Trials of Destiny: Way of The Sword

Jin's world spun, darkness giving way to a hazy vision. When his sight finally settled, he found himself standing amidst grand stone buildings, taller and more ornate than any he'd seen before. The distant hum of laughter and music filled the air, accompanied by the soft clinking of metal against metal. He felt like a specter, a silent witness to a world long gone.

A familiar voice floated past him, gentle and wise. "Valor and honor are the kingdom's heart. Without them, we are nothing."

Jin turned, seeking the source, and his gaze landed on a figure in royal armor, regal and imposing. He didn't know the man's name, yet a strange familiarity clung to him. The vision shifted, revealing a warrior standing beside the king, his expression resolute. Jin caught his breath—the warrior looked much like him. Could it be…?

The scene blurred again, and he found himself inside a grand hall. The air was heavy with tension, whispered arguments floating around him.

"This path leads only to ruin," a woman's voice declared, steely and resolute. Jin turned to see her face, one that radiated strength and wisdom. Her name danced on the edge of his mind, ungraspable yet resonant. He strained to remember, to hold onto the sound, but it slipped away, leaving only fragments: Lyria… Lord Kaelis… Council of… Names floated in and out, each tethered to a story he could almost foresee.

A younger voice chimed in, fierce and defiant. "We have the power to defend ourselves. We will not fall."

Suddenly, he caught sight of something strange—a dark figure slipping through the hall, its shape elusive, like smoke in a breeze. It was out of place, a shadow in a room full of light. Without thinking, Jin surged forward, following the specter through the twisting corridors of his memory.

"Wait!" he called, his voice lost in the hum of the crowd. He weaved through the hall, barely able to keep up as the figure darted and danced just out of reach. It led him through glimpses of battlefields, moments of victory and despair, and places he'd never seen yet somehow recognized. The names of cities, friends, and enemies flared and faded, each one slipping away as quickly as he could grasp it.

Finally, he reached the edge of a cliff overlooking a burning kingdom. The dark figure hovered at the edge of the cliff.

The dark figures stared back at him.

"The day of awakening… is nearing. Never forget the pride of a true warrior." The dark figure said before looking back towards Jin. Jin met its gaze, feeling an inexplicable connection, as if the figure knew someone was there.

Then, the figure turned and leapt into the void.

With a gasp, Jin awoke, his body jolting as if he'd fallen from a great height. His chest heaved, and beads of sweat dotted his brow. For a moment, he lay still, the echoes of names and faces swirling in his mind, slipping further from his grasp with each passing second.

He heard the soft creak of wood, and as he turned, he noticed Luna leaning close, her eyes widening in relief.

"Jin! You're awake," she whispered, reaching for his hand. He felt her warmth, grounding him in the present.

Jin tried to speak, but his voice came out as a hoarse whisper. "Luna… I saw… things. People… names I've never heard, but they felt real."

Luna nodded, her gaze filled with both concern and curiosity. "You were talking in your sleep—saying things I couldn't really make out... do you remember what they were?"

Jin closed his eyes, trying to grasp the remnants of his dream, but they slipped away like sand through his fingers. "Lyria… Lord Kaelis… a Council of… I don't know what it means. But I think… they're connected to me somehow."

Jin opened his eyes, looking into her steady gaze. "I need to find out," he said, resolve hardening in his voice. "Whatever it is, it feels… important."

Jin got up from bed slowly before letting out a sigh. "Where is everyone?" He asked walking towards the door. "They're all in the other room next door." Luna said before opening the door, "Remember to eat in a little Jin."

Jin moved toward the door, his hand resting on the frame as he let Luna's words sink in. A vague restlessness simmered inside him, an itch he couldn't quite scratch. The echoes of his dream still lingered, haunting the edges of his mind, and somewhere in the depths of his chest, a darker sensation took root, wrapping itself around his heart like poison ivy.

He followed Luna into the other room room, his steps somehow feeling heavier but in a way lighter. Inside, Riven, Kade, and Kael sat around a makeshift table, chatting in low voices that hushed the moment he entered. They looked up, relief flashing across their faces.

"Jin!" Kade called, grinning as he gestured for him to sit. "We thought you'd sleep for another week. You gave us quite a scare."

"Glad to see you're back on your feet, man," Kael added, though he eyed Jin closely, .

Jin nodded, forcing a faint smile as he took his place at the table. "I'm here," he said simply, his voice coming out quieter than he'd intended. Inside, a gnawing edge twisted, an unfamiliar hunger he couldn't place, and a strange chill settled over him, like a distant storm building on the horizon.

Jin's gaze drifted toward the floor, the faint memories of names and faces slipping just beyond his grasp. "It was strange," he murmured, choosing his words carefully. "I saw… people and places I feel like I know, but I've never met them. It was… like I belonged there." He paused for just a moment to breathe, "It's hard to explain."

Luna watched him carefully, her fingers grazing his arm. "Do you feel… any different?" she asked, her voice soft yet probing.

"Different?" Jin echoed, as if testing the word. There was a weight behind it that felt oddly appropriate. He shifted, a subtle unease tightening his shoulders, but he forced himself to shrug it off. "…Not at all." He said calmly while knowing something was off about himself.

Kade chuckled, oblivious to the tension coiled beneath Jin's composed exterior. "Well, since everything is alright now… let's throw ourselves a recovery party and include hella food."

Jin felt a smile tug at his lips, but it didn't reach his eyes. The words he wanted to say wouldn't come out, a strange impulse to challenge, to test their strength and see who would break first. He shook it off, forcing himself to respond with a low chuckle. "Yeah, I think that'd be fun."

"Alright then I'll go ahead and ask around the lounge and see if anyone knows some good services for food around here." Riven said before leaving the room.

"I would like a few minutes of being alone just to get my thoughts together if you all don't mind." Jin said sitting down at a table within the room. Kade and Kael nodded before leaving understanding it.

"Alright… I'll be around whenever you need something though okay?" Luna smiled at

Jin before slowly leaving the room.

As Jin watched Luna leave, he thought he'd have a moment to himself, but then a familiar figure slipped through the doorway—a grizzled man with a scar over one eye, the kind of face that could blend into any crowd yet seemed impossible to forget. Jin's eyes narrowed; it was one of his old informants from his former days working doing contracts when he first met Kade, Kael, and Riven.

The man gave a nod, barely acknowledging the tension in the room. "Long time, Jin. Heard you've been busy."

Jin's voice was guarded, with a hint of curiosity. "Didn't expect to see you at all. Got something important, I take it?"

The informant shifted, lowering his voice. "Well, finding you was harder than I thought. But, remember that target you and your group were after a while back? The one who seemed to vanish every time you got close? I have a lead—one that might actually stick."

A surge of dark excitement washed over Jin, barely restrained. "Where?"

The informant held up a hand. "Not so fast. The information's valuable, and this guy… well, let's just say he's only gotten more dangerous since you last tried to find him. You sure you want to dig this up again?"

Jin stayed silent, his gaze fixed on the informant. Memories of long nights at the bar, swapping rumors and tracking leads that vanished like smoke, flashed through his mind. He remembered the frustration of each dead end, the questions left unanswered. And now, after all this time, a lead was right in front of him.

He felt that impulse again—a dark thrill in the challenge, in the chase. But he forced himself to stay composed, weighing his options for a few moments longer.

Finally, he looked up, his expression firm. "Tell me everything."

The informant leaned in, lowering his voice to a whisper. "This guy, you knew him as Corvus. It's been years, but recently he's been seen near Valor's Reach—using a different name, but the same M.O. He's moving under the radar, but I know people who've seen him. He's connected to a clan now, a strong one. This time, if you go after him, it won't be like before."

Jin's jaw tightened at the mention of the name. "What's his game?"

"Information trade, but not just any kind. He's dealing with powerful artifacts, secrets no one should have, making enemies with people far more dangerous than you knew. Word is, he's been targeting individuals with unique abilities, trying to gather… well, we don't know exactly what. But whatever it is, it's big."

Jin's eyes flashed. "And you're sure it's him?"

The informant nodded. "I'd bet my life on it. But Jin, this isn't some small-time bounty anymore. He's… changed. Stronger, darker. The people around him? Not the kind you'd want as enemies."

Jin's expression darkened, his lips curling into a faint, humorless smile. "Good. Neither am I."

The informant shifted uncomfortably but pressed on. "He's holed up in a place deep in the ki beast forest below the cliff. It's…not exactly a place known for a peaceful environment. But if you're serious, that's where you'll find him."

Jin clenched his fists, feeling that dark urge stir once more. "And if he's there, I'll find him. Thanks for the tip."

"Just… watch yourself, Jin," the informant said, glancing around nervously. "You've changed too. Not sure what you're dealing with these days, but… don't lose yourself to it, alright?"

Jin's expression softened for just a moment before he nodded. "I'll manage. Thanks for the warning."

The informant nodded before vanishing into the dark again.

As the informant slipped out, Jin remained still, the weight of the news settling over him. Before he could dwell on it, the door opened, and Luna, Kade, and Kael walked in, their eyes quickly noticing his intense expression.

"What's going on and who was that? I was sensing someone in here so I came to check." Luna asked, a glint of curiosity in her eyes.

Jin's gaze hardened. "We have a lead on Corvus. He resurfaced. Apparently, he's hiding out in the ki beast forest below the cliff, tied to a powerful clan now. He's stronger than before—trading in dangerous artifacts and targeting people with unique abilities."

Kael folded his arms, thoughtful. "Corvus… the one we could never pin down. And now we're expected to walk into his territory?"

Kade smirked, gripping the hilt of his sword. "Sounds like a proper challenge. I'm in."

Luna grinned. "I'm not sure on who this "Corvus" is but i'll help if needed."

Jin's expression softened briefly, but his voice remained firm. "This isn't just another job. He's been preparing, and he won't be easy to bring down. Besides, I won't be able to fight for at least a few more days with the way I feel."

Kade and Kael sighed slightly but nodded then left the room. "Do you really think we'll be able to capture that bastard this time?" Kade asked looking over at Kael, "Hm… it'll be difficult if everything is true… besides what artifacts? I'm curious about those."

They both sighed and left to go shopping.

Luna sat down next to Jin and a smile crossed her lips slowly before closing her eyes.