Unbound of Fate

Elder Renna's hut smelled of dried herbs and old parchment. The walls were lined with shelves crammed with vials, scrolls, and books, all illuminated by the warm glow of the hearth. Lloyd sat on a low wooden stool near the fire, his head bowed and his body aching from the battle.

Renna placed a steaming cup of tea in front of him before sitting across from him. Her sharp eyes studied him, her expression a mix of curiosity and concern.

"You've done something that few in this village ever have," she said finally, her voice even. "You faced a griffon and survived. That alone is remarkable. But what's even more extraordinary…" She paused, leaning closer. "…is that you awakened your tether in the process."

Lloyd looked up, confusion clouding his face. "I don't even know what that means. What's a tether? And why do I feel… different?"

Renna folded her hands on the table, her gaze steady. "Let me explain from the beginning. Every living being possesses a core, a wellspring of energy that connects them to the world around them. For most, this core remains dormant their entire lives. But for those with potential, the core can awaken, granting them access to extraordinary abilities."

She picked up a piece of parchment from the table and unrolled it. The diagram on it was divided into three sections, each marked with a symbol: a flame for magic, a crescent for spirit magic, and a blade for aura magic.

"These are the three types of cores," Renna continued. "Magic is the manipulation of the elements and forces around you. Spirit magic draws upon the energy of your soul to summon and create. And aura magic channels raw physical power into strength, speed, and durability. Most people only awaken one core, and even then, only a

small fraction ever progress beyond the novice stage."

She pointed to another part of the parchment, where a series of ranks were listed: Dormant, Novice, Adept, Advanced, Master, Grandmaster, Archmage, and finally, Demi-God.

"This is the path of power," she said. "Each rank represents a deeper connection to your core and greater control over its abilities. Reaching the level of Master is rare. Grandmasters are legends. Archmages and Demi-Gods are almost mythical."

Lloyd's brow furrowed as he stared at the chart. "And me? Where do I fall in all of this?"

Renna's lips pressed into a thin line. "You're a Tetherborn, Lloyd. Someone who doesn't just have one core but all three. It's exceedingly rare, and it's both a blessing and a curse. It means you have unparalleled potential, but it also means the road ahead of you will be far more dangerous than most."

Lloyd leaned back, the weight of her words settling heavily on his shoulders. "So… that's why I could fight the griffon? Because of this tether?"

"Yes," Renna said. "But your tether is still in its infancy. Right now, it's more instinct than skill. If you want to survive the challenges ahead, you'll need to learn how to control it. And that's not something I can teach you."

Lloyd's head snapped up, his heart sinking. "What do you mean? I thought you were the village's elder—surely you know how to train me?"

Renna shook her head. "The knowledge of Tetherborn abilities is beyond me. But there's someone who can guide you. Someone who has been waiting for you."

Before Lloyd could respond, the door to the hut creaked open, and a woman stepped inside. She was tall and graceful, her dark cloak billowing slightly as she entered. Her eyes were a piercing blue, and her presence filled the room with an air of authority.

"Renna," the woman said, her voice smooth but commanding. "Is this him?"

Renna nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Lloyd, this is Renna. She's been watching over you for some time now."

Lloyd blinked, his mind struggling to process the situation. "Wait, two Rennas?"

The woman chuckled softly. "The elder shares my name, yes. But that's not important. What is important is that you're ready to leave this village. Your destiny lies far beyond its borders."

Lloyd frowned, uncertainty flickering in his eyes. "Leave? But the test—"

"The test is irrelevant now," Renna interrupted. "You've already proven yourself by surviving the griffon. That alone is enough to secure your place in the academy. But the academy is only the beginning."

She stepped closer, her gaze intense. "The world beyond this village is vast and dangerous, filled with empires and factions vying for power. As a Tetherborn, you're a rarity, and there are those who will stop at nothing to control you—or destroy you."

Lloyd swallowed hard, the gravity of her words sinking in. "But I don't even know how to use my powers. How am I supposed to survive out there?"

Renna placed a hand on his shoulder, her expression softening. "That's why I'm here. I'll guide you, train you, and prepare you for what lies ahead. But you must be willing to leave everything behind—your village, your home, your old life."

Lloyd hesitated, his mind racing. He thought of the village, the people he had grown up with, and the life he had always known. But he also thought of the storm inside him, the power that had awakened during the battle with the griffon.

Finally, he nodded. "I'll do it. I'll leave."

Renna smiled, a glint of approval in her eyes. "Good. Then we leave at dawn."

As the night wore on, Lloyd sat by the hearth, staring into the flickering flames. The storm inside him was quiet now, but he could feel it pulsing faintly, waiting.

He didn't know what lay ahead, but one thing was certain: his journey was just beginning.