Riya's Mother had passed away years ago just after Riya was born. Her father, though no warrior, had lovingly raised her and encouraged her natural gift for magic.
Aamir reached out to Riya, his expression full of sympathy. "I'm so sorry, Riya."
Riya managed a brave smile through her tears. "It's all right, Aamir. I have you.. and Aunty Rajasvi. I'm not alone."
Navin then turned to Rajasvi. "Rajasvi, why not come to the capital as well? You could live there with the children." She shook her head, her voice steady. "No, Navin. I'm needed here. But I'll visit often."
Navin then Spoke with a healer, who confirmed, "their injury have mostly healed, but is will take about ten days for them to fully recover." Navin nodded. "All right, then. In ten days, we'll head to the capital." Both Aamir and Riya agreed with quiet nods, excitement and resolve shining in their eyes.
As Navin left, Rajasvi encouraged them. "Now, both of you rest." She left the room, and Riya moved closer to Aamir, her voice soft.
"Aamir, do you remember what happened after the beast injured me?"
Aamir frowned, struggling to recall. "No... When I saw you hurt, I just... I remember being so angry that I couldn't think straight. After thet, it's a blur."
Riya's voice dropped to a whisper. "You defeated the beast, Aamir—with a single blow. The guards who saw it were terrified and wanted to restrain you. But Uncle Navin arrived in time to protect us.
Just the, the healer re-entred. "Enough talking. Both of you need rest."
The days passed in quiet recovery, but Aamir's mind never rested. His body had healed, but his heart still carried the weight of the battle, of Riya's grief, and of the terrifying power he had unleashed that night.
Each morning before sunrise, he sat in silence, cross-legged on the floor, focusing on the strange energy that had surged through him during the battle. He could feel it now—dormant, waiting. It wasn't just adrenaline. It was something deeper, something primal.
Aamir clenched his fists, inhaling sharply as he channeled it through his body. A faint, invisible force crackled beneath his skin. He could sustain it longer now, almost half an hour, but even then, it felt unstable, like trying to control a wildfire with bare hands.
From the doorway, Navin watched in silence. The boy was progressing faster than he had expected. There was a fire in Aamir now—a drive that wasn't there before.
One afternoon, as Aamir trained behind the house, Navin approached, arms crossed.
"You're pushing yourself hard," Navin observed. "That's good... but reckless."
Aamir wiped sweat from his brow, breathing heavily. "I need to get stronger, Uncle."
Navin studied him for a long moment before speaking. "That power inside you... it's not normal."
Aamir stiffened. He had known it too. The way the guards had looked at him with fear after the battle. The way his body had moved that night—instinctive, unstoppable.
"Your emotions triggered it," Navin continued. "Rage, fear... they can give you strength, but they can also consume you. If you don't learn to control it, it will control you."
Aamir swallowed hard. "Then teach me."
A small smile touched Navin's lips. "That's exactly what I intend to do."
Meanwhile, Riya was undergoing her own training. Though her wounds had healed, her magic had suffered. The beast's attack had drained her, and her spells were weaker than before. But she refused to accept that.
Late at night, while everyone slept, she sat alone, staff in hand, practicing over and over again. Sparks of light flickered at her fingertips, unstable but persistent.
On the fourth night, Rajasvi found her in the yard, struggling to maintain a simple energy orb.
"You should be resting," Rajasvi said gently.
Riya bit her lip. "I can't. If I don't train, I'll fall behind. Aamir is growing stronger, and I—"
Rajasvi placed a hand on her shoulder. "Magic isn't about forcing it. It's about understanding it, letting it flow through you." She smiled. "You have talent, Riya. Don't be afraid of setbacks. Trust yourself."
Riya nodded, determination flaring in her eyes.
Finally, the day arrived for their departure. Navin returned, smiling as he saw Aamir and Riya, both eager and ready.
"Shall we?" he asked.
"Yes!" they replied in unison, their voices brimming with excitement.
"Oh, I almost forgot," Navin said with a mischievous grin. "We're taking the portal to the capital, so we'll need to head to the Hunter's Guild first."
They arrived at the guild, and Navin turned to the children. "How about a race to the guild entrance?"
Laughing, Riya and Aamir agreed. Aamir concentrated, channeling his adrenaline enargy through his body, a bright aura surrounding him. Navin watched in amazement. "You're improving quickly, Aamir. Impressive."
Riya, too, readied herself, wrapping herself in a cloak of wind magic, which made her feel light as air. When Navin counted down, "One... two... three!" all three of them took off, racing toward the guild.
At first, Navin matched Aamir's speed, impressed by his agility, which was easily as fast as a rookie level enragy controller. But then Navin surged ahead, vanishing from sight as he called, "See you at the guild!"
"Cheater!" they yelled, laughing as they sprinted the last stretch.
When they arrived, Navin chuckled at their complaints. "But you two were giving it your all, weren't you? It was only fair that I did the same."
Inside the guild's portal room, Aamir marveled at the rows of magical gateways shimmering before him. The sight filled him with awe.
Just then, Riya exclaimed, "Wait, Aamir, today's your birthday, isn't it? You're sixteen now!"
Navin's eyes twinkled. "A birthday, is it? Then perhaps we should register you as an official hunter. What do you say?"
Aamir shook his head thoughtfully. "No, Uncle Navin. It's not time just yet."
Navin chuckled, ruffling his hair. "Who knows what goes on in that mind of yours. All right, let's go. To the capital!"
Hand in hand, Aamir and Riya followed Navin through the portal. A strange sensation washed over their bodies—it felt as if every atom shattered and then fused back together. A wave of dizziness hit them, but they couldn't help but wonder... what awaited them in the capital?
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