Kael's journey had just begun, and every step he took seemed to lead him deeper into a world he could barely comprehend. The mark on his hand pulsed, its power a constant reminder that he was not just a mere wanderer in this world—but a player in a much larger game.
Vasra led him through the winding corridors of the ancient sanctuary, her expression unreadable. Eldric walked silently beside her, his eyes distant, as if lost in thoughts of his own. Kael had been silent for most of the walk, too overwhelmed to ask the questions swirling in his mind. But the silence was growing unbearable, and finally, he couldn't keep it in anymore.
"How do I begin this search for these allies?" Kael asked, his voice low, almost hesitant. "How do I even know where to look? What exactly am I supposed to do?"
Vasra glanced at him, her eyes sharp but not unkind. "You will start by learning to listen. The world speaks in ways you may not understand at first. Ancient relics, old ruins, stories passed down through generations—these are the threads of the past. They are everywhere, but you must learn to see them, to read them."
Eldric spoke up, his voice soft but firm. "The first clue will be in the city of Lys'tar. A place forgotten by most, but not by those who have borne the mark. It is there that you will find the first sign, hidden in plain sight."
Kael frowned. "What is Lys'tar? I've never heard of it."
"It is an ancient city, once vibrant and full of life, now a ruin lost to time," Eldric explained. "But its history is woven deeply into the legacy of the mark. The answers you seek are there, waiting for you to uncover them."
Kael's heart pounded in his chest. The idea of searching for something so elusive, something hidden in a forgotten city, filled him with both excitement and trepidation. But he had no choice. The Keepers were out there, and if he wanted to survive, he needed to find the allies who could help him.
"And how do I know where to start looking in Lys'tar?" Kael asked, trying to steady his racing thoughts.
"Follow the symbols," Vasra said simply. "They are everywhere. They will guide you. The mark you bear will begin to glow when you are near something important, something you need to see. Trust it."
The words were cryptic, but Kael could feel the weight of them. He had learned to trust his instincts, to listen to the pull of the mark, but this... this was different. This was something deeper, something more dangerous.
As they reached the door to the outside, Kael took one last look around the sanctuary. It had been his safe haven, the place where he had first learned to control the mark. But now, it was time to leave it behind. The world outside was waiting, filled with dangers and answers alike.
Vasra stopped in front of the door and turned to Kael. "The road ahead is treacherous. The Keepers are watching, and they will not let you go unchallenged. But you are not without power. Use it wisely."
Eldric placed a hand on Kael's shoulder, his grip strong and steady. "You must remain focused. The mark is powerful, yes, but it is not invincible. You will face trials that will test you in ways you cannot yet imagine. But you are ready. Trust in what you have learned, and trust in yourself."
Kael nodded, the weight of their words settling on his shoulders. This was it. The first real step toward uncovering the truth about the mark and his place in this world. He wasn't sure where this path would take him, or if he would even survive the dangers ahead. But there was one thing he knew for certain: he wasn't turning back now.
With a final look at the sanctuary, Kael stepped through the door, into the unknown.
The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the landscape. The air was thick with the promise of something more, something hidden just beyond the horizon. Lys'tar was waiting, and Kael could feel the pull of the city, calling to him like a distant memory.
As he began his journey toward the city, he couldn't help but wonder what he would find there. What would the first clue be? And what kind of allies would he encounter? The answers seemed just out of reach, but Kael could feel them beckoning, like a thread pulled by an unseen hand.
The road ahead was long, and Kael knew that every step would bring him closer to the truth. But it would also bring him closer to the darkness that had been watching him. The Keepers were out there, waiting for him to slip up, to make a mistake.
And they wouldn't stop until they saw him fall.
But Kael was determined. The mark may have been a curse, but it was also his strength. And as long as he had it, he would never stop fighting.
Lys'tar was waiting. The journey had just begun.