The darkness swallowed the battlefield.
For a moment, the world became silent.
Kael could not breathe.
The strange energy pouring from his body felt alive, twisting around him like a storm made of shadows.
"What… is happening to me?" he whispered.
The three warriors of the Crimson Clan stepped back in fear.
"That power…" one of them muttered. "It's real."
The leader clenched his sword tightly.
"So the legends were true."
Kael's heart pounded against his chest. The dark energy around him continued to grow, pulling everything toward him—dust, ashes, even the flames burning nearby.
It was as if the world itself was being swallowed.
The warrior shouted, "Kill him now!"
They charged at him.
Kael tried to move, but the power surged violently from his body.
A wave of black energy exploded outward.
BOOM.
The ground cracked.
The warriors were thrown across the street like broken dolls, crashing into the walls of burning houses.
Kael fell to his knees.
His breathing became heavy.
"I didn't… do that…"
One of the warriors struggled to stand.
His face was pale with terror.
"The Void Clan… it's really alive."
He staggered backward.
"We must report to Lord Varyn immediately."
The three warriors quickly fled into the night.
Kael tried to stand, but his legs felt weak.
The darkness around him slowly faded, leaving only smoke and silence.
He looked around.
The village was gone.
Homes destroyed.
Flames rising into the night sky.
His chest tightened.
"Everyone…"
Footsteps approached behind him.
Kael turned quickly.
An old man stood there, leaning on a wooden staff.
His white cloak was covered with dust.
But his eyes were sharp.
"You finally awakened," the old man said calmly.
Kael frowned.
"You… you know what just happened to me?"
The old man stepped closer.
"I have been waiting seventeen years for this moment."
Kael's voice trembled.
"Waiting… for what?"
The man looked directly into his eyes.
"For the last heir of the Void Clan."
Kael froze.
"My name is Master Elyndor," the old man continued.
"And if you want to survive the clans hunting you…"
He extended his hand.
"You must come with me."
Kael stared at the burning ruins of his home one last time.
Then he slowly took the old man's hand.
And his journey began.