The darkness was dense, as if light had been forgotten, as if time itself had recoiled into a corner beyond the grasp of reason. Then suddenly, a feminine voice emerged—soft as dewdrops, whispering like dreams:
— "Don't cry… your time will come, my little one."
The scene gradually took shape. A vast hall, its walls made of crystal, crowned with vegetal domes from which luminous leaves hung. A stunningly beautiful elven woman, wearing a robe woven from green light, cradled a baby wrapped in white cloth. Her eyes were full of turmoil, gleaming with a mix of tenderness and fear.
Muffled explosions echoed in the background, and a red glow slipped through arched windows, casting fragmented shadows on the smooth floor.
The woman said, her voice trembling:
— "His name… is Leo… don't forget it."
Then the place trembled, and guards with sharp features approached, pulling her away with a firm gentleness, while the child cried.
The scene shattered like broken glass and fell into the void.
Then…
Leo stood—his current self—within a space without color or form, save for the gray moon hanging above him. He saw a feminine face among the clouds, a girl with long hair fluttering like calm fire, and eyes the color of the sky before the rain.
It was the same girl he had seen before… the one from the recurring dream. But this time, she was not silent.
The ground beneath her crumbled. The trees of Blindria burned. Screams echoed from the distance, and the sky shattered like glass.
The girl whispered:
— "Save them… you are the one who will remain."
He approached her, extended his hand… but she vanished.
Leo cried out:
— "Who are you?! Why do I keep seeing you?!"
And then, he fell into nothingness.
He woke up gasping, drenched in sweat, his hand trembling as though he had touched unseen flames. Before him were Loki's eyes, scanning him in silence, with Dravis sitting nearby, watching him with concern.
Leo whispered in a shaken voice:
— "Who was she?… And that child… no, no… this can't be… Why did the dream repeat again?! What is happening?"
Loki replied with heavy calm:
— "There is only one explanation for what happened, and I need to confirm it… But for now, rest. I'll prepare food."
Then he turned to Dravis, who said in an attempt to lighten the tension:
— "Not your cooking again!"
Loki let out a brief chuckle and walked away, while Leo's eyes remained fixed on the ceiling, shifting between memory and confusion.
After the meal, they sat near the fire. Dravis looked at Loki with hesitation, then asked:
— "Master Loki… what happened to Leo? And what is that faint mark on his back?"
Loki sighed and gestured with his hand:
— "It's no ordinary mark. It's a quadruple sign… something I've never seen before, not even in the records of the Lunar Codex."
Dravis leaned forward, eyes widening:
— "A quadruple sign?!"
Loki answered:
— "Yes… a rare blend of: The Scales, The Break, The Range, and The Bond. Each one alone is enough to make a legendary warrior. But combined? That defies explanation."
Dravis said:
— "But it's faint… it wasn't like that yesterday, when he fainted. It was glowing like the sun."
Loki shook his head:
— "A sudden surge of energy erupted from within him, uncontrolled. What appeared yesterday was a pure part of his essence. Now, his body is trying to regain balance."
Dravis looked at Leo and smiled:
— "Amazing… but I still don't understand it."
Night fell, and silence prevailed. Leo sat outside the dwelling, eyes turned to the moon, the wind toying with his hair. A question echoed within him:
Who was that woman? Why did she hold me so tenderly? Was she… my mother? But her features were unlike those of humans… could she be elven?
His thoughts were interrupted by footsteps. He turned to see Dravis, wearing his cloak, holding a small metallic belt.
Leo asked:
— "Where are you going?"
Dravis answered without looking at him:
— "That's none of your concern."
Leo stepped forward:
— "If you're heading to your homeland, just tell me."
Loki emerged from the shadows and said:
— "What's going on here?"
Dravis hesitated, then spoke quietly:
— "My mother and father… were killed by a man named Grov, one of the strongest followers of the Raiser… and I want revenge."
Leo raised an eyebrow:
— "The Raiser?… Who is that?"
Loki's face changed, darkness slipping into his eyes:
— "Has he returned… after all these years?"
Leo asked anxiously:
— "Who is he, Uncle Loki?"
Loki answered in a grave tone, as though reading from an ancient record:
— "He is the one who wiped out humanity in a single day… in a battle described as the end of time. Only through a sealed incantation and a near-fatal strike from one of the greatest warriors in history was that monstrous being subdued. Yet the demonic kingdom of Gothars has waited all these years for his return."
Dravis interjected:
— "And it has happened… they now almost fully control my homeland, Blindria. They killed my father and mother… that's why I wanted to grow stronger."
Leo suddenly said:
— "You won't do anything alone."
Dravis turned in surprise, seeing something new in Leo's eyes: unwavering confidence, and a courage he hadn't seen before.
Loki continued:
— "If Blindria has fallen, then Luthoria is next… especially its capital, the city of Erathelia, where the royal family resides. It lies beyond the mountain chains of Blindria."
Leo thought silently: Luthoria… the royal family…
Then he looked at Loki and said:
— "Uncle Loki… I must go with Dravis, no matter what."
Dravis was stunned, looking into Leo's eyes, which now carried resolve and clarity.
Loki responded slowly:
— "Boys… this isn't a playground for amateurs. But I know your capabilities. Still, entering elven lands requires preparation—and the approval of the High Ruler. The elves do not easily trust humans."
Before he could finish, a small white bird with transparent wings—called Alfredz—landed on Loki's shoulder. Around its neck was a tiny metal ring. When Leo touched it, a glowing screen appeared, revealing the face of the High Ruler.
The ruler said:
— "Loki… it's been a long time. How are you?"
Then he turned to Leo and added:
— "I want you in my quarters immediately."
The three were stunned. Leo rose silently, followed by Dravis.
Inside the ruler's hall, the old man sat like a monument of knowledge. He spoke to Leo in a steady voice:
— "My boy, I want you to know that you are to become one of the kingdom's leading knights."
Dravis exclaimed:
— "That's amazing!"
But Leo replied firmly:
— "I accept… on one condition."
The ruler raised his brows:
— "What condition?"
Leo said:
— "I want your permission to travel with Dravis to Luthoria."
A subtle surprise crossed the ruler's face, though he hid it wisely. In his mind, he thought:
This boy is drawing closer to his truth…
Then he spoke calmly:
— "Granted. You will take this scroll and deliver it to the governor of Luthoria upon arrival."
Leo took the wrapped scroll, bowed respectfully, and said:
— "As you command."
The ruler smiled, pride shining in his eyes:
— "May your steps be light in the darkness of this world."
Leo returned to Loki and told him what had happened. The old man smiled and said:
— "That's remarkable, Leo… I will prepare your supplies at once. Tomorrow, the journey to Luthoria begins."
And so… the road toward the heart of truth begins.