Chapter 4: The Legacy Within

  Location: Planax Village (1110) AD

  The sun dipped low over Planax Village, casting long shadows over the rugged landscape. Inside the modest cottage nestled on the outskirts, Julius stood outside his grandfather’s door, his heart pounding with a mix of anticipation and unease. The boy, now ten, had grown lean and quick, his eyes keen with a curiosity that never seemed to dull. He raised his hand and knocked twice, the sound echoing in the quiet evening.

  “Come in,” a familiar voice called.

  Julius entered, locking the door behind him as a habit from his training. The cottage was filled with the earthy scent of herbs and the smoky tang of old scrolls. Yet something felt off. The space was empty; no sign of his grandfather, or rather, Crameyus—the village chief and his secret mentor. But then, a sudden gust of wind stirred the air.

  Without thinking, Julius leaped back, his instincts taking over as he unsheathed the short sword at his side. Two silver daggers sliced through the air, and he parried them with a sharp clang. His heart raced, but his eyes found the familiar figure standing in the corner, a smile creasing the old man's weathered face.

  “Not bad... not bad at all,” Crameyus said, his voice thick with approval.

  Julius lowered his weapon but didn’t sheath it. “You’re going to give me a heart attack one of these days, Grandpa.”

  Crameyus chuckled, a deep rumble like distant thunder. “Well, I could always heal you with my nature magic if it comes to that. Come, sit down, boy. I have something important to show you.”

  The boy hesitated, then sheathed his sword and moved to sit at the wooden table. Crameyus rummaged through a chest at the far end of the room, finally pulling out a small velvet pouch. He placed it gently on the table in front of Julius.

  “I’ve been waiting to give you this. Your mother wanted you to have it when you were ready,” Crameyus said, his tone softening. “She gave it to me before she passed.”

  Julius swallowed hard, his chest tightening. He wasn’t sure what he had expected, but the sudden mention of his birth mother struck a chord he hadn’t prepared for. “What is it?” he asked, his voice barely a whisper.

  Crameyus loosened the drawstrings and reached inside. When he pulled his hand back, a small, translucent stone lay in his palm, gleaming faintly with a shifting spectrum of colors. It looked like a captured fragment of a rainbow.

  “This is a Spirit Stone,” Crameyus explained. “It’s incredibly rare, and each one is unique to the person who possesses it. When used, it will open a path to the spirit world and allow you to channel its energy. But be warned—using it without the proper training is dangerous. That’s why I waited until now to give it to you.”

  If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

  Julius’s brow furrowed as he stared at the stone. “I’ve read about Spirit Stones in Mother’s library. I thought they were just legends.”

  “Legends, perhaps, but very real ones. Stones like these are gateways, allowing those with affinities to connect to the spirit world and draw power from it,” Crameyus said, his eyes gleaming as he spoke. “Most stones are associated with common elements—fire, water, earth, or wind. Others, like ice or lightning, are rarer. But this one… this one is special.”

  “What makes it special?” Julius asked, his curiosity now piqued more than ever.

  “This is a King Stone,” Crameyus replied, his voice barely above a whisper. “It is said to appear only once in a bloodline, granting its wielder the ability to balance multiple affinities. Our family has guarded this secret for generations, passing down tales of a hero who would rise with the power of all the elements combined. Your mother believed you were destined for that path.”

  Julius reached out tentatively, his fingers brushing the surface of the stone. A shiver ran through him, and the stone pulsed faintly in response, as if recognizing his touch. “What do I need to do?”

  “Hold it in your hand,” Crameyus instructed. “Focus your mind. I’ll help guide your inner energy toward it. If the stone lights up with any particular color, that will indicate your primary affinity. Stay calm, and keep your eyes on the stone. Remember, it will show you the way.”

  Julius took a deep breath, then nodded. “I’m ready.”

  Crameyus placed the stone in the boy’s open palm. “Good. Now, concentrate.” The elder's voice took on a low, resonant tone. “Porta Sancta,” he chanted.

  The stone began to glow, first a pale white, then deepening into a radiant spectrum that danced across the walls. Julius felt a warm surge flow from his chest down to his fingertips, a sensation both alien and familiar. The light brightened, shifting from red to blue to green and beyond, as if trying to settle on a single color but never quite doing so.

  Crameyus’s eyes widened. “It’s… reacting to all the affinities at once,” he whispered, more to himself than to Julius. “Unbelievable.”

  Julius could feel the energy flowing through him, not just from the stone but from something deeper within, awakening. His vision blurred, and for a moment, he glimpsed a place beyond the cottage walls—a vast landscape filled with shifting colors, whispers, and shapes that defied description.

  He gasped and nearly dropped the stone, breaking the connection. The light faded, and the cottage seemed darker than before. Julius panted, his heart racing. “What was that?”

  “That,” Crameyus said slowly, “was the spirit world. And the fact that you touched it without proper training…” He shook his head in amazement. “You truly are your mother’s son. But there’s much more for you to learn, and many dangers ahead. This stone will help guide you, but it will not protect you from what’s out there.”

  Julius clenched the Spirit Stone tightly, a new resolve settling in his chest. “Then I’ll learn, Grandpa. I’ll do whatever it takes.”

  Crameyus’s expression softened into a rare smile. “That’s the spirit, boy. But for now, get some rest. The journey ahead will require all the strength you can muster. And remember, not a word of this to anyone, not even Ariadna or Karsus. There are secrets we must keep—at least for now.”

  Julius nodded, slipping the stone into a pouch at his belt. As he left the cottage, the world seemed somehow different, as if every shadow hid a mystery and every gust of wind carried a secret just out of reach. He had taken the first step on a path that would change his life forever, and there was no turning back.