Darkness.
That was the only thing Reygar could see before his eyes snapped open.
Gasp.
He shot up, panting hard as rivers of sweat poured from his head.
Hastily looking everywhere, he slowly calmed down as he recognized the place surrounding him: his own room.
Reygar lifted his head and looked at the wooden planks of the ceiling. His gaze stood there; unfocused as his mouth slowly opened remembering and trying to process everything he had just gone through.
Some moments later he hunched over and sunk in his lap, his hands clutching at the shins as he went through a mental crisis.
'What the… was that really a dream? Since when they are so realistic?'
After some moments in silence, the door's room swung open with a loud bang.
"Reey, get up. We're going to be late!"
"..."
The woman tilted his head at the lack of reaction of the boy.
"Is something wrong honey? Did you have a nightmare?"
"I think so… yes…"
Eleanor — Reygar's mother — is a good looking woman in her mid thirties. She has a slender figure, brown hair, and clear hazel eyes.
With a tender smile tugging her lips, she said:
"Well, don't fear; It's over now. You're awake and safe, far away from that place."
Rey forced a smile and nodded.
"Come on. Get up, or we'll be late."
He blinked, confused. "Late for what? It's sunday, mom"
"A priest arrived in town and is doing free checks on minors. Their services are not cheap, so we shouldn't miss this chance. Besides, you already know how uncommon good samaritans in Luria are."
"Oh… okay."
Eleanor nodded. "Hurry up, breakfast is ready." She closed the door, leaving Reygar alone with his thoughts.
He slapped his face with both hands. "I should get my act together."
After getting dressed and washing his face, he went to the dining room. There, just before sitting at the table, Rey mischievously ruffled Luna's hair as he was passing by.
"Good morning, Luni."
"St-stop it, Rey!"
Luna is his seven-year-old little sister. Like Reygar, she took after his father, inheriting a soft black hair and striking blue eyes.
"Cut it out you two and eat, or we'll only arrive for the goodbyes."
***
Eleanor led her children through the streets to the main plaza of the town, which was surrounded by the church and other important buildings.
Luria was a picturesque town with around one thousand inhabitants. The reason for its clean and tidy appearance was mainly due to the attention and funds allocated by its ruling Baron. His honest administration allowed the locals to enjoy basic infrastructure like paved roads, a couple of bridges, drainage systems and more. Even the public buildings were very well maintained.
The settlement sat in a somewhat remote area near a great mountain chain — The Eastern Calonian Range — that divided the vast subcontinent of Astannor. However, to reach it from here, one first had to cross a forest that isolated it from civilization.
When they were approaching a street intersection, a familiar silhouette appeared from the corner of the block; it was a sturdy man with a shaven head and tanned skin.
The man smiled and waved as he saw them.
Little Luna, who had been jumping and humming playfully on their way to the church, halted to a stop before bolting to him while shouting at him.
"Uncle Duncan!"
The man with sharp blue-sky eyes knelt down to embrace the little girl.
"Ellie, Rey, how are you doing?"
Reygar's uncle, Duncan, is his father's older brother. He is a tall and strong man who used to work as a mercenary. Nowadays he is making a living as a hunter in this remote town and has been teaching his nephew the hunting trade for some time now, playing a main role in Reygar's liking for these outdoor activities.
"Uncle, don't forget our hunt next week!"
Duncan nodded.
"Prepare yourself, Rey. It's time for us to hunt something... larger."
"Oh, really?! Are we finally going to hunt Aetheric Beasts?"
Eleanor frowned at the question.
As if reading her face, Duncan turned to her.
"Ellie, he's just getting ahead of himself. I wouldn't do such a reckless thing like bring a kid to such a hunt." After a brief pause, he added: "But in the hypothetical case that we ended in one, he´d be under my care, so don't be concerned."
She sighed.
"It's not that I don't trust you, Duncan. It just… you're not the only hunter in the forest."
Aethereal Beasts are animals that have evolved due to Aether, an omnipresent energy present in all life forms in the world of Loran. After evolving their appearance changes depending on the elemental affinity they acquire. Even so, the most important change they go through is becoming proficient in the manipulation of elements, thus enhancing their senses, strength, agility, endurance and intellect.
These fierce beasts — better known as Aetherkin in the academic world — have developed this sensitivity to the world's energy to the point that it has become as natural as breathing for them. However, not all living beings are as adept at manipulating it as the Aetherkin are. "Intelligent" species like humans do not possess such natural attunement towards aether.
All these factors have catapulted them to the top of the food chain in the animal kingdom, making them lethal predators for any animal or mundane human.
"Please, do not underestimate those beasts."
Duncan locked gazes with Eleanor and answered in a serious tone:
"I won't let my guard down."
Eleanor briefly nodded in response. Afterwards, they said goodbyes to each other and parted ways.
A few minutes later, upon reaching the town's plaza, Rey spotted his friend Erwin — a blond, dark-eyed and rather friendly boy of his same age.
They automatically ran towards each other.
"Hey Rey, did you see that knight who arrived with the priest? His gear is amazing! That armor and sword... Man, I can't wait to awake my first s-"
Erwin's excitement was interrupted by an amused Eleanor. "Okay future knights, stop talking nonsense and get inside," she ushered them into the small, but beautifully designed stone church.
Within, one could appreciate the fine windows and carved stone walls that, through outstanding pieces of art, depicted the celestial beings worshiped by the masses.
The interior was narrow but long, with an aisle down the center flanked by long benches on its sides, leading to an altar raised on a few steps at the front.
Families sat on the benches while their children lined up at the priest dressed in gray and purple robes. The man placed his open hand on the children's heads, closing his eyes to concentrate.
It seemed that they had arrived almost on time, since the priest was already at work. They didn't waste any more time and quickly got in line.
After checking eleven children in front of Reygar and Erwin, it was Rey's turn.
"Greetings, little one. I am Father Roland, can you tell me your name?" The priest asked warmly.
"Hi, Father. My name is Reygar."
"Very well, Reygar. Please stand in front of the altar and relax. This won't take long," the slim man said in a calm voice that reflected his age and eloquence.
Reygar did as told, allowing father Roland to begin his check up by placing a hand on his head.
Forty seconds later, the priest's face furrowed in a worried scowl.
"...This… is unlike anything I've seen before. It's rather… unusual and… unfortunate," the priest sighed. "Alas, worse things have happened. Besides, not everyone is meant to use that."
Worried, Eleanor rushed up. "Priest, is something wrong? Is my son sick?"
"No, Ma'am, do not worry. Your son is perfectly healthy. It's just that... There's an anomaly with his Seed. I'm not sure what it is, nor have I seen or read about anything like this before."
Eleanor's patience ran out. "What's wrong with his Seed!?"
The priest gave her a brief, apologetic smile before shifting to a serious expression. "I don't think he'll be able to make his Seed sprout, let alone awakening it into a Soul Flame."
At these words, Reygar's world froze, and his hearing deafened. He felt a cold chill run down his spine as his chest tightened.
Shortly after, his vision began to spin.
"Hey Rey, are you okay?" Erwin asked, putting a hand on his shoulder with a worried face.
Blinking, and after seconds that felt like hours, Reygar turned to him and said with a dejected smile:
"Yeah, I'm fine... don't worry…"
"..."
After Erwin and Luna's turn, the four of them left the church and headed back home.
The blonde kid decided to tag along to keep his friend company. However, a tense atmosphere was created on their way back. They racked their brains trying to find the right words to comfort the heart-broken child, but nothing came to their minds.
Eventually, they arrived home.
Without goodbyes or uttering a single word, Reygar slowly headed to his room and silently closed the door behind him.
He lingered for a while before leaning his back against the door.
Then, he gradually slid down, until the cold floor embraced him.
Tears slid down his cheeks.
'This explains everything… Why I haven't been able to sprout my soul's seed… or even make any progress at all.'
Slowly, the cold, familiar feeling of slumber started to greet him.
'...I'm fourteen, and cadets my age from local militias had long started sensing the Nexus Threads… Hell, some have already sprouted.'
His vision faded as darkness slowly took over his world.
As he began to drift off, Reygar heard something; weak at first, but it grew until he could hear it clearly and remembered.
It was a voice, both familiar and solemn at the same time.
'Even the cursed can be redeemed.'