The Forsaken Seal

The sun had already climbed high, but Layron's mind remained trapped in the depths of last night's dream. The six stones. The whispering voice. That looming presence in the void.

He could still hear its words.

"You are not ready."

Layron sat at the edge of his bed, staring at his trembling hands. The air in his room felt heavier than before, as if the dream had left a lingering presence. He clenched his fists, forcing himself to steady his breath.

Zorthaal had been speaking to him constantly these past few days, guiding him, twisting his thoughts, but now—

Silence.

Layron hesitated before whispering, "Zorthaal?"

Nothing.

A cold weight settled in his chest. This was the first time Zorthaal had ignored him.

"Are you there? I know you can hear me! Say something??" he asked again, this time more firmly.

Still, nothing. No amused chuckle. No cryptic response. Just silence.

Layron's fingers twitched. This was wrong. Zorthaal was always there, always whispering, always waiting. But now, after this dream, he had gone completely silent.

Why?

Layron stood up, shaking his head. He needed answers. If Zorthaal wouldn't talk, then there was only one person left who might know something.

Gramps.

The Return of Tensuke

Layron had spent most of the morning searching the village, checking every place his grandfather usually went. But there had been no sign of him.

Until now.

As Layron rounded the corner of a narrow path leading toward the training grounds, he stopped.

There, standing beneath the shade of an old tree, was Tensuke.

His grandfather was dusting off his coat, his sword strapped securely to his back. His stance was relaxed, but Layron could see the tension in his shoulders. He had just returned—but from where?

Layron swallowed, stepping forward. "Gramps."

Tensuke glanced at him, his sharp eyes studying Layron for a moment before he gave a small nod. "You're up early."

Layron frowned. "Where did you go?"

Tensuke shook his head as he adjusted his sword. "Busy morning. Had to take care of some things."

"What things?"

A pause. Then a chuckle, though it lacked its usual warmth. "Just some old business, kid. Nothing to worry about."

Layron's stomach twisted. He had known his grandfather long enough to tell when he was lying.

But before he could press further, Tensuke gave him a knowing look. "You were looking for me. Why?"

Layron hesitated, suddenly unsure. But the weight of the dream still clung to him, refusing to be ignored.

"I had a dream," he said slowly. "It… felt different."

Tensuke's expression changed a bit, Layron saw it. The flicker of something—recognition, maybe even concern—before it was quickly buried beneath a calm mask.

"A dream?" Tensuke repeated, his tone too casual.

Layron nodded. "It wasn't like any dream I've had before. There were six stones. They were floating in the dark, and then… something spoke to me. It said six things were once whole… and that they must return."

Tensuke's hands stilled.

Layron caught the briefest shift in his posture. A slight tension in his grip. A tightening of his jaw.

"Just a dream," Tensuke finally said, his voice even. "You've been pushing yourself too hard. Your mind's just playing tricks on you."

Layron frowned. "No, this was different. It felt—real."

Tensuke sighed, placing a hand on Layron's shoulder. "Listen, kid. I've seen warriors—strong, disciplined warriors—get lost in their own heads because of dreams like this. Sometimes, a dream is just that—a dream. Nothing more."

Layron wanted to believe that. He needed to believe that. But something about the way Tensuke said it…

The slight strain in his voice.

The way his eyes flickered with something distant, something worried.

He was hiding something.

"But what if it means something?" Layron pressed.

Tensuke gave a small, tired smile. "Then we'll deal with it when it comes. But for now, you're my grandson. And I don't want you losing sleep over nightmares."

Layron clenched his fists. He could tell that was all he was going to get.

For now.

Tensuke gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "Now, why don't you go eat something? You look like a ghost."

Layron let out a slow breath, forcing himself to nod. "...Alright."

As he turned to leave, Tensuke watched him carefully, his smile fading the moment Layron's back was turned.

Tensuke's Fear

Once Layron was out of sight, Tensuke let out a slow, shaky breath. His hands, the same hands that had held a sword for decades without fear, were trembling. A cold sweat ran down his brow.

It was happening.

The signs were there. The whispers. The silence. The dream of the six.

He had spent years preparing for this moment, hoping—praying—that it would never come. But the moment Layron spoke of the six stones, Tensuke knew there was no denying it.

The seal was weakening.

And if the seal was weakening…

They would come soon.

Tensuke's grips tightened until his knuckles turned white. He had kept Layron hidden for so long, kept him safe, hoping he could just be a normal kid.

But fate was cruel.

No matter how hard he tried, no matter how much he wanted to shield Layron from this truth… he couldn't.

They would come.

And when they did, he would have to make a choice.

Fight.

Or run.

Again.

Because he knew.

This wasn't just a dream.

And soon, they would come.

He just didn't know if he could stop them in time.

The questions we get :-

1) Who will come and why is he so worried and what's on Gramps mind??

2) What does he hide from Layron and Is that really a serious issue???

3) What's the dream about ? Is there any connection between Layron and the dream? 4)Why Zorthaal didn't replied to Layron ?