The journey to the Council of Mages was unlike anything Aric had ever known. It was a long trek, filled with treacherous forests, steep hills, and rivers that seemed to appear out of nowhere. Yet the farther they traveled, the more Aric felt the weight of the world pressing down on him. Every step he took led him away from Varen, and with it, his simple life.
Thalon never spoke much during their travels. He seemed content to let the silence stretch between them, only offering occasional fragments of advice or information when Aric asked. And ask he did. Every question Aric could think of, he fired at Thalon, hoping for some kind of clarity, but the answers were always vague. It was as though the mage knew more than he was willing to reveal.
"Why the Council?" Aric asked one evening, as they made camp beside a quiet stream. "Why can't you just teach me what I need to know?"
Thalon stared into the fire, the flames reflecting in his eyes like small, flickering stars. "The Council has knowledge you cannot access anywhere else. It is ancient, passed down through generations of mages who've studied the Veil and the dark forces beyond it. They will know how to prepare you for what's to come."
"And what's to come?" Aric pressed, though he was afraid of the answer.
Thalon didn't answer immediately, the fire crackling in the silence. Finally, he said, "The Lurking One's followers are already stirring. The longer we wait, the more they gather strength. You must be ready, Aric. The fate of more than just your world rests on your shoulders."
Aric frowned, taking in the weight of Thalon's words. How was he supposed to prepare for something like that? How was anyone supposed to prepare for a force of darkness that could tear apart the very fabric of reality?
That night, Aric lay awake in his bedroll, staring up at the sky. The stars above him felt so far away, distant and cold. He tried to imagine what it would be like to stand against something as vast and terrifying as the Lurking One, but the thought was too overwhelming.
He had never asked for this. He had never wanted any of it. Yet, here he was, caught in the middle of a prophecy that seemed impossible to escape.
By morning, the landscape had changed. The mountains loomed ahead, their peaks dusted with snow, their shadows stretching across the land like fingers reaching for the sky. The air grew colder as they approached, the scent of pine thick in the air.
"We're close," Thalon said as they trudged along a narrow mountain path. "The Council resides at the peak of these mountains, hidden from the eyes of most. It is only those who are called that are allowed to find their way to them."
Aric could feel a strange tingling sensation on the back of his neck, as if the very mountain itself was alive. The further they climbed, the heavier the air became, filled with a sense of ancient power. It was as if the mountains themselves were watching him, waiting.
As they reached the summit, a large stone structure came into view, almost hidden by the surrounding rocks and trees. It looked like an ancient temple, its weathered stone walls covered in moss and ivy, the roof lined with intricate carvings that Aric couldn't decipher. The structure seemed both otherworldly and timeless, as though it had existed long before his village had been founded.
"This is it," Thalon said, his voice low. "The Council awaits."
Aric's heart thudded in his chest. He had no idea what to expect inside. He had heard rumors of mages—of powerful, wise beings who could control the elements and bend time itself—but he had never truly believed in them. To him, they had always been stories, told by the elders around a campfire. But standing here, at the entrance to the Council's domain, those stories suddenly felt all too real.
Thalon stepped forward, his hand pressing against the stone door. To Aric's surprise, it opened with little more than a whisper, revealing a grand hall beyond. The walls were lined with glowing runes, casting an eerie light that made the stone seem to shimmer. The air inside was thick with magic, and Aric could feel it humming in his veins.
At the far end of the hall, a group of figures stood in robes of deep purple and silver. Their faces were hidden in the shadows, but Aric could sense their presence—an aura of power that was almost tangible. He couldn't help but feel small, insignificant, as though he were nothing more than a speck of dust in the presence of such beings.
One of the figures stepped forward, his voice echoing through the hall. "So, the boy arrives."
Thalon bowed his head slightly. "Yes, Elder Velan. This is Aric, the one the prophecy spoke of."
Elder Velan's gaze swept over Aric, his expression unreadable. "The boy, yes. We've been expecting you, Aric of Varen. Come, step forward."
Aric's heart raced, but he obeyed, taking hesitant steps toward the elders. He couldn't shake the feeling that something monumental was about to happen, something that would change everything he knew about himself and the world.
The elder's voice was like a distant thunderclap. "Tell me, Aric, do you know why you're here?"
Aric swallowed hard, his throat dry. "I... I think I'm here to stop something terrible from happening. The Veil, it's weakening, and the Lurking One... I have to stop it."
The elder nodded slowly. "You have been chosen, but that does not mean you are ready. The road ahead will not be easy, Aric. It will test you in ways you cannot yet imagine. The power you seek is not easily mastered, and the cost of failure is greater than you can fathom."
Aric felt a knot form in his stomach. "What do you mean?"
"To face the darkness, you must first face yourself. Only then can you unlock the true power within you. The Veil will not simply bend to your will. It is a force beyond comprehension, and only those who are truly worthy can wield the strength needed to protect it."
Aric's hands clenched into fists at his sides. He had no idea what the elders were asking of him, but one thing was clear—he was far from ready for what was to come. And yet, there was no turning back. The fate of the world rested on his shoulders.
Elder Velan stepped closer, his eyes sharp. "You will begin your training immediately. There is no time to waste."
With that, Aric's world changed forever.