When Aeron regained consciousness, his mind still grappled to come to terms with what had happened. Elysia's words began to echo within his mind: drumbeat of rebirth, power, balance, and destruction. Each word was filled with depth, while it opened significantly more doors of questions than answers. He didn't remember anything about the "Dominion of the Fire Sovereign" or even his own past in this new world.
The woman, Elysia, led him between gates, each taller and fairer than the last, across wide realms of riotous color: blistering expanses of flame, mountains spouting fire in rivulets of orange and black, and thick, boiling skies. Every breath of air lay saturated with energy, almost palpable, as if even air itself lived with power.
"This world," Elysia began, as they moved out onto a narrow black path, "is ruled by the Sovereigns, and there are four major factions under the leading of each of the Elemental Sovereigns. And it is you, Aeron, who have been chosen to cast them off into the Aether, an ancient, slumbering force binding the elements."
Aeron nodded, his attention back on the men. "The Aether?" he growled out low. "What is that? And why would I be picked to use it?
Elysia leaned over him, bright, really red eyes softening up a bit. "Aether is a source of all power in this world; it's the energy keeping the elements together. Still, it has been asleep, forgotten by time, for hundreds of years. Now, it has chosen you. But with great power. comes great responsibility. and also great danger."
Aeron felt an upward churning inside, as if some hidden force pulled at him. Energy brimmed in his body, alive with this power Elysia had spoken about. Yet, in his mind lay a latticework of unease-the nagging, grim impression that out of sight, something evil lurked and waited for him.
They emerged into a rim; and far beneath them a great city lay spread. It stretched far down below them, like a puzzle of dark stone, glinting queerly in that odd light, with its streets choked and its strange quiet hanging over it like a threat, as though men knew that each had a niche in the vast ceaseless grind of silent law.
"This," Elysia breathed, her voice softer, "is the capital of the Fire Sovereign's Dominion, Inferna. It shall be a place of training, learning, and growing for you. Yet, it is also a place of politics, power fights, and treachery. Everything here lies at the discretion of the Sovereign and his followers. You will have to prove your worth if you want any powers in this world.
Aeron's gaze swept over the city, his awe tinged with dread. Inferna, indeed, was a city of beauty and danger, and it almost felt as if the city itself was alive, pulsating with the very essence of fire. He could feel it in the air, the heat, pressure, tension-an aura he instinctively perceived, and with which he had already sensed the journey ahead was going to be far from easy.
Prove my worth?" Aeron asked, his head still spinning from all of the new concepts. "How do I do that? I don't even know how to use this Aether power you're talking about."
Elysia took a piercing look at him. "You will learn, but let me tell you this: nobody gets power here easily; you will earn it. There's much meaning in the Dominion of power, and those groups are still fighting, each more dangerous than the other. You must choose well the ones you befriend.
They entered town from there in a roundabout manner, approaching massive city gates between two statues of fighters engaged in an eternal combat. Traders and warriors, all manner of people, moved the streets, each caught up in their own issues. Aeron noticed strange looks, murmurs, and the parting of ways as he passed.
Further down within the core of Inferna was a large structure: a palace of black stone, to which burning torches lent brilliance. In front of its great gate, two huge guards flowed forth dressed in golden amour that glittered like fire. Elysia nodded to them, and they stepped aside, yielding them a path.
"This is the Flameheart Citadel," Elysia said. "It is where the Fire Sovereign is in power. Within these walls, you will see the most powerful beings in this world: warriors, mages, and. schemers. But there is one thing you must remember: no one here is your friend."
Aeron watched the citadel, feeling the weight of its ancient power bearing down upon him. He could feel within its walls the pulsations of elemental forces, calling to him, as if to draw deeper into the heart of the fire.
Elysia stood in front of a wide flight of stairs and faced him once again. "This is where it really starts, Aeron. It is a new life given to you with the power of the Aether. Now, how to use that power, whom to surround yourself with, and which choices you make that will determine your future course, it's entirely up to you.
Aeron looked up toward the castle, strengthened in his heart. He had been given a second chance at life, a promise of rewriting his story to turn it out right, but he knew nothing would come easy around a world full of anger and in continuous danger.
The fire of his fate was already well ablaze within him. Whether he would be king or destroyed by the power he craved, only time would tell.
"Okay, let's begin," Aeron said, a resolution firm in his tone.