12 years after Alaric birth...
Not far from the village, in a vast green meadow, a group of children was playing together.
"Alaric, he's running toward you! Catch him!" one of the children shouted.
"I'll catch him!" Alaric replied.
Alaric stretched out his arms, and from the bush in front of him, something leaped toward him. With quick reflexes, Alaric caught it.
It turned out that what Alaric and his friends were trying to catch was a rabbit.
"I did it!" Alaric exclaimed excitedly.
"Alaric caught it! Hooray!" his friends cheered.
Now 12 years old, Alaric had grown into an active and kind boy, with striking silver hair inherited from his father and piercing red eyes that mirrored his mother's gaze. His unique appearance made him stand out among his friends, yet his warm personality endeared him to everyone in the village.
"Look at its fur; it's so soft," Alaric said, stroking the rabbit gently.
Alaric's friends gathered around him, eager to touch the rabbit. "Let us feel it too!"
Not long after, a voice called out from the distance.
"Alaric... Alaric... where are you, dear?"
Hearing the voice, Alaric immediately stood up.
"That's my mom," Alaric said.
"It's getting late. Let's release the rabbit and head back to the village."
Alaric and his friends freed the rabbit and ran back to the village.
As soon as Alaric saw his mother, he ran toward her and hugged her tightly.
"Mom, is Dad home yet?" Alaric asked curiously.
His mother stroked his head lovingly. "Yes, your father is back. Let's go home. He said he brought a gift for you."
With excitement and curiosity shining in his eyes, Alaric walked home with his mother.
When he opened the door and saw his father, he didn't hesitate. Alaric ran to him and hugged him tightly.
Gregory returned his son's hug with warmth.
"Dad, Dad! You said you brought me a gift!" Alaric asked eagerly, his eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Gregory chuckled and pulled something out of his jacket. It was a necklace with a small silver chain, and at its center was a glowing green crystal about the size of a thumb.
Gregory put the necklace around Alaric's neck.
Delighted, Alaric jumped up and down. "This is amazing, Dad!" he exclaimed.
Gregory lifted Alaric onto his lap. "Look closely, Alaric," he said, pressing the green crystal on the necklace.
Suddenly, a glowing light appeared, and from it emerged figures playing musical instruments. The melody they played was enchanting.
Alaric smiled brightly, swaying his head to the rhythm of the music.
Gregory and Isolde watched their son's happiness with joy.
After a while, the music ended, and the figures disappeared back into the crystal.
"That was incredible, Dad! What is this?" Alaric asked, his face beaming with excitement.
"The green crystal in this necklace is called an echo crystal," Gregory explained gently. "It can store moments and sounds from where you are and replay them using mana."
Alaric held the necklace tightly, his heart filled with joy.
Gregory then carried Alaric to the dining table. "Come on, let's eat. I'm starving!"
Alaric, along with Gregory and Isolde, enjoyed their meal together, filled with laughter and warmth.
After dinner, Gregory stood up from his chair. "I'll be in my study for a while," he said, ruffling Alaric's hair.
Watching his father leave, Alaric quickly finished his meal and followed him. Knocking on the study door, he asked to come in.
"Come in," Gregory called out.
Alaric opened the door slowly and saw his father reading a book. He ran toward him with small steps.
"Dad, you're leaving for the city next week, right?" Alaric asked curiously.
Gregory put down his book and looked at Alaric. "Why do you ask? Do you want to come along?" he replied with a smile.
With excitement, Alaric nodded eagerly. "You promised to take me when I turned 12!"
Gregory chuckled and pinched Alaric's cheek. "Alright, you can come along."
Overjoyed, Alaric jumped around in happiness.
Gregory laughed and scooped Alaric up. "Now go brush your teeth and get to bed."
After brushing his teeth, Gregory tucked Alaric into bed.
"Goodnight, son," Gregory said, pulling up the blanket.
Before Gregory could leave, Alaric tugged at his shirt. "Dad, tell me a bedtime story! You've been gone for weeks, and I miss your stories. Please?"
"Alright, just one story," Gregory said, pulling up a chair beside Alaric's bed.
""Long ago, in a vast kingdom, there was a knight clad in gleaming silver armor. This knight was known far and wide for his bravery, unwavering loyalty, and unparalleled skill with a sword. He served a beautiful princess, whose kindness and wisdom were said to rival the stars in the night sky. For years, the knight faithfully protected the princess, shielding her from countless dangers. Over time, he found himself falling deeply in love with her—a love that was pure and unshakable.
The princess, too, began to see the knight not just as her protector, but as the man who had always stood by her side. When the knight finally confessed his feelings, the princess smiled and accepted his proposal. Their wedding was to be the grandest the kingdom had ever seen. But on the day of their union, tragedy struck.
As the bells of celebration rang, the princess suddenly collapsed. The court healer was summoned, and after a thorough examination, he delivered grim news: the princess was afflicted by a rare and deadly illness. She had less than a year to live unless she could drink the blood of a dragon, the only cure for her ailment.
Determined to save the woman he loved, the knight embarked on a perilous journey. He traversed scorching deserts that threatened to consume him, crossed frigid mountains where the cold pierced his very soul, and ventured through enchanted forests filled with creatures of legend. After many trials, he arrived at the lair of a colossal dragon.
The dragon, ancient and proud, refused to part with its blood. A fierce battle ensued, lasting days and nights. The knight's silver armor became battered, but his resolve never wavered. With a final, desperate strike, he bested the dragon and claimed the vial of blood.
Exhausted but victorious, the knight raced back to the kingdom, the hope of saving his beloved fueling his step...
Alaric listened intently, but before Gregory could finish, he noticed his son had fallen asleep. Gregory smiled, kissed Alaric's forehead, and quietly left the room, turning off the light.
"Sweet dreams," Gregory whispered.
---
In his dream, Alaric found himself in an endless meadow. There were no buildings, just vast open land.
"Where am I?" Alaric wondered, looking around.
Suddenly, a hand rested on his shoulder from behind. Startled, Alaric turned around and saw a woman in white robes with a veiled face.
"Who are you?" Alaric asked without fear.
The woman didn't answer directly. Instead, she said, "So, this is the path chosen. Alaric, begin your journey. They're waiting for you where it all began, and to ensure everything comes to an end."
Alaric stood silently, listening to her words.
Slowly, her body turned into light and faded.
"They will notice soon, Alaric. The wheel of fate obscures their vision for now, but it won't protect you forever. Be strong, for one day, they will come for you."
With that, the woman vanished, and Alaric woke up from his dream.