As Ethan and his companions journeyed onward, they found themselves enveloped in the oppressive heat of the desert sun. The sands stretched out endlessly before them, shimmering in the relentless glare, while above, the sky was a vast expanse of unforgiving blue.Despite the harsh conditions, Ethan pressed on, his determination unwavering in the face of adversity. He knew that every step brought them closer to their goal—the fabled City of Sorrows, hidden deep within the heart of the desert, where the secrets of the ancients lay waiting to be uncovered.But as they traveled deeper into the desert, they encountered challenges unlike any they had faced before. Fierce sandstorms swept across the dunes, threatening to engulf them in a swirling vortex of dust and debris. The scorching heat beat down upon them, sapping their strength and resolve with every passing moment.Yet, amidst the chaos and turmoil, Ethan and his companions found unexpected allies—a band of nomadic travelers, hardene
As Ethan and his companions ventured deeper into the oasis, they felt a sense of unease settle over them like a heavy shroud. The once tranquil surroundings now seemed to hum with an eerie energy, as if the very air crackled with anticipation of impending danger.They moved cautiously through the ancient ruins, their senses alert for any sign of trouble. The crumbling walls loomed overhead, casting long shadows that seemed to dance with malevolent intent.Suddenly, a low growl echoed through the air, causing Ethan and his companions to freeze in their tracks. They turned as one, their eyes scanning the darkness for any sign of the source of the sound.And then they saw it—a pair of glowing eyes peering out from the shadows, their gaze filled with a primal fury that sent shivers down their spines.Before them stood a creature unlike any they had ever seen—a massive lion, its mane bristling with golden fur and its claws gleaming in the dim light. It paced back and forth, its muscles rip
As Ethan and his companions ventured deeper into the temple's inner sanctum, they found themselves engulfed in darkness—a darkness so thick and suffocating that it seemed to press down upon them like a weight.Their torches flickered weakly, casting long shadows that danced along the walls, their movements eerie and unpredictable. The air was thick with the scent of decay, a foul stench that seemed to seep into their very bones.With each step, their hearts grew heavier, weighed down by the oppressive atmosphere that surrounded them. Fear gnawed at the edges of their minds, threatening to consume them whole.Suddenly, a sound echoed through the darkness—a sound like the distant wail of a lost soul, its mournful cry sending shivers down their spines. They froze, their senses on high alert as they strained to pierce the veil of shadows that lay before them.And then, from the darkness emerged a figure—a figure clad in tattered robes, their face hidden beneath a veil of shadows. Their ey
The next morning, the he was awakened to magnificent city which sprawled out before him, a concrete jungle teeming with life and chaos. Skyscrapers reached for the heavens, their gleaming glass surfaces reflecting the harsh light of the sun. But amidst the grandeur of the city, in a forgotten corner, lay an 18-year-old boy named Romsey, discarded by the family that had once been his anchor.Romsey, destined by nature's forces to be a curse to the family and people awoke to find himself lying on a tattered mattress, the coarse fabric scratching against his very skin. The room was small and dimly lit, with faded wallpaper peeling at the edges. A solitary window allowed feeble rays of sunlight to filter through, revealing a layer of dust that hung in the air.His eyes fell upon a cracked and faded mirror that hung on the wall opposite the bed. Its glass, marred by years of neglect, revealed fragments of her reflection. It was a mirror that had witnessed countless moments of despair, refl
Even as he walked into the crowd of familiar faces, he did not take off his cloak. Magnus was not one to enjoy the company of people, which was seemingly ironic considering his gift needed him to be around people. Even as he took slow strides, he could still feel eyes staring at him as they struggled to place who the mysterious person in the market was.But deep down, he knew that once he was cloaked, no one really bothered about his existence. This was Forseti and many people could move around, unnoticed. You would have to be a recognised member of the community to be stared at whenever you walked in the marketplace.As he moved around, he let his eyes scurry through the crowd of persons, allowing his mind to be fixated on many of them. Was that the woman from the bread store? Magnus allowed his mind to focus on her and suddenly, he could feel the burning sensation move down his spine. This was how it always felt; sometimes, it was even more intense: burning his insides until his voc
When Freya saw the gown, her eyes had immediately welled up, tears beginning to fall down her beautiful cheeks. On seeing her mother's reaction, Thora had rushed and encircled her in her arms. Thora knew that Freya had not expected Thora to make a gown this beautiful for her as a birthday present.But then, Thora always had a way of surprising people. Thora's friends, Alyssa, Naomi and Joffrey were present, and they fawned in adoration, their eyes not betraying how they felt."Happy birthday, Mother," Thora whispered.Thora and Alyssa had spent the past few days planning a birthday feast for Freya. However, Thora knew it wasn't going to be a feast per se because in the end, it was only going to be Thora and her friends that would be in attendance. Freya did not have many friends in The Central Clan. The clansmen and women always claimed that she questioned the gods, rather than just submit. Of course, Freya was not one to accept anything just the benevolence of the gods, even if she b
She was standing in the woods, her eyes staring into what she could not fathom. It was foggy, and it felt like she was hearing the cries of women in the distance. Thora could not understand what she was listening to but she knew it was calling her closer. She moved towards the sound of the cries, hoping deep down that she was not making a terrible decision. As she moved, she felt a sharp sting in her chest. What was that? Fear? She stifled it immediately, reminding herself that she was a brave young woman."The hearts of the gifted learn to yonder," She heard a deep voice say behind her. She turned to see him and was shocked to see Lord Magnus, standing there, his white linen shining in the dark."Are you ready to yonder, Thora Andersen?" He asked.***Thora jolted from her bed, her breathing accelerated. It was a dream, she sighed. Of course it was. Wiping off the beads of sweat from her face, she stood and moved outside.As she stared at the night sky, all she could think about was
When Thora walked into Lord Magnus's temple, her breath seized for a slight moment. She had never been to the Chief's palace but from the stories she had heard, the palace of the Chief was a magnificent site to behold. But as she walked into Lord Magnus's temple, she wondered if the temple did not surpass the palace a million times.It was all beautiful.As she walked, she could see men and women dressed in white, moving around with materials she would later identify as incense. As she walked, unsure of where to go next, she realized to her disdain that these men and women would pay her no heed. Nevertheless, she forged ahead, hoping she would be able to find Lord Magnus's chamber.Soon enough, she found herself in what she considered to the most luxurious hallway she had ever seen. As she trod carefully, she smiled because she was so connected to this luxury. She noticed that no servants(she would later learn that Magnus called them his scribes) walked here. The quiet was something s