In the early morning, a frail looking boy slept soundly in his bed, his distinct wavy white hair dishevelled from tossing in his bed all night. The duvet laid by his feet as the heat had been unbearable.
Suddenly his bedroom door slammed open which jolted the boy out of his sleep.
"Get up my boy! You know how important today is"
Startled by the disruption, the young boy named Zeke woke up unwillingly. He slowly turned his head towards his bedroom door, as he focused on the figure standing in the door frame. Seeing who it was, he let out a tired grunt and instantly relaxed his head back into his pillow.
Standing in the door frame was Zeke's father, the only person he had left in his family.
"I won't tell you again son" threatened his father in a serious tone.
Noticing his father's tone, Zeke got up and sat on the edge of his bed.
"Father, is today really that day?"
"Certainly is, now go get washed up, we'll discuss while you have your breakfast" stated his father as he walked away into the kitchen.
Shortly after, Zeke started freshening up by washing his face, after rinsing adequately he stared into the small mirror in his bathroom for a few moments.
In the reflection stood a teenage boy with a lean build, deep brown eyes and his looks were fairly average which wasn't a surprise since he hadn't fully matured yet.
Seeing as he had now fully woken up, Zeke headed towards the wooden tub where his father had prepared his bath. Despite his body aching with pain from intensive training, Zeke displayed none of his discomfort and he sat down in the tub.
While washing himself with rags, he thought of the importance of today and his father.
'I can't fail him today, he's worked too hard to support me' thought Zeke as he mindlessly cleaned himself.
Zeke and his father lived in a rural town named Flimdorf, it was a small village on the very edge of their continent but for his family it was truly home.
Today would be the day where Zeke would attempt to awaken his will.
From what his father explained, 'Will' was the primary source of energy for all life in the world of Kyrose. Every living entity contains will from birth, what the awakening would do is simply allow Zeke to channel that energy consciously.
However, there was a reason his father had prepared him thoroughly for today. Despite being only 14, Zeke had trained his body relentlessly to minimize the risks of awakening his Will. Normally, a trained adult would naturally awaken one's Will at 16 as their body matured but the earlier one awakened it, the more significant their gains.
Although his family was poor, his father's time in the Royal Army as a soldier provided him with some prior knowledge. He rarely shared stories about his past, always saying what mattered most was the present.
Seeing as he was finished cleaning up, Zeke got up and dried himself with a towel.
'Everything will work out' thought Zeke as he concluded his thoughts after putting on some clothes left in a neat pile by his father.
Sitting at the kitchen table was Zeke's father who was named Leo, despite not sharing the same hair colour. There was no doubt he was Zeke's father as their facial features were too alike.
"Took your time son, now come sit and eat" announced Leo as he pointed briefly at the stool opposite himself.
"Was just thinking that's all" said Zeke as he sat on his stool.
Looking down onto his plate, Zeke's eyes gleamed in delight as his father had cooked lamb with bread rolls. Meat was a luxury for a family like Zeke's, it was only eaten on special occasions like his birthday.
While Zeke ate his breakfast, his father used that time to remind Zeke.
"I don't want you overthinking this, it'll distract you and not help you" said Leo bluntly.
Zeke nodded his head in response.
Their meal was shared in relative silence, Leo had already finished his breakfast but had closed his eyes waiting for his son to finish. Despite being father and son, they shared little with one another about how they felt.
Leo was an honest man who tried his best to raise his son into a respectable young man, in his own youth he received little care from his own father so now it made him more determined to raise his son properly.
Zeke's mother had died giving birth to him, their financial state didn't allow them to receive care from a proper doctor in the capital. His wife's death was a mark Leo had gradually come to accept.
Shortly after, Zeke and his father were at a hill near their village. Leo wanted an isolated space where nothing could distract his son during his awakening.
"Here sit down in front of me son" said Zeke.
"Yes, father"
Zeke sat down in a cross legged position with both arms resting on top of his knees on the grass.
"Listen carefully son, I'm going to channel a sliver of my own will into your body. This will then force the will in your body to react" said Leo as he gently put both his palms onto Zeke's back.
"Are you ready? Remember to stay calm, your will is a reflection of your emotions. Panic and you'll only end up harming yourself" reminded Leo as also he prepared himself.
Exhaling from his nose, Zeke calmed down and focused his mind.
"I'm ready father"
Right after, Leo slowly aroused his own will which began to gather around his palms. If someone were to walk by they'd be able to perceive the dark red aura radiating from Leo's hands.
Zeke being in direct contact felt the suffocating force of his father's will, however having experienced it beforehand he simply gritted his teeth and closed his eyes.
Slowly, Leo began channelling a small sliver of energy into Zeke, he had to be careful as too much would harm his son. This process required masterful control of will, one which only experienced warriors could hope to achieve.
As his father's will entered his body, all of a sudden Zeke's own will acted in response. Despite being weaker, his will was relentless as it chaotically fought in response against the intruding force.
"Focus boy, focus!" shouted his father.
'I must try to get my will under control' thought Zeke as a searing pain began to stir within his body.
The two wills fought tooth and nail against one another, despite seeing his son in pain Leo couldn't waver as he knew how much his son desired this moment. His job was to simply stall his son's will with his own until he could get it under control.
After a gruelling half an hour Zeke was covered in sweat, his muscles were tense and ached as they were heavily fatigued. Gradually he began to feel his will and could slowly get it under control.
Seeing as his son seemed to somewhat get his Will under control, Leo took his hands off his son's back and exhaled heavily.
'Just one final step' thought Leo as he observed Zeke.
'According to father, I must guide my will towards my heart to fill it and once that is done my awakening will be complete' thought Zeke as he was reminded of his father's instructions over the years.
Feeling the will in the depths of his body, Zeke guided it towards his heart. His will felt comfortable and helped soothe his mind.
As Zeke's will finished concentrating in his heart, the air around him grew still—as if the world itself paused to listen. Then, without warning, a blinding surge erupted from the boy's chest, exploding outward in a shockwave of pure force.
Feeling a sensation of a burn in his eyes, Zeke instantly opened his eyes which now shun in a golden light.
Surprised by the sudden shockwave, Leo stood up quickly while covering his eyes with his forearm. The light erupting from Zeke's body was something he had only witnessed a few times in his lifetime.
Just as quick as the eruption from Zeke's body previously, now it quickly receded like it had never occurred.
'No… of all people, why did it have to be my boy' thought Leo as his heart ached in pain and deep regret.