“I’ll need some healing if you’ve got the space available.”

The healer at the door of the establishment looked him over. He had arrived without his horse. Thunderstruck was over at one of the local inn’s stables. His blood had started to bleed through the gauze from irritation and rubbing throughout his hastened trip to Easthaven.

“There is room for you. Thirty minutes should be enough to clear up your wound and speed up the natural healing process.”

“Thank you,” said Elias. He handed over a pouch of money. Most of which came from the bandit’s coffers.

They both stepped inside. He followed the healer down the hall. The building was filled with closed-off rooms and a long snaking hallway. Each of the doors was marked with the status of a patient and how much longer they would be. Soon he found himself at a door marked empty. The healer unlocked the door and ushered him in.

“Have you had this process done before?” the healer asked.

“Once when I was much younger,” he said, removing his shirt. “You can have it clean up my body, but don’t change this scar.” He pointed to the largest scar, a crescent-shaped one above his heart, extending up to his collarbone.

“That can be arranged. Step into the pool and I will get it started.”

Elias stripped further and turned to the large open bath in the room. The liquid inside wasn't water and didn't smell like it either. It brought back memories of his first time in such a place. "Unpleasant" was the word that came to mind. A strong odor continually assaulted his nostrils. The pool bubbled slightly as he settled in, pushing against the viscous liquid.

The healer returned with a mask to cover his mouth and nose before he completely submerged himself. They smiled at him as they fitted the mask onto his face. He wished for the process to go by quickly. Once the mask was on, his breathing slowed, and the healer helped him become fully submerged.

‘I’ll be here when…’ was all he heard before he fell unconscious.

Elias didn’t dream while in the healing tank and felt anxious upon waking. Instinctively, his body forced his head up as he pulled off the mask before the healer could assist. His rapid breathing relaxed once he realized what had just happened.

“It is okay now. The process is over. I'll leave you to get dressed, as I have other people to attend to.”

He nodded in response, and the healer left the room. Elias quickly stood and gathered his things after confirming all his items were still there. The strange liquid slipped off him easily, causing an odd sensation of wetness, then dryness. As he began dressing, he noticed his injury was barely visible and almost gone. He hadn't felt anything from it while moving; in fact, he felt hardly any strain at all.

His body felt lighter, and his muscles were no longer stiff. He felt great. On examining himself, he noted, as promised, the only remaining scar was the crescent on his chest. He began to stretch a little before the room's smell hit him, prompting a quick exit.

“That will always be strange no matter how many times I do this.”

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After exiting the building, Elias turned to the main road that cut through the city. Some of the largest and most popular destinations stood on this road. The healing building was one such building. As he walked he passed a few specialty shops for clothing, jewelry, and sweets. Elias remarked on a few of the notable changes that had occurred in the city. Some of the shops had changed ownership and branding but the greatest in the city were unchanged from when he remembered them.

The people also had changed in subtle ways. Easthaven traditionally was a mining town built on the mountain to export goods from the mountain to those living in the valley and closer to the capital city. Times had changed as he settled down. Ore from the mountain was starting to dry up and it was getting harder and harder to find new pockets of materials. This, the growing darkness, and more had changed people. The good days were far behind and not everyone remembered a time before the rise of evil.

The streets were still vibrant, but the mining equipment that had once dominated the cityscape was gradually disappearing. The industry had moved on. It had to or else lose money and lose work. People were haggard and held worry on their faces. He thought of his town. It was held up by Easthaven like several villages in the region. The logging trade was held up by their connection to Easthaven. Without it, the traders wouldn’t stop at a village so far away from society.

Elias slowed his steps as he approached his destination. The grand building was built of stone quarried from the mountain behind it. Time had worn some of its edges down, but it was the same as he remembered. The walls were further enhanced by etchings and paint. Some of which had started to fade. He looked up toward the top of the building. It held one of the best views that Eli had ever seen before exploring the world. It towered above the defensive walls and held a clear view of part of the valley in the distance and the mountains that held his home.

“I am here to see Sir Marcus,” he said to a woman at the front desk. She nodded and started to escort him up the stairs.

Elias was led into a room on the top floor of the building. It held a wide table and at one end Marcus sat waiting. The room was lightly decorated with artwork and a few metal sculptures.

“You’ve upgraded your office,” said Elias.

“And you have grown out your hair,” said Marcus. “It is good to see you again after all this time. Sadly, we have to meet under such auspicious times.”

“Hopefully things will start to change soon if your letter is true.”

“It is. I was able to reread the documents we have on the prophecy written in stone myself. She has shown all of the signs of the hero. The hero has shown great skill with the sword technique we have been able to show her. I am sure that she will pick up the rest quickly. That I am certain of.”

“As long as you haven’t stiffened her thinking too much then I should be able to teach her everything I know. But everything I know isn’t everything the sword temple can teach her. I only know…”

“I know you don’t know everything from your travels, but things have changed. Sir Callum of the West has died before meeting the hero.” He paused at those words at stared back at the recognition in Elias’s eyes. “You are now the only man living who has learned from him. I suppose this can be considered the first part of your quest with the hero. Train them in the way of the sword and travel to the lost temple. With luck and the prophecy by your side, I am sure that you will be able to decipher the old writing and teach the young hero the final moves of the sword technique.”

Elias nodded solemnly, absorbing the weight of Marcus's words. The destiny of the hero and the fate of the realm rested heavily on their shoulders.

"I understand the importance of this task," Elias replied. "I'll do everything in my power to train her and guide her to the lost temple. The legacy of Sir Callum must live on through us, for the sake of the kingdom. Though I wish I had spoken to him before his passing."

Marcus leaned forward; his eyes filled with determination. "I have faith in you, Elias. You were always one of the most promising students at the Sword Temple. Your skills, combined with your knowledge of Sir Callum's techniques, make you the perfect mentor for the hero."

Elias couldn't help but feel a surge of pride at Marcus's words. He had spent years honing his skills, learning the ancient techniques, and mastering the art of the sword.

“There naturally a few more stops that you must make along the way to the temple but first I need to introduce you to the hero,” said Marcus with a grin.