(FIVE YEARS AGO, THE MOUNTAIN BELOW THE DRAGON'S KEEP)
The forest was silent, until a sword cut through the air. A bright blue blade hummed, slicing a clean arc that left faint glowing trails through the mist. Leo stood shirtless in the center of the clearing, his body drenched in sweat, chest heaving as if the earth itself was trying to keep up with his breath. The sunlight caught the sharp definition of his form, his hardened abs, the broad shoulders, the scars that marked months of brutal training.
His once-boyish face had hardened too. His hair, now long, was tied into a messy bun, loose strands plastered to his forehead by sweat. His eyes were sharper, colder, older than his years. He tightened his grip on the sword as the forest shifted.
Crack!
Branches creaked in front of him, and dark energy flickered, five shadowy figures emerged, cloaked a nd faceless.
Dark mages.
