Alden's steps froze at the open bedroom door. His eyes landed on a shimmering golden dragon, floating gracefully outside the window, right in front of Farion, who lay on the floor, his back to the light.
From behind, Selene's voice rose, filled with concern.
"Honey? What is it?"
Alden didn't answer at once. He stood still, gathering his thoughts, then whispered, almost too softly to hear,
"Honey… quickly, get my sword…"
His voice was quiet, but tense. The mythical creature before him made every muscle in his body stiffen.
Selene gasped. It had been years since Alden last touched his blade. Even when training Farion, he had used nothing more than a wooden sword.
Without a word, Selene ran back to their room, retrieved the blade, and returned to hand it over.
"Honey…" she said gently, offering the weapon.
Alden took it without looking back. Selene turned and hurried again to retrieve something else.
He stepped forward cautiously, sword raised, assuming a firm stance.
"Rion, back away slowly," he said with calm intensity.
But Farion stood with a faint smile.
"Don't stand up, Rion!" Alden snapped.
Farion turned to him.
"Relax, Father. This dragon… it's from Uncle Immortal's power."
The words stopped Alden cold. He glanced at the bed. A man sat there—calm, motionless. His body was wrapped in bandages, his long black hair falling over his shoulders, his face unreadable.
The man met Alden's gaze and offered a faint smile. Then, with a flick of his fingers, the golden dragon vanished into thin air.
Alden let out a long breath and slowly lowered his sword.
"Whew…"
Selene returned, sword in hand.
"Honey! I'll fight too!" she declared firmly.
Her long black hair was tied back. She still wore her nightgown, but her grip on the sword was steady as she took her place beside him.
Alden turned to her, his heart catching with memory.
"You're still as beautiful as ever," he murmured.
Selene blushed and half-smiled.
"Save the charm for later. Where's the enemy?"
Alden exhaled and sat down in the chair beside Farion's bed. He set the sword against the frame.
"There's no enemy. That… was the Immortal's power."
Selene joined him, resting her sword beside his. She glanced briefly at the man.
"Aish…"
Farion, still seated on the floor, scooted closer to her.
Alden looked at him.
"Then why did you scream earlier?"
"Hehe, sorry. I was just startled. The dragon suddenly appeared behind me," Farion said, rubbing the back of his head.
Then he began to explain...
A Few Minutes Earlier
Farion had just woken up. The man, who'd been unconscious the day before, was now sitting calmly, still wrapped in bandages.
"You're the ones who saved me, aren't you?" the man asked, his voice quiet but deep.
"Yes!" Farion replied enthusiastically.
"Thank you."
The man smiled faintly, then turned toward the window. Morning light poured in, highlighting the melancholy on his face.
"Uncle?" Farion asked softly.
The man turned. "Yes?"
"Could you show me your power?"
A gentle smile touched the man's lips.
"Stand by the window, with your back to it."
Farion obeyed without question, his back now facing the light.
The man lifted both hands. His fingers moved gracefully, as if weaving something unseen. Then one hand extended toward Farion's back.
"Now, turn around."
Farion turned.
"WAAAAAA!" he yelped, stumbling backward. Outside the window, a golden dragon stared silently at him, unblinking.
Back to the Present
Alden rubbed his face with a weary sigh.
Farion sat on the floor beside Selene. The Immortal climbed down from the bed, moving slowly, and sat at its edge.
"Do you need help?" Alden asked.
The man shook his head. "No need."
A brief silence passed before the man spoke again.
"What are your names?"
"Oh... Yes. I'm Alden. This is Selene, my wife. And this is Farion, my son," Alden replied, lightly patting their shoulders.
"And you?" Alden asked in return.
"Zevandar," the man replied simply.
"Should we call you 'Sir'?"
"No need. Just Zevandar."
"Then... can you tell us who you are?" Alden asked.
"I will. But first... could you tell me about this world?"
Alden nodded.
"This land is ruled by three great kingdoms. Right now, we're in the territory of Vardham, ruled by King Ravion. To the east lies Aldervyne. To the south, Valmora."
"Do you have a map?"
Alden hesitated.
"No. Maps aren't openly available here. Especially those showing kingdom borders. Only the royal court holds them."
"I see..." Zevandar said quietly. "May I stay here for a while?"
Farion answered before anyone else.
"Of course, Uncle! You can stay in my room."
Alden and Selene exchanged a glance, smiling at their son's warmth.
Zevandar returned the smile.
"Thank you."
"Oh, I almost forgot," Zevandar added. "I'm an Immortal from the Upper World. The one that cracked open above your skies."
Farion's eyes widened.
"Whoa…"
"You… you really are an Immortal," Alden said in disbelief.
Zevandar didn't answer, just nodded.
"Then… why are you injured?" Alden asked.
Zevandar fell silent. Pain flickered behind his eyes.
Alden immediately stepped back.
"You don't need to tell us if it's too much," he said gently.
Zevandar's shoulders relaxed slightly at the kindness.
Alden turned back to Farion.
"Rion, don't forget. You still have training today."
"Ahhh, I don't want to…" Farion groaned.
Selene stood.
"I'll prepare breakfast," she said, then left the room.
Alden picked up both swords.
"Rest well, Zevandar."
With that, he left.
Farion remained. His gaze lingered on Zevandar.
"Uncle... can I become an Immortal like you?"
Zevandar looked at him.
"It's not easy. Only those with great potential can reach that path."
"How do I know if I have that potential?"
Zevandar narrowed his gaze.
"Do you truly want to be an Immortal?"
"Yes!" Farion answered without hesitation.
Zevandar inhaled.
"Our world is harsh. If you are weak, you die. If you hold something precious, others will come for it. Life will be harder than anything you've known."
Farion faltered.
"Even so… I still want to try."
Zevandar stood slowly.
"Come here."
Farion stepped closer.
Zevandar placed his hand gently on Farion's head.
"I'll only check once. If your subconscious is weak, you'll never become an Immortal."
He closed his eyes, and in an instant, his spirit plunged into Farion's subconscious.
What he saw stunned him.
A vast expanse unfolded before him, like the quiet of night. The sky above glimmered with soft starlight. Below, a sea of still water reflected everything like a mirror. The calm was endless.
"This… is insane…" Zevandar whispered. "How could a human possess something like this?"
He stood frozen. His breath quickened. Sweat formed on his brow. He trembled, not just in fear, but in awe.
Before him stood something beyond reason.
And it lived… inside Farion.