Chapter 4

The horse carriage again stopped in front of Gwydion's house. The white-haired man was cleaning his house when Adam returned. His smile widened as he greeted Adam.

" You're back in one piece! Your whole body literally completed!" said Gwydion.

"A whole body? How many newcomers had to die at their hands? By the way, are you busy? I want to talk to you."

"No, I'm purposely not traveling anywhere today, waiting for you. Let's talk inside; I've prepared snacks from black orchid essence and of course, we had so many things to talk."

The two men stepped in unison into the brown house. Gwydion clapped his hands as he closed the door, and the floor in the house shifted. A ladder appeared; it led to the bottom of the house.

"Come on, let's have a drink in the basement. I have a private space to hide when many attacks happen,' said Gwydion.

Gwydion swung his hand towards the dining table near the basement stairs. The two cups, a teapot, and the bowl of snacks he had said flew past Adam and Gwydion.

The show that Gwydion gave just now was entertaining for Adam; something he had seen from a picture in a storybook or film had become a reality. Adam did not deny what was happening now; it had something to do with the old man in the dream, and he had to find out about it.

"Wow, this is amazing."

Adam was amazed to see a neat and minimalist room in front of him. Blue couches, whitewashed walls, and many antique ornaments give Gwydion's private space an expensive feel.

"Thank you, you could say; I enjoy working on making the house beautiful and tidy. My heart becomes calm when arranging a room to be beautiful. Maybe because no more pretty things can be felt in this Greash, the magus who are left must be able to find one thing to drive away the boredom and fear that always haunts us."

Gwydion sat down on the gray fur couch with a deep sigh. He downed a cup of his brewed green tea quickly. Adam was feeling tired and frustrated.

"Looks like I have a lot to learn from this place. But, I want to know the story of the old man who was cut off when that person picked me up. Who's he?"

Gwydion turned to Adam, his eyes filled with tears; he drank another cup of tea.

"He's Gonie. He's my ancestor who died forty years ago, and I believe he's the one who brought you here, Adam."

Adam didn't budge; Gwydion's statement was quite surprising what the man with the red freckles on his hand said made quite a bit of sense.

"Well, it’s really really make me confused. But, the fact it's proven by you who saved me to your house. What have your ancestors done to me? I don't know what happened to me where I was. Did I die? I was in a bad accident because your ancestor appeared in my car. That's crazy."

"I'm sure you're not dead. If you were dead, you wouldn't be here, Adam. This isn't the spirit world; between my place and yours is just a galaxy difference. Greash is a place anyone can touch; this place was the most beautiful before…." Gwydion looked dazed, then closed his eyes, "Now this place is destroyed; we are just waiting to die here."

Gwydion rubbed his head, and a long thread like a flatworm came out of his head.

"This is depression, frustration, disappointment, or whatever is inside me. If I don't get this out, my head will explode. This stress is so torturous. What did you get from the meeting earlier? Were you brought to choose your power?"

Adam nodded. "Yeah, I got four."

"What? What are you talking about?" Gwydion looked like he couldn't believe Adam's words.

"You're talking about the four strange lights. Yes, I got all four lights."

"It is impossible. There's no mistake; you are the one who is written in our destiny, Adam. You are the holy magus who will save Greash from destruction. I'm speechless; I mean… at first, I still doubted if you were the person we'd been waiting for, but it turns out… it's you."

Gwydion rubbed his forehead; several long threadlike lights returned from his head.

"May you tell me about Greash and that fate? I need to know because Alatar asked me to join the magic council. All of that happened today… I have no words."

"Really? When did he offer it to you? You met him?"

"Yeah, the long-haired guy who picked me up here, he panicked when I got all that light. He brought me to Alatar; he said I was the same as him and had perfect powers. He wanted me to join the magic council and learn about power. I'm sure he's not a good person; tell me if I'm wrong."

"You're right, Adam. Greash turned monstrous when Alatar took over the leadership of the magic council. He channeled revenge for the death of his parents on all Greash residents. I don't know what his plan is for us; how he limited our strength to the four elements needs to is the bad thing, not to mention the 1578 people who were deliberately exiled north of Greash; no one knows how their life is going there. Both my parents were there; I couldn't do anything…"

Adam rose and patted Gwydion's shoulder while calming the white man.

"I'm sorry for what happened to you. But why was I the one chosen to be your savior's destiny? I don't even know how to use magic," Adam said.

"The ancestors and gods can't be wrong in determining destiny; you came at the right time, Adam. The only way to return to where you came from is to complete all your tasks at Greash. Rescue and fighting Alatar are your two duties, Adam."

Adam fell silent, his heart filled with rage. This ridiculous destiny must disturb a life that used to be calm and running smoothly. However, Adam felt that this was a challenging thing to live with. He had to live life in Greash to return to Earth.

"You have to accept Alatar's offer, Adam," Gwydion stood facing Adam with sparkling eyes.

"What? Aren't you wrong? You want me to join the magic council?"

"Yes, it sounds ridiculous, but you can benefit a lot. We will never know what secrets Alatar is keeping and what terrible plans he is hatching. From what you said, Alatar likes the figure of you, who is considered perfect like him. In Greash, there are only three people with superior strength, all three of the magic council, including Alatar. However, Alatar is the most formidable and hard to beat; now that you're here, you can practically be on par with him.

I know it’s hard to you to accept the reality that is happening right now. But this is all you have to live with, Adam. I beg you, help us! Greash needs you."

Gwydion cupped his hands before Adam while putting on a pitiful face. His heart was restless, afraid that Adam would rebel and reject his destiny.

Adam, who had no choice, said, "Okay, I will accept his offer to join Alatar. But, what I'm doing just something for me, so I get back to my place, not for Greash. So, when I fail, you guys should be able to accept it. Or, even if there is an opening to return to earth without having to destroy anything in Greash, I will go."

"Whatever you decide, Adam. If fate has said, then it will happen. I'm sure, destiny that has taken place will bring light to our world, Greash." Gwydion smiled and gave Adam a warm hug, "I trust you as our savior."