Dawn had barely tinged the sky with golden hues when the older brother awoke with a start. His breathing was ragged and his forehead was pearly with sweat. He could still hear the echo of the village madman's words echoing in his mind.
"He's here!"
He blinked several times and rubbed his eyes. He looked around the small cabin, where the fire in the fireplace still burned softly. His brothers were sleeping soundly, but something inside him told him he could no longer ignore what was happening.
Carefully, he sat on the edge of his bed and took a breath. He looked out the window; the sky had not yet cleared completely, and in its blue vastness he felt that something was missing. He shivered before turning to his siblings.
-Hey... wake up," he whispered, gently shaking the youngest, who grunted in response.
-What do you want? -he murmured in a mushy voice, burying his face in the pillow.
-We need to talk.
Seraphina opened one eye curiously and slowly sat up.
-Is this about yesterday? -she asked in a tone that showed she hadn't forgotten either.
He nodded and waited for his brother to sit up as well, with messy hair and a sleepy expression.
-Listen, about that man in the village... I don't think he was just crazy.
Edwin frowned, but Seraphina nodded slowly.
-I felt he was serious," she whispered. Do you think he meant us?
Lucian swallowed hard. He couldn't be sure, but something inside him was pushing him to look for answers.
-I'm going to the town library," he said suddenly. I need to find out if anyone else has talked about this before.
-Won't you take us with you? -asked the younger brother with a hint of disappointment.
-No. You guys stay here and help Mom. I won't be long.
Seraphina folded her arms, but did not protest. Her expression showed that she didn't want to run out of answers either.
Minutes later, after dressing quickly and saying goodbye to her mother with a simple excuse, the Lucian left for town. The morning air was cool and the mist still clung to the ground, giving an almost ghostly tone to the landscape. With every step he took, his heart pounded harder.
He knew he was about to discover something important.
When he reached the library, an old stone building with a sloping roof and dusty windows, he felt a shiver run down his spine. He pushed the door carefully, and the scent of old paper and damp wood enveloped him.
The librarian, a sharp-eyed elderly woman, watched him curiously as he approached the counter.
-Looking for anything in particular? -she asked in a slow voice.
The young man hesitated for a moment before answering.
-I'd like to read about ancient prophecies... and about the stars.
The librarian frowned, but without asking any more questions, she pointed to a secluded corner of the library.
-Third shelf on the right. The older books are there. But be careful... some stories are better left forgotten.
Lucian nodded and walked to the indicated shelves. His breathing was getting heavier and heavier as he ran his fingers along the dusty spines of the books.
Then one caught his eye.
It was a thick tome, with a worn leather cover, untitled. He took it in both hands and opened it cautiously. Its pages were yellowed, full of strange symbols and words that seemed to have been written centuries ago.
And then, among the time-worn lines, he found something that made him hold his breath.
"And when the star falls from the sky, the wanderer who never took sides will walk among men. He will seek the chosen one before the shadow claims him, for his fate and the fate of the world are intertwined."
The young man felt a shiver run down his spine.
That star... Was it the one that had disappeared the night before?
His hands trembled as he closed the book. He knew this was only the beginning.
His thoughts crowded his mind, but a strange feeling urged him not to stay in the library much longer. The book, however, offered him more answers than he dared to fully understand. He needed to take it with him.
He approached the counter again, where the librarian was watching him silently.
-Can I take this book with me? -he asked, his voice a little hesitant.
The librarian gave him a penetrating look, as if evaluating something beyond the simple question. In the end, she nodded slowly.
-If you really want to know what's in it, I can't stop you," she said, in a tone that made him feel as if he were taking a path from which there would be no return. But be careful. Some books hide secrets that are better left undiscovered.
The young man nodded without saying more. The librarian handed him the book with an expression of resignation and concern, as if the young man's fate was already sealed.
With the tome under his arm, he hurried out of the library, feeling the weight of fate in his hands. Despite the chill in the morning air, the warmth of the book seemed to warm his chest. He had to hurry back.
Arriving at his house, Lucian entered quietly. The cabin was quiet, but a sense of tension hung in the air. His mother was in the kitchen, preparing breakfast, but seeing her son enter so soon, she looked up in surprise.
-Are you back already? -she asked, frowning. We weren't expecting you so soon, did you find anything?
The young man stood still for a moment, staring at the book with a mixture of fear and determination. He knew he couldn't hide it for long, and that the answers it contained could change everything. However, he decided not to say anything to her yet. He needed time to understand it for himself.
-Yes," he answered in a firm voice. I found something. But it's not something we can talk about now. I have to study it more.
The mother stared at him, as if she had noticed the gravity in his tone. However, she said nothing. She knew that sometimes young people needed to face their own demons.
Lucian quickly went upstairs to his room and sat on his bed, the book in front of him. He needed to find more details, more clues to help him understand what that message about the fallen star meant. As he opened the book again, the sound of the crumpled pages and the creaking of the leather gave him a sense of urgency. Every word seemed to call to him.
Meanwhile, downstairs, his mother couldn't help but wonder if this was all part of what that being said that time.
Seraphina, who had been watching from the doorway of the room, also approached. There was something in the air that she could not ignore.
-What is it about? -she asked quietly, curiosity reflected in her eyes.
Lucian didn't look up from the book, but he could feel the tension in the air. He knew his younger sister would not be content to wait in silence.
-Just... don't tell Mom," he replied seriously. I need time to understand.
She nodded, though she knew that at that very moment, curiosity would not let her rest.
Lucian began to read more deeply, looking for any clue that would help him unravel the mystery. Each word, each symbol he found, seemed more cryptic than the last. But something inside him told him that all of this was connected, that fate was about to manifest itself in a way that neither he nor his family could have anticipated.
And as he immersed himself in reading, the shadow of the fallen star continued to lurk, closer than he could have imagined.
Lucian had spent the entire day immersed in the book, his eyes exhausted from reading the ancient texts. The sun had begun to descend, tinting the sky in shades of reds and oranges that he barely managed to notice. In his mind, strange symbols and cryptic words circled endlessly. The mention of the fallen star was not the only mystery; there was more, much more.
He found fragments about ancient celestial beings, mentioned as "angels" and "demons," beings who had walked among men in forgotten ages.
The angels, according to the texts, were the guardians of balance, beings of light who protected the harmony of the world, while the demons, opposed to them, sought to corrupt everything they touched, plunging the world into darkness. The fallen stars, according to ancient legends, were signs of an impending battle between the two sides, and those born under their light were destined to play a crucial role in that conflict.
Lucian didn't fully understand how the prophecy fit into his life, but he felt a growing shudder. The words seemed to direct him to a destiny he could not control, and worst of all, the shadow they described was not so far away. It was close, too close.
Lucian had spent hours immersed in the contents of the book, but his body finally gave in to exhaustion. His eyes, burning from so much reading, could no longer stay open. Without realizing it, he fell asleep, the book still open in front of him, the yellowed pages almost seeming to whisper secrets in his ear.
The cabin, shrouded in the silence of the night, seemed oblivious to all that was about to be unleashed. The mother and siblings slept peacefully, oblivious to the approaching danger. The fresh air coming through the window barely moved the curtains, while the fire in the fireplace was slowly dying out.
But that calm was only temporary.
As the hours progressed, the sky began to change. An unusual glow began to tinge the horizon, as if unknown stars began to fall one after another, illuminating the darkness with fleeting flashes. It was a spectacle as beautiful as it was disturbing. Lucian, still asleep, could not realize the magnitude of what was happening outside. But, inside the cabin, something else was happening.
In the stillness of the mother's room, a soft glow began to take shape. The light grew stronger and stronger, until a figure appeared before her, enveloped in a soft, golden light, which illuminated her face with a warmth that seemed to come from another world.
It was the angel.
The same one who had warned her years before.
The mother awoke with a start, sensing that something profound and powerful was happening. Opening her eyes, she saw the glowing figure standing beside her bed, and the pressure in her chest increased as the angel's words materialized in her mind.
-Your son is in grave danger," said the angel, his voice serene but full of urgency. The shadow I mentioned in the prophecy is approaching. The demons have awakened, and they seek his death. They have the power to erase your entire existence, and there is no place where they can hide.
The mother, still stunned by the apparition, felt a knot in her stomach. She knew the moment had come. Her son's fate could not be ignored, and the threat was no longer something distant or ethereal. It was at hand.
-What should I do? -she asked, her voice cracking with fear, but also with the need to act.
The angel took a step closer, his presence filled with a calm but urgent light.
-You must get him out of here, before it's too late. The fallen star is not just a sign, it is the beginning of a battle that will mark the end of everything if you do not act. Your son's future is intertwined with that of all beings in the world, but he will not be able to face what is to come alone.
At that very moment, somewhere far away, deep in the darkness, the mad man who had spoken in the village awoke, as if he had felt the change in the air. His laughter echoed in the confines of the night, reverberating off the walls of the hut. "It's time!" he exclaimed, as his laughter mingled with the sound of the stars falling from the sky.
Lucian, in his dream, heard fragments of that laughter. His mind, still trapped in the dream world, could not grasp the gravity of what was happening. But the echo of those words began to seep into his thoughts, like a warning.
The mother, her heart racing, stood up quickly. She knew she should act, but fear paralyzed her. She looked around, her eyes searching for the older brother, who had not yet awakened from his deep sleep. At that moment, the angel approached her once again.
-There is no time to lose," he told her. Call your son, prepare him. The demons will not wait. The protection he has now will not last much longer. Take your son and your other children away to safety. I will guide you, but you must trust me.
The mother nodded, with determination born of love and fear. She hurried to get out of bed, not wasting another second. Meanwhile, in Lucian's room, a flash of light illuminated his face. The glow woke him, but when he opened his eyes, he saw nothing but the emptiness of the night, the warmth of the fire and the heavy silence that filled the cabin.
It was then that the door burst open, and the mother, her face pale and her voice urgent, called out to him.
-Wake up, it's time to go!
The little ones, still drowsy, protested in sleepy murmurs. The eldest half-opened his eyes and frowned.
-Mom... what's wrong? -he stammered in a voice heavy with sleep.
-No time for questions, get up," she insisted, helping them to their feet.
With clumsy steps, the children left the cabin, feeling the icy early morning air hitting their faces. A sepulchral silence dominated the forest, as if nature itself was holding its breath. It was then that they saw him.
Standing in the pale moonlight was a man of inhuman appearance. His presence was awe-inspiring: he wore a dark robe, his skin seemed to reflect an ethereal light, and his eyes, incandescent gold, gazed with a mixture of solemnity and compassion.
The children stood transfixed. The youngest clung to his mother's robe and the sister hid her face against his arm.
-W-who is he? -Lucian asked, swallowing his breath.
The mother leaned down and spoke softly to them.
-Don't be afraid... he is our protector. He has been with us since before you were born.
The children, still frightened, looked at him in disbelief. The angel bowed his head, as if he understood their fear.
-It is a pleasure to finally see them with my own eyes," he said, his voice deep and serene.
The path was narrow and the only light came from the stars and the moon, which seemed to shine less brightly that night. Halfway along the path, Lucian could no longer contain his doubts.
-Mother..." His voice broke the silence, "Do you know what's going on? Why are we leaving?
The woman sighed. She knew that sooner or later this moment would come. In a low tone, she began to tell a story from years ago.
In the heart of the Kingdom of Valtheris, a vast territory of towering mountains and glittering cities, Queen Elianne slept in her chambers, embraced by the warmth of the night. Beside her, her husband, King Aldric, was breathing calmly, oblivious to what was about to happen.
The full moon bathed the room in its silvery light as a shiver ran through Elianne's body. Her sleep became restless and suddenly a majestic presence materialized in her mind. A being of pure light, with radiant wings and a solemn voice, rose before her. Its mere existence emanated a divine power.
-Elianne de Valtheris," her voice rang out like restrained thunder, "I have been sent by the Most High. Listen to my words carefully, for the fate of your son and of the world depends on it.
The queen felt a lump in her throat. She knew she was not dreaming. Something deep inside her told her that this being was real.
-Who are you? -she whispered with reverent awe.
-I am a messenger from Heaven," the angel replied, "and I have come to warn you of the prophecy that is about to be fulfilled. Your son has not yet been born, but his destiny is already written. He will be the key to an event that will shake the foundations of the world.
Elianne brought a hand to her belly, feeling the life pulsing inside her.
-I don't understand... What does it all mean?
-The forces of evil are at work," the angel continued. There are those who know of the existence of the prophecy and will not hesitate to destroy your son before he can fulfill his purpose. You must flee, Elianne. This kingdom, your home, will not be safe for long. You must leave before it is too late.
Elianne felt a shiver run down her spine. Her whole life was in Valtheris. How could she just abandon him?
-What about Aldric? -She asked in a whisper. Should we run away together?
The angel looked down, as if his words would cause pain.
-The king cannot accompany you. His fate is tied to that of Valtheris, and the kingdom will need him in times to come. He must stay... but you and your son must leave at once.
Elianne felt her heart break. She looked at her husband, asleep beside her, not knowing how she could leave him behind.
-I can't..." she murmured. Not without him.
-You must. If you stay, your son will die before his destiny is fulfilled. And with him, the last hope for this world.
The queen felt despair choking her, but deep in her soul, she knew the angel spoke the truth. She closed her eyes, allowing a tear to roll down her cheek.
Her destiny is written in the stars, and her existence will change the course of the world.
Suddenly, she awoke with a gasp. Her body was covered in cold sweat, and her breathing was erratic. At her side, Aldric immediately sat up, raising a hand to calm her.
-Elianne, what's wrong? -he asked with concern.
She turned to him, trembling.
-I had... a dream... no... a vision. An angel... a messenger from God came to me. He warned me that our son is in danger... that we must flee. Now. Before it's too late.
Aldric watched her in silence. Despite the love and respect he felt for his wife, the idea of fleeing for a vision seemed unusual to him.
-Elianne... it was only a dream. You must calm down. No one is going to hurt our son.
-It was not a dream," she replied, with a firmness that surprised the king. Aldric, listen to me. He said there are those who know of the prophecy and will come for our son. I cannot ignore it. I cannot risk losing him.
The monarch looked at her doubtfully, but something in her desperate gaze cast a shadow of uncertainty over his heart.
Before he could respond, a flash of light illuminated the room. In front of them, the same angel that had appeared in Elianne's dreams materialized, spreading his majestic wings.
Aldric gasped. He fell to his knees, feeling the weight of the heavenly presence in every fiber of his being.
-Now you see it with your own eyes, Aldric of Valtheris," said the angel. It is not a dream or an illusion. You must let Elianne and your son go. Only then can they survive what is to come.
The king clenched his fists. He did not want to lose them, but he understood that disobeying a divine message was a greater risk. Heartbroken, he took his wife's hand and looked at her with a mixture of love and resignation.
-If this is what heaven has decreed... then you will leave at dawn. I will protect Valtheris as best I can. But promise me, Elianne... promise me that you will live. That you will take care of our child.
Tears rolled down the queen's face, but she nodded with determination.
-I promise.
The angel extended a hand over her, as if blessing her with his light.
-I will guide and protect you until the day appointed by the prophecy. You will not be alone on your journey.
And so, with dawn breaking on the horizon, Queen Elianne left the kingdom of Valtheris behind, carrying in her womb Lucian, the one whose destiny would change the course of the world.