PROLOGUE
The sun had long since dipped below the horizon, casting a dark shadow over the condemned building, its fate all but sealed. Flames, however, had other plans, engulfing the structure in a desperate, final dance. The once-blue sky was now a deep, foreboding grey, filled with the acrid smell of smoke and burning timber. The sounds of shattering glass and the creaks of twisting metal pierced the air, accompanied by the terrified screams of a young girl, trapped inside.
Alexander Thompson, his chiselled features set in determination, sprinted towards the inferno without hesitation. His eyes, a bright, piercing blue, stung from the smoke, but his gaze remained fixed on the entrance. At 21, Alex had already made a name for himself at the prestigious engineering firm, Smith & Co., but it was moments like these that truly defined him, moments of selflessness and eagerness to help others in need. His broad shoulders, typically relaxed, were now squared, his fit physique propelling him forward with a speed that belied the danger ahead.
Reaching the entrance, Alex grabbed a discarded rag, quickly covering his mouth and nose. The makeshift filter offered little protection against the choking, black smoke that billowed out, but it was a necessary gamble. With a deep breath, he plunged into the heart of the fire.
"Hello? Where are you?" Alex's voice, strong and reassuring, cut through the cacophony of the blaze, though it was barely audible over the roar of the flames.
A faint cry for help, weaker now, guided him deeper. His eyes, streaming from the smoke, scanned the smoke-filled hallway. The heat was oppressive, making every step feel like a battle, but Alex pressed on, driven by the knowledge that every second counted.
And then, he saw her. The young girl, no more than ten years old, was huddled in a corner, her small body racked with sobs. Alex rushed to her side, gently scooping her up into his arms.
"It's okay, I've got you. Let's get out of here," he soothed, turning towards the entrance, now a beacon of hope through the smoke.
The girl's arms wrapped tightly around his neck; her face buried against his shoulder. Alex shielded her from the falling debris as best he could, his long strides eating up the distance to safety.
They were almost there, the entrance a mere few feet away, when disaster struck. As he let the girl down to exit the building, a loud, ominous crack split the air, and Alex's heart sank. He tried to rush forward, but it was too late. The building, in its final, defiant act, collapsed around him, the weight of the rubble crushing him beneath its unyielding mass.
As the darkness closed in, Alex's thoughts were with the girl, hoping against hope that she had made it out, that his sacrifice wouldn't be in vain. The last sound he heard, etched into his fading consciousness, was the girl's terrified scream, "Mister! Mister, no!"
And then, there was nothing.
Alex's eyelids fluttered open, greeted by an endless expanse of serene, shimmering light. The radiance was neither harsh nor blinding, instead, it enveloped him in a sense of profound peace. As his gaze adjusted, a figure began to take form before him. Ethereal and radiant, the being embodied a beauty that transcended mortal comprehension.
From the being's back, wings unfolded, their purity and whiteness mesmerizing. Yet, it was not just their appearance that captivated Alex; it was the absence of shadow they cast, as if the ambient glow had welcomed them as a part of its own essence.
"Greetings, Alexander Thompson," the being's voice resonated, akin to the harmonious chime of celestial music. "I am Ariel, an angel of the divine realm. Your act of bravery, sacrificing your life to save another, has been noted. You risked your life for that of a young girl with nothing to gain. As a token of our appreciation, we offer you a gift: a second chance at life, not in the world you knew, but in one of magic and wonder."
Alex's mind, ever sharp and inquisitive, sprang into action, processing the surreal scenario with remarkable speed. "A different world?" he repeated, his voice laced with a mix of curiosity and caution. "What world?"
Ariel's form seemed to lean forward, her gaze intensifying without losing its gentle quality. "Thedas, a land where ancient magic weaves through the fabric of existence, and dragons soar the skies, influencing the destiny of its inhabitants. Specifically, you will awaken in the year 9:28 Dragon, a time of relative peace, two years before a cataclysmic event known as the Fifth Blight shakes the foundations of Thedas."
A pause, brief yet significant, followed before Ariel continued, "Upon your arrival, you will possess basic knowledge of magic, akin to that of a novice mage, and fundamental skills in swordsmanship, enough to defend yourself in a world where might and magic often reign. However, uniquely, your innate magical potential will surpass that of any native to Thedas, offering you the chance to become a beacon of hope or a force of change, as you see fit."
The weight of Ariel's words settled upon Alex, the implications vast and multifaceted. He thought of his family, his friends, the life he would never return to. The pang of loss was real, yet it was overshadowed by the allure of the unknown, the promise of making a difference in a world on the brink of chaos.
"I accept," Alex declared, his voice firm, resolute. The decision, though made swiftly, felt right, as if the very essence of his being had been leaning towards this path all along.
Ariel's face lit up with a gentle, approving smile. "Then let us begin. May your journey in Thedas be filled with wisdom, courage, and the magic that lies within you." With her final words, the serene, shimmering light enveloped Alex once more, this time, however, it felt like a threshold, a gateway to a new existence.
Alex's eyes struggled to adjust to the dim light of the cold, damp cell, the stark contrast to the radiant glow of the divine realm still etched in his memory. The transition, though instantaneous, had left him disoriented, his senses grappling to anchor themselves in this new reality. Standing, he conducted a swift assessment of his surroundings and himself. The body, though familiar, felt... altered, as if the very fabric of his being had been subtly rearranged. The simple, commoner attire that clad him was a far cry from the formal wear he was accustomed to in his life as an engineer.
Before he could fully wrap his head around his situation, the cell door creaked open, admitting two guards and a figure of unmistakable authority.
"So, you're the one who appeared out of nowhere near the castle walls," the figure stated, his voice laced with a mix of curiosity and suspicion. "I am Fergus Cousland, but you will address me as My Lord. You're to be brought before my father, Teryn Cousland. Your sudden appearance and... unsettling aura have raised concerns."
Alex, ever the strategist, chose his words with the precision of a chess player, cognizant that in this medieval world, knowledge was power, and his was a double-edged sword. "I mean no harm, My Lord. I... found myself here unexpectedly. I'm eager to understand my situation and how I might prove my intentions to Teryn Cousland."
Fergus Cousland's expression remained an enigma, but after a moment of consideration, he nodded curtly. "Very well. Let us proceed. Guards, bring him."
As Alex was escorted out of the cell, the castle's exterior unfolded before him like a tapestry of wonder. The craftsmanship that had gone into the castle's construction was awe-inspiring, and the ambiance, alive with the hustle and bustle of its occupants, was a stark contrast to the sterile environments he was used to.
Their procession through the courtyard was momentarily halted by a spectacle that caught Alex's attention. A beautiful brunette girl, who couldn't have been older than himself, was engaged in a spirited duel with two men significantly larger than her. Her movements were a fluid dance, each strike precise and powerful, leaving her opponents on the defensive.
"Good one, sister, keep it up," Fergus called out, waving in encouragement as they passed by. The girl flashed him a warm smile before her gaze shifted to Alex, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Upon reaching a grand door, Fergus pushed it open, leading them into a great hall that embodied the essence of power and nobility. At the hall's front stood a man in regal attire, who Alex correctly assumed to be Teryn Cousland. The Teryn's gaze, both inquisitive and calculative, rested upon Alex, weighing him.
Fergus introduced Alex as the "prisoner," prompting Alex to play it safe. He executed a respectful bow before speaking, "My name is Alexander Thompson, at your service."
Teryn Cousland's gaze never wavered. "So, Alexander Thompson, who are you, and how is it that you appeared out of nowhere, as my son so delicately put it?"
Alex navigated this inquiry with caution, revealing his origins from a different world but judiciously withholding any mention of his magical knowledge. "I... was brought here from a world vastly different from your own. I understand this may be hard to believe, but I assure you, my intentions are pure."
To Alex's surprise, Teryn Cousland listened intently, his expression unreadable, until the tale was told. Then, in a gesture that belied his stern demeanour, he nodded thoughtfully. "I believe you, Alexander Thompson. Interestingly, I had a dream a few nights ago, a warning, or perhaps a prophecy, to keep an eye out for a visitor from faraway lands, one who would play a pivotal role in the fate of Thedas."
A warm, genuine smile spread across the Teryn's face. "You are welcome to stay at Castle Cousland for as long as you need, until your destiny becomes clear. Consider this your home, for now."
With a nod, Fergus stepped forward, releasing Alex from his shackles. "Let me introduce you to everyone else. This is going to be interesting," he murmured, a hint of amusement dancing in his voice.
Alex couldn't help but echo the sentiment silently, a mix of trepidation and anticipation swirling within him. The journey ahead, fraught with unknowns, had just begun, and the stage was set for him to play his part in the grand tale of Thedas.