Torrack had barely returned to his daily routine in Sirco when word arrived that would change the course of his life yet again. One morning, as he was helping his father knead dough in the bakery, a rider dressed in the royal blue and silver of the king's guard rode into the village.
Torrack sensed something unusual about the rider even before he saw him. His aura vision flickered to life, revealing a bright yellow external aura around the guard—a color Torrack had never seen before. It was vibrant and energetic, pulsating with a kind of restless vitality.The guard dismounted with a swift, fluid motion and approached the bakery, his expression stern and purposeful.
The baker, Torrack's father, straightened up and wiped his flour-covered hands on his apron, while Torrack watched, intrigued by the strange aura. The guard stepped into the bakery, his boots clicking against the wooden floor."I come with a message from His Majesty, King Alaric," he announced, his voice steady and commanding. "I am Sir Edric of the King's Guard." Torrack immediately noticed the confidence in his voice, underpinned by the yellow aura that seemed to swirl around him like a gust of wind.
Torrack felt a surge of curiosity and a hint of apprehension. He had never encountered an aura like this before. The yellow glow suggested something unique about Sir Edric's abilities. As if sensing Torrack's unspoken question, Sir Edric turned to him, his piercing gaze softened slightly."You are Torrack, the healer who cured Lady Mycela of the Simtrek family, are you not?" Sir Edric asked, his eyes narrowing as if to gauge Torrack's response.
"I am," Torrack replied, his voice calm despite the sudden attention.Sir Edric nodded. "You are to come with me to the capital," he continued. "By order of His Majesty, King Alaric. You have been summoned to the royal court."Torrack's father began to protest, but Sir Edric raised a hand, his yellow aura pulsing in rhythm with his words. "It is not a request, but a command," he said firmly. "His Majesty wishes to speak with your son personally."Torrack knew he could not refuse the king's summons, especially when delivered by someone with such an aura.
He sensed a mix of urgency and sincerity in Sir Edric's energy. Exchanging a glance with his father, who, after a moment, nodded in understanding, Torrack agreed. "I'll go," he said quietly. "I'll get my things."
The journey to the capital was unlike anything Torrack had ever experienced. Sir Edric's yellow aura seemed to enhance their speed. The horse moved as if it was gliding over the landscape, barely touching the ground.
Torrack felt the wind rushing past him, faster than he had ever felt it before, and he realized that Sir Edric was using a wind and speed ability. It was as if the very air around them was propelling them forward, reducing the resistance and allowing them to cover vast distances in a matter of hours."How do you do that?" Torrack asked, his voice raised above the wind.Sir Edric glanced back at him, a small smile playing at the corner of his lips. "It is a gift," he said. "My magic is attuned to the element of wind, allowing me to control speed and movement.
It's how we reached you so quickly, and how we'll reach the capital even faster."Torrack nodded, fascinated. He had never heard of such an ability, but then again, he had much to learn about the magic of this world. His aura vision continued to sense the bright yellow energy, now flickering like flames in a breeze, dancing around Sir Edric and the horse as they sped towards the capital.
The capital city of Halstead came into view far sooner than Torrack had expected. Its towering stone walls loomed high above the countryside, and the streets were filled with people bustling about their daily business. The noise and energy of the city were overwhelming at first, but Torrack quickly adapted, his heightened senses taking in everything around him.
As they rode through the city gates and approached the royal palace, Torrack felt a strange sensation—a faint buzzing at the edge of his consciousness. His aura vision flickered again, revealing a vast array of auras around him. The palace guards, the servants, the nobles—all had distinct auras that danced in a mesmerizing display of colors. But there was something else, something deeper within the palace walls.
A dark, dense aura that pulsed with an unfamiliar energy. It was unlike anything Torrack had encountered before.Sir Edric led Torrack through a series of grand hallways until they reached a set of heavy oak doors. "Wait here," he instructed, before disappearing inside.
Torrack stood alone in the hallway, his heart pounding in his chest. After what felt like an eternity, the doors swung open, and Sir Edric beckoned him inside.The throne room was vast, with high ceilings and walls adorned with intricate tapestries.
At the far end of the room sat King Alaric on a grand throne made of carved wood and gold. He was a tall man with a stern face and a commanding presence. His aura was a deep, royal blue, exuding authority and power, but also a touch of weariness. Beside him stood several nobles and advisors, their auras a mix of colors—greens, yellows, and reds, each indicating their varying emotions and intentions.
Torrack stepped forward, feeling the weight of their gazes upon him. He could sense their skepticism, their curiosity, and even a hint of fear. King Alaric's eyes bore into Torrack, assessing him with a sharp, calculating gaze."You are Torrack," the king said, his voice deep and resonant. "The boy who cured Lady Mycela of her ailment.""Yes, Your Majesty," Torrack replied, bowing his head respectfully.
King Alaric studied him for a moment longer before speaking again. "I have summoned you here because of your remarkable abilities," he said. "You have done what no healer in my kingdom could do. You cured a curse—a feat not achieved in generations. I want to know how you did it."Torrack took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. He explained to the king how he had used his aura sight to detect the dark energy within Mycela and how he had managed to transfer it to a magical object, a rare flower that could absorb and contain the curse.
He spoke with clarity and confidence, describing his methods in detail. The room was silent as he spoke, the courtiers hanging on his every word.When he finished, King Alaric leaned back in his throne, his expression thoughtful. "You have a rare gift, Torrack," he said finally. "A gift that could be of great use to my kingdom."Torrack nodded, unsure of what to say.
He could sense that the king's interest was not purely altruistic. There was a hint of something else—ambition, perhaps, or a desire for power. He remained silent, waiting for the king to continue."There are others in my kingdom who suffer from ailments that no healer has been able to cure," the king said. "I would have you stay in Halstead and work with my royal healers.
Learn from them, and let them learn from you. Together, you could accomplish great things."Torrack hesitated. He had not expected this. He had thought the king might ask him questions, perhaps even reward him for his service to Lady Mycela, but to stay in the capital? To work with the royal healers? It was more than he had bargained for. But he also knew that this was an opportunity—an opportunity to learn, to grow, and to help more people."I would be honored, Your Majesty," Torrack said finally.
"But I must ask—what is it that you truly seek? You speak of ailments, but I sense there is something more."A murmur ran through the throne room at Torrack's boldness, but King Alaric merely smiled, a faint curve of his lips. "You are perceptive," he said. "Indeed, there is more. My son, Prince Aidan, has been ill for many years.
He suffers from a mysterious condition that none have been able to cure or even understand. He grows weaker with each passing day. I believe that your abilities might be the key to saving him."Torrack felt a chill run down his spine.
The dark, dense aura he had sensed earlier—it made sense now. It must have been the prince's. "I will do my best, Your Majesty," he said, his voice steady. "Please, show me to the prince."King Alaric nodded, and with a wave of his hand, he dismissed the courtiers. "Edric, take Torrack to my son," he ordered.
As Torrack followed Sir Edric through the labyrinthine halls of the palace, he felt a growing sense of determination. He had been given a great responsibility, and he knew that the road ahead would not be easy. But he also knew that he could not turn back now. Whatever lay ahead, he would face it with courage and resolve.
They arrived at a heavily guarded room. Sir Edric gave a nod to the guards, who stepped aside to allow Torrack and him to enter. Inside, the room was dimly lit, with heavy curtains drawn against the windows. On a grand bed lay Prince Aidan, his skin pale and his breathing shallow.
Torrack's aura vision flickered to life, revealing the dark, dense energy that surrounded the prince. It was different from the curse that had afflicted Mycela—more complex, more insidious.Torrack stepped closer, feeling the weight of the darkness pressing against his own aura. He would need all his skill and knowledge to unravel this mystery and save the prince.
But he was ready. He had faced the darkness before, and he would face it again.He took a deep breath, reaching out with his aura, feeling for the edges of the dark energy. He could sense its hunger, its desperation, and something else—a consciousness, perhaps? He wasn't sure. But he knew one thing for certain: the battle for Prince Aidan's life had only just begun.
He approached the bed slowly, his senses fully alert. As he drew closer, he extended his aura vision further, probing the dark energy, trying to understand its nature. He could see that it was not just one entity but a mass of tangled energies, interwoven and writhing, each strand pulsing with a life of its own. It reminded him of a nest of serpents, each one entwined with the others, impossible to separate without causing pain or further damage.
Torrack took a deep breath and closed his eyes, focusing inward, drawing on the strength of his aura. He reached out with his mind, extending his aura towards the dark energy. He could feel its resistance, its instinctive recoil as if it sensed his intrusion. But Torrack persisted, pushing further, his determination unwavering.
He knew he needed to make contact with it, to communicate in some way, just as he had with the curse in Lady Mycela.For what felt like an eternity, Torrack stood there, locked in a silent battle with the dark energy. Sweat beaded on his forehead, and his body trembled with the effort, but he did not back down. Slowly, he began to feel a shift, a subtle change in the energy's behavior.