The sun cast its first light over Valkyr’s Reach, painting the snow-dusted hills in hues of gold and white. Kael Kaldar stood in the doorway of his family’s modest home, staring at the list his mother had thrust into his hand. "Milk, bread, and see if old Garrett still has that batch of salted fish," she had said. Another routine trip to the market, another day of predictable village life.
Kael tucked the list into his pocket, grabbed his satchel, and set off down the winding path toward the village. The air was crisp, and the sounds of early risers filled the air—children laughing, carts creaking, and the occasional bark of a dog. Yet, something about this morning felt different.
As Kael neared the village square, an unfamiliar figure caught his eye. An old traveler, cloaked in tattered robes, stood by the well, his piercing gaze sweeping over the villagers. His presence was quiet yet commanding, like a shadow that refused to blend into the light.
When Kael passed, the traveler’s gaze locked onto him, and he called out, "You there, boy. What’s your name?"
Kael hesitated. "Kael Kaldar."
The traveler’s expression shifted—recognition, perhaps, or disbelief. "Kaldar, you say?" His voice was low, almost reverent. "Tell me, do you know the history of these lands? Of the empire that once ruled them?"
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Kael shook his head. "I’ve heard stories, but..."
The traveler stepped closer, lowering his voice. "Stories, yes. But there is truth hidden in them. The Vodarkian legacy runs deep, even here. Be wary, boy. The past has a way of finding those who are tied to it."
Before Kael could ask what he meant, the traveler turned and disappeared into the crowd, leaving Kael with more questions than answers.
---
Back at the Kaldar home, Kael found his siblings bickering over a game of dice, his mother preparing supper, and his father sharpening tools by the hearth. Aiden looked up when Kael entered, his eyes lingering on the boy longer than usual.
"Something happen in the village?" Aiden asked.
Kael shrugged, hesitant to mention the traveler. "Nothing much."
Aiden’s gaze didn’t waver. "Good. Best to keep it that way."
---
That night, Kael’s sleep was restless. He dreamed of shadows and storms, of towering walls and clashing swords. A voice—deep, commanding, yet indistinct—echoed through his mind.
"Remember... you are more than you know."
Kael awoke in a cold sweat, the words ringing in his ears. He couldn’t shake the feeling that the dream meant something, that it was connected to the stranger’s cryptic warning.
---
By morning, the village was abuzz with rumors. A group of armed mercenaries had been spotted nearby, asking about old relics and ancient ruins. Aiden, usually calm and composed, grew restless, his eyes darting toward the horizon as if expecting trouble.
Kael watched his father closely, sensing a tension that had never been there before. He wanted to ask, but the words caught in his throat.
Something was coming—Kael could feel it. And though he didn’t yet know the truth of his heritage or the weight of the Vodarkian legacy, he knew this: the quiet life he had always known was about to change forever.