Chapter 3 – The Prophecy Begins

Grumak felt the ground solidify beneath his feet.

It stood in a square of white stones, surrounded by tall buildings and trees with leaves that swayed in the wind.

But he didn't even have time to admire it.

Feline guards , with brown fur and black spots, surrounded him with weapons drawn. Their movements were firm—trained professionals.

" Who are you?! How did you manage to access the city through the portal from the human continent?!"

Grumak slowly raised his hands.

— My name is Grumak. I came with my son and a friend...

One of the guards stepped forward, his eyes narrowing.

— An orc? Here? It doesn't make sense... It's been generations since any bestial adventurer has dared come from the human realm, much less an orc come to us.

Before he could explain, a glow appeared behind him. Another emerged.

It was Shiro .

The guards fell to their knees .

— It's not possible…
— The fur… the eyes! It's him!
— The prince is alive!

Shiro stunned.

— What's going on?! Why are they... worshipping me?

— I don't know either, Shiro.

The square began to fill with felines, all with the same pattern as the guards, the whispers echoed.

— The prince! The prince has returned!

—But ... what this... —Shiro, confused. — "prince"? Me?

Another flash.

Helster fell to the ground.

— WOAAH— Ugh.

He fell awkwardly, and got up scratching his head.

— Aaaah, I hate portals...

The guards took up a fighting stance.

— What are you doing here?!

Guns pointed.

" What are you doing?! " Shiro shouted, stepping in front of Helster.
" He's my friend!"

The guards were confused.

— What do you mean... defends a boar?
— And... your majesty calls an orc father?!

The collective murmur turned to confusion.

Grumak leaned discreetly towards his son and whispered:

—What are we going to say? How do we explain that we are not of this world?

— Aaaah! I want to eat! — grunted Helster.

— Helster, wait! We're going to eat, just a little more... — Shiro replied, not knowing how to act.

Grumak stepped forward calmly.

— Don't worry. I've been taking care of him since he was little. That's why he calls me Dad.

A suspicious silence hung in the air.

It was then that a new figure appeared. She walked with a firm, light walk, her skin scaly, her eyes golden. She had a dignified presence.

—Are these the adventurers who came through the portal from the human continent?

— Yes, Mrs. Lakin. That's them.

" Very intriguing... " she said, studying the trio with keen eyes.
" A feline, a boar, and an orc.
" " I'm Lakin, assistant to the guildmaster, Farlan. And he wants to see you."

“ But... we need food first! ” Helster protested.

Lakin gave a short laugh.

" Boars really do eat a lot. There's an excellent tavern on the way. We stopped by, but quickly. Farlan is impatient."

The trio followed her through the city, observing the vivid architecture, and felines of all ages emerging from their windows to look.

— The prince is back! We are safe!

Shiro heard that.

— Lakin... why do they call me prince?

—Ah , that… I'll leave it to Farlan to explain. But you know, many have been waiting for someone with your appearance for a long time.

They were in the tavern. The sign hung on carved wood with a fish symbol.

— Hello, Forgan!

—Well , Lakin! How good to see you. And these guests... are they outsiders?

— Yes, but we didn't come to drink. Just to feed the boar.

— Then sit down. I'll serve you!

Settling in, Lakin maintained his mysterious air.

— You can ask, but some things only Farlan… only he can say.

" How does he know about us? " Grumak asked suspiciously.

Lakin just smiled, looking away.

The food arrived next—grilled meats, steaming soups, and breads.

— FOOD! — Helster shouted.

" My stomach thanks you, " Shiro said, laughing.

Grumak remained silent.

He looked around—the faces, the details, the living city.

Shiro… and Helster.

But what does Farlan know? And why is my son treated as the heir to a feline kingdom… in a world that isn't even ours?

Lakin watched Grumak for a long time.

She saw the weight in his eyes. His mind spinning with doubts, And maybe… by fate.

“ Eat… and be ready, ” she said.
“ Because Farlan has questions. And he… doesn’t like to wait.”

As they finished their meal, Grumak remained quiet. The light conversation between Shiro and Helster didn't seem to reach him. His eyes were distant, his thoughts on everything they'd been through so far.

Lakin
— I see you are very thoughtful. — Don't worry, doubts... I believe Farlan will be able to help you.

Grumak sighed, resting his elbows on the table.

— Yes, I am, Lakin. Very apprehensive.
— In these few days… I've faced things I never thought I would. Battles, persecution, my son's life at risk. — I… I don't know if I'm ready for all of this.

Shiro (talking with his mouth full):
— Don't worry, Dad! Everything will be okay!

Grumak (arching his eyebrow):
— Have manners, my son...— ..., but I hope so.

Lakin smiled, pleased with the obvious bond.

Finishing, they stood up.

Lakin went to the counter:

— Forgan, put all this on Farlan's account.
— He'll come and settle it later.

“You got it, Lakin. Good luck.” Forgan laughed.

and continued through the city streets. They passed small, carved wooden houses until they reached a large, bustling square .

Grumak stopped.

And everything was silent. He looked around. And then… he heard:

"Please help me! Somebody help me!"

A voice. Female, distressed. With a desperate air.

Grumak (stopping suddenly):
— Did you hear that?

Shiro (confused):
— What?

Helster:
— I only heard people selling bread.

Grumak:
— Someone… asking for help.

They looked at each other.

Lakin:
— Voices...? Are you sure?

Grumak:
— I heard… and now… it's again!

"Help me! Someone get me out of here!"

Grumak put a hand to his head and scratched it.

— Again! Didn't you hear? Sure?!

Shiro
— Nothing, dad. Nothing.

Helster:
— Are you okay, Grumak?

Grumak:
— I don't know... maybe I'm hearing things.

Grumak couldn't ignore it any longer. This didn't seem like a simple hallucination.

Lakin:
— Come on…Farlan needs to see you.

Grumak nodded. He didn't know what awaited him, but a certainty began to form within him:

The adventurers' guild in the city of Farir was a magnificent building, with carved stone columns and the crests of various races on the exterior walls. Inside, the space was spacious and bustling, with adventurers laughing and trading rewards.

But as soon as Grumak, Shiro, Helster, and Lakin crossed the threshold, the room fell silent. Everyone turned to them… with curiosity.

Then, from a side door, a figure emerged that made even the most hardened warriors fall silent.

A massive humanoid lion with a golden mane, heavy armor, and a deep scar across its left eye approached them. Its presence was overwhelming, like a war veteran.

Helster whispered:

— This guy looks like he's going to crush us with a growl...

But, before the formal presentation… the lion smiled excitedly .

— THE HEROES! Is that really you?! OH, SO MANY questions!
— I'm so excited! Makar said the heroes would be different from any that had ever appeared before!

He began to circle them, sniffing them curiously , and watching them with excitement.

— A feline with white fur and black spots…
— A boar!
— And an orc with the air of a general!

Helster crossed his arms:

— This guy is crazy…

Realizing his own exaggeration, the lion recomposed his posture.

— Hmm! Excuse my lack of composure.
— Nice to meet you, I'm Farlan , Guild Leader. Welcome. And you are...?

— My name is Grumak, this is my son, Shiro — the feline — and that one over there is your friend Helster.

Farlan's eyes widened.

— BUT WAIT! DID YOU SAY SON ?!
— So it's true! They're from another world?! That's AMAZING!

Grumak was startled.

— What do you mean?! How do you know that?!

Farlan became serious. He lowered his voice.

"Come with me, Grumak. I have something I need to show you."

Grumak looked at Shiro and Helster, and they both nodded. Lakin stayed with them, Grumak followed Farlan to the back of the guild.

The room was simple, lit only by magical torches on the walls. On the table in the center was a chest , inscribed, to Grumak's surprise… in Portuguese .

"Open here."

"It's been hidden for ages," Farlan said solemnly.
" Makar left it. He told a hero to open it.
" And that it would be the beginning of many truths.

He placed his hand on Grumak's shoulder.

— Open up. I'll be outside. Good luck.

The door closed.

The box attracted him.

he walked over and opened it.

A light filled the room.

When Grumak came to, he was in a space of mist and soft light .

Before him appeared the friendly old man , the same one from the train station—with mystical robes and the same gentle smile.

— Ah… Grumak. I'm glad you made it this far.
— Sorry . The light was too much, wasn't it? Hehehe .

—You! Who brought us to Avalon?!

— Yes. I chose you. And if you're here, I owe you an explanation.
— Very quickly — my time is short.

He approached.

"Remember what I told you at the station? Get ready.

" " You would die that same night. A tragic accident."

— We would die…? How did you know?!

"Just like your world, ours also has divinity.
" And she gave me permission to save three souls with potential.
"You, Grumak, Shiro, and Helster… were chosen to stop evil ."

— What's wrong? What do you mean?!

—Over a thousand years ago, the world was torn apart by a terrible war.
— Zaroth was restrained, his soul split into three parts, sealed in the corners of the world.
— Now… his followers are trying to revive him. — And time… is running out.

Grumak clenched his fists.

—But what can we do? We are weak, we are lost. And this world is mysterious to us!

— Nothing is easy, Grumak.
— But in your world, you lived in fear of not being there for your son, of not being enough to protect him. — Here, you can live, fight, and teach with him by your side .

— But where do we start?!

— Go to the Tower of the Sage , my final resting place.
— Beware of Greg . He is corrupted and wants to awaken Zaroth.
— And you... need to get stronger .

-As?

—You need...

The light began to flicker. The old man disappeared.

— No! Not yet! Damn it… time's up!

— Wait! What do I need to do?!

— Trust the gloves . They will guide you.

The light exploded once more.

Grumak opened his eyes.

He was back in the room. The box lay open in front of him, and inside, scrolls floated… and one by one, they vanished into thin air .

Grumak barely processed the conversation with the old man. As soon as the scrolls disappeared, there was a knock on the door.

— Mr. Farlan!

Farlan came in, almost crashing through the door.

— So?! How was it?!

— He told me why I'm in Avalon. But… he was going to tell me more… and then he disappeared. And then, inside the box, there were scrolls. They're all gone.

Farlan crossed his arms, and sighed, almost reverently.

— So that's it... The seal has been broken... And Zaroth can be awakened.

Grumak's eyes widened.

— Who is this? What's going to happen?!

— When Avalon needs them, new sages are chosen. One for each race.
Those who are worthy and pure of heart inherit the title of Sage.

—But if there are wise men... why heroes?

" Because wise men aid heroes.
In the last war, thirteen warriors from each race joined forces—wise men, champions, and heroes—and yet... they only sealed him. Heroes are essential. Without them, there is no hope."

Grumak approached Farlan, eyes steady.

— He said to trust his gloves. But how.

— Makar's gloves… so you also possess Displacement. The magic of going anywhere you've ever been.

— Yes. I have. It was what saved us when we fled from the dark adventurer.

Farlan narrowed his eyes.

— He used... Serpent Sword or Dragon Shield?

— Yes, exactly.

Farlan was silent for a moment, and murmured.

" It was him. Greg is a Champion. The strongest among humans. And capable of traversing the beastly lands without a problem."

— Champion?

— Yes. The Champion is the strongest warrior in the realm. He serves the king.
Every kingdom has one. And Greg… was one. But he was corrupted.

— Corrupted?

— During an ancient dungeon, Greg found a fragment of Zaroth and was consumed. Now, he only thinks about reviving him, even if it means killing him.

Grumak clenched his fists.

" This... is worse than I imagined. And the Sage's Tower? He told me to find it."

" The only person I know who knows the location is Alana Thield, guild leader of Kclau Village on the human continent. She can help you."

— On the human continent? I thought they were hostile to beasts.

— Guilds respect everyone. Traitors are the real problem. Alana will welcome you.

And back to the main lobby.

And they found Helster running after Shiro, shouting:

— Run, kitten! They'll get you!

— Let me see, you crazy boar!

Shiro ran between them, almost bumping into Farlan. Helster grabbed him, but ended up ripping Shiro's shirt — revealing a mark on his back , with the symbols of the sun , moon and star .

Farlan's eyes widened and he rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

— Grumak… I recommend you go find Alana alone.
These two… need to train. Urgently.

" Train? We're strong and heroes! " Shiro said confidently.

Farlan disappeared in an instant and reappeared behind him , drawing his sword with precision. Shiro froze. He hadn't even felt the movement.

— You think you're strong? You couldn't even feel it, boy.

— T-That was magic, right? It was NOT skill! It was a trick!

— Hahaha! Quick step, Just a quick step!
If you want to stop Greg, you'll have to overcome stronger opponents.

Grumak. He watched Shiro, frightened, and Helster, impressed. He knew: the world was big and dangerous.

Shiro looked at his father, then smiled, his eyes welling up.

— It's okay, Dad. I want to be strong too.
I'll surprise you when I see you again.

" Farlan… will you train them personally? " Grumak asked.

— No. Who should train them and — Alvim Semedo.

Lakin, next, took a step.

— The fruit eater?!

—That 's right. He's on the outskirts of the lost village.
You sleep at the guild. You leave in two days.

Lakin accompanied them to a cozy, private dormitory.

" I'm hungry! I want to eat! " said Helster, already in bed.

" I'll get you guys some snacks. And please, no more destroying of clothes."

Later, Helster and Shiro sleeping.

Grumak sat, watching the two of them. The small bedroom window, the soft shadows on the floor. The silence weighed heavily.

He put his hand to his head and muttered to himself:

—Is this the right decision? Ever since your mother passed away… I've never been away from you, son. I promised never to abandon you. I promised to be there…

A sleepy voice responding.

— I love you, Dad. Don't worry.
We'll be fine.

Grumak closed his eyes, feeling his heart tighten and warm at the same time.

— Yes, we will, my son.