The morning bell echoed through Ashcroft Village, but no one greeted the dawn with a smile.Not when Kael Ashryn was walking its streets.The seventeen-year-old kept his head lowered as he carried a bundle of firewood across his shoulders. His clothes were faded and patched in more places than he could count, and dust clung to his worn boots. He had learned long ago that meeting people's eyes only invited more trouble."Look who's here.""The cursed brat.""My crops started dying the year he was born.""Stay away from him!"A woman grabbed her little daughter and pulled her behind her skirts as Kael passed. The child peeked around her mother with curious eyes."Mom, why is everyone afraid of him?""Don't look at him," the woman whispered sharply. "Bad luck follows that boy."Kael heard every word.He always did.He simply kept walking.What was there to say? No explanation had ever changed anyone's mind.Seventeen years ago, his parents had died in a mysterious fire on the outskirts o

Three days passed in darkness.Kael lost count of the hours inside the cold prison wagon that carried him to the royal capital. His wrists remained bound by iron chains, and the little food he received was barely enough to keep him standing.No one spoke to him except to bark orders.No one asked if he was innocent.By sunrise on the fourth day, the towering walls of Valenor's capital rose before him.It was the first time Kael had ever seen the city.White stone towers stretched toward the sky, colorful banners fluttered from every rooftop, and thousands of people filled the streets.He had once dreamed of visiting the capital.Not like this.The prison wagon rolled into the Grand Execution Plaza, where a massive wooden platform stood at its center. Royal guards formed a ring around it while citizens crowded every available space.News of the "Sacred Relic Thief" had spread quickly.People had come from neighboring towns just to witness his death."That's him?""He looks ordinary.""

Kael spun toward the voice, his pulse pounding."So... the heir has finally awakened."The trees swayed gently in the night breeze, but no one stood among them."Who's there?" Kael called, forcing himself to his feet.Silence.Only the chirping of insects answered him.He took a cautious step forward, scanning the shadows between the trunks. Every muscle in his body ached from the battle in the capital, and the strange power inside him felt like a sleeping beast, waiting to awaken again."I'm warning you!" he shouted, though his voice lacked confidence.Still nothing.After several tense moments, Kael realized whoever had spoken was gone—or perhaps had never been there at all.He glanced once more at the puddle beside the road.His silver eyes stared back at him."They're real..."He pulled the hood of his tattered cloak over his head and disappeared into the forest before dawn could reveal him.---By sunrise, the Kingdom of Valenor was in chaos.The Grand Execution Plaza had become

The forest was silent once the assassin disappeared.Kael remained where he stood, his chest rising and falling with ragged breaths. The shadows surrounding him slowly sank back into the ground, as though they had never existed.His legs finally gave out.He collapsed onto one knee, gripping the earth to keep from falling face-first into the leaves.The surge of power was gone.In its place came exhaustion unlike anything he had ever felt.His shoulder burned where the assassin's blade had cut him. Blood continued to seep through the torn fabric of his shirt, and every breath sent a sharp ache through his ribs."So... this is the price," he muttered bitterly.He forced himself to stand.Staying still wasn't an option.The king had placed a fortune on his head. Sooner or later, more hunters would come.He staggered deeper into the Emerald Forest.---Hours passed.The sun climbed overhead, but little light reached the forest floor. Ancient trees towered above him, their thick branches

The silver pendant hovered above Kael's trembling hand.Its petals continued unfolding until they formed a delicate circle around the black crystal at its center. Violet light spilled into the darkness, bathing the campsite in an eerie glow.Neither Kael nor Darius dared move.Then, with a soft chime, the crystal cracked.Not in destruction.In revelation.A tiny sphere of light floated out of the pendant and rose into the air."What..." Kael whispered.The sphere expanded, twisting into countless glowing threads. Before their eyes, the threads wove themselves into the shape of two people.A man.A woman.Their forms shimmered like moonlight reflected on water, transparent yet unmistakably real.Kael's breath caught in his throat.The woman had long raven-black hair and gentle eyes filled with warmth. The man stood tall beside her, his shoulders broad, his expression calm but resolute.Without knowing why...Kael recognized them instantly.His knees gave way."...Mother?"The woman's