As Iskander and Grave-Walker rushed towards Cael, Ronan and Ilya stood horrified as Meike recounted the events that transpired after Ilya's disappearance. His words dripped with a sickening satisfaction, painting a twisted narrative of Cael's supposed betrayal. Ronan, realizing the gravity of the situation, raced out of the house, desperate to reach his friend. Astrid and Tamsin, having just learned the truth from a bribed merchant, followed close behind.
They found Iskander and Grave-Walker standing silently behind a kneeling Cael, his arms wrapped around a collection of charred bones – the remains of his parents. He was unresponsive, his eyes shifting colors in a chaotic dance of grief and rage.
"Cael!" Ronan cried out, but Iskander blocked his path.
"Halt!" Iskander commanded, his voice firm. "You should leave. Now. You are released from your pledge. Never go near him again."
Ronan, his face contorted with anguish, looked at his friend's broken form. "Is that what he wants?" he choked out.
"It is," Iskander replied, his gaze unwavering. "I will fix this. Now leave, and never show your face to him or me again."
Ronan turned and left, his heart heavy with guilt and regret. He knew he was partly responsible for this tragedy, his insistence on bringing Ilya along having set in motion a chain of events that led to this devastating outcome.
"Was that the right call?" Astrid asked, her voice filled with uncertainty.
"If he stayed, Cael would have done something he would regret," Iskander explained. "He knows everything."
Cael had arrived home to find his hut burned to the ground, his parents' remains scattered amongst the ashes. He had collapsed, his mind reeling from the horrific scene, his emotions a whirlwind of grief, rage, and despair.
As Iskander placed a hand on his shoulder, Cael's eyes settled, his left eye glowing blue, his right green. He relived the events of that night, witnessing the angry mob led by Meike and Magnus Thorne, their minds consumed by hatred and fueled by false rumors of Cael's involvement in Ilya's disappearance.
He saw his father dragged behind a horse, his body torn apart by stones and the rough ground. He felt his mother's agony as she was kicked, stabbed, and burned alive. He experienced their pain, their fear, their love for him, as if it were his own.
"What do we do now?" Astrid asked, her voice barely a whisper.
"We wait for him to choose," Iskander replied, his gaze fixed on Cael. "What he chooses now will define who he is."
"But to leave him like this... It's unbearable," Tamsin said, her voice thick with compassion.
Cael remained immobile throughout the night, his mind replaying the horrors he had witnessed, his emotions a chaotic storm. As dawn approached, he rose to his feet and turned to Iskander.
"What do you want to do?" Iskander asked, his eyes searching Cael's.
Cael's lips curved into a chilling smile, his right eye red, his left yellow, reflecting a newfound resolve and a burning desire for vengeance. Iskander understood.
"I will bring them back. You will see them again," he promised. "Anything else?"
Cael's smile widened, his eyes burning with an intensity that sent shivers down his companions' spines.
Astrid, confused by the silent exchange, asked, "What are you going to do, Cael?"
Cael remained silent, his eyes shifting colors once more.
"Astrid, I will revive his parents," Iskander explained.
Tamsin and Astrid still did not understand, but they could sense the darkness that had taken root within Cael.
Iskander gathered the group, discussing their next steps. They agreed Cael needed time to process his grief, but first, they would bury the remains of his parents. They retrieved the bones from Cael's grasp, extracting a tooth from each skull for the regeneration process, and laid them to rest in separate graves. Cael watched from a distance, his silence a heavy shroud around him.
Iskander instructed the group to take Cael to the nearby village of Miaran while he gathered supplies for their journey to Meridium. Grave-Walker rode with Cael, who sat behind him, his eyes downcast, and his body still and silent.
Meanwhile, in Oakhaven, Ilya remained locked in her room, consumed by guilt and grief. Ronan had left town, seeking solace in the solitude of the wilderness.
A week later, Iskander reunited with his companions in Miaran, his supplies ready for the month-long journey to Meridium. He approached Astrid, seeking an update on Cael's condition.
"He's better," Astrid reported, though her tone held a note of uncertainty.
"He doesn't sleep or eat. He's more like a rock than a man," she continued. "But considering what happened, he's better than expected."
"I see," Iskander said, his expression grave. "We'll stay here for two more days, then move on. He is strong. He will be fine. I'll make sure of it."
Two days later, they set off for Meridium, their journey filled with a somber silence. Cael remained withdrawn, his grief a constant presence, his eyes reflecting the turmoil within him.
As they approached Meridium, a city renowned for its knowledge and prosperity, Cael's eyes lit up with a flicker of interest. He had heard stories of this place from Master Elian and was eager to see it for himself.
"Cael, look! It's the Gail Sea!" Astrid exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement.
Cael gazed at the vast expanse of blue water that stretched to the horizon, a sense of wonder replacing the darkness that had clouded his features. Iskander, relieved to see a spark of life returning to his eyes, smiled.
"You like it, don't you?" Tamsin asked, coming up beside him.
"Yes," he replied softly, his eyes green with appreciation.
"Good," she said, returning his smile. "It reminds me of the last time we were here, with my brother and the others." A shadow of sadness crossed her face.
"You'll see them again soon," Iskander assured her, leading the group towards the city gates.
"Theron had a son-in-law here, a renowned scholar. We should visit him first," Grave-Walker suggested. "He's a bit odd, though."
"I know of him," Iskander replied. "That's where we're headed."
They entered the bustling city, its streets teeming with people from all corners of Erathos. Cael, despite his grief, was impressed by the grandeur of Meridium, its towering buildings and vibrant markets a stark contrast to the simple life he had known.
He was still struggling to come to terms with the tragedy that had befallen his family, but he knew he had to move forward. He had a debt to repay to Iskander and a burning desire to see his parents alive again, no matter the cost. He vowed to never remove his glasses in public again, his eyes a constant reminder of his vulnerability and the darkness that lurked within him.
They crossed one of the four bridges that connected the mainland to the island where the great library of Mir stood, its towering citadel a beacon of knowledge. They reached the scholar's home and knocked, but received no answer.
"No one's home," Astrid observed.
"He's here," Iskander stated confidently. "We wait."
Grave-Walker continued knocking until they heard a voice from inside.
"Yes! Yes! Who is it?"
"Eldrin, it's me, Grave-Walker, Master Theron's companion."
The door opened, revealing a young man with an unremarkable appearance and a slightly awkward demeanor. This was Eldrin Vale, a nobleman and a renowned scholar, despite his eccentricities. He was also the husband of Theron's daughter and the father of his grandchild.
"Grave-Walker! It's been ages! Come in, come in!" he exclaimed, ushering them into his home.
"Where's Master Theron? Is he running late?" Eldrin asked, his eyes scanning the group.
"Theron is...elsewhere," Iskander replied, his voice carefully neutral.
"Where? Why are you here without him? Did something happen?" Eldrin's face contorted with worry.
"It's a long story," Grave-Walker said. "Can we come in?"
"Of course! Please!"
Eldrin led them to his spacious study, its walls lined with books and strange contraptions. He offered them tea as they settled around the old Blackwood table.
"So, where is Master Theron?" Eldrin pressed, his anxiety evident in his voice.
"I came to cure Seraphina and Joric," Iskander said simply.
"What?" Eldrin's eyes widened in disbelief. "Are you mocking me?"
"No," Iskander replied calmly.
He placed a glass flask filled with a green liquid on the table. "This is the cure for AshenDecay. Give it to them, and they'll be fine within a week."
"Are you serious?" Eldrin's voice dropped to a whisper, hope flickering in his eyes. "AshenDecay has no cure! How did you find it? Where?"
"It doesn't matter. What matters is that you save their lives."
Eldrin stared at the flask, his skepticism slowly giving way to belief. "If this is true... how much do I owe you?"
"Theron already paid me. I'm just delivering it."
"Where is he now? He must want to be here!"
"You'll see him again soon. You have my word."
"Thank you! You have my eternal gratitude! You are my guests, and I will honor you as long as you stay. Just say the word, and anything you desire is yours."
"Good," Iskander said. "Then tell me everything you know about the road to the Obsidian Spire, and the stone rings."
"Why?" Eldrin asked, his brow furrowed in confusion.
Iskander stepped forward, drawing his knife. Eldrin, fearing for his life, jumped back and attempted to flee, but Iskander caught him, making a small cut on his palm and tasting the blood.
"I see," Iskander said, releasing him. "Thank you, Eldrin."
He tossed a purse of gold towards the bewildered scholar and headed for the door, his companions following close behind.
"I apologize, Master Eldrin," Grave-Walker said as they left.
"Wait!" Eldrin called out, his curiosity ignited. Iskander paused, turning to face him. "You're right... the Obsidian Spire is not of this world," he said cryptically. "Consider this a second payment for your help."
He left, leaving Eldrin in a state of shock and wonder. The scholar now possessed the cure for his family and a thirst for knowledge that could drive a man mad.
"Do you have what we need?" Tamsin asked as they walked away from the house.
"Yes," Iskander replied. "Everything he knew, I now know."
"And? Can we survive the trip?" Astrid inquired, her voice laced with concern.
"You will survive," he assured her. "But we're not going to the Dome just yet."
"What do you mean? Where are we going?"
"The Isle of Whisper."
"What's in The Isle of Whisper?"
"I don't know yet," Iskander admitted. "I'll know when we get there."
"If you say so," Astrid sighed, her exhaustion evident.
They gathered supplies for the journey ahead and secured passage on a merchant ship bound for the Isle of Whisper. As they set sail, Cael stood on deck, gazing at the vast expanse of the Gail Sea, his thoughts still consumed by the tragedy he had endured and the uncertain future that lay ahead.
Iskander joined him, his eyes following Cael's gaze towards the horizon. "A beautiful view," he remarked.
"Yeah," Cael replied softly.
A comfortable silence settled between them, broken only by the gentle lapping of the waves against the hull of the ship.
"Was it done?" Cael finally asked, his left eye turning indigo, his right violet.
"Yes," Iskander replied quietly.
"Good." Cael took a deep breath. "I'm sorry I made you do it."
"I know you're still hurting," Iskander said, placing a hand on Cael's shoulder. "But you never have to apologize to me. You do what you must, and I will do the same."
"Still, I owe you," Cael insisted. "I would be lost without you. I can never repay you."
"Help me get home, and I'll be the one in your debt," Iskander said with a smile. "And don't worry; you'll be reunited with your family again."
Cael sighed, a flicker of hope shortly brightening his eyes. "I can't wait to see their smiles again."
Iskander noticed a shift in Cael's demeanor, a question lingering behind his yellow eyes.
"Cael, I've been thinking," he began. "I want you to come with me. To the realm of the Gods."
Cael's eyes turned green with surprise. He had never considered such a possibility.
"Are you serious? Is that even possible?"
"Erathos was never your home," Iskander stated. "You were never appreciated for who you are. You saw what their ignorance led to. You have nothing left here. Come with me, and become what you were always meant to be... a god, like me."
"What about my parents?"
"Bring them along. They will be welcomed."
"Can I... be like you?" Cael asked, his eyes turning blue with a glimmer of hope and excitement.
"By the end of this journey, you will be," Iskander promised, turning to head back to the cabins.
"What?" Cael's left eye turned green, his right brown, reflecting his confusion.
Iskander paused, raising a finger towards the sun. "The dream you keep having is not a dream," he said, his voice low and serious. He lowered his hand and continued walking. "It's a memory. A memory of when you first saw him... on your way to this planet."
Cael stood frozen, his mind reeling from the revelation. The ship sailed on, carrying them towards an unknown future and leaving Cael to grapple with the shocking truth about his past and the extraordinary destiny that awaited him.