Naked and vulnerable, the chill of the night air sent shivers down his spine, a stark reminder of the obstacles that still lay before him.

In the darkness of the night, the torches that illuminated the city streets were scarce, leaving large swaths of shadow for Liam to navigate through. Using his newfound power over light, he managed to cloak himself in an ethereal shroud, remaining hidden from the watchful eyes of the guards who patrolled the city.

As Liam traversed the dimly lit streets, he knew that he needed to find clothes to better blend in with the citizens of Erathia. Guided by the desperation that fueled his every step, Liam found himself outside the residence of a merchant, where the faintest of lights flickered through a cracked window shutter.

Drawing upon the courage that had helped him escape his cell, Liam used his control over light to bend the faint glow emanating from the window, obscuring himself from view as he silently entered the merchant's residence.

Inside, the darkness was punctuated by the muted glow of embers in the fireplace. Liam's heart pounded in his ears, each thump a reminder of the risks he was taking. He crept through the shadows, searching for something—anything—to cover his nakedness.

His breath caught as he discovered a set of clothes hanging near the fireplace, likely left to dry by their owner. A sudden pang of guilt twisted in Liam's gut, a bitter reminder of the price he was paying for his freedom. But as the cold air nipped at his exposed skin, he knew he had little choice.

With trembling hands, Liam reached for the clothes, wincing at the soft rustle of fabric as he hastily dressed himself in the ill-fitting garments. A simple tunic, a pair of rough trousers, and a worn cloak would have to suffice for now.

No sooner had Liam donned the stolen attire than he heard the soft creak of a door opening. Panic surged through him, his heart racing as he once again summoned his power over light, enveloping himself in a shroud of near invisibility. As the merchant emerged from the darkness, rubbing sleep from his eyes, Liam held his breath, praying that he would go unnoticed.

Fortune, it seemed, was on Liam's side that night. The merchant ambled past, seemingly oblivious to the intruder who had stolen his clothes. As the door closed behind him, Liam seized the opportunity and made a hasty escape, slipping out of the residence and back into the shadows of the night.

Liam knew that he was far from safe, and that the road ahead would be fraught with danger. But with each step he took, his spirit burned ever brighter. Clad in the stolen clothes of a stranger, Liam's journey had truly begun, his life in the balance as he ventured forth into the uncertain darkness.

With the stolen clothes clinging to his body and his heart racing, Liam knew that he could not remain in the city for much longer. Every step he took, every shadow he hid in, brought with it the ever-present threat of discovery and capture. He needed to find sanctuary, a place where he could begin to forge a new life for himself.

It was then that fate intervened, guiding him towards a familiar figure in the darkness. Hrothgar, the man who had given him a chance and employed him at the market, emerged from the shadows, his eyes wide with surprise at the sight of his former employee.

"Liam?" Hrothgar whispered, barely audible above the hushed murmur of the night. "What in the gods' names are you doing here? I heard about your arrest, but—"

Liam cut him off, desperation lending urgency to his voice. "Hrothgar, I didn't do it. I was attacked, and I defended myself. I only injured one of them, but they twisted the truth, and I was sentenced to death. I escaped, and now… now I don't know what to do."

Hrothgar stared at Liam for a moment, his eyes searching the young man's face. Liam could see the turmoil in his expression, the internal struggle between loyalty and fear. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Hrothgar spoke.

“You will find no justice here, I fear Lord Godrik is determined to send a message. He does not want any without power in his city. The best path forward is to flee”

"Come with me," he said, his voice firm but gentle. "I know a way out of this city. You'll need to leave Erathia, but it's the only way."

Liam hesitated, his heart pounding in his chest. But as he looked into Hrothgar's eyes, he saw not the fear of an accomplice to a fugitive, but the kindness and compassion of a friend. With a nod, Liam followed Hrothgar into the darkness.

As they made their way through the winding streets of Erathia, Hrothgar led Liam towards the docks, the salty sea air filling their lungs. The rhythmic lapping of the waves against the wooden piers was a soothing balm for Liam's frayed nerves, a reminder of a world beyond the city walls.

"There's a ship leaving at dawn," Hrothgar explained, his voice barely audible above the sounds of the night. "The captain owes me a favor. He'll take you aboard, no questions asked. It's bound for the distant shores of Farandor. I hear it's a place where a man can start anew, make a life for himself away from the prying eyes of the authorities."

Liam stared out across the dark expanse of water, a torrent of emotions welling up inside him. Gratitude for Hrothgar's assistance, fear of the unknown, and a fierce determination to survive and find a place where he could be free. As he stood there, a thought occurred to him, one that had been gnawing at the edges of his mind since his escape.

"Hrothgar," Liam began, his voice wavering slightly. "Before they took me, I discovered something. I—I have a power."

He glanced at Hrothgar, who looked back at him with surprise and curiosity. "What sort of power?" the older man asked.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

"I can control light," Liam replied, demonstrating his newfound abilities with a small glow that radiated from his hands.

Hrothgar watched in amazement, a faint smile crossing his face. "Well, Liam," he said, clapping the young man on the back. "It seems the gods have finally seen fit to grant you a gift. Use it wisely, and may it bring you a brighter future." He finished with a wink.

“However, it will not change the magistrate’s mind, in his eyes you attacked his son. We need to get a move on” gently pushing Liam forward.

As dawn approached, Liam and Hrothgar stood on the dock, waiting for the ship that would carry Liam away from the city he had once called home. As the first rays of sunlight crept over the horizon, casting a warm glow upon the city, the vessel came into view.

The ship, an old but sturdy vessel, creaked as it was moored to the pier. With a heavy heart, Liam turned to Hrothgar, tears welling up in his eyes.

"Thank you," Liam whispered, his voice choked with emotion. "You've done more for me than you can ever know."

Hrothgar embraced Liam, his gruff exterior giving way to the affection he held for the young man. "Remember, Liam," he said, his voice barely audible. "This isn't the end. This is a new beginning. Your life is just starting, and with your power over light, I know you will find a way to shine in the darkness."

"One last thing" he smiled, handing Liam a coinpurse. "Let's call it severance pay" he smiled sadly, patting Liam on the shoulder.

With a final farewell, Liam boarded the ship, his heart heavy with the weight of the past but buoyed by the promise of a new life. As the vessel pulled away from the dock and set sail for the distant shores of Farandor, Liam stood at the railing, watching as Erathia and the life he had once known faded into the distance.

His journey was far from over, but with the power over light coursing through his veins, and the kindness and wisdom of friends like Hrothgar to guide him, Liam knew that he had the strength to face whatever challenges awaited him on the path to forging his own destiny.

Below deck, hidden away in the bowels of the ship, Liam sought refuge among the cargo, his stolen clothes serving as a makeshift bed. Despite the favour the captain owed Hrothgar, he still needed to stay hidden. The hours passed in a monotonous blur, the constant creaking and swaying of the ship lulled him into a light sleep.

Survival became Liam's sole focus. He rummaged through the ship's stores, eating what little food he could find without drawing attention to himself. Hours were spent in quiet contemplation, his mind never straying far from his newfound abilities.

Liam knew that if he were to truly forge a new life in Farandor, he would need to understand and harness the power that had awoken within him.

Trying his best to ignore the sound of the sea and sailors around him, he sits and focuses inward.

Name

Liam Terlock

Body

3

Energy

7/7

Spirit

Light

Condition

Malnourished (minor)

He spent hours meditating, focusing on the ever-present flicker of light that seemed to glow at the core of his being.

At first, his control over the power was tenuous, the light within him erratic and unpredictable. He would often find himself enveloped in blinding radiance or plunged into absolute darkness, unable to find the balance he sought.

But as the day turned to night, Liam's connection to the light within him began to strengthen. He learned to bend and shape the light to his will, gaining finer control over the light. He knew that to survive he would need to improve the invisibility power. Having to discard his clothes any time he wished to hide was not exactly practical.

Face set in deep concentration he tried to bend the light once again, trying to recreate the feeling of desperation and wanting to hide. At first, just his clothes seemed to float comically in the air, like a ghost trying to scare somebody.

He imagined the ethereal invisibly cloak extending further past his skin and enveloping his clothes. While staying still and in the low light the veil is difficult to pierce. Waving his hand in front of his face, Liam realized that the movement made him somewhat obvious to notice.He could feel a drain on his core and after several moments Liam noted his energy had depleted to 6/7.

As the ship sailed ever closer to Farandor, Liam could feel a change within himself. The fear and despair that had once consumed him had been replaced by a quiet determination, a fierce resolve to build a better life for himself in this strange, new land.

His journey was far from over, and he knew that many challenges still lay ahead. But as he stood on the deck of the ship, watching the first glimpses of Farandor's shoreline emerge on the horizon, Liam was filled with a sense of hope that burned as brightly as the light within him.

As Liam sat in the darkness, honing his power, he heard a noise from the cabin above him. It was faint at first, barely audible above the creaking and groaning of the ship, but soon it became impossible to ignore. It sounded like a struggle, punctuated by muffled cries and the dull thud of blows being exchanged.

His curiosity piqued, Liam crept towards the source of the noise, his power allowing him to bend the light around him and remain hidden from view. As he ascended the narrow staircase, he found himself outside a small cabin, the door ajar and the sounds of the struggle within growing louder.

Peering inside, Liam saw a young girl, no older than he was, her face bruised and her clothes torn. She was cornered by a burly sailor, his cruel intentions clear. The girl fought back with a desperate ferocity, but it was obvious that she was outmatched and exhausted.

The attackers arms are a dull grey, his strength enhanced by the stone coating.

A fire ignited in Liam's chest, and without thinking, he burst into the room, using his newfound power to blind the sailor with a burst of brilliant light. Caught off guard, the man stumbled back, shielding his eyes from the searing glare. In his disoriented state, the sailor tripped and fell, striking his head on the corner of a wooden chest. The impact was too much, and the man lay still, his life extinguished in an instant. Blood began to pool around his head, soaking into a soft rug next to the cabin bed.

Shaken by the unintended consequences of his actions, Liam hesitated for a moment before extending his hand towards the girl. "Come with me," he whispered urgently. "I can get us out of here."

The girl remained frozen in shock for a moment before shaking her head. “No, we need to hide him. Or it will be both of us next. Assumin’ yer a stowaway?” she quickly replied.

Without waiting for an answer she kneeled down, dragged the body to the cabin window. Shaking himself out of his daze, Liam started to help.

As they caught their breath, Liam turned to the girl, concern etched across his face. "Are you all right?" he asked, his voice soft and gentle.

The girl nodded, her eyes filled with a mixture of gratitude and fear. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I don't know what I would have done without you."

In that moment, Liam realized that his newfound power was not only a means of escaping his past but also a way to protect and help others. However, he also understood the potential dangers of his abilities and the responsibility that came with them. As the ship continued its journey towards Farandor, Liam knew that he had found a purpose that went beyond simply forging a new life for himself—he had discovered the true meaning of the light within him.