Ardyn arrived at his aunt Eladra's house after a long and exhausting day. The sound of the wooden door opening was accompanied by the aroma of freshly cooked food, filling the air with a pleasant warmth. Eladra, with her gentle smile, was setting the table in the simple yet cozy kitchen.
"Welcome home, Ardyn," she greeted with a voice full of affection. "You look tired. How was your training today?"
Ardyn gave a small smile, though his eyes showed exhaustion. "The training was tough, Auntie. But I feel stronger each day. Kael also helped me with some new techniques."
Eladra nodded with satisfaction. "That's great. I'm glad to hear it. How's Kael? It's been a while since I last spoke with him."
"Kael is doing well," Ardyn replied as he walked toward the bathroom to freshen up. "He's as enthusiastic as ever. We're both pushing ourselves to improve our skills."
After cleaning up, Ardyn sat at the dining table with Eladra. They enjoyed a simple yet flavorful meal, chatting about the daily life in the village and Ardyn's training progress. Eladra listened attentively, offering advice occasionally, showing how much she cared about Ardyn's growth.
Once dinner was finished and their conversation ended, Ardyn bid goodnight and headed to his room. The room was small and simple, but it offered the comfort he needed. He sat on the edge of his bed, letting his thoughts wander. The images of today's training and the uncertain future filled his mind.
As sleepiness began to take over, Ardyn finally lay down and closed his eyes, hoping for a restful sleep. However, that night, a terrifying dream came to him.
In his dream, Ardyn found himself in a dark and mysterious place. Amidst the darkness, a shadowy silhouette appeared, vague but clear enough to recognize. The voice, deep and thunderous, spoke to him with a menacing tone.
"So this is the one who will bring calamity to everyone here," said the voice, eerily similar to that of his long-lost brother. "Listen to me—you will kill everyone: your friends, your companions, your cousin, and even your brother. Your fate is intriguing, filled with sorrow, loneliness, and suffering."
Ardyn's heart raced. He tried to respond, though his voice trembled. "What do you mean?" he asked, hoping for an explanation.
But the voice only laughed, a cold and chilling laugh. "The future of this world rests heavily on you. You will face immense suffering. There will come a time when everyone will fear you—a time that turns this world into a battlefield, destroying everything. You will play a pivotal role in the fate of this world, Ardyn Caelum."
Ardyn woke up with labored breaths, cold sweat covering his face. The words from the dream echoed in his ears, filling his heart with fear and anxiety. He couldn't believe that this world would crumble into a war-torn wasteland, let alone that he would be the one to decide its fate.
He sat on the edge of his bed, his hands trembling as he tried to calm himself. The shadow and the voice lingered in his mind. "Was that really my brother?" he thought, trying to make sense of what had just happened.
The dream felt so real, so horrifying. Ardyn felt as though he had actually spoken with his brother, someone he missed dearly, yet now appeared frightening and filled with threats.
The morning sun finally peeked through the gaps in the window, bringing warm light that couldn't chase away the darkness in Ardyn's heart. The nightmare from the previous night still haunted his thoughts, though he tried to ignore it. Eladra's gentle voice called to him from the kitchen, sounding slightly worried.
"Ardyn, breakfast is ready. Come down."
Reluctantly, Ardyn got up and tidied himself. After splashing cold water on his face, he gazed at his reflection in the small mirror on the wall. His eyes looked a bit tired, but the determination on his face remained strong. "I won't let that dream affect me," he whispered to himself, trying to quell the storm in his mind.
As he headed downstairs, the smell of warm soup and toast greeted him. Eladra had already prepared breakfast, looking concerned when she saw Ardyn.
"Are you alright, dear?" she asked gently, her eyes filled with worry. "You look paler than usual."
Ardyn gave a small nod, forcing a smile despite the lingering shadows of the nightmare. "I'm fine, Auntie. Just a little tired. Yesterday's training was quite intense."
Eladra observed him for a moment but didn't press further. "Alright then, eat well. Today might be even more challenging."
Ardyn sat down and began eating in silence. As he chewed, his thoughts drifted to the plans for today—a day when he and his friends, Nolan Nightshade, Kael Aurum, and Rian Galeforce, had planned to explore the forest. The forest was known to be dangerous, but it was also full of mysteries and rare magical creatures. Ardyn couldn't help but wonder if the nightmare was a warning, but he pushed the doubt aside. "It's just an ordinary forest," he thought.
After finishing breakfast, Ardyn stood up, feeling more prepared for the day ahead. "I'll be going to the forest with my friends today, Auntie. We've been planning this for a while."
Eladra nodded, though there was a hint of concern on her face. "Be careful out there, Ardyn. The forest can be a dangerous place, especially for those unprepared. Take some supplies and don't forget to look after yourself."
Ardyn gave a small smile. "I know, Auntie. I'll be fine. We'll only be exploring the outskirts, not going too deep."
After saying goodbye to Eladra, Ardyn hurried to the meeting point near the village gate. There, his three friends were already waiting—Nolan Nightshade, known for his shadow abilities; Kael Aurum, Ardyn's cousin and a master of light; and Rian Galeforce, a cheerful wind element user. They all looked excited, especially Kael, who always greeted every challenge with a confident smile.
"Ardyn! You finally made it!" Kael shouted, waving energetically. "We thought you'd back out after yesterday's tough training."
Ardyn chuckled softly, though the nightmare still lingered in his mind. "No, I wouldn't back out. Besides, you'd all get lost without me."
Nolan, quieter but sharp, gave Ardyn a curious look. "Are you alright? You look a bit off today. If you're really not feeling well, you could just rest at home."
Ardyn nodded, trying to ease his friend's concern. "I'm fine. Maybe just a little tired, but it won't hold me back today."
Rian, with his usual bright smile, patted Ardyn's shoulder. "Good! We're going to have a blast in the forest today. Who knows, we might find something exciting."
Ardyn adjusted the small bag on his back, packed with supplies. His friends were filled with excitement, and although the nightmare still cast a shadow over his thoughts, Ardyn knew he needed to stay focused. This was just a short trip—not too dangerous. Yet deep in his heart, he sensed that something bigger awaited him in the forest.
With all preparations done, they set off. Their steps were firm as they headed towards the forest's edge, each with different goals in mind but all driven by a shared sense of adventure. The great forest ahead seemed calm, but for Ardyn, every tree, every shadow, felt like it held an untold secret.
Even though the surroundings seemed peaceful, Ardyn couldn't shake off the uneasy feeling that kept nagging at him. "Maybe it's just a bad premonition," he thought, trying to convince himself. But whatever awaited him in the forest, Ardyn knew he had to be ready for anything.