As Oroz grew older, his connection with the water deepened, and so did his understanding of the world around him. The serenity of his home, surrounded by lush forests and endless streams, felt increasingly like a cage to him. He had seen glimpses of the greater world beyond, the vast lands that stretched as far as the eye could see, full of mysteries and dangers that beckoned him.
But for now, his parents had insisted on focusing on his training. They knew something he didn't—a dark shadow was beginning to stir in the corners of the world, a force that had been dormant for centuries. And they knew that, sooner or later, Oroz's destiny would be tied to it.
Oroz's abilities continued to grow. By the time he was eight, his control over water was almost flawless. He could manipulate it with precision, shaping it into almost anything he desired—a bridge, a shield, a weapon—but the water, despite being his ally, seemed to hold secrets from him. Every time he reached for more, he found himself blocked by something invisible, like a veil he couldn't part. His connection to water was not just a gift; it was a key to something larger, something buried deep within the world's ancient history.
Zai had been silent for days, as though it were waiting for something. Its eyes, glowing faintly, always seemed to be watching Oroz from afar, as though the creature had become a silent guardian. One evening, as the sun began to set, casting the land in a fiery red glow, Zai spoke at last.
"It's time, Oroz," it said, its voice low and filled with gravity. "You are ready to leave."
Oroz turned from his training ground, startled. "Leave? But... I'm just a child. What do you mean?"
"You have tapped into the waters of this world," Zai replied. "But there is much more to this world than you can see. The Heart Pool is but a fragment of the ancient magic that lies beneath the surface. You must journey beyond the borders of this land, seek the other Elemental Pools, and discover what it is you are meant to find."
Oroz felt a stir of excitement and fear in his chest. He had always known there was something more waiting for him beyond his home. Something he was meant to do. But leaving meant leaving behind everything he knew—the peaceful days of training, the safety of his family, and the comfort of his home.
"Isn't there another way?" Oroz asked, his voice tight. "Can't I stay here and learn more first? I'm not ready."
Zai's gaze softened, but its voice remained firm. "You are more ready than you think. The world has already begun to shift, and you will play a part in the coming changes. You must go, or it will be too late."
Oroz felt a heavy weight settle in his chest. His path had been decided, whether he was ready or not. He nodded, resigned to the fact that he could no longer avoid the unknown.
---
The next morning, Oroz said his goodbyes to his parents. They were not surprised, their faces solemn but proud. His mother, Alia, kissed his forehead and whispered, "You carry our love with you, Oroz. Always remember where you come from."
His father, Kael, placed a hand on his shoulder. "The road will be long, son. But remember: you are never truly alone. The magic of the world will guide you."
And so, Oroz set out, guided only by the mysterious pull of the water and the visions that still haunted him in his dreams. As he walked through the forest, his thoughts turned once again to the figure from the Heart Pool—the man whose eyes had pierced through time and space. Who was he? Why did Oroz feel a connection to him?
The journey took him deep into unknown lands. He crossed mountains, wandered through dense forests, and navigated treacherous ravines. Along the way, Oroz encountered creatures both strange and wondrous—fire-breathing wyverns, ethereal fey, and beasts that seemed to exist between the realms of reality and myth.
But it was the whispers in the air that unnerved him the most. The feeling of being watched never left him, and as the days passed, it grew stronger. He would hear soft voices in the wind, glimpses of shadowy figures in the corner of his eyes, always just out of reach. It was as if the world itself was alive, aware of his every move.
---
It wasn't until Oroz reached the edge of the great Talthar Plains that he first encountered something truly unexpected—a massive stone gate, weathered by time, standing alone in the middle of the open field. The gate seemed out of place, as though it didn't belong in this world at all.
Approaching it cautiously, Oroz felt the magic in the air shift. The winds seemed to still, and for a moment, even the sun above appeared dimmer. His heart raced as he reached out and touched the cold stone. In that moment, the gate began to hum, a low, resonating sound that reverberated in his bones.
Suddenly, the world around him seemed to warp, the landscape blurring like a dream. The stone gate shimmered, and a crack appeared down its center, revealing an entirely different world on the other side—one filled with towering spires of crystal, swirling storms of magic, and landscapes that seemed to defy the laws of nature.
A voice echoed from behind the gate, soft but powerful. "Oroz Kimberg," it said, and for the first time in his life, Oroz heard his name spoken by something that was not human. "You have crossed the threshold. Welcome to the realm where your destiny awaits."
---
The gate flickered before him, the edges of the realm bending and warping like the reflection on the surface of water. And as the strange voice spoke, Oroz felt a sudden, overwhelming sense of purpose. This was no longer just a journey—it was the beginning of something that would change everything.
But before he could step forward, a shadow moved across the gate, its form rising like a wave. The earth beneath him trembled, and the voice spoke again, this time with urgency.
"Oroz, beware. This is no ordinary place. You are not the only one seeking the water's power."
A chill ran through him. The air around him seemed to thicken, as though the very world was holding its breath.
Oroz stepped forward, past the gate, his heart pounding in his chest.
The adventure had just begun.