Ezran's lungs burned as he raced through the dense forest, his feet pounding against the soft earth. Behind him, he could hear the distant sounds of pursuit - the crackle of magic, the shouts of his pursuers.
The Corruptor's minions were closing in, and Ezran knew he had to keep moving. He ducked and weaved between the towering trees, using his intimate knowledge of the woodland to stay one step ahead of his hunters.
As he ran, Ezran's mind raced, trying to make sense of the horrific events that had unfolded. His parents, gone - consumed by the dark forces that now sought him. And the Corruptor, the very embodiment of evil, was after him.
"Why me?" Ezran whispered to himself, his voice laced with anguish. "What do they want?"
The answer, he realized, lay in the rare gift he possessed - the ability to wield all forms of magic with unparalleled skill. The Corruptor, in its insatiable quest for power, saw Ezran as a threat that needed to be eliminated.
Gritting his teeth, Ezran pushed on, his legs burning with exertion. He had to get as far away from the village as possible, to find someplace safe where he could regroup and figure out his next move.
As he ran, Ezran caught glimpses of his pursuers through the trees - dark, twisted figures, their bodies warped and corrupted by the Corruptor's influence. The sight of them filled him with a mixture of fear and revulsion.
Suddenly, Ezran's foot caught on a protruding root, and he tumbled to the ground, his staff clattering away. He tried to scramble to his feet, but his ankle throbbed with pain, and he knew he couldn't go any further.
The corrupted creatures were closing in, their glowing eyes fixed on their prey. Ezran's heart pounded in his chest as he frantically searched for his staff, his only means of defense.
Just as the first of the creatures reached him, a blinding flash of light erupted from the trees, and a powerful magical barrier sprang up, shielding Ezran from their attack. The creatures recoiled, hissing in pain and fury.
Through the shimmering barrier, Ezran caught sight of a figure emerging from the shadows - an old man, his weathered face etched with a look of grim determination.
"Galen!" Ezran cried, relief flooding through him.
The elder mage strode forward, his staff raised high. "Back, foul creatures!" he bellowed, his voice resonating with power. "This boy is under my protection."
The corrupted beings hesitated, sensing the formidable magic that Galen wielded. Ezran watched, awestruck, as the elder mage unleashed a barrage of spells, driving the creatures back into the depths of the forest.
When the last of the creatures had fled, Galen turned to Ezran, his expression grave.
"We must away, young mage," he said, his tone urgent. "The Corruptor's forces will not be deterred for long. I know a place where you can be safe, but we must hurry."
Ezran nodded, wincing as he tried to stand on his injured ankle. Galen quickly moved to support him, and together they set off into the darkening forest, leaving the smoldering ruins of Ezran's former life behind.