Chapter 13: The Blue Aura
708 Words
The Hall of Blades echoed with thunderous applause.
“Long live the Crown Prince!”
“Long live Bashan!”
The cheers rolled through the arena, but neither of the two young warriors celebrated.
Azul was still trying to steady his breathing.
Bashan flexed his aching fingers, staring at the fist that had brought down the Shadow Fang.
Neither of them could explain what had happened.
Master Kael slowly approached.
“Stand.”
They obeyed.
The old master walked around them in silence, studying every movement, every breath, every heartbeat.
Then he spoke.
“Close your eyes.”
Bashan frowned.
“We’ve already passed the trial.”
“I didn’t ask for your opinion.”
A few soldiers struggled to hide their laughter.
Bashan sighed dramatically before closing his eyes.
Azul did the same.
“Now,” Kael said, “search within yourselves.”
“For what?” Bashan asked.
“The answer.”
The arena fell silent.
At first, there was nothing.
Only darkness.
Then…
Azul saw it.
A tiny blue spark floating in the emptiness.
It flickered like the flame of a candle.
“What is this…?”
The spark drifted toward him.
As it touched his chest—
A surge of warmth spread through his entire body.
Outside, a soft blue glow surrounded Azul.
The crowd gasped.
“He’s glowing!”
The aura danced around him like flowing water, wrapping gently around his arms before fading into the air.
The King slowly rose from his seat.
His expression was unreadable.
“So it has awakened…”
Before anyone could react—
A powerful gust of wind burst from Bashan.
His eyes flew open.
Unlike Azul’s calm blue aura, Bashan’s energy erupted like a storm.
Silver-white currents spiraled around him, cracking the stone beneath his feet.
Several soldiers instinctively stepped back.
Master Kael slammed the end of his staff against the arena floor.
“Enough!”
The two strange auras vanished instantly.
Silence returned.
Bashan looked around in confusion.
“What… was that?”
Kael didn’t answer immediately.
Instead, he looked toward the royal balcony.
The King gave a slow, almost imperceptible nod.
Kael understood.
The truth would have to wait.
⸻
That evening…
The Royal Vanguard gathered in a private chamber beneath the palace.
Azul and Bashan were surprised to find they were no longer alone.
Four other young warriors stood waiting.
A tall girl with emerald eyes rested a spear against her shoulder.
A lean boy twirled twin daggers between his fingers.
Another carried a massive shield almost as tall as himself.
The last, dressed in dark robes, watched everyone in silence.
Master Kael entered the chamber.
“From today onward, the six of you are the first generation of the Royal Vanguard.”
“You will train together.”
“You will fight together.”
“And one day…”
“You may be called upon to save this kingdom.”
Bashan glanced at the others before smirking.
“So these are the best?”
The girl met his gaze without flinching.
“If you’re looking for another fight, I’d be happy to give you one.”
Several of the others chuckled.
Azul smiled to himself.
For the first time since the forest…
Something felt normal.
Master Kael raised a hand.
“Enough.”
“You’ll have plenty of opportunities to test one another.”
He turned toward the far wall.
With a pull of an ancient lever, the stone wall rumbled open.
Beyond it stretched a vast underground training complex unlike anything they had ever seen.
Dozens of arenas.
Obstacle courses.
Libraries filled with forgotten scrolls.
Weapons from every age of the kingdom.
At the very center stood a circular platform engraved with the same symbol Azul had seen at the Endless Stream.
His smile faded.
“It can’t be…”
Master Kael noticed where he was looking.
“Tomorrow,” the old master said quietly, “your real training begins.”
Hidden in the shadows above the chamber, a hooded figure watched the six young warriors with cold crimson eyes.
“They’ve gathered faster than expected,” the stranger whispered.
A faint smile crept across unseen lips.
“Good.”
“It will make destroying them all… much more satisfying.”
- Writer
