As Kael knelt, his heart racing, the silence of the throne room seemed to stretch on forever. The air was thick with tension. He could feel the eyes of the captain monster and the rest of the horde trained on the figure atop the throne. Lira, Gareth, and the others exchanged uncertain glances, the aura pressing down on them making each breath a struggle.
"The promised child..." The voice that had echoed in Kael's mind returned, soft and unsettling. It slithered through his thoughts, a whisper only he could hear. "It is time... time for the prophecy to be fulfilled."
Kael's body tensed. What prophecy? What was this voice talking about? He glanced at the others, but they were focused on the figure on the throne, trying to coax a response from it. They had no idea that the ancient voice was speaking directly to him, bypassing their entire group.
"The child has come," the voice continued in riddles, ignoring the world outside Kael's mind. "The one foretold. The one who will change the world. But..." There was a brief pause, a tone of mild surprise creeping into the voice, "I expected a girl."
Kael's confusion only grew, his mind spinning. A girl? He blinked, his pulse quickening. What in the hell are you on about?! he screamed internally, desperate for an explanation.
For a moment, there was silence. The weight of the voice vanished, leaving Kael in darkness as if he had been abandoned by it. He felt exposed, vulnerable, like something terrible was watching him. But then, the voice returned, smoother now, almost amused.
"Ah, I see," it said, a hint of amusement lacing its tone. "You're not as aware as I thought. Let me explain more clearly, child of Eldenwood."
Kael's heart skipped a beat. That title again—child of Eldenwood. It resonated in his mind, but he had no idea what it meant.
"As you would know," the voice began in a tone that was almost condescending, "there is a prophecy. A prophecy about the children of Eldenwood. It is said that the last of the children of Eldenwood would grow to become humanity's hero. That they would shatter the stalemate in the East, bring peace to the central continent of men."
Kael's confusion hit new heights. What? He didn't know any of this! His mind raced, trying to piece together what the voice was saying, but none of it made sense. I'm... supposed to be part of a prophecy? He swallowed, his throat dry. Why has no one ever told me this?
As if sensing his bewilderment, the voice let out a low, cold chuckle. It resonated in his mind, reverberating through him, taunting.
"You don't know, do you?" the voice said, amusement thickening. "Ah, you really are a naive child. They've kept you blind to your own destiny." There was a pause, and then the voice laughed again, this time with more open mirth. "You don't even realize that the people around you are not who you think they are. Do you really think they've been truthful with you? You don't even know the famous prophecy everyone else in the world talks about. I wouldn't be surprised if people of other kingdoms know more about you than you do."
Kael's stomach twisted with unease. He felt his world collapsing around him, the ground beneath his feet slipping away. He had always felt out of place, but this? A prophecy? A child of Eldenwood? His companions—his family—keeping secrets from him?
His thoughts raced, desperation clawing at him. He had to know the truth. Who are you? Kael asked, his mental voice trembling with the weight of his questions. What is happening?
The voice was silent for a moment, a thick pause that felt like it lasted an eternity. Then, in the darkness of his mind, the voice laughed—a deep, echoing sound that filled Kael with a cold dread.
"I..." the voice began, its tone rich with amusement and power, "am the ancestor of Eldenwood."