Davin woke the next morning to a strange sensation—a gentle tugging at his consciousness, pulling him away from the serene sanctuary of the gods. Confusion washed over him as he sat up, glancing around at the familiar surroundings. The vibrant colors of the plants and the warm glow of the sun felt comforting, yet there was an undeniable feeling that something was changing.
“Aelira?” he called out, his voice echoing slightly in the stillness. “What’s happening?”
The air shimmered for a moment before Aelira appeared, her expression a mix of concern and understanding. “Davin, we need to talk,” she said, her tone grave.
“What do you mean? Is something wrong?” he asked, his heart racing.
“It’s time for you to return to your world,” Aelira explained gently. “Your training has prepared you for this moment, but it also means leaving this realm behind.”
“Return?” Davin echoed, the reality of her words sinking in. “I’ve just started to understand my powers! I don’t want to leave!”
“I understand how you feel,” Aelira replied softly. “But you were brought here for a reason, and now it is time for you to fulfill your destiny on Earth. The skills you’ve gained here will help you face the challenges that await you.”
“Challenges?” Davin asked, anxiety creeping into his voice. “What kind of challenges?”
“There are forces at work in your world that threaten the balance of nature and humanity,” Aelira said, her eyes steady. “You must use the powers you’ve acquired to protect both.”
Davin felt a pang of fear. “But I’m not ready! What if I fail?”
“You won’t fail,” Aelira assured him. “You have the strength and wisdom within you. Trust in yourself and the teachings you’ve received. You are ready for this, Davin.”
He took a deep breath, his thoughts racing. “What about you? Will I ever see you again?”
“Remember, I will always be with you in spirit,” she said, her voice soothing. “You carry the lessons of this realm within you. Whenever you call upon the elements, I will be there.”
“Okay,” he said, determination beginning to replace his fear. “I’ll do it. I’ll go back.”
“Good,” Aelira smiled, her expression brightening. “Now, let’s prepare you for your return. Focus on the connection you’ve built with the elements.”
Davin nodded, closing his eyes and centering himself. He felt the familiar energy of the earth beneath him, the gentle flow of water nearby, the warmth of the sun on his skin, and the caress of the wind. “I can feel them,” he said, his voice steady. “They’re a part of me.”
“Now, channel that energy and envision yourself returning to your world,” Aelira instructed.
“Alright,” Davin said, concentrating harder. He pictured the vibrant landscape of the sanctuary fading away, replaced by the familiar sights of his home.
As he focused, he felt a surge of power building within him, the energies intertwining and swirling around him. “I’m ready!” he shouted, his voice filled with determination.
“On the count of three, let it happen,” Aelira said, her voice steady. “One… Two… Three!”
With a final push, Davin released the energy, feeling it envelop him in a warm embrace. The world around him began to dissolve, colors swirling together until they became a bright light. He felt himself being pulled away, a gentle tug at his very core, as he surrendered to the force drawing him back.
Suddenly, everything went dark.
---
Davin awoke with a jolt, gasping for air. His eyes flew open, and he found himself in a hospital room, the sterile smell of antiseptic filling his nostrils. Confusion washed over him as he took in his surroundings—white walls, bright lights, and the soft beeping of machines.
“Where am I?” he murmured, rubbing his eyes and trying to process the reality around him.
“Davin!” a familiar voice exclaimed, drawing his attention. He turned to see a nurse rushing toward him, her face lighting up with recognition. “You’re awake! Thank goodness!”
“Am I… back?” he asked, feeling a mix of disbelief and relief.
“Yes, you’re back in the hospital. You’ve been in a coma for several weeks,” she explained, checking the monitors beside him. “You scared everyone half to death.”
“A coma?” Davin echoed, memories of the god realm flooding back to him. “What happened? I was training—”
“Just take it easy. You had an accident, and your body needed time to heal,” the nurse said, her voice soothing. “You’re safe now. The doctors will be in shortly to check on you.”
Davin took a deep breath, the reality of his situation settling in. “I need to go,” he said suddenly, throwing off the sheets and swinging his legs over the side of the bed.
“Wait! You can’t just get up!” the nurse urged, trying to stop him. “You need to rest.”
“No, you don’t understand!” he insisted, the urgency bubbling within him. “I need to use my powers. I need to help!”
“Help with what?” the nurse asked, concern etched on her face.
“There’s a balance that needs protecting,” he said, frustration rising. “I can feel it!”
“Davin, you need to calm down,” the nurse said, trying to guide him back to the bed. “You just woke up from a coma. You should be taking this one step at a time.”
He paused, her words registering. “I… I’m sorry. I just feel like I have to do something.”
“Let’s take a deep breath together,” the nurse suggested, inhaling slowly and exhaling. Davin followed her lead, grounding himself in the moment. 
As he steadied his breathing, the memories of his training rushed back, flooding him with a sense of purpose. He could feel the elements within him—the earth, the water, the fire, and the air—each one pulsing with energy.
“Davin?” a voice called from the doorway. He turned to see a familiar face—his mother, her expression a mix of relief and concern. “You’re awake!”
“Mom!” he exclaimed, feeling a rush of emotions. “I’m so glad to see you.”
She rushed to his side, wrapping her arms around him tightly. “I was so worried. You were gone for so long!”
“I’m back now,” he reassured her, pulling away to look into her eyes. “But there’s something I need to do.”
“What do you mean?” she asked, her brow furrowing with worry.
“I need to protect the balance. There are forces in the world that are disrupting nature, and I have to stop them,” he explained, determination filling his voice.
His mother looked taken aback. “What forces? What are you talking about?”
“I… I can’t explain it all right now,” Davin admitted, running a hand through his hair in frustration. “But I’ve trained for this. I have powers now, and I can’t just sit here.”
“Davin, you just woke up! You need to focus on getting better first,” she urged.
“No, I can’t!” he insisted, a surge of energy thrumming beneath his skin. “I feel it, Mom. There’s something wrong out there, and I have to act before it’s too late!”
The nurse returned, her voice firm yet kind. “Davin, you need to listen to your mother. Your health is the priority right now. We can help you, but you need to give yourself time to heal.”
“I understand,” Davin replied, the frustration bubbling within him, but he could feel a sense of urgency pressing down on him. “But I need to know what’s happening. Can’t you at least tell me what happened while I was… away?”
The nurse hesitated, glancing at Davin’s mother. “I can give you a brief overview, but I must insist you take things slow.”
“Please,” Davin pleaded. “I need to know.”
“Alright,” the nurse said, taking a deep breath. “There have been unusual weather patterns recently—unseasonable storms, droughts, and reports of strange disturbances in various parts of the world. People are worried, and scientists are baffled.”
“That’s it!” Davin exclaimed, realization hitting him like a wave. “The balance is shifting! It’s not just nature—it’s the elements!”
“What do you mean?” his mother asked, concern deepening.
“I was training with the gods! They taught me to harness the elements, to understand their balance,” Davin explained, excitement and urgency intertwining. “If they’re out of balance, it could lead to disaster!”
“Davin, you’re not making sense,” his mother said, her voice trembling. “You need to rest first.”
“I can’t just rest when there’s a chance to help!” he insisted, his determination hardening. “If I don’t do something, things could get worse. The people need me!”
The nurse stepped closer, her expression serious. “Davin, you may feel empowered, but remember, your body has gone through a lot. You need to regain your strength before you can help anyone.”
He clenched his fists, frustration boiling beneath the surface. “But what if it’s too late by then?”
“Davin!” his mother said, her voice firm. “You need to listen to the nurse. We will figure this out together, but you have to take care of yourself first.”
Davin looked between the two women, torn between his urgency and their concern.
“Fine,” he relented, his voice heavy. “But once I’m better, I’m going to do everything I can to restore the balance.”
“Then we’ll take it one step at a time,” the nurse agreed, giving him an encouraging smile. “Now, how about we check your vitals and make sure you’re on the right track?”
“Okay,” Davin said, exhaustion creeping back in. “But promise me we’ll figure this out.”
“Promise,” the nurse replied, beginning her examination as his mother sat by his side, holding his hand.
As they went through the process, Davin felt a mixture of hope and determination. The training he had undergone, the knowledge he had gained, and the connections he had formed with the elements had prepared him for this moment. He knew that despite the challenges ahead, he was ready to face whatever awaited him in the world outside, and he would do everything in his power to protect the balance.