The Promised Of Elaria

The Midnight Watch

Ethan tossed and turned on the plush bedding inside the tent, unable to find sleep. His mind raced, overwhelmed by the events of the past few days. Being pulled into this strange, otherworldly realm of Elaria, where women treated him like a living prophecy, was more than he could process.

Every time he closed his eyes, flashes of the women, the Mother, their eager gazes, and whispered words of devotion filled his thoughts. It was like a pressure building inside him, something unfamiliar and heavy that he couldn’t quite name. How could he be expected to father children for a whole realm? It seemed absurd.

With a heavy sigh, Ethan sat up, rubbing his temples. Sleep wasn’t going to come easily, not with so much weighing on his mind. He needed fresh air, a walk something to clear his thoughts. Quietly, he slipped out of the bed, careful not to disturb the quiet within his tent.

The night air was cool against his skin as he stepped outside. The sky above Elaria shimmered with unfamiliar constellations, and the gentle breeze carried the faint scent of wildflowers. For a moment, it was peaceful almost serene. Ethan took a deep breath, letting it calm his restless mind.

But as he started walking toward the trees at the edge of the camp, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he wasn’t alone. It was subtle at first the sound of soft footsteps, barely audible, like shadows moving just beyond his sight. He paused, glancing over his shoulder, but saw nothing.

Shrugging it off, Ethan continued walking, his feet crunching lightly on the grass beneath him. Maybe he was just being paranoid. This world was strange, and his senses were heightened from the constant attention he received during the day. He wandered farther from the camp, enjoying the quiet solitude.

Unbeknownst to him, several pairs of eyes were watching his every move from the shadows. Hidden among the trees, a group of women followed him, carefully keeping their distance. They had been ordered by the Mother herself to ensure that Ethan didn’t wander too far or lose his way. After all, he was their precious Promised One, and nothing could be left to chance.

One of the women, a tall and serious figure named Lyra, whispered to the others, her voice barely a breath in the night. “Stay close, but not too close. The Mother said he mustn’t know we’re watching him.”

The others nodded in agreement, their eyes never leaving Ethan as he walked, seemingly unaware of their presence. They moved like shadows, quick and silent, blending into the darkness of the night.

Ethan continued to stroll, oblivious to his followers. His mind was preoccupied with thoughts of home if he’d ever see it again and the weight of the expectations placed upon him in Elaria. He wondered how long he could keep refusing the advances of the women. He wasn’t some savior, not in the way they believed.

As he approached the edge of the camp, where the trees grew denser, Ethan stopped. The air was cooler here, and the gentle rustling of leaves created a calming ambiance. He took a seat on a large rock, resting his elbows on his knees as he stared out into the forest.

“I can’t do this,” he muttered to himself, his voice barely above a whisper. “I didn’t ask for this. I’m just... some guy. What do they expect from me?”

Behind him, Lyra and the others exchanged glances. They could hear his words, his frustration. It was clear to them that the Promised One was struggling with his role, and they would need to report back to the Mother. But for now, their task was to make sure he stayed safe.

Lyra signaled to the others to remain hidden as she took a small step forward, her eyes fixed on Ethan. She was tempted to reveal herself, to comfort him, to tell him that everything would be alright that he was the key to their future. But the Mother’s orders were clear: they were to observe, not interfere.

Ethan stood again, running a hand through his hair. “What would they even do if I just left? Walked away from all this? Could I even leave this place?” He shook his head, dismissing the thought. There didn’t seem to be a way back home.

As he began walking back toward the camp, the women followed in silence, their movements fluid and practiced. They had been trained for this, watching and waiting for the moment when they would be called upon to serve the Promised One. But they had to remain patient. His time to lead would come soon enough.

By the time Ethan reached the edge of his tent, he paused once more, looking over his shoulder. For a brief moment, he thought he saw something a flicker of movement among the trees. But when he looked again, there was nothing. Just the night.

He sighed, stepping back into the tent and lying down on the bed, though sleep still eluded him. Outside, the women retreated into the shadows, disappearing back into the camp, ready to report to the Mother.