The early morning sun barely peeked over the horizon as the Thornhill family prepared for their journey. The air was crisp, with a cool breeze sweeping through the courtyard, ruffling Kael's hair as he sat silently on the steps. His small body still trembled from the previous night's events, but his mind raced faster than ever before.
He could still feel it—the strange, overwhelming surge of power that had burst out of him. It had saved them all, but at what cost? His body felt drained, as though he had lost something vital. Kael looked down at his hands, half-expecting the glowing light to return, but they remained just his hands, small and fragile.
"Kael, are you ready?" Clara's gentle voice pulled him from his thoughts. She stood nearby, saddling one of the horses, her expression a mix of concern and determination.
"I think so, Mother," Kael replied softly. He wasn't sure if he was ready at all, but he knew they didn't have a choice. The southern mountains—and the seer who lived there—held the only possible answers to what was happening to him.
Sylvie, sitting beside him, reached out to take his hand. "You were amazing last night," she whispered. "But please... don't scare me like that again."
Kael gave her a weak smile. "I didn't mean to. I don't even know how it happened."
From across the courtyard, Marcus finished checking the supplies strapped to the horses. His brow furrowed as he watched his children, knowing that this journey would be anything but easy. "We'll figure it out together, Kael," he said, walking over to ruffle his son's hair. "Whatever this power is, we'll make sure it doesn't hurt you. Or anyone else."
Kael looked up at his father, nodding, though deep down, he wasn't sure if even his father could protect him from something so unknown.
Soon, they were on their way, riding through the dense forest that surrounded the Thornhill estate. Elara rode alongside them, her gaze sharp as she scanned their surroundings, always alert for any sign of danger. The creatures that had attacked the night before had vanished into the darkness, but they were never far from her mind.
The path to the southern mountains was long and treacherous. The thick trees began to give way to rocky terrain, and the air grew colder as they ascended higher into the mountains. They made camp by a small stream that night, the crackling fire providing warmth against the growing chill.
As the family settled in for the night, Kael found himself unable to sleep. He lay beneath the stars, staring up at the vast, dark sky. His mind replayed the events of the previous night—the power, the creatures, the overwhelming surge of energy that had flowed through him. What was happening to him? And why now?
Sylvie lay beside him, her eyes half-closed, but she turned her head toward him, sensing his unease. "Kael," she whispered, "do you think the seer will know what's wrong with you?"
"I hope so," Kael replied, his voice barely audible. "I just… I feel like something is changing inside me. And I don't know if it's a good thing."
Before Sylvie could respond, Marcus approached, sitting down beside his children. His expression was calm, but there was a weariness in his eyes that Kael hadn't seen before. "It's okay to be scared, Kael," Marcus said softly. "None of us have all the answers, but we'll face whatever comes next together. You're not alone in this."
Kael shifted closer to his father, drawing comfort from his presence. "Do you think the seer will really be able to help?"
Marcus gazed into the fire for a moment before answering. "I hope so. She's dealt with ancient magic before. If anyone can help us understand this power you've tapped into, it's her."
Kael nodded, though the uncertainty still gnawed at him. He wanted to believe his father, but deep down, he knew that this journey into the mountains would only bring more questions.
The night passed slowly, with Kael drifting in and out of uneasy sleep. By dawn, they were back on the road, the looming mountains growing closer with each passing hour.
As they approached the base of the mountains, Elara signaled for them to stop. "We're entering dangerous territory now," she warned. "These lands are old—ancient magic runs through them. Keep your guard up."
Clara nodded, her hand instinctively reaching for the dagger at her belt. "We'll need to be careful from here on out."
The path grew steeper and more rugged as they climbed higher, the air growing colder with every step. The towering peaks of the southern mountains loomed ahead, shrouded in mist and mystery.
Kael's heart raced with anticipation and fear. Somewhere up there, hidden in those mountains, was the seer who held the answers to the power inside him. And as they ventured deeper into the unknown, Kael couldn't shake the feeling that whatever they found up there would change everything—for him, for his family, and for the world.