Chapter Six -I am Warborn

Chapter Six -I am Warborn

Grand Arena – Night

The torches lining the arena walls flickered wildly in the night breeze, casting long, shifting shadows over the circular battlefield. The roar of the crowd echoed like thunder through the open sky, a pulse of energy that danced with the flames. All eyes turned as a lone figure stepped into the torchlight—the Announcer, draped in flowing crimson robes, voice booming with theatrical flair.

“For our next match,” he declared, his tone electric, “we bring you a duel of sheer adaptability versus unwavering flow! On one side, the mind sharper than steel, the forger of unbreakable defences—Glenn!”

The crowd erupted in cheers as Glenn stepped forward. He was calm, precise—adjusting his glasses with the same care he gave his armor. His silver gauntlets gleamed under the firelight, intricate plates shifting with every movement of his fingers. There was no need for flair; his presence alone radiated calculated strength.

“And his challenger,” the announcer continued, “fluid like the tides, relentless like the storm, master of water’s wrath—Dan!”

An even louder cheer exploded from the stands. Dan strode into the arena with casual confidence, his sleeveless robe soaked at the hem, droplets of water curling and twisting around his arms like living serpents. He rolled his shoulders, grinning, ready for the storm to come.

Then—GONG.

The match began.

Dan moved like a surge—fluid and fast—his fists cloaked in water that hardened into a whip-like arc. He struck first, lashing forward with a sharp crack of pressure.

Glenn sidestepped with grace, raising his arm. A metallic sheen flickered over his palm as a thin plate snapped into place just in time to absorb the hit. Steam hissed as water struck metal, but the defense held firm.

“Come on, Glenn,” Dan taunted, a grin playing at his lips. “You can’t just defend forever.”

“I don’t plan to,” Glenn replied calmly.

Dan’s fingers twisted. The ground beneath Glenn surged as a wall of water burst upward like a tidal geyser. But instead of retreating, Glenn planted his foot with precision. Spikes of steel burst from the earth around him, piercing the rising wave, scattering it into mist and foam.

Dan's grin faltered for a moment. “Tch, not bad.”

The water around him began to swirl—faster and faster—as he spread his arms wide. A vortex formed, spiraling into a howling orb of water, debris whipping around it like satellites in violent orbit.

“A high-pressure water prison?” Glenn mused aloud, adjusting his glasses. “Clever. But inefficient.”

Dan launched the vortex with a guttural cry. Glenn didn’t flinch. Instead, his gauntlet reshaped, morphing into a sleek harpoon. He hurled it straight into the heart of the vortex.

With a burst of pressure and a scream of tearing water, the structure collapsed into a rain of chaotic spray. Dan staggered, soaked but still standing, eyes narrowing in irritation.

Breathing deep, Dan’s body shimmered with an ethereal aqua glow. The water around him turned solid, freezing into jagged blades of ice. With a shout, he flung them one after another, like crystalline daggers.

Glenn didn’t move until the last second. His armor reconfigured once more, forming a mirror-like plate that deflected the first blade, then the next. One by one, the ice shattered harmlessly on impact.

“How did you—” Dan began, stunned.

“Every attack follows a pattern,” Glenn replied, a smirk playing at the corner of his mouth. “Once I analyze it, countering is simply a matter of logic.”

Dan growled, his frustration boiling over. With a roar, he summoned all his strength, all his remaining energy, into a single, devastating surge. A colossal tidal wave rose behind him, its crest towering above the arena like a watery colossus.

The crowd gasped. Glenn stood motionless, watching.

And then, with a snap of his hands, his entire body vanished within a cocoon of gleaming metal.

The wave crashed down.

Silence followed. Dan dropped to one knee, panting. A triumphant grin curled on his lips.

But then the water began to shift.

From beneath the depths, Glenn rose. His armor glistened, untouched. The metal around his arms uncoiled into thin, razor-sharp wires. With a flick of his fingers, they shot forward, wrapping around Dan’s limbs before he could react.

“What?!” Dan struggled against the bindings, panic setting in.

“Metal remembers its shape,” Glenn said, stepping closer. “And right now, it remembers victory.”

With one final motion, the wires tightened, forcing Dan to his knees.

GONG.

The match was over.

The Grand Arena exploded into cheers as Glenn stood tall, composed, victorious.

High in the stands, Kael watched the battle unfold, his arms crossed and eyes sharp. The arena still echoed with the crowd’s cheers, but Kael’s focus was entirely on Glenn—the man who had just claimed victory without brute force. As Glenn stepped away from the battleground and joined the spectators, Kael approached him.

“That was brilliant,” Kael said, his voice low with respect. “You never even needed to overpower him—you outthought him.”

Glenn smiled, his demeanor calm as always. “Strength alone doesn’t win fights. Sometimes, the sharpest blade is a well-planned move.”

Kael grinned, nodding in quiet appreciation. Around them, the arena swelled with celebration, a roaring tide of voices. The duels had ended. The victors had been chosen. The first step toward a greater destiny had begun.

The scene shifted.

Now, the grand courtyard of the Defense Academy stood under the twilight sky, its towering stone walls adorned with golden banners that flapped in the cool wind. The gathered recruits, bruised and tired from battle, stood in disciplined rows. The excitement from the arena had settled into a tense anticipation.

At the center stood the Announcer, ceremonial staff raised high above his head.

“The results have been decided!” he declared, voice echoing through the courtyard. “Those who have proven their strength and skill today will now take their first steps toward becoming warriors of this kingdom!”

A wave of cheers swept across the courtyard. Kael stood among the recruits, his breath steady but his body still tense. The memory of his own fight played behind his eyes. He didn’t know if it had been enough.

A hand settled on his shoulder. Ryzen.

“You did well, Kael,” he said in a low voice. “Remember this feeling.”

Kael nodded. “I will.”

The Announcer raised his staff once more.

“From this moment forth, you are no longer mere recruits. You are now cadets of the Defense Academy! For the next six months, you will undergo rigorous training—honing your mind, body, and spirit to serve this kingdom with honor!”

As the recruits stood straighter, the crowd parted, and King Aldric stepped forward. Draped in regal armor adorned with the sigil of the realm, his gaze swept across the young faces before him.

“Strength alone does not make a warrior,” he proclaimed. “Honor, discipline, and wisdom shall be your guide. Within these walls, you will learn the ways of combat, strategy, and duty. The path will not be easy—but those who endure shall stand among the finest defenders of our land.”

Behind him, the three generals of the Academy took their places.

General Orlan, with a voice like a drumbeat, addressed the recruits. “Your training shall be divided into divisions. You will learn the ways of patrol, strike missions, city defense, and warfare.”

General Valtor, cool and composed, added, “Your daily routine will consist of combat drills, endurance training, tactical exercises, and real-world missions. Expect no mercy.”

General Rodric, grim as a stormcloud, concluded, “From sunrise to sunset, you will be tested in every possible way. Only those who adapt will survive.”

The crowd of recruits exchanged glances. Some swallowed nervously. Others lifted their chins higher.

Then, the Announcer stepped forward once more.

“And now,” he said, “you shall undergo the Elemental Awakening! Step forward, one by one, and place your hand upon the Rock of Veil. It shall reveal the elemental power that resides within you!”

Kael’s stomach twisted. He looked at Ryzen.

“This’ll reveal your real elemental power,” Ryzen said, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. “I was only guessing from how you fight—but this? This goes beyond just fire, water, or air.”

Kael inhaled slowly. “Now I’m nervous about it… you scared me off.”

Ryzen laughed and gave his shoulder a nudge. “There’s nothing to be scared of. Go for it.”

With a deep rumble, a group of armored monks rolled forth a massive stone slab, veined with glowing lines of pale blue energy. The ancient monolith pulsed with power—alive, somehow. An old man, hunched and robed in layered cloth, stepped beside it. His eyes were clouded with age, but something in them shimmered with ageless wisdom.

“The Rock of Veil does not lie,” the elder said, his voice rasping yet steady. “It shall unveil the truth within your spirit.”

One by one, the recruits began to step forward.

Each placed a hand on the stone.

And each time, the stone reacted—brief flickers of light, colors, wind, or mist swirling into the air. The old sage called them out with solemn clarity.

“Aquabender… Shadowmancer… Firebender… Windcaller…”

Kael watched, heartbeat rising.

A boy with short, rugged blond hair stepped up, placing his hand on the surface. A hum of energy rippled through the air as metal dust from the ground around him vibrated, drawn to his skin.

The elder’s eyes widened. “Metalforged.”

A hush fell over the crowd, followed by scattered murmurs of awe. The boy stepped back, rubbing his knuckles, a strange look of pride—and fear—on his face.

Kael stared at the stone. His turn was coming.

Kael turned his gaze as Glen approached, a casual grin on his face, hands tucked into his belt.

“Huh,” Glen said, nodding at the boy who had just walked away from the Rock of Veil. “Sounds strong enough.”

Kael raised an eyebrow, studying him. Glen caught the look and turned with a crooked smile.

“Guess we’re gonna be stuck together for a while, huh?” He extended a hand, easygoing. “Name’s Glen.”

“Kael,” he replied, clasping it firmly.

Glen rolled his shoulders and cracked his neck with a grin. “Was hoping for something flashy like a firebender. You know, all flames and fury. But… metal’s not bad, I guess. What about you? Any guesses?”

Kael shrugged, exhaling slowly. “Guess I’ll find out.”

Glen gave him a friendly clap on the back. “Let’s hope it’s something cool.”

The line grew shorter with every passing minute. Tension hung in the air like a taut wire, as elemental fates were revealed one by one—Windcallers, Firebenders, Earthshapers. Each announcement from the sage sparked murmurs, awe, or cheers. But now… it was Kael’s turn.

He stepped forward, heart thundering. Every footstep echoed in his ears. The ancient stone loomed before him, glowing faintly beneath the darkening sky. He hesitated for the briefest second, then placed his hand against its cool surface.

The Rock of Veil pulsed.

It flickered… not with one element, but many—colors swirling, overlapping, shifting like liquid light. Blue turned to crimson, then into gold, then black and silver. A hush fell across the courtyard as the very air grew dense, thick with unseen power.

Whispers stirred through the crowd like wind in tall grass.

Even the sage’s face, weathered and serene, changed. His eyes narrowed. His breath caught.

He stepped closer, voice dropping to a reverent murmur.

“…Warborn.”

The word rolled out like thunder. Silence followed.

The generals—Orlan, Valtor, Rodric—shared glances of concern and curiosity. Even King Aldric leaned forward, eyes narrowing with cautious recognition.

Kael felt something stir beneath his skin—a heat, but not fire. A pull in his core, but not of wind or water. Something deeper. Something older. His fingers twitched against the stone as energy hummed in his chest.

Behind him, Glen let out a low whistle. “Well, that’s… different.”

Ryzen watched from the edge of the crowd, his gaze unreadable, his jaw tight.

“Warborn…” the king repeated under his breath. “A rare gift indeed.”

Kael pulled his hand away slowly. The light faded, but the weight of the moment did not.

He stood in stunned silence as the reality set in—not just chosen, not just talented. Something other. Something ancient.

The Rock of Veil stood quiet again, but Kael’s world had just changed.

And then, the screen faded to black.