Aurelius came face to face with Evelyn Vale, a beguiling woman who seemed to know more than she appeared. She welcomed his queries with a gentle confidence, her eyes shining with empathy and secrets.
"Why was I chosen?" Aurelius blurted out, his voice tinged with a mix of uncertainty and determination.
Evelyn's expression softened as she examined him. "Chosen ones are not always the most powerful or extraordinary," she explained. "Sometimes, they are chosen because of their abilities, their hidden strengths that even they may be unaware of." You have attributes that the camp believe are necessary for our work."
Aurelius' mind raced, his thoughts a whirlwind of possibilities. "But what is this purpose? What power do I hold?"
Evelyn's smile held a touch of mystery. "The answers lie within you. The camp is a crucible, a place where individuals like yourself discover their true potential. As for your power, it's not something bestowed upon you. It's something you must unearth within."
Aurelius' brow furrowed as he sought to figure out what she was saying. "I've heard rumors of this camp for years, but I always thought it was just a mythology, a fantasy."
Evelyn's laughter carried around the shop like a tune. "Legends are often founded on truth." The camp has been hidden from the outside world for generations to protect its objectives. We are the guardians of lost wisdom and untapped potential."
As the golden rays of the sun poured through the windows, Evelyn's soothing yet steady voice began to weave a story that was going to permanently change Aurelius' vision of his own world."
"Aurelius," she continued, her stare steadfast, "the time has come for you to know the truth of your bloodline."
Aurelius' heartbeat raced, a mixture of excitement and worry coursing through him. "What is my bloodline?" "What exactly do you mean?"
Evelyn's remarks were measured, each one carrying a weight that seemed to bring him closer to a revelation he hadn't expected. "You are a member of the Saken family, an ancestral line of immense power and responsibility that dates back generations."
Aurelius' mind raced, his thoughts a whirlwind of questions. "Saken family? I've never heard of such a thing."
Evelyn's gaze softened; the weight of ancient secrets reflected in her eyes. "The Saken family is not widely known; it exists within the shadows, preserving the balance of mystical forces in the world. Your father was a prominent member of this family, a guardian of ancient wisdom and abilities."
Aurelius' eyes widened, disbelief warring with curiosity. "My father? But he never mentioned anything about this. And why have I never heard of the Saken family before?"
Evelyn's lips curved in a sad smile. "Your father's silence was a protection mechanism, a way to shield you from the dangers that come with this legacy. The Saken family's abilities and knowledge have made it a target for those who seek to exploit its power."
As Evelyn spoke, Aurelius' thoughts swirled, memories of his father's quiet strength and his parents' tragic fate resurfacing with newfound significance.
"Evelyn, my parents... they were murdered," Aurelius whispered, the pieces of a puzzle he had never known existed falling into place.
Evelyn's gaze held a deep empathy. "Yes, they were. Your parents were members of the Saken family as well. Their assassination was a direct result of their association with the lineage. Your father chose to keep this hidden from you, hoping to spare you from the dangers that would inevitably come your way."
Aurelius' heart ached with the weight of this revelation, his world expanding to accommodate truths he had never anticipated. "So, what does this mean for me?"
Evelyn's voice was gentle yet unwavering. "It means that you are one of us, Aurelius. You possess the blood of the Saken clan, a lineage of protectors and preservers of mystical knowledge. The camp's allure to you, its whispers in the wind that beckoned you, were born from your inherent connection to this legacy."
Aurelius' mind reeled, his sense of identity shifting as the enormity of this truth settled upon him. "I... I don't know what to say. This is a lot to take in."
Evelyn's hand reached out, a relaxing weight resting on his shoulder. "Yes, it is a lot. However, know that you are not alone. The camp wants you back, Aurelius, not merely for your talent, but because you are part of a lineage destined to oppose the forces that attempt to unravel the fabric of the magical realm."
"I suppose this is it then," Aurelius said, his voice tinged with both sadness and excitement.
Evelyn's smile held a mix of emotions, mirroring his own. "Yes, Aurelius. But remember, this is just the beginning of a new chapter for you."
Their farewells were exchanged amidst heartfelt wishes and promises of reuniting in a different setting. Just as they were about to part ways, Evelyn leaned in closer and spoke in hushed tones.
"Aurelius, listen carefully. In a week's time, pack your essentials and leave your apartment. Make your way to Kahu train station. I'll be there to pick you up and take you to the camp. The answers you seek, the potential you hold – they all await you."
Aurelius nodded, a mixture of anticipation and apprehension building within him. With a final embrace, they parted ways, and Aurelius made his way through the bustling streets, his mind a swirl of thoughts and emotions.
The journey home seemed surreal, the world around him a blur of colors and sounds. But then, as he turned a corner, his gaze settled upon a sight that grounded him in the present moment – a woman with a child, holding a sign asking for donations.
Aurelius' heart went out to them, and he approached with a gentle smile. "Hello there," he greeted, his voice warm with empathy.
The woman looked up, weariness and hope mingling in her eyes. "Hi," she responded, her voice soft.
Aurelius reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet. "I don't have much, but I'd like to help. Would you and your child like something to eat?"
Tears glistened in the woman's eyes as she nodded gratefully. "Thank you. We could really use a meal."
Together, they walked to a nearby diner, Aurelius engaging the woman in conversation as if they were old friends. He learned about her struggles, her hopes, and her dreams for her child. And in those moments, Aurelius extended an invitation, "Would you like to spend the night with me?" he asked.
The woman looked at him, a mixture of surprise and hesitation playing across her features. She was cautious, perhaps even skeptical, of this stranger's intentions. But her weariness and the undeniable pangs of hunger pulled at her heartstrings.
"I have food, and I live alone," Aurelius continued, "Now we can share a meal."
The woman's gaze softened, her barriers weakening in the face of this unexpected offer. "But why? Why would he do this for us?" she thought.
With a sense of trepidation and curiosity, the woman agreed. "I'll come. But what about my baby?"
Aurelius' response was unwavering. "Bring your child with you. We'll make sure you're both taken care of."
A peaceful understanding appeared to engulf them as they made their way to his place. Fear, appreciation, and a mother's unshakeable commitment to do whatever it takes to care for her child dominated the woman's thoughts.
END
See you in the next chapter: A good person.