Theodore Chrono: The Sanctuary of Evil

In a world of magic driven by power and absolute strength, fifteen-year-old Theodore Chrono searches for a connection with his father, through dreams and memories not his own. With his inferior magical abilities, he embarks on a journey to overcome his weaknesses and detach himself from his father’s shadow.
There is one issue – a corrupt church is brainwashing citizens of Arcana to gather followers who are mysteriously disappearing…
Prologue
Bloodstains covered the walls of the enclosed stone dungeon as a single pale enemy stood before me. Six years of gruelling torture, arduous training, and exhausting travelling. I turned to look at the hellishly evil being staring me in the eyes. Its ominous voice brought forth the reckoning of a nation.
“Our fated battle approaches, child of truth.”
“How did I get here…” I muttered. How did I get here? I couldn’t sense any distortion in the nearby timestream…almost as though none of this had ever happened.
I’ll explain my situation, the entire six years that led to me defending a nation. Let’s go back six years and one month.

* * * * *

My dark brown hair swayed before my eyes. I had not cut it in quite some time. I tried to brush it away. Most of it sprang back in front of my face. I stared into the river beside me. I’d been here for at least three hours now. I blinked several times before feeling a slight tugging at my shirt. I turned to face a shorter figure scowling slightly at me.
“Why did you bring me here, Theo?” she asked, with slight scorn staining her voice.
“Why?” I smiled at her. Her auburn hair lay untied and unrestricted. Her brown eyes stared at mine, questioning my intentions. “It's beautiful out here. I was hoping to let you have an experience outside the Capital!” I declared confidently.
“Don’t talk like I’ve never left the Capital. Anyway, I came to tell you that you got an invitation from the Royal Academy of Arcana,” she stated unenthusiastically.
“What?”
“You want me to feed your already massive ego? I’ll see you in a month when school actually starts.”
“Send me a letter with the details!” I shouted after her already-leaving figure.
“I left it on your living room table!” she replied quickly.
I turned back to the nature I considered a highlight of the rather bland town I lived in. Looking around, the trees seemed more alive than ever. Holding an arm out, I waited.
A single dove floated to the finger I had left outstretched.
A grin rose to my face as I tilted my head skyward.
“I guess it’s time to leave.”