Arin stirred from his sleep, his eyes fluttering open to the soft glow of morning light filtering through the trees. As his vision cleared, he saw familiar faces standing nearby: Gracillia, with her gentle yet fierce demeanor; Rosie, with her small body flying in the sky; and Atheria, whose presence exuded a quiet divine presence.
Before anyone could say a word, Arin's instincts took over. He leaped from his resting place and rushed towards Gracillia. His small arms wrapped tightly around her waist, his face buried in her side. The warmth and comfort of her presence brought a wave of relief over him as if all the fears and uncertainties of the previous days had momentarily dissipated. As he hugged her, he noticed a long, jagged scar running down her back, a silent testament to the battles she had faced.
Gracillia, taken aback momentarily, quickly softened and placed a reassuring hand on Arin's back. "It's alright, Arin," she said gently, her voice a soothing balm. "You're safe now."
Rosie and Atheria exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of relief and concern. Rosie stepped forward, kneeling beside Arin and Gracillia. "We were worried about you," she said softly, her eyes searching Arin's face for any sign of distress. "How do you feel?"
Arin slowly pulled away from Gracillia, his grip loosening but his need for reassurance still evident in his eyes. "I... I'm okay," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper. "I just... I was scared."
Atheria, who had remained quietly observing, stepped closer and touched Arin's shoulder. "You have been through a lot, Arin," she said, her tone steady and calm. "But you are not alone. We are here to help you."
Arin looked up at Atheria, his eyes filled with gratitude and lingering fear. "Thank you," he said, his voice stronger now. "Thank you all for being here."
Atheria, the goddess's servant, had been observing Arin, a young boy burdened with a strange curse. Now, she drew closer, her gaze drawn to the necklace around his neck. The sun and moon design, gleaming in the light, pulsed with an undeniable energy.
'This necklace,' Atheria murmured, her voice filled with awe, "It radiates divine power. Surely, it was bestowed by a goddess."
Gracillia, a bear with gentle eyes, and Rosie, a fairy with wings of shimmering dust, turned their attention to the necklace.
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"The energy from this necklace is powerful," Atheria explained, 'It absorbs and dispels the curse, keeping you safe, Arin. But it will also diminish your strength and limit your powers.'
Arin's eyes widened as he looked down at the necklace. "A goddess gave it to me," he whispered, recalling the divine encounter. "She said it would protect me."
Atheria nodded, her expression solemn. "It's a potent gift, Arin. You must ensure it remains with you at all times. Don't let anyone know about Your curse."
Arin caressed the necklace's smooth surface, a surge of warmth enveloped his skin, permeating his very being. Like a beacon of hope, the necklace fought back the encroaching darkness that threatened to consume him. The malignant energy that had cursed him retreated, cowering before the necklace's radiant light.
Arin could feel the curse's grip loosening, the oppressive weight lightening with each passing moment. The shadows that had haunted his nightmares dissipated, replaced by a sense of peace.
Arin nodded, his mind swirling with questions. 'Why had the goddess help me? Will I become enough powerful to save my loved ones?' He felt a mix of gratitude and confusion, struggling to understand the reasons behind the goddess's benevolence.
Gracillia gave Arin a reassuring squeeze before standing, her gaze determined. 'We need to strategize our next move,' she stated. 'But for now, let's ensure your full recovery.'
Rosie who was currently sitting on Arin's shoulders was listening carefully to the story and checked his condition the black mark lines were no longer visible on his chest.
After some, all left. Gracillia with Arin went back to the cave, as Arin was tired and fell asleep after stating the whole Goddess experience to them.
The moon bathed the forest floor in an ethereal glow, casting long shadows that danced with the rustling leaves. Arin, a young boy no older than five, lay nestled against Gracillia's warm fur, his small hand clutching a strand of her thick mane. His stomach rumbled, a low, guttural sound that echoed in the quiet night. Gracillia chuckled, a soft, rumbling sound like distant thunder. 'You're hungry again, little one,' she said, her voice gentle and soothing. 'Drink my milk.'
Arin eagerly latched onto her fur, his tiny mouth sucking greedily. As he drank, Gracillia spoke, her words a mixture of concern and wisdom. "Arin, do you know where I found you? It was a cave, deep within the forest. You were alone, a tiny babe. I was hungry, but when I saw you, I knew I had to take you with me." She paused, her gaze fixed on the moon. "You belong with your kind, with humans. I searched for your family, but no one came. It was as if you were abandoned."
A shadow of sadness crossed her face. "But Arin, a time will come when you must leave us. You will find your way back to your people. But remember, there is a curse that binds you. You must find a way to break it. It's a journey you must take alone." Her voice, though laced with sadness, held a strange sense of hope. Arin, oblivious to the weight of her words, snuggled closer, content in the warmth of his adoptive mother's embrace.
Arin looked up at her, his eyes wide with concern. "No," he whimpered, "I will never leave you." His tiny paw reached out and clutched at her cloak, a silent promise of loyalty. Gracillia's smile softened, a touch of sadness lingering around her lips. She knew she couldn't protect him forever, but for now, he was safe in her arms, a small, furry creature with a heart bigger than the moonlit sky.
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{A/N: Readers well I know I am lacking but not everyone is born with a gold spoon or talent they have to make their path and struggle to Grow. Arin's real journey is about to start ....support me with gifts and wait for next month's mass releases... well I am waiting for great reviews too... Let's meet soon}
Thanks for reading.