Grayhaven never truly woke; it just shifted from one hum of motion to another. Engines rumbled in the distance, shouts echoed from the street vendors, and the smell of burnt coffee lingered faintly in the alleys. But in the little apartment on the top floor of a crumbling building, the city felt far away.
Licht lay on his thin mattress, sunlight cutting across his face through the cracked blinds. He rubbed his eyes and sat up slowly, careful not to disturb the quiet hum of the apartment. His mother, Elena, was in the small kitchen, moving with a calm precision that made the tiny space seem less like a cage and more like home. His older sister, Selene, sat on the floor near the window, reading from a battered book, golden hair catching the sunlight in streaks of warmth.
"Morning, little one," Elena said softly, glancing over her shoulder with a faint smile. Her eyes, warm but unreadable, met his. There was always a hint of something unsaid in her gaze, a weight that Licht couldn't quite understand.
Selene set the book aside and stretched, revealing just enough of her height to remind him she was older, stronger in presence even if she never pushed it. "You'll be late if you don't hurry," she said, voice teasing, but the softness behind it made Licht hesitate to argue.
"Yeah, I know," he mumbled, still rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
The apartment was modest—three rooms, a kitchenette, and a view of the crowded streets below. From here, Licht could see the distant silhouette of the citadel towers that loomed over the city like quiet guardians. Six in total, each a fortress, each controlled by powerful clans or the government. The stories Elena told him as a child about the citadels had always felt like bedtime tales, but lately, he sensed there was more truth than fantasy.
Elena placed a small tray of bread and fruit on the table. "Eat well today," she said, her voice gentle but firm. "You have training ahead."
Training. The word made Licht's chest tighten. He had been practicing in secret these past few weeks, moving through exercises he had read in the old scrolls Elena had given him. He didn't know why she had entrusted him with them. He didn't know what he was preparing for. But he obeyed, because that was what they always expected.
He glanced at Selene, whose golden eyes met his with quiet encouragement. There was a strength in her gaze, a confidence he couldn't match yet. "I'll be fine," he said softly, even though he wasn't sure he believed it himself.
Elena nodded, saying nothing more. Licht knew better than to press. Sometimes, questions about the world, the citadels, or even their own past were met with silence. Not lies, exactly—just... pauses, gaps that felt like walls he couldn't scale.
After breakfast, he gathered the things he would need: his bag, the scrolls, and most importantly, the halberd Elena had placed carefully against the wall. Black and gold, its weight seemed impossible, even now, but he could feel the quiet hum of importance it carried.
"Remember," Elena said as he picked it up, "don't rush. Everything has its time. Be patient."
Licht nodded. He didn't understand fully, but he could feel the truth of her words in his bones. The halberd felt like an extension of him as he stepped out into the morning light, toward the abandoned lot where he would begin training.
The streets of Grayhaven were alive with movement, but the lot just a short walk away was silent. Broken concrete and rusted debris littered the area, evidence of neglect. Perfect, he thought. No one would disturb him here.
He planted his feet, adjusted his grip on the halberd, and for the first time, allowed himself a small thrill. This was his path, uncertain and quiet, but entirely his own.
And deep in his chest, a faint stirring of something unknown tickled his awareness, as if the world itself was quietly waiting for him to take the first step.