The first streaks of sunlight gently coaxed Ardiel from his slumber as he slowly opened his eyes. A throbbing headache and a heavy, pervasive sensation compounded his discomfort, making it hard to focus.
Groaning, he tried to sit up, only to be overwhelmed by a wave of fatigue and pain that seemed to seep through every part of his body. The lush grass beneath him tickled and irritated his skin, while a chilly breeze ruffled his disheveled hair.
As his senses sharpened, the reality of his situation sank in: he was in a forest, far from the familiar confines of Azure Hall.
Fear began to creep into him.
He tried to remember the last moments before he lost consciousness. As a child, he was frightened by the thought of being kidnapped, but he knew that was impossible. The security at Azure Hall was top-notch, so any such possibility would require someone pulling strings from the shadows.
His breath grew ragged, a sign that panic was setting in. Just as his body began to tremble, he noticed small specks of light flickering around him. At first, he thought it was merely a trick of his returning consciousness, but as he focused, he realized that these tiny orbs of light were circling him, casting an ethereal glow in the shade of forest.
"What are these?" he wondered aloud, slowly raising his hand to reach out to one of the orbs. To his surprise, the closest orb darted toward him and attached itself to his wrist like an eager mosquito.
"AHHH!"
He shook his arm in shock, trying to dislodge it, but the orb remained firmly stuck to his wrist.
Then, more orbs of light appeared, creating a mesmerizing spectacle.
"He looks cute!" a small, high-pitched voice echoed in his mind. Then another voice chimed in, different yet equally curious. Ardiel was beyond shocked as voices were suddenly invading his mind. It took him a moment to realize that these voices were coming from the orbs of light and they were no ordinary lights.
"You're scaring him!"
"What are you guys?" Ardiel asked, his eyes wide with a mix of fear and curiosity.
"We're elemental spirits!" one answered excitedly.
It's not everyday that they'll get to see a human in their place, perhaps it has been hundreds of years since the last time, and for these spirits who are inherently curious, Ardiel was like some lost puppy in their eyes.
"Spirits?" Ardiel frowned at the unexpected answer. As clever as he was, he knew that spirits weren't typically visible to the naked eye, much less encountered in such numbers. Records claimed they were so rare that seeing one was a lifetime chance, unless you were a Spirit Summoner.
Cold beads of sweat glistened on his forehead as hundreds of colorful orbs danced around him in joy. He felt like a circus spectacle.
"You're in the Spirit Realm. How come you don't know?" a larger orb spoke to him in wonder.
"I… I just got here. Could it be because of the Dragon Mark?" Ardiel stammered, unsure of his own words.
"Exactly! That Dragon Mark is like a two-way gate—a chain linking those connected by it. Oh, to be chosen by Lord Exzhen, you're certainly special!" The blue orb, the size of a human head, giggled as it floated closer to him.
"I'm Undine! A Water Spirit," the orb announced. It then popped like a bubble, revealing a small, floating figure. With pointed ears, sparkling eyes, and a blue dress, it spoke a lot about her identity.
"Hi, Undine. Who is Lord Exzhen?" Ardiel tilted his head, casting a confused look. He couldn't recall ever hearing that name, nor was it ever mentioned by the Grand Elder.
"GASP!"
The spirit reacted with surprise. "You don't know Lord Exzhen? How come you have that mark then?" Undine asked in disbelief.
"I got it when I was a baby," he replied reluctantly, not enjoying having to mention it, especially after suffering because of it moments ago.
"I can't tell you. It's better if you meet Lord Exzhen yourself," Undine said with a mischievous wink.
"Follow us!" the spirits chimed in unison, still circling around him.
To his surprise, Ardiel's body began to glow with a green hue. He felt a sudden improvement in his condition, perhaps these spirits were as extraordinary as the stories suggested. He stood up, taking his time to observe his surroundings.
Giant trees towered everywhere, with roots thicker than he was, making him feel like an ant in this vast forest. The thought was quite daunting. If not for the spirits, who were enjoying his presence, he would have been far more terrified.
The spirits took the lead, forming a trail of hundreds of glowing bodies that created a fantastical experience. Some spirits resembled birds, while others took forms closely tied to their elemental nature. Seeing them in person was far more captivating than reading about them.
A book by a famous Spirit Summoner had claimed that even spirits recognized a hierarchy—the greater the being, the more majestic its form. For instance, a Water Spirit taking the form of a whale would be of the highest rank, just below the Spirit King.
The natural sounds in the Spirit Realm created a perfect harmony, producing a song that no one will ever experience unless they came here themselves.
Though he was concerned about his whereabouts, Ardiel hoped this strange phenomenon would lead him to answers about the Dragon Mark on his back.
After a considerable journey, crossing streams and some obstacles, they arrived at the center of the forest, and It was different from what he had imagined. At the center, where the trees deliberately parted, stood a small bamboo hut. It was simple, as if a lost traveler had hastily constructed it for shelter.
"Lord Exzhen is inside. Go ahead," Undine said as she stopped in her tracks.
"Can't you come with me?" he asked.
"We can, but our presence is not needed, so Good luck, young boy!" The spirit smiled at him before she and the other spirits scattered away. He watched as the spirits flew in different routes until only a few of them remained floating around.
He turned and nervously faced the hut. For some reason he couldn't explain, there was something heavy and intimidating about it, as if a godly being awaited him inside. His hands trembled uncontrollably, and his legs felt weak, but he couldn't stay standing there. He was sure that whoever was inside knew he had arrived, perhaps even the moment he had stepped into this realm.
He carefully stepped forward, clenching his fists and biting his lips. He could only hope that the person inside would be kind, especially for a kid like him.
Stepping inside was the hardest thing he had ever done, but he gathered all his courage and went in.
The interior was unremarkable, aside from the sole figure sitting comfortably on the floor in the center. The man wore a white tunic robe and leather surcoat with golden and silver patterns. His pale skin, pointed ears, sharp nose bridge, and white lashes gave him an imperious air. As he opened his eyes, golden reptilian irises sparkled, casting a deep, penetrating gaze that seemed to see into his soul.
Ardiel froze, feeling the most chilling gaze he had ever encountered. The man remained still and quiet, observing him before revealing a smirk.
"You came much earlier," the man said.
Should he reply? Ardiel was too terrified to utter a word or even make a sound. He wasn't sure how to react.
"Ha," the man sighed. "Calm down, will you? It's not like I'll eat you. I've switched to being a vegetarian, so you don't have to worry," he chuckled, finally easing the tension, though his natural air of authority remained. Ardiel remained silent.
"Hello," Ardiel said robotically, the only word he could manage. His mind was in a whirl. The man before him was someone he could guess but could hardly believe, someone his family had revered since ancient times.
"It's nice to finally meet my Soul Bond," the man greeted with anticipation. But his words struck like thunder in Ardiel's ears.