The forest was alive with whispers. Tall, ancient trees loomed over the ground, their roots twisting through the soil like veins. Sunlight pierced through the dense canopy, but the deeper one went, the darker it became—until it seemed as though the forest itself was devouring the light.
Kazuki Sung, no older than twelve, wandered through the vast forest. His clothes were torn, his steps unsteady, but his eyes—sharp, unyielding—burned with a fire far beyond his age. In his hand he clutched a small dagger, its blade old and broken, yet it was the only thing keeping him safe from the beasts of the forest.
The faintest rustle of leaves sent a chill racing down his spine. The air was thick with the scent of moss and wild animals. Somewhere in the distance, a low growl echoed—a warning of danger. But Kazuki did not dare look back. He simply could not stop.
He pushed forward, stumbling through roots and thorny undergrowth, until he tripped and fell into a clearing. The ground there was scarred—deep claw marks carved into the soil, and fresh stains of blood scattered across the grass. His heart pounded violently. A battle had taken place here, not long ago.
Before he could gather himself, the forest roared to life. From the shadows emerged a monstrous beast—huge, its fur bristling, its eyes burning like crimson embers of rage. Kazuki froze, tightening his grip on the dagger. His breath caught in his throat, but there was no path of escape.
The beast lunged.
Kazuki's senses snapped awake—his hand shot upward instinctively, the dagger grazing the beast's hide as he tumbled aside. Adrenaline surged through his veins. He could hear his heartbeat louder than the creature's growls. Again and again he dodged, each move clumsy yet desperate enough to keep him alive.
But the beast was relentless. Its claws tore through bark and stone as if they were paper. Kazuki's strength began to fail, his body trembling. He stumbled to his knees. The beast's shadow loomed over him, its jaws gaping wide.
For a moment, time stopped.
And then… something awoke within Kazuki. His vision blurred, the forest twisting before his eyes. A wave pulsed through him—a power he could not comprehend—surging through his veins. His dagger began to glow faintly, as though answering an unspoken call.
The beast roared again, but this time Kazuki did not flinch. He rose to his feet, his eyes burning with an unnatural light. It was as if the forest itself held its breath, watching him.
With a scream, he charged. The dagger struck true, tearing through the beast's hide. A thunderous roar shook the forest as the monster collapsed, its massive body crashing to the ground.
Kazuki stood over it, gasping, trembling. Blood dripped from his dagger. He had survived.
Or so he thought.
For as the beast's body began to crumble into black ash, the ground beneath his feet split open. Strange markings lit up the soil, forming a circle around him. Kazuki staggered back, his eyes wide with fear.
And then—he heard it.
A voice, faint and echoing, as if rising from the abyss beneath the earth:
"You are chosen… but not yet ready."
The forest shuddered, trees bowing as though in reverence to some unseen force. The dagger in Kazuki's hand shattered, breaking into fragments. Darkness surged around him, swallowing the entire clearing—
And then everything fell silent.
---