The white eyes in the darkness swept over the group. Finis clutched his journal to his chest, holding his breath. The voice echoed against the stone walls and spoke again.
"Approach, Last Seed of Albaris. Do not be afraid. This is a sacred place for you."
Mira had drawn her swords, standing alert. "Who are you? Show yourself!"
A light rose from the darkness. A pale, silvery glow. As it drew closer, it took shape; a human form, but transparent, spectral. Tall, with snow-white hair, pale skin, just like Finis. He wore an elegant white robe that clearly dated back to the First Age. His eyes were ocean blue, exactly like Finis's, but they looked much older, far more ancient.
"I am Vaelen, one of the Last Scribes of Albaris," said the spectral figure. "Ages ago, during the Great Calamity, I took refuge here. My body has long since turned to dust, but my spirit remained to fulfill its duty. To wait for you."
Finis stepped forward. "How do you know me? Who am I?"
Vaelen's spirit looked at Finis with a sad smile. "You are the last scion of the Lost People, who passed through the rift between two worlds. When Albaris was destroyed, some of our people fled to different worlds. Your ancestors took refuge in the place you call Earth. But in time, they forgot their powers there, became mortal. Until you passed back through the rift and returned to your essence."
Liriel had lowered her bow and was listening intently. "Why was Albaris destroyed? Who did this?"
Vaelen's face darkened. His spectral form flickered, as if recalling a painful memory. "The Ancient Enemy. The Shadow Legion. They were not of this world; they came from outside. Beings born of darkness itself, formed of pure destructive energy. They envied Albaris. Our immortality, our healing power, our light... They wanted to annihilate it."
Torin leaned on his axe. "The Shadow Legion? Never heard of such a thing."
"Because they were banished from this world after the Great Calamity," said Vaelen. "The last mages of Albaris sacrificed their own lives to create a seal. They imprisoned the Shadow Legion in the void between worlds. But the seal is weakening. They are trying to return. And you, Finis Ferrum, are the only being who can reinforce that seal."
Finis felt dizzy. A few days ago, he was just a porter. Now, he was the last representative of a lost race, tasked with stopping an ancient enemy. "I... How can I do this? I'm just..."
"You think you're nothing?" Vaelen's voice hardened. "You carry the legacy of Albaris. Your healing power, your immortality, even that blue light you just used against the hobgoblin... These are only a small part of your true nature. But you must learn to control your power. Otherwise, you will be defenseless when the Shadow Legion arrives."
Just then, a noise erupted from the entrance of the ruins. Kael immediately drew his sword. "What's happening?"
Mira listened outside with her keen senses. Her face turned pale. "Goblins... Hundreds of goblins! And hobgoblins! They followed us!"
Vaelen's spirit turned swiftly to Finis. "They have found you. The servants of the Shadow Legion in this world sensed your presence. They will come to destroy you. You must leave now!"
"But what about you? What about this place?" Finis asked.
"I am already dead. This ruin has served its purpose. I have found you, told you the truth. Now go! Deep within the Whispering Stones, there is an escape tunnel. It will lead you to the other side of the mountains."
From outside came the war cries of goblins and the roars of hobgoblins. Torin gripped his axe. "Escape tunnel sounds good. Let's go!"
Vaelen looked deep into Finis's eyes. "Remember, Finis Ferrum. You are not just a healer. You are the Bearer of Light. It is you who will stand against the Shadow. What you write in your journal will be not merely the memoirs of a traveler, but the history of a nation. Now go!"
The group ran towards the narrow tunnel Vaelen indicated. Just as they were about to enter, the entrance of the ruins exploded. A massive hobgoblin burst in, wielding a giant double-bladed axe. It was much larger and more terrifying than the one they had faced before. Its skin was almost black, its eyes glowed red. And it spoke, its voice deep and ancient.
"White mage... We have found you. The Shadow Masters want your blood."
"Run!" Torin shouted.
Before diving into the tunnel, Finis looked back one last time. Vaelen's spirit had planted itself before the hobgoblin. The two beings faced each other. Vaelen raised his hands, and a blue light, similar to Finis's own, shot from his palms. The hobgoblin roared, swinging its axe. Light and darkness clashed.
The tunnel was narrow and dark. The group ran, breathless. Behind them came the shrill screams of goblins and the sound of rocks collapsing. Mira led the way, her eyes able to see even in the dark. Liriel occasionally turned to shoot arrows, taking down the goblins pursuing them.
As they neared the end of the tunnel, a massive stone door appeared before them. It was covered in Albaris runes. Finis instinctively placed his hand upon it. The runes glowed, and the door creaked open.
They emerged on the other side of the mountains. It was a lush green valley. Behind them rose the mountain containing the Whispering Stones. Sounds of collapse came from within the mountain. The ruin was caving in.
A final cry was heard. It was Vaelen's voice, but filled not with pain, but with triumph. "The light... never fades..."
And then silence.
The group collapsed onto the grass of the valley. They were all wounded and exhausted. Torin had a deep gash on his arm. Blood trickled from Liriel's cheek. Mira's leg had been pierced by a goblin spear. Kael seemed to have broken ribs, struggling to breathe.
Finis went into action immediately. He approached Kael first, placing his hands on his chest. The golden healing light spread from his palms, enveloping Kael's ribs. The fractures crackled as they fused, bruises faded. Kael took a deep breath.
Then Finis turned to Mira. He healed the spear wound in her leg. The wound, which had become infected and gathered pus, cleaned and closed at the touch of the light. Mira stared at her leg in astonishment. "That's... incredible."
The cut on Liriel's cheek vanished in seconds. The deep wound on Torin's arm closed without leaving a scar.
Finally, Finis looked at his own injuries. He had cut his knee crashing against rocks while running in the tunnel. But the wound had already healed. His body was using healing energy automatically.
After everyone was healed, Finis sat down on the ground. He took out his journal, but his hands were trembling so badly he couldn't write. Mira came and sat beside him, placing a hand over his.
"Calm down. You'll have time to write."
"Vaelen... sacrificed himself," Finis said. "For me. For someone he never knew."
"He swore an oath to protect the last scion of his people," Kael said. "It was his duty. And he died with honor."
Torin looked at the mountain. The ruins had completely collapsed; the Whispering Stones had fallen silent. "So what do we do now? If this Shadow Legion is real and coming back, it concerns all of Eterra."
Liriel turned to Finis. "Vaelen said you are a Bearer of Light. He also said you must learn to control your power. Perhaps you should find a teacher."
"A teacher? Who?"
Mira spoke thoughtfully. "To the east, beyond the Crystal Desert, there is a place called the Tower of Light. Monks live there who guard the secrets of ancient magic. Maybe they can help you."
Kael nodded. "The Crystal Desert means a long and dangerous journey. But it seems we have no other choice."
Finis looked at his journal. On the last page, he had written Vaelen's words: "What you write in your journal will be not merely the memoirs of a traveler, but the history of a nation."
"We will go," he said. "But along the way, I will continue to write everything I see. This world, its people, its creatures, its wars... I will record it all. Perhaps one day, these journals will find a place in a library. And people will read the story of Albaris, the war against the Shadow Legion."
Torin grumbled. "More long walking. But at least this time we have an immortal healer with us. What's the worst that could happen?"
Mira grinned. "Don't say that, dwarf. In this world, there is no such thing as 'the worst.' There's always something worse."
That night, they made camp in the valley. Finis wrote in his journal by the light of the fire. The Whispering Stones, Vaelen, the hobgoblin's attack, their escape—everything. As he wrote, he found a strange peace within himself. Words were his weapon now. A weapon more powerful than a sword, an axe, or magic.
In the morning, they set out towards the Crystal Desert. An endless road, countless dangers, and uncertainty lay before them. But Finis Ferrum was no longer afraid. He was the Last Seed of Albaris. And he would continue to write his story.
No matter how long he lived, no matter how far he walked, his journal would always be with him. Because immortality was not just about living; it was about being remembered. And Finis Ferrum was writing a story worth remembering.