"Here, your ring," I said softly, my eyes locked on the boy's, my voice gentle. His fingers trembled slightly as they reached for it, brushing against mine as if the weight of the moment was too much to bear.
For a fleeting moment, our hands touched, and I felt an inexplicable spark. It was like a jolt of electricity surged through me, a current I couldn't explain. My heart skipped a beat.
"What was that?" I wondered, but before I could process it, the moment was lost.
The boy's eyes fluttered, his breath shallow, and then suddenly, he slumped forward. His small body collapsed into my arms, like a puppet with its strings cut. My stomach churned with alarm.
"Hey, are you alright?" I asked, panic creeping into my voice. I shook him gently, but there was no response. His body felt too light, too fragile.
I held him close, his limp form cradled against me, as my heart pounded in my chest. I glanced around, hoping someone would appear, but it was just Drake and me, in the middle of nowhere with a boy who had clearly been through something unimaginable.
Drake rushed to my side, his face furrowing with concern. "Poor kid. Must've been that bastard's doing," he said, his voice low. "He beat him brutally... jeez, there isn't much we can do for him now, Aries."
I didn't want to believe that. Not yet. "We can't just leave him here," I said, my voice firm. A surge of protectiveness bubbled up in me, and before I even had time to think, the words escaped my mouth. "Let's take him with us."
Drake's eyes widened, disbelief flashing across his face. "What?! Are you out of your mind? We can't just take a stranger with us—especially one who's barely hanging onto life. His guardian's gotta be looking for him. We can't be dragging some random kid around."
I clenched my jaw, frustration flaring. "If he had a guardian, then why would this happen to him? If they were here, he wouldn't be like this!" My voice was sharp, more biting than I intended.
Drake paused, his hand going to his chin as he processed my words. There was a moment of quiet contemplation before he sighed. "Yeah... you've got a point," he muttered, the skepticism still there but softer now.
I glanced down at the boy, my gaze lingering on his pale face. "I'm telling you, Gramps. There's something about him. Something... powerful. I don't know what it is, but I can't just leave him like this."
Drake raised an eyebrow, his expression a mix of skepticism and concern. "What are you talking about?" His voice was low, teasing, but there was an undercurrent of caution in it.
I met his gaze, my eyes unwavering. "Please, just trust me on this one. I know it sounds crazy, but something's happening here. He's important."
Drake's eyes softened for a moment, his gaze searching mine. After what felt like an eternity, he finally nodded, albeit reluctantly. "Fine. But I'm not carrying him. You're the one who wants to help, so you can help him."
With a grunt, Drake slung the boy over his shoulder. Despite his size, the action was done with ease, but I noticed the glint of worry in his eyes as he adjusted the boy's limp form.
I let out a breath of relief, but before I could even think about stepping forward, Drake turned to me with a mischievous grin. "And you? Grab the bags. I'm carrying the kid."
I froze, my mouth falling open. "Wait, what? Seriously? There's three bags, Gramps!" My voice was incredulous. "You can't be serious. You've got a whole kid on your shoulder, and I'm supposed to carry everything else?"
Drake didn't even look back as he started walking. "You're young. You can handle it."
I let out an exaggerated sigh, my shoulders slumping in defeat. "Ugh, you're the worst, Gramps," I muttered under my breath. But I did what I had to, shifting the bags and hoisting them onto my own shoulders, grumbling the entire time.
As we continued onward, the familiar woods gave way to something altogether different. The landscape around us transformed as we crossed into Kaelenor, the capital of the Marden Kingdom.
Gone were the quiet rolling hills and dense forests. Now, massive towers rose before us, gleaming buildings of stone and metal that stretched towards the sky like the fingers of giants. The streets beneath us were paved with dark stone that seemed to drink in the fading light, while lanterns lining the sidewalks cast soft, golden glows in the twilight.
Merchants and traders shouted their wares, the air alive with the sounds of bargaining, the clanging of metal, and the rhythmic pounding of hammers as workers built even taller structures. It was a far cry from the forests and quiet countryside I was used to.
"Impressive, right?" Drake's voice pulled me out of my thoughts. His tone was matter-of-fact as he glanced around at the city.
I nodded, still taking in the bustling sights. "It's... overwhelming." There was so much life, so much noise, so many people. It felt like I was stepping into a world far beyond the one I had known.
We walked for what felt like hours, the city's imposing architecture towering above us. Eventually, we reached the estate reserved for Drake. The guards greeted us with a simple nod, their faces stoic yet respectful.
The gates opened, revealing a sprawling estate with manicured hedges and grand lanterns illuminating a winding path. The air was filled with the scent of fresh flowers and polished stone.
Inside, the estate was a masterpiece. The walls were adorned with tapestries depicting ancient battles, dragons, and mythical creatures. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, their light scattering across the room in sparkling rainbows. The floor was smooth marble, shining with a radiance that made the entire place feel otherworldly.
I stood in awe, my eyes wide. "Gramps!! Is this entire estate yours?" I exclaimed, unable to contain my excitement. "This is... unreal!"
Drake smirked, clearly enjoying my reaction. "It's not that impressive," he said, his voice warm but casual. "Make yourself at home, Aries. We'll be staying here for a while."
I raised an eyebrow, still taking in the grandeur. "And you lived in the forest to train? Why didn't you just stay here?"
Drake chuckled, a deep, rumbling sound. "Nature keeps me on my toes. Besides, the squirrels here are tougher than you think."
I rolled my eyes, half amused, half exasperated. "You're ridiculous, Gramps."
A soft voice interrupted us. "Ah, welcome back, Sir Drake," Zia, a woman who had appeared from a hallway, greeted us with a respectful bow. Her gaze softened as she looked at me. "And who might this be?"
Drake smiled. "This is my pupil, Aries."
Zia's face brightened with a warm smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Young Master Aries. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."
Before I could respond, a soft, tremulous voice reached my ears. It was the boy—still asleep, but clearly in distress.
Drake and I exchanged a look, then rushed towards the room where he lay. His face was twisted in terror, his body shaking, and his voice was barely a whisper.
"No... please, no... please..." His words were broken, pleading with someone—or something.
I felt a knot tighten in my chest as I knelt beside him. Tears stained his cheeks, and his body trembled violently. He was trapped in some nightmare, some memory he couldn't escape.
Drake's gaze softened as he crouched beside me. "Poor kid," he muttered, his tone tinged with sympathy.
I didn't say anything, just reached out and gently placed a hand on the boy's trembling shoulder. There had to be more to him. Something greater. Something waiting to be discovered.