Chapter 1: The Forgotten Realm

The wind howled like a mournful beast, carrying with it the scent of ancient stone and damp earth. Ahn hunkered down behind a crumbling wall, his breath coming in short, ragged gasps. He'd always felt out of place in the village of Arren, a speck of quiet in a world that seemed to be always on the move. But now, as he stood amidst the ruins of a long-forgotten temple, that feeling had turned into a cold, gnawing dread.For eighteen years, Ahn had lived a simple life, tending to the village's crops and listening to the elders' tales. They'd raised him, cared for him, but never answered the questions that haunted him. Who were his parents? Why did he have these strange, vivid dreams that felt more like memories than nightmares?And now, standing before the ancient altar, those dreams seemed to be reaching out to him. A soft, pulsating energy emanated from the stone, matching the frantic beat of his heart. His hand hovered above the weathered surface, indecipherable symbols glowing faintly in the dim light."Ahn," a voice called from behind him, startling him out of his trance. He turned to see Elder Kael, his silver hair whipping in the wind. His usually calm eyes were wide with fear. "Step away from the altar, boy. You don't know what you're doing."Ahn hesitated. "What is this place, Elder? Why did no one tell me about it?""This is not for you to know. Some secrets must remain buried."Ahn narrowed his eyes. "Why? Why have you kept this from me my whole life? I—" He stopped mid-sentence, the pulse of energy in the air growing stronger, louder. The ground trembled beneath his feet, and a deep rumble echoed from the surrounding mountains.Kael's face paled. "It's too late. You've awakened it."The altar glowed brighter, the air around them crackling with power. Ahn stumbled back as a blinding light erupted from the ancient stone, engulfing him in its brilliance. He felt his body being lifted, suspended in the air as a thousand voices whispered in his mind, each one telling him the same thing:You are the last Guardian.Visions flashed before his eyes—great battles, towering creatures of darkness, and ancient warriors wielding power beyond comprehension. And at the center of it all was him, standing alone against the encroaching storm.The light dimmed, and Ahn collapsed to the ground, gasping for air. His head pounded with the weight of what he had seen, but more than that, something inside him had changed. His heart raced, not just from the shock of the moment, but from the realization of what he now knew."Ahn!" Kael's voice shook as he approached, his face ashen. "You must leave this place. Now. The darkness will come for you."Ahn stood shakily, his gaze fixed on the elder. "What are you talking about? What darkness?""The one you just woke," Kael replied, his voice grave. "The darkness that will consume everything unless the Guardian stands against it."Ahn's stomach twisted. "But... I don't understand. I'm not—""You are," Kael interrupted, his tone urgent. "The last Guardian. The others were lost long ago, and now, you are all that stands between the realm and the coming storm."Before Ahn could respond, a low growl echoed from the valley below. A chill ran down his spine as a massive shadow began to form in the mist, moving with unnatural speed towards the temple.Kael's face hardened. "They're here."Without another word, Kael grabbed Ahn's arm and pulled him towards the narrow path that led back to the village. "We don't have much time. The darkness has sensed your awakening, and it will stop at nothing to destroy you."Ahn stumbled after him, his mind reeling. The visions, the voices, the weight of the title they had thrust upon him—it was too much to process. But the fear in Kael's eyes told him all he needed to know: the threat was real, and it was coming for him.As they ran, Ahn glanced back at the temple, the light from the altar now fading into the mist. Whatever had been dormant for so long was now awake, and it wasn't just a force—it was a promise. A promise of power. A promise of responsibility.A promise of war."Where are we going?" Ahn asked, his breath ragged."To the edge of the realm," Kael answered without looking back. "To find the others.""The others?"Kael's eyes flashed with determination. "The last of our people. Those who will fight with you."Ahn's heart pounded in his chest. He had never imagined his life would change so drastically in a single day. But as the wind howled and the shadows closed in, he knew there was no turning back.The last Guardian had awoken, and with him, the final battle for the realm had begun.