kael's POV
The warmth of the morning light seeped through the crack of the wood shutters in this modest place that was now my new home. Frankly, this would be great if not for this cursed tiny body, cursing at it for what felt like the hundredth time. As I was utterly useless I'd spent most of my time trapped in this prison called a crib, only surrender by the silence and the faint aroma of herbs on the salves.
With nothing to do, I took a liking to practicing manipulating this strange energy I'd discovered, A shimmering force that seemed to be all around me and in every living thing. I find it easier to move it around my body focusing it at a specific point in my body. This felt both exciting and exhausting. I only managed to summon faint flickers, but it still took a toll on me. It was still progress.
Elias entered quietly, his armor published but still dented from the previous battle. His still-tired eyes grew softer as he approached me, lifting me with one arm.
"Good morning little warrior, " he said, his voice rough but warm.
I cooed in response; well, to be frank, that was the only thing I could do, even though my thoughts were far from innocent.
'I'm not your goddamn little warrior, but sure, let's pretend,' I thought.
He stood still studying me for a second, his deep Emerald eyes searching. "I wish you didn't have to grow up in these like these," he said. "But you'll be strong. I know you will."
'Flattering, but I'll take strength on my terms, thanks'
Elias's gaze lingered before sighing. "Time to get moving. Your mother is already at the clinic, preparing for today."
---
Mira's POV
The clinic was far quieter than it was the day before; the stench of blood and the sharp scent of herbs still was present. The rows of cots were still filled with the recovering villagers and guards, some groaning in pain, others resting still in silence.
I worked tirelessly, I tied my hair in a neat bun to stop it from moving about. Moving my hands so with precision I stitched wounds and stocked the salves.
My assistant, Ana, approached with a tray of clean bandages. "All the injured seem to be stable now," Ana said, trying to hide the fatigue in her voice.
I nodded, whilst half of my mind was on work and half on Elias. I'd seen how tired he was after the battle with the brute and the shadow creature in the forest. It's been a while since he had used aether to enhance his body, and it's taking its toll on his body.
"You're staring again," Ana teased, smiling.
Breaking me out of my thoughts I smiled faintly, "Just thinking about how much work is ahead."
Ana arched her brow. "You mean worrying about Eliaw."
I didn't deny it. "He's stubborn, always taking on too much."
Ana placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "He'll come back, he has you and Kael. So he must come back like he always does."
My eyes drifted to the window looking off in the distance at the silhouette of the northern gate. "I hope you're right," I said softly.
---
The Scouting Party
The forest was a different place now. The once lush and vibrant forest was not quiet or corrupted. Trees stood blackened as is the ground as well, with branches looking like skeletal fingers up towards the sky. The air was thick and heavy with the occasional scent of decay that made every breath a labor.
Elias was leading the group, his hand resting on the hilt of his, ready to draw it from its scabbard at any moment. Gareth walked a step behind him, his usual smile replaced by a grim expression.
"Feels like walking in a graveyard," Gareth murmured.
"Stay focused," Thorne said sharply walking at the front.
Continued walking forward moving cautiously, in the dead silent forest broken only by the crunch of leaves underfoot. Then they saw it: another artifact.
It stood at the center of the small clearing, smaller than the one they had dealt with before. But it still emanates the same ominous dark energy. The ground around it cracked and blackened, pulsing faintly with the same glow.
"That's it," Thorne said, his voice low.
Elias began to move forward still on high alert. The artifact seemed to be just a fragment this time, it looked as if it was damaged, but it still radiated the same power.
"This one is weaker," he observed.
"Let's not drop our guard; it still may be dangerous," Gareth replied, drawing his weapon.
As if sensing their presence the ground started to shake. Dark tendrils erupted from the earth; as if like living shadows, they lashed out towards the group.
"Defensive line!" Thorne barked.
Elias drew his sword, its blade shimmering slightly as he channeled his aetheric energy. He moved with shocking speed, decapitating the tendrils as more replaced the fallen.
"Cover me !" Elias shouted, his eyes fixed on the artifact.
Both Thorne and Gareth moved to intercept the tendrils, weapons flashing with a dim light. Elias now had reached the artifact; he channeled more energy into the blade, wanting to finish this in one strike
The artifact was shattered with a deafening crack, releasing A shockwave of dark energy.
The tendrils now dissolved, leaving behind the squad in the dead silent forest.
Elias staggered back because of the shockwave of dark energy. His breathing is now unsteady.
"That's two," Gareth said, wiping blood and sweat from his brow. "How many more do you think are left?"
"Too many," Thorne said in a low voice.
---
Back at Eldrim
By then, they had returned to the village; it had already begun to set. Mire who was waiting near the northern gate, showed an expression of both relief and worry as she spotted Elias.
"You're back," she said softly.
Elias nodded, his armor scratched but intact. There was another artifact, but it was smaller; it was still just as dangerous.
Mira frowned, her eyes looking at his tired face asked. "And the forest?"
"It's far worse than we thought," Elias admitted. "The corruption seems to be spreading.
Mira's arm began to tighten wrong Karl, who had been in her hand, just watching with curious eyes.
"You'll need to rest," Mira said in a firm tone. "You can't fight if your running out of fumes."
Elias hesitated but ultimately agreed. "I'll rest tonight; for now, we need to plan our next move."
Kael cooked softly, reaching out to tug on Elias's tunic. Elias smiled faintly. Placing a hand on his son's head.
"Hey, there, little warrior. You're been keeping your mother busy, haven't you?
Kael's gaze was sharp as if they could already understand the world around him.
---
Kael's POV
As I observed the exchange between my parents, I felt a strange tug in my chest. Despite my initial detachment, I can't deny their love for each other- their love for me their son.
But my thoughts kept drifting back to the artifacts and how they related to the corruption spreading in the forest. It wasn't just a problem for the village, no it was bigger than that. I need to figure out where I fit into all of this.
This world is unraveling, I thought, my hand gripping the end of my father's cloak. And I won't sit idly by while it does.
---
A Stranger Arrives
As night fell, a knock could be heard from our door. Elias cautiously opens it as if we weren't expecting anyone. His hand resting on the belt of his sword ready at any moment.
Standing in front of the door was a hooded figure, their face partially covered by the shadow cast by the wood. The stranger pulled back the hoodie to reveal a young woman with striking silver hair and piercing Violet eyes. She carried herself with a calm, almost ethereal grace.
"My name is Serin," she said in a low yet grateful voice. "I need to speak with you about the artifacts."
Elias's eyes narrow. Only a selected few know about the artifacts. "How do you know about them?"
Serum stepped inside without waiting for an invitation, her gaze sweeping the room before settling her eye on me. Her eyes widened slightly; for a moment, it felt as though she could see right through me, into my very soul.
And I didn't like it.
"Because I've been tracking their creator," she said, finally looking back at Elias.
"The corruption within the forest is by no means an accident. Someone deliberately planted these artifacts there, and they will not stop until it consumes everything."
Mira stepped forward, with her expression of a mixture of caution and curiosity. "Why come to us? Surely there are others more capable of handling this."
Serum shook her head. "These artifacts are special and only reaction to specific energies, energies your husband has already been exposed to. Making him equipped to destroy them."
Elias frowned. "And what role do you play in all of this?"
"I'm a Seeker," Serum explained "my task is to find and neutralize magical anomalies before they spiral out of control. But this is beyond anything that I have ever faced before.
Elias exchanged a glance with Mira before turning to look back at Serin. "If what you're saying is true, we're going to need slot more information and Well be a plan."
Serin nodded. "Agreed. But first I want to show you something."
---
Kael's POV
I watch the interaction of my parents with this strange Serin person from my vintage crib. Defines arrival appears to be no coincidence; for some reason, I could feel it. There was something about her presence, the way she spoke, that hinted at her having a deeper understanding of the chaos surrounding us.
Her eyes flickered towards me again, this time lingering longer before turning back to.! my parents.
"This child," she started. There is something special about him"
Elias's expression hardened protectively. "What do you mean by that?
Serin hesitated, choosing her next words carefully. "I can sense it. A resonance. within him, something tied to the energy of the artifacts."
I tensed, my tiny hand gripping the blanket. Of fucking course there is. But that's not my business. It's yours.
Mira stepped closer, her maternal instinct raging on. "He's just a baby. Leave him out of this."
Serum nodded solemnly. "For now, perhaps. But the time will come when his role can not be ignored."
Elias's jaw tightened, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword. " let's just focus on the threat at hand. What is it you need to see?"
Serin's had now turned serious. There's another artifact similar to the ones you had encountered before, but much bigger, hidden deep in the forest. If we don't act soon it will cause a chain reaction that could destroy the village and the area around it."
My parents exchanged a look, their resolve hardening. Whatever may lay ahead, I knew this was just the beginning.
And for the first time since coming to this world, I felt a spark of anticipation.
Bring it on.