Chapter 8 - Trials of the Wildwood
Knowing he could not storm the heavily fortified High Tower alone without risking his father's life, Leo fled the palace into the night. He rode hard toward the Eastern Wildwood—the ancient forest where he had grown up.
He needed the help of the old hermit who had protected him for twelve years: Silas, who was secretly the former Commander of the Royal Guard.
Leo found Silas’s hidden cabin amidst the mist-shrouded trees. Silas met him at the door, his spear drawn, but lowered it instantly when he saw the glowing lightning mark on Leo's chest.
JPG
"You revealed yourself, young prince," Silas said softly.
"Malakor took my father," Leo panted, exhausted. "He has the entire army under his control. I need to master my power, Silas. All of it. Right now."
For three intense days and nights, Silas put Leo through brutal training trials in the heart of the wildwood. Leo learned to control not just quick bursts of lightning, but to summon thunder, manipulate magnetic fields, and move like a storm itself.
On the third night, a flock of messenger hawks arrived over the forest. A decree was posted across the kingdom: King Aurelius is to be executed at dawn in the Grand Colosseum for treason against the state.
May you like
"He's using my father as bait," Leo said, tightening his fists as sparks flew from his knuckles.
"Then let us give them a storm," Silas replied, revealing a hidden armory of loyalist armor.
