System : Rise Of The Eternal Warrior

CHAPTER 3

Kieran followed Rowan in silence, his mind spinning from the revelations. The words "Eternal Warrior" and "System" buzzed in his ears like a constant hum, but one thought kept resurfacing: What had he truly gotten himself into?

As they walked, the landscape around them began to shift. The vast, empty void that had consumed Kieran’s senses before slowly gave way to patches of grass and scattered trees. The scenery felt strangely alive, and yet, it carried a heavy, somber weight. Rowan led him down a narrow path that eventually opened into a clearing, revealing the remnants of what appeared to be a village.

Kieran’s breath caught in his throat as he took in the sight before him. The village was a shell of what it once was—burned-out buildings, charred remnants of houses, and the broken remains of fences scattered across the ground. Not a single soul was in sight, only the wind rustling through the fallen debris.

Rowan stopped walking, his eyes scanning the desolation. “This is my home,” he said softly, his voice tinged with an emotion Kieran couldn’t quite place.

“Your… home?” Kieran repeated, looking around at the ruins. He couldn’t imagine how Rowan could stand to be here, surrounded by the echoes of what must have once been a peaceful life.

Rowan nodded. “It was destroyed. A raid. They took everything. The people, the life that once thrived here. All gone in the blink of an eye.” His voice was calm, but Kieran could see the anger and sadness hidden beneath his controlled demeanor.

Kieran felt a pang of sympathy. He wanted to say something, anything, to ease the pain that Rowan had to be feeling, but the words wouldn’t come. The destruction of this village was a reminder of how cruel and unforgiving this world could be.

“Who did this?” Kieran finally asked, unable to hold back the question that had been building in his mind.

“Malrick,” Rowan answered shortly, his voice cold. “And his army of followers. They’ve been terrorizing villages like this one, leaving nothing but death in their wake.”

Kieran clenched his fists, anger bubbling inside him. “I won’t let this continue. I’ll fight. I’ll make sure that you’ll have your home back, Rowan. I’ll restore everything.” His words were spoken with more confidence than he felt, but he couldn’t help it. Something deep inside him stirred at the sight of this destruction, and he couldn’t let it stand.

Rowan looked at him, his piercing blue eyes studying Kieran carefully. There was a long pause, as if he were weighing the sincerity of Kieran’s words. Finally, he spoke, his voice softer than before. “I hope you do, Kieran. But the road ahead will be long and filled with more pain than you can imagine. Even I, with all my strength, couldn’t protect this place.”

Kieran’s eyes hardened with resolve. “But you didn’t fail. You’re still here. And that means there’s hope. As long as we fight, we can rebuild.”

Rowan smiled faintly, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Hope is a dangerous thing in a world like this. But if you truly believe in it, then perhaps there is something to fight for.”

Kieran nodded, feeling a surge of determination. He wasn’t going to let this village, or anyone else, suffer in vain. He would find a way to end Malrick’s reign of terror, no matter the cost.

“We’ll make it happen,” Kieran said firmly. “I’ll make sure of it.”

Rowan’s gaze softened, and for a moment, Kieran could see a flicker of gratitude in his eyes. “I appreciate your words, Kieran. But this is more than just revenge. It’s about saving the world, stopping Malrick and his forces before they destroy everything.”

Kieran nodded, his gaze turning back to the destroyed village. “I understand. And I’ll do everything in my power to stop him.”

They stood there in silence for a few moments, the weight of their conversation hanging heavy in the air. Finally, Rowan broke the silence.

“There’s someone you need to meet,” he said, his voice suddenly serious.

“Who?” Kieran asked, his curiosity piqued.

“A former ally of mine. A healer, but she’s also much more than that. You’ll need her help if we’re going to stand a chance against Malrick and his forces.”

Kieran felt a sense of urgency rising within him. “Where do we find her?”

“She’s hiding, far from here,” Rowan replied, turning to walk toward the edge of the village. “We’ll need to travel to the Eastern Hills, where she’s been living in seclusion.”

Kieran nodded, ready to follow. He wasn’t sure what to expect from this healer, but he trusted Rowan. The man had already shown him more than enough strength and wisdom to guide him through this strange, terrifying new world.

As they walked, the village behind them seemed to fade, but Kieran couldn’t shake the image of the ruins. He couldn’t forget the lives that had been lost here, the families who had been torn apart. He couldn’t let this happen again, not to anyone else.

After a long, quiet walk, they finally reached the edge of the village. The road ahead was dark and treacherous, the trees casting long shadows over the path. But Rowan didn’t seem to hesitate, his steps steady and purposeful.

Kieran could feel the tension building inside him. His mind raced with the uncertainty of what lay ahead, but his resolve remained firm. He was going to fight. He was going to make sure Rowan’s village—and everyone else—was safe.

Suddenly, the stillness of the air was shattered by a sharp, echoing cry. It was distant, but the sound carried through the trees like a warning. Kieran froze, his heart pounding in his chest.

Rowan’s expression didn’t change, but Kieran could see the shift in his demeanor. “That’s not good,” Rowan muttered under his breath.

“What was that?” Kieran asked, his voice tense.

“A warning,” Rowan said grimly, his hand instinctively reaching for the hilt of his sword. “Someone’s found us.”

Kieran’s stomach clenched. “Who?”

Rowan’s gaze sharpened as he looked into the darkening woods ahead. “Malrick’s scouts. They’ve been following us for days.”

Kieran’s heart skipped a beat. Malrick’s scouts? They were already this close?

Rowan’s voice dropped to a whisper. “Get ready. We’re about to be attacked.”

Before Kieran could react, the trees ahead of them rustled, and a shadowy figure leaped out of the darkness. Rowan’s sword was already drawn, but Kieran felt a cold chill run down his spine. They weren’t alone anymore.

The first scout appeared, grinning with a dark, cruel smile. “You can’t run from the System, Kieran Albright,” the scout sneered. “It’s too late.”

Kieran’s breath hitched as he took a step forward. “I’m not running. Not anymore.”