Lucian fell to the ground on his knees, unable to support himself. The echo of those words resounded in every corner of his mind like endless thunder. His heart pounded with such force that he feared it would burst in his chest.
G-G-God...? -she murmured, her voice barely a broken whisper.
The tree did not respond instantly. Its flames continued to dance, their blue glow reflecting off the walls of the cavern. It was as if the fire itself was watching it, evaluating, judging.
Lucian swallowed saliva, unable to look away from the immense trunk engulfed in flames. He clenched his fists, feeling the cold stone under his fingers.
-No... it can't be," he muttered, his words laden with disbelief. Why? Why me? Why here?!
He looked up into the flames, his eyes filled with a mixture of fury and despair.
-What are you supposed to want from me?! -I'm lost in the middle of a storm, separated from my family, on the brink of death! And now you tell me that you... you are God!
-I don't want this," he continued, his tone rising with despair. I didn't ask for any of this! I don't want to be part of any prophecy, I don't want to fight demons, or save worlds, or... or... or...! -Her voice broke, choked by a sob that escaped from her chest. I just want to be with them... with my family.
She closed her eyes tightly, and the image of Edwin and Seraphina flashed in her mind. Edwin's laughter as he talked about his inventions. Seraphina's intense, critical gaze, always ready to order him around or correct him. And his mother... his mother, with that tired but loving smile, even after everything he had said to her.
A lump formed in his throat.
-I said horrible things..." he whispered, his voice cracking like a leaf under the weight of a torrent. All those revelations... it was like a fog that clouded my mind. I was furious, I was... desperate.
Tears began to slide down his face, hot against the cold that enveloped him.
-I shouted at my mother.... -He continued, his voice barely a whisper. Why, why did I say those things to her? She was always... always there for me. She always sacrificed everything. And I... I hurt her.
The pain was unbearable. She put her hands to her face, trying to hold back the tears, but it was no use.
-I just want to go home... have dinner with the family... tell silly stories... listen to Edwin go on and on about his plans, Seraphina criticize me for not having a clue how anything works, and... and apologizing to my mother.
The fire danced in front of him, its light reflecting in the furrows of his tears.
-I want to tell her that I'm sorry... that I didn't mean it..." he whispered desperately, his words broken by sobs. I don't know what to do without them.
The blue fire was silent for a moment, as if reflecting on Lucian's words. The flames began to move more slowly, their flashes casting soft shadows on the cavern walls. Then a deep, calm, ancient voice emerged from the fire, echoing not only in space, but also in Lucian's soul.
-What do you really want, Lucian? -asked the voice, without judgment or reproach, only solemn curiosity. You speak of your family, of the desire to return to them, to dine together, to laugh, to ask for forgiveness. And yet, all of this is a longing for something that was never perfect. Is that what you seek? A memory? Or the power to make amends for what you think you broke?
Lucian looked up, his lips quivering.
-I just want to be with them again," he murmured. I just want to make it right.
Fire blinked, as if responding with a sigh.
-The desire to make things right is noble, but listen well, Lucian: you can't make amends for the past from the past. Regret doesn't change what you said, but the love that follows it can heal what was broken.
Lucian frowned, still with tears running down his cheeks.
-Then what should I do? -he asked with a pleading tone. If I can't change what I said, how am I supposed to fix it?
The fire intensified slightly, like a deep heartbeat.
-Forgiveness doesn't begin with words, but with change. You say the revelations were like a fog that clouded your mind. But the problem is not the fog; it is what you allowed to grow in your heart while you were lost in it.
The voice paused, as if to make sure Lucian heard every word.
-Love is not shown in the calm moments, but in the storm. And though you are here now, separated from them, your love can still guide them. Every step you take to find yourself, to be someone better, will be a silent promise that when you see them again, you will not be the same man who hurt them.
The words hit Lucian like a cold and, at the same time, warm wave. He lowered his gaze, clenching his fists on the floor.
-But... what if I never get the chance to ask for their forgiveness? -He muttered in a broken voice. What if I never return to them?
The fire seemed to wane, its light growing dimmer and softer, like an embrace.
-Forgiveness does not depend on being heard. If your repentance is genuine, you will carry it in your heart like a beacon, and they will feel it, even if you are not present. But if what you seek is only to assuage your own guilt, then it is not forgiveness you desire, but redemption.
Lucian looked up again, puzzled by the difference.
-What is the difference?
-Forgiveness is a gift to those you hurt. Redemption, on the other hand, is the weight you must carry until you become worthy of the love you fear you have lost.
The voice paused for a moment, letting the words penetrate deeply into the young man.
-So I ask you again, Lucian: what is it that you really desire?
The fire remained motionless, waiting for his answer. Lucian, still weeping, felt something inside him begin to change, as if a spark of clarity illuminated his despair. Slowly, she relaxed her fists, dropping her hands to her sides. She looked at the ring on her finger, that small object that connected her memories with her family.
-What I really want..." she said in a trembling voice, her eyes fixed on the ring, "is to find them. My mother ... Edwin ... Seraphina. But not just to be with them again. I need to apologize to them... I need to make things right.
He was silent for a moment, before looking up at the fire with determination.
-And for that, I have to go to the kingdom of Valteris. I have to find my real father. Perhaps he has the answers I need.
The fire seemed to flicker at his words, as if considering his resolve. God's voice came again, low and deep.
-You cannot leave. If you do it now, you will die.
Lucian frowned in confusion, but before he could protest, God continued:
-The world you knew no longer exists, nor will it ever be again as you remember it. The gates of hell have opened, and with them, beasts and monsters have been released from their bonds. Curses will fall upon mankind, plagues will scourge the lands, and evil will reign as never before. Humans will be no different from demons, for the sin they have sown is too great.
Lucian listened in silence, each word pounding like a hammer in his spirit.
-And you," the voice continued, "you are the one who must stop them.
The young man took a step back, shaking his head.
-Me?" he muttered, incredulous. "I can't do that. I'm just a human. I have no power... no strength to face all this. I can barely face my own pain, how am I supposed to face an entire world full of demons?
The voice did not respond immediately, as if considering his words. Then it spoke with a calmness that cut like an edge.
-Power is not just a matter of strength, Lucian. The greatest battle is not against what you see outside, but against what you carry inside. Fear, doubt, despair... these are the chains that bind you. And until you break them, you will remain weak.
Lucian looked at the burning tree, feeling the weight of each word, but still shook his head.
-I can't stay here," he said, gritting his teeth. I need to find my father. I need to find my family.
The fire crackled, and the voice responded, this time with unrelenting firmness:
-You may leave, but only when you pull out the sword that is stuck in this cave.
Lucian turned his head in confusion. Then he saw it. In the center of the cave, buried in a black rock, an ancient-looking sword waited. Its blade glowed faintly in the firelight, and its hilt seemed to be made of a strange metal, decorated with symbols he didn't recognize.
-Is that all? -he asked incredulously. If that's what I have to do to get out of here, I'll do it.
He approached the sword with determination, reaching out for the hilt. As he touched it, he felt a strange vibration run through his body, but he didn't stop. With all his strength, he tried to pull the sword.
-Come on... come on! -he growled, gritting his teeth as he tried to move it.
But the sword didn't flinch. He tried again, shifting position, pushing and pulling with all his might. Again and again, he struggled against the rock, but it was useless.
Tired, breathing hard, he dropped to the ground. He looked up at the fire, frustration in his eyes.
-It's impossible," he gasped, "I can't get it out, it's useless!
God's voice resounded again, calm but relentless.
-Until you pull out that sword, you can't leave.
Lucian, furious and exhausted, looked up.
-And how long will it take me? -he asked desperately. Days? Weeks? Months?
The fire crackled before answering.
-Hours, days, weeks, or even years. Time doesn't matter.
Lucian gritted his teeth, pounding the ground in frustration.
-I can't wait that long! I'll starve to death before I make it.
God's voice resounded like thunder, echoing throughout the cave.
-As long as you are here, you will not hunger or thirst. You will be protected. But if you leave this place before your time, you will die.
Lucian was silent, confused and stunned. Before he could say anything else, the voice rose one last time, with overwhelming force:
-When you walk the path that awaits you, remember to be strong, for difficult times will come to test your will and your faith. But if you persevere and do not turn from your purpose, the day will come when, when you are ready, we will meet again.
The fire in the tree suddenly disappeared, plunging the cave into a dark silence. Lucian stared at the place where the fire once burned, stunned. He took a deep breath and stood up, wiping the sweat from his forehead.
He turned to the sword, feeling a weight on his chest. He didn't know how long it would take, but one thing was clear to him.
-I don't know how long it will take... but I will get it out. Whatever it takes. And I will see them again.
Lucian approached the sword again, this time with renewed determination. His journey had just begun.