In an ancient tower looming in the middle of a misty swamp, lived a legendary sorcerer named Malachar. He was known as a master of dark magic, someone whom even kings were reluctant to openly challenge. His hair was long, grey like smoke, and his eyes always glowed red like embers. In the shadows of the night, his name was whispered, as if merely mentioning it could invite a curse.
One night, Malachar was performing an ancient ritual with a dark purple crystal ball. The ball vibrated, emitting strange light that danced in the air. Malachar stared deeply, hoping to see the future of his power. But what... he saw made his heart pound. Inside the crystal ball, a faint shadow of a boy appeared. His face was unclear, but his eyes glowed with strong determination, as if he knew no fear. Around the boy, fire burned not from magic, but from his own spirit. A mysterious voice whispered from within the ball, "A child will be born, not with great power, but with unwavering determination. He will become an obstacle in your path. He will tear down your throne of darkness." Malachar fell silent. His usually steady hands now trembled. He, the strongest sorcerer of his time, felt fear for the first time. How could a child—armed only with determination—destroy everything he had built over centuries? With a voice full of rage, Malachar slammed his hand on the stone table, cracking it. "No! This prophecy must not come true!" he exclaimed. The crystal ball thenit echoed in his ears. Immediately, he summoned his loyal followers – a legion of demons emerging from the darkness. Horrifying figures with torn wings, glowing eyes, and bodies covered in thorns emerged from a magic circle on the floor. Malachar gave a command in a cold voice, "Find the child. Search every village, every corner of the forest. Do not let him grow up. Kill him before his determination becomes a weapon capable of overthrowing me!" The demons bowed, then vanished into the shadows, spreading throughout the land. Since that night, a new terror began. No one knew who the child of the prophecy was, but the world slowly became more ominous due to the hunt. And in a small, poor, and neglected village... a child named Alaric lived unaware that he was the center of the prophecy feared by the sorcerer.