Chapter 4 – Aric
The day had started like any other. Sunlight filtered through the canopy, casting dappled patterns across the forest floor. Aric moved quietly beside Daren, careful not to snap twigs or alert any wandering wildlife. Yet, today, something felt different.
As they passed a clearing, Aric noticed the faint shimmer in the air, a subtle distortion he hadn't seen before. It wasn't natural. It wasn't a reflection of the sun, nor a trick of the wind. It pulsed, almost like a heartbeat—slow, steady, inescapable.
"Father," Aric whispered, tugging at Daren's sleeve. "Do you see that?"
Daren's eyes narrowed as he surveyed the clearing. His expression remained calm, but a shadow of concern passed over his features. "Yes," he said softly. "That is the system. Even here, far from the villages, it watches and measures."
Aric tilted his head, confused. "The system… watches? What does it want from us?"
Daren crouched, placing a hand on the ground. "It doesn't want anything from you personally. It doesn't understand 'want.' It enforces rules. It siphons power. It ensures that no one can grow beyond the limits it sets. Everyone, every creature, every bit of magic—none of it escapes its reach. You are part of a world controlled by something older and far stronger than any god or dragon."
The boy's stomach twisted at the revelation. He had always thought magic was limitless, a force to be harnessed with enough skill and determination. But now, he realized there were invisible chains binding the world, invisible hands shaping every spell, every thought, every action.
"Does it… hurt anyone?" Aric asked, his voice barely audible.
Daren shook his head. "Not directly. You feel its drain because it takes a part of your magic whenever you use it. That is how it grows stronger. But indirectly… the system's existence restricts potential, prevents true freedom. This is why people fear the Taboo—the ones who manage to step outside its grasp. But even those who defy it are hunted, erased, or worse."
Aric swallowed hard. The forest around them seemed to darken, the air heavier. He could feel a faint tug at his own magic, almost like the world was trying to pull at him, testing him. For the first time, he truly understood that the world was not as simple as he had believed.
"Father…" he murmured. "Am I… part of this system too?"
Daren placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Yes, Aric. But that doesn't mean you are powerless. Every lesson, every journey, every observation we've made together is preparing you to survive. One day, you may even challenge it. But for now, you must learn, adapt, and grow."
Aric nodded, determination flickering in his chest. The shimmer in the clearing seemed to pulse faster, almost as if it sensed his resolve. He didn't understand it yet, but he knew one thing: he would not let the system—or anyone—control him.
He was Aric, son of Daren, and one day, he would stand beyond the rules of this world.