Long ago, before gods feared mortals and before demons bowed to kings… a prophecy was whispered in the dark:
"When the world forgets him... the world will fall to him."
The sky over Vaelgard Village was full of clouds. It was grey and pale gold. The wind was cold. It moved through the old stone streets, making the wooden signs creak and the flags move slowly.
Many people were standing in the village square, near the Ancient Shrine. Today was the Awakening Ceremony. It was a special day for the young boys and girls. This day could change their lives forever.
Each child would touch the Magic Stone and find out their rank.
Some kids stood near the shrine, shaking with fear. Others smiled and jumped, full of excitement.
If someone got S-Rank, A-Rank, or even B-Rank, their family would be proud. Magic was everything here. It gave people power, respect, and food. If you had magic, people liked you. If you didn't, they looked down on you.
Far at the back, leaning on a broken fence, was a boy named Coker.
He didn't look excited or nervous. He looked bored. He held half an apple and ate it slowly.
"Let me guess," he said to himself. "The next kid touches the stone, it lights up, people clap, and the bakery gives free bread again."
Then, just like he said, a boy stepped forward. He touched the stone. A bright blue light shot into the sky.
"A-Rank Wind Magic!" shouted the old man standing by the shrine.
The crowd gasped, then cheered loudly. Parents cried. Kids clapped and jumped up and down.
Coker threw the apple core behind him.
"Knew it," he said.
He turned to leave. But then someone shouted, "Yo! Rankless!"
Coker didn't look back. He already knew who it was.
It was Drell. He was a fire mage and always loud. He wore a red cloak and acted like he was the hero of the whole world.
Two of his friends were behind him. They were already laughing.
Drell walked up to Coker. "Three times now, huh?" he said. "Three ceremonies. Three times you failed."
Coker didn't say anything right away. Then he blinked slowly and said, "Wow. You can count. Good for you."
One of Drell's friends laughed, but stopped when Drell gave him a hard look.
Drell's face turned serious. Sparks started to fly from his hand.
"Listen, rankless rat," he said. "Magic is everything. You have none. That means you are nothing."
Coker didn't move. He didn't look afraid.
He smiled a little and said, "If I'm nothing, why do you keep talking to me?"
Drell got angry. His face turned red. Fire lit up in his hand. He was ready to attack.
But the elder at the shrine shouted, "Enough! Save it for the tournament!"
Drell stopped. He stepped back.
"Whatever," he said. "Go back to your dirt hole."
The crowd started to leave. The cheers became quiet. One by one, people went home. Coker stayed there alone. He looked up at the sky, watching the last bit of light from the ceremony.
At home, dinner was waiting. It was soup again. Very thin. Mostly just water.
His little sister, Mina, was stirring the soup while humming. She was only ten, but she tried to act older.
"Did you touch the stone again?" she asked softly.
Coker sat down. "No. I think the stone already hates me."
She looked at him. "You're not cursed."
Coker gave a small laugh. "I'm something. I just don't know what."
They ate in silence. The soup didn't taste good, but it was warm.
"People laugh at you," Mina said. "But I don't."
"I know," Coker said, smiling at her.
She reached out and held his hand. "You'll get your magic one day."
Coker didn't answer. But inside, he really wanted to believe her.
That night, he couldn't sleep.
He climbed out the window and sat on the roof. His legs hung over the edge. The village was dark and quiet. The stars above looked cold and far away.
Coker looked at his hand. It was still empty. Still the same.
"I don't care what they say," he whispered. "I don't need a rank to matter."
But deep inside, a part of him did care. A lot. Even if he acted strong… he wanted to be chosen. Just one time.
He closed his eyes.
Then it happened.
A sharp pain hit his chest. It felt like something ancient was waking up. His whole body froze. He gasped and grabbed his shirt, falling onto the roof tiles with a grunt. For a moment, it felt like his blood was burning.
And then—gone. The pain vanished, like it was never there.
Coker sat up slowly. Breathing heavy. Eyes wide.
"What… was that?" he whispered.
Far away, beneath the Forgotten Mountain, something opened one eye.
A seal cracked.
Chains broke.
And a deep voice whispered in the dark:
"He has awakened. The Devourer of Fate… walks again."