Kalin couldn't shake the feeling that something was watching him.
He walked back to the alley where his sister was waiting for him, his mind racing with the words Mr. Levens had left him with.
"You're not the only one with power."
His thoughts were interrupted by the soft sound of his sister calling his name.
"Kalin… Are you okay?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.
He tried to force a smile as he approached her.
"Yeah, I'm fine," he lied, but his eyes were clouded with confusion.
They sat in silence for a while, Kalin's mind struggling to understand what had just happened. Who was Mr. Levens? Why did he know so much about him? And what did he mean by power?
The First Doubt
The following days in the shop felt like a blur. Kalin worked harder than ever, keeping his head down and doing his best to stay out of trouble. The shopkeeper's attitude remained cold and distant, offering nothing more than curt instructions and harsh criticism. But Kalin didn't mind. He had become accustomed to the harsh words and the constant struggle to earn a living.
Yet, despite the grueling work, the question that Mr. Levens had posed to him lingered in his mind. "You're not the only one with power."
Every night, as he lay beside his sister in the cold, dark alley, he found himself wondering what Mr. Levens had meant. What power? Was it something he could use? Or something he needed to fear?
The Strange Encounter
One evening, while walking home after another long day at the shop, Kalin noticed something strange. There was a figure standing under the flickering streetlight at the corner of the alley—a figure that seemed to be waiting for him.
Kalin's heart raced, but he didn't back down. He had already been through so much, what was one more challenge?
As he approached, the figure stepped forward, revealing a tall woman with long black hair and a calm expression. Her eyes were sharp, observing him as if she already knew who he was.
"You're Kalin, aren't you?" she asked, her voice smooth but filled with an unsettling certainty.
Kalin hesitated, his body tense. "Who are you?"
The woman smiled slightly, her eyes never leaving his.
"I'm someone who knows your potential, Kalin. And I'm here to help you realize it."
The Revelation
The woman introduced herself as Luna, and she spoke with an eerie confidence, almost as if she had known him his entire life.
"I'm here because I know what you're capable of. You have abilities that you don't fully understand yet. But you will."
Kalin stared at her, unsure of what to think. Was she another person like Mr. Levens, someone who saw him as more than just a street kid?
"Abilities? What do you mean?" he asked, his voice filled with skepticism.
Luna's smile faded slightly, but her gaze remained steady. "You are not just an ordinary boy, Kalin. There's more to you than meets the eye. Your true power is just waiting to be unlocked. And I can help you do that."
She stepped closer to him, her voice lowering to a whisper.
"But be careful. Once you tap into this power, there's no going back. The world you live in now will seem like nothing compared to what's coming. There are forces out there that will try to stop you. But you'll be ready."
The Decision
Kalin felt a chill run down his spine.
He had heard stories—stories of people with incredible powers, but he never thought it would be him. He never imagined that he, too, could possess something so dangerous, so mysterious.
But Luna's words stirred something inside him. Could he really have power? And if so, how would it change everything?
"You have a choice, Kalin," Luna said, her voice steady. "I'm not forcing you to do anything. But if you want to unlock your true potential, if you want to protect your sister and yourself, then you need to make a decision."
Kalin looked at her, his heart pounding in his chest. He thought about his sister, about everything they had been through. He knew the world was cruel, but could he really handle the power Luna was talking about? Was it worth the risk?
"I… I'll do it," he said, his voice firm. "I'll unlock this power. I'll do whatever it takes."
Luna's smile returned, and for the first time, Kalin saw something in her eyes—something that made him feel both afraid and exhilarated.
"Then it's time," Luna said, extending her hand to him. "The journey has only just begun, Kalin."
Kalin took her hand, and in that moment, everything changed.