The sun was barely rising over Briarwood when the news arrived: a stranger had been spotted making his way toward the village. Arin's father returned from the marketplace with the news, his expression unreadable.
"Some traveler's headed this way," he said, glancing at Arin. "People say he looks like a wizard. There's talk he's been asking questions—about you, son."
Arin froze, the spoon halfway to his mouth. "About me? How could he know?"
His father set down his bag and sat across from him, looking troubled. "Word travels fast, even in a place like Briarwood. You've been seen in the woods with that sword, and now a stranger shows up, asking about a boy with a glowing mark."
Arin exchanged a glance with his mother, who had paused in her work by the hearth. "What should we do?" she asked, her voice filled with worry.
Before anyone could answer, there was a knock at the door. The sound sent a shiver through Arin, as though fate itself had arrived at his doorstep. His father stood slowly, exchanging a brief look with Arin before heading to the door. When he opened it, the man standing there was exactly as described: tall, clad in dark robes, with a long staff in hand and eyes that seemed to pierce right through the walls of the house.
"Good morning," the man said in a low, calm voice. "I seek Arin, son of Briarwood."
Arin's breath caught in his throat. How did this man know his name? His father stood firm, but Arin could see the tension in his posture. "What business do you have with my son?"
The man smiled slightly, though it was not unkind. "I am Master Kael, a traveler and seeker of truth. I come not to harm, but to help. I believe your son bears a mark of great importance, one that ties him to the fate of this world."
Arin stood then, unable to remain silent any longer. "I'm Arin. What do you know about the mark?"
Master Kael's eyes flicked toward him, and for a moment, it felt as though the weight of ages had fallen upon Arin's shoulders. The wizard stepped inside, his gaze never leaving the boy. "Much, young Arin. More than you have yet realized. The mark you bear is no simple birthmark. It is a sign of the Dragon Knights—a calling to a destiny far greater than you can yet imagine."
Arin's pulse quickened. He glanced at his father, who looked as if he were about to protest, but his mother stepped forward, her face pale but calm. "Please, sit. Tell us what this means for our son."
Master Kael nodded in thanks and lowered himself onto a chair. His robes pooled around him like shadows, and his staff rested against the table. "The mark is part of an ancient prophecy, one that speaks of a boy with a glowing mark who will rise to face a great darkness. The sword you have found, Arin, is no ordinary blade. It belonged to the Dragon Knights, protectors of Eldoria in ages past. Its power is tied to the prophecy, and it will be needed when the darkness returns."
Arin swallowed hard, trying to make sense of everything. "But… I'm just a farm boy. How can I be part of a prophecy? I don't even know how to fight."
Kael leaned forward, his eyes serious but not unkind. "Greatness often begins in the humblest of places. You are more than you think, Arin. The sword chose you because you have the potential to wield it. But you will need guidance, training, and knowledge. That is why I am here."
Arin's father, who had been silent until now, spoke up, his voice edged with worry. "And what happens to him if he follows this path? Does he go off to fight some war we know nothing about?"
Kael turned to him, his expression thoughtful. "War is coming, whether Arin wishes to fight or not. The darkness will not wait. It is already moving across the land, gathering strength. What I offer is not just a chance for your son to fulfill his destiny, but a way to protect those he loves."
Arin's mother stood by his side, her hand on his shoulder. "Is there no other way? Must he leave?"
Kael's gaze softened. "Leaving is not my demand, but the path will call to him. If Arin chooses to stay, others will come for him. If he chooses to leave, he will have a chance to shape his own fate. Either way, the time will come when he must stand against the coming storm."
The room fell into a heavy silence. Arin felt his heart pounding, the enormity of the decision pressing down on him like a weight he was not ready to bear. But even as the fear gnawed at him, a strange sense of resolve began to form.
"I don't want to leave," Arin said quietly, "but if there's a chance I can stop whatever this darkness is, I have to try."
His father looked at him, torn between pride and fear. "If you go, know that we will always be here for you."
Kael stood, his presence seeming larger now as he looked down at Arin. "The choice is yours, Arin. I will train you, guide you, but you must decide if you are ready to take this step."
Arin took a deep breath, his hands trembling slightly as he met the wizard's gaze. "I'll go. I'll learn."
Kael nodded, the faintest smile touching his lips. "Very well. We leave at dawn."
As the wizard turned to leave, Arin's mother stepped forward, her voice soft but firm. "Promise me you will take care of him, Kael. He's still just a boy."
Kael paused at the door, looking back at her with a solemn expression. "I will do everything in my power to protect him. But he will need to find his own strength as well."
When Kael left, the house felt heavier with the silence he left behind. Arin's mother pulled him into a tight embrace. "I'm proud of you, Arin. But please, be careful."
"I will, Ma," Arin whispered, though the uncertainty of what lay ahead loomed larger than ever.
As the day drew to a close, Arin packed his things in quiet contemplation. Tomorrow, his life would change forever. He would leave the safety of Briarwood and follow the path that destiny had set before him.
Whatever happened next, Arin knew there was no turning back.