The cold night air hit Eryx's face as he and Lorian stepped out of the sanctuary's ancient entrance. After the long, claustrophobic passages and dimly lit chambers, the open sky felt like a release. Eryx looked up, the stars twinkling brightly, their light dancing in the endless expanse of the heavens.
For the first time since entering the sanctuary, Eryx felt a strange sense of freedom. But it was accompanied by a different feeling—a heavy weight pressing down on him, a burden he hadn't anticipated. The power he had awakened within the sanctuary still pulsed beneath his skin, and though he had survived the trials, the enormity of his newfound responsibility now settled in his chest.
Lorian broke the silence. "This is where the real journey begins, Eryx. The sanctuary has shaped you, but the world outside is far more dangerous. Those who know about the sanctuary's power won't stop until they find it. And now, that power is in you."
Eryx's gaze remained on the horizon. He could feel the vastness of the world beyond the sanctuary's walls, a world that he had barely begun to understand. "Who are these people? Why would they care about the sanctuary?"
Lorian turned to him, his expression grim. "Because power is the only language they understand. Some seek it to dominate, others to defend, but all of them desire control over the forces you now possess. And the fact that you survived the sanctuary's trials makes you a threat."
Eryx's fingers twitched as he felt the dormant energy within him stir. "So I'm supposed to hide? Run from them?"
Lorian shook his head. "No. You need to learn to master this power, to control it. You're strong, Eryx, but you're not invincible. Not yet. And the world you're stepping into is full of people who have trained their whole lives for this. The power of the sanctuary will draw them to you, and when they come, you'll need to be ready."
Eryx clenched his jaw, trying to quell the surge of uncertainty rising within him. The sanctuary had been a crucible, forging him into something more than human, but the outside world wasn't going to give him time to grow into that strength.
"I can't fight an entire world," Eryx said, his voice quiet but steady.
"You won't have to," Lorian replied, his voice firm. "Not alone. But you'll need allies, people who understand what's at stake."
"Like you?" Eryx asked, a hint of hope in his voice.
Lorian paused, his expression conflicted. "I'll help you as much as I can, but my path is different from yours. My duty was to guide you through the sanctuary, to make sure you survived. But now, your journey is your own. There are forces in this world I can't protect you from."
Eryx's heart sank. He had grown used to Lorian's guidance, his strength, his presence. The thought of facing what lay ahead alone filled him with dread. "So you're leaving?"
Lorian met his gaze, his eyes hard but not unkind. "No, not yet. There's something I still need to show you, something you need to understand before we part ways."
Eryx furrowed his brow. "What is it?"
"Follow me," Lorian said, gesturing toward the distant hills beyond the sanctuary.
The two of them walked in silence, the sound of their footsteps crunching against the rocky terrain the only noise in the still night. As they moved farther away from the sanctuary, Eryx could feel the pull of the ancient power growing fainter, but the weight of what he now carried remained. Every step felt heavier than the last, but he pushed forward, determined to learn what Lorian had to teach him.
After what felt like hours of walking, they reached a high cliff overlooking a vast valley. The moonlight bathed the landscape in a silver glow, casting long shadows across the ground. Below them, the lights of a distant city flickered, a beacon of life in the darkness.
Lorian pointed toward the city. "That's Kaldris, one of the largest cities in this region. It's also where you'll find answers to the questions you're asking."
Eryx looked down at the city, its sprawling streets and buildings stretching out like veins through the valley. "What's in Kaldris?"
"Knowledge," Lorian said. "People who can teach you how to harness your power. The sanctuary may have given you a gift, but it didn't teach you how to use it. Kaldris is where you'll find those who can."
Eryx felt a flicker of hope in his chest, but it was tempered by caution. "And these people—can I trust them?"
Lorian's expression darkened. "Some, yes. But not all. Kaldris is a place of secrets, and many who live there have their own agendas. You'll need to be careful, Eryx. Power attracts both allies and enemies."
Eryx nodded, understanding the warning in Lorian's words. "So what do I do when I get there?"
"You'll find a man named Veras," Lorian said. "He's one of the few who knows the truth about the sanctuary, and he's been waiting for someone like you. He'll help you, but you'll need to prove yourself first. Veras doesn't trust easily."
Eryx's mind raced with questions, but before he could ask them, Lorian continued. "This will be your first test outside the sanctuary. Kaldris will push you in ways you're not prepared for, but it's where you need to go if you're serious about mastering your power."
Eryx took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the journey ahead. "And what about you? Where will you go?"
Lorian looked out over the valley, his expression distant. "I have my own path to walk. But I'll be watching, Eryx. You may not see me, but I'll be there when you need me most."
Eryx's heart swelled with gratitude. He didn't know what the future held, but knowing that Lorian would still be watching over him gave him a sense of comfort, however small.
"Thank you, Lorian," Eryx said quietly.
Lorian gave him a nod, his face softening. "Remember, Eryx. You have the power to change the world. But don't let it change you."
With that, Lorian turned and began to walk away, disappearing into the shadows, leaving Eryx alone under the vast, star-filled sky.
The city of Kaldris lay before him, a world of possibilities and dangers. And as Eryx took his first step toward it, he knew that his journey was only just beginning.