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Scene: Kang Wo Hu's Living Room, Modern Day
The soft hum of modern appliances filled the quiet air of Kang Wo Hu's luxurious home. Mordryn sat at a table, his hands wrapped around a warm cup of tea. It was strange—everything around him was so advanced, yet calming, a far cry from the ruins of Valendar he had left behind.
Kang Wo Hu sat across from him, a curious glint in her eyes. She had been talking for a while now, telling him about the modern world, how everything worked, and all the strange devices she had around the house. Mordryn listened in silence, his mind trying to process the flood of new information.
Finally, as they fell into a more comfortable silence, she leaned forward, her expression shifting.
Kang Wo Hu:
"You know, you remind me of something I heard once... about the old myths."
Mordryn glanced up at her, his brow furrowing. Myths? He wasn't sure where this conversation was going, but something about the way she said it made his chest tighten.
Mordryn:
"Old myths?"
She nodded, her eyes flickering with something between amusement and disbelief.
Kang Wo Hu:
"Yeah, I don't know if you're familiar with it, but people say there were these three 'gods' who fought in some ancient war. It's one of those legends that people talk about, but no one really believes it, you know? Just stories."
Mordryn's grip on his cup tightened slightly. His heart began to race, but he remained silent, waiting for her to continue.
Kang Wo Hu:
"One of them was named Caldris. The story goes that he and the other two gods fought to protect the world from some ancient evil, and they fought until the very end. They say Caldris was the last one standing, but the whole thing just seems like fantasy to me. There's no real proof, and besides, who even believes in gods these days?"
She gave a small laugh, but Mordryn was no longer listening to her casual dismissal. The name she had just uttered echoed in his mind like a thunderclap.
Mordryn (thinking):
"Caldris...?"
His memories surged back, sharp and painful. Caldris—the leader of the Council of Arcanists, the one who had betrayed him. The one who had started the war that tore Valendar apart. And now, in this strange new world, Caldris had become nothing more than a myth, a god in a story that people didn't even believe.
Mordryn felt the weight of it settling over him like a dark cloud.
Mordryn:
quietly, his voice tense
"Caldris... is no myth."
Kang Wo Hu blinked in surprise, her eyebrows shooting up.
Kang Wo Hu:
"Oh? What do you mean? It's just some old legend—there's no way that—"
Mordryn:
cutting her off, his voice grave
"He was real. I knew him. Caldris was no god—he was the one who created the war that destroyed everything."
Kang Wo Hu's eyes widened, her laughter fading as she took in the seriousness of his tone. She leaned back slightly, her curiosity deepening.
Kang Wo Hu:
"Wait, are you telling me... that the legend is actually real? That you were part of that war?"
Mordryn set his cup down with a soft clink, his hands tightening into fists on the table.
Mordryn:
"I was part of that war. I fought alongside the very people you now call 'gods.' Caldris... he betrayed me, betrayed all of us. The war wasn't about saving the world—it was about power. He wanted to control magic that was never meant to be wielded."
He paused, his gaze distant as he remembered the chaos, the betrayal, the destruction of Valendar. The Council of Arcanists had sought to tap into the raw magic of the Shadowrealm, believing they could harness its power for themselves. But in doing so, they had torn open the fabric of their world, unleashing horrors they could never have controlled.
Mordryn (thinking):
"And now, all of that is just a story... a myth."
Kang Wo Hu stared at him, her expression caught between disbelief and awe. She shook her head, as if trying to make sense of it all.
Kang Wo Hu:
"So... you're saying the gods people talk about—Caldris and the others—they were just mages? And this whole war... it really happened?"
Mordryn nodded slowly, his voice low.
Mordryn:
"It was all real. And it wasn't just a war between men. Caldris opened the gates to the Shadowrealm, unleashing creatures that should never have existed in our world. I tried to stop him, but in the end, I... failed."
Kang Wo Hu sat back, her arms crossed, a thoughtful expression on her face.
Kang Wo Hu:
"I don't know if I can wrap my head around all of that... but it explains a lot." she tilted her head, studying him "You're not just some lost guy, are you? You're from that war. You've been... what, asleep all this time?"
Mordryn nodded, feeling the weight of the centuries pressing down on him.
Mordryn:
"Sealed away, to escape the destruction. But now, I've awoken in this world, where everything has changed. The people have forgotten the truth, and Caldris is remembered as some kind of hero. But I know the truth. He was no god—he was the one who brought ruin to our world."
Kang Wo Hu was silent for a moment, her eyes narrowing slightly as she processed everything.
Kang Wo Hu:
"Well, if that's true, then there's probably more to those old myths than anyone realized. But why now? Why did you wake up in this time, of all times?"
Mordryn looked down at his hands, his fingers tracing the intricate patterns on his staff.
Mordryn:
"I don't know. But if the darkness that Caldris unleashed is still out there... it means the war isn't over."
Kang Wo Hu raised an eyebrow, her gaze sharp.
Kang Wo Hu:
"So, you think something's still out there, waiting?"
Mordryn nodded, his eyes hardening with resolve.
Mordryn:
"The darkness never truly fades. It only hides, waiting for the right moment to strike again."
Kang Wo Hu leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand as she studied him carefully.
Kang Wo Hu:
"Well then, looks like you've got your work cut out for you. If those old stories are true, then you might be the only one who can stop whatever's coming."
Mordryn met her gaze, the weight of his past and the uncertainty of his future swirling in his mind. He had fought this battle before, and now, in a world that had forgotten the truth, he would have to fight it again.
But this time, he wasn't alone.
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End of Chapter 5