Ra stirred first, consciousness creeping back as his eyes fluttered open. The world came into focus slowly, the unfamiliar surroundings making his head spin. With a groggy voice, he called out, "Ray," and attempted to rise. His body protested with weakness and a sharp pain that radiated from his core, forcing him to grasp the bedpost for support.
La'ru entered the room at that moment, her presence a swift relief as she guided him gently back onto the bed. "Your brother is fine," she assured him, her voice carrying a mix of sternness and care. "A friend of mine, a cleric in these slums, is seeing to his healing. You're in a temple." She paused, a sigh escaping her as she continued, "I owe your brother for saving my life. According to the customs of my people, I'm bound to him until I can repay this debt." A snarl curled her lips as she settled into a chair opposite the bed, her posture relaxed yet alert. "So, what names do you go by?" she inquired, a hint of curiosity breaking through her gruff exterior.
"Ra...Hashmel" he manages to say, his voice hoarse. The pain was still there, a dull reminder of the recent events, but hearing that Ray was being cared for brought a wave of relief.
"Ra," La'ru repeats, her tone less harsh, her posture relaxing slightly. "And your brother?"
"Ray... Ray'Daniel," Ra adds, his worry for his brother not fully abated despite La'ru's assurances.
La'ru stands up, her demeanor a mix of frustration and concern. "Well, Ra, you should rest. Your brother's in good hands. I owe him that much," she admits, the edge in her voice softening a bit. "The cleric is skilled; he'll make sure Ray'Daniel recovers fully." She then walks towards the door, pausing to look back at Ra. "Try to rest. I'll let you know once your brother is awake." With that, she exits the room, leaving Ra alone with his thoughts and the steady ache of his recovering body.
La'ru, her footsteps echoing softly on the stone floor, exits Ra's room, the sound of her departure a subtle farewell in the quiet of the temple's infirmary. With a gentle hum, a melody of contemplation, she navigates the short corridor, its walls adorned with ancient symbols and healing runes, illuminating the path with a soft, ethereal glow.Entering the adjacent chamber, she finds Ray, his form still and peaceful upon a modest infirmary bed. The room is simple, lit by the flickering light of candles, casting shadows that dance across the stone walls. The cleric, a figure of modest stature yet commanding presence, is draped in a grey robe that speaks more of his humble service than of any grandeur, the fabric of common merchants peeking from underneath, a blend of his spiritual calling and worldly interactions.He leans over Ray, his movements precise and considerate, checking the young man's pulse before examining the near-healed wound.
"La," he addresses her, his voice a calm baritone that fills the room with an aura of serenity. "This boy, he was struck by dark magic?" His tone is laced with concern and a touch of disbelief, the concept of magic, especially of a dark nature, being a rarity and a challenge in the realm of healing.The cleric, pushing away from the bedside, retreats to his chair, turning to face La'ru fully. His features, those of a High Elf, are marked by blonde hair that cascades like liquid gold and eyes as icy blue as the deepest glacier. His posture, regal and composed, and his demeanor, imbued with an inherent nobility, betray his highborn lineage."The other has awakened," he continues, a note of optimism threading through his words. "And this one," he gestures toward Ray, "his life force strengthens with each passing moment." His gaze, piercing yet not unkind, seeks La'ru's. "Dear girl, it's been two days, and yet you've shared so little. Please, recount to me the events that led you here. The details could be crucial for their recovery."
La'ru nodded, the words spilling from her in a rush. "Jeros... he was more than he seemed. A puppet, controlled by strings we couldn't see. I thought getting close to him would lead me to the real power in the undercity, but I didn't expect... I didn't foresee this"She recounted the tale, her voice a mixture of fear and fascination. Ray's attempt to spare Jeros, the cowards surprise attack that nearly ended Ray's life. But it was Ra's reaction that haunted her the most. "When Ra screamed, it was as if the very essence of darkness recoiled. What he did to Jeros... I've never seen such power. And I'm not sure I want to again."The cleric listened, his expression grave. "Dark magic is a perilous path, one that consumes both the wielder and the victim. Yet, in the face of such darkness, the bond between then proved stronger. This 'Ra', his response to his brother's peril... it's a rare thing. To call upon such power, guided by raw emotion... it's both terrifying and remarkable."
La'ru's voice trembled slightly as she spoke, a mixture of awe and apprehension coloring her words. "Ra, what he did... that wasn't magic, Keron, that was something else," she said, the memory of the event casting a shadow over her features. Her eyes, wide and searching, met Keron's, seeking not just understanding but reassurance in the wake of such raw and unbridled power.
Keron, the cleric, paused, his expression turning somber as he processed her words. The soft flicker of candlelight in the room seemed to dim, as if in response to the gravity of their conversation. He had lived a life steeped in the lore of Alma, aware of its nuances and the delicate balance it required. Yet, the incident La'ru described stirred a deep-seated unease within him, one that he had hoped never to confront.
Drawing a slow, deliberate breath, Keron finally spoke, his voice laced with a hint of trepidation. "The power that Ra wielded... it aligns with the ancient prophecies. The tales of two brothers, one embodying light, the other darkness, each a beacon of Alma's vast spectrum." He paused, choosing his next words with care. "Darkness, in itself, is not evil. It is merely power, a force that exists in balance with light. But without guidance, without a steady hand to steer its course, it can spiral into chaos, becoming a tool for destruction."
Keron moved to the window, gazing out into the night, the stars above a silent testament to the universe's ageless mysteries. "The prophecy speaks of two who will hold the keys to Alma's greatest strengths and its deepest perils. It seems, La'ru, that we may be witnessing the dawn of that era."
Turning back to face her, Keron's eyes held a glimmer of resolve. "What Ra unleashed, the darkness that he called forth, it's a testament to his potential. But potential untamed can lead down perilous paths. If the prophecy is true, then Ra and Ray are destined for a journey that will test the very fabric of their beings. They will need guidance, La'ru, a mentor to help them navigate the powers they possess."
Keron's voice was heavy with concern, the weight of centuries-old prophecies and the fate of two young brothers resting squarely on his shoulders. "La'ru, do they have any knowledge of the power they wield?" he inquired, his icy blue eyes searching hers for an answer.
La'ru shook her head, her long red braids swaying with the motion. "No, from what I could tell, Ra doesn't even realize what he's done. It's like... it's like he acted on instinct, without conscious thought," she replied, her voice tinged with a mixture of awe and concern.
Keron nodded, his expression somber. "Good, we must keep this between us for now. They are not ready to understand the full extent of their abilities. It seems they haven't even discovered their essence yet. While I may lack the means to guide them on this journey, I know someone who might," he said, the hint of a plan forming in his mind.
"Please, La'ru, I must ask that you do not speak of this Dark and Light Alma again—not until the time is right," Keron continued, his tone earnest. "The knowledge of such power can be overwhelming, and if they are to learn of it, it must be at the right moment, under the right circumstances."
Her internal conflict was evident, the struggle to reconcile her instincts with Keron's wisdom etching lines of worry across her youthful face. "I... I understand," she finally said, the words heavy on her tongue. "But it feels wrong, keeping this from them. I may have just met them...but, Keron. I would want to know" She said with a sigh.
Keron placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, a gesture meant to reassure. "I know this is difficult, La'ru. But we must think of what's best for them in the long run. This is a burden they are not yet ready to bear. When the time comes, and they are prepared to embrace their destiny, they will learn all they need to know. For now, let us offer them the support and guidance they require to grow, to learn, and to discover the essence of who they truly are."
As the first light of dawn streamed through the small window of the temple's infirmary, Ray's eyes fluttered open, greeting the new day with a mix of confusion and relief. His gaze fell upon a neatly folded set of clothes and a towel laid out for him—a silent invitation to shed the remnants of the previous day's turmoil.
The creak of the door announced La'ru's arrival, her silhouette framed against the morning light. "Hey, sleeper, welcome back to the world of the living," she greeted, a playful tone in her voice.
Ray sat up, the fabric of the infirmary bed rustling beneath him. "Where's my brother?" he asked immediately, his concern evident. His silver eyes, reflecting the morning light, seemed to pierce through La'ru, seeking reassurance.
Caught off guard by the intensity of Ray's gaze, La'ru felt a warmth spread across her cheeks. She had never truly noticed before,perhaps it was the soft glow of dawn or the quiet of the morning,but Ray possessed a certain ethereal handsomeness that was hard to ignore. She turned away, hoping to hide her sudden flush. "H-he's in the bathhouse, cleaning up. You should probably do the same," she managed to say, her voice betraying a hint of fluster as she hurried out of the room.
Ray watched her leave, a slight smile playing on his lips at her reaction. Despite the gravity of their situation, this brief, awkward interaction brought a momentary lightness to his heart. With a deep breath, he swung his legs off the bed. He grabbed the towel and clothes and made his way out to look for the bathhouse.