As the flames crackled softly, the group sat in the dim light of their newly-built homes. The weight of Eirik's story still lingered in the air, his tale of struggle and survival echoing through their minds. But it was time to move on, and their curiosity was piqued by the next question: how old were they when they became immortal?
Aurelia glanced toward Lucius, her golden eyes narrowing with intrigue. "You've been quiet," she said, leaning forward. "How old were you, Lucius? And what happened after you gained your immortality?"
Lucius's green eyes flickered toward the fire, reflecting the light with an intensity that suggested he was already lost in thought. He leaned back, crossing his arms, as if considering how much to share.
"I was 35 when I became immortal," Lucius said, his voice calm yet laced with an undertone of something darker. "Old enough to have gained wisdom but young enough to crave power."
Thalos, sitting nearby, raised an eyebrow. "You always were one to seek power," he remarked.
Lucius gave a small, knowing smile. "Power is a tool, not an end. But back then, I was still learning that. You see, I had already established myself as an alchemist. I had connections, wealth, influence—everything a man could want, or so I thought."
The group leaned in as Lucius's voice became quieter, drawing them into his tale.
"I lived in a city brimming with ambition. Rival factions constantly vied for dominance, and I had positioned myself as a key player in this game. But, despite everything I had, I craved more—more control, more understanding of the very fabric of life. That's when I turned to alchemy, to the pursuit of immortality. I thought I could master it."
Kael frowned. "And did you? Or did it master you?"
Lucius chuckled softly. "That's the question, isn't it? I became immortal, yes, but at a cost. Alchemy is not an art that gives without taking. I didn't realize that at first. The ritual that granted me eternal life bound me to something far greater than I anticipated—a web of consequences that stretched beyond my understanding."
"What happened next?" Elara asked, her voice soft, but her eyes keen.
Lucius hesitated for a moment, and then continued. "After I became immortal, I expected to reign over my city, to shape its fate to my will. But something changed. My rivals, sensing that I had grown distant and distracted, moved against me. I had miscalculated. My newfound power had blinded me to the shifting alliances around me."
"Were you betrayed?" Aurelia asked, her voice laced with curiosity.
"Betrayal is such a simple word for it," Lucius replied. "I was outmaneuvered, politically and socially. The very people I had elevated turned on me, and I found myself driven from the city I had helped build. My immortality saved my life, but it also became a prison. I wandered for decades, trying to regain my footing."
Kael tilted his head. "So, what did you do with all that time?"
Lucius's lips curved into a thin smile. "I learned. I observed the rise and fall of empires, the way power ebbs and flows. Over time, I realized that immortality wasn't about ruling or dominating—it was about surviving, watching the world change while you remain constant. I became a master of patience."
Thalos grunted in agreement. "Patience, yes. But did you ever try to regain what you lost?"
"For a while, yes," Lucius said, his voice dropping. "I tried to reclaim my influence, but I realized that the world I had left behind no longer existed. Centuries had passed, and the city was gone, replaced by something new. I found that I no longer cared for the same things that once drove me. Instead, I focused on gaining knowledge, mastering the subtleties of immortality."
"So how did you end up here, in Evergreen?" Eirik asked, his voice calm but curious.
Lucius leaned forward, his eyes darkening. "That's where things become interesting. About a century ago, I started hearing rumors of a place that could offer sanctuary to beings like us—immortals. At first, I dismissed it as myth. But as time passed, the whispers became more frequent. I followed the trail, seeking out those who knew of Evergreen."
"And what did you find?" Aurelia asked.
Lucius glanced around the group, his voice growing quieter. "I found others like us—immortals searching for meaning, for a place where they could be free from the constraints of the mortal world. Evergreen was more than just a forest; it was a sanctuary. And it was here that I decided to stay, to see if perhaps this place could provide what I had sought for so long."
The fire crackled as the group digested Lucius's words. His journey was different from Eirik's—a story of ambition, betrayal, and ultimately, acceptance.
"Do you regret it?" Kael asked softly. "The immortality, I mean."
Lucius was silent for a moment before shaking his head. "Regret is a luxury for those who still have time to change their path. I've long since made my peace with it. Now, I simply watch, and wait."
As the discussion wound down, the group sat in thoughtful silence, the weight of Lucius's tale hanging in the air. Immortality had changed each of them in different ways, and Lucius's journey was yet another reminder of the complex paths they had walked.