The darkness was absolute.
Slowly, he began to move toward a faint glimmer in the distance. The light grew stronger with every hesitant step until he finally emerged from what seemed to be a cave.
The rays of the sun brushed against his face, revealing a boy — no older than sixteen. His long black hair framed a pale face, and his eyes were so dark they seemed almost endless. Average in height, he stood there, confused, his expression filled with questions.
Where am I? What is this place?
A dirt road lay not far ahead. He started walking toward it, trying to piece together the fragments of his lost memories. The last thing he remembered... he had been fighting two sorcerers of the Seventh Circle.
But with whom? He couldn't recall.
Soon, he reached the road. Thoughts raced chaotically in his mind when he noticed a man driving a carriage nearby.
He approached.
The man stopped at once.
> "Hey, boy, what do you want?"
The boy replied quietly,
> "Where are we?"
> "You're at the borders of Hagna Village," the man answered.
"Hagna Village…?" he repeated, puzzled.
That name—he knew it. A border village south of the Sorcerers' Capital, Aska.
How did I end up here?
The man frowned.
> "What's wrong, kid?"
He didn't answer. Instead, he thanked the man softly and said,
> "I need to return to Aska."
> "Aska? The Sorcerers' Capital? What business do you have there?"
> "I'm from there," the boy said calmly.
The man blinked in surprise.
> "Wait… you're a sorcerer? What's your name, boy?"
He raised his eyes, his voice steady now.
> "Yes… I'm from the Eastern Tower of Aska. My name is Aether."