The days after the storm passed slowly. Rael adjusted to the rhythm of the village: fetching water, helping repair fences, carrying firewood. The villagers watched him quietly, whispers following his movements, some curious, some wary. He did not mind. Life here was quiet, safer than the stone halls and judgments of the Nightbane clan, but he knew it was only temporary.
Every morning, he would wake with the light, carrying out small tasks alongside Atlara. Marn followed closely behind, supervising their work and muttering complaints about chores and lazy villagers. Rael kept his head down, his hands steady, hiding the subtle tremor of power beneath his calm exterior.
"You carry yourself well for someone new," Marn said one morning as they walked toward the spring. His tone was rough but measured. "Not many survive what you went through and keep their wits."
Rael's eyes flicked to the path ahead. "I have no choice,I can't stand out too much."
Marn grunted. "Fair enough. But don't think silence makes you invisible. Even the quietest storm leaves marks."
Atlara, walking just ahead, glanced over her shoulder and gave a small smile. "He's learning, Father. He's careful."
Marn didn't respond, but his sharp gaze lingered on Rael. He didn't fully trust the boy, though the fear he had felt before had dulled into cautious respect.
By mid-morning, they arrived at the spring. It was simple, unremarkable, nestled between moss-covered rocks, its water clear and cold. Villagers moved around the pool, filling their jars and laughing softly. Rael knelt to scoop water into his bucket, watching his reflection ripple.
For a brief moment, the faintest shadow shimmered under his hands, curling in the water before fading. He pulled back, flexing his fingers slowly. The power was still there, alive, responding to him instinctively.
Marn noticed. "Careful," he said. "Strange things follow strange people. You don't want to tempt that sort of trouble here."
Rael's gaze dropped. "I know."
The bucket filled, Rael stood, carrying it back along the trail with Atlara. She kept pace beside him, her own bucket swaying in her hand. "You're playing with that power again," she said softly. "The same one that caused the storm and chaos in the village the other night."
Rael's hands tightened around the handle. "I'm testing control," he said. "Making sure it obeys now."
Atlara watched the faint ripple of shadows under his sleeve. "Just… be careful. That kind of power doesn't forgive mistakes, even you."
"I know," Rael said, looking at her. "I remember. That's why I'm cautious."
She gave a small nod, satisfied but wary. "It still frightens me sometimes, the way it bends the light of everything around you. People whisper because they see shadows where there should be none."
"They don't know," Rael said. "I need to master it before it masters me. Before it draws attention I'm not ready for."
The sun climbed higher, painting the village in soft gold. They returned to the hut, and Marn began repairs on the roof near the coast. He worked alongside Rael, teaching him practical tasks and occasionally muttering about lazy villagers or bad fishing seasons. Rael followed instructions silently, careful to earn no unnecessary attention.
As evening fell, Rael sat alone behind the hut. The moon was half-full, casting silver light across the sand. He raised his hand, letting the shadows coil and curl around his fingers. Unlike before, they obeyed with subtlety, quiet and soft, responding to his thoughts instead of his rage.
Soon enough he was able to retract and project the shadows out of his body.
Looking at the menacing figures in front of him,he couldn't help but be at awe,the shadowy figures were mostly formless before,just shadows that crawled along the ground like black wisps,but now they had taken form,as he passed his hands through them,he could feel the destructive energy within it.
"What sort of power is this??,such destructive nature!!!,".He was surprised at how much power he currently controlled,something he would have never dreamt of..
Suddenly his dull eyes regained clarity,like he just received enlightenment.
"I have always longed for power,for my mom for myself,we were looked down upon in the clan,all because of our low birth", he clenched his fists and snarled."now that power is finally mine,I don't know what happened under that sea shen Lucien and the others threw me to die,but Its definitely for the better,I'll learn to control this new power this….void"
Suddenly a larger mass of shadowy figures burst out around his like a flaming comet ,making the night look even darker.
The shadows howled and the sea roiled once more,
"Now that I have you,you shall follow me from now on,I shall be your master ",howling in acceptance the shadows scattered across the village sensed the will of thier master and as if hearing the edict of a god ,rushed back toward the spot Rael Currently sat,they all entered into his body,then suddenly all the shadow beings vanished,the mark on his chest glowed lightly,then it dimmed.
Watching from the sidelines where marn and atlara,they looked so shocked,but Rael quickly smiled and said,"I know you guys are worried about my lack of control of the strange power around me,but I've finally figured it out,now you have nothing to fear",
Marn then replied,"that's better,don't put this village filled with mortals into trouble just because of your carelessness",
"Dad!!!",atlara cried
"Watch your tone girl,you can't put the whole village in jeopardy because of a stranger,we barely survive by just being unremarkable that the great clans let us live,if someone like him is discovered ,our peace could be jeopardized and everyone wiped out in a night".
Marn angrily chided his daughter,atlara was speechless,she couldn't retort because her father made perfect sense,she didn't know why but she just wanted Rael to stay in the village,not thinking about the danger that his presence brought.
"I'll just recover here in the village for some couple of weeks then go somewhere far away…..thank you for honoring me as your guest",rael understood that mortals like atlara and Marn face when they came across those great beings,they were mostly killed due to the little power they had.
Turning around he walked towards the shores,slowly.Atlara watched his lonely back and couldn't help but shed tears silently."why am I crying??",she muttered,she had only known this boy for barely a week now,why was she sad about his plight??.
Marn turned and entered into the hut.