The Guardian and The Last Goddess

Chapter 4: The Bond of Trust

The morning light filtered through the trees as Xhiah and Glenn continued their trek deeper into the forest. The warning from the mysterious man still echoed in Xhiah’s mind. She couldn't shake the unease that had settled in her chest. False allies. Trust no one. The weight of those words clung to her like a shadow she couldn’t escape.

She glanced at Glenn, walking ahead of her, his posture tense and alert as always. She had known him only for a short time, but he had already saved her life twice. His silence, which had once felt protective, now seemed heavy with secrets.

The forest thinned as they came to a hilly stretch, the dense undergrowth giving way to rocky paths. In the distance, Xhiah could see the jagged peaks of Mount Mierlitte rising against the sky. Their destination was still far off, but the sight of the mountain filled her with a mixture of hope and dread. Somewhere on that mountain lay the elixir of life, the key to saving them from the demon’s inevitable attack. But there was still so much unknown between here and there.

"Xhiah," Glenn called out, snapping her from her thoughts.

She blinked and realized she had fallen behind. Quickening her pace, she caught up to him.

"We'll set up camp here," Glenn said, gesturing to a small clearing nestled between two large boulders. "It's secure, and we need to start your training."

"Training?" she echoed, her heart skipping a beat.

Glenn nodded, his expression serious. "You can't rely on instinct alone to defend yourself. The power inside you needs to be honed, and controlled. If we're to survive what's coming, you need to understand your abilities."

Xhiah hesitated, glancing at her hands, which had looked so ordinary just hours ago. "I don't even know where to start," she admitted.

"That's why I'm here," Glenn replied, unsheathing his sword and stepping into the center of the clearing. "We'll begin with control. Your emotions are what trigger your power—fear, anger, desperation. We need to channel those emotions in a way that you can summon your abilities at will."

Xhiah nodded, a little uncertain but willing to try. The memory of the glowing light that had erupted from her hand during the wolf attack was still vivid in her mind. If she could learn to wield that power deliberately, perhaps she wouldn’t feel so helpless.

Glenn raised his sword, the blade gleaming in the sunlight. "Attack me."

Xhiah’s eyes widened. "What? I can’t—"

"Focus," Glenn said firmly, his gaze locked on hers. "Your power responds to danger, right? So, create the danger. Attack me like your life depends on it."

Xhiah hesitated, her heart racing. She didn’t want to hurt him, but Glenn’s eyes were unwavering. He was serious.

Taking a deep breath, she rushed forward, her fists clenched as she tried to summon the same energy she had felt during the wolf attack. But nothing happened. Her hands stayed ordinary, no light, no power.

Glenn sidestepped her easily, his sword raised defensively. "You’re holding back. Stop thinking so much."

"I’m not thinking!" she protested, frustration bubbling up inside her. "It’s just not happening!"

"Because you’re afraid," Glenn said calmly. "You’re afraid of what might happen if you let go. But you need to trust yourself, Xhiah. Your power won’t harm you."

Xhiah clenched her jaw, feeling the frustration mount. She could feel the energy inside her, like a spark that wouldn’t catch fire. But it was buried beneath her fear—fear of the unknown, fear of losing control.

Glenn stepped closer, his voice gentler now. "Look at me. I’m not your enemy, but you have to believe you’re in danger. You have to believe that if you don’t act, you’ll lose everything."

His words cut deep. Xhiah looked into his eyes, the intensity there, and for a moment, something inside her shifted. She thought about the demon that wanted her soul, about the way it had destroyed her peaceful life in Eldra. She thought about her parents, who had died protecting her. If she couldn’t control this power, what good was she? She would be nothing but a victim, waiting to be consumed by the dark forces that hunted her.

Anger flared within her chest, and this time, she didn’t try to suppress it.

She lunged forward, her body moving on instinct. As she did, a pulse of heat rushed through her veins, and suddenly, her hands were glowing again, the light bursting forth like before. She thrust her palms toward Glenn, and a wave of energy shot from her hands, slamming into him with more force than she intended.

Glenn staggered back, caught off guard but holding his ground. "Good," he said, though his voice was strained. "Again."

Xhiah's heart pounded as she stood there, her hands still crackling with energy. She had done it—she had called on the power. But she could feel it slipping away already, like a fire that was being smothered.

"I can't hold it," she said, her voice tight with frustration.

"You're learning," Glenn said, straightening. "This will take time. You’ve just begun to tap into your abilities. The more you practice, the more control you’ll have."

Xhiah bit her lip, her hands trembling as the light faded completely. Part of her was relieved that she hadn’t accidentally hurt Glenn, but another part of her felt like a failure for not being able to sustain the power longer.

As they resumed their training, Glenn began to teach her how to harness her emotions without letting them control her. He guided her through simple exercises, showing her how to focus on her breathing, how to calm her mind in the midst of chaos. It was slow, methodical work, but Xhiah could feel the difference. Little by little, the power inside her became less foreign, more like a part of her.

By the time the sun began to set, she was exhausted, both mentally and physically. But there was a sense of progress that buoyed her spirits. She wasn’t helpless—not anymore.

Glenn sheathed his sword and sat down on a rock, wiping sweat from his brow. "You’re doing well," he said, his tone more relaxed now.

Xhiah sat down beside him, breathing heavily. "I didn’t think it would be this hard."

"It’s not supposed to be easy," Glenn said with a small smile. "But you’re strong, Xhiah. Stronger than you know."

For a moment, they sat in silence, the sound of the nearby stream filling the air. The tension of the day slowly ebbed away, replaced by a quiet sense of accomplishment.

"Glenn," Xhiah said after a long pause, "do you think what that man said... about not trusting anyone... do you think there’s any truth to it?"

Glenn’s expression darkened slightly, and he didn’t answer right away. "I think," he said carefully, "that we can’t afford to be careless. The demon has many allies, and some of them might try to deceive us. But we need to be smart. We need to stay vigilant."

Xhiah nodded, though her heart was still troubled. The man’s warning had struck a nerve, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more danger ahead than even Glenn was prepared for.

---

As the days passed, their journey grew more treacherous. The terrain became steeper, the air colder, and Xhiah’s training intensified. Every night, Glenn pushed her harder, teaching her how to control her power in increasingly difficult scenarios. Xhiah struggled at first, but with each passing day, she became more attuned to the energy within her. The fear that had once gripped her slowly gave way to confidence.

But the demon’s presence loomed over them like a dark cloud. Xhiah could feel it, watching, waiting for the right moment to strike. Every night, her dreams were haunted by visions of the demon’s shadowy form, whispering promises of power and destruction in her ear.

And then, one night, everything changed.

They had set up camp near the base of Mount Mierlitte, the massive peak towering above them like a silent sentinel. The air was thin and cold, and Xhiah could see her breath as she sat by the fire, trying to warm her hands.

Glenn was out scouting the area, making sure they weren’t being followed. Xhiah had insisted on coming with him, but he had told her to stay behind and rest. Reluctantly, she had agreed, though the silence of the night left her feeling uneasy.

As she sat there, staring into the flames, a faint sound caught her attention. It was a rustling, like the wind moving through the trees. But the air was still.

Xhiah stood up, her heart racing as she scanned the darkness. "Glenn?" she called out, but there was no response.

The rustling grew louder, and then, from the shadows, a figure emerged. It was tall and cloaked in black, its face obscured by a hood. Xhiah’s blood ran cold. It was the same man who had appeared in the forest days ago—the servant of the Void.

"You again," Xhiah said, her voice trembling with both fear and anger. "What do you want?"

The man stepped closer, his presence as unsettling as ever. "I warned you, child. The demon grows closer. But you still have time to prepare—if you are willing to accept the truth."

Xhiah clenched her fists, her power stirring just beneath the surface. "What truth?"

The man’s eyes glinted beneath his hood. "The truth about who you are. About your destiny."