Dratia was no longer his name. Alaric, the name he adopted, felt more fitting for the new life he was carving out of the ashes of his past. The forest became his sanctuary, a place where he could explore the depths of his newfound powers. It wasn’t long before he discovered the extent of his abilities. Sitting cross-legged on the forest floor, Alaric focused on a pair of birds perched above him. Their minds fluttered like the leaves in the wind, filled with simple thoughts of food and safety. With a gentle push of his mind, he delved deeper, feeling their connection to the world around him. Telepathy—another gift bestowed upon him. He chuckled softly, the sound echoing in the stillness. “So this is what I can do?” He shifted his focus to a nearby chair he had found in an abandoned cabin, testing his telekinesis. With a wave of his hand, the chair lifted into the air, wobbling slightly before crashing back down. “Not quite perfect yet,” he mused, determination flashing in his eyes. But it was when he attempted to fly that the true extent of his abilities revealed itself. With a deep breath, he concentrated, envisioning himself soaring through the canopy of trees. To his astonishment, he felt himself lift off the ground, hovering a few feet above the forest floor before gliding gently back down. “I can fly…” he breathed, a grin breaking across his face. Yet, as he honed his skills, a troubling thought crept into his mind. His powers were not a curse but a blessing stripped of their former essence. His magic element affinity had been taken from him, leaving him with an overwhelming well of mana that yearned for expression. The realization struck him—he was not just a vessel of destruction; he was something more. As memories flooded back, he thought of House Eldrath, of his mother, Lady Seraphina, a gentle soul with a heart of gold; his father, Lord Aelric, a stern yet loving ruler; his siblings, Caelum and Lyra, who had been his closest companions. The faces of the servants who had cared for them, like old Maris, who always had a kind word or a warm meal ready, swirled in his mind. They were gone, victims of the very chaos that now surrounded him. “I will not forget,” he vowed softly, eyes glistening with unshed tears. “I will honor your memory.” Determined to master his powers, Alaric resolved to remain hidden in the forest, honing his skills until the time came for him to reclaim what was lost. The hunt for those who had wronged him would begin, and he would be ready. With newfound purpose, Alaric turned deeper into the woods, ready to embrace the shadows that would become his allies in the battles to come.


    If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.