Ben stumbled, his lungs burning. He’d thought he’d lost Grim. He’d ducked behind the old store that hadn’t been used in years. He pressed himself against the rough wood, panting, trying to melt into the shadows, to become as small and invisible as possible.

  “Come, come,” Grim’s voice rumbled, vibrating through the very foundations of the building. It was a sound like rocks grinding together, laced with chilling hunger. “You cannot hide from me, human.”

  Ben’s heart hammered against his ribs. He pulled the amulet out, fingers shaking. He held it up, his voice a desperate whisper, dry and cracking. “Come… help me.”

  Grim was relentless. With a roar that shook the air, the troll smashed through the side of the general store. Wood splintered, shelves of forgotten goods crashed to the floor, and then Grim was upon him. A massive fist swung—a blur of brute force—and Ben was sent flying, his body slamming into the ground with a jarring, sickening impact.

  Pain seared through him. His hand instinctively tightened around the amulet.

  It burst into blinding light, erasing the world for a heartbeat. In his grip, the light began to take shape, a form of pure, radiant energy that solidified into a sword.

  Ben scrambled to his feet, the sword now firmly in his grasp. He swung at Grim—wild, clumsy. The blade connected with a harsh clang, but Grim easily caught Ben’s arm, his grip like iron.

  “Perhaps the amulet is powerful,” Grim growled, his breath hot and foul on Ben’s face. “But it is useless if you do not know how to wield it.” He tightened his grip, a cruel smile spreading across his scarred features. “And you, little human, know nothing.”

  Grim drew back to strike again—when a blur of fur and muscle slammed into him.

  “Liam!” Ben gasped, a wave of relief crashing over him.

  He spotted Ray and Alex rushing toward them, their faces tight with fear.

  Liam and Grim clashed, a fierce battle erupting between them. But Grim was a creature of immense power. With a brutal shove, he sent Liam staggering back. Then Grim’s gaze swung back to Ben, who stood frozen, the sword still clutched in his trembling hand.

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  “I wanted to kill you,” Grim hissed, his voice dropping to a chilling whisper. “But I’ve changed my mind. I have a better idea.”

  He turned away and, with shocking speed for something so massive, vanished into the shadows.

  Alex rushed to Ben’s side, eyes wide. “Ben! Are you okay?”

  Ray reached them moments later, his gaze flicking over Ben, then to Liam, who was cradling his injured arm. Then Ray looked back at the fear in Ben’s eyes and the magical sword still shaking in his grip.

  “I told you to come for training,” Ray said gently. He offered Ben a small, reassuring smile. “Follow us.”

  Alex helped Ben to his feet.

  “It’s okay,” Ben mumbled. “I can… I can walk.”

  But his thoughts churned. Grim’s words echoed in his head. He was alive only because the troll had changed his mind. Maybe I should just leave now, he thought. Maybe I’m not meant for this.

  Ben hesitated. He looked at Ray and Liam, his voice barely above a whisper. “Maybe… maybe the amulet was wrong. Maybe I’m not the guardian you’re looking for. I… I just got lucky.”

  Ray stepped closer and laid a hand on his shoulder. “The amulet didn’t choose wrong, Ben,” he said, steady and calm. “The amulet only gives swords to those who are powerful and worthy.”

  Liam moved in beside them, meeting Ben’s eyes with a small, encouraging smile. “It was your first fight, Ben. You were thrown into it. You just need training. That’s all.”

  Ray nodded. “Come. We need to get you to the training grounds.”

  Together, they went back to Sylvaria.

  “This is the Training Grounds,” Ray said as they entered. “Here, guardians are prepared for battle and learn to harness their powers.”

  They approached a wide sparring area where other guardians practiced various combat techniques. Ray stepped in front of Ben and raised his own sword.

  “First is footwork,” he explained. “You need to find your balance and learn to move fluidly. Each swing should feel like an extension of your body.”

  Ben nodded, drinking in every word. He gripped his sword, feeling its weight. With Alex and Liam watching, he began to mirror Ray’s movements, trying to find the rhythm and flow.

  Training began in earnest. Step. Turn. Swing. Again. He pushed himself, muscles burning, but with each strike he felt a fraction more in control.

  Eryndar strode into the training grounds.

  He approached Ray, Liam, and Alex, his eyes finally settling on Ben. “I hear you had an… encounter with Grim,” Eryndar said. He looked directly at Ben. “You should be grateful you are still alive.”

  Ben swallowed, the memory of Grim’s raw power sending a shiver through him. “Yeah,” he managed, his voice unsteady.

  Eryndar’s gaze shifted to the amulet, faintly visible beneath Ben’s shirt. “And you wonder,” he went on, his tone thoughtful, “why it chose you?”

  Ben nodded. The question that had haunted him since the amulet first glowed in his hand finally escaped. “Yeah. Why me?”

  Eryndar met his eyes. “The guardian’s job is not just to protect, Ben,” he said. “It is also to find.”

  Ben frowned. “Find what?”

  “To find the Lost Prince,” Eryndar said.

  Ben stared at him, his mind struggling to catch up. “The Lost Prince?” he repeated.

  “I believe,” Eryndar said, gaze steady, “that the amulet chose you because you are close to the Lost Prince.”