A few months ago in the present time, Uncle Mike received a mysterious message. It was not written, nor spoken in any human language. Instead, it was a powerful sensation—a summons felt deep within, urging him to protect the location of a hidden relic, the sword. The message was clear: there was a new threat, a force closing in on the artifact. Knowing the sword's importance, Uncle Mike reluctantly decided he had to leave Michael and Thea, promising himself he'd return as soon as possible.
As he prepared to leave, he packed quietly, hoping to avoid raising any questions. But Michael and Thea noticed his preparations.
"Uncle Mike, where are you going?" Michael asked, worry in his voice as Thea's face mirrored his concern.
Uncle Mike looked at them, hesitating before he spoke. "Listen, both of you, I have to leave for a while. It might be a few months, maybe even longer. I can't tell you why, but it's something I have to do—think of it as a work assignment." He tried to force a reassuring smile, though his own eyes betrayed concern. "I promise I'll come back to you."
"Where are you going, Uncle? Please, don't leave us," Thea pleaded, clutching his arm tightly.
Michael, voice wavering, added, "You're all we have left, Uncle. Please don't go. Let us come with you."
Uncle Mike placed his hands on their shoulders. "I have to do this alone. It's too dangerous to bring you along. But I promise, I'll be back. Look after each other while I'm gone, alright? Michael, take care of Thea for me." He placed a small amount of money on the table, smiling faintly. "Use this if you need it, but don't spend too much. I'll send more if necessary."
Michael, fighting back tears, nodded. "Promise us you'll come back safe, Uncle."
"I promise, without a scratch," Uncle Mike replied, hugging them one last time. Then he turned and walked out, leaving Michael and Thea standing in the doorway, watching him disappear down the road.
A month passed. Uncle Mike neared the hidden location of the sword, focused on his task but always thinking of his promise to return. Then, as he walked along a quiet street, he felt something. The air thickened with energy, and a strange glow appeared in the sky. A wave of mana surged through the atmosphere, unlike anything he'd felt before.
He stopped, stunned by the powerful, unearthly energy. "What… is that?" he muttered, straining to understand.
Suddenly, his connection with the one who'd sent him on this mission flared to life. A voice cut through the air, filled with panic. "Mike! Return immediately—don't delay."
"Why? What's going on?" he asked, but the connection severed as quickly as it began. The urgency in the voice left him with a sinking feeling. Without another word, he turned back, hoping he wasn't too late. He checked his phone, scrolling through frantic news updates and social media posts. Videos showed strange portals, each unleashing monstrous creatures upon cities.
"Please, Michael… Thea… be safe until I get there," he whispered, clenching his fists as he pushed his body to move faster.
Days later, Uncle Mike finally reached the outskirts of their City. As he neared the village, he noticed mana waves flowing toward the city. There was more here than anywhere else he'd seen on his journey back. His worry grew with every step.
"Why is there so much mana here?" He looked up in horror as he saw a crack in the sky, expanding until a portal emerged. "No… I have to find them. Please, let them be safe."
He rushed toward the village, his heart racing. Reaching the edge of town, he immediately saw the destruction—homes were ablaze, and screams filled the air. He sprinted, desperately calling out, "Michael! Thea!"
Through the chaos, he noticed a mother and her child trapped in a burning house. Without hesitation, he rushed in to help. "Follow me! This way—quickly!" He cleared a path, but just as they moved to safety, a powerful blow struck him from behind. An orc, wielding a massive club, towered over him.
Uncle Mike gasped, blood splattering as he staggered to his feet. Gritting his teeth, he raised his hand, chanting, "Lightning Bolt!" but the spell barely left a mark on the creature. "This one's too strong…"
Realizing he'd dropped his spear, he scrambled for it. With a swift lunge, he drove the weapon deep into the orc's chest, bringing it down. Turning to the mother and child, he said, "Head to the evacuation area. Hurry!"
Then he started looking for Michael and thea
As he neared his own home, Uncle Mike's heart nearly stopped—goblins surrounded the area, and lying among them was Thea, wounded and unconscious.
"Thea!" he shouted, fury and fear fueling him as he charged into the horde. Swinging his spear, he struck down goblin after goblin, each one more relentless than the last. When the final goblin fell, he dropped to his knees beside Thea, examining her injuries.
"Thea! We have to get you out of here. Where's your brother?"
"He… he wasn't home," she whispered weakly.
Mike sighed with relief, though his concern lingered. "Good. Now let's get you to safety."
But as he helped Thea up, he heard more footsteps approaching, the shadows of yet more creatures surrounding them.
He knew that forces beyond comprehension had been set in motion. But what was it that truly called him away? Who, or what, would have known of the hidden sword's power and sent him to guard it? And what about that strange mana wave across the sky—was it a warning or a prelude to something far worse?
As our story unfolds, remember that every answer may reveal yet another question. I'll leave it to you to uncover the mysteries that await!