The light of the flickering hearth cast shadows across the stone walls as Itharos Zhal entered the room once more. His dark presence seemed heavier now, his aura looming larger as though the knowledge he bore carried great weight. I sat in silence, waiting for answers.
Zhal, the man who had guided me this far, sat across from me. His gaze pierced through the space between us, intense and calculating. After a few moments of quiet, he finally spoke.
"I've been watching you closely, Carrion," Zhal began, his voice calm but layered with the gravity of what he was about to reveal. "And I think it's time you understood the larger forces at play."
I felt a chill run down my spine. His words weren't casual—they carried the weight of centuries. There was a great deal I still didn't understand about my own path, but Zhal knew more than he let on.
"I know you seek answers, but some truths have been buried for far too long," Zhal said, leaning back in his chair. "You've heard whispers about the Primordial Pillars, haven't you?"
I furrowed my brow. The name wasn't entirely unfamiliar, but it had been shrouded in myth and mystery. I shook my head slightly. "Not much beyond legends. What are they?"
Zhal exhaled slowly, his gaze hardening. "The Primordial Pillars were once the chosen few—individuals blessed with immense powers meant to protect the balance of the world. Every century, the priests of Astralis Reigns are tasked with summoning new Pillars, as decreed by the gods themselves."
I listened carefully, absorbing every word. The mention of Astralis Reigns, the capital continent where holy light and magic reigned supreme, caught my attention. I knew of its great power, but I had never fully understood its true purpose.
"The priests select those destined to wield the ancient powers," Zhal continued. "They don't just choose anyone. The chosen are imbued with elemental forces that govern the world's balance. There are five such powers."
He held up a hand, counting them off as he spoke. "One controls the power of light, a force of clarity and illumination. Another commands nature and healing, capable of nurturing life and the earth itself. The third bends the very weather to their will—frost, wind, and destruction fall under their domain."
Zhal paused, his dark eyes settling on me as his voice grew more ominous. "The fourth is a being of duality, one who holds both light and dark magic. They are rare and dangerous, walking the fine line between order and chaos."
I sat forward, intrigued yet wary. "And the fifth?" I asked, knowing there was one more.
"The fifth and final Pillar wields the power of darkness," Zhal said, his voice dropping to a whisper. "They hold dominion over the shadows, over the hidden forces that most cannot even comprehend."
A cold silence filled the room as Zhal's words sank in. The idea of these Primordial Pillars, beings of such immense power, was hard to grasp. If they were meant to protect the world's balance, why had the world fallen into such turmoil?
"What happened to the Primordial Pillars?" I asked, tension growing in my chest.
Zhal's face darkened, and his voice carried a weight of sorrow and anger. "The last generation of Pillars was corrupted. The Demon Lords, driven by their lust for power, manipulated the Pillars and turned their strengths against the world. What was once a force for balance became a weapon of destruction."
I clenched my fists as Zhal's words echoed in my mind. The protectors had fallen, and their power had been twisted into something malevolent. "And now? Are there new Pillars?"
Zhal shook his head, a deep frown forming on his face. "No. As of now, the priests have not summoned a new generation. The fear of corruption lingers. They hesitate, unsure if the world is ready for new Pillars. The power they hold is immense, and the risk too great."
The air in the room grew heavy, laden with the knowledge that the world was left vulnerable without these protectors. The Primordial Pillars, meant to maintain balance, had been absent for an entire century, and the world had suffered for it.
Zhal's eyes narrowed as he looked directly at me. "The time of balance has long since passed, Carrion. But something stirs. The forces that once held the world together are beginning to shift. The rune you carry... it is more significant than you realize."
I looked down at the rune, feeling its faint warmth against my skin. The rune's true purpose remained elusive, but I could sense it held the key to something far greater.
Before I could speak again, Zhal stood, his dark aura pulsing as he turned toward the door. But this time, he didn't leave. He stopped and glanced back at me, his gaze sharp and assessing.
"One more thing," he said. "You're not ready yet. There's a journey ahead of you, Carrion, and the path won't be easy. But before you set out, I will train you."
I blinked, surprised at his offer. "Train me?"
Zhal nodded, his expression unwavering. "Yes. You've only scratched the surface of what you're capable of. Your powers, your potential—they're still dormant. But I will teach you to harness them. You will need that strength for what's to come."
The room fell into silence once more as his words hung in the air. The weight of his promise, the depth of his knowledge—it felt as if the pieces of a larger puzzle were beginning to fall into place.
"Rest now," Zhal said, his voice softer this time. "Your training begins tomorrow."
With that, Zhal left the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts. My mind raced with the revelations of the Primordial Pillars, the impending training, and the shadow of the unknown future looming ahead.