The Keeper of Forgotten Truths
The golden light slowly faded.
Kael stood in the middle of the ruined forest, breathing heavily. The creatures made of shadows had disappeared, leaving only black smoke floating between the trees.
He stared at his glowing hand.
"What... was that?"
The old woman watched him silently.
For the first time, Kael noticed the fear in her eyes.
Not fear of him.
Fear of what was coming.
"You awakened too soon," she whispered.
Kael turned toward her.
"Who are you really?"
The woman lowered her hood, revealing silver hair and a face marked by years of secrets.
"My name is Seraphina. I was once the keeper of Elysium's forgotten history."
"Keeper?"
She nodded.
"I protected the truth that the kingdom tried to erase."
Kael stepped closer.
"What truth?"
Seraphina looked at the symbol on his hand.
"The truth about you."
The words made his heart race.
"About me?"
She sighed.
"Eighteen years ago, the night you were born, Elysium was attacked by the Shadowborn. They were searching for one person."
Kael already knew the answer.
"Me."
Seraphina nodded.
"You were not born powerless, Kael Arwyn. You were hidden."
"Hidden from who?"
"The world."
The forest became quiet.
"The royal family knew that your power was different. You were not meant to control magic like other nobles."
Seraphina touched the ancient symbol carved into a nearby tree.
"You were born with the ability to hear the echoes of the past."
Kael looked away.
"All my life, I thought those voices were a curse."
"They were never a curse."
The old woman's voice softened.
"They were memories. The voices of those who came before you. The forgotten souls of Elysium."
Suddenly, the forest shook.
A deep darkness spread across the sky.
Seraphina's expression changed.
"We do not have much time."
Kael gripped his sword.
"Who is coming?"
The old woman looked toward the darkness approaching in the distance.
"The one who knows the real reason you survived."
Kael frowned.
"Who?"
Seraphina whispered:
"The last enemy of Elysium."
A cold wind surrounded them.
And from the darkness came a voice.
"After eighteen years... the lost heir has finally awakened."
Kael froze.
Because the voice was familiar.
It was the same voice he had heard in his dreams.
Seraphina looked at him.
"You have heard him before, haven't you?"
Kael slowly nodded.
The old woman closed her eyes.
"Then the prophecy has begun."
Far away, beneath the ruins of the forgotten kingdom, an ancient throne began to glow.
And the person sitting upon it opened his eyes.
"The boy who hears echoes has returned."
To be continued...