The pendant teleported Erie outside, and his eyes widened as he saw a massive flame shooting down from the sky. A searing heatwave swept through the city, rippling with visible energy that distorted everything in its path. Erie could hear the anguished screams of the people around him, their cries blending with the roaring of the flames. As he spun in place, trying to make sense of the chaos, a blinding flash of light struck him, sending him sprawling to the ground. Darkness claimed him.
When Erie woke, he found himself in a mystic, colorful space that seemed endless and surreal. The air shimmered with hues that shifted and danced, yet no solid ground or sky could be seen. He stood up, disoriented, and glanced around. "Whewe am I?" he mumbled to himself, his voice small and trembling. "Mommy? Daddy?"
He wandered through the strange, dreamlike expanse, his heart aching with fear and confusion. "Uncle Wevi'?" he called out, but there was no answer, only the haunting silence of the space. Finally, Erie sank to the ground, clutching his pendant tightly in his small hands. Tears welled up in his eyes, spilling over as he sobbed quietly, lost and alone.
Erie cried himself to sleep, his small frame trembling with exhaustion and sorrow. As he drifted deeper into slumber, he felt a gentle hand rest on his head and heard a soft voice call out to him, "Erie?" Another voice, deeper and filled with warmth, followed, "Erie? Honey, I think he's waking up."
His eyes fluttered open, the world around him blurred and hazy. He blinked, dazed and confused, until his vision adjusted to the sight of two unfamiliar faces. They looked different from anyone he'd ever seen. Both had jet-black hair, dark brown eyes, and pale white skin that almost glowed in the dim light. Their smiles were warm and inviting, revealing perfect, shining white teeth.
"Ahh, you're awake, young one," the man said, his voice steady and soothing.
Erie sat up slowly, taking in his surroundings. He realized he was lying in a bed inside a tiny wooden house. The room was cozy, but Erie couldn't help but notice it felt far smaller than the bedroom he was used to. Shaking off his disorientation, he focused on the two strangers before him.
The man stepped forward and spoke first. "My name is Duncan," he said, extending a hand.
"And I'm Rose Sunflower," the woman added, her voice gentle. "We were close to your parents. When they came here for meetings, we often watched over you."
Erie instinctively reached for the pendant resting on his chest. As his fingers wrapped around it, a gentle warmth radiated from the pendant, calming his nerves. He looked up at the pair and asked, his voice small and uncertain, "Whewe am I?"
Duncan and Rose exchanged a glance, their expressions a mix of sadness and reassurance. Duncan spoke first, his tone measured. "Well, we were told by a knight from your world that you had to come here for a little while so things could be settled on your planet."
Rose nodded, continuing the explanation. "Not too long ago, your mother, Sarah, brought you here. You were already asleep, wrapped in a protective white veil. The veil kept you safe for six months, and we let you rest while it lasted. Once the veil disappeared, we tried to wake you. And here you are, awake at last."
Their words hung in the air as Erie processed everything, clutching the warm pendant in his hands as if it were the only anchor in this strange new world.
Erie didn't know what to think. He couldn't process what had just happened. How had he ended up here? What exactly had happened before? Still clutching his pendant tightly, Erie noticed Duncan and Rose exchanging worried glances.
"Erie?" Rose said softly, her voice full of concern. "You can always come to me and talk, okay? Whatever's on your mind."
Erie bowed respectfully, his small frame trembling slightly. "Yes, ma'am. I gweatwy appweciate youw hospitality." His formal tone was earnest, though his words were still tinged with his childlike speech.
Duncan chuckled softly, shaking his head. "So respectful for someone so young. We'll do our best to keep you safe, okay? In the meantime, try to relax, and we'll whip up something for you to eat."
Erie nodded and carefully stood up from the bed, still holding his pendant as though it was his lifeline. "Thank you, siw," he said quietly.
Duncan and Rose both smiled warmly before standing up and leaving the room. Erie watched them go, the door closing softly behind them. Turning his attention back to his surroundings, he took a deep breath and began to take everything in.
To his surprise, he liked the room. It was cozy, with vanilla-scented candles sitting neatly on a small desk in the corner. The bed was covered in soft orange sheets, adding a touch of warmth to the space. Posters of people he didn't recognize adorned the walls, their images unfamiliar but oddly intriguing.
A television in the corner caught his eye, its screen playing the news. Erie's curiosity drew him closer, and he watched as the screen showed a man locked in a fierce battle with a large beast. The caption on the screen described it as part of the "Semian Race." Erie tilted his head in confusion as he watched the beast shift forms, its black fur fading into a human shape, its head now adorned with bright red hair.
"The news guy sounds vewy sad," Erie thought to himself, noting the serious tone of the anchor's voice. "Why don't they just send the knights to get wid of it?" he wondered, his innocent mind struggling to understand why the situation wasn't already under control.
Duncan walked into the room and turned off the TV, giving Erie a warm smile. "Hey, Erie, want me to show you something cool?"
Erie looked up, his face brightening as he gave Duncan a soft nod.
"Come on," Duncan said, gesturing for Erie to follow him. They walked together through the small wooden house, its cozy walls filled with the scent of fresh wood, and stepped outside into the sunlight. Erie's eyes widened as he took in the sight of the garden surrounding the house. Crops stretched out in neat rows, vibrant with oranges, tangerines, grapefruits, lemons, and more.
The sight triggered a memory. Erie's mind drifted to a time when he and his mother would walk through rows of trees, picking oranges together. He could almost feel her hand in his, hear her soft laughter as they filled baskets with fruit.
Duncan's voice broke through his thoughts. "Erie, come here," he called, stopping in front of a punching bag hanging from a sturdy wooden post.
"Anytime you're feeling upset or sad," Duncan said, his tone gentle, "you can come out here and punch this bag, okay?"
Erie nodded again, his small hands still clutching his pendant.
"Watch this," Duncan said, taking a step back. He shifted into a fighter's stance, his posture steady and focused. With a quick strike of his palm, he stopped just short of hitting the bag. An invisible force blasted forward, sending the bag swinging wildly.
Erie watched silently, unimpressed. He had seen things like this every day back at the palace.
Duncan smirked, noticing Erie's lack of awe. "Alright, kid, how about this?" He spun around, his movements fluid, and shot his hand out toward the trees. A loud snapping sound echoed through the air, followed by a sudden, powerful gust of wind. The force tore through the garden, shaking the trees violently. Erie was caught off guard, the wind knocking him off his feet and sending him tumbling to the ground.
"Erie!" Duncan called out in a panic, rushing toward him. "Are you okay?"
Before Duncan could reach him, Erie sprang back up, his face lit with excitement. "That was cool!" he yelled, his voice bubbling with enthusiasm. "What was that!?"
Relieved, Duncan let out a laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. "That," he said with a grin, "was wind manipulation. It's something I've been practicing for a long time. You liked it, huh?"