Ascar charged forward, his gauntlets glowing with a fierce, elemental energy. Thorne tried to warn him, but it was too late. Malakai's fist connected with Ascar's jaw, sending him flying across the cave.
Ascar landed hard on the stone floor, his head spinning and his vision blurring. The last thing he saw was Malakai's ugly grin, before everything went black.
Thorne rushed to Ascar's side, his staff glowing with a soft, blue light. He placed a hand on Ascar's forehead, and a warm, soothing energy began to flow into the young warrior's body.
Ascar's eyes flickered open, and he saw Thorne's worried face staring back at him. "Ascar, can you hear me?" Thorne asked, his voice low and urgent.
Ascar tried to speak, but his voice was hoarse and barely audible. Malakai's punch had left him feeling weak and disoriented.
Thorne's eyes locked onto Ascar's, and he spoke in a low, urgent tone. "Ascar, listen to me. You need to think about home, right now. Focus on your room, your family, your friends. Think about everything that's familiar and comforting to you."
Ascar's mind was foggy, but he tried to focus on Thorne's words. He thought about his room, his bed, his family. He thought about Katherine's warm smile, and Emily's laughter.
As he focused on these familiar images, Ascar felt a strange sensation wash over him. The pendant around his neck began to glow, and he felt himself being pulled away from the cave, away from Malakai and Thorne.
Ascar's vision blurred, and he felt himself being pulled through space and time. He stumbled and fell, landing hard on his stomach.
As he looked around, Ascar saw that he was back in his own room, surrounded by the familiar sights and sounds of his own world. He saw his bed, his desk, his bookshelf. He saw the sunlight streaming through the window, casting a warm glow over everything.
Ascar lay still for a moment, trying to catch his breath. He was hurting all over, and he could feel the effects of Malakai's punch still lingering in his body.
But as he lay there, Ascar heard the sound of footsteps outside his room. The door opened, and Katherine walked in, a look of concern on her face.
"Ascar, sweetie, are you okay?" she asked, rushing over to his side. "I was worried sick about you. You've been sleeping for hours."
Ascar tried to speak, but his voice was still hoarse from Malakai's punch. Katherine started caressing his head, and Ascar felt a wave of comfort wash over him.
But as Katherine continued to stroke his head, Ascar started to feel a bit annoyed. He was awake, and he didn't need his mom treating him like a baby.
Just as he was about to tell Katherine to stop, she started patting his back, trying to wake him up. Ascar felt a surge of irritation, and he tried to sit up, but Katherine's patting was getting stronger, and he couldn't shake her off.
Finally, in a last-ditch effort to get Katherine to stop, Ascar pretended to be asleep, hoping that she would leave him alone. But Katherine was not fooled, and she gave him a strong spank on the backside.
Ascar jumped out of bed, his eyes wide with surprise. "Mom, did you have to do that?" he asked, rubbing his sore backside.
Katherine smiled, a mischievous glint in her eye. "I'm sorry, sweetie, but you were being stubborn. Now, get downstairs, Emily's here to see you."
Ascar nodded, still rubbing his sore backside. He made his way downstairs, his mind still reeling from his adventure in Brindlemark. He couldn't shake off the feeling of worry about Thorne, and he wondered what had happened to the old wizard after he had been sent back home.
As he walked into the living room, Ascar saw Emily sitting on the couch, a look of concern on her face. "Hey, Ascar, how are you?" she asked, as he sat down beside her.
Ascar smiled, trying to reassure her. "I'm fine, Emily. Just a bit tired, that's all."
Emily nodded, but Ascar could tell that she didn't believe him. He knew that he had to tell her the truth, but he wasn't sure if he was ready to share his secrets with her.
As they sat there in silence, Ascar's mind kept wandering back to Brindlemark, and the adventure that he had left behind. He knew that he would have to return to that world, to face whatever dangers lay ahead. And he knew that he would have to be stronger, more powerful, if he was going to survive.
Ascar's thoughts were interrupted by Emily's voice. "Ascar, is everything okay?" she asked, her eyes filled with concern.
Ascar nodded, trying to reassure her. "Yeah, everything's fine," he said. "I just need to get some rest, that's all."
Emily nodded, but Ascar could tell that she didn't believe him. He knew that he would have to tell her the truth, eventually. But for now, he just wanted to rest, and try to process everything that had happened.
Ascar stood up, and Emily followed him. "I'll let you get some rest," she said. "But promise me you'll tell me what's going on, soon."
Ascar nodded, feeling a pang of guilt. He knew that he was keeping secrets from Emily, and it didn't feel right. But he also knew that he couldn't tell her everything, not yet.
"I promise," he said, trying to reassure her. "I'll tell you everything, soon."
Emily nodded, and Ascar could see the concern in her eyes. He knew that he would have to make things right with her, soon.
Ascar walked Emily to the door, and they said their goodbyes. Ascar watched as Emily walked away, feeling a sense of guilt and responsibility. He knew that he would have to make things right with her, soon.
Ascar turned and walked back into the house, his mind still reeling from his adventure in Brindlemark. He knew that he would have to return to that world, to face whatever dangers lay ahead. And he knew that he would have to be stronger, more powerful, if he was going to survive.
Ascar walked into his room, and sat down on his bed. He looked around, taking in the familiar sights and sounds of his own world. But his mind was still in Brindlemark, thinking about Thorne, and the adventure that they had shared.
Ascar lay back on his bed, feeling a sense of exhaustion wash over him. He knew that he would have to rest, and recover, before he could face whatever challenges lay ahead. But he also knew that he couldn't stay in his own world forever. He would have to return to Brindlemark, and face whatever dangers lay ahead.
Ascar closed his eyes, feeling a sense of determination wash over him. He would return to Brindlemark, and he would be stronger, more powerful, than ever before.