The village of Tareth buzzed with excitement. Children, all five years of age, had gathered at the Soul Awakening Center — a grand stone circle at the heart of the forest, glowing with ethereal runes. Today was the day they'd awaken their spirits.
Among them stood Isaac Steelheart — a boy with soft golden hair, quiet eyes, and a gaze that often lingered on things others didn't notice. He wasn't loud like the others, nor did he try to be noticed. But beneath those calm eyes… was a storm of memories.
Memories of another life.
Of a name he once carried: Sakthi.
Of a girl with fire in her eyes and arrogance in her voice.
Of a light that swallowed them whole.
And then, nothing.
Until now.
"Isaac! Isaac!" his older sister called out, fixing his collar. "Stay strong, alright? Even if you don't awaken anything strong, we'll still be proud of you."
He nodded, smiling faintly. He appreciated her words, but deep down, something told him — this day would not be ordinary.
One by one, children walked into the Awakening Circle. A Soul Stone, embedded in a marble pedestal, pulsed with energy. The children placed their hands on it, and from within, spirits emerged — animal forms glowing with light, choosing their partners for life.
The first to go was the prince of the kingdom, dressed in silk and smugness. He touched the stone, and a mighty Golden Lion Spirit roared into the sky.
"Impressive!" the elders gasped. "Such aggression! Such potential!"
Others followed. A Crimson Falcon, a Duskhorn Deer, a Shadow Panther — spirits of all kinds chose their wielders. Some children cried in joy, others in disappointment. The selection was almost over.
And then came Isaac's turn.
He stepped forward quietly, whispers already forming behind him.
"Isn't he the quiet one? The weird one with golden hair?"
"I bet he won't even awaken anything."
He ignored them. He'd heard worse… in another life.
Isaac placed his hand on the Soul Stone.
Nothing happened.
Seconds passed. Then a minute.
The silence grew awkward. Some children giggled. A few elders exchanged pitying looks.
Isaac's hand didn't move.
But his heart did.
A deep pulse — like a distant echo — resonated from within his chest. Something was stirring.
And then it happened.
A blinding silver light burst from the Soul Stone, forcing everyone to shield their eyes. The light circled around Isaac like a guardian, forming the shape of a majestic White Tiger, its eyes burning blue, its fur rippling with spirit energy.
It let out a low, regal growl, stepping beside Isaac as though it had been waiting for him all along.
The whispers stopped.
No one laughed now.
The elders were frozen.
"…T-That's a White Tiger Spirit," one of them finally said, his voice trembling. "A divine-class beast soul… one that hasn't appeared in generations."
Isaac slowly opened his eyes, the light fading, the tiger spirit still standing by him, eyes sharp and loyal.
He didn't smile.
He didn't look surprised.
He just whispered, almost to himself, "So… you found me again."
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