After a few day's of travel, Victor finally arrives in time for the start of the new academic year. "
What challenges and suprises will unfold this year I wonder?"
Before he enters the gate he notices the people seem different, like they're keeping more to themselves, deals are quick and few words are shared. Victor thinks nothing of it but a dreaded feeling makes his stomach turn.
"I really hope nothing bad happens."
Classes proceed as normal and Victor is still enthusiastic about the subjects. The subjects become deeper and start diving into the raw potential of magic control and ways to tap into it to help with spells.
Six months later....
During lunch, Victor stand in the queue waiting to be served and the students start looking at him making him feel uncomfortable. He grabs the necklace tight, and when he does all the students go back to normal. Lunch goes by without further incident.
After sword arts class is finished, Victor decides to head into town to clear his thoughts. While walking, he still sees the people acting differently towards each other. He ignores it and starts wondering to himself.
"What was that strange occurrence that happened at lunch time. It definitely has something to do with this item but I don't know what."
"That's a very easy one boy. That crystal is a part of the earth mother and it's not just nature and animals that are connected to it. Humans and every creature living in this world are connected to her."
"Why? Did the supreme god use soil from the earth to make living things?"
"That's the simplified version of it but just know that everyone is connected for now. You'll discover more of the truth on your journey."
"Really? Playing the mysterious and cunning worder again Shadow? Still I have a feeling in my gut that something isn't right with this city. It just doesn't feel the same, that's why I went for a walk, just to see if it's only one section of the city. Unfortunately, it seems the entire city has become infected with whatever is happening."
"Stay alert. You never know when trouble might find you."
Victor nods his head and continues walking. A poster catches his eye and he goes to read it. What it says makes him take a step back and cover his mouth.
"People of Fryden, you do not know this but there is someone among you who is planning to take away your livelihood. We are currently searching for the intruder but have come up empty handed. If anyone has information please report it to the nearest guard on duty so we may finally capture him. Our artists have given us a picture based on all the information collected. If you see a man like this, he is very likely the one that means to steal your hard earned lives."
At the bottom of the poster it shows a drawing of a man resembling his father, down to the tiniest detail. Victor's face twists with anger and worry as he look at the picture.
"What do we have here boy's?"
Victor turns around and finds himself surrounded by a group of six males armed with swords and spears.
"What's the matter, are you scared of the weapons we're carrying or the number of us, or is it both?"
"Do you ever keep that mouth of your's still?"
"Eh? So we've got a cheeky one here. Didn't your parents teach you to respect your elders?"
The man says this as he punches the wall, his fist landing to the left of Victor's head.
"If that's how elders act then standards have dropped very quickly."
"THAT'S IT!!! Boy's, teach this weakling some manners, and take that necklace it looks like it could be worth a bunch."
Victor's face darkens as the other guy's attack him. Before their attacks hit, Victor moves with pinpoint precision hitting them in vital spots on their body before they can even react. He appears in front of their leader, grabs him by the throat and starts squeezing.
"I really don't have time for has-beens like yourself. So get lost."
Victor turns and throws him into his companions sending them crashing through the wall.
"That was a bit much boy."
"Shadow. Just keep quiet. I really don't need someone talking in my ear right now."
Shadow goes quiet, not saying another word to Victor. Victor continues walking around the narrow walkways looking for signs that his dad's ok. Night begins to fall and Victor returns to the academy. He notices two figures standing behind a building watching the academy gate. Victor chuckles and dissappears into thin air, then reappears in his room.
"Wow, that spell really is something. I shouldn't use it too often though because I almost pass out everytime. Time to sleep and see what tomorrow brings. I hope dad's safe though."
Victor falls asleep instantly. During the night Victor has a very disturbing dream. He sees himself walking towards cheers and roars of a crowd at the central plaza. A figure stands on a platform reading a scroll while another one sits in a high chair observing what's happening. The guards bring a man to the center of the plaza and begin humiliating him. As the dream fades, he notices a figure standing in the shadows smiling like someone who has achieved victory. Victor wakes up in a panic and looks at the clock which only shows midnight. He breaths to try and calm himself.
"What.... kind of a dream...was that? It looked like an execution was taking place, and who was that figure in the shadows smiling? Somehow, I feel connected to it but in what way?"
Victor eventually falls back to sleep but the vision give him a restless night. Shadow sits there having seen the dream and his face is one of sorrow as he knows exactly who that was being executed and what Victor will go through. But this must happen if he is to fulfill the prophecy and Shadow knows it.
"Everything is balancing on a knife edge. A wrong move will mean disaster and suffering for all things in this world."
"Yes Shadow. He must not have the future revealed to him. It will bring about the destruction of all life and I do not wish that."
"What do you want Seidrel?"
"The boy wears my necklace it is only natural I come when he is troubled."
"You haven't changed one bit."
"That's true. But you on the other hand, are starting to change slowly. The Shadow I knew wouldn't show concern for a mere human."
"He's just my vessel that is all."
"Sure, keep telling yourself that. How will he handle what is about to unfold in this changed city?"
"Dolos really thought this entire plan through. He's more cunning and manipulative than last time."
"Indeed. He will be the first one young Victor will have to defeat but not right away. He is not ready."
The two deities sit in silence as night turns into morning.