Prologue: Darkness and Light

Darkness.

A black void filled with nothing but a gloomy emptiness

Endless

Endless

Endless

Emptiness.

The oppressive darkness of this wretched void would drive anyone insane in mere seconds.

Leave them to their own thoughts and to the darkness of their own minds.

It'll leave them hollow, filled with nothing but air as time becomes useless.

That is until..

A light suddenly appeared out of the shadows, its brilliant rays filling the void and transforming it into a breathtaking sea of shining stars scattered throughout the dark surface.

Then, in a second, it vanished.

Where all the light was concentrated, there was only one ball no larger than a tennis ball.

It floated across the endless nothingness in serenity until it was pulled into a vortex-like hole.

Soon after, it shot out of the sky like a shooting star, descending onto a clear, flower-filled land and shining a bright light over the vibrant petals.

The landing resulted in a minor earthquake and a huge energy wave that covered the entire planet.

It then glowed dazzlingly and gradually took on a simple form.

Lying there on the velvety grass is a lean male human, the only reminder of what had transpired.

Then it was as though time had stopped,, and the forest had returned to encircle the clearing.

The crickets chirping in the bright night sky and tiny fireflies flicker their light like the stars in the night sky.

the ball of light - turned man flinched, body tensing as he began to awake.

He opened his eyes and saw the world for the first time with innocent, wonder-filled eyes. Gold eyes gleamed with intensity.

He sat up slowly and took his first breath, inhaling the oxygen as he looked around his hair swaying with the wind.

He got to his feet, struggling at first, then trying again, he was getting used to his new limbs, trying to figure out how to use them.

He looked around the grassy area, feeling its blades brush against his sensitive skin.

With his first step and the grass tickling beneath his feet, he began to stumble and move erratically.

He wandered through the forest, not knowing why, yet still continued.

It had been hours since he awoke, and he was exhausted, his legs trembled, and he breathed heavily, having not eaten since he had received his conscience.

Then he came to a stop. He didn't have the energy to continue walking. He spent hours walking in the same direction, pausing now and then to gaze at the sparse wildlife he saw birds, deer, rabbits, and other unusual animals he was unaware of.

Then, unable to move any further, he stopped, dropped to the mud, and rested against a tree.

His vision was hazy, he felt hot and sweaty, his eyes were heavy, and he felt exhausted. The forest was engulfed in a cold, humid fog.

It did not take him long to fall asleep, drifting off to the soothing sounds of nature.

.

.

.

The voices of people could be heard not far from the man who was sleeping.

The noise of a small boy's laughter was getting closer as a female voice exclaimed, " ??? wait up! ." With joy, the voice shouted, " Can't catch me!! "

The child went on till he saw the young man lying on the ground, covered in filth. He gave a loud cry, calling for the woman.

The woman hurriedly came to the boy wondering why he shouted, till she saw the man on the ground.

She was taken aback when she first saw the man, but she quickly kneeled close to him out of concern to check on him. The small kid stood by her side with a wide-eyed gaze, observing the stranger with curiosity and empathy.

The mother and the small child decided to assist the man without a second thought. They returned to their modest house, tucked away deep in the forest, and helped him with kind hands.

The mother was busy ensuring the young man had the help he needed, while the youngster chatted happily and asked questions about the man.

When they arrived at their quaint cottage, the lady made the man feel at ease on a soft bed and wrapped him in a comforting blanket.

The man was relaxed, and the Mother and the little boy alternated keeping an eye on him to guarantee that he was well looked after.

Following his awakening, the lady questioned him about his origins and identity, though the man couldn't answer her.

The mother continued to nurture him despite his inability to respond to her questions.

Their gentle care and encouragement helped the guy gradually regain his strength and clear his blurry eyesight. He told them about his short travel and listened closely to the stories the mother and the small child had to offer, grateful for their assistance.

Once he was stronger and had cleaned himself up, he started to assist the woman and the young child by carrying objects for them, splitting wood, or going on hunts with them.

After a few months of living with the mother and child, he felt like he belonged; the child loved to call him big brother, and the mother loved him and called him her older son. Living with them also taught him a great deal of new things.

The woman then asked him for his name. “My name?” He said it questioningly while looking at the woman. She smiled at the young man and said, "Yeah, I had been wondering what your name is, if you still remember it."

He looked up, his eyes fixed on the starry night sky. His gaze was glimmering.

"Estel." he muttered, his eyes still fixed on the brilliant stars, "What was it?" Unable to hear him, the woman inquired. He looked back over his shoulder to stare at the mother he had started to love.

"You can call me Estel Elara."

[To be Continued..]

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