At dawn, Nikoloas kicked Amir's feet lightly.
"Wake up, boy," he said. "The logs are waiting."
Amir groaned and sat up. His whole body ached from yesterday's training. His arms, legs, even his back felt like they were on fire. He stood up, stretched a bit and followed Nikoloas outside.
Two thick logs of wood lay on the ground, just like yesterday. Nikoloas smiled.
"Today you will carry them again," he said. "But take it slow. It's not about rushing. It's about finishing. Once you've mastered the hills your speed will increase.
Amir nodded. He picked up the heavy logs, one on each shoulder, and started climbing the steep hill behind Nikoloas's house.
The first climb was tough. His legs were hurting, sweat poured down his face, but he kept going. At the top, after the tenth round, he dropped the logs try to catch his breath
Nikoloas clapped his hands. "Good, Amir! Now down again."
Amir smiled weakly and picked up the logs once more.
Every thirty minutes, Nikoloas made him climb again. Up and down, up and down, keeping a slow and steady pace. The pain didn't go away, but Amir learned to move through it, not fight it.
By evening, Amir could carry the logs without stopping halfway. His steps became stronger, his breathing more steady. Nikoloas smiled with pride.
"You're learning," he said. "The body breaks first. Then it rebuilds stronger."
Far away at the palace, things were not going well.
The king sat on his throne, surrounded by his advisors. A guard rushed into the hall, his face covered with fear.
He bowed quickly and spoke.
"My King, we have grave news. A village north of here has been attacked."
The king frowned. "By who?"
The guard hesitated before answering.
"They call them the Eaters of the Dead. Creatures... half man, half beast. With claws, sharp teeth, tails, and their hair is like snakes. They move faster than the eye can see. They kill humans and steal their bodies, riping their heads from their shoulders. No one knows where they take them. The leader wore a snake like crown and gave commands."
Whispers filled the hall. Fear spread like a cold wind.
The king's face grew hard. He had fought many enemies, but he had never fought monsters.
Princess Callista stood up. She was calm, but eager.
"Father," she said. "Our people are strong. If we must fight, we will fight. We won't run. But first, the villages must be protected. We should build trenches to slow them down.
The king looked at her for a moment, seeing the fire in her eyes. He smiled sadly.
"Yes, my daughter. We will fight if we must. We will find a way."
But deep down, the king knew the truth.
Fighting an enemy that could crush a man's skull with its bare hands…
There would be no easy victory this time.
The real war was coming.
And Greece would need every warrior it had.
Then the king stood up and gave the commanded that trenches should be built to protect the villages from further attacks.
After the council meeting ended, the king called Callista to him. He placed his hand gently on her shoulder.
"You have grown," he said, with a proud look in his face. "In wisdom, courage and the heart of a true leader."
Callista smiled softly, bowed her head, and left the hall. As soon as she was out of sight, she hurried to her chambers. She called for her most trusted servants and gave them a simple order, take a message to Amir.
She packed food, wine, clean clothes, and some gold coins on a small camel caravan and sent them along with a sealed letter.
The letter read:
"My heart is with you, Amir. Stay strong. Beware of the Eaters of the Dead. Greece needs you."
When the caravan reached Nikoloas's house by the shore, Amir was surprised. He opened the letter and smiled. His heart beat faster just seeing her handwriting.
He wrote back quickly:
"Training is hard, but I'm pushing through. My heart belongs to you, now and always."
Nikoloas laughed when he saw the heavy loads of food and supplies.
"We are now eating palace meals!" he said, throwing a roasted chicken into the air and catching it with a smile. "Surely, boy, you have met the right girl!"
They both laughed and sat outside, eating and talking. Amir told him about the Eaters of the Dead, the missing villagers, and the fear spreading through the land.
Nikoloas became serious.
"Sorcery and demons," he said. "There's no mercy from creatures like that. Long ago, dark magic was used to twist men into monsters. But that is a tale for another day. Focus on getting stronger. You'll need all your skills when the time comes."
From that day, the camels kept coming from time to time. Fresh food, warm clothes, even scrolls with stories to keep Amir's spirit alive.
Amir felt closer to Callista.
It gave him strength. It reminded him why he was fighting.
And every day, as the sun rose and set over the sea, He trained harder than ever before.
The real battle was still ahead.
But Amir was no longer just a boy.
He was becoming something else.
A warrior.