Life in Elberath, for Rael, had a predictable rhythm, like the ebb and flow of Aether in the air. Mornings for brutal training with his father, afternoons for odd jobs or deliberate idleness, and evenings for gazing at the fractured moon, contemplating the simplicity of being the son of a legend. Today was one of the working days.
"Are you sure you don't want me to lure it out?" Selie asked for the third time, her voice echoing oddly in the damp maw of the magma cave. The heat from within made the air shimmer, and the smell of sulfur stung the nostrils.
"And spoil all the fun? Unthinkable," Rael replied with a grin. He loosened his shoulder muscles, his violet eyes dancing as they scanned the crevices of the rock face. "Besides, it's an easy job. Old Man Hrolf just needs a few Salamandrix scales for a handguard commission from the capital. Scales from a live lizard have a better sheen."
Their task was simple: enter one of the hidden magma vents in the hills surrounding Elberath, find a Salamandrix, harvest a few scales without killing the creature, and leave before its mother appeared. Salamandrix were giant fire lizards, but the ones inhabiting this cave were mostly young and relatively harmless, more often used as a source of magical materials by artisans.
Rael stepped deeper, the searing heat seemingly unaffected him. He channeled a bit of Knight's Aura—a basic technique taught by his father—throughout his body, creating a thin energy sheath that neutralized the extreme temperature. It was a trick that made miners envious, but for Rael, it was as easy as breathing.
Soon, he spotted it. A young Salamandrix, about the size of a large dog, basking on a glittering obsidian rock. Its scales were a vibrant orange, radiating their own heat. The creature hissed at Rael's presence, its forked tongue flicking out.
"Easy there, friend," Rael murmured, his tone dismissive. "I just need a little trim."
With a swift movement, Rael lunged forward. He didn't use a sword; his father had always stressed the importance of efficiency. He slid low, avoiding a small burst of flame from the lizard's mouth, and with an open palm, he tapped the creature's neck with concentrated Aura energy. Not enough to hurt, just enough to momentarily daze it.
The Salamandrix wobbled, its eyes rolling. Rael quickly used a small, specially designed dagger to neatly pry a few scales from its back. They fell into his hand, warm like stones freshly pulled from a fireplace.
"All done," he said, putting the scales into a leather pouch. He patted the dazed lizard's head. "Next time, don't bask so much. It's bad for your skin."
As he turned, Selie was already behind him, carrying a waterskin. "You always make it look too easy," she said, a mixture of admiration and exasperation in her voice.
"Because it is easy," Rael replied, taking the waterskin and taking a long drink. "This world isn't as scary as people say, Sel. It just takes a little… flair."
They walked back to the village under the twin lights of Aethel and Solara. As they approached the main square, Rael sensed something was different. The air felt heavier, and an odd silence hung over the place usually bustling with the chatter of merchants and children. Villagers gathered in small groups, whispering and staring towards his house.
"What's going on?" Selie murmured, sensing the tension.
Rael narrowed his eyes. In front of his house, stood two figures whose presence was so powerful it altered the entire atmosphere of the village. One was his father, Velkarion, standing as calmly as ever. However, the two guests before him were the center of all attention.
The first figure was a middle-aged man with golden-blond hair and a pristine white robe that shimmered. His face radiated serenity and wisdom, and an aura of pure light magic emanated gently from him, calming anyone nearby. It was Cassien of Asterin, the Leader of the Protectorate Order, known as the Knight of Light.
Beside him stood a stark contrast. A giant woman, nearly eight feet tall, with skin as hard as stone and thick, braided fiery red hair. Her powerful muscles were clearly visible beneath her plated shoulder armor, and on her back rested a giant warhammer that looked heavier than Rael himself. It was Kara Ironflame, the Thunder Hammer of Zundraal, another member of the Order, legendary for her unmatched strength.
"Oh," Rael said, his demeanor instantly shifting from wary to nonchalant. "Just Dad's work buddies."
Selie elbowed him hard. "Work buddies? That's Cassien the Knight of Light and Kara Ironflame! They're the greatest heroes in Virelya!"
Rael shrugged. "My dad's a hero too. They're just here for a reunion, probably."
He strolled casually through the crowd, ignoring the awestruck stares and whispers of the villagers. Velkarion saw his arrival and a slight smile played on his lips.
"Rael. You arrive at the perfect time," Velkarion said. "Greet your father's old friends. This is Cassien, and this is Kara."
Cassien smiled warmly, his wise eyes studying Rael from head to toe. "So this is the young man you often speak of, Velkarion. An honor to meet you, Rael. Your father was my teacher, my mentor."
"Yeah, he taught me a lot," Rael replied casually, glancing at Kara's hammer. "Like, how not to carry that much furniture when traveling. Bad for your back."
Kara Ironflame snorted, her voice like grinding stones. Her sharp eyes fixed on Rael without blinking. "This one has your mouth, Velkarion. But I haven't seen his strength yet."
"He's still learning," Velkarion said calmly, placing a hand on Rael's shoulder.
"I saw you fight a dragon alongside your father in the Snow War," Kara continued, not breaking her gaze from Rael. "You risked everything for this world. I hope your son understands the weight of that legacy." There was a sharp edge to her voice, a warning.
"I understand how to pluck lizard scales without making it cry. That's enough for now," Rael retorted with a smirk.
Cassien's face showed a flicker of concern at Rael's attitude, but he remained diplomatic. "All journeys begin with a single step. We came because there's something important we need to discuss with your father. Matters concerning the continent's security."
"Alright, I'll leave you to your 'adult conversation'," Rael said, making air quotes. "I need to deliver these scales. See you later, Miss Hammer, Mr. Light."
He turned and walked away, pointedly ignoring Kara's piercing gaze and Velkarion's sigh. To him, these heroes were nothing more than relics of his father's past, reminders of a world of battles and politics that held no appeal for him. His world was Elberath, his training, and his flirtations with Selie.
However, as he delivered the scales to Old Man Hrolf and received a few coins in payment, curiosity began to gnaw at him. What was so important that it brought two of the seven greatest heroes to their secluded village?
On his way home, he deliberately took a detour behind his house. The living room window was slightly ajar. He slowed down, sharpening his hearing.
"...anomalies in Elyvion are becoming more frequent," Cassien's voice sounded serious. "Gravity is unstable, and our seers are seeing shadows unlike anything before. We fear the ancient seal is weakening."
"The Kyreth mages feel the same," Kara's heavy voice added. "The Aether around the southern continent feels…sick. As if something is sucking it out from within."
There was a pause before his father's voice answered, deeper and heavier than usual. "I've stayed out of those affairs for years, my friends."
"But the world needs you again, Velkarion," Cassien urged. "The Velmorth influence… we fear its return. The Order is fractured from within, we need a symbol of hope. We need you."
Rael frowned. Velmorth. The name sounded familiar, like a whisper from a frightening bedtime story. A creature from beyond dimensions defeated millennia ago. He snorted softly. They must be overworked. Ancient monsters, weakening seals. That's a story for books, not real life. His father was retired.
He moved away from the window, losing interest. Inside, Velkarion stared at his two friends, his golden eyes burning with an intensity they couldn't comprehend. Love and betrayal warred within his gaze. He was the source of the anomaly they feared, the keeper of the seal who was also the key to unlocking it.
When Cassien and Kara finally left a few hours later, the sky was beginning to blush with the sunset glow of Solara. Kara gave one last look at Rael, who was practicing his sword swings in the yard. It was a cold, calculating look, as if she were sizing up a threat. Cassien, on the other hand, gave him a sad smile, as if he saw potential and danger in the same package.
That night, as Rael sat on the roof as usual, gazing at the fractured Ishkar, his mind wasn't entirely at peace. The visit had left an echo. He looked towards his house, where his father's silhouette was visible through the window, sitting silently in his chair. For the first time, Rael felt that his father wasn't just a hero in a story that was over. He was part of an ongoing story, a story far darker and more complex than he had ever imagined. And somehow, he felt the next chapter was about to begin, with or without his consent.