The Old Mage

"What are you?" Gwendolyn asked, her voice quivering.

"I am what remains of this world's humanity," the creature replied, its voice strained.

Gwendolyn's brow furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"My kind has always lived in this desolate wasteland, long before you or anyone else," the creature said, its gaze shifting toward the dais.

"Who were you before?" she asked, her voice filled with curiosity.

The creature let out a dry laugh. "We were once the most powerful and revered people on the planet," it replied, its eyes fixed on the dais. "But that was a long time ago. Now, we are simply shadows of our former selves, cursed to live in the darkness."

Gwendolyn's brow furrowed in thought. "What happened to your kind?"