Ten years. Ten years since the cataclysmic battle that shattered the Obsidian Citadel and seemingly ended the reign of the Shadow Lord Malkor. Ten years since I, Kael, the Dragon Knight, vanished into the mystical Whispering Woods, leaving behind a kingdom fractured and a people scarred. Ten years of silence, broken only by the occasional, hushed rumour whispering on the wind.
Now, I return.
The scent of pine and damp earth fills my lungs as I emerge from the woods, the familiar sting of the wind a welcome change from the stifling stillness of the Whispering Woods’ heart. Before me, the once-proud capital city of Eldoria sits nestled in the valley, its silhouette etched against the fiery sunset. But it’s not the grandeur I remember. The once-imposing castle walls are scarred, showing the ravages of time and, perhaps, more recent conflicts. The city itself seems smaller, quieter, draped in a melancholic shroud.
My armour, forged in the heart of a dying star, feels heavy, burdened not just by its weight, but by the weight of expectation, of memory, of a responsibility I'd thought I’d escaped. My dragon, Ignis, circles overhead, his fiery breath a brief burst of familiar warmth against the encroaching chill of the evening. His scales, once vibrant crimson, now hold a dullness that mirrors my own weary heart.
What happened to Eldoria after the Shadow Lord was defeated?
The victory over Malkor wasn't a clean sweep. While the Shadow Lord was vanquished, his influence lingered, like a malignant stain on the land. His followers, scattered but not broken, regrouped, creating pockets of resistance and unrest. The ensuing power vacuum led to internal strife, with various factions vying for control in the absence of a strong central authority. Eldoria, weakened by the war, struggled to rebuild, facing not only physical damage but also a deep-seated societal trauma. The whispers of Malkor's return became a constant source of fear and uncertainty, hindering the city's recovery.
Was Kael really gone for ten years?
Yes, in a way. The Whispering Woods is more than just a forest; it’s a nexus of time and space. Within its depths, time flows differently. While ten years passed in the outside world, I spent a period of intense spiritual and physical training, honing my skills and seeking a deeper understanding of the magic that binds the world. My journey wasn't a simple retreat; it was a necessary pilgrimage, a quest to understand the true nature of the Shadow Lord's power and to find a way to ensure his return would never be possible.
What kind of magic binds the world?
The world of Aerthos is bound by a delicate balance of opposing forces: light and shadow, order and chaos. Malkor sought to exploit this balance, to tip it irreversibly into shadow. The magic I encountered in the Whispering Woods revealed the intricate connections between these forces and the potential to manipulate them – a power both terrifying and potentially life-saving. My training involved learning to navigate this delicate balance and to harness its potential for good.
What will Kael do now that he is back?
My return isn't a triumphant homecoming. I sensed a darkness stirring, a new threat emerging from the shadows left by Malkor. The whispers I heard before leaving the woods spoke of a growing evil, stronger and more insidious than before. My immediate priority is to assess the current state of Eldoria, understand the factions battling for control, and uncover the source of this new menace. The fight, I fear, is far from over. The dragon roars, a low rumble of anticipation and warning. The hero has returned, but the true battle has only just begun.
