Aric could hardly believe what was happening. The moment Thalon had spoken of the Veil, of the prophecy, everything he had known about his life felt like a dream—like something unreal. The village of Varen, his home, now seemed distant, as though it belonged to someone else.
The evening had deepened, and the village square was empty save for the flickering lanterns, their soft light casting long shadows over the cobblestone streets. Aric stood at the edge of his father's forge, still holding his hammer in hand, his heart racing. The tall, cloaked figure before him, Thalon, didn't seem to be in any hurry. His dark robes billowed around him like the wings of some ancient bird, and his eyes, though hidden beneath his hood, burned with an intensity that made Aric's skin prickle.
"You're not leaving without me," Aric said, more to himself than to Thalon.
Thalon, who had been waiting patiently, finally spoke, his voice calm and steady. "You have no choice, Aric. What awaits you beyond this village is a world that you've never known. But the time for simple lives has passed. The Veil is weakening, and with it, the fabric of reality itself. The darkness is already reaching out."
Aric swallowed hard, trying to steady his nerves. "I don't understand. Why me? I'm just a blacksmith's son. You must have the wrong person."
Thalon tilted his head slightly, as though considering Aric's words. "I understand your doubt. But this is not a matter of what you think you are—it is a matter of what you are destined to become. The Veil does not choose who will stand against it. It simply waits for those who are brave enough to heed its call. And you, Aric, are the one the prophecy spoke of. You are the one who can stop what is coming."
"The prophecy," Aric repeated, his voice tinged with disbelief. He had never heard of any prophecy. Sure, there were old stories in the village about magic and ancient beings, but those were just stories—nothing more. "But I don't have magic. I'm not a mage. I can't—"
"You have something far more important than magic, Aric," Thalon interrupted. "You have the heart of a hero, even if you don't yet see it. The world is full of power, but without courage, that power is useless." He stepped closer, lowering his voice. "The Veil chose you because of your heart, not your abilities. You will learn to harness your own strength—strength that lies deeper than any magic."
Aric stared at the ground, his mind a whirl of thoughts. His heart hammered against his chest, the weight of the unknown pressing heavily upon him. He wasn't ready for any of this. He had never wanted to be anyone other than the quiet boy who worked in his father's forge, making weapons for the soldiers who passed through Varen.
But something inside him stirred. Was it the call of destiny? Was it the pull of the unknown? He didn't know, but he couldn't shake the feeling that this was no mere coincidence. The dream, the voice, the sudden arrival of Thalon—it was all too much to ignore.
"Where are we going?" Aric asked, finally breaking the silence.
Thalon smiled, his expression softening. "The Council of Mages. They hold the knowledge you need, and they are waiting for you. Time is short, Aric. If we do not act soon, the Veil will be lost, and with it, everything we hold dear."
With that, Thalon turned toward the road that led out of the village. The distant mountains loomed in the distance, their jagged peaks barely visible against the night sky. Aric hesitated for a moment, then followed, the sound of his boots echoing on the empty street.
As they walked through the village, Aric couldn't help but feel the weight of the decision settling on his shoulders. This was no longer the life he knew. His hands, still rough from the forge, clenched at his sides, as if to ground himself in the familiar motions. But everything had changed in a heartbeat.
"You said the Veil is weakening," Aric said after a few moments, his voice quiet. "What does that mean? What's behind it?"
Thalon glanced over his shoulder, his eyes briefly catching the light of the lanterns. "The Veil is a barrier, one that keeps our world safe from the darkness beyond. It was created long ago, when the world was young, to keep the ancient evil—the Lurking One—imprisoned. But now, the Veil is faltering. Its magic is fading, and the dark forces are slowly slipping through. The Lurking One's followers have begun to tear at it, seeking to free their master."
Aric's stomach turned at the mention of the Lurking One. He had never heard of such a being, but from the way Thalon spoke of it, it was clear this was no ordinary enemy. This was a force of darkness, one capable of unmaking the very fabric of the world.
"Why is the prophecy important?" Aric asked, his voice barely a whisper. "What does it say about me?"
"You are the key, Aric," Thalon said, his tone grave. "The prophecy speaks of a child of the earth, someone who will rise when the Veil falters. The one who will face the darkness and seal the gate once more. It's always been you, though you may not realize it yet."
The words felt heavy, almost too much to bear. Aric could hardly believe what he was hearing. But as they continued walking, a part of him felt something stir deep inside—a strange sense of purpose, of urgency.
"Tell me more," Aric said, more to himself than to Thalon. "About the Veil. About what's coming."
Thalon nodded. "The Veil is not just a physical barrier. It's tied to the very essence of reality. Its weakening means that the boundary between worlds is fading. And when the darkness fully breaks free, it will consume everything. The Lurking One's power will spread like wildfire, corrupting all in its path. It will reshape this world, turn it into a twisted reflection of what it was meant to be."
Aric felt a chill crawl down his spine. "And there's nothing we can do to stop it?"
Thalon's face softened, though there was a flicker of something dark in his eyes. "There is always a way, Aric. But time is running out. The only hope we have is to stop the Lurking One before it is too late."
The road stretched out before them, winding through the dense forest that bordered Varen. The trees seemed to grow darker as the night deepened, and the moon cast an eerie glow on the path ahead. Aric had never ventured far from his village, but now he found himself stepping into the unknown.
Despite the fear, despite the uncertainty, a part of him felt alive—alive in a way he had never felt before. This was bigger than anything he had ever imagined. And somehow, he knew that his journey had only just begun.
As they walked on, Aric couldn't shake the feeling that the world he had always known was slipping away, replaced by something far more dangerous and far more magical.
He wasn't sure what lay ahead, but one thing was certain—he couldn't turn back now.