The golden sun slowly appeared over the hamlet of Astren, changing the fog into shiny silver threads as the day began. Hens made noise, and shop owners started getting ready for business, with life unfolding at an easy pace.
However, inside a little wood house located on the hill…
A young boy awoke.
A soft inhale. A composed expression.
With messy black hair and eyes as dark as the night sky, he seemed to observe more than he revealed.
His mom was quietly singing in the cooking area.
Leaving his resting place, he felt a change to the world around him.
Not dramatic enough for the common person to detect, the breeze paused, as though the very air anticipated his actions.
He was named Stellan Adrian.
Only seven years of age.
However, what he was meant to do in life pushed at the back of his mind as a star that had been forgotten recalled its brilliance.
He wasn't sure why he felt restricted by the world around him. He just had an understanding that something beyond what he could see was reaching out to his very being, a silent cry that went back farther than time.
He went outside.
Birds turned to look in his direction.
The grass appeared to bow in reverence.
The world around him seemed to breathe along with him.
Down the route, footsteps came closer, sounding confident and determined.
Another boy came into view, his gaze was silver and intense and he had an eagerness to achieve greatness, although he hadn't yet earned it.
He was Ren Samael.
Halting at the entrance, he had a small smile that suggested potential rather than pride.
"Greetings, Stellan".
Stellan raised his eyes to meet his, his expression calm but friendly, showing he trusted his friend.
"Hello".
There was no great flash of light.
No heavenly musical sound.
Just a couple of youngsters entering a community that could not possibly know what significant figures they would become.
Destiny, however, was aware.
Destiny is always aware.
As they passed by, an elderly priest tidying up the temple steps stopped in his tracks. Gasping, his eyes opened wide with both fear and respect.
"Two individuals who are destined to surpass the limits of existence… both will become strong leaders who will overcome the black hole. Yet only one will be present with the source.
His fingers trembled on the tool.
The first one to connect with the creator will not be the one to be equals.
A prediction forgotten by the general public but feared by all of creation.
The priest lowered his gaze as the boys vanished into the morning light, unaware that the cosmic void at the core of everything was paying attention.
These were the children who, one day, would change everything.
Only one of them would be the first to get there.
Only one of them would be the supreme leader.
But for the time being…
They were merely Stellan and Ren.
Companions, at least for the moment.