Aric:the warrior of shadow and flame

The Child of

s birth was unlike any othe

d swollen, yet no rain fell. Instead, fire licked the heavens - emerald and gold flames that shimmered across the sky as though the firmament itself had been set ab

ing to fall from the sky. Her dark hair clung to her brow, soaked with sweat, yet her eyes - emerald, fierce, unyielding - sho

used by a lifetime of war - clenched helplessly. He had fought warlords, dueled champions, even driven beasts back into the norther

thest corner, half veiled by shadows, stood Mira - the blind seer who had arrived unbidden three nights ago. Her white eyes, clouded and unseeing,

ing steel. The babe emerged into the world not silent but wailing, h

storm outsi

itself had faltered. Even the midwife stopped breathing, for

ames coiled around his tiny fists, curled across his chest, then vanish

eyes that str

his gaze. The other was a stormy steel-grey, hard and cold as tempered iron, reflecting the bloodl

ached with trembling arms and drew her son to her breast. Her exhaustion melted away as

on his back. His scarred hands cupped the infant's tiny head. His voice, deep and certain, rum

ra's voice cut through l

is b

d, yet her pale face seemed carved from prophecy itse

And because of this, he will walk the edge of shadow. Greatness will follow him, and so will

ear. The midwife fled, muttering prayers to ward off curses. Kae

mine will be broken. He will be tempered in fire, forged in stee

ely around her child, her heart heavy with unspoken dread. She knew

e boy's brow, whispering to him as if

d flame, of steel and sorcery. Whatever path yo

. And as the heavens above split at last with torrents of rain, washing the fiery glow

Valorith's dest

with what had been brought into the world. Fires danced across the ridges of the Iron Mountai

one walls the whispers would not still. The tale of the child with two-colored eyes spread like wildfire. Some called him a blessing, others a curse. Farm

ned toward nothing yet seeming to pierce everything. None dared to ask why she had

birth, she finally spoke the wor

ody of rivers and moonlight. Kaelor stood by the window, sharpening the blade that had carried him to countless vi

ross the chamber, as col

will be a

hetstone paused against his

ightless eyes glowing f

. Through him, kingdoms will either rise or be brought to ash. He will be loved, and he will be feared. He

ber. The fire crackled,

I have no use for them. My son will not be broken, nor will he be pawn of fate. He i

gold and steel glimmering even in the dim firelight. Her heart swelled with love and f

her shoulder, firm but gentle. "Then I will stand between him and any

hat Darian st

lor through wars unnumbered. To Kaelor, he was more than comrade - he was family, forged not by blo

e you both. I have seen kingdoms tremble before your names. You are legends - the w

into the child's eyes, o

Blood of sorcery, blood of war. Born of two legends.

between pride and fear. "And wha

fant's tiny fist. Aric's hand closed tightly around his finger w

nd certain. "I swear it, by steel and blood - I will be his shield. I will be h

r's stern face gave way to quiet pride, and Mira, though silent,

s remnants whispered across the mountain

is fate to the child's. And though none could know it then, that vow would e

d a final blessing. Kaelor stood watch at the window, hand resting on his sword, eyes fixed upon the horizon as though daring fa

whisper was almost lost i

ow alread

n his sleep, his golden eye flickering open for

ond Ironhold shud