"Everything is lost... but what is this system notification?"
[System Notification]
Name: Esteria
Race: Human
Classification: Undefined (Awakening...)
Status: Severely Injured
Attack: 1 Defense:
1 [Weak]
Copy (S): Limited ability to copy observed skills. Can copy the skills being seen, resulting in perfect copies. However there will be a requirement for the skill being copy, the hardness is base on the skill rank
Estaria staggered to his feet, his body protesting in pain. The system notification floated before his eyes, a cruel reminder of what he had gained—and what he had lost.
"What... what is this?" He stared at the strange message floating in his vision, confusion mixing with pain. "System? Classification? Skills? What's happening to me?" His voice trembled as he tried to make sense of the unfamiliar terms appearing before him.
The bizarre notification continued to hover there, adding to his disorientation as he looked around at the destruction. Smoke rose from the blackened houses where families had lived just yesterday. Bodies lay scattered, some still clutching tools or children's toys. The stench of death hung heavy in the air.
"I don't understand any of this," he whispered, his mind reeling from both the tragedy and these strange new phenomena. "These numbers, these terms... why am I seeing them? Why now, when everyone is..." His voice broke, overwhelmed by grief and confusion.
He leaned against a crumbling wall, exhaustion coming in waves. The system notification continued to mockingly float in his vision, its cold text contrasting with the horror around him.
His eyes stung as he watched the last wisps of smoke rise into the darkening sky. The power he had always dreamed of had finally awakened—but like everything else, it had come too late.
A shadow fell over him, and he tensed, looking up to see Lyra standing there. Her eyes flickered with concern as she took in his bitter expression.
"What's wrong?" Lyra asked, noting his hesitation. Her eyes widened as a dim light emanated from Esteria, and she instinctively took a step back.
"I... I don't know what to do now," Esteria said, his voice trembling. He stared at his hands, unable to comprehend the strange feeling coursing through him.
"You seem troubled," Lyra observed softly. "What's wrong?"
"Why?"
Esteria turned away, unable to meet her gaze. "I failed," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "I was too weak... too powerless. I couldn't protect the village. What's the point of anything now, when everything is gone?"
The pain in his words hung heavy in the smoke-filled air between them.
Lyra stepped closer, her expression softening with concern. "What troubles you so deeply, Esteria? I can see the weight of loss in your eyes."
"The village may be lost," she continued, kneeling beside him, "but there are still people who need protection. Other villages, other families might face similar threats. Even the smallest strength could mean the difference between life and death for them."
Esteria's hands trembled. "But how can I move forward when I couldn't save my own home?"
"By honoring those we lost," Lyra said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "By ensuring their sacrifices weren't in vain. Your power awakened through this tragedy—use it to prevent others from experiencing the same pain. That's how we give meaning to loss."
Her words penetrated through his fog of despair, offering a glimmer of hope in the darkness. Perhaps she was right. Perhaps this power, though late, could still serve a greater purpose.
Slowly, Esteria looked up at Lyra. "Will you... will you stay with me, Sister Lyra?" The words came out hesitant, almost childlike, revealing the vulnerability beneath his pain.
A gentle smile crossed Lyra's face as she helped him to his feet. "Of course. We fight together now. I'll help you train and grow stronger. Whatever power you've awakened, we'll make sure no village suffers what ours has endured."
For the first time since the disaster, a tiny spark of hope flickered in Esteria's heart. He was not alone. And maybe, just maybe, this power hadn't come too late after all.
Days passed, and survivors gradually emerged from hiding, drawn by the smoke signal Lyra had sent. Each new face brought both joy and sorrow—joy for a life saved, sorrow for dozens lost. They gathered in what remained of the village square, a makeshift camp rising from the ashes.
"Twenty-three," Esteria muttered one evening, counting the faces around the communal fire. "Twenty-three out of hundreds."
Lyra squeezed his shoulder as she passed by, carrying a pot of soup. "Twenty-three reasons to keep fighting," she corrected.
Among the survivors was Old Wei, the village healer. His eyes carried both pain and hope as he tended to the wounded, often whispering words of comfort to Esteria.
"Your sister would be proud of you to save this village" he told them one evening, making Lyra's eyes glisten with unshed tears.
The twin sisters Mai and Lin, who had survived by hiding in a root cellar, now worked alongside them, their quiet determination inspiring others. Marcus, the blacksmith's apprentice, had become Lyra's steadfast supporter, always ready with encouragement when her strength wavered.
"We have lost much," Wei spoke during dinner, reaching out to clasp both Lyra and Esteria's hands, "but we still have each other. Your leadership gives us hope, children. Together, we can rebuild what was lost."
The others gathered closer, forming a tight circle around them. Mai and Lin shared stories of their childhood, reminding everyone of happier days. Marcus spoke of his plans to forge new tools, his voice strong with purpose. The familiar rhythms of village life still echoed within them - fields to be replanted, homes to be rebuilt, community bonds to be strengthened.
"I know what needs to be done," Esteria said, standing to address the group while Lyra squeezed his hand supportively. "We'll start with the essentials - the granary, the meeting hall, homes for everyone. We're not just rebuilding structures; we're rebuilding our family."
A murmur of approval spread through the crowd. Lyra smiled as she watched the survivors unite, no longer defined by their losses but by their shared purpose to restore their home.
"Tomorrow," Lyra announced, "we begin rebuilding. Everyone has skills to contribute - carpenters, farmers, weavers. We need everyone."
As Esteria looked at Lyra, a new system notification suddenly appeared before his eyes:
[System Notification]
[Skill Detected: Shadow of the Moon (B)]
Requirements to Copy: Complete village reconstruction (0/1)
A mix of confusion and apprehension filled him as he noticed this strange new notification. What was this power, and why was it showing him these mysterious requirements? He decided not to mention it to Lyra yet, unsure of what to make of these supernatural messages only he could see.
As the conversation continued around the fire, Esteria quietly observed the shadows dancing across Lyra's face, wondering about the power she possessed. The requirement seemed clear - he would need to focus on rebuilding the village before he could attempt to copy her technique. Perhaps this was the system's way of ensuring he remained committed to restoring their community.
"Get some rest," Lyra suggested to the group. "Tomorrow will be a long day."
Esteria nodded, his mind already planning the reconstruction work ahead. This time, his motivation wasn't just to rebuild - but to grow stronger.
"A late awakener..." The words tasted bitter in my mouth as I stared at my hands.
Everyone else had discovered their powers years ago - creating fire, moving objects, healing wounds. And me? Still empty, powerless, watching from the sidelines as others trained and grew stronger.
But now, a fierce determination sparked in my eyes. This power, late as it was, could still serve a purpose. My hands clenched into fists as I made a silent vow.
"At least now I can fight. At least now I can protect," I whispered, a new strength rising in my voice. "This time... this time I won't let anyone else die. Never again."
The system notification seemed to pulse faintly, as if responding to my resolve. Perhaps being a late awakener didn't matter anymore. What mattered was what I did with this power from here on out.