The sky split open.A crack of golden light tore through the stars, and from it descended a flame-wrapped object — burning white and loud, falling not like a gift… but like a verdict.
It rushed down toward Elderwyn, toward the center of the square—toward Erik.
No one moved. Not a breath was taken.Time itself seemed to pause.
And Erik?
He didn't flinch.
Because in that final moment before impact—
"Brace yourself,"the soul within whispered."They are watching."
🌪️ The Collision
The object struck the earth ten feet in front of Erik.
A deafening explosion erupted — light, heat, and force rippled across the square.
Villagers screamed.Glass shattered.The wooden stalls blew back like leaves.
And at the center of it all, where the flame had landed, a crater of silver ash formed… perfectly circular. Smoke rose, but not black — blue and glowing.
Erik stood at the edge of the crater, unharmed.
Not a scratch.
Even his clothes fluttered gently, as if protected by something invisible.
"They aimed for you… and yet they missed,"the soul whispered."Deliberately. They were not sending death. They were sending a test."
😨 The Aftermath
Mira ran toward the crater, breathless, eyes wild.
"Erik!" she screamed.
But she stopped at the rim, heart sinking.Her son stood calmly — expression unreadable — staring down into the glowing pit.
Garrick arrived next. "Erik, are you hurt?!"
Erik turned slowly. "I'm fine."
Lia peeked out from behind her mother's legs, her tiny voice trembling. "Did the stars fall, Erik?"
He knelt beside her, ruffled her hair, and smiled. "Just one."
But deep inside, he was shaken.
Because in the crater… was something.
A black stone shard, floating slightly above the ground, spinning slowly in place — pulsing with light that seemed to respond to him.
Every time Erik exhaled… it pulsed back.
"It's a signal,"the soul whispered."A beacon. And now… they will come."
🔍 Later That Night
The crater had been sealed off by the village elders. No one could understand what had happened. Some called it divine punishment. Others whispered of omens.
But Erik sat alone on the roof of his house, eyes locked on the spot in the sky where the crack had vanished.
He couldn't sleep. Not after what he felt.
"What was that?"he asked silently.
"Not an attack,"the soul replied."A message. Someone beyond the veil now knows your location. The moment you stood under that sky, your presence was confirmed."
"Who sent it?""A Watcher. Possibly more. Could be divine. Could be rogue. But it means the world is moving again."
Erik exhaled.
He didn't want this.
But it had already begun.
🌕 The Mark Awakens
As the moonlight touched his face, Erik suddenly felt a burning warmth on his left shoulder blade.
He winced, clutching at it. Beneath his shirt, something was glowing faintly beneath his skin.
He pulled off his outer layer and turned to the window's reflection.
There — just barely visible — a golden mark shaped like a broken ring had appeared on his back.
It shimmered once… then faded into the skin.
But it had left its presence.
"Your soul has been tagged,"the voice whispered."They will track you now — not by scent or sight… but by essence."
Erik whispered aloud, "Then I'll stay ready."
The soul was quiet for a moment.
Then said, almost amused:
"You're growing faster than I expected."
🌫️ Far Away… in a Temple of Light
Across oceans, mountains, and storms — deep in the heart of a sky-floating citadel, a hooded figure in white knelt before a wall of glowing mirrors.
Each mirror reflected different lands, realms, and timelines.
One began to flicker.
The figure looked up.
"The soul has moved."
The light around the mirror pulsed.
Another voice — clear, cold, and divine — echoed through the hall:
"He survived the test.""The shard did not reject him.""He carries the mark now."
The kneeling figure stood.
"And the host?" he asked.
The voice paused.
"Still unaware. But not for long.""Observe from distance. Intervene only if necessary.""If the soul awakens fully—"
CRACK!
The mirror nearest shattered violently.
"…It will be too late."
🌄 Back in Elderwyn…
The morning came quiet.
Birdsong returned. Smoke from the crater had faded. But the village still whispered.
Erik stayed silent. But inside him — the soul stirred differently.
Before, it had felt like a quiet presence. Watching. Protecting. Teaching.
Now?
It was awake.
More than that… it was curious.
"Do you know what you are becoming, Erik?""Not yet," Erik replied."But I will find out."
And then… a knock came at the door.
Not rushed. Not scared.But calm. Deliberate.
Erik's father opened it.
Standing there was a stranger.
A tall woman with silver hair, dressed in pale robes. Her eyes… not human.
Behind her stood two guards in armor that shimmered like glass.
She bowed slightly.
"I am Seris of the Azure Order. I've come for the boy."
Everyone froze.
Mira stepped forward. "For what reason?"
Seris looked directly at Erik — and for a moment, her gaze softened.
"Because he was seen."
To be continued...