Early Morning
"Kai! Wake up—you need to get ready."
His father's voice broke the silence, gentle but firm. Kai stirred under the blanket. Then, like lightning, his eyes snapped open.
> "Today's the day... The Immortal is coming."
He bolted upright, heart pounding with excitement. He washed his face with freezing water, shivering, but smiling. He slipped into his cleanest clothes—simple, but freshly brushed.
His parents walked beside him toward the village center. The streets, usually quiet in the morning, were already alive with chatter and tension. Everyone was waiting. Hope and fear hung in the air like mist.
All around, villagers whispered. Children clung to their mothers. Young men stretched, showing off, pretending not to be nervous. The older folks stood near the big tree, talking in hushed tones as if something sacred was about to happen.
As Kai walked through the crowd, many heads turned. Women, both young and old, couldn't help but watch him. Their gazes lingered, filled with something between admiration and desire. His face, so pure and beautiful, didn't match this rough, rural world.
His flawless skin, the way the light caught his soft hair, and especially those deep blue eyes—he looked like he didn't belong here, like he came from somewhere magical.
He shrunk closer to his father.
> "Dad… why are they all staring at me like that?" he whispered.
His mother chuckled gently. "You'll understand when you're older," she said, brushing his shoulder.
---
Then it happened.
A loud, piercing sound split the sky.
SKREEEEEEEEE!
People turned their eyes upward.
"Is that… an eagle?!"
"No… it's too big—look! Someone's riding it!"
A massive shadow circled above, wings wide enough to block the sun. Wind howled as the creature descended, kicking up dust. Everyone shielded their faces.
When the dust settled, a giant eagle stood at the village center, and on its back… an old man stepped down.
He had flowing silver hair, a beard down to his chest, and a presence so strong it seemed to quiet even the wind. Though he looked ancient, his back was straight. His eyes—calm, powerful—swept over the crowd like waves scanning the shore.
One by one, the villagers dropped to their knees. Some trembled. Others pressed their hands together, unsure whether to pray or hide.
> "Stand," the old man said, voice deep and calm, but with the weight of thunder.
Kai peered through the crowd, lips parted in awe.
> "So… this is an Immortal…"
---
The Immortal continued, his voice like wind over stone.
> "Today, I will test the children of this village. Your chief will call names. Each child will come forward and stretch out their hand. I will see what lies within them."
The village chief nodded and stepped forward, holding a long scroll.
"Maina Garner," he called first.
A young woman stepped forward—nervous, her lips trembling. She reached out her hand. The Immortal placed two fingers on her wrist and closed his eyes.
Seconds passed.
"No spiritual energy," he said plainly. "Next."
The girl looked crushed. Her parents gently took her back. She fought tears.
One by one, more children came forward. Some were turned away gently. Others got only silence. The crowd grew quieter with every rejection.
Then, the chief called:
"Kai."
The name hit like a thunderclap.
Kai froze.
> "Me? What if… What if I get rejected too? In front of everyone?"
"KAI!" the chief called again, louder.
His parents nudged him forward. His mother whispered, her voice shaking, "Go. Just try. No matter what happens, we're proud of you."
He took a shaky breath and walked forward, heart pounding in his chest like a war drum.
He held out his hand—slowly, nervously.
The Immortal looked at him for a long moment, then touched his wrist.
Nothing happened at first.
But then—his brows drew together.
The Immortal's expression changed. He closed his eyes again and sent his consciousness deeper into Kai's body.
What he saw made him freeze.
Inside Kai's core—his dantian—was a swirl of glowing energy, completely sealed by golden chains. Not ordinary chains—divine ones. Powerful. Ancient.
He tried to touch one with his spirit.
CRACK!
A pulse of power shot up his arm. He jerked back, eyes wide for a split second—then calm again, but with a flicker of something more.
The crowd gasped. Something had happened.
The Immortal looked at Kai with sharp eyes, then nodded.
> "You… are chosen."
Kai blinked. "R-Really?!"
The Immortal, rare smile showing, ruffled the boy's hair.
> "You hold a deep potential. Tomorrow, you will come with me."
Kai turned and leapt into his parents' arms, tears of joy in his eyes.
"Mom! Dad! I got picked! I'll become an Immortal! I'll build you a big house! You won't have to work anymore!"
His parents laughed through their tears, holding him tightly. They had never been prouder.
The Immortal watched quietly.
> "Such strong love. It is rare to see such purity…"
---
Names continued. Two more children were chosen.
Then the Immortal spoke once more.
> "Only three have the spark. Prepare them. At sunrise tomorrow, we leave."
With that, he jumped onto his eagle. With a gust of wind and flurry of wings, they vanished into the sky.
The village was silent for a moment.
Then the chief stepped forward, voice full of pride.
> "Everyone! We have three chosen children! Tonight—we celebrate!"
The crowd erupted in cheers. The whole village began preparing for a grand feast.
---
Evening
The village glowed under the soft orange light of lanterns. Music, laughter, and the smell of roasted meat filled the air. People danced barefoot, clapped to the rhythm, and told stories of how their village would now be remembered by the world.
Kai sat with his parents, devouring food.
"Mom! This chicken is amazing!" he said with his mouth full.
His father chuckled. "Eat up. You won't get food like your mom's in the mountains."
They all laughed, basking in warmth and happiness.
---
Later That Night
Kai slept peacefully on the rooftop bed, stars twinkling above him. He dreamed of flying, of swords and clouds and strange cities far away. For him, the world was wide open now.
But not everyone slept.
Down in the village square, torches flickered. Parents and elders gathered beneath the big tree, whispering about what the future might bring.
Then—thud… thud… THUD.
Hoofbeats.
Shadows emerged from the trail. Bandits.
Their faces were covered. Swords gleamed in the dark.
> "They're coming! To attack!"
Panic spread. People scrambled to hide.
Kai's father burst into the house and grabbed him.
"Wake up! We need to go!"
There was nowhere to run. The village was surrounded by cliffs and forest. Escape was impossible.
Kai's mother dropped to her knees, holding him tightly.
> "Why today? If only he had left already..."
Then someone screamed.
> "Wait—they're not charging! They're... afraid?"
Indeed, the bandits stopped, looking behind them. Faces pale.
Suddenly—WHOOSH! A flying sword slashed through the air, cutting down the lead rider.
Blood sprayed. Screams followed.
> "The sword... it's floating!" someone shouted.
High above, a glowing silhouette hovered in the sky.
"SHOW YOURSELF!" a bandit shouted.
In reply, another sword flew—and another head rolled.
One by one, the bandits fell, cut down by invisible hands. Fear turned to awe.
The villagers watched in stunned silence.
The old man—the Immortal—descended slowly, standing in the air on the eagle.
> "Do not fear," he said. "They were running from me, not attacking you."
Kai peeked from the window, eyes wide.
> "He… he defeated them alone. He's so strong.…" he looked down on his hands, "Can I also become like that." He thought to himself.
---
Dawn
As sunlight touched the village roofs, peace returned.
Some villagers were still awake, guarding their homes. Others slept beside their torches.
Kai?
He was still sleeping soundly, drooling onto his blanket—with a big, happy smile on his face.