Awakening
A searing pain tore through Allen's chest, as though something within him was desperately trying to break free. His body trembled, energy crackling around him in erratic, violet arcs. The hooded man stood over him, his smirk unfaltering as Allen writhed in agony.
"Stop fighting it," the man's voice was eerily calm. "You've denied your true self for far too long."
Allen clenched his fists, struggling against the invisible force pinning him to the ground. His mind was drowning in memories he didn't recognize—flashes of battles he had never fought, voices speaking in a language he didn't understand. His heart pounded, each beat resonating with the energy threatening to consume him.
James, regaining his footing, launched himself toward the hooded figure. "Get away from him!"
The man merely lifted his hand, and James was halted mid-air, his limbs locking in place as if unseen chains had wrapped around him. His body contorted painfully before he was sent crashing back into the dirt.
Liana, despite the odds, wasn't one to give up so easily. With a determined glare, she rolled onto her feet and launched a dagger aimed directly at the hooded figure's throat. But just as it reached him, the air rippled, and the weapon halted inches from his skin, suspended in midair. The hooded man clicked his tongue and with a flick of his fingers, the dagger reversed its course, forcing Liana to twist out of the way at the last second.
"This is futile," the man sighed, shaking his head. "You're not my concern. He is."
Allen felt the air grow heavy, as if the world itself was closing in on him. His vision darkened at the edges, and then—
Everything stopped.
A deafening silence filled his ears. The pain in his chest evaporated, replaced by a strange weightlessness. When he opened his eyes, he was no longer in the forest.
He stood in an endless void, swirling with dark purple mist. The ground beneath him was neither solid nor air, a strange limbo where reality blurred. And then, he saw him.
A figure stood before him, clad in obsidian armor etched with glowing violet runes. His face was obscured by a helmet shaped like a dragon's maw. The presence radiated overwhelming power, and yet, something about it felt… familiar.
"Who are you?" Allen's voice echoed unnaturally in the space.
The armored figure took a step forward. "I am you."
Allen's breath hitched. "That's impossible."
The figure tilted his head. "Is it?"
Allen's hands trembled as he stared at his own reflection within the polished metal. It was undeniable—the energy that seeped from this being was the same power coursing through his veins. But it was different, refined, controlled.
"You continue to suppress what you are," the figure continued. "But you cannot hide from yourself forever."
Allen shook his head. "I don't even know what I am!"
The armored being lifted his hand, and in an instant, images flooded Allen's mind—visions of battles long forgotten, of worlds consumed by war, of people calling his name in both fear and reverence.
"You are more than just an adventurer," the figure said. "You are a descendant of the Voidborn."
Allen's breath caught in his throat. "Voidborn?"
"The power within you is not a curse," the figure continued. "It is your birthright."
Before Allen could respond, the void around him shattered like glass, and he was violently thrust back into reality.
The battlefield reappeared in an instant. The hooded man stood over him, a knowing smile on his face. "Ah, so you saw it."
Allen gasped, his body trembling as he pushed himself onto his hands and knees. The energy within him felt different now—less volatile, more…under control.
James staggered toward him. "Allen! Are you alright?"
Allen took a deep breath and, for the first time, truly embraced the power within him. As he rose to his feet, violet energy swirled around his arms, but it no longer sparked uncontrollably. It moved with purpose.
The hooded man's smile widened. "Good. You're finally waking up."
Allen glared at him. "Who are you?"
The man chuckled. "We'll meet again soon."
Before anyone could react, he vanished into the shadows, his presence dissipating like smoke in the wind.
Liana exhaled sharply, clutching her dagger. "What… the hell was that?"
James ran a hand through his disheveled hair, shaking his head. "I don't know, but whatever he wants with Allen, it can't be good."
Allen remained silent, his mind still reeling from what he had seen. Voidborn. A name he had never heard, and yet, it felt as though it had always been a part of him.
But one thing was clear.
This was only the beginning.
The Journey Ahead
The battle had ended, but its consequences lingered. The mercenaries had fled, the noble's caravan was in ruins, and their mission had taken an unexpected turn. Jake needed to hear about this. They had to return to the guild—immediately.
As they gathered what supplies remained, Allen noticed James watching him warily. "What?"
James hesitated before saying, "You seem… different."
Allen flexed his fingers, watching the faint traces of violet energy flicker and fade. He nodded. "I feel different."
Liana crossed her arms. "So what now? You've got freaky powers, we made an enemy out of a shadow wizard, and we're down a mission. Not exactly a great start."
James smirked. "Welcome to adventuring."
Liana sighed, rolling her eyes. "Great."
The trio mounted their horses, setting off into the night. The road ahead was uncertain, riddled with dangers unseen. But for the first time in his life, Allen felt a sense of purpose.
He would uncover the truth about his past. He would master his power. And when the hooded man came again, he would be ready.
No more running.
The real journey was just beginning.