The air in the cave was thick with tension. Everyone stood frozen, still processing the shock of being trapped in this desolate place, when a sudden voice pierced the silence, causing them all to jump.
“I knew I was going to regret following you guys,” the voice cried out in a panicked tone.
Startled, Riona whipped her head around, her hand instinctively reaching for her sword. "Who’s there? Show yourself!"
Out from behind a large rock, Galen stumbled into view, his eyes wide with alarm. He was clutching his chest as if he had just narrowly avoided an attack.
“Relax, it’s just me,” Galen said, brushing himself off nonchalantly.
Ethan glared at him. "You followed us?"
"I think it'd be crazier if I didn’t," Galen replied with a shrug, his expression shifting to one of defensive amusement.
“How did you even know we were coming here?” Lira asked, crossing her arms.
Galen grinned mischievously. "You know me, I’m very inquisitive. So, when I walked past, I saw you, Riona, and Lira talking about something super secret. I just had to come with.”
“Why didn’t we notice you until now?” Riona asked, her skepticism growing.
“Cloaking spell,” Galen answered with a wink. "Makes sneaking around a lot easier."
“Oh, you're a warlock too,” Ethan remarked, raising an eyebrow.
“Yeah. You're not?” Galen shot back, but before anyone could respond, Lira waved her hand dismissively.
"Alright, guys! I think all this pleasantries can wait. We’re stuck in a cave for God’s sake. I think we have more pressing concerns than how we didn’t notice Galen following us."
Riona took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. “We’re stuck, yes, but I’m sure we can find a way out.”
Galen clapped his hands together enthusiastically. "We’ve got magic. A simple spell will have us out of here in a jiffy."
"Wait,” Riona warned quickly, but Galen was already gathering energy, his hands crackling with the familiar surge of lightning.
“This cave is made of magical materials. It amplifies magic and—” Riona tried to finish, but before she could say another word, Galen released a powerful bolt of lightning toward the cave entrance.
The crackling bolt hit the stone and immediately bounced back, striking Galen square in the chest. His body jolted violently as the current surged through him, and he collapsed, unconscious.
“...sends it back to where it was shot from,” Riona finished with a sigh, rolling her eyes. “This is why I didn’t want him to come with us.”
Ethan groaned. “Come on, let’s help him up.”
The group hurried over, dragging the now-limp Galen away from the cave entrance. Riona and Ethan propped him up against a large rock while Lira whispered a healing spell, her hands glowing a soft green as Galen’s body began to rejuvenate.
“What happened?” Galen’s voice was groggy, his eyelids fluttering as he regained consciousness.
“You did something stupid,” Lira remarked dryly, shooting him a look. “No surprises there.”
Galen blinked, slowly coming to his senses. “So… what are we in here for?”
“To find an inscription on the wall about a prophecy,” Lira replied, glancing over at Riona and Ethan who were still glaring at her. She shrugged. “Well, he’s trapped in here with us. The least we can do is tell him what’s going on.”
“And that, Ethan,” Riona began, her voice dripping with frustration, “is why I didn’t want her to come with us.”
Lira smirked. "Let's just go for what we came for. We’ll figure out a way out later."
“Lead the way, fearless leader,” Lira teased, nudging Riona in the shoulder.
Ignoring Lira, Riona turned and began walking deeper into the cave, her footsteps echoing in the cavernous space. Galen, now fully revived, was following along, stretching his limbs.
It wasn’t long before they reached the wall covered in strange, glowing symbols. The markings were alien, their shapes too intricate to decipher without knowledge of their meaning. But in the center of the wall, there was an elaborate diagram—a figure outlined in shadow, standing tall, cloaked in darkness.
Galen raised an eyebrow and stepped forward, studying the symbols. “I know this language.” He squinted at the inscription. “It’s ancient, but... I can read it.”
He began to speak the words aloud, his voice echoing in the chamber. The symbols seemed to shimmer with life as he spoke, the words of the prophecy coming to life.
~In the Time of Shadows, the One Who Holds the Seven,
The Heartstones he will claim, Binding the Forces of Life and Death.
When the Moon’s Light is Darkest, his Power Shall Rise,
And from the Depths, he shall Reclaim that which was Stolen.
In his Hand, the Fate of the Realms is Sealed—
For he shall have the Heartstones, the Keys to the Underworld and the Stars Above.
Beware the One Who Will Come. His Eyes Shall Burn with the Flame of Truth, and His Heart with the Cold of Lies. He Walks Among Us, Unseen, Until the Time of the Heart’s Awakening.
The Prophecy is Written. The End Begins with the Beginning.~
There was a heavy silence as the words sunk in. Lira, Ethan, and Riona exchanged uneasy glances, their faces pale as the weight of the prophecy settled upon them.
“Is this real?” Galen murmured, his voice shaky. He gestured to the picture of the cloaked figure on the wall, the shadowy image of ‘him.’ Even after Galen was done reading, the picture of 'him' was still glowing. “This—this looks a lot like Alistair.”
The others stepped forward, eyes wide with realization. The figure in the diagram was strikingly familiar. The same height, the same posture. The same cold, calculating air. But it wasn’t just the resemblance—it was the eyes. The eyes of the cloaked figure glowed with an unmistakable shade of gold, burning with a dangerous intensity.
“No,” Ethan whispered. “No, it can’t be.”
But the evidence was undeniable.
“This is him, isn’t it?” Riona said, her voice trembling. “Alistair... he’s the one the prophecy spoke of. He’s been gathering all the holders of the heartstone to—”
“To gain access to it,” Galen finished, his expression grim. “And when he does, he’ll fulfill the prophecy.”
The air grew colder, the weight of their discovery pressing down on them. Lira clenched her fists.
“We have to warn the others."
YOU ARE READING
Blood
FantasyEthan, a 16-year-old high school student, has always felt like an outsider in his small town. He's drawn to the mysterious and beautiful Emily, who's just transferred to his school. As they spend more time together, Ethan discovers that Emily is hid...
