Chapter 25: Awakening the Unknown
The village of Sujin was quieter than usual that morning. The faint smell of morning dew mixed with the scent of the earth, but something more ominous seemed to hang in the air. For the past few months, there had been whispers—strange occurrences happening across the world. The villagers had tried to remain oblivious, but deep down, they couldn't ignore the growing tension.
Yue had been hearing bits and pieces of conversations here and there—about people awakening abilities. At first, it had only been rumors. But as the months went by, the news grew harder to dismiss. Even though the villagers hadn't discussed it openly, five men in Sujin had awakened powers, but the secret was kept under wraps, shrouded by fear and uncertainty.
"Why are we keeping this quiet?" Yue had asked her mother one evening, curious about the hushed discussions that took place in every corner of the village.
Her mother, usually so strong and sure, had grown strangely cautious. "Some things are better left unsaid, Yue. We have to wait... wait until we know more."
Yue didn't understand. How could something so important—so life-changing—be kept in the shadows? She could feel it deep in her heart: things were changing. The entire world was shifting beneath their feet, and the strange abilities weren't just in the city anymore. People were beginning to change, and the powers were not just for women anymore. There was something off about the sudden surge of power in men, a ripple of energy that seemed to challenge the natural order.
Her father had kept to himself, focused on his upcoming delivery. He was due any day now, and the entire village had been buzzing with excitement, waiting for the moment when the Yue family would welcome their newest member. But Yue couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this change than just a new baby. Something big was coming. She could feel it in her bones.
And then, that morning, something happened.
The men in the village—all five of them—had gathered in the central square, drawn by an unseen force. They had been secretly meeting for weeks, trying to understand the power they had awakened. There was something eerily quiet in the air that day. No chatter filled the space, no laughter. The usual bright atmosphere of the village seemed dull, like a storm was about to break.
Yue and her gang had watched from the side, their curiosity piqued. They had heard rumors of their fathers and uncles doing strange things—shifting objects, speaking in tongues, even moving faster than normal. But seeing it for the first time was different. It was like they were testing their limits.
The men stood in a circle, each one focusing on something in the center—an empty spot that hummed with energy. Suddenly, there was a crackling sound, like the air had been charged with electricity. And then the first of the men, Yue's uncle, lifted his hands and a gust of wind swirled around him. His eyes flashed with power, and his hair whipped around his face. Everyone gasped.
The second man—a neighbor, who had always been known for his calm demeanor—began to levitate. Slowly at first, but then higher and higher, until he was floating a few feet off the ground. The villagers watched in awe, some with fear in their eyes. Men didn't float. Not like this.
The third man, Yue's father's closest friend, stepped forward. His face was drawn tight, and his voice trembled slightly. He reached into the air, and a small ball of light appeared in his palm. It flickered like a flame. The crowd went silent, their hearts pounding in their chests. Light manipulation. Something no one had ever seen before in Sujin.
As the fourth and fifth men displayed their abilities—one creating powerful bursts of wind and the other manipulating the earth—it became clear: the world was changing.
Yue felt her heart race. She knew this wasn't just a coincidence. The prophecy—the one whispered by the village elder, Grandma Mei—had said it. The end of peaceful times was near.
"What's happening?" Yue whispered, mostly to herself.
Her gang stood nearby, whispering among themselves. They had never seen anything like this before. It wasn't just awe that filled their eyes—it was fear.
"This can't be real," said Mei, one of Yue's closest friends. "I thought only women had powers..."
Yue didn't have an answer. She watched, almost mesmerized, as the men continued to display their powers, some of them more hesitant than others, unsure of what to do. Her father's best friend, the one who had levitated, suddenly dropped to the ground with a loud thud.
The village healer rushed over to him. "He's alright, just exhausted," she reassured the crowd. "He's never done this before."
Yue's heart pounded in her chest. They were doing this. They were awakening powers—something unheard of, unexplainable, and dangerous.
"Will we all awaken?" Yue whispered.
Her mother's voice came from behind her, calm but full of an undertone of fear. "I don't know. But we need to be careful. These powers are dangerous—especially for men."
As the five men gathered, clearly trying to find their footing with these strange new abilities, Yue couldn't help but feel a heavy weight on her chest. This wasn't just about the men of the village awakening powers—it was about what this meant for the entire world.
In the distance, the wind picked up, and a storm began to brew. The sky turned darker, and for a moment, the villagers seemed to freeze, as if sensing the same thing. Something was coming. Something that no one could escape.
The ground rumbled slightly beneath their feet, and Yue's hands trembled. It was happening.
And then, as if the world had decided it was time, the first lightning bolt struck. It crashed down from the sky, illuminating the entire village for a split second, like an omen.
Yue stood frozen, staring at the sky.
It was time.