The night air was heavy, as though the mountains themselves were holding their breath. Adrian sat cross-legged before the ancient scroll, its faded ink glowing faintly under the moonlight. His palms trembled against his knees—not from fear, but from the weight of what he was about to unlock.
Selena lingered nearby, her eyes fixed on him. She had spoken little since they arrived, but her gaze carried an unease she couldn't mask. Adrian noticed, though he said nothing.
"Are you ready for this?" she finally whispered, her voice tight with worry.
Adrian opened his eyes, the faint light from the scroll reflecting in them. "If I don't understand this power, it will consume me. If I do… then maybe I can protect us both."
Selena bit her lip but nodded. She knew his words were true.
Adrian placed his hands gently on the scroll. At once, a rush of warmth spread through his fingertips, surging into his veins like fire. The symbols began to shift, twisting and reshaping themselves as if alive.
He gritted his teeth, sweat forming on his brow. So this is the true test…
The world around him blurred. In his mind's eye, he stood within a vast void, stars swirling endlessly above. From the darkness, a voice echoed—ancient, deep, and commanding.
> "You who dare awaken me… prove your worth, or be consumed by your own greed."
Adrian's heart thundered. "Who are you?"
But the voice only laughed, a sound that shook his bones. The stars above rearranged themselves into the form of a mighty dragon, its eyes blazing like suns.
> "I am the legacy of the scroll. Show me your strength."
Back in the physical world, Selena's breath caught. Adrian's body was trembling violently, glowing marks racing across his skin like burning chains. She reached forward, panic in her eyes. "Adrian! Stop, you'll kill yourself!"
But his voice cut through, hoarse yet unyielding.
"Don't touch me! If I let go now… everything will be lost!"
The scroll flared, blinding white. The air shook, the mountain itself groaning under the force. Selena shielded her eyes, tears streaking down her face.
When the light finally dimmed, Adrian collapsed forward, gasping for breath. The marks on his skin faded—but his eyes… they burned with a golden light she had never seen before.
Selena's voice quivered. "Adrian… what did you awaken?"
He raised his head slowly, his new gaze piercing through the darkness.
"I don't know…" he whispered, his voice trembling with awe and dread. "…but it's not just power. It's a destiny I can't escape."
And from the shadows of the trees, unseen by either of them, a pair of cold eyes watched. A voice murmured into the night—low, cruel, and certain.
> "The scroll has awakened. The boy won't live long enough to master it."
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✨ Author's Note:
We've hit 7 collections and 5.58k views—thank you so much! 💖 What do you think of Adrian's awakening? Is this power a blessing or a curse? Drop your thoughts below—I'd love to hear them!