The Forsaken Legacy

Kai could barely sleep the night before, and now, the excitement coursing through him made it hard to sit still. The world outside his window had always seemed small, confined to the fields of Elaris and the familiar faces of his village. But today was different. Today, he was leaving that small world behind. As he wolfed down his breakfast, his mind buzzed with thoughts of Havenbrook—a place he’d only heard about from passing travelers and, occasionally, in the stories Eldrin would share on a quiet evening.

Outside, Lia was already waiting, her foot tapping impatiently. She was practically bouncing as he came out. “Finally! I thought I’d have to drag you out of bed,” she teased, her eyes shining with the same excitement he felt.

Kai grinned, rolling his eyes. “Not a chance! I barely slept—I kept dreaming about what Havenbrook might look like.”

Ahead of them was the carriage, sturdy but weathered, its wooden frame painted with worn patterns. Eldrin sat at the reins, his broad shoulders steady as he adjusted his seat, and beside him was Aurelia, serene as always. She smiled warmly at the two of them as they clambered onto the carriage.

As the wheels creaked and the journey began, Kai leaned out the window, eyes scanning every detail of the world rolling past them. The fields of Elaris were already slipping away, replaced by winding paths and rolling hills. He felt a sense of wonder settle over him, like he was part of a story unfolding with every turn of the road.

Eldrin’s voice broke into his thoughts. “Three hours to Havenbrook by carriage,” he said over his shoulder. “Enough time for you two to gawk at the scenery and maybe learn a thing or two.”

Kai chuckled, though he wondered if three hours would be enough to take it all in. He’d never traveled beyond Elaris, and now, every tree, every bend in the path, every distant figure on the road felt like a discovery.

“This world is so much bigger than I thought,” he murmured, half to himself. It was like he’d been peering through a keyhole his whole life, and now, finally, the door had swung open.

Beside him, Lia was equally enthralled, her face pressed close to the window. They passed farmers and merchants, travelers on horseback, and carts loaded high with goods. There was a whole rhythm to the road that he’d never known, and with each sight, his thoughts raced.

‘If this road alone is so full of life, what must Havenbrook be like?’ he wondered. The excitement in his chest mingled with a twinge of nervousness. He knew little of the city—just what he’d picked up from idle conversations and snippets of overheard talk. But the thought of all the people he’d meet, the stories he’d hear, thrilled him.

A sudden screech cut through the quiet hum of the road, jolting him out of his thoughts. His gaze shot skyward, and his mouth dropped open in shock. Overhead, a massive bird soared, its wings casting a shadow over the carriage. Its feathers shimmered with blue lightning, crackling faintly as it flew, and its talons looked sharp enough to tear through stone.

“What…what is that?” he breathed, unable to look away.

Lia’s fingers dug into his arm, her face pale as she stared at the creature in awe and fear. Kai’s heart raced as he watched it, both terrified and fascinated. Upon closer look, he spotted three cloaked figures astride the bird’s back, their forms poised and confident as they glided through the sky.

“Look!” a merchant by the roadside exclaimed, pointing up at the enormous bird. “That’s the House of Asher, known for their Lightning Eagle bloodline!”

The words struck Kai with a thrill of recognition. ‘So, those are nobles,’ he thought, eyes wide. He’d heard stories of the noble houses, but seeing one in person—one with a bloodline so powerful it let them command a beast like this—was something else entirely.

Aurelia, noticing their expressions, leaned forward and began to explain, her voice soft and full of knowledge. “That bird is a Lightning Eagle, a rare creature tied to the Asher family’s bloodline. Their heritage grants them command over lightning itself, which flows through their veins as surely as blood.”

“Wait…there are other families with bloodlines like this?” Lia asked, her voice trembling with awe.

“Oh, yes,” Aurelia replied. “The kingdom of Vallaris is governed by the Vallaris family, known for the Vermillion Bird bloodline, which grants them the power of flame. It’s a mark of the royal family, and it is said their power is unmatched in the realm.”

Kai absorbed this information, his mind buzzing with questions. ‘The Vallaris family… and the Asher family…’ He felt like a single drop in a vast ocean, surrounded by forces far beyond his understanding. It was humbling, and yet, it only deepened his curiosity.

Seeing their fascination, Aurelia continued. “The kingdom is divided into provinces, each one ruled by a noble house with a distinct bloodline. We’re currently in the Hart Province, overseen by the Hart family. And within this province lies Havenbrook, which is under the control of the House of Asher.”

A sense of pride mixed with awe filled him. He belonged to this kingdom—a place of ancient powers, mysterious bloodlines, and noble houses. Elaris had always seemed so central to his life, but now he realized how small it truly was in the grand scheme of things. The world was vast, intricate, and filled with layers of history he’d barely glimpsed.

As Aurelia spoke, Eldrin remained silent, his hands steady on the reins but his expression tight, almost disdainful. Kai noticed it, the faint furrow in Eldrin’s brow, and leaned forward. “Eldrin, is something wrong?”

Eldrin seemed to snap out of his thoughts, quickly schooling his expression. “Nothing, lad,” he replied, his voice gruff but nonchalant. “Just focus on what Aurelia’s teaching you. This world’s more complicated than it appears.”

Kai sensed there was more to Eldrin’s reaction but let it go, turning his gaze back out the window. He watched as the scenery shifted, the familiar green fields gradually giving way to hills dotted with shrubs and trees. His thoughts turned inward again, a mix of wonder and questions swirling.

‘If there are noble families with bloodlines like the Lightning Eagle and Vermillion Bird… then what about ordinary people like me?’ He clenched his fists slightly, a mix of excitement and determination welling up inside him. He wasn’t born into a noble family, nor did he have any legendary bloodline that he knew of. But he had something just as powerful—the will to explore, to learn, to become something more than what he was.

As they neared the end of their journey, the sight of Havenbrook’s towering walls loomed in the distance, framed by the morning light. The gates were massive, guarded by soldiers in gleaming armor, their stern gazes scanning the crowds coming and going.

Kai’s heart pounded as they rolled closer, his eyes fixed on the city beyond the gates. He could already make out the rooftops, bustling streets, and distant spires. This was it—the start of something new, the doorway to a world he’d only dreamed of.

Beside him, Lia’s eyes were just as wide, her face a mirror of his wonder and excitement. They had finally arrived at Havenbrook, and with every beat of his heart, Kai knew this was just the beginning of an adventure beyond anything he could imagine.