The village elder, Old Tomas, was the first to object. "This boy has lived here his whole life! He can't be some lost prince from a kingdom that fell years ago! He's one of us!"
The travelers, however, would not be swayed. "The mark is unmistakable," the woman with silver eye said, pointing to the intricate designs on the pendant. "This is the royal seal of Eldoria. It is bound by ancient magic only the true heir could possess it."
Aelric felt as though the ground beneath him had shifted. Everything he had ever known his quiet life in Ravenwood, the simple joys of working with the forge, and the safety of the village was being ripped away in an instant.
"I'm not ready for this," he muttered shaking his head. "I don't know anything about kingdoms or magic."
The sliver-eyed woman knelt before him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "None of us are ever truly ready for the role we are destined to play, Aelric. But you must understand the darkness that destroyed Eldoria is spreading. It won't be long before the shadow King's forces reach this village. If you do not come with us, if you do not claim your rightful place, Rivenwood will fall just like the rest."
The weight of her words pressed down on him. Could it be true? could he really be the heir to a fallen kingdom? and if so, what did that mean for him and for the people he cared about?
"I can't just leave," Aelric said finally. "These people... they're my family. they raised me."
Old Tomas stepped forward, his weathered face filled with sadness and pride. " Aelric, lad, you've always known you were meant for something more. We all did. It's time you found out what that is."
The other villagers nodded, offering murmurs of encouragement. though it hurt to admit, Aelric knew in his heart that he couldn't stay. Not if it meant the village would be in danger.
The silver-eyed woman rose to her feet. "There's no time to waste. We must reach Elanor before the shadow King's forces move any closer."
"I'll go," he said quietly. "I'll do what needs to be done."
The travelers nodded, and without another word, they began their journey toward Elanor. As they disappeared into a misty forest, the village of Rivenwood faded into the distance, and Aelric's heart ached with both fear and hope.
For the first time in his life, he had a purpose. And somewhere, deep in the darkness, the shadow King smiled.