Silent Circle: The Vow of an Heir

Chapter 4: The Lost Heritage

The wooden house where Grandfather Surya raised him stood firm, though it appeared older and more worn.

He felt a complex wave of emotions: longing, excitement, and a bit of fear. Fear of the reality that the life he once knew may have changed forever.

Arriving in front of the house, he saw a thin wisp of smoke rising from the chimney. It was a sign that Grandfather Surya was still there. He took a deep breath, calming his heart, and knocked on the door.

Grandfather Surya's voice could be heard from inside, "Who’s there?"

"It’s me, Yang," Darian replied, trembling slightly. The door opened, revealing Grandfather Surya’s wrinkled face, still radiating warmth.

Grandfather Surya’s eyes sparkled when he saw Darian. He embraced Darian tightly, a hug full of affection and relief.

"You’ve come back, my child," said Grandfather Surya, his voice shaking with emotion. "I’ve missed you."

Darian returned the hug, tears streaming down his face. He had returned to the place that had once been his home, where he felt safe and protected.

However, the embrace didn’t last long. Darian felt Grandfather Surya’s body shaking violently.

Grandfather Surya released his hug, coughing violently, shaking his frail body. Fresh blood stained the corner of his lips.

His face was pale, the lines of exhaustion etched deep into his wrinkled skin. His breaths were heavy, sounding like painful gasps.

A dim light illuminated the small room, casting grim shadows on the old wooden walls. The faint smell of medicine lingered in the air.

"Grandfather…," Darian stammered, his voice choked with emotion. He noticed the dark bruises on Grandfather Surya’s arm and chest, which were covered by worn cloth.

Grandfather Surya smiled weakly, trying to appear strong. "Don’t worry, my child," he whispered, his voice barely audible.

"I’m just… a little tired."

Darian gently touched Grandfather Surya’s arm. The touch felt cold. He saw the worn cloth soaked with dried blood.

"Tired?" Darian asked, his voice trembling. He knew it wasn’t just ordinary fatigue.

Grandfather Surya shook his head slowly, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. He coughed again, this time more violently, blood once again staining his lips.

He looked at Darian with a meaningful gaze laden with an unspoken message. A message that only Darian could understand.

"There’s… something you need to know, my child," Grandfather Surya whispered, his voice almost inaudible amid his constant coughing. He reached for Darian’s hand, gripping it tightly. "Before… it’s too late."

The atmosphere in the small cabin was silent, only accompanied by Grandfather Surya’s heavy breathing and occasional coughs that shook his body.

Darian held Grandfather Surya’s hand tightly, feeling the coldness of his grandfather’s wrinkled skin.

His eyes welled up with tears as he waited for the long-awaited explanation.

Grandfather Surya took a deep breath as if gathering the last of his strength. He looked at Darian with an expression full of regret and longing.

"Twenty years ago," he said, his voice hoarse, "a couple came to this cabin. They were badly injured, their clothes torn, their bodies covered in wounds. They brought a baby boy… you, Darian."

Darian was stunned. He had never imagined the story behind his presence in this cabin.

"They were your parents," continued Grandfather Surya, his voice weakening. "They couldn’t survive. Their wounds were too severe.

They died in my arms, Darian. I buried them behind this cabin, beneath the old banyan tree."  Tears flowed freely down Darian’s face. He had never known his parents, never felt the love of a mother and father. He learned a little about them, which deepened his sense of loss.

Grandfather Surya continued, "They only had a little time to speak before they passed. They were members of the Silent Circle sect.

Their sect was destroyed by… the Wanderers of Darkness, an ancient sect from a hidden world. Only a few managed to escape."

Darian was stunned. A hidden world? An ancient sect? All of this sounded like a fairy tale, but from Grandfather Surya’s eyes, he could see an undeniable truth.

"Two weeks ago," Grandfather Surya continued, his voice barely audible, "two members of the Wanderers of Darkness came here.

They were searching for something… perhaps you. I fought them… and this is the result." He pointed to the bruises on his arm.

Anger swelled in Darian’s chest. His parents had been killed, and now, that threat was returning. He had to protect Grandfather Surya—and himself.

He needed to uncover the truth behind the Wanderers of Darkness and the Silent Circle. He needed to avenge his parents' deaths.

"I will get revenge, Yang," Darian whispered, his voice trembling with emotion. He squeezed Grandfather Surya’s hand tighter.

"I will protect us."

Grandfather Surya took out a necklace from inside his jacket pocket. The delicate silver chain held a simple yet elegant pendant: a solid metal circle with a dark green onyx stone set in the centre, softly shimmering.

The dim light reflected off the stone, making it appear to have a mysterious depth.

With trembling hands, Grandfather Surya handed the necklace to Darian.

"This is a keepsake I took from your mother’s neck before I buried her," he whispered, his voice barely audible.

"Your father’s name was Alaric, and your mother’s, Liora. You must be careful, Darian," he continued, his voice broken by heavy breaths.

"Don’t rush into revenge. First, make yourself strong. Strength isn’t just physical, but also in the mind and spirit."

Darian took the necklace with a trembling heart. The cold touch of the metal and the warmth of the onyx stone felt so accurate in his hands.

He felt the heavy burden of history, a heritage he had never expected. He looked at Grandfather Surya’s face, which now seemed even paler.

His grandfather’s breathing grew heavier, sounding like a final gasp. Darian wanted to ask and hear more, but the words seemed stuck in his throat.

With one long, deep breath, Grandfather Surya closed his eyes. His body went limp, his hand slipping from Darian’s grip.

Silence enveloped the small cabin, only accompanied by Darian’s sobs. Grandfather Surya, his protector, his teacher, the only family he had ever known, was gone, leaving Darian with a heavy legacy and the wise words he had just heard.

The necklace in his hand felt heavier, symbolising responsibility and a warning of the dangers ahead.  Darian held his cold grandfather’s body, tears soaking his face. The profound sense of loss hit him hard.

But amidst the sorrow, a burning determination began to ignite. He had to continue Grandfather Surya’s fight, protect the heritage of the Silent Circle, avenge his parents' deaths, and uncover the secrets of the Wanderers of Darkness.

The necklace in his hand felt heavy, not only because of its metal but also because of the weight of the responsibility he now carried.

Slowly, he lifted the necklace, gazing at it with unwavering resolve. Darian was determined to wear it not as jewellery but as a symbol of his commitment.

However, as he stared at the necklace, a faint voice echoed in his mind, which seemed to come from the depths of the night.

"Run, save yourself, Darian..." The voice sent chills down his spine, and before he could think further, a shadowy figure darted across the edge of his vision.