Zaryth stood at the gates, prepared to leave everything behind. The heavy truths of his lineage and destiny weighed on him, but he kept his expression calm. As he turned, his two mothers appeared, both of them having realized that Zaryth knew the truth about his origins.
His stepmother—the one who raised him tenderly—stood still, her lips pressed into a thin line as if trying to hold herself together. His birth mother, who had remained in the shadows to protect them, looked at him with sorrow and guilt in her eyes.
Before they could say anything, Zaryth stepped forward and hugged them both tightly.
"Always remember," Zaryth whispered softly against their shoulders, "you'll always be my mothers." He kissed them gently on their foreheads, the simple act filled with warmth and finality. His mothers' hearts broke as they clung to him for what felt like the last time.
---
A Brother's Heartbreak
As Zaryth pulled away and walked toward the ship, a small but familiar voice echoed behind him.
"Bye-bye, brother!"
It was Nico, standing on the road with tears streaming down his cheeks. His little fists clenched as he tried to suppress the sobs that racked his body. "I hate you! You're the worst!" he shouted, his voice breaking. "I won't talk to you anymore!"
Nico's words cut deeper than any blade, and Zaryth's heart twisted painfully. His hands curled into fists, but he didn't turn around. He knew that if he did, he wouldn't have the strength to leave.
Ruby stood beside Nico, her silver hair blowing in the wind. Tears shimmered in her eyes, but she held Nico close, knowing Zaryth had made his choice. Even Lendvil's usual stern demeanor cracked—his shoulders sagging with the weight of loss. They all stood there in silence, watching as Zaryth walked away, carrying their hearts with him.
---
A Farewell Kiss
As Zaryth boarded the ship, he scanned the pier one last time. That's when he saw Mavuika—standing alone at a distance, her gaze locked on him. The sadness in her eyes was unmistakable, and it pierced through Zaryth's carefully built resolve.
Without thinking, Zaryth leapt off the ship and ran toward her. She gasped as he grabbed her hand and pulled her away, leading her to a secluded corner where no one was watching.
Zaryth cupped her face gently, wiping away the tears streaming down her cheeks. "Don't cry," he whispered, his voice soft but filled with emotion. "Please, don't cry."
Mavuika shook her head, her eyes full of longing and frustration. "Why do you have to go? Why does it always have to be you?"
Zaryth didn't have an answer, only the overwhelming need to soothe the ache between them. He leaned in slowly, their lips meeting in a kiss.
This time, the kiss was different—long, deep, and filled with everything unspoken. It was both a goodbye and a promise. The world around them disappeared, and in that moment, it was just the two of them, tangled in emotions they couldn't fully express.
When they finally pulled away, Mavuika rested her forehead against his, her breath shaky.
"I'll wait for you," she whispered, her voice breaking slightly. "Just come back."
Zaryth smiled softly, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. "I will," he promised, though the path ahead was uncertain.
---
The Voyage to the Land of Deities
As the ship finally pulled away from the harbor, Zaryth stood at the deck, watching the only world he'd ever known fade into the distance. The ocean stretched endlessly before him, carrying him toward a place he only knew from stories—the Land of Deities, also called "Nynthera."
Nynthera was said to be the birthplace of the archons, a realm where gods and dragons once walked together, and where relics of unimaginable power lay hidden. But Zaryth wasn't just seeking answers. He was going there to protect everything he loved.
--
The voyage was long and treacherous. Days turned into weeks, and the crew faced numerous challenges—fierce storms that roared across the seas, strange creatures that emerged from the depths, and whispers of curses that haunted the ship at night.
Zaryth remained calm through it all, though he spent much of the journey in solitude. He trained quietly on the deck under the moonlight, practicing the use of his abilities—pushing himself to his limits, despite the risks. His eyes still bled slightly whenever he tried to stop time, but he ignored the pain. He had to be ready.
On some nights, he would sit by the railing, gazing up at the stars and thinking about Ruby, Nico, and Mavuika. Their faces haunted his thoughts, but they also gave him strength. He wasn't just fighting for himself—he was fighting for them.
---
One evening, as the ship sailed through a strange mist, a mysterious figure appeared on the horizon—a small boat drifting toward them, carrying an old man wrapped in tattered robes. The crew was uneasy, but the man seemed harmless. He carried an ancient staff and spoke in riddles, his eyes gleaming with wisdom.
"The path you tread is one of shadows and light," the man told Zaryth cryptically. "Beware, young one. The land you seek is not what it once was. There are forces beyond gods and dragons waiting for you."
Zaryth stared at the man, trying to make sense of his words, but before he could ask more, the boat drifted away into the fog, as if it had never been there.
---
The End of the Voyage
After weeks at sea, the ship finally neared the edge of Nynthera. Jagged cliffs and shimmering waterfalls marked the entrance to the legendary land, and strange, glowing creatures danced in the sky like distant stars.
As the ship anchored at a hidden cove, Zaryth stood at the bow, staring at the new world before him. The Land of Deities was unlike anything he had ever seen—a realm where ancient magic pulsed in the air, and the ground seemed alive with forgotten power.
He took a deep breath, knowing that the real journey was only just beginning.
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