The morning bell echoed across the village of Black Hollow long before the sun rose above the jagged mountains.

Smoke curled from stone chimneys while villagers hurried to begin another day. Merchants prepared their carts, hunters sharpened their spears, and children dressed in their finest clothes.

Today was Awakening Day.

It was the day every sixteen-year-old would stand before the ancient Bloodstone Altar and receive their Blood Sigil—the magical mark that determined their destiny.

Some would awaken the strength of warriors.

Others would become mages, healers, or beast tamers.

A few, blessed by fate, would inherit noble bloodlines capable of changing kingdoms.

But everyone already knew one person who would receive nothing.

Kael.

"You'd better hurry!" an old woman shouted as she threw a bucket of dirty water toward him.

Kael stepped aside just in time.

"I'm sorry, Granny."

"Sorry won't chop the firewood!" she barked.

The young man smiled despite the insult.

He picked up the scattered logs, tied them together with a worn rope, and carried them toward the village square.

His clothes were patched countless times.

His boots had holes in their soles.

His hands were rough from years of labor.

No one looking at him would believe he was the same age as the other youths preparing to change their lives forever.

"Look who's coming," a familiar voice sneered.

Three young men blocked his path.

Their leader, Darius, folded his muscular arms.

"So... today's your big day."

The others burst into laughter.

"I heard the Bloodstone might awaken a chicken instead of a Sigil."

"No," another replied. "Even chickens have stronger blood than Kael."

More laughter.

Kael lowered his eyes.

"I don't want trouble."

Darius shoved him.

The bundle of firewood crashed onto the ground.

"You don't get to decide."

Before Kael could react, another punch landed against his shoulder.

Pain shot through his body.

Villagers watched.

None intervened.

To them, Kael was only an orphan.

Someone whose parents had died before he could even remember their faces.

Someone with no family.

No name worth respecting.

No future.

Darius leaned close.

"When everyone awakens today, you'll finally understand your place."

Kael quietly gathered the firewood again.

Without another word, he walked away.

Their laughter followed him through the streets.

...

By noon, nearly the entire village had gathered before the Bloodstone Altar.

It stood over four meters tall.

Crimson veins glowed beneath its smooth black surface as ancient runes pulsed with mysterious energy.

Village Elder Rowan raised both hands.

"The Bloodstone has judged generations before us."

"It never lies."

"Approach with courage."

One after another, the youths stepped forward.

A young girl touched the altar.

Blue light exploded around her.

"A Water Sigil!"

Cheers erupted.

Next came a hunter's son.

Golden light flashed.

"A Golden Wolf Sigil!"

Even louder applause.

Power after power awakened.

Hope filled the square.

Then...

"Kael."

Silence spread.

Every eye turned toward the orphan.

Someone whispered,

"This should be entertaining."

Kael slowly climbed the altar.

His heartbeat thundered in his chest.

Please...

Just something.

Anything.

He stretched out his trembling hand.

The moment his fingers touched the Bloodstone—

Nothing happened.

No light.

No symbol.

No energy.

Only silence.

Then laughter exploded across the square.

"I knew it!"

"He doesn't even have enough blood to awaken!"

"The Bloodstone rejected him!"

Darius laughed harder than anyone.

"I've seen stray dogs with more talent."

Kael stood frozen.

The elder stared at the altar in confusion.

Never...

In all his decades...

Had he seen absolutely no reaction.

Not even the weakest Sigil.

Elder Rowan sighed.

"The Bloodstone has spoken."

"Kael possesses no Blood Sigil."

Those words struck harder than any blade.

Children pointed.

Adults shook their heads.

Even those who pitied him looked away.

Kael climbed down from the altar without saying a word.

His dream...

His hope...

Everything vanished in a single moment.

As the celebration continued without him, he walked alone toward the forest outside the village.

He did not notice the pair of crimson eyes watching him from deep within the trees.

Nor did he hear the ancient voice whisper through the wind.

"At last... I have found the final heir."

Far beneath the earth...

Something that had slept for a thousand years slowly opened its eyes.