Prodigy of the Eternal Bloodline

The village seemed peaceful as always, but Auron could feel the winds of change stirring beneath the surface. Whispers about him had become more frequent, and the tension in the air was almost tangible. He had always tried to keep a low profile, but the duel with Rylan had made that impossible. Due to this, the forests practically became his home, rarely would he return to the village.

One evening, as Auron practiced in the forest's clearing, he felt an unsettling change in the atmosphere. The usual sounds of the forest grew silent, replaced by an eerie stillness. From the shadows emerged a group of strangers clad in dark robes, their presence radiating menace.

The leader, a gaunt man with sunken eyes, stepped forward, his voice a raspy whisper. "You don't belong here, boy."

Auron's fists clenched as he instinctively took a defensive stance. "Who are you? What do you want?"

The man sneered. "We are the Seekers of the Veil, guardians of this region's harmony. You are a danger and must be taken out before you bring destruction on us all."

The words struck a nerve. Auron had always felt out of place, but hearing it confirmed by these strangers filled him with a mix of anger and fear. "If you want my life you are going to have to take it," he said firmly.

The gaunt man's smile widened, revealing crooked teeth. "So be it."

The Seekers moved as one, their hands glowing with a pale, otherworldly light. They chanted in unison, their voices weaving a dark melody that made the air vibrate. Auron barely dodged the first attack—a bolt of energy that seared the ground where he had stood.

His instincts took over. Reaching deep within, he felt the faint hum of energy he had only recently begun to understand: the essence flowing through his Foundation Realm, the initial step of cultivation. It was the realm of stability and connection, where one forged a firm base to harness the energies of the world.

The next attacker lunged, their hands crackling with energy. Auron parried their strike with his blade, the impact sending a shockwave through the clearing. His counterattack was swift, a surge of raw Essence amplifying his strike and sending the Seeker sprawling into a tree.

The remaining attackers regrouped, their chants intertwining into a crescendo of power. Auron's heart pounded as he realized they were pooling their energy for a devastating attack. The teachings from his training flashed through his mind—lessons on balancing the flow of Essence within the Foundation Realm to fortify both body and spirit.

Closing his eyes, Auron centered himself. He let the noise of the battle fade, focusing on the rhythm of the world's energy. The Essence Gathering Realm was about connection—drawing strength from the elements and using them in harmony.

When he opened his eyes, they glowed faintly, mirroring the energy coursing through him. The ground beneath his feet trembled as roots erupted from the soil, wrapping around one of the Seekers and pulling them to the ground.

The leader's face twisted in shock and fury. "What are you?!"

Auron didn't answer. Instead, he surged forward, channeling energy into his fists. His strike connected with the leader's chest, a thunderous impact that sent the man crashing into a tree.

The remaining Seekers hesitated, their formation breaking. Auron took the opportunity to press his advantage, his movements a seamless blend of speed and power. One by one, the attackers fell, their chants reduced to pained groans.

As the dust settled, Auron stood over the leader, his chest heaving. "You made a mistake coming here," he said coldly. "Leave now, and don't come back."

The man glared up at him, hatred burning in his eyes. "You've sealed your fate, boy. There are forces beyond your understanding. They will come for you."

Auron's gaze hardened. "Let them."

With a grunt, the leader scrambled to his feet and disappeared into the shadows, his injured comrades following close behind.

The encounter left Auron shaken but resolute. He returned to the village under cover of darkness, his mind racing. The Seekers' words echoed in his head—warnings of greater threats, forces he couldn't yet comprehend.

That night, Lena visited him, her concern evident. "I heard rumors of strangers in the forest," she said softly. "Are you alright?"

Auron hesitated, torn between sharing the truth and protecting her from the dangers he now faced. "I'm fine," he said finally. "Just some travelers passing through."

Lena didn't look convinced, but she didn't press further. Instead, she placed a small vial in his hand. "For your wounds," she said with a faint smile. "Even if you won't admit you're hurt."

Her kindness brought a rare smile to Auron's face. "Thank you, Lena. I'll be careful."

Unbeknownst to Auron, the battle had set off ripples far beyond the village. In a distant tower, a figure cloaked in shadow gazed into a scrying pool, their expression unreadable. "So, the anomaly has begun to awaken," they murmured. "It seems the game has finally begun."

The cosmic balance teetered, and Auron's journey was only just beginning.