Aelric stumbled through the dense forest, his heart pounding in his chest. The teleportation spell had disoriented him, leaving him unsure of his bearings. He could feel the faint pulses of mana around him, the energy of the forest guiding his steps. But the sense of urgency gnawed at him. He needed to find his way back to the Seer.

"Why did he send me away?" Aelric muttered to himself, frustration and fear mingling in his voice. "What was he hiding from me?"

As he pressed on, the forest seemed to close in around him, the trees whispering secrets he couldn't quite understand. The mana in the air felt disturbed, as if echoing the chaos he had left behind. His blindness made navigating even more challenging, but he relied on his mana sense to guide him. He focused, trying to feel the familiar presence of the Seer, but all he sensed was turmoil.

Hours passed, the sun climbing higher in the sky, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. Aelric's steps grew more frantic, his breath coming in short, panicked bursts. He tripped over roots and stumbled through underbrush, each misstep a reminder of his vulnerability.

Finally, he reached the edge of the clearing where their small cabin had once stood. His heart sank as he felt the remnants of intense mana, the aftermath of a fierce battle. The air was thick with the scent of blood and smoke, and a heavy silence hung over the scene.

Aelric took a hesitant step forward, his foot hitting something soft. He knelt down, his hands trembling as he felt the lifeless body of a knight. His fingers traced the cold, unmoving armor, the broken sword lying nearby. He forced himself to move, his mind racing with questions and fears.

As he made his way through the clearing, the scene before him became clearer. The ground was littered with the bodies of fallen knights, their weapons scattered like forgotten toys. The once peaceful clearing was now a graveyard of shattered hopes and dreams. Aelric's heart ached with a mixture of relief and horror. The knights had been defeated, but at what cost?

"Seer!" Aelric called out, his voice cracking with desperation. "Where are you?"

A weak cough answered him, coming from the direction of their cabin. Aelric hurried towards the sound, his hands brushing against splintered wood and fallen debris. He found the Seer lying on the ground, his breaths shallow and labored. The old man's body was covered in wounds, his once vibrant mana now flickering like a dying flame.

"Seer!" Aelric cried, falling to his knees beside him. "Hold on, I'm here."

The Seer's eyes fluttered open, his gaze unfocused. "Aelric... you came back."

"Of course I did," Aelric said, his voice choked with emotion. "I couldn't leave you. What happened? Why did you send me away?"

The Seer coughed again, a weak smile playing on his lips. "I had to protect you. The knights... they were stronger than I anticipated. I saw a vision... of our deaths. I couldn't let that happen."

Tears streamed down Aelric's face as he clutched the Seer's hand. "You can't die. I need you. I don't know what to do without you."

The Seer's grip tightened for a moment before weakening. "You must be strong, Aelric. The path ahead is filled with danger and uncertainty. But you have the strength within you. You always have."

Aelric shook his head, his tears falling onto the Seer's tattered robes. "I can't do this alone."

"You won't be alone," the Seer whispered, his voice growing fainter. "Take my staff... and the amulet. They will guide you. And remember, Aelric... trust in the mana. It will never lead you astray."

With a final, labored breath, the Seer's hand slipped from Aelric's grasp. The flicker of mana that had sustained him faded into nothingness. Aelric's sobs echoed through the clearing as he held the Seer's lifeless body, the weight of loss pressing down on him like a suffocating shroud.

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In the silence that followed, Aelric felt the depth of his grief, the emptiness of his world without the Seer. He stayed there for what felt like hours, his mind a whirl of sorrow and confusion. The sun began to set, casting long shadows over the clearing, and Aelric knew he had to move.

He gently laid the Seer down, his hands lingering on the old man's still form. With trembling fingers, he took the Seer's staff, its wood smooth and warm to the touch. The amulet, a small crystal glowing faintly with mana, he placed around his neck. They felt heavy, symbols of a burden he wasn't sure he could carry.

As he prepared to leave, Aelric noticed a sword lying beside one of the fallen knights. He picked it up, feeling the weight and balance of the blade. It was still sharp, and it would be useful for his journey. Nearby, he found a set of light leather armor, worn and patched but still functional. He donned the armor, feeling a small measure of protection. Lastly, he picked up a tattered hood from the cabin floor, pulling it over his head to help him stay hidden.

Aelric stood, his legs shaky but determined. The forest around him seemed to hold its breath, waiting to see what he would do next. He looked back at the fallen knights, their faces frozen in expressions of fear and pain. They had come to destroy, but they had met a force they couldn't understand.

With one last, lingering look at the Seer, Aelric turned and walked away from the clearing. The forest closed in around him, the path ahead uncertain and fraught with danger. But he would not falter. The Seer's words echoed in his mind, a reminder of the strength he carried within.

He would find his way. For the Seer. For himself. And for the future that awaited him in the shadows.

Aelric’s steps were slow and deliberate as he navigated the dense forest. The weight of the Seer’s staff and amulet felt immense, as if they were not just objects, but burdens of his mentor’s legacy. Each step was an effort, not just physically but emotionally. His mind raced with questions, doubts, and a grief that threatened to overwhelm him.

The forest seemed darker than usual, the trees casting long shadows that danced menacingly in the dim light. Aelric relied on his mana sense to guide him, feeling the flow of energy through the roots and leaves, using it to avoid obstacles and find a path. Despite his blindness, the world around him was alive with mana, painting a picture in his mind more vivid than any sighted person could see.

As he moved, he couldn't help but replay the Seer's last words in his mind. The vision of their deaths, the urgency in his mentor’s voice. Why had the Seer kept this from him? What else had he seen that he had not shared? The questions gnawed at Aelric, fueling a determination to understand the truth.

He continued walking until the moon rose high in the sky, casting a pale light through the canopy. Exhausted, Aelric found a small clearing and collapsed to the ground, his body aching and his heart heavy. He clutched the Seer’s staff tightly, its presence a small comfort in the overwhelming darkness.

As he lay there, the sounds of the forest enveloped him. The rustle of leaves, the distant call of nocturnal creatures, the whisper of the wind. It was as if the forest itself was mourning the loss of the Seer, its energy ebbing and flowing in sorrowful waves. Aelric closed his eyes, letting the sounds wash over him, trying to find a moment of peace amidst the chaos.

His rest was brief, interrupted by a sharp crack in the underbrush. Aelric’s senses heightened immediately, his body tensing. He focused his mana sense, feeling the presence of several creatures moving towards him. They were cautious, their movements deliberate and predatory.

Wolves.

Aelric forced himself to stand, gripping the staff tightly. He could feel the mana within the wolves, their energy dark and hungry. He knew he had to act quickly. Drawing upon the lessons the Seer had taught him, he focused his own mana, feeling it surge through his body.

The first wolf lunged at him, and Aelric swung the staff with all his might. The blow connected, sending the wolf sprawling to the ground. But there were more, and they circled him, their eyes glowing with malevolent intent. Aelric’s heart pounded in his chest, his fear mingling with a fierce determination to survive.

He moved with a grace born of desperation, each swing of the staff guided by his mana sense. He could feel the energy of the wolves, their movements a dance of life and death. His own mana flared brightly, illuminating the clearing in a ghostly light. The wolves hesitated, sensing the power within him, but hunger drove them on.

One by one, Aelric fought them off, his body moving in a rhythm that felt almost instinctual. The staff became an extension of himself, a conduit for his mana and his will to survive. When the last wolf lay defeated at his feet, Aelric collapsed to the ground, his breath coming in ragged gasps.

The forest fell silent once more, the only sound was Aelric’s labored breathing. He lay there, his breaths long.

Before seemingly passing out, the only thought that raced through my mind was that I must not break the staff. This would be the last time I would use it, the last time it would be used to kill. The sword would be the one to harness the killing intent; it will be the one that bathes in the blood.

I need to ensure that I keep my memories safe.

"In the midst of darkness, he rescued me, and now I am determined to carry on."