From a young age, Cael worked alongside his father and others as hired shepherds for the Thornes, Oakhaven's second wealthiest family. Their vast herds occasionally required additional hands, and when not tending sheep, Cael earned a few extra coins assisting servants around the Thornes' sprawling mansion.
During these stints in town, he befriended some of the Thorne children, including Ilya, the youngest daughter of Magnus Thorne, the family patriarch and town leader. He believed they were close, a small band of friends navigating the complexities of adolescence.
One day, three years prior, as they roamed the town's streets, Cael's vision blurred, his sight fading into darkness. Panic surged through him, escalating into a gut-wrenching scream that drew his friends' attention.
An unbearable pain, like a drill boring into his skull, erupted behind his eyes. He clawed at his head, desperately trying to contain the agony, but his eyes began to glow, a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors radiating from beneath his eyelids. His friends watched in petrified silence, the townsfolk passing by equally stunned by the spectacle. Cael's screams intensified until he collapsed, unconscious, onto the cobblestones.
His friends stood frozen, fear paralyzing them. None dared to touch him. But Ronan, who had witnessed the event, was captivated. He saw not terror, but beauty, Cael's glowing eyes like shimmering jewels under a breathtaking sunset.
Three days later, Cael awoke to the sight of an elderly man with a kind smile and eyes as dark as his own once were.
"Who are you? Where am I?" he cried, throwing off the covers, his black eyes darting around the unfamiliar room, and then shifting to brown.
"I am Master Elian Emrys, a scholar from Meridium. You're in my home. You've been asleep for three days."
"The old sorcerer!" Cael exclaimed. "Why am I here? What did you do to me?"
"Scholar, not sorcerer," Elian corrected gently. "Your friend Ronan brought you here after you fainted. He asked me to look after you."
"Fainted? Why?"
Elian recounted the events as Ronan had described them, admitting his inability to explain the cause.
"So it wasn't a dream," Cael murmured, his brow furrowed.
"You remember?"
"Bits and pieces. But the pain… it felt like something trying to claw its way out of my head." He paused, focusing inward. "There's something else… a man… I can't recall his face, but his eyes… they were strange, like they could see into my mind. Then the pain started."
"Your friend didn't mention anyone else. Perhaps it was the pain playing tricks on your memory."
Cael considered this, his eyes turning yellow with uncertainty. "Maybe you're right."
"For now, rest and regain your strength. I brought you some food. We'll talk more later."
"Thank you," Cael said, his voice hoarse.
"Thank Ronan. He brought you here and even paid for your care. He deserves your gratitude."
"Ronan? But… why would he help me? We're not friends."
"He seems to think otherwise. He visits every day to check on you," Elian replied, his eyes twinkling with curiosity. "And your eyes… they're changing color again. They're orange now. Is that your usual color?"
Cael's eyes widened in alarm, turning brown. "My eyes are black! What's happening?"
Elian handed him a mirror. Cael stared at his reflection, his eyes shifting from yellow to green, then to indigo, his confusion morphing into anger. His eyes blazed red as he threw the mirror against the wall. "No! What's wrong with me?"
"Calm down, my boy," Elian said soothingly. As Cael's panic subsided, his eyes turned violet, tears streaming down his face.
"Cael, I noticed something while you were asleep. Your eye color changes – red, yellow, indigo, blue, green, and violet, orange, brown." He paused, observing the boy's reaction. "I believe it's connected to your emotions."
Cael looked up, his eyes yellow with a flicker of hope. "My emotions?"
"Yes. When your feelings change, so do your eyes. We can figure out what each color represents. It's a start."
Cael nodded, a sense of purpose replacing his despair.
Days later, as they delved deeper into the mystery of his eyes, a knock interrupted their work. Ronan entered, his face lighting up at the sight of Cael. He embraced him, his eyes fixed on Cael's green eyes. "You'll bring much amusement to my dull life," he declared.
Cael, bewildered by Ronan's sudden affection, pulled away. "Why are you doing this?"
"Because you're interesting," Ronan replied, his hands resting on Cael's shoulders.
"Thank you," Cael said, his eyes turning orange with gratitude.
Ronan's eyes sparkled with excitement. "I have a feeling I won't be bored around you." He turned to Elian. "So, old man, how is he?"
"I've never seen anything like it. His vitals are normal, no internal damage. But his eyes… they keep changing color. I still don't know the cause."
"So he's fine?"
"He is."
"You could have just said that," Ronan grumbled. "Figure out how he does it. I want it too."
"I'll try, but I doubt anyone else has this ability."
Ronan smirked. "You'll find a way. I always get what I want." He turned and left abruptly.
For two days, Cael and Master Elian explored the connection between his emotions and eye color, confirming the scholar's theory. When no dominant emotion held sway, his eyes returned to their natural black. With a newfound understanding of his "curse," Cael decided to return home.
"I must go, but I'll visit again. I want to learn more about this," he promised.
"Before you leave, I must warn you," Elian said, his expression grave. "The town is abuzz with rumors. They say you've been cursed by the Sun-Serpent; they call you the 'Cursed Unclaimed.' Be careful, Cael."
Cael laughed, his eyes turning blue. "Cursed Unclaimed? I like it. Better than 'bastard,' at least."
"I'll tell you what I think of curses another day," Elian chuckled. "You seem to be feeling better."
"Thank you for everything, Master Elian. I hope to repay your kindness someday."
"Your visits are repayment enough. We still have much to unravel about those eyes of yours."
Elian disappeared into his library, returning with a pair of dark-shaded glasses. "Wear these in town. They'll shield your eyes from unwanted attention."
Cael's eyes turned green with surprise and gratitude. "I've never seen glass like this. How did you make it?"
"I didn't make it. It's a spare lens from my Gazing-glass. I cut it to fit the frame."
"Gazing-glass?" Cael's eyes turned yellow with curiosity.
"I'll explain next time you visit."
"I will. And thank you again, Master Elian."
As Cael left the study, he braced himself for the townsfolk's reaction. He was met with curses and spittle, his eyes shifting between brown, violet, indigo, and red as he endured their scorn. He wished for invisibility, for escape from their hateful gazes. Then, as if in answer to his unspoken plea, Ronan appeared, a shield against the town's animosity.
"Why didn't you wait? I was about to come find you," Ronan said, his presence silencing the crowd.
"I'm fine," Cael replied curtly.
"We're buddies now, whether you like it or not. It's what I want," Ronan stated matter-of-factly. "I'm coming with you."
Cael smiled, his eyes turning blue. "If that's what you want, who am I to argue?"
Ronan grinned. "See? You know me well."
They walked together, the tension easing with each step. On the outskirts of town, Cael spotted his former friends. He called out to them, but they turned away, their fear evident in their silence.
"I see," Cael muttered, his eyes turning violet with sadness. "Let's go, Ronan."
Back home, he recounted the events to his parents. The nightmares had begun that day, turning him inwards, making him wary of the outside world. He rarely visited town, and only to see Master Elian or purchase supplies. When Ilya began studying with the old scholar, he ceased his visits altogether.
"Fascinating!" Theron exclaimed, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "A truly beautiful gift from the Sun-Serpent."
Cael's eyes turned indigo, his emotions a mixture of annoyance and resignation.
"Please," Theron pressed, "describe the Sun-Serpent for me. You see him up close every night."
"It's red," Cael replied, his voice flat. "A giant red serpent with black markings within black rings on its body."
"Markings?" Theron's interest intensified. "Can you draw them for me?"
Cael nodded and looked to Elian, who quickly fetched a blank scroll. He had attempted to teach Cael to read and write, but the boy showed little aptitude for it. Despite this, Cael's memory for the symbols was impeccable. He had drawn them for Elian before.
Theron examined the twenty-seven symbols scattered across the page, his eyes absorbing every detail. No two symbols were alike. He seemed intent on memorizing them.
"Do you think these symbols have something to do with my curse?" Cael asked, his voice tinged with hope.
"As a scholar, I don't believe in curses," Theron replied, his eyes still glued to the scroll. "Magic doesn't exist. But the Sun-Serpent is real, his power undeniable."
"So you think he's responsible for what happened to me?" Cael pressed, putting his glasses back on.
"Undoubtedly. You have a connection to him, a divine connection."
"I agree," Master Elian added. "I believe it was an intentional act of the Sun Lord. It's the only logical explanation."
"But why?" Cael demanded, his eyes flashing red with anger.
"That, we don't know yet. But in time, his purpose will be revealed. He will guide you to the answers you seek."
"I still believe it's a curse," Cael said, his voice cracking with emotion. "I can't hide anything I feel. I haven't slept peacefully in years. I can't look at the sun without wanting to curse it. I just want him to leave me alone!"
"Sacrilege!" Theron roared, slamming his fist on the table. "You should feel honored to be graced by the Sun Lord!"
Cael recoiled, startled by the old man's sudden fury. For the first time, he saw a darkness in Theron, a menacing aura that chilled him to the bone.
"Now, now," Master Elian intervened, his voice calming. "Let's change the subject. I'll make some tea."
The tension eased slightly, and Cael cleared his throat, attempting to smooth things over. "I apologize, Master Theron. I didn't mean to offend you."
"I overreacted," Theron admitted. "Apology accepted."
"Now, tell me your story," Cael said, his eyes turning yellow with renewed curiosity.
"As promised," Theron replied, regaining his composure. "But first, tell me, what do you know of Erathos's history?"
"Not much," Cael admitted.
"The SkyFather and his children? The Ethana?"
"I know a bit. Master Elian told me the story of the Ethana, their greed, and the Sun-Serpent's wrath."
"Ah, yes. The origin of 'Greed births sin.' But there's more to the story, much more..."