The Forsaken Seal

A Hand That Won't Be Held

The silence between them felt heavier than the night air itself. Gramps stood in front of Layron, his hand extended, palm up, waiting.

"Promise me, Layron," Gramps said softly. "No matter what happens—don't push yourself beyond your limit. Especially if things turn critical. If you're ever at that edge… think of me. Think of Anya. Let those thoughts pull you back."

Layron swallowed, eyes flicking toward Gramps' outstretched hand. His fingers twitched slightly, hesitant but willing.

The request wasn't unreasonable. In fact, it was one of the first times Gramps spoke with such genuine care instead of his usual tough exterior.

Layron raised his hand, hesitated for half a second, and moved to place it in Gramps' hand.

But the moment his fingertips came close—

His own hand violently jerked away.

"What the—?" Layron's breath caught in his throat. His body moved like it had been yanked by an invisible string. His fingers trembled, his wrist twisting unnaturally to avoid contact.

"What's happening?" Layron's voice was sharp with confusion.

Gramps didn't answer immediately. His brow furrowed as he took a single step back, observing Layron's struggle.

Layron tried again. He forced his hand forward, gritting his teeth—and again, his arm snapped back as if something unseen was slapping it away.

His pulse spiked. He could feel something in his chest—something cold.

Gramps' expression darkened slightly, but there was no surprise in his eyes.

He understood.

It wasn't Layron's body refusing the promise.

It was the curse.

Gramps exhaled, shaking his head slightly. "So… it's already influencing you at this level."

Layron's breath came faster. "What is? What's doing this?"

Gramps didn't answer directly. Instead, his tone softened again, though there was a firm weight behind it. "Listen, Layron. Forget the promise for now."

Layron stared, confused. "But—"

"No arguments." Gramps stepped closer, placing his hand gently on Layron's shoulder instead. This time, Layron's body didn't resist.

"If you ever feel like you're losing control," Gramps continued, "don't fight it alone. Think of me. Think of Anya. Let those thoughts pull you back."

Layron's brow furrowed. It wasn't a promise, just a request. That was why his body allowed it.

But Layron couldn't shake the feeling that Gramps was scared—not of Layron himself, but of whatever force inside him was preventing that promise from being made.

"Alright," Layron muttered, his throat dry. "I'll… I'll remember."

---

Dinner Talks and Anya's Curiosity

Later that evening, the scent of grilled fish and boiled vegetables filled the small house. Anya hummed to herself, blissfully unaware of the storm brewing beneath the surface.

Layron sat quietly, poking at his food, his mind still tangled in the events of the day.

"So," Anya said, eyeing both of them with suspicion. "Where did you two go all day?"

Gramps, chewing slowly, raised a brow. "Nowhere special."

Anya frowned. "Nowhere special, huh?" Her gaze flicked to Layron's arm, where a faint scrape ran down his forearm. "And that? What exactly were you doing at 'nowhere special' to get all those bruises?"

Layron opened his mouth to respond, but Gramps cut in first.

"Tripped chasing a wild chicken," Gramps said flatly.

Layron choked on his water.

Anya's face scrunched. "You're joking."

Gramps shrugged. "It was a very fast chicken."

Layron bit his lip, holding back laughter and frustration at the absurd excuse.

Anya stared at them both for a moment longer, clearly not buying it, but eventually shrugged it off. "You're both weird."

She turned back to her food, but not before giving Layron one lingering look.

She saw it.

The slight change in his posture. The way he sat straighter, the lack of his usual fidgeting.

Layron didn't look scared anymore.

---

The Next Day – Skipping the Academy

The sun barely peeked through the thin curtains when Anya's voice rang through the house.

"Layron! We're gonna be late!"

Layron didn't move from his bed. His body ached from training, but it wasn't exhaustion keeping him there. It was focus.

He wasn't afraid of the academy anymore. That place felt… too small now.

"Layron!" Anya shouted again.

Still nothing.

She stormed into his room, hands on her hips. "You're not skipping again!"

Gramps appeared in the hallway, arms crossed. "Let him be."

Anya spun toward him. "What do you mean, let him be? He's gonna fall behind!"

Gramps didn't answer, just gave her a rare, calm smile. "He's learning something much more important today."

Anya huffed, stomping toward the door. "Whatever, weirdos."

The door slammed behind her.

---

The Secret Training Ground

The walk to the hidden training ground took them deep into the forest, far beyond the usual village borders. The trees grew denser, the air heavier.

Layron had no idea this place existed. The clearing was wide, with smooth stone slabs embedded in the earth, ancient carvings lining the edges.

"This place..." Layron murmured.

Gramps stood at the center, arms crossed. "No one in the village knows about this. It's where I trained alone."

Layron's fingers curled. "Why show me now?"

Gramps smiled faintly. "Because now, you're ready to learn what kept me undefeated."

---

The Art of Slowing the World

Gramps raised his hand, fingers slightly curled. "Every move your opponent makes, every breath, every twitch—they all create disturbances in the air around them. If you can sense them..."

He slowly swept his hand forward.

Layron's eyes widened.

The movement stretched.

Gramps' hand, mid-motion, slowed so much that each shift of his fingers seemed to drag the air itself.

Layron couldn't believe what he was seeing.

"You slow yourself, not time itself," Gramps explained. "Your perception expands. You predict. You read the signs before they happen."

Layron's heart pounded. "That's how you—"

"—dodged every swing you threw at me yesterday," Gramps finished. "Not with speed. With foresight."

Layron stared at his own hands.

"Now," Gramps said, stepping back. "It's your turn."

Layron swallowed hard. The air around him felt heavier already.

This…

This was going to change everything.

---