Ethan stood motionless in the center of the chamber, his mind still reeling from the experience. The power coursing through his veins felt raw, unrefined—a force barely contained, ready to burst free at any moment. He flexed his fingers, watching as faint trails of blue energy flickered at his fingertips before vanishing into the air.
Magnus studied him in silence, his expression unreadable, as if he were waiting for something. The weight of the old mage's gaze pressed on Ethan, but the young man remained silent, unsure of what to say—or if he even had anything left to say after what he had just experienced. The echoes of that dark figure in the hallway still lingered in his mind, its words gnawing at him.
*"You're nothing… unworthy."*
Ethan exhaled slowly, shaking off the lingering fear. He had survived. Whatever that thing was, it hadn't beaten him. The power that had saved him—it was real. He could feel it, simmering just below the surface, but he still didn't fully understand it.
"You did well," Magnus finally said, breaking the silence. His voice was calm, but there was an undertone of seriousness. "But your magic is still in its infancy. If you are to survive the dangers that lie ahead, you must learn to master it quickly."
"Master it?" Ethan echoed, raising an eyebrow. "I don't even know what I did back there. One minute, I was being swallowed by darkness, and the next, I… exploded or something."
Magnus's lips curved into a faint smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. "That was the first step—an instinctual reaction. The magic within you responded to your will. But instinct alone won't be enough to protect you from what's coming."
Ethan felt a surge of frustration. "And what exactly is coming? You keep talking about dangers and dark forces, but no one's explained anything to me. I'm not from this world, Magnus. I don't understand any of this."
Magnus sighed, his expression softening. "I understand your frustration, Ethan. But knowledge can be as dangerous as power. Some truths you are not yet ready to face."
Ethan clenched his fists, the remnants of blue energy flickering around them. "I've already faced monsters. I think I deserve to know what I'm up against."
The old mage regarded him quietly for a moment, then nodded. "Very well. I will tell you what I can."
Magnus turned and began to walk toward the far end of the chamber, where a large, circular window overlooked the vast, untamed wilderness of Valantria. The mountains in the distance were jagged peaks of dark stone, their tops shrouded in swirling clouds. In the valley below, Ethan could make out the faint outlines of what looked like ancient ruins—crumbling remnants of a civilization long forgotten.
"Valantria is a land of magic," Magnus began, his voice low and measured. "But it wasn't always so. Long ago, this world was much like your own—ruled by mortals, untouched by the divine. That all changed when the Celestials arrived."
"The Celestials?" Ethan frowned, stepping closer to the window. "You mean the gods?"
Magnus nodded. "Yes, the beings you call gods. They were not born of this world; they came from beyond, bringing with them powers that reshaped Valantria. They elevated some mortals to positions of great power, while others were cast down. Entire empires rose and fell in their wake. For a time, they ruled over all, their word law, their magic absolute."
"But they're not here anymore," Ethan said, glancing at Magnus. "What happened to them?"
The old mage's expression darkened. "That is a question no one can truly answer. Some say they abandoned this world after a great war among themselves—a war that nearly tore the fabric of reality apart. Others believe they were defeated and sealed away by forces even older than they are. But one thing is certain: their influence still lingers. The magic they left behind flows through the very earth, the air, and those chosen to wield it."
"People like me," Ethan said quietly.
"Yes," Magnus confirmed. "You are one of the Chosen—a mortal touched by the divine, carrying a fragment of their ancient power. That is why you were brought here. The Celestials may be gone, but their enemies remain. Dark forces that seek to control or destroy what they left behind."
Ethan's mind raced, trying to piece everything together. "And you think I'm… what, supposed to stop them?"
Magnus turned to face him, his gaze piercing. "You are more than just a tool, Ethan. The power within you is not just a weapon—it is a key. A key that could unlock the future of this world, for better or worse."
Ethan felt a chill run down his spine. "But I don't even know how to control it."
"That is why we must begin your training immediately," Magnus said. "Time is running out. The agents of the Dark Sovereign already hunt you. It won't be long before they find you again."
Ethan's jaw tightened at the mention of the Dark Sovereign. The name sent a wave of dread through him, though he didn't fully understand why. "Who is this Dark Sovereign? Why is he after me?"
Magnus hesitated, his eyes narrowing slightly. "The Dark Sovereign is an ancient entity, a being of immense power who seeks to reshape this world in his own image. He was once a mortal, like you, but he ascended through dark means. Now, he commands legions of followers, both human and otherwise. His goal is to claim the magic of the Celestials for himself, and in doing so, become a god in his own right."
Ethan's stomach twisted. "And I'm part of that plan somehow."
"You are more than just a part," Magnus said grimly. "You are the center of it. The power within you is the last fragment of the Celestials' legacy. If the Dark Sovereign captures you, he will use that power to complete his ascension. And once he does, there will be nothing left to stop him from plunging Valantria into eternal darkness."
Ethan's hands trembled as he absorbed the weight of Magnus's words. His entire life—every moment, every choice—had led him to this point. But the burden of it felt too heavy to bear.
"What if I can't do it?" he whispered. "What if I'm not strong enough?"
Magnus placed a hand on his shoulder, his gaze steady and reassuring. "Strength comes from within, Ethan. You have already proven that you have the will to survive. Now, you must find the will to fight. You are not alone in this. There are others who will stand with you—those who believe in you, even if you do not yet believe in yourself."
Ethan looked up, meeting Magnus's gaze. There was a flicker of something in the old mage's eyes—something Ethan hadn't noticed before. It wasn't just resolve. It was hope.
"Come," Magnus said, turning toward the doorway at the far end of the chamber. "We must prepare for the next step of your journey. There is someone you must meet."
---
The two of them descended a long, winding staircase that led deeper into the heart of Magnus's tower. The air grew colder as they descended, and the stone walls were lined with intricate carvings of ancient runes and symbols. Ethan could feel the magic humming around him, a constant reminder of the power that flowed through this world.
"Who are we going to meet?" Ethan asked as they reached the bottom of the staircase.
Magnus didn't answer immediately. Instead, he led Ethan through a narrow hallway, the flickering torches casting long shadows on the walls. They stopped in front of a large, iron-bound door. Magnus placed his hand on the door's surface, and the runes etched into the wood glowed faintly before the door swung open with a low creak.
Beyond the door was a vast underground chamber, lit by floating orbs of blue light. In the center of the chamber stood a figure—a woman dressed in a long, flowing cloak of deep crimson. Her back was turned to them, but Ethan could sense the immense power radiating from her. It was different from Magnus's magic—sharper, more focused.
"Ethan," Magnus said quietly, "I'd like you to meet Aeris Solara."
The woman turned slowly, her eyes locking onto Ethan's with an intensity that made his breath catch in his throat. She was strikingly beautiful, but there was an edge to her—like a blade hidden beneath silk. Her eyes were a deep, molten gold, and her long, dark hair shimmered as if woven from the night sky itself.
"Aeris is the heir to an ancient bloodline," Magnus explained. "Her magic is unlike any other in Valantria, and she has agreed to help guide you in your training."
Aeris regarded Ethan with a cool, appraising gaze. "So," she said, her voice smooth and measured, "you're the one we've been waiting for."
Ethan shifted uncomfortably under her scrutiny. "I'm not sure what you've heard, but I'm not exactly hero material."
Aeris raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement flickering across her face. "That remains to be seen."
Ethan glanced at Magnus, uncertain of what to say. "So, what now?"
"Now," Aeris said, stepping forward, "we see if you have what it takes to survive