TOR:SON OF ZELDA

Tor's face remained hard and distrustful as he watched Reddrick warily. "Why are you here?" he asked, his voice sharp and defensive. "Come to gloat?"

Reddrick looked at Tor, his expression compassionate.

"Your mother was a good friend of mine," he said, his voice tinged with sadness. "She was a good council woman."

Tor's heart skipped a beat at the mention of his mother, his mind going back to her sacrifice. He bit his lip, trying to hold back his tears.

Reddrick continued, his voice softening further. "I know this is hard for you, for us all," he said, his eyes meeting Tor's wounded gaze. "But I didn't come here to argue or judge. I came to seek your help."

Tor shifted, his anger replaced with confusion and curiosity. "Help?" he repeated, his voice gruff. "What could I possibly do to help you?"

Tor's eyes widened as Reddrick shared the information his mother had heard.

"One day," Reddrick began, "your mother overheard Lord Joel and a royal mage named Brutus discussing their plan to trade Shamaría to the devil for immortality and unlimited power. She had been eavesdropping on their conversations daily until one day, she was discovered."

Tor's face contorted in horror as Reddrick continued.

"She confronted both of them, but Brutus wanted to kill her for uncovering their plot."

"She fought back," Reddrick explained, "in self-defense, and sadly, she was forced to kill Brutus. That's how she ended up being arrested, a victim of her actions, despite her good intentions."

Reddrick looked at Tor, a mixture of determination and sorrow in his eyes.

"Only I know the truth about your mother's arrest and execution," he said. "But now you know too."

Tor clenched his fists, anger welling up inside of him, and shouted.

"Then why didn't you do something?" he yelled. "Why didn't you help my mother? Why did you let her sacrifice herself?"

Reddrick looked at Tor, his expression pained.

"It's not as easy as you think, boy," he said, his voice quiet. "Lord Joel holds much power and influence in this kingdom.

Tor's anger faded, replaced by confusion as Reddrick mentioned the prophecy.

"And the prophecy won't be fulfilled," Reddrick continued, his voice heavy with meaning.

Tor's curiosity piqued as Reddrick mentioned the prophecy.

"Prophecy?" he echoed, his voice tinged with skepticism and intrigue.

Reddrick produced a paper from his pocket and handed it to Tor. "It's written in Valeretongue," Tor remarked, his brow furrowing as he took in the strange, arcane script.

Tor's eyes widened as he scanned over the paper. He read the words silently to himself.

"The boy who defeats the devil..." he murmured, a mix of realization and shock on his face.

Tor paused for a moment, still trying to comprehend the significance of what he had just read. Then, he continued reading, his eyes darting back and forth over the text.

Reddrick looked at Tor, his eyes locked onto the young man. "You're the prophecy," he said, his voice steady and confident.

Tor shook his head, his denials pouring out. "No, no, no. I'm not. You found the wrong one," he insisted, his tone edged with desperation.

Reddrick's words weighed heavy in the air as they sunk in for Tor. He felt a mix of denial, disbelief, and a growing sense of realization.

"Yes, Tor," Reddrick said, his voice firm, yet compassionate. "Your mother knew. You are the one who was going to stop the chaos that was prophesied ages ago. Son of the one burnt on a stake. Son of Zelda."

Tor's mind whirled with the weight of Reddrick's words. His gaze dropped to the ground as he struggled to process the information.

He slowly sank down on the floor, the weight of Reddrick's words and the shock of the revelation taking their toll. The cold stone walls of the dungeon felt even more oppressive as the realization set in.

Tor looked up at Reddrick with a sense of despair in his eyes, his voice tinged with frustration.

"But how? I'm locked in a dungeon, and I'll probably be executed. How am I supposed to fulfill this prophecy?"

Reddrick's voice was steady, his confidence unwavering.

"Don't be afraid, Tor," he said, his eyes locked on the young man in the cell. "I have a plan."

Their quiet conversation was interrupted by the noise of approaching footsteps and the sounds of guards nearby. Reddrick looked at Tor one last time and said, "See you tomorrow during the trial, Tor" before promptly disappearing into another corridor.

Tor was left alone once more, his mind racing with questions and doubts about the prophecy, his mother's sacrifice, and Reddrick's mysterious plan. He had a lot to think about before the trial the next day.

******************

Night came fast , and Rachel, who was usually busy helping her uncle run the tavern, was deep in thought. She was so lost in her own mind that she failed to notice when they called out seeking her presence.

Racheal was snapped out of her thoughts by the men's loud call. "Oi, tavern wench!" one of them yelled.

She quickly hurried over to the table where the men were shouting.

Rachel apologized as she reached the men's table.

"I'm sorry, I didn't hear when you called. What can I get you?"

One of the men glanced around the tavern before addressing Rachel.

"Where's your uncle?" he asked, his tone a mix of curiosity and expectation.

Rachel replied with a soft smile, despite her obvious exhaustion.

"He's out of town at the moment," she explained. "He should be back tomorrow."

Rachel felt uncomfortable as one of the men looked at her in a pervy manner, making her shift away slightly. Before she could react, another man grabbed her hand and said with a smirk, "Spin for me wench."

Rachel quickly retreated to the counter, but the three men rose from their seats and followed her, their intentions clear.

Rachel felt a mix of fear and irritation as one of the men called out to her.

"Don't be scared, wench," he said, a twisted grin on his face.

Just as the man was about to grab Rachel, a sudden, invisible force knocked him off his feet, sending him flying across the entire tavern.