"Rest now, young one. Tomorrow, your journey begins in earnest. The witches already stir… and Valak's shadow grows longer."Arcanos shivered at the ominous tone in Malachi's voice. He lay back on the straw bed, staring up at the dark ceiling of the hut. His thoughts drifted to Luna, his sister, who was no doubt wondering where he had gone. He had promised her he would return soon. Little did she know, he was no longer the same brother who had left her behind.His eyelids grew heavy, and despite the weight of the world now resting on his shoulders, sleep came swiftly. But even in his dreams, he could feel the pull of destiny, drawing him further into a battle he wasn't sure he could win.
"I've got to go," Arcanos said, his voice laced with urgency as he rose from the straw bed, his eyes shifting uneasily towards the door. His heart pounded in his chest, knowing he had been away far too long. Luna would be worried, and there was no telling what dangers awaited if he delayed any further.Modred, however, had grown fond of Arcanos' company. It had been years since anyone, especially someone his age, had crossed the threshold of his secluded world. For as long as he could remember, it had been just him and his father, hidden away from the rest of Khyronia, seeking refuge from the war that ravaged their homeland. The thought of Arcanos leaving filled him with a deep sense of loneliness, a hollow feeling that gnawed at his insides."You don't need to rush off," Modred said with a smile, trying to lighten the mood. "It's not like your parents will beat you for staying out late."Arcanos' face darkened at the mention of his parents, and Modred quickly realised he had struck a nerve. The light-heartedness of the moment dissipated like mist in the morning sun."My parents…" Arcanos began, his voice faltering for a moment before he steadied himself. "They were killed… by Valak."Modred's expression shifted to one of horror and regret. "I—I didn't know," he stammered. "I'm sorry."Arcanos shook his head, his jaw clenched. "There's no way you could've known." He paused, running a hand through his dishevelled hair. "Valak murdered them in cold blood. My sister Luna and I… we barely escaped. We've been alone ever since, trying to survive in a world that wants us dead. There's something between us and Valak, some connection… but it's hidden from us. We don't know why we're targeted, but we know there's more to our past than we understand."Modred listened intently, his own heart heavy with the sorrow Arcanos carried. He had always seen Valak's cruelty from a distance, through the stories whispered in the shadows, but to hear it so personally, to know the devastation he had caused to someone standing right before him, it stirred something deep within."You… you think there's more to your lineage?" Modred asked carefully.Arcanos nodded. "There has to be. We're not just ordinary people. There are things we've never been told, secrets that have been kept from us. Valak knows, I'm certain of it. And one day, we'll have to face him to uncover the truth."The two young men sat in silence for a moment, the weight of Arcanos' revelation hanging heavily in the air. Outside, the wind howled through the trees, as though the forest itself mourned the loss of innocence that Arcanos and Luna had suffered.Finally, Arcanos rose from his seat, the decision made. "I really need to go now, Modred. Luna will be worried sick."Modred's heart sank, his fingers twitching as he tried to think of a way to keep his new friend by his side for just a little longer. His thoughts raced, and before he could stop himself, he whispered a few words under his breath.Suddenly, Arcanos' legs refused to move. He looked down, bewildered, realising he couldn't lift his feet from the ground. His body was rooted to the spot as though invisible chains held him fast."You did that, didn't you?" Arcanos asked, raising a brow as he glared at Modred.Modred offered a sheepish grin. "I'm sorry, I just… I've never had a friend like you before. I didn't mean any harm. I just don't want you to leave."Arcanos sighed, shaking his head with a mix of amusement and exasperation. "Look, I get it. You're lonely out here. But I have to go, Modred. Luna's waiting for me, and I can't afford to stay any longer."Modred's face fell, his shoulders slumping in defeat. "Will I… will I see you again?" he asked quietly, his voice laced with vulnerability.Arcanos smiled faintly. "Of course. We'll meet again. Don't worry about that." He hesitated for a moment, then added, "Besides, I'm not exactly hard to find, am I? You've got magic at your fingertips."Modred couldn't help but laugh softly, though his heart still ached. He muttered another incantation, and the spell holding Arcanos in place dissolved. The tension in the room eased as Arcanos stretched his limbs, testing his newfound freedom."I'll be back," Arcanos promised, stepping towards the door. "But for now, I've got to go. Luna's probably tearing her hair out wondering where I am."Modred nodded reluctantly, stepping aside as Arcanos made his way out of the hut and into the darkening woods. He watched as his friend disappeared into the trees, a shadow swallowed by the wilderness.As the forest closed around him once more, Modred stood in the doorway of the hut, the silence pressing in on him. He clenched his fists, trying to ward off the loneliness that surged back now that Arcanos was gone. Deep down, he knew they were bound to meet again. Arcanos' fate was intertwined with his own, and with the fate of all Khyronia. And as Modred turned back into the darkened hut, a lingering thought gnawed at him—Would Arcanos be ready for the battles to come?