The Forsaken Legacy

The morning sun hung high above the village of Elaris, casting long shadows over the open fields that served as the village’s training grounds. A sprawling patch of land just beyond the village square, the training grounds were bordered by a wooden fence, with large oak trees providing shade at its edges. Patches of grass were worn down from years of footwork, and a small stream ran along the far side, offering a place for exhausted students to cool off after a long session. Wooden dummies lined one side, and makeshift weapon racks held wooden swords, spears, and shields used by the village’s youth during training.

In front of a group of children, pacing with the authority of a seasoned warrior, was Master Garrick, the village’s swordmaster. A tall, grizzled man in his mid-fifties, Garrick had the air of someone who had seen more battles than he cared to remember. His sharp blue eyes swept across the children, his gaze as keen as any sword he had wielded in his youth. Rumors swirled about his past—some said he was once a soldier in the Valaris Kingdom’s army, but due to some dark turn of events, he had retired to Elaris. Now, he dedicated his life to passing on his combat expertise to the village youth.

"Form up!" Garrick’s voice rang out, commanding immediate obedience. The children, including Kai and Lia, scrambled into position, gripping their wooden swords tightly.

Kai stood off to the side, his dark hair clinging to his forehead, already damp with sweat. His gray eyes were focused, his posture steady. Today’s the day, he thought, feeling the familiar thrill of competition course through him. A few paces away, Lia stretched her arms, her green eyes gleaming with anticipation. Her dark hair was pulled back into a neat ponytail, and she looked as lively as ever. But today they weren’t facing each other. Each had their own rival to contend with, adding a spark of excitement to the day’s training.

"Listen up!" Garrick barked, his voice cutting through the noise. "Today’s lesson isn’t just about swinging a stick. It’s about strategy, focus, and discipline. You think you’ve got what it takes to wield a real sword one day? If you can’t even hold your ground in practice, you’ve got no business dreaming of battle!"

Kai glanced across the field to where Toran, one of the older boys, was already twirling his wooden sword with far more flair than skill. Toran had made it his mission to challenge Kai at every opportunity, always boasting about his future as the best swordsman in all of Valaris. He thinks he can intimidate me, Kai mused, but he doesn’t realize that strength alone won’t win the day.

On the opposite side, Lia eyed her own rival, a wiry girl named Sera, who was known for her quick reflexes and sharp tongue. Sera had been trying to outpace Lia in every exercise, and today, she looked determined to do the same in their sparring session.

"Pair off!" Garrick’s voice cut through again, and the children moved to find their partners. Kai stepped forward to face Toran, who grinned smugly as he hefted his wooden sword.

"Ready to lose again, farm boy?" Toran sneered, his tone dripping with arrogance.

Kai smirked, adjusting his grip on the hilt. "We’ll see."

On the other side of the field, Lia squared off with Sera, who flashed her a challenging grin. "You might be fast, but you’ll need more than that today."

Lia’s eyes sparkled with excitement. "Bring it on."

Garrick watched with sharp eyes, his arms crossed as the children raised their swords. "Begin!"

Toran lunged first, swinging wildly with brute strength. Kai sidestepped the attack easily, using his lighter frame to his advantage. He brought his sword up to parry Toran’s next strike, the wooden blades colliding with a loud thud. Stay calm. He’s strong but predictable, Kai reminded himself, his focus narrowing on his opponent. When the next attack came, he shifted his weight, ducking under Toran’s strike and tapping his side with the flat of his blade.

Toran stumbled, his face flushing red with embarrassment. "Lucky shot."

Kai just smiled, preparing for the next round. It’s not luck if you’re prepared, he thought, feeling a surge of confidence.

Meanwhile, Lia spun around Sera’s next thrust, using her agility to keep her rival off balance. I can’t let her get inside my head, Lia thought, her competitive spirit igniting. Sera was fast, but Lia was faster. The two girls moved in a dance of swordplay, their wooden blades clacking together in rapid succession. Lia laughed as she dodged another swipe, always staying just a step ahead of her opponent.

"You’re holding back, Kai!" Toran growled, frustration creeping into his voice as another of his heavy strikes was deflected. "Fight me properly!"

"I am," Kai replied calmly, his gray eyes locked on his rival. Every step counts. I have to outthink him. He waited for the right moment, timing his movements. When Toran lunged again, Kai ducked and tapped Toran's side lightly, drawing a gasp from the onlookers.

Across the field, Lia was a blur of motion, darting in and out of Sera’s strikes. "You’re slowing down!" she teased, flashing a grin.

Sera narrowed her eyes and lunged again, but Lia was ready. With a quick sidestep, she struck Sera’s wrist lightly, forcing her to drop her sword. "Too slow!" Lia laughed, backing up as Sera scrambled to retrieve her weapon.

Garrick watched the pairs with an approving nod, though his voice remained gruff. "Good. But don’t get cocky, any of you. A real fight’s nothing like this."

As the session wore on, the children grew more focused, their wooden swords clashing in earnest. The training grounds echoed with the sounds of determined practice, the air thick with the scent of sweat and earth. Around them, the village of Elaris carried on as usual, with farmers working in the nearby fields and the faint sounds of the village square bustling with activity.

"Enough!" Garrick’s voice cut through the air once more. "Gather round!"

The children, panting and tired, lowered their swords and gathered in front of the swordmaster. Garrick walked among them, adjusting stances and offering gruff words of advice. When he stopped in front of Kai and Toran, his sharp eyes narrowed slightly.

"You’re improving," he said, giving them both a hard look. "But remember, there’s always more to learn. One mistake in battle, and it’s over."

Toran mumbled something under his breath, still smarting from his loss, while Kai nodded, absorbing the lesson. One mistake could cost me everything, he reflected, feeling the weight of Garrick’s words settle in.

Across the field, Garrick gave Lia and Sera a similar critique. "You’re fast," he said to Lia, "but speed alone won’t win you a fight. Keep sharpening your instincts."

Lia nodded eagerly, her energy undiminished despite the long session. "I’ll keep that in mind," she replied, determination sparking in her eyes.

As the training session ended, the children returned their wooden swords to the racks and began walking back toward the village, the sense of accomplishment lingering in the air. Kai and Lia exchanged a smile, both knowing they’d push themselves even harder tomorrow.