The snow had settled over the battlefield, and the gentle breeze from Trevor's ability, still swept across the flower-covered ground. The trio—Adam, Kon, and Trevor—stood in silence, Razik having vanished into the ether. Trevor, still beaming with excitement from their narrow victory, fell quiet when he realized the intensity of the moment. Kon, his golden eyes locked on Adam, demanded answers.
"You gave him the Arya of Derision," Kon said, crossing his arms over his chest. "Where did it come from, Adam? Where did you get the Aryas?"
Adam glanced at Trevor, who had tied the headband more securely around his head, the symbol of the three spirals still faintly glowing. He took a deep breath, looking out at the horizon, before turning back to his companions.
"I've never told anyone this," Adam began, his voice quiet but firm. "But I think it's time you knew."
Kon and Trevor exchanged a glance, the atmosphere around them growing heavier as Adam prepared to recount a story he had kept hidden for years.
---
Three Years Ago
It had been a clear day in the far north of Narn, where the wild hills of Ettinsmoor stretched out beneath the cold blue sky. Adam stood by a small stream that connected to the great River Shribble, hunting fish for their meal. His uncle, Dirac, had stepped out to attend to urgent business, leaving Adam alone by the quiet, babbling stream. The cool water splashed around his legs as he concentrated on the fish darting through the shallows.
By the time Adam caught his fifth fish, he looked up to wipe the sweat from his brow. That's when he saw it—a sight so beautiful, so captivating, that the world itself faded into nothingness around it.
Perched on a delicate, shimmering flower that grew by the water's edge was a butterfly. Its wings glowed with light, and its colors shimmered, more brilliant than anything Adam had ever seen. It was so radiant, so perfect, that the entire world was unreal—a mere shadow compared to the butterfly.
Adam felt a pull, a deep force within him that he couldn't explain. He was drawn to the butterfly, his body moving without thought. He followed it, his heart racing, his mind lost in the beauty of the creature before him. The butterfly took off, fluttering gracefully into the air, and Adam followed.
They hadn't traveled far—no more than a mile—when the butterfly descended, landing on a surface. It was only then that Adam seemed to snap out of his trance, realizing that he was now on a flat hillside. The ground beneath him was covered in lush, soft carpet grass. Five towering pillars stood around him, each bearing a symbol, ancient and unreadable. In the center of the clearing stood a stone table, fitted deep into the earth, covered in even more ancient writings that seemed to hum with power.
The butterfly landed on the stone table. Adam approached it, his heart pounding with anticipation, curiosity driving him forward. As he stepped closer, the butterfly shimmered, its form glowing brighter and brighter until, with a burst of golden light, it transformed.
Standing in its place was a magnificent Tracient—one that Adam instantly recognized, even if he had never seen him before. His fur was golden, brighter than the sun itself, and his mane flowed majestically, though there was no wind. His eyes, gentle yet overpowering, glowed with a light that pierced through everything. His tunic was white and gold, fitted perfectly, his powerful yet gentle frame standing still in the clearing, as if time itself had stopped for him.
Adam's heart was pounding, his body trembling with a fear he had never known before. Not the fear of danger or death, but a fear so pure, so overwhelming, that he could hardly breathe. He was just afraid.
Adam tried to move, but his body refused. He dropped his gaze, unable to meet the eyes of the lion Tracient standing before him. The weight of Asalan's presence - for it was Asalan- was too much, and Adam stood frozen, afraid to even breathe.
Then, Asalan spoke, his voice like the sound of thunder and the softest whisper all at once. "Do not be afraid, my son. I mean you no harm."
At that moment, the fear that had gripped Adam began to dissolve. The heaviness lifted, and Adam found that he could move again. He slowly raised his head, though he still couldn't bring himself to meet Asalan's eyes directly.
"Are you… who I think you are?" Adam asked, his voice trembling.
Asalan smiled softly, a smile that seemed to brighten the entire hillside. "I am myself, but you may call me by the name engraved in the hearts of all Tracients."
With that, Asalan reached out and gently took Adam's arm, guiding him toward the edge of the clearing. Together, they looked out at the Narnan sun, shining brightly over the hills.
"The time has come for the prophecy to be fulfilled," Asalan said, his voice filled with the weight of destiny. "For too long, Narn has been ruled by evil, trapped in the darkness of oppression. But now, the time has come for its liberation."
Adam stood still, his heart racing as Asalan's words sunk in. "Prophecy?" he asked, his voice filled with confusion.
Asalan nodded, his golden eyes filled with warmth. "It is written that when the four Grand Lords of Narn gather at the Stone Table, the evil times will begin to be undone. The power of darkness will lose its hold on Narn, and the light will return."
Adam struggled to process what he was hearing. "But… I don't understand. How… how am I involved?"
Asalan smiled again, his mane flickering like sunlight. "It is your destiny, Adam Kurt. You will see the prophecy through. You will gather the Grand Lords, and together, you will undo the evil that grips Narn."
Adam felt his chest tighten with anxiety. "But… I don't even know where to start. I can't—"
Before Adam could finish, Asalan leaned down and breathed on him gently. A wave of calm washed over Adam, his fears and doubts melting away like snow under the sun.
"Be courageous," Asalan said softly. "You will not be alone. There is help in Narn for those who seek it, and for those of pure soul who need it."
Adam took a deep breath, the warmth of Asalan's breath still lingering on his skin. But then, Asalan's tone grew more serious. "Our moment here is ending," he said. "You must find the other Grand Lords, Adam. And speak to your guardian—ask him about the Great War. It will illuminate your path."
Before Adam could respond, he felt himself being pulled away, as though invisible hands were dragging him back to where he had come from. The clearing, the pillars, the Stone Table, and Asalan himself began to fade as he was drawn away from the scene.
"Will I ever see you again?" Adam called out, his voice filled with desperation.
Asalan smiled, his eyes gentle. "I am always with you, my son."
And with that, Adam blinked, and the next moment, he was back by the stream, the fish still wriggling in his arm. It was as if no time had passed at all. In fact, no time had passed at all. The sun hung in the same place in the sky, the breeze still carried the same smell of the river, and the world was just as it had been before he saw the butterfly.
Dirac returned then, stepping through the trees. He found Adam standing still, staring at the water, his face solemn and thoughtful.
Adam turned to him, his heart heavy with the weight of Asalan's words. "Uncle Dirac," Adam said softly, "what happened to my parents?"
---
Back to the Present
The story hung in the air as Adam finished, his voice trailing off. Kon and Trevor stood in silence, both clearly affected by what they had just heard.
Trevor was the first to speak, his usually jovial tone now serious. "It was Asalan who brought me here, from my world into yours. I know that now."
Kon rubbed his face, exhaling sharply. "So… where's the Arya of the Wolf?" he asked, turning to Adam.
Adam closed his eyes for a brief moment before a soft light shimmered around his neck. A necklace materialized, a crescent moon pendant hanging from its chain. "It was entrusted to me by my father," Adam said, his voice steady. "As the tradition of Narn dictates, I am now the Grand Lord of the Kurt Clan."
He looked at Kon and Trevor, his expression serious. "And now, as the wielders of your Aryas, you two are the Grand Lords of your clans as well."
Trevor blinked in surprise. "Wait… me too? I'm a Grand Lord?"
Adam smiled softly. "Yes. One more Arya remains—the Arya of Evolution. That's why we're going to Archen Land, to find its wielder."
Kon crossed his arms, his expression thoughtful. "And the wielder of the Arya of Evolution is…?"
Adam's voice was calm but resolute. "The King of Archen Land."
---
Meanwhile, in Archen Land
The wind blew gently across an open plain, surrounded by groves of medium-sized trees. The grass swayed under the soft breeze, and in the distance, a towering figure stood by the edge of the forest. A deer Tracient, his slender frame moving gracefully through the trees, approached the figure with urgency in his steps. The large figure remained still, gazing out at the horizon, his presence commanding despite his calm demeanor.
The deer Tracient, finally reached the figure and bowed deeply before him. "My King," He said, his voice respectful but tinged with excitement, "I bring news."
The figure, his back still to him, spoke with a calm, deep voice. "Speak, Kopa."
Kopa straightened, though his posture remained humble. "We have found the wolf Tracient," he said, his voice carrying a tone of triumph. "The one they call Adam Kurt."
The figure finally turned to face Kopa. His form was tall, his fur a deep, rich brown with streaks of milky white. His eyes were yellow-green and gleamed with intelligence, and his expression was that of a leader who carried the weight of a nation on his shoulders with grace. He wore two distinct ornaments; a gleaming nose ring and an ear ring that looked like a tag. King Darius, the ruler of ArchenLand, smiled softly, his gaze thoughtful.
"Good," King Darius said, his voice filled with quiet strength. "The time has come, then."
Kopa nodded. "Shall I send word for preparations, my King?"
Darius raised a hand, his expression serene but firm. "Yes, Kopa. Prepare the castle. We will welcome guests soon." His eyes flickered with a deep understanding, as if he had foreseen this moment long ago. "We have much to discuss with them."
Kopa bowed once more, then turned and hurried off to carry out his king's orders.
Darius remained still, his gaze fixed on the distant mountains, where Narn lay shrouded in storm and shadow. His eyes narrowed as the wind picked up, carrying with it the weight of what was to come.
"The winds of change are here," Darius murmured softly to himself, his expression resolute. "Narn's fate will soon be decided."