(Umar's POV)
Guided by a sense of urgency, Aelarion and I made our way back to the mansion, the stars above serving as our only source of light. The mansion, with its imposing structure and the soft glow emanating from its windows, stood like a beacon in the night.
We quickly found Drakarion in his study, a room filled with shelves of ancient tomes and artifacts, the air rich with the scent of old parchment and ink. Drakarion was seated at a large desk, his figure illuminated by the soft light of a glowing orb.
I wasted no time in explaining my predicament to Drakarion. The concern was evident in my voice as I spoke of my family, the time that had elapsed, and my desperate need to return to Elarian.
Drakarion listened intently, his deep green eyes reflecting a sense of understanding and compassion. When I finished, he nodded slowly, a thoughtful expression on his face.
"Do not worry," Drakarion finally spoke, his voice calm and reassuring. "I have figured out the configuration of the lantern. It will take you back exactly to where you came from, the point of origin. However, I must warn you, little one, the lantern will still be usable. There are about three uses left to it, but it remains a starstride lantern, an authentic one at that. It's a highly sought item. Do not let people know of your possession of it; it might attract some unwanted attention."
Relief washed over me at his words. The prospect of returning home, back to my family and familiar surroundings, was a balm to the turmoil that had been brewing inside me. Yet, Drakarion's warning about the lantern's value and the danger it posed was a sobering reminder of the responsibility now in my hands.
"I understand, sir," I replied, nodding. "I'll be careful with it. I had no idea what it was when I found it. I just... I need to get back to my family. They must be worried sick about me."
Drakarion rose from his desk, a gesture of action and assurance. "With that being said, please children, wait outside for a moment. Umar, I will fetch some provisions for you. It's a last gesture of hospitality before you embark on your return journey," he said with a sense of purpose.
I nodded in agreement, appreciative of his thoughtfulness. "Thank you, sir. I really appreciate all your help," I responded, feeling a mix of gratitude and anticipation.
Sitting outside under the vast expanse of the night sky, Aelarion and I continued our conversation, a mix of farewell and hopeful promises of future meetings. The stars above twinkled like distant lanterns, each one a silent witness to our exchange.
"You're really going back, huh?" Aelarion said, his voice tinged with sadness.
"Yeah, I have to. My family... they'll be worried," I replied, my mind wandering to the familiar streets of Elarian and the faces of my loved ones.
"I'll miss you, Umar. It was so short, but I really enjoyed playing with you, not a lot of dragons or children my age here, haha..." Aelarion said, his eyes conveying a depth of sincerity and a bit of sadness.
"I'll miss you too, Aelarion," I responded, my voice tinged with a similar mix of sadness and fondness. "Our time together was short, but it was incredible. And this definitely won't be the last time we see each other. We'll have more adventures, I promise."
Aelarion's smile returned, a bit brighter this time. "I'd like that, Umar. You've been a great friend. Ah! I didn't ask, would you want to be... My friend?"
I chuckled, amused by his formal question. "Of course, Ale, I thought we were already! Now that I think about it, you might be the only person who asks people to be friends after kicking their asses, hahaha."
Aelarion's eyes lit up with joy. "Really?! So we're friends now! You're my best friend! Wait, did you call me Ale?"
"Yeah, is that okay with you? People usually do that when they know each other enough," I replied, smiling.
"Of course! I love that! Ale, nobody ever called me that! Haha—Ah! You said I kicked your ass, didn't you? So you admit defeat, don't you?" Aelarion's playful tone was unmistakable.
Caught in my own words, I conceded with a laugh. "Haha, okay, okay, you beat me today, but I'll have my revenge! I promise!"
"I'll take you any time, hahaha," Aelarion retorted, his laughter echoing in the night.
As we sat there, a question that had been lingering in my mind since my arrival resurfaced. "Aelarion, I've been wondering," I began, glancing back towards the mansion where Drakarion's elf-like figure had disappeared moments ago. "Why does Drakarion look like an elf, and you have this unique human-dragon hybrid appearance, with your white hair and azure eyes?"
Aelarion nodded, as if he had expected this question. "Dragons are natural changelings with many forms," he explained. "Drakarion chose a form that wouldn't be too shocking for you. He often takes the shape of an elf because it's a form he's comfortable with and one that is familiar to many."
The revelation about dragons' shape-shifting abilities was fascinating. It added depth to the mythical creatures I had only read about in stories. Their ability to transform was a potent symbol of their connection to the magical realm.
"And what about you? Can you change forms too?" I asked, intrigued by the concept.
Aelarion looked a bit self-conscious. "I'm still learning. I can't fully control my transformations yet. That's why I can't go out into the world. I need to master my ability to change forms. Until then, I have to stay here, where it's safe."
His candidness was endearing. It showed that even a creature as powerful as a dragon had its own journey of growth and learning. "That's incredible, Aelarion. I can't wait to see all the forms you'll be able to take one day. And when you're ready to explore the world, I hope our paths will cross again."
The thought seemed to excite him. "I hope so too! There's so much I want to see and learn. And when I'm ready, I'll definitely come and find you. We'll have amazing adventures together!"
Just then, Drakarion approached us, accompanied by Maria, the sylph cook. I immediately greeted her and expressed my gratitude for the incredible meal she had prepared earlier. Her smile was warm and genuine, and she thanked me for appreciating and enjoying the food.
With the preparations complete, Drakarion's presence signaled that it was time to depart. He carried a small pack containing food and gear, thoughtfully assembled for any challenges I might face on my return.
"Am I interrupting you, younglings? It's time, little Umar," Drakarion said, his voice gentle yet carrying an undercurrent of solemnity.
I nodded, feeling a lump forming in my throat. Turning to Aelarion, I extended my hand. "Ale, thank you for everything. For the games, the laughter, and for being my friend. I won't forget you."
Aelarion grasped my hand in his, his grip strong yet gentle. "And I won't forget you, Umar. You'll always have a friend here."
"I'll miss you too, Ale. You've made this experience... unforgettable. And don't worry, our paths will cross again," I said, trying to sound hopeful.
The silence that followed was comfortable, filled with unspoken understanding and shared memories of the brief time we had spent together. It was a friendship forged in extraordinary circumstances, one that had expanded my world and filled it with new colors.
As I stood there with the starstride lantern in my hands, the weight of the moment pressed heavily upon me. Drakarion, standing tall and dignified with Aelarion by his side, explained once again how the lantern worked. His words were clear and concise, ensuring I understood the intricacies of its use. Since it was preset to take me back to Elarian, to the exact spot from where I had vanished, there was no need for me to focus on a destination.
Drakarion then approached me for one final piece of advice. "One more thing, young Umar," he said solemnly, "you now know of what Aelarion and I are. I would like to ask you to keep that part of your adventure a secret. The news of our existence might put you in more harm than necessary. You would either get noticed by unwanted forces, or, more probably, not be believed at all and be seen as mentally unstable. Hopefully, we might see each other again one day, since the little one over here seems so sad. Until then, godspeed and take care, young Umar."
Maria, who had been a quiet presence during our exchange, then added her own farewell. "Goodbye, little one. Thank you, and I hope to see your cute face again soon," she said with a gentle smile. Despite appearing to be in her twenties, Maria exuded a mature and nurturing aura. She was strikingly beautiful, and her words made me blush.
I nodded in agreement, understanding the gravity of keeping their secret. "I promise to keep it a secret," I assured them. Lighting the candle of the lantern, I braced myself for the journey back. As the light began to envelop me, I spoke my last words in this extraordinary place. "Thank you for everything, sir. See you later, Ale!"
"See you later, Umar! Let's meet again soon!" Aelarion called out, his voice tinged with both excitement and sadness. Then, in an instant, the world around me shifted. The light from the lantern grew brighter and brighter until it was all I could see. I felt a sensation of movement, a swirling, almost floating feeling, and then, as quickly as it had begun, it ended.
Back in the cave of Elarian, the transition from the starlit world of Araborn to the familiar damp and earthy air of the cave was disorienting. As my feet touched the ground, I felt a sense of stability, a reminder that I was back in my world, my reality. The starstride lantern's light dimmed, leaving me in the soft, early morning light filtering through the cave entrance.
Before I could contemplate my next move, something caught my eye near where I had initially found the lantern. Another relic, different from the first, yet exuding a similar aura of mystery and ancient power. Driven by an insatiable curiosity and the hope of perhaps another fortunate encounter, I picked it up, turning it over in my hands. Its surface was cool and smooth, etched with symbols that seemed to hum with a dormant energy.
Tucking the new relic into my pocket, I made my way out of the cave. The dawn was breaking, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. The world outside was waking up, unaware of the incredible journey I had just undertaken.
Feeling a newfound strength coursing through me, I decided to test my abilities with a body enhancement spell – a simple incantation to boost physical prowess. To my astonishment, the spell worked better than ever before. A powerful surge of mana rose from my core, filling me with an unprecedented level of energy and vitality.
Without needing to use the gear Drakarion had given me, I leaped. It was a high, effortless leap that brought me to the top of the cave entrance in a single bound. I landed gracefully, stunned by my own newfound agility and strength. The experience in Araborn, it seemed, had not only gifted me with incredible memories but had also catalyzed a significant growth in my magical abilities.
Realizing that my parents must be frantic with worry, I wasted no time. With the body enhancement spell still active, I started running. My feet barely touched the ground as I sped through the forest, moving faster than I ever thought possible. The wind whistled past my ears, and the trees blurred into streaks of green and brown.
As I ran, thoughts of my family, my brother Isma, and the concern they must be feeling flooded my mind. I needed to get back to them, to reassure them of my safety. The urgency propelled me forward, each step taking me closer to home.
The sun continued to rise, its rays casting long shadows across the forest floor. Birds chirped in the canopy above, a symphony of morning songs that seemed to cheer me on. The magic of Araborn, the friendships I had forged, and the lessons I had learned – all of it swirled within me, fueling my run.
In the quiet aftermath of Umar's departure, Aelarion stood outside, a mixture of sadness and calm in his eyes. The stars above continued their silent vigil, casting a soft glow over the scene. Drakarion, observing Aelarion's contemplative state, broke the silence with a gentle voice, "Ale, huh?"
Aelarion turned, a small smile playing on his lips despite the bittersweet emotion in his eyes. "Yeah, that's the nickname he gave me. I like it a lot," he replied, the fondness for the name and its giver evident in his tone.
Maria, who had joined them outside, added her observation. "I saw you two playing 'mage' earlier. That boy, Umar, he managed to follow your speed. That's quite surprising for a human boy his age."
Drakarion nodded, his expression showing a hint of intrigue. "Indeed, it is surprising. Humans, especially children, usually don't possess such reflexes."
Aelarion's laughter broke through, lightening the mood. "It's because he's my friend, and my friend is strong," he declared with pride and affection.
Drakarion placed a comforting hand on Aelarion's head, a gesture of reassurance and affection. "I'm glad you made a friend, Ale. And if you wish to see him again soon, perhaps this is the motivation you need to focus more on your changeling training."
At the mention of his training, Aelarion's face brightened with renewed determination. "I promise I'll take it more seriously. I want to be able to go out and see Umar again."
Maria chuckled softly, her voice warm and maternal. "Come on, let's go inside. I'm finishing up a cake I was making. I wanted Umar to have some, but he left too soon."
Aelarion's spirits lifted at the mention of the cake, his sadness momentarily forgotten. "That's okay! I'll have plenty of occasions to eat it since we'll see each other again," he said with a joyful confidence.
Together, they walked back into the mansion, the light from its windows casting a welcoming glow. As they disappeared inside, the night enveloped the mansion once more, the stars twinkling as if in approval of the friendship that had blossomed under their watch.
Inside, the warmth of the mansion, the smell of baking cake, and the promise of future adventures filled the air. Aelarion, with a newfound goal and a cherished friendship, was ready to embark on the next phase of his journey, driven by the hope of reunion and the wonders that lay ahead in the wide, magical world.