Seth stood outside the cave, gathering his thoughts. He took a deep breath and entered.
"I knew you'd come back soon," I said from inside.
"No welcome back gifts?" Seth asked.
I emerged with an old picture of my mother, Seth, and another woman.
"I've seen your face before. Is this you?" I asked, handing Seth the picture.
Seth's expression softened. "This makes my work easier."
"What work?" My uriosity grew. "You know my mom, don't you?"
Seth's voice filled with emotion. "She's my elder sister."
My expression remained neutral, masking my turmoil. "That makes you my uncle."
Seth chuckled. "You could've pretended to be excited. Am I that boring?"
My tone hid my pain. "Yes, you are."
Seth grinned, unaware of my internal struggle.
My houghts swirled "Why should I trust him? He's from the Shadow Realm, the place that abandoned me"
Seth continued, "Your mother named you Liam, by the way."
My façade cracked, revealing a hint of vulnerability. "You're too lame to come up with a cool name like that."
Seth laughed. "Ouch! That hurt. So, how old were you when she… died?"
"I was ten," I replied.
Seth's eyes narrowed. "Then how didn't you know your own name?"
I explained, "I jumped from orphanage to orphanage"
"Maybe she used that technique on him" Seth thought to himself
My distrust deepened "He's hiding something" I asked, "Why did you come back?"
Seth's expression turned serious. "To take you home, Liam. To the Shadow Realm."
"What do you mean 'home'?" I asked, stalling. My fear spiked, "I won't belong. I will be an outcast"
Seth emphasized, "The Shadow Realm, where our people live. You'll learn about your family, your heritage."
My loneliness overwhelmed me. "I've never had a family. What if they reject me?" "I'm not going," I declared, shielding myself from potential hurt.
Seth's eyes narrowed. "You don't trust me?"
Liam's voice laced with desperation. "It's not that. Why would I want to go? You're asking me to leave everything I know."
Seth pressed on, "You have a family, Liam. My daughter, Selena, is around your age."
My doubts consumed him, "I'll never fit in. They'll see how broken I am."
Seth added, "Come, learn about your family and your mother."
I stood firm, protecting myself from the unknown. "Family means nothing to me."
Seth countered, "It should. Your mother cared deeply for her family."
I insisted, "Everything about her is in her journal."
Seth revealed, "I can teach you to control Shadows."
I demonstrated my shadow manipulation skills, seeking validation.
Seth impressed, "Okay, I believe you. But you need Kovo supervision for training."
I asked, "What's Kovo?"
Seth proudly declared, "The Kovo: The blade that shines through the night. The strongest Tenebri in the Shadow Realm."
I teased, "So you're that good?"
Seth grinned. "I'm amazing."
I decided, "I'll pass."
Seth dropped a bombshell: "I know who killed your mother and who your father is."
My eyes locked onto Seth's, my heart racing. "Who killed Mom?" I asked, my vulnerability exposed.
Seth coerced, "Come with me, and I'll tell you."
The silence between us was palpable.My thoughts screamed,"Don't trust him. Don't go" But a glimmer of hope emerged, "Maybe I'll find find answers. Maybe I'll belong"
Finally, I broke the silence: "Lead the way."
Seth smirked. "It's not a place you can walk to, dumbass."
A portal formed, I was mesmerized
Seth promised, "You'll learn to make one."
I eagerly asked, "You'll teach me?"
Seth teased, "Ain't you the one pretending to know everything?"
I pleaded, "But…"
Seth kicked Liam into the portal, walking in majestically with hands in his pockets. The portal spat me out, and I tumbled through the air, landing face-first in the Realm's damp soil. The earthy scent filled my nostrils as gritty dirt grated against my skin.
"Welcome to the Realm, kid," Seth said, his voice dripping with amusement, an evil smirk spreading across his face.
I lifted my head, spitting out dirt and glowering at Seth. The Realm's twilight sky stretched above, casting an eerie glow over the unfamiliar landscape.
The air vibrated with an otherworldly energy, and I sensed the weight of the unknown.
Seth's chuckle echoed through the silence.
As I stood up, dusting myself off, I gazed around in awe. The Realm's twilight sky seemed to pulse with an ethereal energy, casting long shadows across the landscape.
"Where are we?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
Seth grinned. "Welcome to the Shadow Realm's outskirts. Our city, lies ahead."
My eyes widened as we walked toward the city. Towering spires and grand architecture materialized from the darkness, illuminated by soft, luminescent orbs.
"This is… incredible," I breathed.
Seth chuckled. "You've never seen anything like it, have you?"
I shook my head, drinking in the sights.
As we entered the city, I encountered beings with striking features: piercing eyes, dark skin, and hair that seemed to shimmer like shadows.
"Who are these people?" I asked, feeling out of place.
Seth introduced Liam to various inhabitants, explaining their unique abilities and roles within the Realm.
I struggled to keep up, overwhelmed by the sheer volume of new information.
Seth noticed my confusion and placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder.
"Take your time, kid. You'll learn."
I nodded, determination burning within.