Kael leaned back in the wagon, the gentle creak of the wheels a soothing rhythm after the frantic silence of the forest. The weather-beaten man who had rescued him, Rennick, held the reins with a practiced ease, his eyes scanning the path ahead with a familiar, confident gaze. The air was no longer thick with the dread of the wild; it was filled with the scents of damp earth and distant woodsmoke.
Kael's stomach rumbled, a deep, hollow sound that made him blush. He hadn't realized how truly hungry he was until the immediate threat was gone. Rennick chuckled, reaching into a satchel beside him.
"Here, lad. Looks like you've been on a bit of a run." He handed Kael a small, hard loaf of bread and a piece of dried meat. "My name's Rennick. Been traveling these roads for a long time."
Kael devoured the food, feeling strength return to his limbs with every bite. "Thank you, Rennick. My name is Kael. I… I'm not from around here."
Rennick's kind smile didn't falter. "That much was clear. You got the look of a man who's seen a city and not much else. Not many from the settlements get lost out in the Blackwoods."
Kael's mind went back to the silver bunny and its strange, swirling wind. The terror of that moment still clung to him, and he knew he had to ask. "What was that… thing? A silver bunny with red eyes and a blast of wind? I've never seen anything like it."
A thoughtful look crossed Rennick's face. "Ah, a Wind-Scamp. Small things, but nasty if you don't know what you're doing. They're what we call an attuned creature. They're born with an affinity to an element, just like some people." He paused, letting that sink in.
"But... how did it do that? I have my own power, and I tried to use it, but nothing happened. It's like it's all gone." The words came out in a rush, a mix of confusion and frustration.
Rennick nodded, as if he'd heard this before. "That's because this world operates on a different kind of energy now. Ten thousand years ago, things were very different. Our ancestors wielded something called mana, a powerful energy that flowed through everything. But then came a great war, one that nearly tore the world apart."
He looked up at the sun filtering through the trees, his voice dropping to a serious, almost somber tone. "A great war ensued, pitting those who wielded mana against a new, mysterious power. It was a time of great upheaval, as the very fabric of our world was at stake. The fight between the two sides was so destructive that a magical cataclysm happened. The mana in our world began to diminish, its power waning with each passing year, replaced by something else."
Kael's eyes widened in realization. "So that's why I couldn't feel any mana in the air. It's been replaced by something else."
"Exactly," Rennick confirmed. "One hundred years after the war, a new power emerged, one that we now call Lakan. It is this power that now flows through our world, replacing mana as the primary source of energy. And it works differently than what you're used to."
He gestured to a large, ancient-looking tree they were passing. "You see that tree? A mage who used mana could have pulled energy from it for a spell, regardless of their own affinity. But lakan is much harder to manipulate. Unlike mana, which could be wielded by anyone with the knowledge and skill, lakan requires an affinity with a specific element. One can only use the element they have a natural connection with, making it a more specialized and challenging form of magic."
Kael absorbed this information, a sense of wonder and excitement building within him. So his power hadn't vanished; it had simply changed. He just needed to figure out how to access it.
"So, what's your story, Rennick?" Kael asked, eager to shift the topic and get to know the man who was teaching him about his new reality. "How did you come to be a traveler?"
Rennick chuckled, a warm smile spreading across his face. "Ah, lad, my story is a long and winding one. I was once a simple farmer, tilling the land and living a quiet life. But fate, as it often does, had other plans for me. One day, a group of travelers passed through my village, telling tales of adventure and discovery. I was captivated by their stories, and I knew then that I had to see the world for myself."
"So, I packed up my belongings and set out on a journey that would take me to the farthest corners of our world. Along the way, I've met all kinds of people and seen things that most can only dream of."
Kael nodded, a newfound respect for Rennick blossoming within him. "That's amazing. I hope to have my own adventures and discover the secrets of this world."
Rennick smiled. "I have no doubt that you will, lad. You have a fire within you, a thirst for knowledge and adventure that will take you far. Just remember, the world is full of wonders, but it can also be a dangerous place. Trust your instincts, and never lose sight of who you are."
As they rode, Rennick pointed out landmarks and told Kael more about the world they inhabited, from the dangerous creatures that roamed the land to the powerful factions that ruled the cities. The dense foliage of the Blackwoods slowly gave way to a more managed, well-traveled path. The air grew cleaner, and the sounds of the wilderness were replaced by the distant murmur of people.
Finally, the forest broke, revealing the sprawling city of Lakeville. It was a sight to behold, with towering spires of polished stone and bustling streets filled with people of all shapes and sizes. As they entered the city gates, Kael couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. This was a new beginning for him, a chance to start fresh in a world full of endless possibilities. He had survived the wild, learned the first of many secrets, and was now entering a new chapter.
His goal was clear. He would embrace this new world, and he would become strong enough to find the god who had brought him here—and one day, exact his revenge