"Adam, Heir of Water and Eternal Vengeance"

The skies of Ravencross were dark, adorned with stars partially obscured by heavy clouds. Laughter and the clinking of glasses filled the air as Adam arrived at the Broken Wheel Inn, a place recommended by the mysterious man in the alley. The building was old and decrepit, illuminated by flickering oil lamps that barely held the cracked signboard in place.

Adam swallowed hard, trying to suppress his nervousness. Lurik, ever composed by his side, gave a slight nod. "Stay vigilant. Many here have hidden motives."

With his cloak concealing most of his features, Adam stepped inside. The scent of alcohol and tobacco smoke hit him immediately. The room was filled with a mix of races—humans, dwarves, and other beings—seated at tables, either whispering in hushed tones or laughing boisterously. Yet, beneath the rowdy atmosphere lay an undercurrent of tension, as if danger lurked just beneath the surface.

Adam approached the bar, locking eyes with the barkeep, a burly man with a scarred face. "I'm looking for a former royal soldier," Adam said quietly.

The barkeep squinted, scanning Adam from head to toe. "What business do you have with him, kid?"

"I need his help to find an Abyssal Demon," Adam replied, his voice firm despite his young age.

The room went silent. All eyes turned to Adam. Some glared with disdain, while others seemed intrigued by his bold statement.

From a shadowy corner of the room, a gruff voice called out. "An Abyssal Demon? Do you even know what you're talking about, kid?"

Adam turned to see a tall, broad-shouldered man with short silver hair rising from his seat. His sharp eyes gleamed like a hawk's, and an undeniable aura of strength surrounded him. A massive, weathered sword hung across his back, radiating danger despite its worn appearance.

"You're the former royal soldier?" Adam asked, stepping closer without hesitation.

The man chuckled. "Used to be, yeah. Now, I'm just a bounty hunter named Kael. And you want to hunt Abyssal Demons? You don't look like someone who'd last five minutes against one."

Adam clenched his fists. "I don't care what you think. I have to find them."

Kael studied Adam for a moment before bursting into laughter. "Alright, kid. If you're serious, prove you're not just dead weight on the battlefield. Let's talk outside."

---

The Duel Under the Moon

Adam and Kael stood in the inn's backyard, bathed in pale moonlight. The inn's patrons gathered around them, forming a loose circle, eager to witness the impromptu match.

"You control water, don't you? Show me how well you can use it," Kael said as he drew his enormous sword.

Adam raised his hand, feeling the flow of water beneath the earth. A small vortex formed around his palm, spinning tentatively.

Kael smirked. "Don't just defend yourself. Attack me!"

With a shout, Adam hurled the water ball toward Kael. It shot forward with speed, but Kael easily deflected it with his sword. "Too weak!" Kael shouted before charging, swinging his sword with astonishing speed.

Adam leaped back, narrowly avoiding the strike. He tried to counterattack, this time summoning more water from the ground. A small wave formed and surged toward Kael.

Kael faced it head-on, undeterred. With a single slash, he cleaved the wave in half, sending droplets spraying across the yard.

"Focus, kid!" Kael barked. "You've got power, but no control!"

Frustration bubbled within Adam. He knew Kael was right. Gritting his teeth, he tried a new approach. Instead of attacking directly, he focused his energy on the air around him, imagining the water vapor thickening into a dense fog.

The crowd murmured in surprise as the yard became shrouded in mist. Kael, though briefly caught off guard, remained calm. "Now this is interesting," he muttered.

Using the fog as cover, Adam silently approached Kael. He concentrated his energy into a sharp spear of water, forming it in his hands. With all his strength, he hurled the spear at Kael.

But Kael, a veteran of countless battles, sensed the attack just in time. He spun around, slashing the spear midair and shattering it into harmless droplets.

As the mist began to fade, Adam stood there, panting heavily. Kael, unscathed, looked genuinely impressed. "You've got potential, kid. But you've got a lot to learn."

Kael sheathed his sword and walked over to Adam. "Alright, I'll help you. But listen closely: fighting Abyssal Demons isn't just about raw power. You need to be smart, patient, and in complete control of yourself. If you can follow my lead, you might just have a chance."

Adam nodded, his eyes burning with determination. "I'll do whatever it takes."

Kael smiled faintly and patted Adam's shoulder. "Good. We start tomorrow morning. Get some rest tonight. Our journey will be long and dangerous."

Adam gazed up at the night sky, feeling a spark of hope ignite within him. The road ahead would be grueling, but with his newfound strength and Kael's guidance, he felt one step closer to avenging his family.