Chereads / The Chromatic Mage / Chapter 2 - The Dream of Amethyst

Chapter 2 - The Dream of Amethyst

In the stillness of night, under the luminescent glow of the Eldoria moon, Cedric found himself in a dream unlike any other. He stood amidst a sprawling garden, its ethereal beauty transcending the boundaries of imagination. Flowers of every hue danced in the gentle breeze, their petals shimmering with the radiance of a thousand stars.

Cedric's breath caught as he gazed upon the garden's centerpiece—a colossal, crystalline amethyst tree. Its trunk spiraled upward, branching into a mesmerizing canopy adorned with amethyst leaves that seemed to pulse with a gentle, inner light. The air thrummed with an otherworldly energy, a sensation he couldn't comprehend.

As Cedric approached the tree, a figure appeared from the shimmering mist. A being, neither entirely human nor ethereal, stood before him. Their skin radiated a soft amethyst hue, mirroring the tree's splendor. A cloak of flowing, amethyst-colored silk billowed around them, and their eyes gleamed with an ancient wisdom.

"Who are you?" Cedric asked, his voice trembling with awe.

The figure smiled, a gesture as gentle as the garden itself. "I am Nariel, the guardian of amethyst mana, and you, young one, are chosen."

With a graceful gesture, Nariel extended their hand toward Cedric. A delicate, amethyst-hued glow enveloped his being, and his heart swelled with an unfamiliar warmth. He could feel the presence of amethyst mana coursing through him, a vibrant and living essence.

"I bestow upon you the gift of amethyst mana," Nariel declared, their voice like a soothing melody. "A power that transcends the conventional elements, a power that exists at the intersection of all magic. Embrace it, and it shall guide you on a path filled with wonder and purpose."

Cedric awoke with a start, his heart pounding with the echoes of the dream. The memory of the amethyst garden and Nariel's presence lingered vividly in his mind. He looked at his hands, half-expecting to see them bathed in the gentle amethyst glow of the dream.

Instead, he saw the same ordinary hands he'd known his whole life. Doubt crept in, mingling with the spark of hope that Nariel's gift had ignited. Was it all just a dream? A trick played by his subconscious to mend the disappointment of his colorless mana?

For the first time since his coming-of-age ceremony, Cedric didn't immediately dismiss the dream. He sat up, his mind racing. Amethyst mana—the very thought of it was thrilling. He had never heard of such a mana affinity before. Was it real? Could it be a dormant power that was waiting to awaken within him?

His heart swelled with determination. He knew he had to find answers. He couldn't ignore the dream's significance, whether it was a mere illusion or a glimpse of his true potential. With newfound hope, he set his sights on the journey ahead.

In the days that followed, Cedric embarked on a quest to uncover the secrets of amethyst mana. He visited the grand libraries of Eldoria, pouring over ancient tomes and scrolls, searching for any mention of this elusive affinity. Scholars and mages raised their brows at his inquiries, intrigued by his unusual quest.

In the archives, he stumbled upon a passage, nearly forgotten by time, that spoke of the amethyst tree—the guardian of amethyst mana. It was said to be a nexus of power, a bridge between all elemental affinities. Cedric's heart raced; the dream had led him here, confirming the existence of amethyst mana in the annals of history.

Word of Cedric's quest spread, and Eldoria's magical creatures, guardians of arcane knowledge, approached him. The sentient Sylvanfolk of the Whispering Grove shared tales of ancient prophecies, hinting at the emergence of a mage bearing amethyst mana—a figure of great importance.

Cedric's journey was far from over. The dream had opened the door to a world of enchantment and possibility, and with each step, he drew closer to unlocking the true potential of amethyst mana. Along the way, he would encounter wise mentors, uncover hidden realms, and forge bonds with unlikely allies. The boy who had once been a colorless child was now on a path that would forever change the destiny of Eldoria.