Shadow of the First Sin

Before us loomed a grand sculpture crafted from white stone. It stood at the center of a pond encircled by rocks, depicting a human male clad in formidable armor. His piercing gaze and raised sword were directed towards the heavens. Below his waist, a multitude of grotesque creatures clung to his feet, their faces painted with fear and desperation as if begging the man for mercy.

"This sculpture was created in honor of your father, Cyrus, a cherished friend of the Fey. Without him, our existence would have been in jeopardy, and for his valiant deeds, we remain eternally grateful," the queen explained, her voice tinged with nostalgia.

Curious, I studied the image of my father closely.

"What can you tell me about him?" I inquired.

"It was many ages ago, during my early reign as queen. Our kingdom was renowned for its seclusion, isolated from the rest of Eldoria and its politics. This has been our way since the beginning, and it shall endure until the end. Despite our limited involvement in external affairs, save for our rule of the eastern realms, tales of a courageous hero from the western lands echoed far and wide, reaching even our secluded domain. Every corner of the world spoke of a man named Cyrus. His heroic exploits were revered by all races, even the dwarves, despite their general aversion to anything non-dwarven or of lesser stature," the queen recounted, a hint of amusement coloring her words.

"What did he achieve to earn such renown?"

"He accomplished the unthinkable; he forged a bond with a dragon!" the queen declared.

"But aren't dragons believed to be extinct?" I interjected.

"That's what everyone thought until an unknown boy from the west discovered its lair high in the mountains, concealed by powerful magical runes. People often spotted a white dragon soaring through the skies, with a young boy on its back, later revealed to be Cyrus. He went on to liberate numerous kingdoms from tyranny and even helped create new realms, such as the Kingdom of Hammerdawn, a haven for dwarves freed from slavery and oppression. He liberated them from various corners of the world, uniting them under one banner. Although he was powerful, no one knew where that power came from. Many believe that the white dragon bestowed upon Cyrus extraordinary powers, for his abilities surpassed those of any ordinary human," the queen recounted, her tone reverent.

"How did you come to know him?"

"A rift between worlds manifested in our realm, connecting us with the Abyss, the domain of demons. To this day, the origins of this rift remain a mystery to me; all I know is that it nearly spelled our demise. Each day, hordes of demons poured through the breach, and each day, we fought tirelessly. This war persisted for years, and our forces dwindled with each passing day until only a few remained. We sent word for aid, but our cries went unanswered. All hope seemed lost until a white dragon soared above the Silverleaf forest, carrying your father upon its back. His arrival heralded victory and ushered in an era of peace for our realm once more," she concluded, her gaze lingering respectfully on the sculpture.

"How did he manage to halt the invasion? And what occurred afterward?" I inquired eagerly.

"The remainder of the tale is a sorrowful one, one that I am reluctant to revisit in memory of him. Are you certain you wish to hear it?"

"Yes."

"Despite his assistance, the war persisted for years to come. Then, one day, he vanished into the night and stood near the rift. There, a figure of a raven-haired boy emerged from the shadows, his eyes as red as blood. They conversed every night, and the following days were peaceful. I believe you encountered the same boy, did you not?" she asked, her tone laced with suspicion as her eyes gleamed with malice at the mere mention of him.

Memories of that fateful day resurfaced, the day I reclaimed my wings.

"Yes, he helped me."

"Do not be swayed by his kindness, young one; it is but a facade. Do not repeat the mistake your father made."

"What mistakes?"

"He placed his trust in the boy and struck a deal. I am familiar with the terms, as your father recounted them many times. 'Grant me a dark portion of your soul, and entrust me with your most cherished possession two years from now,' the boy spoke these words, and your father agreed. Following that pact, an era of peace and prosperity was ushered in anew."

"What was my father's mistake? What did he have to give up?" I inquired, my voice tinged with apprehension.

"Everything. With a portion of his soul missing, he had little life left in him. Stripped of his power and purpose, he wandered aimlessly across these lands, seeking purpose. It was during this time that he encountered a woman with wings of pure white descending from the sky. They met daily in a quaint village, perhaps familiar to you as Emberfield, engaging in lengthy conversations until she departed for her home in a world known as Elyria. Eagerly, he awaited her return each morning, and gradually, his soul began to mend. They fell deeply in love, and from that love, you were born." The queen paused briefly before continuing. " This is where I wish to conclude the tale, for now."

Her words stirred a longing within me, igniting a desire to uncover the story's conclusion, despite the sorrow etched upon the queen's face already telling me the end.

"Please, I need to know how it ended," I implored.

With a heavy sigh and a sorrowful gaze, the queen regarded me.

"When you entered this world, your father never had the chance to behold you, nor did he see your mother again. You likely know her tale well, but allow me to recount it from your father's perspective. Day after day, he waited upon the hill in Emberfield where he had met Seraphina. Yet, despite the passing of countless days and years, she did not return. He knew the truth of her fate, but still, he waited, clinging to the hope of reuniting with his beloved and his newborn child. However, as time wore on, his hope dwindled until it was extinguished entirely. He passed away shortly thereafter, his soul weakened by the bargain struck with the red-eyed boy. By the time your mother was banished, many ages had passed, and she found herself alone upon the same hill where your father had waited. There, she built a home."

"In regards to the deal; you mentioned the boy requested a part of his soul and his most cherished possession two years hence. What was it?" I inquired, my voice trembling, though deep down, I already knew the answer.

"It was you, his son."