Alexander's eyelids fluttered open, his vision blurred and disoriented. His head throbbed, and the air around him was thick with smoke and the stench of burning wood. A dull ache filled his body, as if every muscle had been pulled beyond its limits. But it wasn't the physical pain that had his attention—it was the overwhelming, suffocating silence.
The familiar sounds of Valeshire—the soft rustling of the breeze, the laughter of children—were gone. Replaced by the oppressive quiet of a village reduced to ashes.
He raised his hand to his face, only to pause as his fingers brushed against something sticky—something cold. He looked down to find his body covered in blood, both his own and his mother's. His clothes, torn and tattered, barely clung to his form. The crimson stains had long since dried, soaking into the fabric and hardening against his skin. The unmistakable scent of death lingered in the air, clinging to him.
The memories came rushing back in a violent flash. His mother, Eveline, falling to the ground, the dark being's claws sinking into her side. Her voice, weak but resolute, telling him to live. And then, darkness. The world had blurred, and now, it was only this—the aftermath.
His mother was gone.
But he was still here.
The air was thick with smoke and the remnants of destruction. His body felt heavier than it should, a gnawing sense of confusion crawling under his skin. His fingers trembled as he tried to make sense of what had happened—how he was alive when everything had been destroyed.
He could barely feel the remnants of the power that had surged through him, but it was gone, like a fading dream.
Alexander looked around, the remnants of his village stretching out before him—burned homes, shattered structures, and charred earth. Not a single living soul remained in sight.
The sound of hooves broke through his dazed thoughts.
He turned toward the noise. A group of knights on horseback approached, their heavy armor gleaming in the pale light. Their eyes widened in disbelief as they took in the scene before them, their expressions grim.
One of them, a knight clad in dark armor, dismounted with swift precision, his boots crunching against the ash-covered ground. He looked at Alexander, the boy standing amidst the ruin, his clothes torn, his body bloodied.
"By the gods… What happened here?" The knight's voice trembled with shock. He was trying to make sense of the sight before him but struggled to comprehend how this young boy had survived.
The other knights dismounted cautiously, their weapons drawn, unsure of what they might encounter. Their eyes were filled with pity as they looked at Alexander—his face was ashen, his eyes vacant but focused, as though he had seen too much to process.
One knight, a burly man with a scar across his face, stepped forward. "You're the boy from Valeshire, right? You're… still alive?"
Alexander didn't answer, his gaze vacant, focused on nothing in particular. His throat was dry, the weight of his mother's loss sitting heavily on him.
The knight seemed to hesitate for a moment before continuing, his tone gentler now. "We need to take you back. House Draymere will want to know what happened here. You don't belong here anymore, not with what's left of Valeshire."
Alexander remained silent, his mind spinning, his body aching. His mother's voice echoed faintly in his thoughts—Live, my son... live.
Without another word, the knights made their way to him, gently pulling him to his feet. Alexander's legs wobbled, weak and unsteady, but he managed to stand.
One of the knights spoke again, his voice laced with a mixture of concern and confusion. "You don't seem to be hurt… How is this possible?"
Alexander didn't answer. He had no answer to give. The only thing that filled his mind was the image of his mother, the burning village, and the terrible creatures that had come out of the shadows. He had survived, but at what cost?
And what now?
---
The knights led Alexander away from the charred remains of Valeshire, their voices muted in the distance as the weight of what had happened pressed heavily on his shoulders. His thoughts were a blur of confusion, pain, and loss. But one thought remained constant: What now?
The ride felt like an eternity, the steady rhythm of the horses' hooves barely registering as Alexander sat motionless, his body a ghost of the boy he once was. His mother's death haunted him, her final words—Live, my son... live— echoing in his mind with every heartbeat. But how could he live? How could anyone live after witnessing such destruction?
By the time they reached the fortress of House Draymere, the day had begun to wane, and a cold, oppressive darkness had settled over the land. The knights escorted him inside the stone walls, leading him into a grand hall where the heads of the six noble houses of Elaria would convene. Their grim faces awaited him.
The room was large and ornate, adorned with tapestries depicting the ancient history of the kingdom and the great battles fought against the dark beings. The air was thick with tension, as murmurs echoed across the room from those gathered at the round table. Six seats were filled by men and women of authority, the powerful lords and ladies who controlled Elaria's fate. Their eyes fell on Alexander as he was brought before them.
House Draymere's head, Lord Cedric Draymere, a tall man with salt-and-pepper hair and a stern expression, looked at Alexander with concern, but his face was unreadable. He was the first to speak.
"This boy…" Lord Cedric's voice was heavy, his brow furrowed in thought. "The last surviving member of Valeshire?"
Alexander remained silent, his eyes downcast, his body still covered in the blood of his mother and himself. His mind felt too clouded to form words.
The council members exchanged glances, their expressions grim as they processed the news of the attack.
"We've received word that the shadow beings are becoming bolder," Lady Ilyana of House Falorn spoke up, her voice sharp and clear. "Reports from the border towns confirm that they've been attacking more frequently. But to hear of an attack so deep within Elaria's territory… it's unprecedented."
Lord Magnus of House Kreel, his deep voice rumbling through the room, added, "The creatures have been seen moving in larger numbers. This isn't just an isolated attack. This is a coordinated effort."
The air in the room grew heavier, tension thickening with each passing moment. Alexander could feel the eyes of the council members on him, but he couldn't focus on them. He had no answers to give them. His mind was still too numb from the loss he'd just suffered.
"I've heard reports that the shadow beings are evolving," Lord Cedric said, glancing toward Lady Elara of House Calenor. "Are these reports true?"
Lady Elara nodded, her brow furrowed in worry. "The creatures are becoming more dangerous. Their attacks are no longer random; they seem to be targeting specific locations, and their strength is increasing. We believe they're preparing for something... something larger."
The council fell silent at the thought. Something larger. The very idea sent a ripple of fear through the room.
Lord Cedric cleared his throat. "We can no longer ignore the growing threat. This boy—" he gestured toward Alexander, "—is a witness to the destruction in Valeshire. He will need protection. And we must make a decision on how to deal with these shadow beings before they reach our doorstep."
The room was filled with murmurs of agreement. The heads of the houses were already formulating plans in their minds, though none spoke immediately. Lady Ilyana, ever the strategist, was the first to break the silence.
"We need to strengthen our borders," she said, her eyes sharp with resolve. "Send more patrols to the outer regions. And we should prepare our forces for a potential invasion."
Lord Magnus nodded. "We need to ensure that the rest of the kingdom is ready. The shadow beings are becoming more organized. Their attacks aren't just happening at night anymore. They're becoming bolder."
A heavy silence settled over the room again as the gravity of their situation became clear. The alliance of the three kingdoms was the last line of defense, but it seemed as though the dark beings were relentless. And now, with Valeshire destroyed, the pressure was on to act before it was too late.
After a moment, Lord Cedric turned back to Alexander. His tone softened. "We will do everything we can to ensure your safety. For now, stay within House Draymere's walls. You are not alone."
Alexander's heart felt heavy. He didn't know what the future held, but he knew this much: the war against the shadow beings had just begun.