I run through the dark corridors, my rapid footsteps echoing against the stone walls. The shadow I glimpsed a moment earlier slips through the narrow passages of the ruins, almost disappearing at every turn like a mirage.
The tension is palpable, every fiber of my being focused on pursuing this mysterious figure.As I make my way through, I can't help but feel the symbol engraved in the middle of my forehead pulsing gently, as if reacting to the energy permeating these ruins. This symbol, a strange mark I have borne since birth, has always been an enigma to me.
It is tied to my origins, to my ethnicity, but neither my parents nor my masters ever explained what it truly represents. I now wonder if its meaning might finally be revealed here, in this ancient sanctuary of the Ash Mages.After a few minutes, I find myself before a large stone door, partially open. The shadow passed through here, I know it.
I approach cautiously, ready for anything. Crossing the threshold, I discover a vast circular chamber. The walls are covered with intricate engravings and detailed frescoes depicting scenes of battles, rituals, and encounters between various mythical creatures.In the center of the room, a black marble pedestal supports a crystal globe, emitting a soft blue light.
I move closer, fascinated by the engravings on the pedestal. At first glance, it looks like a map of our world, but with continents I do not recognize. The crystal globe, for its part, seems to contain floating shards of light inside, like stars in an endless night.I approach the globe, reaching out toward it. But before I can touch the smooth surface of the crystal, a deep, resonant voice echoes through the room."Stop, Alaric."I turn around with a start, my sharpened reflexes kicking in. There, standing in the shadow of a pillar, is a hooded man, the same silhouette I saw fleeing earlier. His eyes shine with a penetrating glow beneath his hood."Who are you?" I ask, my hand instinctively moving closer to the hilt of my sword. Then I remember I left my weapons outside the ruins to show my peaceful intentions.
The man steps out of the shadows and slowly lowers his hood, revealing a face marked with intricate tattoos, symbols similar to those I have seen in these ruins. His hair is graying, but his expression is full of wisdom and cunning. "I am Thalor, a guardian of this ancient place. And you, Alaric, son of the Southern lands, bearer of the Mark of Dawn, you have come seeking answers, haven't you?"I am stunned. The Mark of Dawn... that is what my grandmother called the symbol on my forehead when I was a child, but I never understood what it truly meant. "How do you know all this? Who are you really?"Thalor approaches slowly, his hands raised in a gesture of peace. "I am a sage of the Ash Mages, one of the last of my lineage. We were the keepers of balance, scholars who studied the secrets of the world, of magic, and of the nature of things. But long ago, we lost our way."He pauses, looking at the crystal globe in the center of the room. "We sought power instead of wisdom, and it led to our downfall. But I remained here, watching over the remnants of our knowledge, waiting for the day when someone like you would come, a bearer of the Mark, to learn what has been forgotten."I am confused but also intrigued. "Why me? Why am I important?"Thalor smiles softly. "The Mark you bear is an ancient symbol, Alaric. It does not belong solely to your people but to something much larger. It ties you to a lineage of guardians, warriors, and scholars, chosen for their balance between strength and wisdom. You have the potential to be a bridge between worlds, between magic and steel, between the old and the new."The Magic of the Ash MagesHe raises his hand towards the crystal globe. "The magic we practiced here was not like that of others. We did not draw our power from the elements or the arcane, but from a deep understanding of the essence of life and the universe. We called it Ash Magic, a form of magic born from the ashes of ancient dragons, beings of pure magic and light."I nod, fascinated. "And this magic... is it still here?""Yes," Thalor replies. "It is present all around us. In the earth you tread, in the air you breathe, and in the shadows that dance in the glow of this globe. But magic is not just a force to wield; it is a balance to maintain. Most people only see the surface of magic: fire, ice, light, darkness. But true magic lies in understanding what binds them all together."He gestures towards the engravings on the walls. "We, the Ash Mages, developed different schools of magic, each specializing in an aspect of the world: Life, Death, Shadow, Light, Nature, and the Arcane. Each mage would choose a school and spend their life studying it, understanding the secrets hidden behind each element. But, for those of us who bore the Mark, a special path was reserved—a path of balance between these forces."I look at the frescoes, now seeing the scenes differently, as if they were revealing hidden layers of meaning. "And this Mark... does it allow me to master these schools of magic?""Not directly," Thalor answers. "The Mark is a key, a potential. It does not automatically confer power. You still have to learn, to understand. And there are challenges to overcome."He places a hand on the crystal globe, and a projection rises into the air, showing a map of the known lands and some still unexplored. "Every mage in training had to cross the Lands of Trial, a place where the schools of magic meet and clash. There, you must prove that you are worthy of bearing the Mark by demonstrating your understanding of magical balance."I feel both excited and nervous. "And how can I prepare for this place?"Thalor smiles, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "By starting to understand what you have already learned. Kael, your friend, uses elemental magic. His abilities come from the Arcane, a school that draws on the raw forces of nature. Lira, on the other hand, relies on the magic of Life, using enchantments and techniques based on the vital energy of the earth and living beings. You have already been in contact with different schools of magic without even realizing it."I ponder his words. "So, by helping my friends and working with them, I have already begun to understand this balance?""Exactly," says Thalor. "But there is still much to learn. Each school has its strengths and weaknesses, and each mage must find their own path. That is why these ruins exist—to test those who seek knowledge, to push them to look beyond appearances and understand the true fabric of reality."A Dangerous PropositionI feel a new determination rising within me. I am ready to learn, to discover what this place still has to offer me. But before I can respond, Thalor looks at me with a new intensity. "But be careful, Alaric. This knowledge is powerful, and all power can corrupt. Even those who seek the light can be tempted by the shadow."I understand the gravity of his words. "I am ready to face this danger. I want to understand who I am, what this Mark truly means."Thalor smiles, but this time, there is sadness in his eyes. "Very well. But know this: balance is delicate, and once you choose to walk this path, there is no turning back. You must be prepared to sacrifice everything to maintain this balance. Your strength and cunning will be tested, and you will have to navigate between the lines of what is right and what is wrong."I nod, determined. "I will do what it takes."Thalor nods slightly in acceptance. "Then prepare yourself. The journey is just beginning, and the Lands of Trial await you. But first, you must find your friends. You will need all your combined strengths to succeed."I take a deep breath, feeling the weight of his words, and turn towards the exit of the room. I still have much to learn, and my friends need me. I must find them, but I now know that this quest is much larger than I had imagined. I understand that to master the magic of the Ash Mages, I will have to find a balance within myself and in the world around me.As I leave the room, a strange sense of peace and determination fills me. The symbol on my forehead seems to pulse again, but this time, it's not an alert but a recognition. I wonder what more this symbol has in store for me to discover and what role it will play in this epic journey ahead.And so, I venture into the darkness, the ruins stretching before me as a challenge to overcome, a mystery to uncover. I must find Kael and Lira, and together, we will face the Lands of Trial, determined to uncover the truth behind the secrets of the Ash Mages and understand our place in this magical and mysterious universe.