WHOOOOSH! The tree fell to the ground with a resounding crash as Drake cut it down with his wind blade magic.
The sound of the wind whipping through the air was followed by the creaking and groaning of the tree's trunk as it gave way to the powerful magic.
Drake stepped back, surveying his handiwork with a nod of satisfaction. "The wood is all ready for the camp, and it'll be sufficient for the food as well," he said to himself.
He looked up at the clouds, his eyes narrowing in worry. A faint furrow creased his brow as he searched the sky for any sign of his companion.
"He hasn't returned yet," Drake muttered to himself, his voice tinged with concern. "I wonder what's taking him so long."
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"We are against what the other Phobians are plotting," Zarak said, his voice low and determined, his jaw clenched in resolve. He leaned forward, his eyes locked onto mine, and I could see the intensity burning within them.
"But they came to know about me, and now they're hunting me down. But they don't know about my Lord, and I wouldn't sell him out no matter what the cost." He stopped, his eyes blazing with an unyielding intensity, his fists clenched at his sides.
As he spoke, Zarak's body language conveyed his conviction. He stood tall, his shoulders squared, and his gaze never wavered.
His devotion to his Lord seemed fanatical, and I couldn't help but wonder what kind of person could inspire such loyalty.
"You said that your Lord demanded you steal it, right?" I asked, my voice firm but stable.I leaned back slightly, my eyes never leaving Zarak's face.
He nodded, his jaw clenched, and his eyes flashed with determination.
I continued, "Then what was the reason to steal it?" My question hung in the air. He took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling slowly, before speaking.
"I stole the Aetherstone because... because it's the key to preventing a catastrophe," he said, his words tumbling out in a rush. His voice was barely above a whisper, and I had to strain to hear him.
As he spoke, his hands trembled slightly, and his eyes darted around the cave, as if he feared being overheard.
"It's safe to say that until now, there hasn't been a single Phobian who has been able to wield the stone's power," he continued, his voice steady.
He paused, his eyes clouding over with worry, and his brow furrowed in concern.
"But if someone emerges to whom the stone accepts..." His voice trailed off, and his eyes went wide with terror.
He swallowed hard, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down, before continuing. "The consequences would be disastrous." I felt a lump form in my throat as I gulped, my mind racing with questions.
What do you mean?" I asked, my voice confused.
"The Phobians want power, and they'll stop at nothing to get it," Zarak said, his voice laced with a sense of urgency.
He leaned forward, his eyes locked onto mine, and I could see the fear and concern etched on his face.
"They're searching for the other five ancient power stones, as they already have two of them. But now, they only have one since I've stolen one." His words hung in the air, and I felt a sense of trepidation wash over me.
Zarak paused, his eyes gazing into the distance, as if lost in thought. The silence was oppressive, and I could feel the weight of his words settling in.
"If they were to find the other five Aetherstones..." His voice trembled slightly, and he swallowed hard before continuing. "If they were to gain control over the Aetherstones, the world would be plunged into chaos."
"Chaos?" I repeated, my voice barely above a whisper. "What would happen? What would be the possible outcome of it? what would they do after getting their hands on the stone?"
I asked, my curiosity and concern getting the better of me. My eyes were wide with a mix of fear and fascination, and I leaned forward, eager to hear Zarak's response.
Zarak's expression turned grim, "THE WAR WILL LIKELY BREAK OUT" he said, his voice low and measured. "THE WAR BETWEEN HUMANS AND PHOBIANS."
"A W-War?" I repeated, my voice shaking slightly.
Zarak nodded, his face grim, "It's not just a possibility, it's certainty," he said, his voice heavy with conviction.
"The Phobians want to conquer over the humans," Zarak said, his voice low and serious.
"They seek to dominate and control, to bend the humans to their will. And with the power of the Aetherstones, they may very well succeed." His words hung in the air.
"The Phobians are collecting the other five ancient energy stones, or Aetherstones, just like this one." As he finished speaking, he pulled out the Aetherstone from his clothing, and I couldn't help but gasp in awe.
The stone pulsed with a mesmerizing glow that shifted in color, ranging from deep violet to pale blue. The colors seemed to dance across its surface, reflecting its connection to the forces of air, magic, and energy.
The stone itself was smooth and cool to the touch, with intricate patterns running through its surface that seemed to shift and change depending on the angle of the light.
I found myself entranced by the stone's beauty, feeling an inexplicable pull towards it.
"So, this is..." I breathed, my voice barely above a whisper.
Without thinking, I reached out to touch the stone, my fingers making contact with its smooth surface. As soon as I did, the stone began to glow even more intensely, its colors shifting and swirling in a dizzying pattern.
My eyes widened in alarm as I watched the stone's reaction. "What's happening?" I asked, my voice laced with concern.
Zarak's eyes widened in stunned amazement as he stared at me, his mind reeling with the implications of what he had just witnessed.
"After three millennia," he thought to himself, his breath catching in his throat. "Impossible," he muttered, his eyes fixed on me with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion.
"But he's a mere human... but why? Why him?" He looked at me with an intensity that made me feel uneasy.
"What is your name, kid?" he asked, his voice low and urgent.
"I am Aries," I replied, my voice steady.
"Aries, come here," he asked, his hand extended towards me. I hesitated for a moment, sensing something was off, but my curiosity got the better of me. I approached him cautiously.
As soon as I was within reach, Zarak's expression changed.
His eyes flashed with a fierce intensity, and he pushed me to the ground. I fell hard, the wind knocked out of me.
Before I could react, Zarak sat on top of me, pinning me to the ground.
"Hey, what are you do-" I started to protest, but before I could finish, Zarak brutally forced the Aetherstone into my mouth.
My mouth was stretched wide, and I felt a searing pain as the stone's edges cut into my skin.
I struggle trying to set free, but Zarak's grip was too strong. I was trapped, unable to move or speak.
As I lay there, helpless and in agony, I couldn't help but wonder what Zarak's true intentions were. Was he trying to harness the stone's power through me? Or was there something more sinister at play?
As soon as Zarak made me devour the stone, he got up from me, and I felt a surge of energy course through my body.
"Aaaghh!" I shouted, my body glowing with a dark red aura.
The air around me distorted, as if the energy was affecting reality itself.
I stumbled backwards, overwhelmed by the power. My hands glowed with an intense, dark red light, and the aura pulsed and throbbed like a living thing.
I felt like I was losing control, but at the same time, I was exhilarated by the raw energy coursing through me. It happened as soon as I devoured the Aetherstone.
Zarak began to heal my mouth, which was covered in blood from the stone's brutal entry. His hands glowed with a soft, green light as he worked his magic, and I felt my wounds begin to close.
As soon as he finished healing me, he leaned against the nearby stone, his eyes scanning the horizon as if searching for something.
I stood up, my mouth still tender from the ordeal. "What did you do that for?" I demanded, expecting an explanation.
"Unlike the other Aetherstones, this one is like a living entity,"
Zarak started to explain. "It chooses its-"
He paused, his eyes wide in shock.
"What happened? Why did you stop?" I exclaimed,
but before he could respond, his eyes snapped open, and he exclaimed, "Aries... I... I can sense... He is... he is coming!." His voice was laced with a sense of urgency.