Alden and the Sands of Time
Once upon a time in a small, quaint town called Nirn, there lived a young boy named Alden. Alden was unlike any ordinary child. He was a quick learner, his understanding surpassing those twice his age, and he held a unique power, the power to manipulate the flow of time. His parents were simple, hardworking peasants who did not understand the gift their child held. Nirn was a magical place, full of mythical creatures, magic, and ancient tales, but something this powerful was unheard of.
Alden wouldn't socialize with other children. He preferred solitude, spending time studying the mysteries of his power. When his powers were unconscious and mild, villagers thought him eccentric. But, after his fifteenth birthday, the powers matured, and great havoc followed.
One sunny day, Alden was out in the fields when he saw a red dragon stretching its wings. Dragons were usually quiet, keeping to themselves. But this one went on a rampage. The beast set the crops on fire, people were running and shouting. Seeing the chaos, Alden felt a rush to stop the destruction. Mustering all the courage he had, he focussed his powers.
That instance, time froze. But, Alden was still moving. He approached the dragon, which looked surprisingly beautiful up close. Taking a deep breath, he decided to communicate. Pleading for mercy, calling out to the beast's wise, ancient soul. After a long talk, the dragon agreed to retreat, and so he did. Time resumed, and the village was saved. The villagers were awestruck and knew at once that Alden had a power beyond comprehension.
Realizing that Alden needed guidance to control his power, the village elders took him under their wing. They trained him, taught him wisdom, patience, and restraint. Alden was a dedicated student, learning quickly, showing the eagerness to harness his power for the welfare of his village.
Days turned into weeks, weeks into months, and months into years. Alden became a young man, humble yet dominant, weak yet powerful, the guardian of Nirn. His control over his powers increased with each passing day, and he started using it for the benefit of the village. He would manipulate time, growing crops quicker, mending broken things, healing people. The villagers lived in a peaceful resplendence, their awe for Alden seeping into tales that were told and retold.
One day, a marauder leading a vast army descended upon their serene village. Despite their preparations, the numbers were too great. Confronting the marauder, Alden drew all his strength and steeled himself for the inevitable.
The siege began, and the villagers fought bravely. But the strength of the amateur army was waning. Sensing the growing fear, Alden decided to use his power, intending to reverse the time, wiping out the marauder's memory of Nirn. But it didn't go as planned.
A huge time rift was opened, pulling Alden and the marauder into it. They found themselves in a different world, barren, and lifeless. The marauder intimidated, fled. Seeing this, Alden navigated the rift and sealed it, returning his village to its former state. However, he was stuck in this barren world, trapped in time.
The villagers waited, hoping Alden would return, but he never did. The tales of Alden, his powers, and his sacrifice became a part of folklore, passing down through generations. They prospered remembering their guardian, forever etching Alden's name in the sands of time. But Alden was never forgotten; his spirit still whispered in the winds of Nirn, guiding, protecting, loving.
Little did they know, Alden was not lost but was caught in the river of time, relying on his powers to survive. His story, however, has not ended; it's just a new beginning.