The smell of roasting meat wafted through the air, tantalizing my taste buds and making my stomach growl with anticipation, like a beast awakened from a deep slumber.
As we walked towards the camp, Drake glanced at me, a hint of amusement still dancing in his eyes, like a lingering spark of mirth that refused to be extinguished.
I could tell he was still remembering my mud-caked face, and I shot him a warning look, my eyes narrowing into slits. But he just chuckled and shook his head, his laughter like a gentle breeze.
As we walked, my thoughts drifted back to the enigmatic Phobian I had met that morning, like a ship sailing away from the shore of reality.
The stone he had made me devour, the strange sensation that had coursed through my veins like liquid fire, and the cryptic words that still echoed in my mind like a haunting melody.
The flashback hit me like a tidal wave, memories of Zarak's desperate voice flooding my senses like a deluge.
* I don't have much time... you must promise me that you'll conquer the Aetherstone... Aries!! Awaken the power of the Almighty Great Ancientstone. *
I raised my palm, gazing at it with a mixture of frustration and contemplation, like a puzzle piece that refused to fit. "What did he mean? What was that stone? What was happening to me there?" I wondered, my mind racing with questions.
Drake noticed my gesture and asked, his voice low and concerned, "Is something the matter, Aries?" His eyes locked onto mine.
I quickly lowered my hand, trying to brush off my concerns like a leaf blown away by the wind. "Nah, it's nothing, Gramps," I replied, attempting to sound nonchalant, like a mask slipping over my face.
We arrived at the camp, the nighttime darkness illuminated only by the warm glow of the fire pit, like a golden haven in the wilderness. I sat down on a stone, taking a bite of roasted meat.
The flavors exploded in my mouth, like a symphony of taste and smell, and I couldn't help but express my appreciation.
"Mhhh... it's delicious, Gramps," I said, my voice filled with genuine admiration.
Drake's face lit up with pride, his eyes closing in satisfaction, like a cat basking in the warmth of a sunbeam. "Just who do you think I am?" he said, his voice filled with a hint of arrogance,
like a peacock spreading its feathers. "I'm the one who can conjure up a feast fit for the gods, that's who I am..... Muhahahaa."
I narrowed my eyes, thinking to myself, "I shouldn't have said that."
Drake's pride was well-deserved, but I knew that praising him too much could go to his head, like a balloon inflating with hot air.
I decided to keep my thoughts to myself, instead focusing on enjoying the meal and the peaceful atmosphere of the camp.
Remembering Zarak and all about what he said, I got curious about Phobians.
I leaned forward, my eyes locked on Drake's. "Hey Gramps, you know something about Phobians, right? Can you tell me something about them?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me.
Drake's eyes snapped up from his meal, his gaze piercing as he stared at me. He set his utensils down, his hands resting on his knees.
"How did you come to know about them? Who told a child like you about them?" he asked, his tone sharp and guarded.
I shrugged, trying to downplay my interest, and leaned back slightly. "I just read about them in a book."
Drake's expression softened slightly, and he looked away, his eyes fixed on the flickering flames of the campfire.
He sighed, his chest rising and falling with the motion. "Okay, I think... as you know, there are many types of races in this world... elves, sprites, and fairies... keeping all of them aside, the two main races: Phobians and humans."
His tone changed, a hint of bitterness creeping in. "Phobians... they are merciless beings who don't care about lives. They're devoid of feelings, devoid of compassion... they're ruthless and cold-hearted."
He paused, his voice raising as he got into the topic. "They're pure evil! Devils! All they crave is power, they want to imprison us, they see us like toys... puppets... they never cooperated with humans! They're like killing machines!"
Drake's voice trailed off, and he paused, his eyes glazing over as if lost in thought. A faint shadow crossed his face, and he was remembering something painful - the image of a dead child appeared in his mind.
I was startled by the sudden change in his tone, and I became distant, my upper body leaning back slightly. I grinned with a weak smile and narrowed my eyes a little.
"Is he going to kill me thinking I'm a Phobian? Oh man, I'm in trouble!" I thought to myself, trying to lighten the mood.
He took a deep breath, his shoulders relaxing as he refocused on me. "Sorry, Aries, I lost my cool," he apologized, his voice still tinged with sadness.
I raised my hands, palms up, and smiled softly. "No, Gramps, please don't apologize. You don't need to apologize for something that's not your fault," I said, feeling a pang of sympathy.
Drake continued, his tone more measured. "I forgot to mention..."
I looked at him as he added "their mana arcane is incredibly powerful. They can create mana beasts or monsters... creatures that resemble humans but have distinct differences - their eyes, for instance, and the horns that grow on their elbows or heads."
I heard him, and my brows furrowed as I leaned forward, intrigued. "So the creatures back then were also..." I thought to myself.
He glanced at me, his expression serious, and nodded slightly. "That's all I can say for now, Aries. You're still young, and when you grow up, you'll understand more about the world and its complexities."
I shook off the lingering thoughts of Phobians and creatures, deciding it was time to call it a night. "Anyways, I'm going to sleep, Gramps. Good night," I said, trying to sound casual despite the turmoil brewing inside me.
Drake nodded, his eyes already half-closed, his head dipping forward slightly. "Yeah, good night," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper.
As I lay down, everything around me began to fade away, and I found myself in a dark, desolate place.
The air was thick with an eerie silence, and the darkness seemed to suffocate me. I sat up, disoriented, and looked around.
"Huh? What is this? Where am I?... And what is this place?" I muttered, my voice shaking slightly as I tried to make sense of my surroundings.