gleaming ball of light erupted, hurtling straight toward me. Paralyzed with fear, I could do nothing but accept my fate. I closed my eyes, bracing for the inevitable.

  Then, I heard him chanting my name.

  "Thornton... Thornton... THORNTON!"

  The ball collided with me, and my world was swallowed by darkness. No sight. No feeling. Just the relentless, muffled chant of my name echoing in the void.