The morning air in Elaris was crisp, laced with the scent of roasted nuts and warm pastries drifting in from the marketplace. Kai stretched his arms above his head and yawned, standing at the edge of the small cabin he shared with Sir 8.
After days of strict training, meditation failures, and getting whacked in the head for joking too much, Kai had finally made a small breakthrough. It wasn't much—just a flicker, a moment of stillness that let the world slow down—but it was something. Even Sir 8 had grunted in approval.
Today was different. Kai could feel it in the wind. Sir 8 stood outside on a wooden stool, sipping from a chipped cup of tea that probably had more alcohol in it than herbs.
"You feel that?" Sir 8 asked.
Kai raised an eyebrow. "Feel what?"
"The pull. Like your soul's itchin' for somethin' new. It's time you go see the town."
Kai blinked. "Wait, what? You're actually letting me leave?"
Sir 8 tossed a small pouch toward him. Kai caught it midair. The jingle of coins inside made his heart skip. "Allowance?"
"Aye. Don't go blowin' it on meat pies and perfume peddlers. This is a test too, I want you to see something—potential. Observe the world. See if you can recognize it in people... and maybe yourself."
Kai stared at the pouch. "You serious?"
"As a scar on a dead man. And while you're at it, head to the capital. You're ready to glimpse what's beyond this wood and mud town. Take the back route. Keep low. You're still technically a dropout."
Kai grinned. "So basically... don't embarrass you."
Sir 8 smirked. "Kid, you're my biggest embarrassment. Now get movin'."
The road to the capital wound through forest and field. Kai's boots kicked up dust as he jogged along the dirt path, every now and then eyeing passing caravans and travelers.
It was the busiest he'd ever seen the roads. Merchants barked prices from fruit carts, travelers in sparkling cloaks swapped tales by the roadside, and knights galloped past without even sparing him a glance.
When Kai reached the edge of the capital, his breath caught.
Massive spires pierced the sky. Streets shimmered with polished stone. Gold and blue banners flew proudly in the breeze. The energy of the city buzzed in the air like electricity.
As he wandered through the crowds, he saw it—potential. Kids dueling in back alleys with sticks, a street performer spinning fire as if born of flame, a blind man playing a flute that made babies stop crying.
Kai's eyes lit up. "This... this is what Sir 8 meant."
But even as he stood in awe, something deeper stirred. Not excitement—determination. Somewhere in this capital, his next step waited. Maybe his Ki. Maybe his fate.
And as he clutched the coin pouch tighter, he heard Sir 8's voice echo in his mind: "Find the spark. Recognize the flame."
Kai took his first real step into the capital.
And the capital, unknowingly, took a step closer to meeting its future.
[To Be Continued…]