"Now, onto the part that's not as fun and exciting, Jayden. You need to understand why people strive to be stronger every day. Why your mother is training daily, and why your father has been absent from home for months," Elora said, her voice turning serious as she flipped through the pages of the thick book on the table.
Several minutes passed as Elora meticulously compiled information, her brow furrowed in concentration. Finally, she met Jayden's gaze. "Jayden, pay close attention to what I'm about to say because this is the real reason why everyone strives for power," she declared.
"I understand, Elora. Go ahead," Jayden responded, his youthful curiosity momentarily subdued by the seriousness in Elora's voice. He sat up straighter in his chair, trying to focus 100% on her words.
Elora took a deep breath before continuing, her gaze penetrating as she spoke. "The world is a dangerous place, Jayden. There are threats out there that we can't even imagine. Your mother and father are doing everything they can to become stronger, to protect themselves and those they care about. It's a harsh reality, but strength is necessary for survival in this world."
Jayden's eyes widened in understanding. He had always known that his parents were powerful, but Elora's words helped him grasp the true gravity of their relentless pursuit of strength. Now, it wasn't just about sparring sessions and honing their combat prowess; it was about safeguarding their family and their world from unseen dangers.
"We live in a world where power can mean the difference between life and death, between success and failure," Elora continued, her voice unwavering. "Your parents are willing to make sacrifices, to train endlessly and push themselves to their limits, all in the name of keeping you and your family safe. It's a heavy burden, but one they carry willingly."
She then turned back to the book, her finger tracing a specific passage. "There's a reason for their unwavering dedication, Jayden," Elora said, a hint of sadness lacing her voice. "There's a history we need to be aware of, a darkness that threatens the very core of Rion."
With a flick of her wrist, the book opened to a specific page adorned with faded illustrations.
"Chronicles of Latish Konstand: Book 2 - Invaders," she announced, pointing to the title.
"This passage details a time before the shadows fell, before the world fractured into the seven continents we know today." Elora cleared her throat and began to read, her voice imbued with a somber tone.
"My grandfather spoke of a time before the shadows fell, a time when the seven continents were part of a bigger and unilateral world. Everything hummed with life and the skies shimmered with the colors of a thousand dawns. Then, they came. The Darkain. They were not like us, no flesh and bone, but nightmares given form, their obsidian bodies radiating an unnatural chill, their eyes burning with an unholy crimson fire." She paused, taking a deep breath before continuing.
"They descended upon our world like a malevolent storm, their arrival swift and brutal. They wielded a power unlike anything we had ever known, a dark magic that twisted the very fabric of everything we knew of. Shadows danced to their command, swallowing whole armies in their inky embrace. Their whispers, laced with malice, drove men mad with fear, and their touch corrupted the land itself, turning fertile fields barren and clear rivers into rivers of boiling tar."
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"It wasn't just brute force," Elora explained leaning back in her chair. "Their dark powers were unlike anything the people of that era had ever encountered. It exploited weaknesses and turned our strengths against us."
"We fought back, of course," she continued, her voice filled with a quiet pride. "Each of the most powerful individuals, big families, and armies, united under the banner of The Conclave, rose to meet the threat. The Devlins of Eldoria unleashed ancient spells, their voices echoing through the mist-shrouded forests as they battled the shadow-wrought creatures. The Hale family of Aurorium, their connection to the land strong, attempted to heal the corrupted earth, their efforts met with agonizing screams as the dark magic fought back. Even the stoic warriors of Avaloria, their bodies hardened by the frozen wastes, found their ice magic rendered useless against the Darkains' chilling touch."
"We were unprepared. Our valiant efforts, fueled by a desperate hope for survival and a love for our home, were met with crushing defeat. The Darkains, their movements guided by a singular, chilling will, exploited our differences, shattering the fragile unity of The Conclave. The once-majestic landscape of the world lay in ruins.
"The skies, once teeming with the majestic Sky Whales, fell silent, their connection to the celestial winds severed by the Darkains' corrupting touch. Millennia have passed since their arrival. Seventy-five percent of Rion now lies under their dominion, a hard truth to their relentless expansion." Elora's voice grew heavy with despair.
"We, the remnants of Rion, cling to survival in our isolated corners of the world, the once vibrant tapestry of our world reduced to a patchwork of despair. Yet, even in the face of overwhelming darkness, a spark of hope remains. We fight not for victory, for that seems an impossible dream, but to endure, to preserve the embers of our cultures and our spirit until a chance for liberation might someday arise. The fight for Rion is far from over, but the future remains shrouded in the shadows they cast."
Elora closed the book with a soft thud, the weight of history settling heavily in the room. Jayden remained silent, his initial confusion morphing into a deep-seated anger as he processed the devastating truth.
'Why...just why?' he thought, his brow furrowed in a mixture of disbelief and frustration. Just moments ago, he was filled with hope and a newfound sense of purpose. Now, the world seemed impossibly vast and the threat against it, insurmountable.
'I felt hope and fulfillment when I was reborn, only to find out that some aliens destroyed 75% of the planet,' Jayden thought.
'Does this mean there is no hope? Are they going to conquer and kill everything?' His thoughts became more chaotic. 'No, no! I'm not going to let anyone or any alien, step on my dreams, my new life, my new family!'
"I will fight until my last breath to protect what is mine." He slammed his fist on the table, punctuating each word with fierce determination. "I will not stand idly by. So, get off your ass and start fighting, because I am not going to let anyone take away my hope, my future, or my family. Not now, not ever!"
Elora, taken aback by Jayden's passionate outburst, couldn't help but smile. Despite the darkness he had just learned about, the raw fire of determination in his eyes ignited a flicker of hope within her. Here was a child, barely five years old, yet possessing a spirit that wouldn't be easily broken.
A playful glint entered her eyes as she reached out and gently smacked the back of his head. "Whoa there, little firebrand! Slow down a minute," she chuckled, her voice laced with amusement. "While I admire your spirit, there's a lot more to this than just charging in fists blazing."
"There's training, of course," she continued, her expression turning serious once more. "You need to understand your abilities and how to control them. But there's also knowledge. Knowledge of the Darkain, their weaknesses, and the history of the war. Only with both strength and wisdom can we even hope to one day push them back."