[The Prophecy]
Two brothers born of one bloodline
Will rise and bring the end of time
With eyes that steal the magic's shine
They'll claim the magic, yours and mine
Each marked at birth upon the cheek
One left, one right, a sign they seek
Their eyes turn gold when powers wake
And every gift they see, they take
No kingdom will stand, no light remain
Together they will burn the world in flame
Their fight will break the world apart
And darkness swallow every heart
[Kaldren Mountain Outskirts]
Cold wind hit Kal's face as he ran across the mountain trail. A basket bounced on his back, full of herbs and roots he had picked along the way.
He jumped over a rock, grabbed a branch, and swung down onto a ledge. His feet landed hard, but he kept moving.
Kal wasn't just running. He was having fun.
He stopped beside a patch of blueleaf, ripped some out, and tossed it in the basket.
"Almost done," he said, wiping sweat from his brow.
But instead of turning back, he looked toward a narrow path heading deeper down the mountain. At the bottom, a small village sat hidden between trees and cliffs.
His smile turned a little guilty.
"She's never gonna know," he said with a quiet laugh.
"Almost done," he said, wiping sweat from his brow.
But instead of turning back, he looked toward a narrow path heading deeper down the mountain. At the bottom, a small village sat hidden between trees and cliffs.
His smile turned a little guilty.
"She's never gonna know," he said with a quiet laugh.
His mother had warned him many times never to go near that village.
But Kal was curious.
He slid down the path and crouched behind a boulder. From there, he could see people moving in the village far below. Smoke rose from chimneys. Children played near the well. A woman carried a basket of bread across the square.
They looked like ordinary villagers calm, peaceful, going about their day.
Still, something about it made Kal pause.
Why had his mother forbidden him from coming here?
He didn't have time to think.
Before he could think more, the bushes behind him rustled.
He froze.Then a massive shape burst out of the trees
A Grimblehorn.
It looked like a giant mountain goat, but meaner. Its fur was thick and tangled. Its horns twisted like old roots. Its glowing amber eyes locked onto Kal.
"Oh, come on," Kal said, stepping back.
The beast let out a loud snort.
Then it charged.
Kal ran.
He ducked under a branch, jumped over a log, slid across ice, and dodged just in time as the Grimblehorn rammed a tree.
"Okay, okay, I get it! You're mad!" Kal shouted, out of breath.
He grabbed a stick and waved it. "You want a fight?!"
The Grimblehorn charged again.
This time, Kal didn't run. He sidestepped, grabbed onto its thick fur, and pulled himself onto its back.
It bucked and kicked, but Kal held on. He grabbed one of its horns and yanked hard, steering it toward a thick tree.
"Just a little closer"
The Grimblehorn slammed into the tree. Hard.
Kal jumped off, rolled in the snow, and stood up panting.
The beast groaned and collapsed.
Kal grinned, drooling as he stared at the huge body.
"We're eating good tonight," he said.
Kal pulled the Grimblehorn through the snow, step by step. It was heavy, but he was used to it.
After a while, he reached a small house hidden behind a big rock. Part of it was carved into the mountain. Snow covered the roof, and vines hung over the walls.
It looked like it was hiding.
Kal stopped and looked at it.
"Why do we live way out here?" he said to himself.
He pushed the door open.
"I'm here, Mom," he called.
"Welcome back," his mother said from the kitchen, stirring a pot over the fire.
"I got the herbs you asked for," he said, setting the basket on the table.
"Thank you," she said, smiling
until she turned and saw the Grimblehorn outside the door.
Her smile faded into confusion. "That's a Grimblehorn. They don't come this high up."
Kal scratched the back of his head, laughing nervously. "Yeah… I found it, so I thought, you know… dinner."
She gave him a long, suspicious look. "Is that so?"
Kal turned away, trying to act normal.
That's when she saw it a bright yellow Redfin flower stuck to his coat.
Her eyes narrowed. "Redfin only grows at the bottom of the mountain…"
She walked over and smack lightly hit him on the back of the head.
"OW! What was that for?" Kal said, rubbing his head.
"You went down the mountain, didn't you?"
His mom crossed her arms. "What did I say? You're not allowed down there."
"Why not?" Kal snapped. "It looked normal. Just a village. Nothing's even there."
"It's dangerous" she said softly. "I don't want you getting hurt."
"Hurt from what?" Kal's voice got louder. His eyes suddenly glowed gold for a second.
His mom froze. Her face changed.
"She stepped forward and hugged him tight.
"I don't want to lose you" she whispered. "That's all."
After dinner, Kal stood up and stretched.
"I'm gonna go to sleep," he said.
"Alright," his mom replied, stacking the bowls. "I'll clean up."
"Okay," he said, already heading to his room.
He laid down, pulled the blanket over himself,
and closed his eyes.
The mountain night was quiet.
At first, everything felt normal.Then it started again.
Kal stood in front of a mirror. But it wasn't him
not fully.
One of his eyes was glowing gold. The other was covered by a black eyepatch.
The version of him in the mirror looked angry… and sad.
The glowing eye got brighter and brighter, until everything went white.
Thenboom.
Kal shot up in bed, breathing hard. His eyes were glowing again.
He grabbed his head and sighed.
"It's the same dream… every night."
Kal sat up in bed, breathing hard. His eyes slowly dimmed.
CRACK.
Wood snapped downstairs.
His head turned toward the sound.
Then BOOM.
The front door slammed open.
Kal jumped up. Heavy footsteps echoed through the house.
He rushed out of his room and ran down the stairs. "Mom? What happened?"
At the bottom of the steps, three men stood in the entryway.
The one in front wore a smooth white mask shaped like an owl. Its red eyes glowed faintly in the dark.
The two behind him wore plain white masks
One of them moved fast
rushing straight at Kal, hand out, ready to grab him.