Amari and Daniel woke the next morning to the smell of warm food drifting through the house. Their mother and father had already set breakfast plates on the table, steam curling from the eggs and fresh bread.
"That looks yummy," Amari said, sliding into his chair.
"It does," Daniel agreed, already reaching for his fork.
Their mother smiled softly, though her eyes lingered on them longer than usual. Their father sat upright, unusually serious.
"Before you two go," he said, voice steady, "Grandpa gave this to me and your mother before he passed." From his pocket he pulled out a scroll, worn at the edges, the seal broken but the ink on the cover still bold. He set it on the table between them. "We never read it ourselves. This… is for you."
Amari and Daniel leaned closer. Their fingers brushed the parchment as Amari slowly unrolled it. The faint smell of old paper and ash rose into the air, carrying the weight of something ancient.
Their eyes moved over the words, their mouths going dry as they began to read aloud:
"The Eyes of Origins are not born, but awakened. They carry the memory of two lineages — light and shadow, creation and ruin. Each bearer inherits only a fragment of their true shape until trials and time reveal the rest. The first stage is Flicker — when the eyes shimmer with color but hold no strength. The second is Glare — when essence flows and raw gifts surface. The third is Mirror — when the eyes reflect the world as it truly is, unveiling truths hidden even from gods. The fourth is Crown — when bearer and essence are one, their will bending the laws of body and spirit. And the final is Eclipse — when light and darkness collide within, either forging a god… or consuming the bearer entirely."
Amari's hand trembled. He glanced at Daniel, who stared back, flabbergasted.
"What… what does that even mean?" Daniel muttered.
Their mother and father exchanged glances. "We truly haven't read it," their mother admitted. "What does it say?"
Amari swallowed, reading the words again slower, his voice low, almost reverent. He explained each stage — Flicker, Glare, Mirror, Crown, Eclipse — his own voice sounding strange to him, like it didn't belong.
Their mother's lips pressed together, her eyes shimmering with both pride and sorrow. "So that's the truth," she whispered. "I always knew there was more, but… this…" She looked at her sons like they were both fragile and indestructible at once.
Their father shook his head, his hands clasped tightly on the table. "Your mother and I… we're not as strong as we once were. These stages — they aren't for us anymore." His voice was heavy, resigned, but he straightened and looked Amari and Daniel dead in the eyes. "But for you two… this scroll is a map. You can climb higher. Stronger. Stronger than us. Stronger than anyone."
Daniel's eyes burned with a fierce spark. "Then that's what we'll do."
Amari nodded, his jaw tight. "Yeah. We'll carry this."
He stood suddenly, determination replacing the tremor in his voice. "Me and Daniel are going to the base. We'll grab our gear, then come back up here and leave."
The boys moved quickly, taking the elevator down. The metal doors opened to the underground base, where Sam's metallic voice echoed gently:
"Welcome back, sirs."
"Sam," Amari said firmly, "we need clothes, boots, and earpieces so we can talk to you the whole journey. You'll update our parents when you can, but if something bad happens…" He paused, his tone sharp. "…don't tell them."
Sam's eyes glowed faintly blue, processing. "But sirs—"
Daniel cut him off. "We don't want them worrying. That's final."
"…Yes, sirs," Sam answered, bowing his head.
Within minutes the boys were dressed in travel gear — durable fabric fitted with hidden compartments, boots with reinforced soles, and sleek earpieces glowing faintly in their ears.
Amari adjusted his straps. "Sam, we can't use the portal, can we? We don't know enough about the Dark Family to lock on."
"That is correct," Sam replied. "But through the earpieces, I can try to guide you. I've collected rumors — whispers of places they may be hiding."
Daniel gave a sharp nod. "Then guide us."
The two brothers rode the elevator back up, packs strapped across their shoulders. Their parents waited by the door.
Amari hugged his mother, then his father. "We'll be back," he said, voice steady.
"We'll be stronger," Daniel added.
Their father's hand lingered on their shoulders. "Then go. Carry the weight."
The door shut behind them. The city sprawled below, vast and alive.
Sam's voice crackled in their ears. "Exit the city. Head straight until I tell you otherwise."
"Got it," Amari said.
"Alright," Daniel echoed.
And just like that, the journey began.