Kael awoke to the sound of the blacksmith hammering iron on the anvil, the rhythmic clang reverberating through the floorboards. For a moment, he thought the strange events of the night before had been a dream, but then he glanced at his hand.
The mark was still there—glowing faintly, as though it pulsed with a life of its own.
He winced, rubbing his palm, trying to will the symbol away, but it remained. The crystal he had taken from the obelisk was resting on his nightstand, still faintly glowing. The room was dim, morning light seeping through the cracks in the wooden walls.
But Kael felt no peace. Every fiber of his being screamed that something had changed—something irreversible—and the weight of the prophecy he couldn't understand pressed upon him.
Downstairs, Merrit was already preparing breakfast. Kael could hear the soft clatter of pots and pans, the smell of fresh bread and meat filling the air. But even the familiar scents didn't settle his nerves.
He slipped his boots on and descended into the smithy. Merrit glanced up from the fire as Kael entered, his brow furrowed with concern.
"You look pale, lad. Did you sleep at all?"
Kael nodded but didn't speak. His mind was too clouded. He could still see the obelisk's collapse, the strange, ancient sigils etched into its surface. And the voice. The voice that had spoken to him in the forest.
*"You are the keeper of the forgotten light."*
Merrit gave him a long look, sensing the unease. "If you're troubled by the storm, you're not the only one. The town's been in a panic since it hit. The elders are already whispering of old prophecies and forgotten powers. It's not just you feeling the weight of it, Kael."
Kael's eyes narrowed. "You knew about the prophecy?"
Merrit hesitated. He set down the metal he was working on and wiped his hands on his apron. "I don't know much. But there are things in this world, lad, that are older than time itself. Things that sleep beneath the earth, beneath the Aether. And when they wake, they call for those meant to walk their path."
Kael swallowed. "So, what do I do now? I can't just ignore this."
Merrit's gaze softened. "No, you can't. But you must be careful. Not all paths lead to light. Some are... darker than you can imagine."
Before Kael could respond, a loud knock echoed through the smithy's door. The heavy oak creaked as Merrit opened it, revealing a stranger cloaked in shadow.
The man's face was hidden beneath a dark hood, and his voice was low and smooth, like the rustle of dry leaves.
"I'm looking for the boy who carries the mark," he said, his eyes scanning the room before settling on Kael.
Kael's heart raced. The stranger was no ordinary traveler. His presence felt like a storm, a force he couldn't quite grasp.
"I-I don't know what you mean," Kael stammered.
The man stepped forward, and Kael instinctively took a step back. "You carry the mark of the Aetherkeeper. The High Seer has foreseen your awakening."
Merrit moved quickly, stepping between Kael and the stranger. "You're from the capital," he said, his tone sharp. "What do you want with him?"
The man smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "I come to offer him a choice. The path you walk now is fraught with danger. You'll be hunted by those who seek the power you unknowingly hold. I can guide you, protect you. But you must leave, and you must leave now."
Kael shook his head. "I don't even know what's happening. I don't want any part of this."
The stranger's smile faltered, his eyes hardening. "The choice is no longer yours, boy. The Aether has chosen you. You will come with me, or you will face the consequences."
The room grew unnervingly cold, and Kael felt a chill crawl up his spine. He could see the power in the man's eyes, a dangerous glint that promised violence if he refused.
Merrit turned to Kael, his face etched with worry. "You've no choice, lad. If you stay, they'll come for you. Go with him. I'll protect the village."
Kael looked between the two men, heart pounding. He had no idea who to trust, but one thing was clear: his life was no longer his own.
With a reluctant nod, Kael stepped forward, the mark on his hand glowing brighter, as though in response to the stranger's words.
"Where are we going?" Kael asked, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside him.
The stranger's smile returned, cold and assured. "To the Forbidden Wastes."
---
Let me know what you think, or if you'd like to continue with Chapter 4 or modify anything!