"He woke up?"
"It can't be?!"
"He did!"
As everyone rushed to the bed where Karyan was laying for the last eleven years, "this…" Soren's mom whispered but couldn't complete her sentence.
"This cannot be…" Soren's grandma gasped.
The news of Karyan's awakening spread through the village like wildfire.
People gathered, their eyes filled with disbelief and hope.
Soren, who had been looking after Karyan this whole time, stood at the forefront, his heart pounding with joy.
Karyan, now infused with the ancient magic, opened his eyes fully, meeting the gaze of the villagers.
Their gasps and whispers filled the room as they witnessed the transformation that had taken place.
In the midst of the crowd, an elder named Elder Rhea stepped forward, her wrinkled face was displaying surprise.
"The prophecy," she murmured, "the one who slumbers shall rise to protect and end it all…"
Soren's mom, catching her breath, added, "it's like Lanta herself changed you…"
The villagers exchanged glances, absorbing the revelation. Soren, unable to contain his emotions, approached Karyan with tears in his eyes. "You're awake," he whispered.
Karyan moved his head to the left and then to the right, "what is this place…?"
The village erupted in cheers, celebrating not only Karyan's awakening but also the fulfillment of an ancient prophecy.
The forest seemed to join in the jubilation, leaves rustling in a joyful dance.
Elder Rhea, with a knowing smile, whispered to Karyan, "You are the chosen one, Guardian of our realm."
"I'm sorry, oldie, but I'm no guardian of any human realm…" he finally spoke.
An awkward silence filled the room.
"Are you not the reborn serpent master?" She inquired.
"Even if I am, my job is not to protect or guard you…"
"It is…we were meant to find you, Goddess Lanta, the guardian of serpents, forests and life sent you to us…"
"The last time I remember, she didn't mention anything about protecting this…" he looked around at the shabby walls and almost-breaking ceiling, "village…"
"You're still so young, as for your snake…"
"Sera!" Karyan pushed through the crowd, his heart racing with the urgency of finding Sera.
The villagers stepped aside, their eyes wide with curiosity and awe as they watched him.
His steps were hurried, his gaze swept over the familiar faces and the homes he hadn't seen for over a decade. But Sera was all he could think about.
He remembered her scales, once pure white, now slowly transforming into a shimmering green-golden hue, like a sign of her maturity and strength.
As he moved, his attention was suddenly drawn to a movement at the edge of the gathering.
There she was, a snake with scales that reflected the sunlight and seemed to dance with the colors of the forest.
The villagers stopped and watched Karyan, their whispers hushed as they saw the connection between the man and the serpent.
A smile crept onto Karyan's face, a true and heartfelt one, as he locked eyes with the creature he had been searching for.
"Sera!" He shouted, his voice echoed through the village.
The snake turned her head, recognizing the voice of her friend, her master.
Without hesitation, she slithered towards him, weaving through the legs of the onlookers.
The bond between them was unmistakable.
It was as if no time had passed since they had last been together.
As Sera reached him, Karyan knelt and extended his hand, allowing her to coil around his arm, her body a comforting weight against his skin.
The villagers watched this reunion, with an amazement and respect in their eyes.
Karyan, the boy who had been asleep for eleven years, was now a man with a serpent by his side.
They could sense that something extraordinary was unfolding before them.
Elder Rhea stepped forward. "The serpent master has returned," she declared.
The crowd murmured in agreement, their belief in the ancient legends rekindled by the sight before them.
Karyan looked at the faces of the villagers, their expressions a blend of hope and expectation.
He realized that to them, he was more than just Karyan; he was a symbol of something greater, a protector that had been promised by the old tales.
But Karyan knew his path was not to be dictated by prophecies.
He first needed to get his revenge and to carve his own destiny, with Sera by his side.
And while he might not see himself as their guardian, he couldn't deny the deep connection he had with the forest and its creatures.
"Oh, Lanta…you little bitch," he murmured silently.
Karyan's gaze fell to his side where his right hand should have been, it felt like a reminder of the cost of his long sleep.
The absence was a fresh shock to him, 'how could she let me sleep for so long…?'
Soren's mother approached, wringing her hands nervously. " I did what I could, but... but I couldn't save your hand," she said, her voice tinged with regret. "It was beyond what medicine could heal."
Karyan gave a small nod, his attention was still on Sera.
The snake seemed to sense his mood, rubbing her head gently against the stump of his arm in a silent show of empathy.
He continued to stroke her with his remaining hand, finding comfort in her presence.
Elder Rhea watched the exchange, then stepped closer, her eyes fixed on Karyan. "You have returned to us with the dawn of a new day," she began, her voice strong and clear. "Where does your path lead now? What will you seek?"
Karyan lifted his eyes from Sera, meeting the elder's inquisitive stare.
He took a deep breath, feeling the weight of her question and the expectations of the villagers upon him.
"I don't know where my path leads," Karyan replied honestly, his voice steady. "But it's mine to walk, and I'll find it as I go. For now, I'm just... I'm just glad to be alive, to feel the sun on my face and to have Sera back with me."
There was a collective sigh from the villagers, some nodding in understanding, others still hoping for answers.
But it was clear to all that Karyan was his own man and He had awoken into a world he did not recognize…