Aerins arms strained in a desperate struggle to hold the box. Sweat poured down his forehead as he thought of his family. That was all he needed, Setting the box done with a grunt that radiated quiet triumph, he knew that today the pay would be good.
But just as Aerin began to sink into the comfortable embrace of rest a loud barking voice rang across the bustling plaza, and it was directed at him. "Oi! What the hell are you doing boy, keep bringing the goods I have a business to run here!" The owner of the shop who had employed him spoke in an irritated tone as he had conveniently managed to miss the fact that Aerin had carried the heaviest box all the way from the storage area to the stall.
But Aerin could only grumble in annoyance as he trudged off to get the next box, after all his family needed this money. As Aerin walked, his thoughts drifted to his family, taking him to his favourite place in the world. His mothers soothing voice echoed in his mind reassuring him his work was not in vain, his little brothers wide grateful eyes that seemed to convey his thankfulness for his work, but most of all, the dilapidated, dingy shack the three of them crammed into every day and the reason he worked so hard.
Snapping out of his self induced stupor Aerins leg whacked into the wooden box as a hiss of pain escaped his mouth. "Damn it!" he exclaimed in anger as his knee radiated pain when suddenly, a glimpse of gold caught his eye.
Furrowing his brows in confusion he bent down to take a closer look. 'What the hell is this?' he thought in his head as he examined the shiny gold ring. The vendor who had asked Aerin to transport goods for him was simply selling used goods which he swore up and down weren't stolen and shadily resold on the black market.
This left Aerin confused as he found an item much too valuable to belong to this vendor. In his country, Lyscar, only council members or weavers could afford to have a metal as precious as this. As Aerin pondered he felt his curiosity take control, he scooped the ring up stroking its smooth surface with his fingers.
That singular movement invoked something within the ring as it began to vibrate intensely, the air shimmering as Aerins fate rapidly changed, The laws of the world bending and curving to his intent.
Then, the world strained as if struggling to hold something ethereal, beyond Aerins grasp. Immediately, with a dramatic poof a floating being came into existence with a resounding crack as reality shattered taking Aerin with it.
Aerin floated silently, his intangible form never shifting despite his increasingly desperate attempts to as his thoughts raced. However, Just as Aerin began to panic the void bent taking form as a shapeless mass, ever-shifting.
"You have found me because your intent was enough for me to listen" A resounding voice echoed across the empty expanse, a wise undertone underlying the words. Aerin wanted to scream, ask what was going on but his thoughts seemed bound to his head in that moment. Despite Aerins burning desire to speak, the being continued talking calmly and slowly like Aerin was a child. "I am here to grant your wishes, your intent and desires can become reality through me" it paused for a moment "But understand this child, reality resists change, especially when its natural laws are broken by a wishbound. When you bend reality with a wish it demands a price" it paused again, longer this time, its hesitation to say what came next clear." When you wish your intent outweighs your words, remember that Aerin Vale" the being said its piece, its words a clear warning, however, it seemed it wasn't done yet."Now I offer you a choice Aerin Vale will you wish or walk away and forget this ever happened?"
Aerin stared dumbfounded for a moment processing the obscene amount of information that had been crammed into his mind. When he regained his senses he said the fateful words in his head instinctively understanding the being could read his thoughts.
"I want to make a wish" he uttered in his mind.
"Alright child, and what is your wish?" the being questioned a curious glint flashing in its shapeless eyes.
"I wish that my family would never suffer again" he said with a tone of finality his wish selfless and pure hoping to help his beloved family.
"Granted" the being said his tone turning devoid of any human warmth.
Little did Aerin know, he had just made the biggest mistake in his 16 years of life...