Chapter 39: The Spark Before the Flame
The villagers of Sujin stood in a half-circle around the group of ten children, still stunned by what they had heard. Lin Yue's voice had trembled with sincerity as she recounted everything that happened inside the ancient rune temple—how the walls lit up with runes, the images of ancient battles, and the glowing crystal that delivered a message from the Goddess herself. She had spoken of unity, of danger, and of a destiny greater than what any of them had imagined.
But, as expected, not everyone believed them.
"That kind of talk… are you sure it wasn't just a dream?" one woman muttered.
"A temple underground with glowing lights and magic? This isn't some fantasy novel," another scoffed.
"If this was real, why would only the children have seen it?" someone else questioned.
Still, the children stood their ground. Mei Qui stepped forward, her arms crossed. "If you don't believe us, then come with us. See it with your own eyes."
That challenge was enough to make the doubters pause.
A heated discussion broke out among the villagers. Some dismissed it as a childish prank or overactive imagination, but others—especially the elders who remembered fragments of Old Kiko's prophecy—grew quiet, pensive. Eventually, curiosity won out over skepticism.
"Very well," Elder Yun said, his voice carrying the weight of wisdom. "Let's go see this temple. If the Goddess has truly spoken, then we must all bear witness."
By the time they returned to the temple, a quiet awe had settled over the group. The villagers, both young and old, descended into the ancient space, gasping as the lanterns along the walls lit up with a gentle glow once again. The crystalline center shimmered faintly, and the murals came to life.
The villagers fell silent as the battle played out once more—ancient humans awakening, rising in power, turning on each other, and forgetting the Gods who had blessed them. The demons emerging from the void. The Queen's death. The message written in the storm: Unite and fight.
Tears streamed down some faces. Others stared with mouths agape.
"It's all true…" someone whispered.
As the vision ended, a second message formed beneath the glowing crystal. This one written in bold ancient script, translated aloud by one of the children who had touched the glowing scripture earlier:
"With many gifts, comes even greater desire. A blessing or a curse—it lies in human hands. I meddle not in your hearts. Treat your husbands well, for I gave them support magic, not to fight but to aid. Do not squander this bond."
Another gasp rippled through the group.
This revelation struck a chord. For so long, many had believed only raw strength or awakening mattered. But now they understood—every role had meaning, and every bond held power.
In the days that followed, the temple became sacred ground.
The village elders, shaken and humbled, held a meeting to reevaluate everything. The pieces of Old Kiko's prophecy fell into place. The strange births, the powerful children, the inability to awaken despite the global surge—it all made sense.
"It's not that we've been abandoned," Elder Yun declared during the village meeting. "We were being prepared. The Goddess did not want us to rely on gifts we hadn't earned. She wanted us to become strong in mind and body first."
The temple guidance confirmed the same: Sujin and other unknown, blessed lands were delayed in awakening not out of neglect—but divine intention. Their people were meant to train their bodies and minds, to become whole before they could receive powers that could easily corrupt.
So training resumed with renewed purpose.
Yue's father, long respected as a gentle and intelligent man, began teaching basic herbal medicine, natural remedies, and ancient first aid techniques to the boys. It wasn't magic—but it was practical, life-saving knowledge that strengthened both body and mind.
The boys practiced focus through meditation, breathing techniques, mental puzzles, and physical endurance training. Their goals were simple: to master themselves before mastering any powers.
The girls, meanwhile, doubled down on their physical training. Sword drills, spear techniques, agility exercises, and weapon familiarity became daily routines. Yue and her gang, once mischievous and cheeky, were now the leading figures in the training sessions. Their earlier curiosity had bloomed into fierce determination.
Yue herself, though still cheeky at times, became more focused. The image of that battle, of the dying Queen, of the prophecy's weight—those visions lived in her dreams.
The village, once filled with uncertainty, was now united by clarity.
Still, whispers of doubt lingered. Not everyone could forget the global awakening.
"Thirty million," someone murmured one evening, looking out at the darkening sky. "More than thirty million people awakened, and we are still… waiting."
To that, Elder Yun would always say the same:
"Let them rush ahead. We walk the road the Gods paved for us. And when the time comes, we will not just awaken—we will rise."
Hope took root in Sujin, deeper than ever before.