The decision weighed heavily on Kael's heart as the days passed since his encounter with Messenger and the vision in the ruins. He had retreated into the wilderness, far from the prying eyes of those who would want to control or manipulate him. He needed time—time to think, time to reconcile the darkness within himself and the truth of the world's fragile state.
Though he sought solitude, the presence of Sigils continued to haunt him. Their power was undeniable, their influence relentless. But Kael was coming to realize that their call wasn't just about domination—it was a reminder of a legacy, a destiny woven into the very fabric of his existence.
There was no escaping it: Sigils had chosen him.
But now, Kael had to understand why.
Haunted by Past
One night, as the winds howled around him, Kael sat cross-legged in front of a campfire, his eyes staring into the flames. The warmth of the fire contrasted with the coldness of his thoughts, and for the first time, he allowed himself to feel the weight of his burden.
"Why me?"
The question lingered in his mind like a shadow, refusing to leave. Why had he been given this power? Why had he been chosen as the next in line to carry Sigils? Was it because of his bloodline, or was it something else entirely?
A flicker of light suddenly broke through his reverie—a distant glow in the forest. Kael's instincts flared, and he rose to his feet, his hand instinctively reaching for Sigil that rested against his chest.
At first, it seemed like just another trick of the firelight, but the glow began to grow stronger, and Kael knew that this was no illusion. He reached for Ancient Blade—the weapon that had been forged with the same power as Sigils, a relic passed down through generations.
Mysterious Arrival
The source of the light drew closer. A figure emerged from the shadows, cloaked in a shimmering fabric that seemed to shift with the colors of the night sky. The person was tall and slender, their face obscured by a hood, but their presence was undeniable—an air of authority, of knowledge that Kael recognized.
Without a word, the figure stepped into the light, and Kael found himself staring at a woman whose eyes shone with an unnatural intensity. Her gaze was sharp, calculating, yet filled with an ancient wisdom that seemed to transcend time.
"I am called Selene," the woman said softly, her voice both soothing and commanding. "And I have been watching you, Kael."
Kael stood rigid, his hand still wrapped around the hilt of his blade. "What do you want?" he asked, his voice steady but wary.
Selene took a step closer, her eyes never leaving his. "I am here to offer guidance," she said, her words echoing in the still night air. "I know the burden you carry. Sigils are not just power—they are a legacy, and they come with a responsibility far greater than anything you could imagine."
Kael's grip on his weapon tightened. "You know nothing of my burdens. Who are you to offer guidance?"
Selene's smile was faint but knowing. "I am someone who has walked the same path you now find yourself on, Kael. I have borne the weight of Sigils and witnessed their effects on those who wield them. You are not alone in this."
Secret Revealed
Kael's suspicion deepened. The woman spoke with authority, as if she knew the path Kael was about to take. Her words hinted at a deeper connection to Sigils, but Kael was not sure whether to trust her.
"Why would you help me?" he asked, his voice more guarded than ever. "What is it that you truly want?"
Selene's smile faded, replaced by an expression of grave seriousness. She stepped closer, her presence almost overwhelming. "I seek to protect you from yourself. The power you carry is too dangerous to be used without understanding its consequences. Sigils were not created for domination, Kael—they were created to keep balance, to guard the world from forces much darker than you can fathom."
She paused, letting her words sink in.
"I see the way you struggle with Sigils' pull. You are not the first to question their purpose. But there are forces out there—forces that want to harness the Darkening and turn it into their weapon. You cannot afford to ignore this."
Kael stared at her, feeling the weight of her words. "So, you're saying that I should become the weapon? That I should just let Sigils consume me?"
Selene shook her head. "No. What I'm saying is that you need to understand Sigils before you make any choice. Their power is not a gift, Kael—it is a curse for those who are unworthy."
Offer
Kael's mind was a whirlwind. The Darkening. Sigil Master. Messenger's warning. Everything was beginning to collide, and Kael felt as if he was standing on the edge of a precipice, with no way back.
"You say you understand this power," Kael said slowly. "Then why didn't you stop me before?"
Selene's eyes softened, and for a moment, she almost seemed sympathetic. "Because you needed to learn this on your own. I cannot take away your destiny, Kael. But I can offer you guidance—a way to unlock the true potential of Sigils, without falling to the darkness."
Kael clenched his jaw. "And what's in it for you?"
Selene's smile returned, but it was tinged with sadness. "What's in it for me?" she echoed. "I seek to undo the damage that Sigil Master has done. To help those who have been caught in the wake of Darkening. But I cannot do it alone. And neither can you."
Kael took a step back, his eyes narrowing. "You want me to join you," he said, realizing the implications. "To fight alongside you."
Selene nodded. "Yes. Together, we can stop the Sigil Master. Together, we can ensure Sigils are used as they were meant to be used."
Decision
For a long time, Kael stood in silence, weighing her words. The path ahead of him was uncertain. Joining Selene meant committing to a cause greater than himself, a cause that would require sacrifices he wasn't sure he was ready to make.
But Kael understood one thing: He was at a crossroads. To wield Sigils without understanding them was to risk becoming a puppet, controlled by forces far beyond his comprehension.
But to stand by and do nothing was just as dangerous.
"I'll help you," Kael finally said, his voice quiet but resolute. "But know this—I am not doing this for you. I am doing this for the world. And for those who are still innocent, caught in the crossfire."
Selene nodded, her expression serious. "Then it is time for us to walk this path together."