The Last Blood Mage

The Day Everything Changed Part One

Eight months ago, rain poured relentlessly from the darkened sky, creating a curtain of water that shrouded the forest. In the midst of the tempest, Xander sprinted through the mud-soaked ground, his breath ragged, trying to keep up with the old man who led the way.

The old man's gray hair and beard were matted against his face, and his black robes clung to his form as he pushed forward, his eyes filled with urgency.

"Keep up, Xander!" the old man shouted over the thunderous rain, his voice strained with desperation. "The mage hunters are closing in on us!"

Xander's voice lashed out, frustration and anger echoing through the rain-soaked air. "Lucious, wait! Why didn't you tell me you were being hunted by the damn mage hunters?"

Lucious's gaze flickered toward Xander, his expression a mix of regret and resolve. "If I had told you, you wouldn't have agreed to help me reach Kingdom Alvenor."

Xander's jaw clenched, his eyes flashing with a mixture of betrayal and exasperation. "You dragg