Not far from the chaos, a boy walked calmly through the forest, his footsteps soft against the earth. With every step he took, flowers bloomed in his path—vivid, vibrant, and full of life. Birds perched on branches above him, while small animals trailed behind, entranced by the soft melody he hummed. It was as if the forest itself stirred to greet him, blooming open with every gentle melody he hummed .
As he moved, his fingers trailed along the brittle stems of withered plants. Wherever his touch passed, they sprang back to life—green, blooming, alive. A soft glow shimmered at his fingertips, subtle and serene.
A sparrow dipped from the trees and landed on his outstretched finger, chirping a single note. The boy paused, listening carefully, then nodded with a small smile.
And with that, he changed direction, guided by the bird's message—his presence leaving behind a trail of blooming petals and hushed reverence, as if even the forest bowed to let him pass.
——
Asli moved carefully through the dense forest, each step muffled by the wet earth beneath his boots.
Low-hanging branches snagged at his cloak, and thorny underbrush dragged across his legs, but he barely noticed. Ahead of him, his shadow darted across the terrain, flitting silently over roots and fallen leaves, scouting the path with tireless vigilance.
So far, he hadn't encountered any other participants. He wasn't sure whether to be relieved or disappointed. A bit of company wouldn't have been the worst thing—preferably Ezra. He hadn't spoken to him much. Not out of dislike. Just…awkwardness.
Asli never really knew what to say. So he'd figured staying away was simpler.
His stomach growled—low, hollow, and insistent. Grimacing, he dropped into a crouch behind a moss-covered log. His shadow unfurled around him like a living cloak, stretching across the clearing to keep watch.
He took a slow breath and closed his eyes.
A faint hum echoed through his thoughts. A translucent interface shimmered into view behind his blindfold—lines of data shifting and updating in real time.
Being blind had its advantages. Not that he considered himself truly blind—he saw perfectly through the eyes of his shadows. But still, the blindfold stayed on.
Soft silk, cool and smooth as water, wrapped neatly around his face.
His father had insisted on using only the finest material. "Dignity, even in disadvantage."
Asli hadn't seen him in a long time. Work always kept him away.
With a sigh, he adjusted his posture and read the glowing interface.
[Resonance Archive: Updating…]
• Soul Core: Awakening (Incomplete)
• Aether Circulation: 36% (Veiled Flow)
• Aether Capacity: 500 / 1000
• Synchronization: Inharmonic (22%)
• Darkweave Control: 17% (Shifting)
• Soul Realm: [Undiscovered]
• Soul Sanctuary: [Locked]