Dust motes swirled in the weak sunlight that filtered through the broken windows of the abandoned estate. The air smelled of age and mildew, carrying whispers of centuries past. Each step Morlith took was unsteady, his limbs trembling as though he had never used them before. Centuries of confinement in the painted prison had left him fragile in body, though his mind and instincts were razor-sharp. Every sound-the creak of the floorboards, the sigh of the wind, the distant groan of collapsing walls-hit him like thunder.
Kieran stepped forward instinctively, slipping an arm around Morlith's shoulders to steady him. "Careful... you're hurt," he said softly. Morlith leaned slightly into him, the warmth of Kieran's body grounding him, though he did not yet fully understand why.
Morlith's eyes flared unnaturally-one gold, the other a deep crimson-flickering like molten fire as centuries of restrained power pulsed through him. The colors reflected confusion, raw strength, and the burden of everything he had endured. They were striking, almost terrifying, yet Kieran did not flinch. Instead, he tightened his hold gently, keeping him upright and safe.
Kieran's chest tightened as he studied him. He already knew who Morlith was, had researched the legends and traced the hidden painting, but he could not let Morlith know. He must think it's by chance... he must trust me first.
"I'm Kieran," he said gently, keeping his voice casual and unhurried. "I... just happened to be here. I didn't mean to startle you. I can help you up."
Morlith's gaze swept over him, intense and calculating. "What art thou... that appears not hostile, yet knows of me?" he asked cautiously, voice low but sharp. His hazel-gold eye glowed faintly as he studied Kieran's face, searching for deceit or threat.
Kieran gave a small, reassuring smile. "I found you here. It was an accident. I only want to help." He tightened his grip just slightly as Morlith wavered, keeping him steady.
Morlith inclined his head slightly, eyes flickering between suspicion and curiosity. Thou art bold... yet I sense truth in thee. Though weakened, he detected no immediate threat, only a steady hand guiding him with care. The flicker of gold and crimson in his eyes slowly dimmed as he drew a measured breath. The fiery glow faded entirely, leaving soft, calm hazel pupils, human and grounding.
The estate stretched around them in broken grandeur, its crumbling walls and dust-laden corridors full of shadows and secrets. Kieran guided Morlith carefully through the hallways, each step measured. He shielded him from anything that might startle or harm him, his hand firm but gentle at Morlith's back. He must not know how much I actually know... he must trust me first.
For a long moment, they walked in silence, broken only by Morlith's careful steps and the occasional whisper of wind through broken glass. Morlith's gaze flitted around constantly, taking in details-the cracks in the ceiling, the faded wallpaper, the lingering scent of decay. Every instinct screamed caution, yet he allowed himself to lean on Kieran, however slightly.
At one point, their arms brushed, and Morlith's pulse quickened-not from fear, but something strange and foreign. Kieran noticed the reaction but said nothing, simply keeping him steady. Their eyes met, and for a brief instant, something unspoken passed between them-curiosity, recognition, and a fragile spark that neither fully understood.
Finally, Kieran spoke again, voice steady and soft. "We should get you somewhere safe. I have a place nearby where you can rest and recover your strength."
Morlith inclined his head once more, allowing himself to be guided. This mortal... he is cautious yet strong. There is care in his actions, though he hides much. Though wary, he accepted the tentative trust of the human who had freed him-a human who knew far more than he could yet understand. The house was small but cozy, a stark contrast to the cold, crumbling estate they had left behind. Kieran led Morlith inside, helping him to a chair near a low table. "Sit here for a moment," he said. "I'll get you something to drink."
Morlith regarded him with caution, his gaze sharp and assessing. "Thou art unlike others I have met. Thy demeanor is calm... yet thou holdest knowledge of me, I feel it," he said quietly, his tone thoughtful.
Kieran forced a casual smile, careful to hide his awareness. "I just found you there. You have nothing to fear from me."
He moved about the room efficiently, fetching a glass of water and handing it to Morlith, who took it delicately, his fingers brushing Kieran's for just a moment. That brief contact sent another spark through the air, subtle but undeniable.
"Thou art gentle... for a mortal," Morlith said quietly, studying him. Kieran chuckled softly, shaking his head.
"Let's get you cleaned up," he said, guiding Morlith toward the bathroom. "You must be exhausted after... everything you've been through."
Morlith hesitated, then nodded. "I... trust thee, for now."
The bath was slow and careful. Kieran washed the grime of centuries from Morlith's body and long hair, his touch steady and gentle. Morlith mostly remained quiet, though he occasionally murmured fragments of his past: the centuries of imprisonment, the magic painting, the moments before he was sealed away. Kieran listened quietly, occasionally sharing small pieces of his own life.
"I've been on my own most of my life," he said. "My parents split when I was young, and I've had to figure things out by myself."
Morlith regarded him thoughtfully. A mortal alone... yet brave enough to guide me. Fascinating...
Once cleaned and settled, Kieran prepared a simple meal. Morlith ate carefully, measured and deliberate. Afterward, Kieran offered a blanket for the couch.
"I require a proper bed," Morlith said, voice pleading yet dignified. "A couch shall not suffice for one who hath been... confined these many years."
Kieran sighed but eventually gave in. "Fine... one night. But you better not move around too much."
They lay side by side, careful of space, but their proximity sent sparks of warmth and tension through the air. The quiet of the room enveloped them, yet both were acutely aware of each other's presence. Slowly, centuries of unrest pulled Morlith into sleep, his body finally surrendering to the exhaustion of freedom.
Kieran stayed awake a little longer, watching him. His mind swirled with worry, curiosity, and something more-something he couldn't yet name. The soft hazel of Morlith's eyes in repose, the way his body had leaned so naturally against him, the flicker of trust-they lingered in Kieran's thoughts.
The room softened into silence, marking the tentative beginning of trust, companionship, and a bond that would grow far beyond this night.