Ascar's eyes locked onto Thorne's, but he remained silent. Thorne's expression turned curious, and he took a step closer to Ascar.
"Where have you been, Ascar?" Thorne asked again, his voice softer this time.
Ascar still didn't respond. He just stood there, his eyes fixed on Thorne's.
Thorne's gaze dropped to the amulet around Ascar's neck. His eyes widened slightly, and he took a deep breath.
"You can travel to different worlds, right?" Thorne asked, his voice filled with a mix of excitement and concern.
Ascar's eyes widened in shock. How did Thorne know? He hadn't told anyone about his ability to travel to different worlds.
Thorne smiled, as if he could see the shock in Ascar's eyes. "Don't worry, Ascar," he said. "I'm here to help you. But first, I need to show you something."
Thorne walked over to a nearby table and picked up an old, leather-bound book. He opened it, revealing yellowed pages filled with strange symbols and diagrams.
Thorne placed the book in front of Ascar, pointing to a page with a picture of the same amulet Ascar was wearing.
Ascar's eyes widened in shock as he stared at the picture. How did Thorne know about the amulet? And what did it have to do with him?
Thorne's expression turned serious. "Ascar, you're in danger," he said. "Malakai, the evil sorcerer, has been turning the city of Brindlemark upside down just to find this amulet. His henchmen are also after it, to return it to him."
Ascar's mind reeled as he tried to process what Thorne was telling him. Malakai? The evil sorcerer? What did he have to do with the amulet?
Thorne's eyes locked onto Ascar's. "The minotaur that attacked you earlier was one of Malakai's henchmen," he explained. "They're desperate to get their hands on the amulet, and they'll stop at nothing to get it."
Ascar felt a shiver run down his spine as he realized the truth. He was in danger, and he didn't even know why.
Thorne placed a hand on Ascar's shoulder. "Don't worry, Ascar," he said. "I'm here to help you. But you need to understand the power of the amulet. It's not just a simple trinket. It's a powerful artifact that enhances the user's powers."
Ascar's eyes widened as he stared at the amulet. He had always known that it was special, but he had no idea that it was this powerful.
Thorne smiled. "The amulet is a key part of an ancient prophecy," he explained. "It's said to grant the user immense power and wisdom. But it's also said to come with a great cost. The user must be careful not to let the power consume them."
Ascar felt a surge of excitement mixed with fear. He had always known that the amulet was special, but he had no idea that it was this powerful. And what did Thorne mean by "a great cost"? What kind of cost could the amulet possibly demand?
Thorne's expression turned serious. "Ascar, you need to be careful," he said. "The amulet is a powerful tool, but it's also a target for those who seek to use its power for their own gain. You need to learn how to control it, how to use its power wisely."
Ascar nodded, feeling a sense of determination rise up within him. He was ready to learn, to master the power of the amulet. He was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, to use the amulet's power to protect himself and those he cared about.
And with Thorne by his side, Ascar knew that he could overcome anything.