A few minutes passed, and a majestic aircraft descended from the sky, guided by the shimmering, ethereal currents of enchanted winds. The vessel, crafted from a blend of enchanted metals and woods, was adorned with intricate carvings and runes that pulsed with a soft, otherworldly light. As it landed gracefully on the charred ground, a particular set of people were running toward a specific place.
Getting there, they could still see the trees engulfed in flames and they could see a sign of a battle and a burning carriage. "Looks like a demon was here, I still sense demonic energy," The demon hunter said as he scanned the area. "Look around the area far and wide and see if there is anything strange," He said to the demon hunters with him.
The demon hunters spread out, each taking a different direction to comb through the chaotic scene. Smoke billowed from the burning carriage, the flames crackling angrily against the darkening sky. The air was thick with the scent of charred wood and a lingering, malevolent presence. The leader, a seasoned demon hunter not just any hunter, a commander of a whole region named Draven, narrowed his eyes as he scanned the area for any sign of the demon responsible.
"Stay alert," Draven commanded, his voice steady despite the tension in the air. As the hunters dispersed, one of them, a sharp-eyed woman named Selene, ventured closer to the edge of a nearby cliff. She paused, noticing a trail of disturbed earth and broken branches. Her heart quickened as she followed the trail, her instincts telling her something significant lay ahead.
Peering over the edge of the cliff, Selene's eyes widened. There, on a narrow ledge below, lay a boy with striking white hair. His body was battered and bruised, his clothes torn and bloodied. He was unconscious, but a faint rise and fall of his chest indicated he was still alive.
"Commander! Over here!" Selene called out, her voice urgent.
Draven and the others rushed to her side, their eyes following her gaze down to the boy. Without hesitation, Draven ordered a rope to be secured, and two hunters quickly descended the cliff to retrieve the boy. As they brought him up, the group could see the severity of his injuries more clearly—deep cuts, a broken arm, and a face marred with scratches.
"Who is he?" one of the hunters muttered.
Draven knelt beside the boy, feeling a strange mix of concern and curiosity. "We need to get him back to the city. He might have answers about the demon and what happened here."
Draven stood, eyes scanning the boy's injuries with a practiced gaze. "Galen, carry him back to the aircraft. We need to get him to the city as soon as possible," he ordered. And then one of the hunters with a gentle touch stepped forward, carefully lifting the boy into his arms.
As the group returned to the aircraft, Galen carried the boy with a careful but urgent stride. The aircraft's hatch opened, and they swiftly boarded, securing the boy on a makeshift bed near the rear. The vessel's enchantments flared to life once more, lifting it effortlessly into the sky and setting a course for the city.
Inside the aircraft, Draven kept a watchful eye on the boy. "Selene, keep monitoring his condition. We need him stable until we reach the city," he instructed, his voice laced with a commanding authority that brooked no argument.
Selene nodded, her expression focused and determined as she began tending to the boy's wounds with the limited medical supplies on board. She cleaned the cuts, applied bandages, and did her best to stabilize his broken arm. Her hands moved with practiced precision, but her mind was racing with questions about who this boy was and how he had come to be in such a dire state.
The aircraft glided smoothly through the sky, the glow of its enchantments casting a serene light within the cabin. Draven stood by one of the windows, his sharp eyes scanning the horizon. He was a man of few words, but his mind was always working, always calculating. The presence of this boy, found in the aftermath of a demonic attack, was a puzzle he intended to solve.
After what felt like an eternity but was, in reality, only a few hours, the sprawling city of Elysium came into view. The aircraft descended smoothly, its enchanted mechanisms emitting a soft hum as it approached the landing pad near the commander's house. It was nighttime, and the city of Elysium was bathed in a tranquil glow, the towering spires and gleaming domes reflecting the soft light of the moons. The commander's house, though constructed of ordinary materials like stone and wood, stood as a testament to elegance and refined simplicity. Vines adorned the walls, and lanterns cast a warm, inviting glow along the pathways leading to the entrance. The house was large but not ostentatious, blending harmoniously with the natural surroundings.
As they landed, Draven quickly stepped out, his eyes sharp and focused. "Galen, bring the boy inside. Selene, send word to the healer. We need him here immediately."
Galen carried Lucian with the same careful urgency, his strong arms cradling the fragile form. He moved with purpose, following Draven into the house. The interior was just as beautiful as the exterior, with polished wooden floors, intricately carved furniture, and tapestries depicting heroic deeds and serene landscapes. The soft glow of the lanterns created a comforting ambiance, a stark contrast to the urgency of their situation.
Draven led them to a room near the back of the house, a guest room that was simple yet welcoming. The bed was large and covered in soft blankets, and a small table held a basin of water and clean cloths. Galen gently placed the boy on the bed, his eyes filled with concern.
Draven stood by the doorway, his keen eyes never leaving Lucian as Galen settled him onto the bed. The air was thick with worry, but the soft glow of the lanterns cast a comforting light over the room. Moments later, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the hallway. The healer had arrived.
A woman with flowing, aquamarine robes entered the room, her presence commanding yet serene. Her long, silver hair shimmered like moonlight, and her eyes held a depth of knowledge and compassion. This was Nereia, a skilled water mage known for her healing prowess. She moved quickly to Lucian's side, her hands already glowing with a soft, blue light.
"Nereia, thank you for coming so quickly," Draven said, his voice a mix of relief and urgency.
Nereia nodded, her focus entirely on the injured boy before her. "No thanks are needed. Let's see what we can do for him."
She raised her hands above Lucian, the blue light intensifying as she began to chant in a melodic, ancient language. "Aqua Vitae, Aqua Sanare, Convalesco," she intoned, her voice steady and soothing. The glowing water formed into intricate patterns around her hands, then flowed down over Lucian's body, enveloping him in a gentle, healing embrace.
As the water touched his wounds, they began to close, the broken arm mending and the cuts sealing up with remarkable speed. Lucian's breathing steadied, his face relaxing as the pain subsided. Nereia continued the spell until every visible injury had been healed, the magical water receding into her hands before dissipating into the air.
"He will be fine," Nereia announced, her voice filled with quiet confidence. "The injuries were severe, but not beyond my abilities. He should rest now. We can ask him our questions in the morning when he has regained his strength."
Draven let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "Thank you, Nereia. Your skills are as remarkable as ever."
Nereia smiled softly, placing a gentle hand on Lucian's forehead. "He is strong. He will recover well. Let him rest, and ensure he is comfortable. If anything changes, call for me immediately."
"Draven, why don't we leave, he should regain consciousness by tomorrow morning," Nereia said touching Draven in the face. Draven's stern expression softened as Nereia's hand touched his face. He nodded, acknowledging her suggestion. "You're right. Let's give him the time he needs to heal."
Galen, who had been standing quietly by the bedside, carefully adjusted the blankets around Lucian. "I'll stay nearby, just in case he wakes during the night."
Draven turned to leave the room. "Thank you, Galen. Keep me informed of any changes."
With that, Draven, Nereia, and Selene exited the room, the soft click of the door echoing in the hallway. The house seemed even quieter now, the glow of the lanterns casting gentle shadows on the polished wooden floors.