6.

Truth.

༺♱༻

The cabin felt too quiet, a stark contrast to the calming embrace we had shared. I rubbed my eyes from sleep, curiosity mingling with a sliver of unease.

Rising quietly, I noticed a faint light flickering from the kitchen area. My heart pounded softly against my ribcage as I tiptoed closer. The murmured voices alerted me to the presence of another person.

Peeking around the corner, I saw Xavier conversing with someone, their faces partially obscured by the shadows.

Who could it be? I wondered, holding my breath. The calmness I initially felt began to waver, replaced by a rising tide of questions and unknown fears.

As my eyes adjusted to the dim light, I could make out the figure clearly now. It was an elderly man, draped in a tattered cloak with intricate patterns. His long, silver beard and mystical aura immediately marked him as something extraordinary –a wizard.

 Xavier glanced in my direction, his eyes softening when he saw my worried expression. “It’s okay,” he assured me, his voice a soothing balm. “This is Alaric. He’s here to help us.”

The wizard turned, his eyes shining with ancient wisdom. “Greetings, child,” he said, his voice deep and resonant. “Fear not, for I bring aid and answers.” 

I stepped closer, my curiosity overcoming my initial task. 

“How can you help us?” 

Alaric smiled, his eyes twinkling like stars. 

“There are forces at play, forces that need to be understood and confronted,” he replied cryptically. “And you, my dear, are at the heart of it all.” 

I blinked, my mind struggling to process his words. “Magic isn’t real,” I murmured, hearing my parents’ voices echoing in my mind. “They’re just stories.”

Alaric’s eyes softened, a knowing smile spreading across his face. “Your parents wanted to protect you, keeping you ignorant of the world’s true nature. But magic, dear child, is as real as the air you breathe.” 

Air is fake..? Have my parents told me, air is fake?

Xavier nodded, his gaze steady. “I’ve seen things –extraordinary things. It’s real, and Alaric can help us understand what’s happening.”

A mixture of disbelief and wonder washed over me. My world that was once black and white, now shimmered with untold possibilities. 

“What do we need to do?” I asked, stepping closer to the wizard. Alaric’s eyes twinkled.

“First, we must uncover the truth, starting with your past.” 

The room blurred as a specific memory took hold.

I was 5 years old, hiding under a dining table, my heart pounding against my ribs. My father’s booming voice echoed through the house as he yelled at my mot- her. The sharp sound of shattering glass made me flinch; he had thrown one of her favorite vases against the wall. 

“Why are you always so useless?!”he roared, his face contorted with fury. My mother cowered, her eyes filled with tears. 

“I’m trying my best,” she whispered, her voice breaking.

My small body trembled, I hugged my warm teddy bear tighter, wishing it had the power to make everything stop. My mother’s sobs and my father’s relentless barrage of insults filled the air, suffocating me with fear and helplessness.

Suddenly there was silence, and the heavy footsteps approached the table. I held my breath trying to be invisible.

“You think you can hide from me, huh?” my father’s hand yanked me out from under the table…

The memory faded, leaving me trembling and gasping for breath in the cabin. Xavier’s arms were around me, his touch the only thing keeping me in the present, and not the past.

“You’re not that little girl anymore,” Xavier whispered, his voice steady and strong. “You’re here, and you’re safe.”

Alaric’s eyes were filled with sorrow as he spoke. “The pain of the past is powerful, but it can also be a source of immense strength. We will use it to guide us through the darkness ahead.” 

Xavier kept an arm around me as Alaric took a deep breath, preparing to share truths that would probably change my life forever. 

“Lara, the world you’ve known is just a fraction of reality,” he began, his voice sounding soothing yet stern. “There are ancient powers, magical realms, and hidden legacies that intertwine with the mundane.”

I looked between Xavier and Alaric, my heart pounding not from fear but a strange anticipation. 

“You mean there's more out there?” I whispered, my voice tinged with a mixture of skepticism and hope.

Xavier nodded. “Yes, Lara. There’s a world of magic and wonder. Your family has a history that’s been kept from you, a lineage of power and responsibility.”

Alaric continued, his eyes locked on mine. “Your parents hid this to protect you, but now, you must learn to embrace it. Magic runs in your veins, and now it’s time to awaken it.” 

The words settled over me like a heavy, comforting blanket. Magic. A hidden lineage. My mind swelled with questions, but one thought burned the brightest: everything was about to change. 

“Where do we start?” I asked, ready to dive into this new reality and reclaim my true heritage. 

Alaric’s eyes twinkled with a mix of wisdom and anticipation. 

“We start with awakening your innate abilities and uncovering the secrets your family has guarded for generations.” 

Alaric motioned for us to sit by the hearth, the fire casting flickering shadows around the small cabin. 

"The world is divided into three mystical kingdoms," he began, his voice holding the weight of ancient knowledge. "Each kingdom wields its own unique power." 

He gestured with his hand, and a glowing map appeared mid-air. 

"The first kingdom is Aeloria, the Realm of Light. They command the power of illumination and healing, drawing energy from the very sun."

I watched, entranced, as the map shifted. 

"Next is Umbrith, the Shadow Lands. They harness the power of darkness and deception, ruling the night with their stealth and cunning."

Finally, the map settled on a vibrant, lush territory. "And then there’s Terralyn, the Earth’s Heart. They control the elemental forces–fire, water, earth, and air. Their connection to nature is unbreakable. And their school has helped many get through the world with the right learning."

Xavier squeezed my hand reassuringly. 

"And you, Lara, have the potential to touch all three. Your family’s legacy bridges these kingdoms.”

My mind buzzed with possibilities. 

"What does that mean for me?"

Alaric smiled warmly. "It means you have the power to unite these forces, to bring balance where there is chaos. But first, you must learn to master them."

I nodded, determination fueling my spirit. "I’m ready."

My journey into the heart of magic had just begun, and with Xavier and Alaric by my side, I felt ready to face whatever may lay ahead.