Eryndor awoke sprawled on the cracked ground, his body weak and trembling. The air around him was heavy and oppressive, carrying a metallic tang that made breathing difficult. He blinked slowly, trying to make sense of his surroundings. Gone was the bustling city of Eldermist, the warmth of his caretaker, Morgana, and the protective presence of his father. Instead, he found himself in a desolate wasteland—a land devoid of life, hope, and humanity.
The horizon stretched endlessly, a barren expanse of jagged rocks and dust. The sun hung high in the sky, its light harsh and unrelenting, yet the air remained eerily cold. There were no buildings, no trees, not even the faintest trace of water. He was utterly alone.
Eryndor staggered to his feet, his legs trembling beneath him. "Where… where am I?" he whispered, his voice hoarse and weak.
Hours turned into days as Eryndor wandered the wasteland. The boy who had once wielded unimaginable power now found himself at the mercy of the unforgiving land. His stomach churned painfully from hunger, and his lips were cracked and bleeding from thirst. His feet, bare and blistered, left faint, faltering tracks in the dust.
"Help…" he croaked into the emptiness. But there was no answer, only the whistling wind that carried his pleas away.
At first, he held on to hope. Surely, he thought, there must be people somewhere, someone who could help him. He walked and walked, his small frame growing weaker with each step. The desolation never ended, and the silence grew deafening.
Far away, Kael Darkfire stood at the edge of the forest that bordered Eldermist, his heart heavy with grief. Morgana stood beside him, her face pale and tear-streaked.
"Kael, we've searched everywhere," she said softly. "We've questioned the villagers, combed through the forests… It's as if he vanished into thin air."
Kael clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white. "I can't lose him, Morgana. He's my son. He's all I have left."
"We'll keep searching," Morgana said firmly, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. But even she could not hide the despair in her eyes.
Eryndor's strength finally gave out. He collapsed onto the ground, his body trembling with exhaustion and pain. His vision blurred, and he felt the cold, hard surface of the earth press against his cheek.
"I can't go on like this anymore," he whispered to himself, tears streaming down his face. "I'm just a boy. I'm not made for this…"
"I never asked to carry sorcery".
He closed his eyes, the weight of hopelessness crushing him. Memories of his father's reassuring smile, Morgana's gentle care, and the life he'd left behind filled his mind. But even these thoughts began to fade, replaced by a numb acceptance of his fate.
The wind picked up, carrying with it a strange, rhythmic hum. At first, Eryndor thought it was his mind playing tricks on him, but the sound grew louder, more distinct. It resonated deep within him, stirring something primal and ancient in his soul.
The ground beneath him began to tremble. Faint at first, the vibrations soon grew into a powerful quake. Eryndor's eyes fluttered open, and he saw the dust rising around him in swirling, luminous patterns.
"What… is happening?" he murmured weakly.
A crack formed in the ground before him, glowing with an ghostly light. From within the fissure, a massive surge of energy erupted, bathing the desolate wasteland in a brilliant, golden glow.
Eryndor could only watch in stunned silence as the light coalesced into a towering, ethereal figure. It was a creature unlike anything he had ever seen—a blend of majestic and terrifying. Its body shimmered with scales that reflected an array of colours, and its eyes burned with an intense, ethereal fire. Its wings, vast and feathered, cast shadows that seemed to stretch for miles.
The creature stepped forward, its movements graceful and deliberate. Eryndor felt an overwhelming presence emanating from it, a force that was both comforting and awe-inspiring.
The creature lowered its massive head, bringing it level with the boy. Its piercing gaze softened as it studied him, as if recognizing the torment he had endured.
"Who… who are you?" Eryndor whispered, his voice trembling.
The creature did not speak, but its actions spoke volumes. It extended a clawed, glowing limb and gently touched Eryndor's forehead.
The moment the creature's touch made contact, a surge of warmth spread through Eryndor's body. It was as if every ache, every pain, every fear was being washed away. His vision, once dim and clouded, cleared, and he felt a deep, unshakable peace settle over him.
The creature leaned closer, its glowing eyes never leaving his. Though it made no sound, Eryndor could feel its words resonate within his very soul:
"You are made for this, boy. I'll be your guardian."
Tears streamed down Eryndor's face, not from sadness, but from an overwhelming sense of connection and belonging. The creature's presence was a balm to his fractured spirit.
"I… I don't understand," he whispered. "Why are you here?"
The creature gave no answer, but its gaze seemed to hold infinite wisdom and compassion. It lowered its head further, nuzzling him gently.
Overcome by exhaustion and the soothing warmth radiating from the creature, Eryndor's eyelids grew heavy. The boy who had been on the brink of death, who had walked the edge of despair, finally allowed himself to rest.
As he closed his eyes, the creature's wings unfurled, enveloping him in a cocoon of light. The last thing Eryndor felt before sleep claimed him was a sense of safety, as if he were being cradled by the very essence of magic itself.
Far away, Kael and Morgana stood at the edge of a cliff, gazing out over the vast wilderness.
"We'll find him," Kael said quietly, his voice filled with determination.
Morgana nodded, though her heart ached with worry. Neither of them knew where Eryndor had gone, or if he was even alive. But somewhere deep inside, Kael felt a flicker of hope—a faint, inexplicable feeling that his son was still out there, and that their paths would cross again.
In the desolate wasteland, Eryndor slept peacefully for the first time in days, his body surrounded by the gentle glow of the magical creature. His journey was far from over, but for now, he was safe.