Eryndor's eyes snapped open, his chest heaving as if he had been holding his breath for eternity. A strange calmness surrounded him, the suffocating weight of the cursed river no longer pressing against his body. He blinked, confused, his gaze darting around.
What… where am I? he thought, his voice shaky in his mind. Am I not supposed to be under that cursed river? What am I doing here?
His limbs felt weak, as though they were not his own, but he managed to push himself to his feet. Every movement was laborious, as if unseen chains still clung to him. As he stumbled upright, his eyes caught sight of a figure in the distance, shimmering with an otherworldly glow.
His heart stopped for a moment, and realization crashed into him like a tidal wave. "M-Mum?" he stammered, his voice cracking with disbelief.
The figure stepped closer, and there she was, Elyria, her ethereal beauty radiant as always, her long silver hair flowing like liquid starlight around her. She smiled warmly, her eyes glistening with tears of joy as she opened her arms.
Eryndor didn't hesitate. He stumbled forward, collapsing into her embrace. "Mum!" he cried, his voice choked with emotion. He clung to her as though she might vanish, his tears soaking into her soft, flowing gown.
"My little star," Elyria murmured, rubbing his hair fondly. Her voice was a soothing melody, filling him with a warmth he hadn't felt in a long time.
Eryndor pulled back slightly, his brow furrowing in confusion. "Is this real? Am I not supposed to be dead?"
Elyria nodded gently, her expression serene. "Yes, my child, you are. But your destiny is far from over. You have a purpose to fulfill, a great one. Death cannot claim you, for you are the Child of the Prophecy. That alone places you above death."
Eryndor frowned deeply, shaking his head. "Mom, stop lying to me. Everyone knows I'm not the one. I'm a failure… a fraud."
Elyria's smile didn't waver as she brushed his hair back, her touch as tender as he remembered. "Oh, my dear Eryndor," she said softly. "The truth is often hidden in plain sight."
He froze, his hand instinctively moving to his neck. "The seal… the Creator's Seal," he whispered, his eyes widening. "It was destroyed. I saw it burn away. How—?"
His words trailed off as his fingers grazed his neck, and his heart leapt in shock. The seal was there, glowing faintly, warm under his touch. "How is this possible?"
Elyria's smile deepened, her eyes glimmering with pride. "What they destroyed was the physical mark, my star. The true and more potent seal resides within your soul. Here, in this realm, you can feel it because this is your soul. Its power will never leave you."
Eryndor's breath caught as her words sank in. "Then… where is my body?"
"It's damaged," Elyria replied, her voice tinged with sorrow. "But it is being tended to. For now, you are safe."
Eryndor, still overwhelmed by the joy of seeing his mother, hadn't noticed his surroundings until now. Finally, he looked around, his eyes widening at the breathtaking sight before him.
They seemed to be underwater, yet they were completely dry. Golden light filtered down from a sky of shimmering waves above, casting rippling patterns over the ground. The terrain was an endless expanse of crystalline sand and glowing coral formations, their colors shifting between vibrant blues, purples, and greens. Strange, ethereal creatures swam gracefully through the air, their forms translucent and glistening like glass.
"Where… where are we?" he asked, awe and confusion lacing his voice.
Elyria's lips curved into a gentle smile. "You are in my home," she said simply.
"Home?" Eryndor repeated, frowning. "But you're an Orinthian… aren't you?"
Elyria chuckled softly, shaking her head. "No, my dear. My true origin lies within the waters. I am a Divine Siren, born of one of the most ancient and powerful bloodlines. This is my domain, my sanctuary."
Eryndor's confusion deepened. "A Siren?" he echoed, his voice filled with disbelief.
Elyria nodded, her smile tinged with sadness as she sat down, gesturing for him to join her. "Yes, a Siren," she began. "But my path was not always in these waters. Let me tell you the story of how I came to walk among the people of the land…"
Eryndor settled down beside his mother, the glowing sand cool beneath him. He couldn't tear his gaze away from her face, still grappling with the revelation of her true identity. Elyria's expression grew distant, her eyes reflecting a sorrow so profound it seemed to stretch across lifetimes.
"Long ago," she began, her voice soft yet heavy with the weight of memory, "I was not merely a Siren. I was a queen, a guardian of my people and the ruler of the Abyssal Sovereignty, the heart of the underwater realm. My throne, the Tideborne Aegis, was said to be blessed by the Creator themselves, a symbol of unyielding strength and protection."
Eryndor listened, his breath caught in his throat.
"But peace is never eternal," Elyria continued. "A great war came to our home, unexpected and unrelenting. The invaders, a race of shadowed creatures known as the Vorthane, descended upon us with the fury of a storm. They sought the Creator's blessings, believing the Tideborne Aegis held unimaginable power. We were unprepared for the ferocity of their attacks."
Her voice trembled slightly as she spoke. "For years, we fought, enduring loss after loss. The waters, once clear and pure, ran red with the blood of my people. Families were torn apart; entire cities crumbled. We were pushed to the brink of annihilation. Despite our efforts, the Vorthane overwhelmed us, their dark magic corrupting everything they touched."
She paused, her fingers absently tracing patterns in the sand. "As the war dragged on, it became clear that we could no longer win. I gathered the survivors,those who still held hope in their hearts and made the difficult decision to flee. We sought refuge on land, where the Vorthane's power could not follow. It was there, among the earthlings, that I hid, disguising myself as one of them."
Her gaze turned to Eryndor, her hand gently cupping his cheek. "It was on land that I met your father. He gave me a reason to hope again, a reason to believe that perhaps our suffering had not been in vain."
"But what of your kingdom?" Eryndor asked, his voice hushed with reverence. "What became of the Abyssal Sovereignty?"
Elyria's expression darkened. "It still stands, though barely. The Vorthane rule over it now, their corruption spreading like a disease. My people remain enslaved, waiting for the day their true heir will return to reclaim the Tideborne Aegis and restore the balance."
Eryndor frowned, the weight of her words settling heavily on his shoulders. "The true heir?"
She nodded, her eyes searching his. "Yes, my little star. The true heir. You."
His heart skipped a beat. "Me? But how? I don't even know your people, your kingdom…"
Elyria's voice softened. "You carry my blood, Eryndor. The blood of the Tideborne flows through your veins. You were always destined for greatness, my child, even if you did not yet see it."
He looked away, his hands trembling. "I don't know if I can do this," he murmured. "I've failed so many times… I couldn't even protect myself against my own brothers."
Elyria grasped his hands, her touch firm but comforting. "You are stronger than you know. The trials you've faced have only tempered you, prepared you for what lies ahead. The Creator's Seal chose you for a reason. To rescue your people is part of your destiny"
Eryndor swallowed hard, his gaze meeting hers. "And what if I fail?"
"You won't," Elyria said firmly. "Because this time, you will not stand alone. My kingdom, your kingdom, is waiting for you, Eryndor. The Tideborne Aegis is your birthright, and with it, you will lead our people to freedom."
As Elyria spoke, Eryndor suddenly stiffened. A sound distant yet undeniable echoed in his ears.
"Eryndor! Eryndor!! Eryndor!!!"
The name resounded like rolling thunder, reverberating through the expanse of Elyria's realm. He turned his head sharply, searching for the source, confusion etched on his face.
"Mother, did you hear that?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Elyria's eyes widened in alarm. She straightened, her gaze fixed on the shimmering waters above them. "It cannot be…"
Before Eryndor could question her, the name sounded again, louder and more commanding. "ERYNDOR!"
Elyria gasped audibly, falling to her knees. "It is the Creator," she whispered, her voice trembling.
"The Creator?" Eryndor echoed, his heart pounding.
Without hesitation, Elyria bowed low, her forehead touching the glowing sands. "Bow, my son," she urged, her voice laced with urgency.
Still confused but trusting his mother, Eryndor knelt, lowering his head. The air grew heavy, saturated with a power so immense it seemed to press against his very soul.
A brilliant light pierced through the underwater realm, descending with a radiance that outshone even the most glorious sun. It illuminated everything, banishing shadows and casting their surroundings into a surreal, otherworldly glow.
The entity that emerged was neither man nor beast but a being of pure light, its form ever-shifting, impossible to fully comprehend. Its presence exuded a sense of awe and reverence, a mixture of infinite wisdom and unfathomable power.
Then came the voice, deep and resonant, each word striking like a bell tolling across the heavens. "WE MEET AGAIN"