A faint hum filled the air—machines whirring, neon lights flickering, the distant murmur of a city that never slept.
Kael sat at the edge of his bed, feet barely brushing the cold floor. His fingers clenched the blanket, his gaze locked on the skyline. Towers of light stretched into the heavens, a fusion of steel and magic. Holographic signs flickered, but he barely noticed them.
Today was the day. His Awakening.
A pulse of unease ran through him, deeper than nerves. It felt like… something unseen was watching.
Then, for just a second, a faint static flickered in his ears—like a whisper from the void.
He stiffened.
And then… it was gone.
Shaking off the feeling, he glanced at the holo-clock. 6:02 AM.
At the dining table, the scent of spiced eggs and buttered bread filled the air, but Kael barely tasted his food. His mother, Elara, placed a plate in front of him, her usual bright smile slightly forced. His father, Dain, sat across from him, silent as always, his silver eyes watching Kael with an intensity he couldn't ignore.
Kael forced himself to eat, though every bite felt heavier than it should. He noticed the subtle tremble in his mother's hands when she refilled his glass, the stiffness in his father's posture.
They were worried.
"I'll be fine," Kael blurted out, surprising even himself.
Elara chuckled softly, ruffling his already messy black hair. "Of course you will. You're our son."
Dain finally spoke. "Strength is important, Kael. But don't let results blind you. What matters is how you use your strength."
Kael nodded, though he didn't fully understand. He tucked the words away for later.
---
The Awakening Hall was a massive dome of smooth metal and glowing runes, a place where ancient rituals met advanced technology. Inside, children Kael's age stood in nervous clusters, dressed in ceremonial robes. The air buzzed with hushed whispers and restless energy.
At the center of the hall, a circular formation pulsed faintly, ancient symbols glowing as they connected to the hovering machines monitoring the process. A perfect fusion of magic and science.
One by one, names were called. Some children stepped forward, touching the Awakening Crystal. Some left with bright, glowing auras, their talents confirmed. Others left with dim sparks, disappointment in their eyes. A few collapsed, their bodies unable to handle the strain.
Then—
"Kael ."
A quiet breath left his lips. He stepped forward.
The moment his palm met the crystal, his body froze.
A rush of energy slammed into him—wild, chaotic, suffocating. It wasn't just power. It was something else. Something vast. Something… watching.
The formation flickered.
The elder frowned. "Strange…" he muttered under his breath.
Kael's vision blurred. A shadow, unseen yet felt, pressed against the edge of his mind. A whisper—no, a presence—loomed just beyond his reach.
Then, with a final pulse of light, the energy stabilized. The crystal's glow turned deep violet—a rare affinity. The room fell silent.
His parents exchanged glances. His father's fists clenched. His mother exhaled softly.
Kael took a shaky breath. He had awakened.
But at what cost?
---
Far away, deep within the city's network, something stirred.
Dain watched his son receive congratulations, but his mind was elsewhere.
The flickering formation. The strange instability. The deep violet glow.
This wasn't normal.
He had seen countless awakenings, but none like this. And Kael—Kael had felt it too. He saw it in his eyes.
Still, he placed a hand on his son's shoulder and gave a rare smile. "Well done."
For now, he would say nothing.
Elara watched Kael from a distance, a soft smile on her lips. He was growing so fast. She still remembered the day he first learned to walk—how he had stumbled forward, sheer determination in his eyes.
But today… Today was different.
Something in his Awakening unsettled her. A strange presence, a flicker of something more.
She shook off the thought. He is my son. No matter what happens, they would guide him.
Even if the world turned against him.
Even if something unseen already had.
Even if something was waiting.
---