Lucien slowly opened his eyes, groggily taking in his surroundings. He was lying on a narrow bed, covered in a simple but clean blanket. The room was small and plain, with stone walls and a single window high up on one wall. A small table stood beside the bed, with a pitcher of water and a cup on it.
Lucien's mind was foggy, and he couldn't remember how he had gotten there. He tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness washed over him, forcing him to lie back down.
As he waited for the dizziness to pass, Lucien's memories slowly began to return. He remembered walking into the church, seeing the figure in white robes, and...and breaking down in tears.
The figure. Where was he?
Lucien's eyes scanned the room, but he was alone. He tried to call out, but his voice was hoarse and barely audible.
Just as he was starting to feel anxious, the door to the room creaked open, and the figure in white robes entered. He smiled gently at Lucien, and set a tray down on the table beside the bed.
"You've awoken?" he said, his voice soft and gentle.
Lucien's eyes fixed on the tray, which held a steaming bowl of soup, a hunk of bread, and a piece of fruit. His stomach growled loudly, reminding him that he was famished.
The figure smiled, and handed Lucien a spoon. "Eat," he said. "You need your strength."
Lucien took the spoon and began to eat, savoring the warm, comforting flavors of the soup. It was the best thing he had tasted in weeks, and he felt a sense of gratitude towards the figure in white robes.
As he ate, Lucien couldn't help but steal glances at the figure, who was watching him with a gentle, compassionate smile. There was something about the figure that seemed...familiar, but Lucien couldn't quite put his finger on what it was.
When he finished eating, the figure took the tray away and sat down beside Lucien on the bed. "How are you feeling?" he asked, his eyes filled with concern.
Lucien thought for a moment before answering. He felt...better, he supposed. The food had helped, and the figure's kindness had soothed his raw emotions. But he was still tired, still hurting. "I'm okay," he said finally, his voice barely above a whisper.
The figure nodded, his expression understanding. "You've been through a lot," he said. "But you're safe now. You're safe here."
Lucien felt a lump form in his throat as he looked at the figure. He wanted to believe him, to trust him. But he had been hurt so many times before...how could he be sure?
The figure smiled gently, as if he could see the doubts and fears written across Lucien's face. "My name is Father Michael," he said, his voice warm and soothing. "I am the priest here at St. Michael's Church. And you, my young friend, are...?"
Lucien hesitated for a moment, unsure of how much to reveal. But there was something about Father Michael that put him at ease, something that made him feel like he could trust this kind and gentle man.
"I'm...Lucien," he said finally, his voice barely above a whisper.
Father Michael's face lit up with a warm smile. "Ah, Lucien," he said. "It's a pleasure to meet you, my young friend. I must say, you look like you've been through quite an ordeal. Would you like to tell me what happened?"
Lucien took a deep breath, and began to tell Father Michael about his past. He told him about his life with his nomadic family, about the struggles they had faced and the hardships they had endured. He told him about the day the Council of Elders had summoned him, and how they had accused him of being a "tainted", a carrier of a dark and ancient power.
Lucien's voice trembled as he spoke of the fear and panic that had gripped him as he realized the Council's intentions. He told Father Michael about how he had been told that he was to be executed, and how he had managed to escape, fleeing into the night to avoid his fate.
As he spoke, Lucien's eyes dropped to the floor, and his voice cracked with emotion. Father Michael listened intently, his expression filled with compassion and understanding.
Lucien continued to tell his story, about how he had wandered through the forest, searching for a place to hide and a way to survive. And he told Father Michael about how he had stumbled upon the cave, and how it had become his refuge, his hiding place from the world.
As Lucien began to speak about the dream he had in the cave, Father Michael's eyes sparkled with interest. But before Lucien could continue, he hesitated, looking uncertain.
"Wait," Lucien said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I need to show you something."
Lucien held out his hand, and Father Michael's eyes widened in shock as he saw the stigma etched into Lucien's palm. The stigma seemed to pulse with a faint, otherworldly energy, and Father Michael's face went pale.
Without a word, Father Michael slowly sank to one knee, his eyes fixed on Lucien with a mixture of awe and reverence. He gazed up at Lucien, his expression filled with a deep respect, but he did not dare to touch him.
"Al'Zaeem," Father Michael whispered, his voice filled with emotion. "The one who will lead."
Lucien's eyes widened in surprise as Father Michael addressed him with the strange title. He felt a shiver run down his spine as he realized that Father Michael seemed to know more about the stigma and its significance than he was letting on.
"What do you mean?" Lucien asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "What does it mean, 'The one who will lead'?"
Father Michael's expression turned solemn, and he hesitated before speaking. "It is an ancient prophecy," he said finally. "One that speaks of a great leader who will arise to guide our people through a time of great darkness and turmoil."
Lucien's mind reeled as he listened to Father Michael's words. He had always felt like an outcast, a stranger in his own family. But now, it seemed that he was destined for something greater.
"What darkness and turmoil?" Lucien asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.
Father Michael's expression turned grave. "A great evil is stirring in the land," he said. "One that threatens to destroy everything we hold dear. But with the stigma on your hand, Lucien, you may be the only one who can stop it."
Father Michael's eyes seemed to bore into Lucien's soul, as if searching for something. Then, he nodded to himself.
"I must contact the main church and inform them of this discovery," Father Michael said, his voice filled with a sense of urgency. "They will know what to do next."
Lucien nodded, still trying to process everything that was happening.
"And the Book of Life," Father Michael asked, his eyes narrowing. "Do you know its whereabouts?"
Lucien's eyes darted around the room as he began to search for his backpack. "I...I think I have it with me," he said, his voice uncertain.
Father Michael's eyes widened in surprise. "You have the Book of Life?" he repeated, his voice filled with a mix of excitement and trepidation.