Einar : The forsaken

I've grown stronger, thanks to my training. Not yet at my parents' level, but far beyond a C-ranking adventurer. Mother's guidance has deepened my understanding of magic, while Father's combat training has made me a force to be reckoned with. Though I've yet to best him in a sparring match, today might be different.

The air was electric as we faced off in the training grounds. Mother's protective barrier ensured our battle wouldn't destroy the surroundings. My heart raced as Father vanished, reappearing with lightning speed. I countered his attack, our blades clashing in a shower of sparks.

Father's sword sliced through the air, aiming for my chest. I parried the blow, our blades locking in a fierce embrace. The force of the impact sent shockwaves through my arm, but I held firm.

With a swift kick, Father sent me flying across the grounds. I landed hard, the wind knocked out of me. As I struggled to my feet, Father unleashed a powerful fireball, which I barely dodged. The flames singed my hair, but I refused to back down.

I retaliated with wind magic, elevating myself to his level and striking. Our blades clashed in mid-air, the sound of metal ringing out as we danced across the grounds. Father's eyes gleamed with a fierce light, his movements lightning-fast.

But I was determined to keep up. I poured all my energy into the battle, my sword flashing in the sunlight. Father parried each blow, his skills honed to perfection.

Suddenly, he vanished, reappearing behind me. I spun around, my sword raised, but he was too quick. He disarmed me with a swift strike, my sword flying across the grounds.

I was defenseless, but I refused to yield. With a fierce cry, I launched myself at Father, determined to take him down. But he was ready for me. With a swift kick, he sent me flying across the grounds once more.

This time, I landed hard, the wind knocked out of me. As I struggled to my feet, Father stood over me, his sword pointed at my throat.

"You lose," he said, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.

I glared up at him, my pride wounded but my spirit unbroken. "I'll beat you one day," I vowed.

Father chuckled and offered me a hand up. "I'm looking forward to it, boy."

As we walked off the grounds together, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at my father's skill. He was a true master of combat, and I knew I had a long way to go before I could surpass him.

But I was determined to try.

And then, disaster struck.

The sky turned a deep, foreboding crimson, like the very fabric of reality was bleeding. Flames rained down from the heavens, consuming everything in their path. The air was thick with smoke and ash, making it hard to breathe. The ground shook beneath our feet, as if the earth itself was trembling in fear.

I stared in horror at the destruction unfolding before me. Buildings crumbled, trees were uprooted, and the once-clear river was now a churning, muddy torrent. The screams of terrified people filled the air, their faces etched with desperation and despair.

But it was the sky that held my attention. The flames seemed to be coming from nowhere, yet everywhere. They danced across the horizon, like a malevolent entity delighting in our suffering. I felt a creeping sense of dread as I realized that this was no ordinary disaster.

"Father, what's happening?" I asked, my voice shaking.

"It's the Apocalypse," he replied grimly. "The signs were there, but I never thought it would come so soon."

I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. The Apocalypse? Was this really the end of the world?

As we watched, a massive fireball hurtled towards us. Father raised his hand, conjuring a shield of swirling energy that protected us from the blast. But the force of the impact sent us stumbling back.

When we regained our footing, I saw something that made my blood run cold. A figure, tall and imposing, stood amidst the flames. Its face was obscured by the smoke, but its presence seemed to radiate an aura of power and destruction.

"Who is that?" I breathed.

Father's expression was grim. "I don't know, but we need to get out of here. Now."

We turned to run, but it was too late. The figure raised its hand, and a wave of flames engulfed us. I felt a scream rising in my throat, but Father's grip on my shoulder held me back.

"We have to keep moving," he shouted above the roar of the flames.

We stumbled forward, the heat intense, the smoke choking. I couldn't see anything, but Father's grip guided me through the inferno.

' could this truly be the end....'