I awoke in a dimly lit room, the cold touch of stone beneath my finger. The walls crafted with artistry, exuded an ancient tomb. My gaze wandered, landing upon a painting behind a curtain of shadows. The only light source was a lone torch flickering at the far end, its glow casting my shadow across the room.

Drawn to the painting, I amble closer, letting the flickering luminosity chase away the darkness. I Squinted my eye, trying to decipher the scene. It was a depiction of a holy war. On one side, lessers- a knight astride a majestic steed, dwarves riding inside a massive, golem-like sentinels reminiscent of the one I'd encountered, and elves standing at the rear, their spells launching like missiles. Giant roots snaked across the battlefield. The sky teemed with Archonian! Towering and radiant, their wings stretching wide, casting shadows over the battlefield

And opposing them were Asura, horns that seem to curve upward like a twisted crown, cloaked in the eerie glow of soul flames, among their ranks were the dragons —terrifying, dignified, the conquerors of sky, —locked in fierce combat with the Archon. In the distance, lightning crackled in the sky, storm painted with a dark hue. But something else was there which caught my attention. Far more unsettling –an eye in the sky, its gaze unyielding, as if it’s overseeing the events. The stars aligning around it, forming what looked like a mocking smile.

All of a sudden, an uncanny foreboding washed over me, and cold sweat trickled down my spine. My heart hammered in my chest as I fought to tear my gaze away from the sinister painting. Stumbling back, I leaned against the cold stone wall, my hand gripping it’s crack for support.

Nausea churned in my stomach, rising like a bile in my throat, I arch over, retching. each breath coming in ragged gasps.

The sensation was foreign, overwhelming –a fear I hadn’t even felt in the presence of Krynnor. I need to focus, I had to pull myself away from this suffocating darkness, I thought.

Desperately, my eyes swept the room, searching for anything to distract me. I scanned the room once more. The flickering torchlight revealed a blackened wooden door near the far wall. I forced myself to walk, each step heavier than last, as if the air itself sought to hold me back.

Trudging, I reached closer to the door, my fingers hesitated before brushing against the handle. A searing agony shot through my finger as I gripped the door knob, the heat unbearable. I gritted my teeth, straining my eye, I pushed through the pain, and managed to wrench the door open.

Staggering through, I inhaled deeply, but the oppressive pressure of the room lingered on my chest. What in the name of Archon was that? That can’t be a mere painting, it felt alive if it had reached out and ensnared my very soul. A shiver ran down my spine at the very thought of that sensation. Moments before I was with those three lesser, now here, in this eerie unfamiliar place.

I forced myself to scanned the new room, it was bigger than the former, the cold, stony walls were lined with flickering torches, casting long, dancing shadows that seemed to mock my every move, The high ceiling loomed overhead, almost like a ghostly sky but discarded with grainy stars. My ears caught the unsettling sound of water droplets echoing through the space

Will those three keep quiet about my identity? the question burned at me, as I march closer toward the source of the sound, my footsteps echoing off the stone floor.

Caser –could he be an Archonian? –no that’s impossible, he had mana core, I checked it myself–

But something was off, I frowned upon realization, as the memory gnawed at the edge of my mind. “Wait”, his core was strange, not like Liren or either Borian.

Reaching a small basin where water had pooled, I knelt down, cupping my hands to bring the cool liquid to my lips, The sips were refreshing, momentarily easing the dryness in my throat. I splash some on my face, letting it wash away all the dirt and sweat, hoping it would clear my mind as well.

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I stretched, feeling the tension in my muscles as I sat down, resting my back on the wall, the coldness soothing my sored muscle. pulling my legs into a meditative stance. My hands instinctively cupped around my core as I closed my eyes, drawing in a deep breath

I focused on the atmospheric mana around me, sensing the earth elements emanating from the stone walls, the water from the dampness, and the wind swirling in the air. The fire elements flickered from the torchlight

Deep withing the encompassing mana particles, Aether –moving about in its own will, contrasting of mana. I forced my senses inward, toward the purple globe in my core –my aether core, encased in layers that expanded its capacity. I started to draw in the pure aether, feeling it fill the gaps within me, each pulse of energy soothing and invigorating.

As I continued, my thoughts drifted to the second path of Aether, Antarikam—the power to manipulate the very fabric of space itself., through which my mother dominated her enemies. The frames of memory started to surface, of my mother, of Elsiya’s stern yet loving gaze –

I managed to pull myself away from it, forcing my mind back to present. After a brief second I opened my eyes, exhaling slowly as I stood up, the weight of my thoughts still heavy on my mind. Just as I regained my footing—

A shriek of a woman echoed through the room, I darted my eyes quickly, searching for the source. My eyes landed upon a similar looking blackened door. I dashed toward it, uncertainly I moved my fingers closer to it, hesitating only for a moment before gripping the cold metal knob and swinging it open.

There she was. Pointy ears –an elf, her long silvery hair adorned with gleaming accessories that matched her extravagant dress. She looked so out of place, a flower in midst of ashen battlefield. But the terror in her eyes was all too real. She couldn’t have been more than seventeen, barely more than a child. She was flailing, desperately trying to escape a monstrous chimera. Its head was that of a griffin, its hands like those of a dragon, and its legs—those of a minotaur—propelled it toward her with terrifying speed.

My mind whirled with thoughts, contemplating upon whether to help her or just leave her there to fend for herself—The air around me started to turn cold, as the water element responded to my will, and I hurled dozens of spears of ice towards the beast. The chimera closed in on the girl, but before it could reach her, it let out a gurgling roar as the spear struck its target, purple blood splattered across her as the creature’s head thudded to the ground, and its body struck in the air, impaled by the icy spears.

The girl started at the gruesome scene, her wide eyes reflecting the horror she had just witnessed. seeing her perplexed state, I decided to walk closer to her, my footsteps echoed, purposedly, the sound breaking the heavy silence.

“Hey, are you hurt?” I asked, extending a hand, trying to offer some comfort in my voice.

She flinched at the sound, slowly turning to face me. Her eyes, wide and shimmering with unshed tears, held a mix of fear and relief. “…I-I’m so sorry,” she whispered, her voice quivering as she hesitantly took my hand. I pulled her up gently, her fingers trembling in mine.

“Thank you... I thought... I thought I was done for,” she stammered, her voice breaking as tears finally spilled down her cheeks. “I was just exploring near a dungeon, nothing serious, and then—out of nowhere—a blinding light... and I was here, alone with that... that thing.”

I kept my expression soft, nodding as she spoke. The trauma was evident in her voice, each word laced with fear. I conjured a gentle breeze, letting it dry the tears that clung to her face. “I see. And you? What’s your name?”

Her eyes widened slightly, as if she had forgotten the concept of introductions. Then, she managed a small, shaky smile. “Thank you… really. I’m Aelwyn—Aelwyn Moonshade. I’m so glad I’m not alone anymore.”

I regarded her for a moment, then introduced myself. “Caladrel—”

My voice was cut short, “Please, Caladrel, let me stay with you until we’re out of here!” Aelwyn pleaded, her eyes welling up again, her desperation laced in every word.

I sighed, nodding as I relented. “Fine, but you’ll have to follow my every command. Got it?”

She nodded eagerly, beaming with a bright smile that break through her tears. “Yes! Thank you!”

**My beloved readers!

As promised, here it is.

Hahah you thought this would be it?

Nuh-UH this is umm-just the start Ahahahah

While I was writing this new girl, Aelwyn, I pictured her voice as Nunaly (from code geass) and her smile that of Waguri-san (the flower that blooms with dignity).

Did I give a foreshadowing?

Hahaha go on, introspect

Cyaa my readers!