Chapter 10: Starts Now
Draydon stepped outside, the crisp air filling his lungs as he gazed upon the sight before him.
The aged figure of the elder, weathered by time and experience, carried the weight of sun itself upon his back.
The rays of light danced upon his shoulders, casting a golden glow around him.
"Elder, it's time," Draydon spoke softly, his voice carrying a sense of reverence.
The elder turned his wise eyes towards Draydon, a mixture of determination and melancholy etched on his face.
"Go, Sun. Pack your things," he commanded gently, releasing the burden he had carried for so long.
Sun gracefully dismounted from the elder's back, his steps purposeful as he made his way to his room.
Draydon couldn't help but remark, "Oh my, six years have passed in the blink of an eye."
A nostalgic smile played upon the elder's lips.
"Indeed, I still remember the day you found him on the mountain and the time when we feared we had lost him, only to discover him atop its peak."
Their laughter filled the air, a testament to the relief and joy that those moments had brought. The elder remarked,
"He truly had a knack for giving us a scare, but without fail, he always found his way back to the mountain."
As Sun busily packed his belongings into a worn bag, his gaze lingered upon the closed window.
Draydon voice held a touch of longing as he addressed the elder,
"Elder, I still believe it would be better to send them to the city for training, rather than staying here."
The elder's eyes softened, his weathered features reflecting a hint of sadness.
"No, I want them to train here. I want to witness his growth firsthand, to see him train and become stronger."
"But I am not equipped to train them, Elder. Most of the village children have already departed," Draydon countered, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
"Yet, I do not wish for Sun to leave. I want him by my side," the elder confessed, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon.
Sighing, Draydon realized the futility of his arguments. "I cannot change your mind, can I? Very well, we shall train in the mountains, beside the serene lake."
The elder knelt down, his aged hands leaving Sun's back and gently resting upon his grandson's shoulder.
He spoke with a mixture of tenderness and urgency,
"Sun, I want you to train. Although our village has always been one of farmers rather than fighters, the world beyond these boundaries is perilous, and strength is everything."
Confidence radiated from Sun's eyes as he met his grandfather's gaze. "I will do it, Grandpa."
A warm smile graced the elder's face as he regarded his grandson. "I know you will," he said, his words carrying the weight of unwavering belief.
As the elder rose to his feet, a weary sigh escaped his lips.
"Go rest for a while, Sun," he advised gently, his voice carrying a tinge of concern. Sun obediently made his way to his room, leaving the elder and Draydon alone in the fading light.
Draydon matched his footsteps with the elder's, their pace steady and deliberate. The weight of the elder's words hung in the air, filling the silence between them.
Shadows danced upon their faces, mirroring the conflicts that stirred within their hearts.
"I really didn't want him to train or anything," the elder confessed, his voice heavy with longing. "I want him to live a simple life, but that is impossible after all."
Draydon regarded the elder with a mixture of understanding and curiosity.
"Why do you think that?" he inquired, hoping to unravel the depths of the elder's thoughts.
A melancholic smile flickered across the elder's weathered face.
"Reality is just different from what we think," he mused, his gaze wandering into the distant horizon.
"I have known war since I was but a child. As I grew stronger, I found my place within the kingdom. Yet, battles, both internal and external, have never been far from my path. The threat of war, the uncertainty of attacks from neighboring realms... We can never predict when danger will strike. It is better to be prepared than to be caught defenseless."
Draydon nodded, empathy etched upon his features. He, too, had witnessed the devastating consequences of complacency.
The weight of responsibility settled upon his shoulders as they continued their shared journey.
"In avoiding reality," the elder continued, his voice laden with wisdom, "we may temporarily shield ourselves from its harsh truths. But the consequences of such avoidance are inevitable. They will find us, one way or another."
The weight of those words hung heavily in the air, an unspoken agreement passing between them.
Draydon sensed the plea beneath the elder's request, an unspoken desire for his grandson's protection and growth in a world where danger lurked at every turn.
The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow upon the bountiful fields before them. Their gaze fell upon the villagers toiling diligently, reaping the fruits of their labor.
A sense of unity and fragility pervaded the scene, underscoring the elder's fears and the urgency of his plea.
Draydon's eyes searched the elder's face, understanding the weight of his unspoken request.
The bond between them transcended mere mentorship; it was a shared journey forged through trials and lessons learned.
"I will train Sun, elder," Draydon finally spoke, his voice infused with determination.
"I will guide him on this path, knowing the perils that await. Together, we will navigate the treacherous waters of the real world."
A flicker of gratitude shone in the elder's eyes as they resumed their steps, side by side.
The path ahead was uncertain, but with the knowledge of the elder and the guidance of Draydon, they would face the challenges head-on.
Their gazes lingered upon the bustling harvest, witnessing the labor of their village community.
It was a reminder of the fragile balance between sustenance and vulnerability, a testament to the necessity of strength and resilience.
Draydon's return marked the entrance of a weary soul, his footsteps dragging along with the weight of uncertainty.
The absence of the elder reverberated through the air, casting an uneasy shadow upon their gathering.
Sun, perched on the edge of anticipation, couldn't contain the question that clawed at his lips.
"Ah, where is the elder?" The words slipped out, tinged with a mix of concern and longing, as Sun's eyes darted anxiously around the empty space.
Draydon's voice, gentle yet laden with unspoken worries, cut through the silence.
"Don't worry about him," he reassured, his words attempting to mask the gravity of their leader's absence. "We should pack our things since we will be gone for at least a month."
The weight of Draydon's statement settled heavily upon Sun's shoulders, the realization of their impending journey like an anchor dragging him further into the depths of his own thoughts.
He retreated to his room, his steps heavy with a sense of resignation, and began mechanically preparing for the arduous road ahead.
Among the four companions, Sun's presence seemed shrouded in a subtle detachment, a glimmer of sadness lurking beneath the surface.
As they congregated, the air tinged with a touch of uncertainty, Draydon's voice broke through the gathering gloom.
"Alright, let's go." His words carried determination, but Sun's response lacked the usual spark that once ignited his spirit.
They embarked on the path that led to the heart of the formidable mountain, their footsteps carving a silent symphony against the rugged terrain.
The arrival at the lakeside, once a place of solace and inspiration, failed to rouse Sun from the haze that engulfed him. The tranquil waters mirrored the conflicted emotions within, reflecting his disquietude.
Draydon's voice, tinged with a mix of authority and vulnerability, pierced the air.
"This is where we will train." The words resonated, mingling with the gentle lapping of the water against the shore and the distant whispers of wind through the trees.
Sun's gaze, normally eager and bright, held a glimmer of doubt as he absorbed his teacher's proclamation.
A tremor of disbelief coursed through Sun's mind as he grappled with Draydon's next words. "Listen here," Draydon's voice carried the weight of a challenge.
"There is one goal you must strive for—to defeat me." Sun's thoughts spun in a whirlwind of disbelief, his mind grappling with the magnitude of the task that lay before him.
As twilight descended upon their campsite, the dancing flames of the fire cast fleeting shadows upon the faces of the weary travelers.
The aroma of food permeated the air, but the taste of anticipation had turned bitter on Sun's tongue. The act of preparation, once a shared ritual of camaraderie, felt like a hollow facade.
The weariness of their endeavors settled over the camp, a heavy blanket that draped upon their weary bodies.
One by one, they surrendered to slumber's embrace, seeking refuge from the weight of their burdens. Sun, however, found himself unable to succumb to the beckoning call of sleep.
Instead, he reclined against the rugged terrain, his eyes fixed upon the twinkling tapestry above.
A hushed whisper escaped Sun's lips, carrying with it a fragile echo of admiration. "Beautiful," he murmured, his voice a mere breath that mingled with the night air.
The stars, distant beacons of light, shimmered in response, casting their ethereal glow upon his troubled countenance.
"Sun, right?" a soft voice called out, interrupting the solitude of his thoughts.
Sun's gaze shifted to the side, where a young companion preparing to embark on the same journey stood.
Their eyes met, sharing a fleeting moment of understanding amidst the vast expanse of uncertainty. Words remained unspoken, for the weight of their emotions hung heavy in the silence.
For a brief moment, they locked eyes, their unspoken connection a testament to the shared struggles that lay ahead.
Then, without a word, Sun returned his gaze to the starlit canvas above. The young trainee, sensing Sun's need for solitude, offered a gentle understanding.
"Oh, you must be tired from the long walk," he acknowledged, a touch of empathy lacing his words.
"Alright, I won't disturb you." With a nod, he closed his eyes, allowing Sun to seek solace in the company of the night sky.
As the celestial spectacle continued its silent dance, memories of the past invaded Sun's thoughts, weaving through the fabric of his weariness.
"It's been six years already," he whispered, his voice tinged with a bittersweet yearning. "I wonder how my parents and siblings are doing... or if they even remember me. It still feels surreal, this transformation, becoming a monkey in a new world."
A sense of displacement settled upon Sun, the weight of time and distance separating him from the familiar.
The journey to reach this point had been arduous, a testament to his endurance, but the unfamiliar terrain and the ever-present ache for home gnawed at his spirit.
Exhaustion slowly consumed him, the physical strain of their trek amplifying the weariness that weighed upon his soul.
It had been an hour-long march to this place, a distance he had never before traversed in this strange new world.
As his eyelids grew heavy, he succumbed to the embrace of slumber, his dreams becoming a refuge from the challenges that awaited him.
Meanwhile, Draydon perched atop a sturdy tree, his form silhouetted against the night sky. From his elevated vantage point, he cast an unwavering gaze upon the serene expanse of the lake.
The moon's gentle glow illuminated his face, revealing a stoic countenance that concealed his own worries and uncertainties.
In the stillness of the night, he sought solace in the tranquil beauty before him, contemplating the path that lay ahead as he remembered the talking he had with the elder.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone