After handling Jerome, Aelion remained composed, his gaze steady as he allowed his intense aura to gradually subside. Taking measured steps around the room, he observed every detail with a keen eye. The furniture, he found though functional, bore the marks of wear and discomfort.
The carpet, he observed was once vibrant, but now showed signs of age and misuse. As he reached the bed, he knelt, his aura dimming but still illuminating the space beneath.
There, hidden from casual view, lay stacks of dusty books, arranged haphazardly on makeshift wooden shelves. Each volume seemed to hold a story of its own, untouched for some time, yet waiting to be discovered.
He smiled in an "I knew it" kind of way and turned back toward the tables on the far side of the room. He sat down with a dusty thud on the chair farthest from where Helena was standing and gestured for her to sit.
Cautious, but unwilling to deny the request of such a powerful being, she stepped forward and took her place in the same seat she had occupied just a few minutes earlier. Her movements were deliberate and graceful, and she settled into the chair with a poise that contrasted sharply with Aelion's earlier, heavier descent. This display of elegance caught Aelion by surprise and pleased him immensely.
Once the lovely lady had sat down Aelion began to speak, "Hello, it is lovely to finally meet you in person, I have been watching you from afar for some time, and I just couldn't help notice such a exquisite girl, I had to help."
Helena responded with thanks, and asked a simple question back,
"Why me?"
Aelion's eyes glinted with a mixture of amusement and intrigue as he leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled under his chin. "Why not you?" he countered, his voice smooth and deliberate. "You possess a rare combination of strength and grace, intelligence and empathy. Traits that, when harnessed correctly, can change the course of events in ways most people can't even begin to comprehend."
Helena's eyes narrowed slightly, her suspicion growing. "And what exactly is it that you want from me?"
Aelion chuckled softly, a sound that resonated with a warmth that seemed out of place in the dim, dusty room. "Want from you? Helena, it's not about wanting something from you. It's about offering you an opportunity. A chance to use your gifts for a greater purpose."
She tilted her head, curiosity overcoming caution. "And what purpose might that be?"
Aelion stood up and began pacing the room, his steps measured and purposeful. "There are forces at play in this world, Helena, forces that most people are blissfully unaware of. Dark, ancient powers that threaten the balance of everything we hold dear. I've been fighting this battle for too long. But when I saw you, and I knew you were the key to tipping the scales."
Helena sat quietly for a moment, processing his words. The room seemed to grow darker, the shadows deepened as if in response to the weight of the conversation. "And what if I refuse?" she finally asked, her voice steady but laced with uncertainty.
Aelion stopped his pacing and turned to face her, his expression serious. "If you refuse, then you continue living your life as you have been, unaware of the dangers lurking in the shadows. But know this, Helena: ignoring the storm doesn't make it go away. It only leaves you unprepared when it finally hits."
She shivered slightly at his words, the gravity of the situation settling over her like a heavy cloak. "And if I agree?"
Aelion's face softened, a genuine smile touching his lips. "If you agree, you'll become part of something much larger than yourself. You'll have the chance to make a real difference, to protect those who can't protect themselves. You'll be trained, mentored, and given the tools you need to stand against the darkness."
Helena took a deep breath, her mind racing with the implications of his offer. She looked into Aelion's eyes, searching for any hint of deceit but found only sincerity. "Alright," she said slowly, her voice firming with resolve. "I'll do it. I'll join you."
Aelion's smile broadened, his aura flaring briefly with approval. "Welcome to the fight, Helena. Together, we'll ensure that the light prevails."
As Helena's heart began to steady, she felt a sense of purpose ignite within her. The path ahead was uncertain, fraught with danger and unknown challenges, but for the first time in a long while, she felt ready to face it. With Aelion by her side, she knew she could confront whatever darkness lay ahead.
Aelion's smile lingered for a moment longer before his expression grew serious once more. "There is one thing you must know before we proceed, Helena. My time here is limited. I must go, but our paths will cross again. To find me, you must leave the outer edge of the city, travel past ruins of Altos, across the gateway of water, and through many town and foreign lands that might lead to your death. Once you have done this you will arrive in Themos, that is where I will be waiting."
Helena's heart skipped a beat. The Gulag was notorious, but having to travel across the continent after that, she didn't know if she could do it. The Gulag itself was a problem the sprawling labyrinthine slum which only a few had ever escaped from. Its twisting alleys and fortified barriers were designed to keep its inhabitants trapped in a cycle of poverty and despair. She had heard countless stories of those who tried to escape, only to be caught and dragged back, their spirits broken.
"How?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper. "How can I escape the Gulag? How did the executioner do it?"
Aelion's eyes softened with understanding. "You are not like the others, Helena. You have a strength within you that they do not. The key to your escape lies not in brute force or cunning, but in your ability to see the unseen, to sense the paths that others cannot. Trust in your instincts, and remember that the shadows are not always your enemy. Sometimes, they can be your guide."
With that, Aelion stepped back, his form beginning to shimmer as if dissolving into the very air. "Stay true to your purpose," he said, his voice echoing faintly. "And remember, I will be watching over you."
Then he was gone, leaving Helena alone in the dim room. She sat in silence for a few moments, absorbing the weight of his words. The path ahead was daunting, but she felt a newfound determination surging within her. She had accepted this challenge, and she would see it through.
Gathering her courage, Helena dressed herself as poorly as possible, she tied her hair back, put it in a hood, and made her way to the door. As she stepped outside, for the forth time in her life in the gulag, the harsh reality greeted her. The narrow, winding streets were filled with makeshift shanties, and the air was thick with the scent of despair. People moved about with hunched shoulders and downcast eyes, each lost in their own struggles.
Helena began to walk, her steps purposeful. She knew she couldn't simply walk out of the Gulag; she needed a plan. She headed toward the market, a chaotic jumble of stalls and vendors, hoping to gather information. As she navigated through the crowd, she kept her senses alert, seeking any clue or sign that might help her.