The forest was eerily quiet, save for the heavy breathing of Kael and his friends. Rhylen's wound, though healed, still throbbed painfully in his chest. His mind raced, still trying to process Valen's betrayal and the overwhelming chaos that had unfolded. He could still feel the sting of the blade, the shock of the betrayal fresh in his memory.
Kael stood a few feet away, watching his brother intently. The tension between them was palpable, but something had shifted—Kael had seen Rhylen's vulnerability, his pain, and in a strange way, it made him more determined to understand his brother.
Rhylen's gaze moved to his father, who had remained silent and calm throughout the events. The Lord of the World was a figure of immense power, a being who seemed both untouchable and unreachable, even by those who were supposed to be close to him.
Now, Rhylen's father stepped toward him, his golden eyes fixed with intensity on his son. The air around them seemed to tremble, charged with a nearly overwhelming power that made the ground vibrate beneath their feet.
Rhylen, though still recovering, stood tall. His hands clenched into fists as he faced his father. "Father... What now? Do you have any idea what's happened? Valen—he betrayed us. He's working for the master."
The Lord of the World's face was unreadable, but his voice was calm, as always. "I am aware of Valen's actions. He has been a traitor for some time. But that is not your immediate concern, Rhylen. What matters now is your survival."
Before Rhylen could respond, his father raised his hand, and the very air around them thickened with power. The ground beneath Rhylen's feet cracked and shifted as energy swirled around him.
"You will need more than just your strength to survive the coming storm," the Lord of the World said, his voice deepening with authority. "You must be prepared for what's to come, Rhylen. The path you walk will not be easy. But I will ensure you are strong enough to face it."
Rhylen felt the surge of power before he even saw it. His body was suddenly surrounded by an intense, golden light, and every muscle in him began to feel as though it was being infused with raw, unfathomable energy. His breath caught in his throat as his father's power enveloped him.
"Father, what are you—?"
"You will see," the Lord of the World interrupted, his tone final.
As the golden light intensified, Rhylen felt his body becoming both weightless and incredibly heavy at once. Every inch of his being felt electrified, as though he were made of pure energy, his cells thrumming with life. The pain from his wound, the ache in his heart, and the chaos in his mind all seemed to fade away as his father's power flooded him.
Suddenly, as quickly as it had come, the energy dissipated, leaving Rhylen standing in the center of the field, breathing heavily, but stronger than ever. His body was humming with power, and his senses were heightened to a degree he had never experienced. He could feel the air around him, hear the slightest rustle in the trees, and even sense the presence of every person in the vicinity.
"What... what did you do?" Rhylen gasped, his voice filled with awe and disbelief.
The Lord of the World stepped closer, his expression calm and reassuring. "I've unlocked your true potential, Rhylen. You were always capable of this power, but you needed guidance to harness it. Now, you are more than you were."
Rhylen clenched his fists, feeling the surge of energy inside him. It felt like a force of nature, unstoppable and infinite. But even as he reveled in the power coursing through him, he felt a deep sense of confusion and conflict.
"Why… why didn't you tell me? Why didn't you help me realize this sooner?" Rhylen asked, his voice tinged with a mix of gratitude and resentment. "I've been fighting for so long, trying to understand who I am and what I'm meant to do… and you held this back from me?"
The Lord of the World's gaze softened slightly, though his voice remained firm. "I never doubted you, Rhylen. But you needed to find your own way. You needed to experience the world as it is, to understand your own limitations before you could transcend them."
Rhylen looked down at his hands, his mind spinning. "But what about Valen? What about the master? What am I supposed to do now?"
The Lord of the World placed a hand on Rhylen's shoulder, the weight of centuries of knowledge and power in that simple touch. "You will confront them, when the time is right. You'll need your friends—Kael, and the others. Together, you will defeat the master. But you must learn to wield the power I've granted you wisely."
Rhylen nodded, his determination returning. "I'll do whatever it takes. I won't let the master win."
The Lord of the World's eyes softened, though a hint of sadness lingered in them. "I know, my son. But remember, power alone is not enough. Your heart must be just as strong."
Rhylen took a deep breath, his heart racing with the new energy coursing through him. As he glanced at Kael and the others, standing a little distance away, their faces a mix of concern and awe, he understood what his father meant.
He wasn't just fighting for survival anymore. He was fighting for something greater—his own identity, the future of the world, and for those he cared about. And with his father's power now flowing through him, he felt ready to face whatever came next.