Elyan and Zenith were training near the cave entrance beneath the cliff, a secluded spot where Elyan had been honing his skills. The day was bright, and the sounds of nature provided a calming backdrop to their activities. Suddenly, they noticed a figure descending the cliff with surprising agility. It was Mr. Thorne, navigating the rocky terrain with a skill that belied his years.

Elyan paused, watching in surprise as his former teacher made his way down. "Mr. Thorne?" he called out, bewildered by the unexpected visit.

Mr. Thorne reached the ground and dusted off his clothes, a slight smile on his face. "Hello, Elyan. Quite the spot you've picked here," he said, his tone light but concerned. He looked around, noting the signs of Elyan's campfire and training area.

"But... how did you find me?" Elyan asked, still in shock. "I didn't think anyone knew where I was."

Mr. Thorne's expression turned serious. "It wasn't easy. We received your message yesterday, though the details were sparse."

Elyan's eyes widened in realization. He hadn't expected such a quick response. "But how did you know exactly where to find me? I didn't give any specific directions."

Mr. Thorne smiled, a twinkle in his eye. "Ah, that was thanks to old Mrs. Magda. She might be retired now, but she was once one of the most knowledgeable about magic in the village. She recognized the limitations of basic communication spells, which often rely on an emotional or personal connection to deliver messages. She also mentioned that basic communication spells often have limited range and can be difficult to direct accurately. When she heard your message, she suggested that we try to use her old tracking spell. It's not commonly used because it requires a lot of concentration and a bit of luck."

He paused, recalling the previous day's events. "We gathered a few villagers who were closest to you—Mira, Mrs. Anwen, and even some of the other children. They helped focus the spell by thinking about you, and Mrs. Magda directed it to find your approximate location. She couldn't pinpoint you exactly but got close enough to this part of the area."

Zenith, who had been quietly observing, floated closer. His ethereal form shimmered slightly in the daylight, an otherworldly presence that drew Mr. Thorne's attention. "And who is this?" Mr. Thorne asked, his curiosity piqued.

Elyan gestured towards Zenith. "This is Zenith. He's... a memory fragment, my mentor. He saved me and he's been helping me train."

Zenith inclined his head slightly in acknowledgment. "Well, hello there, Mr. Thorne. I've been watching over Elyan, assisting him as best I can. It's a pleasure to meet someone from his life in Eldergrove."

Mr. Thorne blinked, clearly fascinated. "A memory fragment... I've heard rumors of such beings but never imagined I'd meet one. Thank you for taking care of Elyan." He then turned back to Elyan; his expression serious. "The village is worried, Elyan. There were fears after your message." The conversation shifted as Mr. Thorne reached into his bag and pulled out some wrapped packages. "The villagers sent some supplies. Mira packed bread and some of Mrs. Anwen's sweets. They wanted to make sure you're taking care of yourself."

Elyan accepted the packages, feeling a swell of gratitude. "Thank you, Mr. Thorne. And thank everyone in the village for me."

As they settled around the campfire, Mr. Thorne handed Elyan a few letters. "These are from Mira, Mrs. Anwen, and some of the children. They all wanted to send you their thoughts and well-wishes."

Elyan took the letters, his heart warmed by the gesture. He opened one from Mira, reading her heartfelt words of encouragement. She expressed her concern for his well-being and reminded him that he was always welcome back, despite his current status.

After a quiet moment, Elyan looked up at Mr. Thorne, a question on his mind. "How did everyone react when they found out what happened to me? And how's Uncle Garret doing?"

Mr. Thorne sighed, choosing his words carefully. "It was difficult for many. The village was shocked and saddened to learn about your ordeal. As for Garret, he's been struggling with the news. When he found out that his son Darius had caused harm to you, he was devastated. Garret has always been a proud and honorable man, and the actions of Darius have deeply troubled him. He's been trying to come to terms with it and is determined to make amends in whatever way he can. He's even reached out to Mira, offering help and expressing his remorse."

Stolen novel; please report.

He paused, his expression softening as he continued. "That's part of the reason I'm here. The villagers, including Garret, wanted to make sure you knew they care about you and are here to support you. Well... to be honest with you, I sort of caused a scene for others to let me go. To look for you. Didn't take that long before they agree with me and as you can see, they ask me to bring these stuffs to you."

They sat down around the campfire, where Elyan began reading through the letters. Each one was filled with words of encouragement and concern, bringing a warmth to his heart. Meanwhile, Mr. Thorne spoke with Zenith, who had taken a seat across from him.

"It's remarkable how you've been able to guide Elyan," Mr. Thorne remarked, his tone respectful. "He's always been a bright boy, full of potential. I just never expected his journey to take such a turn."

Zenith nodded; his expression thoughtful. "Elyan has shown great resilience. He's learning to harness his abilities, but more importantly, he's growing as a person. He has been through a lot for someone who is still young, he got guts."

Mr. Thorne leaned forward, his gaze steady. "I know the villagers are concerned about his future, especially after everything that's happened. Is he... safe here? Is this really the best place for him?"

Zenith considered the question carefully. "In many ways, this place is ideal for his growth. The forest provides a suitable environment for him to train and reflect. However, I understand the concern. The world beyond Eldergrove is vast and unpredictable just like the area around here. Elyan needs to be prepared for that."

Elyan, having finished reading the letters, looked up. "I want to stay here and train, at least for a while longer. I need to get stronger, not just for myself, but for everyone back in the village. I can't let what happened with Darius happen again."

Mr. Thorne nodded, placing a reassuring hand on Elyan's shoulder. "We believe in you, Elyan. Just remember, you don't have to do this alone. The village is with you, and you have friends who care about you."

Elyan smiled, feeling a sense of resolve. "Thank you, Mr. Thorne. I'll keep that in mind."

As they continued their conversation, the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the forest. The day had brought unexpected reunions and reaffirmed bonds, reminding Elyan that no matter how far he ventured, he was never truly alone. He looked forward to the training and challenges ahead, knowing he had the support of both his village and his mentor, Zenith.

Thorne stood up, brushing off his clothes. He looked at Elyan, a mixture of pride and sadness in his eyes. "Well, Elyan, I guess this is it for me. I'd love to stay longer, but I have a class to teach tomorrow. Don't worry, I'll come to visit you often. And who knows, maybe once you're all grown up, I can bring your girlfriend, Thalia, here," he teased with a wink.

Elyan smiled, a light blush spreading across his cheeks. "Thalia's just a close friend, not my girlfriend," he protested, though his voice held a hint of shyness. "But yes, I'd love to talk to her again if I can. And with Mama Mira, everyone at the orphanage, and the rest of the village."

As Elyan spoke, his emotions welled up, and he could no longer hold back his tears. "I miss them so much! I've been training hard, so please tell them not to worry about me. Tell them I love them and..." His voice broke, and tears began to stream down his cheeks. He rubbed his eyes continuously, trying to stop the flow, but it was no use.

Seeing Elyan's distress, Thorne's own emotions surfaced. He crouched down to Elyan's eye level and pulled him into a tight embrace. "Don't you worry, Elyan," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "I'll tell them all about how strong you've become, and how you're learning so much magic. So much that it would make any mage in Eldergrove proud. And... and..."

Thorne's resolve crumbled, and he began to cry as well. "And you're a good hunter now, almost as good as Garret. You've got plenty of dried meats, fruits, and vegetables. I'll let Mira know that you have a mentor to take care of you."

They held each other, the weight of their separation and the bond they shared pouring out in their tears. Elyan felt a mix of relief and sadness, grateful for the visit but heartbroken by the departure.

Finally, Thorne pulled back, wiping his eyes. He looked at Elyan with a mixture of pride and concern. "Elyan, remember that we're all thinking of you. You're not alone, no matter how far away you are. We'll always be your family, and you're always welcome back."

Elyan nodded, sniffling as he tried to compose himself. "Thank you, Mr. Thorne. I promise I'll keep training and learning. I'll make everyone proud."

Thorne smiled warmly, placing a gentle hand on Elyan's shoulder. "I know you will, Elyan. You have a strong heart and a sharp mind. Just stay true to yourself, and you'll do great things."

As Thorne stood to leave, he took one last look at the young boy he had once taught and now admired. With a final wave and a promise to return, he began the ascent back up the cliff. Elyan watched him go, a mix of emotions swirling within him.

Zenith floated closer, his presence a comforting reminder that Elyan was not entirely alone. "You have a good support system, Elyan," Zenith said softly. "It's important to remember that, even in the toughest of times."

Elyan nodded, feeling a renewed sense of determination. "I know. And I'll keep pushing forward, for them and for myself."

As the day came to a close, Elyan and Zenith watched the sun set over the horizon. The warmth of the villagers' love and support, carried by Thorne, left Elyan feeling more connected than ever. Despite the challenges ahead, he knew he had the strength to face them, backed by the unwavering support of his family and friends.

With a deep breath, Elyan turned his attention back to his training, ready to continue his journey of growth and discovery. The farewell with Thorne had been bittersweet, but it also reminded Elyan of the bonds that tied him to his home and the people he loved. As the last light of day faded, he felt a renewed resolve to become the person they all believed he could be.