Emerald Green {Book Two}

The Revelation at Dawn

The first light of dawn crept through the small window, casting a soft glow over the room where Astraea lay. Eryk had packed his few belongings, the map Kisma had given him tucked safely inside his cloak. He stood by his mother's bedside, his heart heavy with the impending journey.

Astraea's eyes fluttered open, meeting his with a clarity that belied her weakened state. She reached out, her hand trembling slightly as Eryk took it in his own.

"My son," she whispered, her voice barely audible yet filled with an intensity that captured Eryk's full attention. "Before you go, there is something you must know."

Eryk knelt beside her, sensing the gravity of her words. "What is it, Mother?"

Astraea took a deep breath, steeling herself. "Your father... your father is not just any man. He is Loki, the god of mischief, bound by Odin's decree for reasons too complex for this moment. But know this, you carry his blood, his magic, and his spirit."

Eryk's eyes widened, a storm of emotions brewing within him. "Loki?" he echoed, the name resonating with stories and legends he had grown up hearing, tales of cunning, power, and betrayal.

"Yes," Astraea continued, "but he is more than the tales suggest. And you, Eryk, are a bridge between worlds, between light and shadow. You must be cautious. If ever you find yourself in dire need, as a last resort, you can call upon him. But be warned, invoking Loki could draw Odin's attention, and neither must know of your existence until the time is right."

Eryk processed her words, feeling the weight of his heritage settle upon his shoulders. "Why tell me now?" he asked, his voice a mix of awe and fear.

"Because, my dear child, you must know who you are, the legacy you carry, as you face the trials ahead. You are not alone in this world, even if you feel so at times. Your father's blood courses through you, granting you strengths you have yet to fully understand."

Astraea's hand squeezed his, her eyes glistening with tears. "Be wise, be brave, and remember, you are loved, not just by me but by the very essence of magic that flows through you. Use it, but use it wisely."

Eryk nodded, his resolve hardening. He leaned in, kissing her forehead gently. "I'll return, Mother, with the knowledge to heal you. And I'll carry your words with me, a beacon in the dark."

With one last look at Astraea, Eryk stood, his heart heavy yet filled with a newfound purpose. He stepped out into the burgeoning daylight, his journey now not just a quest for a cure but a path towards understanding his own identity, his lineage, and the legacy he was destined to either embrace or escape.