After entering his room and pondering for a moment, Ethan settled onto the floor, beginning his meditation practice. Today had been particularly hectic, leaving him with little time to hone his magical abilities.
He delved into his meditation, focusing on harnessing and refining his control over magic, until Isabel's gentle knock interrupted him. She informed him that dinner awaited downstairs. With a sigh, Ethan rose and made his way to join the others.
Upon entering the living room, Ethan found the family gathered around the dining table, with Isabel diligently serving each member their meal, and Luna, perched on Sarah's shoulder, nibbling on an apple.
Following a hearty dinner, Ethan excused himself to return a call from Alexx, who had reached out during the meal. He quickly texted her to explain he was currently dining and would call her back later. Alexx replied with a simple "ok."
After having a call with Alexx, Ethan retired to bed as it was already midnight. Upon turning to the bed, he noticed Luna already nestled in, yawning while casting a glance at him.
A warm smile adorned Ethan's face as he observed Luna eagerly waiting to sleep together. He tenderly stroked her fur before settling onto the bed, Luna perching beside his pillow as she always did.
...
In a mysterious cavern cloaked in darkness, a woman with fiery red hair strides down a dimly lit path, clutching a torch whose flames dance ominously on her fingertips, casting eerie shadows across the desolate surroundings. With each step she takes, the grim sight of lifeless bodies strewn along the way grows more haunting.
After traversing for a while, the woman emerges into a spacious chamber, where a solitary platform stands amid a circle of intricately crafted dragon statues. Their watchful eyes seem fixed upon a crimson vial resting atop the platform.
Approaching the platform with reverence, the woman bows before each statue in turn, murmuring words unheard by mortal ears, before finally retrieving the vial from its pedestal.
....
The scene shifted, revealing the fiery red-haired woman standing before the same mysterious woman Ethan had encountered in his dream. With reverence, the fiery-haired woman knelt before her, head bowed, and presented a vial she had retrieved from the platform.
Taking the vial cautiously, she pivoted gracefully, her eyes fixed on the crib where two cherubic infants lay nestled in slumber. With measured steps, she advanced towards the cradle, the precious liquid within the vial poised to be unleashed upon the innocent babes. But just as she reached the precipice of her deed, a voice, tinged with concern and wisdom, echoed through the chamber. It was the fiery red-haired woman, her form genuflecting upon the floor, who dared to question, "Master, do you truly sanction this course of action? It may irreversibly hinder their growth potential."
The woman halted abruptly, pivoting to face her companion with a determined gaze. "Fear not, my dear shadow," she reassured, "there will be no trouble.
However, I must entrust these innocent babes to your care, for my hour draws close. I must confront the impending threat before it engulfs us, and perhaps in doing so, find my demise." she said with a voice filled with melancholy.
She turned towards her babies and carefully poured the contents of the vial onto their delicate forms, ensuring an even distribution. The moment the liquid made contact with their tender skin, it swiftly absorbed, leaving behind no evidence of its presence.
Tears welled in the woman's eyes as she tenderly caressed her babies' faces before turning to address the kneeling woman. With a determined tone, she instructed her to transport the infants away from this empire, forbidding their return until they reached adulthood and reclaimed their dormant powers.
"Yes, Master! I shall faithfully obey your commands unto my last breath," declared the fiery red-haired woman, her voice trembling with tears of loyalty and determination.
"Thank You, Erfina"
...
The scene shifted once more, revealing the same woman engaged in a fierce battle with a menacing dark creature. However, the imagery appeared somewhat distorted, with blurred edges and uncertain details. Ethan could barely discern the action unfolding before him.
The last discernible image etched into his mind was of the woman being ensnared by shimmering golden chains, gradually descending into the earth, dissolving like water. He jolted awake, drenched in sweat, his chest heaving with rapid breaths.
Lost in his reverie, Ethan was interrupted by Luna's gentle lick upon his face. He turned to meet her gaze, finding concern reflected in her strikingly heterochromatic eyes.
With a faint smile, he attempted to reassure her that it was merely a nightmare. Yet, despite his efforts to calm himself, his heart continued to race, his thoughts consumed by the enigmatic woman battling the dark entity.
After finally calming down, he pondered the possibility that the woman might be somehow related to him, perhaps even his mother, though he couldn't be certain.
If she were indeed their mother, then he and Sarah must have been under the care of the fiery-headed lady named Erfina, rather than with his Dad.
The idea of their mother's involvement brought forth a flood of questions and emotions, stirring up a whirlwind of uncertainty and longing in his heart.
Seeing Luna still worried, he shook his head reassuringly and flashed a warm smile at her before reclining on the bed once more.
However, he resolved to delve into his own investigation regarding his background. He couldn't dismiss the possibility that the powers he had acquired were somehow connected to their origins.
..
.
To Be Continued....