Chapter 74 — Eldernight (End of the arc)

Chapter 74 — Eldernight (End of the arc)

A single flickering candle on the nightstand beside the bed barely lit the small room. Its weak flame provided little light, casting eerie shadows on the stone walls and wooden floor, leaving most of the space in darkness.

Randal's mother, wearing her usual white nightgown, leaned heavily against the door, desperately trying to keep it shut with her body. But the thing outside kept banging and banging violently, making the whole door rattle like it would burst open at any moment.

A weak, desperate voice reached his ears as she cried out. "Go away, monster! I won't let you take him!" She pressed her back against the door, trying with all her strength to keep it shut. Her hands moved frantically around, pushing a nearby chair and propping it under the doorknob.

All Randal could do was watch helplessly as his mother tried to stumble towards him, only to collapse on the floor after just a few steps, clutching her bleeding stomach.

Randal tried to get up and help her, but his body refused to obey. He tried to call for help, but no sound left his throat. When his mother needed him the most, all he could do was sit there helplessly, frozen in fear, watching the blood pool around her body.

"Randal, my baby," she whispered, her voice strained and weak, each word labored. "I need you to listen... don't ever trust..." She coughed, speckles of blood flying from her mouth. The pounding on the door and creaking wood drowned out her words. But she fought through it, desperate for him to understand. "...will lie..."

"...don't let him turn you into... never..." she gasped, her body wracking with convulsions as more blood escaped her lips. "Always... remember that I love you... no matter what happens. Please don't forget it. Please." Her eyes fluttered closed for a moment before opening again to gaze at him one last time. Then they fell shut, and she slumped back against the floor, unmoving.

— "M-Mommy..." Randal finally managed to choke out as tears streamed down his face. All he wanted was to run to her side, see her face so he wouldn't forget it again. To hold her and never let go.

But the door burst with a loud bang before he could even try. The chair blocking it shattered into splinters, and the tall creature stood in its place. It wore a cloak of shadows and had long, unnaturally thin limbs and no face—just two soulless black holes where eyes should be.

Randal shot up from bed, his heart pounding frantically against his ribcage. Sweat glistened on his lightly tanned skin as he gasped for breath, his thin chest rising and falling rapidly. His hands flew to his neck, searching for any sign of wounds or damage, but found only the smooth, soft flesh beneath his fingers.

Randal let out a shaky sigh, relief washing over him as he realized it was only a nightmare. "It's okay. It was just a bad dream," he whispered, his voice trembling slightly. Closing his eyes, the boy ran his shaky hand through his raven-black hair, tousling the strands and waiting for his breathing to calm.

Once he had dressed in clean clothes—a simple, rough grey tunic and pants—Randal grabbed his boots and slid them on before opening the door to his room. The familiar space of their living room greeted him: an old table with mismatched chairs, a few cabinets lining the wooden walls, and a fireplace that still held embers from last night's fire.

Unlocking the back door, Randal stumbled outside and breathed deeply in the fresh morning air. The chill of early spring clung to the breeze, making him slightly shiver as he inhaled the crisp scent of damp earth and newly blooming flowers.

The sun had only begun its ascent into the sky, casting an orange hue across the horizon and painting the clouds in shades of pink and purple. Birds sang cheerfully from their perches on nearby trees, filling the air with sweet melodies. Beyond the wooden fence surrounding their property, he could see their neighbors' houses dotting the green landscape.

Randal reached the chicken coop, the scent of feathers and damp straw filling his nostrils as he opened the hatch. The birds clucked softly, their eyes blinking in the sudden burst of sunlight before they scattered across the yard, pecking at the dirt and grass with eager beaks.

Shaking off the disturbing images, Randal continued his chores and headed towards the barn. Pushing open the heavy wooden doors revealed the familiar pungent stench of animal dung that clung to his nostrils. The dim light filtering through the dusty windows illuminated the space filled with haystacks, tools hanging from rusted nails, and various farming implements scattered about.

The next hour passed in a blur as Randal tended to the animals: cleaning their pens, shoveling fresh straw and hay, feeding them grain and vegetables, and filling their water troughs. He even collected a few more eggs the chickens laid throughout the morning.

As Randal finished his tasks, a deep voice rumbled behind him, "Good morning, Randal."

Randal nodded, forcing a smile back. As they walked past a house with a small garden, he spotted a single pink flower hiding in tall grass. He couldn't help but pause and pluck it, holding it gently between his thumb and forefinger as he admired its delicate petals and sniffed its sweet scent.

Randal's heart pounded as they approached the two small graves beneath the old oak tree. The simple, grey stone tombstones had the names of Thoran and Silvia etched into their surfaces, worn smooth by time and weather. Above Thoran's name was carved a symbol of a sword and shield, while below Silvia's name, a delicate flower bloomed eternally.

Father and son stood there in silence, their eyes of the exact hue fixed on the graves. The wind whispered through their hair and clothing, rustling the grass and leaves around them. The sky above stretched in an endless blue canvas, not a single cloud daring to spoil its perfection.

Randal nodded, stepping forward and gently placing the pink flower he'd picked earlier in front of his sister's stone. He took a moment to trace her name with his fingertips before glancing at his father, expecting some words, but Haldor remained silent; only tears shimmered in his eyes.

— "It's been... it's been a while," Randal admitted, his voice catching as he fought against the tears stinging his eyes. He swallowed hard, forcing himself to continue. "Not much has changed around here since we last visited you two. The village is still just as boring as ever," he whispered, and a small chuckle escaped him despite feeling sad.

— "Well," Randal said, hesitating for a moment before adding, "There are these new neighbors who moved in about a month ago." He rolled his eyes dramatically. "They're... well, they're strange folks, especially their youngest daughter, Mila. She follows me for no reason, always wants to play with me, but barely speaks," he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck.

— "Da-aad!" Randal groaned loudly, the pink flush spreading across his cheeks at the suggestion of having romantic feelings for Mila. "Eww! No!" He crossed his arms tightly over his chest in protest, pouting.

Randal let out a soft sigh as he glanced back at the tombstones. "Anyway..." he continued, his voice barely above a whisper. Suddenly, his face lit up with excitement as he remembered something. "Oh! I got my affinity two months ago!" he declared proudly, puffing out his chest. "Same as dad's—fire! Can you believe it? And I even learned my first spell already!"

Sweat beaded on Randal's forehead, making his raven-black hair stick to his skin. A few tense seconds passed before the air above his palm started shimmering, and a small, flickering orange flame appeared.