The village of Dahmar was waking up, its people hustling toward the center.
Rayyan, Nael, and Zafir stood at the edge of the crowd, eyes trained on the massive stone Pit in the middle of the village. The ground trembled slightly as another fighter entered, roaring loudly as a beast was thrown into the ring. It was time for the Pit battles — and the newcomers had no choice but to join.
---
Rayyan: (glancing at Nael, who was already looking uneasy)
"We have no choice. We need supplies… and information. We fight today, and we find out what's really going on here."
Zafir: (nodding with a grin)
"Besides, this is what we do best, right?"
---
The Chief of Dahmar, a towering figure covered in armor, raised his hand, signaling the start of the trial battles.
Chief:
"Newcomers! Welcome to the Pit of Honor. You will fight. Prove your strength. Win… and you earn your place here."
Rayyan's eyes flicked to Nael again. Nael's gaze was focused on the snow-covered ground, fingers twitching nervously. He wasn't made for this. But Rayyan wouldn't leave him behind. Not again.
---
Rayyan:
"Nael, you're not alone. We'll do this together."
Nael nodded, looking a little reassured, but still uncertain. The first round was about to begin.
---
First Round - Survival Battle
The beast released into the Pit was a massive ice bear, fur glistening like frozen blades. It roared and charged, eyes blazing with fury.
---
Zafir: (smirking)
"Let's see who's got the better fight."
Rayyan immediately took action, grabbing his sword and drawing it swiftly. Nael, however, hesitated. Rayyan saw this, stepping forward to block the beast's initial charge.
---
Rayyan:
"Nael, I'll hold it off. You take the back."
Nael:
"But—"
Rayyan: (sharply)
"No arguments. Trust me."
---
Zafir, meanwhile, darted around the beast's flanks, slashing at its sides. It roared in pain, but its focus was on Rayyan.
---
Rayyan: (to himself)
The Eye of Reflection… it's waiting for the right moment.
---
With a calculated slash, Rayyan dodged the bear's massive claws and struck the beast's leg, forcing it to kneel. The creature struggled to stand, but Zafir's attacks distracted it, allowing Rayyan to deal the finishing blow.
---
Rayyan: (panting, wiping sweat from his brow)
"Done."
The crowd cheered. But Nael stood still, watching intently. He was starting to understand that the battles weren't about raw power, but about strategy.
---
Chief of Dahmar:
"Impressive. You fight with honor. You've earned your place in the village for now."
---
Second Round - Duel with Villagers
Next, the real challenge began. Rayyan was paired up against one of Dahmar's top warriors, a man named Virok, who was known for his control over ice magic.
---
Virok: (eyeing Rayyan)
"You may have beaten that beast, but this will be different. I control the very frost in the air."
Rayyan narrowed his eyes. Virok's abilities were formidable, but Rayyan wasn't here to lose.
---
Rayyan: (grinning)
"I don't need to control the air to defeat you."
---
The battle began. Virok summoned shards of ice, launching them toward Rayyan. The ice was fast, sharp, and cold enough to freeze anything it touched. Rayyan narrowly dodged one, but another struck his arm.
---
Zafir: (yelling from the sidelines)
"Don't let him trap you, Rayyan!"
Rayyan nodded, using the pain to focus his senses. His Eye of Reflection flickered briefly, and suddenly he could see Virok's next move—each shard of ice, each shift in the air. He closed his eyes for a moment, trusting the Eye, and as Virok launched another barrage, Rayyan dodged effortlessly, his blade cutting through the ice like paper.
---
Rayyan:
"Your magic won't save you."
---
With swift, precise strikes, Rayyan disabled Virok's magic and disarmed him, landing a hit to the chest that knocked the wind out of him.
---
Rayyan:
"Yield."
Virok gasped for air, his body trembling with exhaustion, but he nodded in defeat.
---
Virok:
"You've won. I concede."
---
The crowd went wild. Nael, watching, was in awe of Rayyan's calm, strategic approach.
---
Nael: (whispering to himself)
"So this is what it means to be strong… It's not just about power. It's about knowing when to strike."
---
Mysterious Challenger
Later that night, as the moon cast its cold light over the village, Rayyan stood alone outside the shelter. He needed some time to think. The Eye of Reflection had flickered again, stronger this time. Something was coming.
From the shadows, a figure emerged—tall, cloaked, and imposing.
---
Mysterious Figure: (voice deep, resonant)
"You wield power beyond your years, Rayyan of the Flame. But your journey is not yet finished."
Rayyan's hand instinctively went to the hilt of his sword.
---
Rayyan:
"Who are you? Show yourself."
---
The figure stepped forward, revealing an ancient, weathered face.
---
Mysterious Figure:
"I am one of the Guardians of the Eye of Reflection. I have been watching you… and I must warn you. The path you walk is dangerous. Not even you can escape your past forever."
---
Rayyan's heart skipped a beat. How did this man know about the Eye?
---
Rayyan: (firmly)
"What do you want?"
---
Mysterious Figure:
"Listen carefully. There are others who seek the Eye's power, and they will stop at nothing to claim it. Your mother's legacy is tied to that Eye. She left a trail of destruction that cannot be erased."
---
Rayyan's gaze hardened. This was the first real clue about his mother and the path she had walked.
---
Rayyan: (coldly)
"Then let them come. I won't run."
---
Brotherhood Moment
The next morning, after the battle, Rayyan, Nael, and Zafir sat around a campfire, eating meager rations.
---
Zafir:
"We make a good team. You, Rayyan, are something else. The way you handled that ice-wielder—amazing."
---
Rayyan: (smiling faintly)
"Only because we all worked together. Without you two, I would've been dead long ago."
---
Nael: (grinning shyly)
"I'll get stronger too, just you wait. I'll make sure I'm not holding you back."
Rayyan placed a hand on Nael's shoulder.
---
Rayyan:
"Don't worry about that, Nael. No matter what happens, I'll always protect you."
---
---
The Twist
That night, as Rayyan slept, he was awakened by an intense heat. He stepped outside, eyes scanning the village. And there, just beyond the walls, stood a burning beast—a creature wreathed in flame and smoke.
---
Rayyan: (whispering to himself)
"Barak…"
The creature stopped in front of him, kneeling.
---
Rayyan:
"You've come for me?"
The beast let out a low growl, acknowledging him. Rayyan could feel the connection—this was no ordinary beast. This was a symbol of his power, an extension of his will.
---
But the villagers didn't understand. Panic spread through the streets.
---
Zafir: (shouting from the distance)
"Rayyan! What's happening?"
Rayyan didn't respond. His eyes, glowing faintly, stayed locked on the beast before him.
---
Rayyan:
"Let them come. I'm ready."
---
---
End of Chapter 3