Dorian walked through the woods, keeping a vigilant eye on the tree line ahead while glancing side to side. Thalriss sat on his shoulder, tilting his head slightly at Dorian's odd actions.
"Are you okay, Dorian?" Thalriss asked, his light blue eyes blinking at him.
"Yeah, just keeping an eye out for anything that might attack us," Dorian replied, turning his head slightly at the sound of a nearby bird song.
"You seem quite tense. Why is that?" Thalriss continued, his head still tilting slightly.
Dorian sighed. "It’s hard not to be. I’ve been through a lot lately, and with your brother on the loose, I can't afford to let my guard down."
Thalriss nodded slowly, somewhat understanding. "Fear not, Dorian. With me here, almost all creatures will steer clear of us. But for now, try to find some calm. If anything poses a danger to us, I will let you know."
Dorian took a deep breath, letting Thalriss's words soothe his nerves slightly. "I hope you're right, Thalriss. Thank you."
They continued through the forest, the dense canopy overhead casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. The sounds of the forest filled the air—rustling leaves, distant bird calls, and the occasional snap of a twig underfoot. Despite Thalriss's reassurances, Dorian couldn't shake the feeling of being watched.
As they walked, Thalriss began to hum softly, the melody strangely comforting. It was a gentle, flowing tune, starting with a low hum that rose and fell like waves on the shore: "Hmm-mmm, hmm-mmm, hmm-mmm, hmm-mmm." The pattern repeated, each sequence slightly higher than the last before descending back to the initial low hum. The tune had a soothing rhythm: "Hmm-mmm, hmm-mmm, hmm-mmm, hmm-mmm," almost like a lullaby.
"Tell me more about this corruption," Dorian said, breaking the humming silence. "What exactly happened to your brother?"
Thalriss slowed his humming before stopping completely, and he took a moment before responding. "It started centuries ago when the tower appeared out of the sky. Then, sometime later, a slow and insidious decay began to spread in areas where the forest or the waters were healthy. My brother, the guardian of balance and purity, was tainted by the malevolent force. The corruption twisted his essence, turning him into a creature of destruction. I have fought to resist the same fate, but it is a constant struggle, one for which I am slowly running out of time."
Dorian listened intently, his mind racing with the weight of Thalriss's words. "Is there any way to reverse it? To heal your brother or to heal you?"
"I believe there is," Thalriss replied. "Ancient knowledge, hidden away in places long forgotten even to us gods, may hold the key. But I do not know where to begin. Gathering that information will not be easy. The corruption has deep roots in this land. We, gods, have placed a significant part of this kingdom in lockdown to protect everywhere else, but it is only a matter of time before it spreads outside. We must be prepared for anything."
Determination set in Dorian's eyes. "We'll find a way, Thalriss. I give you my word, whatever it takes."
Thalriss nodded, his light blue eyes reflecting a mix of gratitude and resolve. "Thank you, Dorian. Your strength and willingness to help mean more than you know."
As they continued their journey, the forest began to thin, and the sound of rushing water reached their ears. They emerged into a small clearing where a crystal-clear stream flowed, its waters sparkling in the sunlight.
"We should rest here for a while," Thalriss suggested. "It's a good place to gather our thoughts and plan our next steps."
Dorian smirked, sitting down by the stream and taking a moment to drink the cool, refreshing water. "We only need to be here for a short time."
Thalriss tilted his head, a confused look on his face. "What do you mean?"
Dorian leaned back, letting the warm afternoon sunlight hit his face. "I'll show you what I mean soon."
They sat and talked while Thalriss rested in the small stream, soaking in the cool water.
"If you don't mind me asking, how many of you gods are there?" Dorian asked, curiosity in his eyes.
Thalriss, eyes half-closed as he enjoyed the water, opened them fully and looked at Dorian. "There were once twelve of us, each governing a different aspect of the world. We balanced the forces of nature, maintaining harmony and order."
Dorian leaned forward, intrigued. "Twelve gods... What happened to the others?"
Thalriss sighed, the sound mingling with the gentle babble of the stream. "Many have fallen into slumber, or their power weakened by the corruption that now plagues my brother. Some have disappeared entirely, their essences scattered and lost to time. I fear I may be one of the last few who are actively trying to resist the decay."
Dorian frowned, his mind racing with the enormity of the task ahead. "Then we need to find a way to help you and the others before it's too late."
Thalriss nodded, his light blue eyes reflecting a mix of determination and sadness. "Indeed, Dorian. Time is not on our side, but with your help, perhaps."
Dorian stood up, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. "Let's rest for a bit longer, then we'll head out."
Thalriss's hum returned, a soft melody that seemed to blend with the sounds of the forest.
Resting for a bit, they enjoyed the comforting silence between them. Dorian looked up and saw it was getting late as the sky turned shades of pink and purple.
"Alright, are you ready to go?" Dorian asked as Thalriss climbed up his arm.
"Yes," Thalriss replied, looking around.
Walking deeper into the woods, Dorian headed in a seemingly random direction and then stopped, waiting a few minutes before heading back the way they came.
"Why are you walking back?" Thalriss asked, tilting his head.
"You'll see in a second," Dorian said, smirking as they approached an area with dead trees and an opening clearing up ahead. Dorian stopped suddenly, rubbing his eyes.
"Hey, Thalriss, do you see a person up ahead of us?" Dorian asked, blinking his eyes.
"Why, yes, I do. Why is that?" Thalriss responded, looking at Dorian.
"Since I've been here, I've never encountered someone here before now," Dorian said, his voice tinged with caution and curiosity.
The figure ahead remained still, partially obscured by the shadows of the dead trees. Dorian and Thalriss approached cautiously, the air thick with tension.
As they drew closer, the figure stepped into the light, revealing a tall, cloaked individual. The hood of the cloak was pulled low, concealing their face, but a faint glimmer of light reflected off their eyes.
"Who are you?" Dorian called out, his grip tightening on his knife.
The figure raised a hand in a gesture of peace. "I mean you no harm," a rough male voice said. "I am Kael, a guardian to Nymiron and Thalriss."
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Dorian narrowed his eyes, his grip tightening on his knife. "How do I know you're telling the truth?" he asked, his voice filled with suspicion.
Kael lowered his hand and nodded. "I understand your caution. Allow me to prove myself." He turned slightly, revealing an intricate symbol on his arm—a mark of guardianship known only to those who serve the gods. The symbol depicted two snakes intertwined, one representing Nymiron and the other Thalriss, signifying his sacred duty to protect and serve them.
Thalriss slithered down Dorian's arm, his light blue eyes examining the mark before looking up at Kael, his gaze narrowing slightly. "It's true, Dorian. He bears the symbol of a guardian from our order. But how are you here?"
"What do you mean, 'how am I here?' And is that you, God Thalriss?" Kael said, kneeling down in reverence to the small snake. His eyes widened with a mix of awe and confusion.
Thalriss slithered closer, his light blue eyes fixed on Kael. "Indeed, it is I, though not in my full form. I am but a fragment of my true self, struggling against the same corruption that afflicts my brother. Your presence here is unexpected. Where did you come from? The order died out hundreds of years ago."
Kael's expression hardened as he met Thalriss's gaze. "What do you mean, God Thalriss?" Dorian noticed he was genuinely confused.
"Thalriss, you might need to explain from the beginning," Dorian suggested.
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Dorian sat close to the crackling fire, the warmth dancing across his face as he listened intently to Thalriss's mesmerizing tale. The flickering flames cast shifting shadows on the faces of his companions, accentuating the gravity of the ancient deity's words.
Glancing towards Kael, Dorian couldn't help but notice the unsettling pallor that had settled over the usually stoic young man. His features were drawn, and there was a haunted look in his eyes that mirrored the weight of Thalriss's revelations.
"What do you mean everyone is dead my lord, and the order has been gone for hundreds of years?" Kael's voice trembled slightly, betraying his concern and disbelief.
Thalriss now coiled comfortably near the firelight, regarded Kael and Dorian with a solemn air. The silence stretched as the ancient deity gathered his thoughts, the faint crackling of the flames punctuating the heavy atmosphere of their conversation.
"Kael, what year do you believe it is?" Thalriss asked, his gaze steady and serious as he looked at Kael.
Kael furrowed his brow in thought, his eyes reflecting a mixture of confusion and concern. "It is the summer of the 72nd year," he replied slowly as if the words themselves carried a weight of uncertainty. "Though it feels as though winter is approaching soon."
Thalriss sighed deeply, his expression growing sorrowful. The light blue of his eyes dimmed slightly as if burdened by the news he was about to share. "I am sorry, Kael, but it is now the summer of the 178th year. Much time has passed since you last walked these lands. You have been absent for over a century."
Kael's eyes widened in disbelief, his face paling as he took in Thalriss's words. "Over a century?" he echoed, his voice tinged with shock. "How is that possible? What has happened in all that time?"
Thalriss nodded solemnly. "Yes, Kael. The world has changed greatly. The order you once knew has long since faded into memory, and the corruption we face has only grown stronger in your absence."
Dorian, sitting by the fire, watched the exchange intently. The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on him, his mind racing with the implications of what Thalriss had revealed. He looked over at Kael, noticing the guardian's ashen complexion and the way his hands trembled slightly as he processed the information.
Thalriss took a deep breath, preparing to recount the tale once more. "Kael, you must understand. The corruption we face is ancient and powerful. It has twisted and destroyed much of what we once held dear. The gods who survived have been in a constant struggle to contain it, but we are losing ground. Your reappearance gives us hope, but it also serves as a stark reminder of how much we have lost."
Kael's expression hardened with determination as he met Thalriss's gaze. "Then we must act swiftly and decisively. If there is even a chance to restore balance, I will do whatever it takes."
"Whoa, easy, mate," Dorian said, standing up and stopping Kael in his tracks. "You won't be able to leave this clearing until sunrise. We need a plan to gather information first. If you haven't noticed, there are monstrous beasts out there. The land you grew up in is now vastly different," Dorian said, staring intently at Kael.
Kael, visibly shaken, met Dorian's gaze. "Explain how the hell you are here, to begin with," Dorian demanded, releasing his grip and turning to notice the fire's light dimming. He grabbed a log and placed it on the fire, watching as the flames eagerly consumed it.
"I... I don't know," Kael stammered, rubbing his long hair in frustration. "I woke up in a cave about ten fields' distance from here."
Dorian stopped a thought processing in his mind. 'Kael Thorne,' he pondered, 'Could it be?'
"Kael, what's your last name?" Dorian asked, turning towards him, a hunch ticking in his head.
"Thorne," Kael replied, looking at Dorian.
Dorian muttered to himself as he walked over to his makeshift backpack, his mind racing with possibilities. The fire crackled softly, casting flickering shadows around the clearing. He rummaged through his belongings until he found an old leather journal, its cover worn and edges frayed from use. Turning back to Kael, Dorian's expression was serious.
"Does this look familiar to you?" he asked, handing over the journal.
Kael took the journal, his brow furrowing in confusion. As he opened it and flipped through the pages, his eyes widened in shock. "That's not possible. I lost this yesterday at the makeshift camp me and the others set up by the village," Kael said, his voice tinged with disbelief. He continued to flip through the pages, stopping when he reached a map that Dorian had drawn in the back.
"I see you've been reading it, Dorian," Kael sighed, his gaze lingering on the map. He traced the lines with his finger, his expression growing more troubled.
Dorian watched him closely. "Is everything alright?" he asked, noticing the shift in Kael's demeanour.
Kael looked up, his eyes reflecting a mix of curiosity and concern. "This map you've been making, Dorian... is it accurate?" he asked, his voice quiet but intense.
Dorian nodded slowly. "As accurate as I could make it. I've been charting the area as I travelled, marking landmarks and noting any significant changes."
Kael's grip on the journal tightened. "There are places marked here that shouldn't exist. How did you find them?"
Dorian shrugged. "I've been relying on my instincts and a bit of luck while charting our journey."
Kael's eyes narrowed as he examined the map further. "And what's written here?" he asked, pointing to a specific location marked as "Frozen Tear."
Dorian hesitated momentarily, then remembered his magic tattoo gave him the ability to understand their words. Noticing the change in Kael's expression, he carefully replied, "I found a Frozen Tear at that location."
Kael's face paled slightly. "A Frozen Tear? That's... that's not possible," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. His gaze remained fixed on the map, his thoughts clearly racing.
Dorian watched Kael closely, his brow furrowed in concern as he waited for Kael to break the silence. The fire crackled softly, casting dancing shadows around them as the night deepened. The air felt heavy with unspoken questions, tension mingling with the warmth of the firelight. Kael remained absorbed in the map, his fingers tracing the lines and symbols as if searching for answers hidden within its inked contours. Minutes passed like hours in the quiet of the clearing, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves or distant hoot of an owl. The night wrapped around them like a velvet shroud, the forest alive with its own secrets and whispers.
Finally, Kael broke the silence, his voice low and filled with a mix of awe and urgency. "Tomorrow, can you show me where the Tear is?"
Dorian nodded, cracking his neck slightly. "I don't mind," he said, his tone calm but thoughtful.
Kael's eyes remained fixed on the journal in his hands. "How did you find my journal?"
Dorian pointed at a patch of grass nearby, where the old, tattered remains of a tent lay. "I actually found it here. There were the remains of an old camp set up, with your journal just lying on the ground."
Kael looked around the clearing, confusion etched on his face. "What do you mean? There is no village or anything nearby this clearing, and the camp was set up near the village wall."
"I don't know what to tell you," Dorian replied, shrugging. "I found this place by happenstance." He yawned, the weariness of the day catching up to him.
"That... makes no sense," Kael muttered, his brow furrowing deeper. Thalriss, who had been silently observing the conversation, yawned as well, his tiny mouth opening wide.
"Look, let's leave it for the night and talk more in the morning," Dorian suggested, standing up and stretching.
"Good idea. It's getting pretty late now," Kael agreed, lying down by the fire and staring up at the sky, the stars twinkling above like distant promises of hope.
Dorian glanced at the makeshift tent he had set up nearby. "Come and sleep in the tent. It's better than nothing."
Kael nodded, rising from his spot by the fire. He followed Dorian to the tent, the remnants of the old camp adding an eerie backdrop to their makeshift shelter. They settled in, the fabric of the tent offering a small respite from the cool night air.
As they lay there, the sounds of the forest enveloping them, Dorian's thoughts drifted to the journey ahead. The discovery of the Frozen Tear, the journal filled with secrets, and Kael's unexpected presence—all of it weighed heavily on his mind. But amidst the uncertainty, there was a flicker of determination, a resolve to uncover the truth and restore balance to their world.
Kael, too, found it hard to sleep, his mind racing with questions and the heavy burden of his newfound reality. He stared at the tent's ceiling, the faint outlines of the stars barely visible through the fabric, each one a silent witness to their plight.
The night stretched on, a tapestry of shadows and light, weaving their destinies together as they prepared for the challenges that lay ahead. The fire outside crackled softly, a beacon of warmth and hope in the encroaching darkness, as the forest around them whispered secrets of old, waiting to be unveiled.
And so, with the first light of dawn, their journey would continue, guided by the map, the journal, and the fragile thread of trust that had begun to form between them.