Eventually, the day arrived.

Oren stood tall at the edge of the training cliff, arms folded, his presence as commanding as ever.

"Rey," he said, his voice echoing with finality. "It's time. You will now face your final test."

Rey's heart pounded in his chest. He stepped forward without hesitation.

"I'm ready, Master."

Oren's eyes gleamed with that fierce, familiar fire.

"Then let us begin."

He stripped off his upper garments, the countless scars on his chest a silent testament to battles past. Then, he cracked his knuckles and spoke:

"First round—swords. Second—bare hands. No holding back."

Rey drew his training blade, its weight familiar in his grip. He took his stance, every muscle coiled and focused.

But just as Oren moved to attack—

Rey's vision blurred.

The world shifted.

And everything went dark.

He stood now in a place that wasn't the mountain clearing.

It was nowhere. A vast, colorless void.

In front of him floated a glowing white orb—large, pulsing, and serene—yet it was pierced through by countless thin, metallic needles, suspended in place as though in stasis.

Then… it spoke.

"I am OBSERVER."

Its voice was neither male nor female—just knowing.

"I am your skill. I have been with you since birth. I've waited for you to grow. And now, I offer myself to you. How may I serve you, Master?"

Rey stepped back, stunned.

"What...? I thought I was born without a skill. That's what everyone said."

"And yet, how do you think you could read and comprehend those ancient texts… when you were still a toddler? How did you intuit combat patterns with no formal explanation? I was always there—watching. Learning. Feeding you the insight you needed."

The needles trembled slightly as if responding to the orb's own heartbeat.

"You are not ready to wield me in full," OBSERVER continued. "But in time, you will. When the moment comes, I will unlock your true potential. Until then… remember me."

"Wait!" Rey called, reaching out. "I still have questions! What are you really? Why now?"

But the void cracked, splintering like glass.

A rope of light wrapped around his body, yanking him backwards.

"No—wait!" he screamed. "I'm not done!"

Rey jolted awake with a gasp.

The sun was rising over the cliffs. A soft breeze brushed his sweat-soaked face.

Oren was perched on a rock nearby, chewing on a handful of berries like nothing had happened.

"You want some?" he asked casually.

"I'm good," Rey muttered, still disoriented.

Oren smirked. "What happened? You so sleepy you knocked out before the test even started?"

"Sorry," Rey said with a sheepish grin. "I promise I won't doze off again."

Oren stood, brushing off his coat.

"Well, get cleaned up. Rest. Tomorrow is your last day of training."

Rey's eyes widened.

"Wait—last day?"

"You've surpassed every expectation I had. Tomorrow, you'll prove you've earned your freedom. After that—you go home."

Rey looked out over the horizon, the sun rising beyond the mountains.

He thought of the village, of Luck and Mira, of the promise he made long ago.

He was no longer a boy chasing dreams.

He was a warrior—one with a destiny, and now, a hidden power pulsing beneath the surface.

And so, Rey's long journey neared its end—only to give way to another. The mountain had forged his body. The blade had sharpened his will. But the path ahead would challenge his very soul.

For the fire within had only just begun to burn.