Chapter 20

Helios took a moment to gather his thoughts, his gaze steady as he met Merlin's inquisitive eyes. He need to get the old wizard on his side and that meant bending the truth slightly, "I don't know how I got here. I come from a different place and it was called Nightfall. One day a man in a black coat attacked the city and these black monsters attacked us," he answered earnestly.

Merlin listened intently, his expression grave as Helios recounted his tale. "Nightfall, you say? A place I am unfamiliar with," he mused, his voice tinged with concern. "It seems you have faced great adversity, and the darkness that surrounds you bears witness to that."

Helios nodded solemnly, his eyes reflecting the weight of his experiences. "Indeed, Sir," he replied, his voice tinged with anguish. "The encounter with the man in the black coat and the relentless onslaught of darkness robbed me of my family and my world. They consumed everything and when I awoke I found myself in a dark ruin-like place filled with monsters. I hid and ran hiding from them until one day I was cornered and fell into a dark portal and that was when I wound up here.

Merlin studied Helios for a moment, his eyes filled with a mixture of empathy and wisdom. "It seems that life has dealt you a rather poor hand young man," he remarked, his voice soft yet firm. "But how did you come to knock on my door? I doubt it's a coincidence you found me one of the few men in this world who could help you."

Helios took a moment to gather his thoughts, considering how much truth and how much fabrication to include in his answer. He decided to mix the two, weaving a tale that contained elements of truth and fiction. "Sir Merlin, in the dark ruin-like place, I witnessed haunting visions, glimpses of a forgotten past," he began, his voice tinged with a hint of mystery. "In those visions, I heard whispers of a powerful wizard named Merlin, a renowned figure who could harness the light to fight against the encroaching darkness."

Merlin's eyebrows arched in curiosity, his skepticism evident. "Visions, you say?" he questioned, his voice filled with caution. "Such tales are often laced with imagination and half-truths. Are you certain of what you saw?"

Helios nodded earnestly, a mix of truth and fiction interwoven in his response. "I cannot claim absolute certainty, Sir," he replied, his voice carrying a touch of sincerity. "But the visions were quite vivid. So when I arrived in this strange world I thought I should search for the wizard and maybe I might find a clue to regain what I've lost. I was hopeful but I never thought I would truly find you."

Merlin studied Helios, his expression a mix of curiosity and doubt. After a moment of contemplation, he sighed and made a decision. "Very well, young one," he said, his voice tempered with caution. "I will choose to accept your story, although I remain wary of its authenticity. "

Helios felt a wave of relief wash over him at Merlin's words. He then bowed his head and asked, "Can you please help me and teach me? I don't know who that man or those creatures were and why they destroyed my home. Please I beg of you."

"If you seek my guidance, I shall offer it but do not take my trust for granted.", The old wizard led him through the cottage to a cozy bedroom. "Rest here for now," Merlin offered kindly. "We shall discuss this more in due time."

As Helios lay on the bed, he suddenly heard Kurai's voice resonating in his mind, a telepathic connection forged within the depths of his shadow. "Helios, be cautious of your words within the cottage," it warned. "There is a spell cast upon its interior, allowing that wizard to eavesdrop on conversations. Choose your words wisely and be mindful of the information you share."

Helios acknowledged Kurai's warning, his mind alert for he knew that within the cottage's walls, his words needed to be measured and strategic. Helios yawned as he gazed at the night sky through the window. Tomorrow would be the crucial moment when he would get the old wizard to agree to teach him magic.

Helios rested on the bed, unaware of the secret room hidden within the walls of Merlin's cottage. Merlin, with a sense of urgency, approached a specific wall, his hand pressed against it. As his touch made contact, a hidden mechanism was triggered, causing the wall to slide open, revealing a hidden chamber bathed in soft light.

Stepping into the secret room, Merlin raised his hands and began to chant ancient incantations. The air crackled with magic as the cauldron in the center of the room came to life. The liquid inside began to swirl and ripple, forming the image of a grey-bearded old man in a blue robe and a hat with stars—a sight familiar to both Merlin and Helios.

Merlin greeted the image with reverence. "Yen Sid," he addressed the figure, his voice filled with respect. "I have a visitor, a young man named Helios, who claims to have come from a world consumed by darkness. He speaks of visions while trapped in the realm of darkness and seeks guidance."

Yen Sid's gaze fell upon Merlin, his wise eyes filled with curiosity. "Tell me more, Merlin," he responded, his voice calm yet authoritative. "What is it that this young man seeks, and what does he hope to achieve?"

Merlin proceeded to relay the information he had heard and gleamed from Helios—the destruction of his world, the man in the black coat, and the relentless darkness that pursued him. He spoke of Helios' desire to regain what he had lost and his plea for guidance.

Yen Sid listened attentively, his expression grave as he absorbed the information. After a moment of contemplation, he spoke, his voice resonating with wisdom. "Merlin, you have done well in bringing this matter to my attention. This young man bearing the presence of darkness speaks to a troubling future. I would ask you to keep an eye on him for a while and see what information he has not revealed. We need to know more about this boy and the man in the black coat he spoke of."

Merlin nodded, his trust in Yen Sid unwavering. "Understood, Yen Sid," he expressed sincerely. "I shall offer to teach this young man Helios temporarily and attempt to see what he is hiding."

With their conversation concluded, Yen Sid's image gradually dissipated from the cauldron, returning it to its original state. Merlin stepped out of the secret room, made his way back to the hall, took a seat, and started to read one of his many books. Inside the bedroom, Helios was still resting, unaware of the discussion that had taken place.