The night after the child's birth was calm and silver-lit.
Moonlight filtered through the translucent leaves of Wilfred's domain, bathing everything in a faint glow that seemed almost sacred. The air was still, yet alive — the soft hum of nature blending with the rhythm of distant streams and the gentle chirping of night creatures.
Within the cottage, Edith lay beside her newborn, the faintest smile curving her lips as she watched him sleep. The child's breathing was slow and pure, each tiny movement bringing her heart a new wave of peace. Leofric, utterly exhausted but happier than he had been in years, slept near the doorway, one hand loosely gripping the hilt of his sword — a habit that even joy could not erase.
And Olivia…
She lay on a mat close to the window, staring up at the glimmering stars that peeked through the leaves. The events of the day replayed in her mind like a beautiful melody — the moment she saw her aunt's face light up, the first cry of the baby, the way Leofric's eyes shimmered with tears of pride.
She smiled softly to herself.
"My little nephew… how wonderful you are already," she whispered under her breath.
Her mind danced with thoughts of how she would teach him to walk, to climb trees, to laugh freely — a future full of laughter and light.
Slowly, warmth wrapped around her like a comforting blanket, and her eyelids grew heavy. The night breeze kissed her cheek, and within moments, she drifted into a deep, dream-filled sleep.
---
A strange silence swallowed the world.
When Olivia opened her eyes, she was no longer in the cottage. She stood barefoot upon a smooth, mirror-like surface that reflected a thousand fragments of starlight. The air around her shimmered, heavy with an ethereal glow, and before her — suspended in the void — floated seven luminous crystals.
They rotated slowly, each radiating a distinct aura that hummed in rhythm with her heartbeat.
One burned with fiery crimson — the Fire Crystal, blazing like a living ember.
Another glowed with an icy blue sheen — the Ice Crystal, glistening like frozen tears.
Beside them flowed a deep, fluid azure — the Water Crystal, its light rippling as though alive.
The Earth Crystal gleamed in hues of deep green and gold, solid and unyielding.
Then came the Dark Crystal, black as night, yet pulsing with quiet energy.
Opposite it shone the Light Crystal, radiant white, almost blinding in its purity.
And at the very center floated a crystal of pale violet — the Wind Crystal, symbol of Freedom and change.
They encircled her, spinning faster and faster until streaks of color painted the darkness.
Olivia could hear them — voices whispering in a language she didn't understand, ancient and powerful. The sound wasn't frightening; it was entrancing. The whispers flowed into her, resonating deep within her chest until she felt her heart vibrate with their call.
Her body glowed faintly, veins illuminated by streams of light. Then, a mark — intricate and glowing — formed upon her palm, a sigil of spiraling lines and ancient runes.
The crystals slowed and hovered closer, their light dimming until each rested at a respectful distance around her.
And then, as if speaking directly to her soul, a voice echoed — deep, calm, timeless.
"Child of the seven… the time of the Resonance has come."
---
Above the Domain
Far above, seated upon the great tree, Wilfred's eyes snapped open.
The old sage felt the pulse of divine energy ripple through the air. The leaves trembled. The very roots of the tree responded.
A faint smile curved his lips as the stars flickered overhead.
"It is time…" he whispered, voice low and reverent.
"She is ready."
And with that, he closed his eyes once more, allowing the energy to settle into the night.
---
The Morning After
The first light of dawn painted the horizon in shades of soft gold and orange. Dewdrops clung to every leaf, and the entire forest seemed to awaken with gentle songs of birds.
Inside the cottage, the aroma of roasted herbs filled the air. Leofric stood near a small stone hearth, his back turned as he stirred a pot of broth. His once-youthful face had gained a quiet gravity over the years, yet the warmth in his eyes remained.
Beside the cradle, Edith hummed softly to her baby, her tired face glowing with maternal peace. Every motion she made — from rocking the cradle to adjusting the cloth — was filled with the gentlest affection.
Then, suddenly — the sound of a gasp.
Olivia jolted upright, sweat dripping from her forehead. Her eyes darted around, chest heaving. The dream lingered vividly, as if she'd only just stepped out of that glowing realm. Her palm tingled; faint traces of light still shimmered across her skin before fading.
Edith turned immediately. "Olivia, are you all right?" she asked softly. "You look pale. Did something happen?"
Olivia blinked several times, her lips parting to speak — but just then, the cottage door opened with a soft creak.
Wilfred stepped inside.
The morning sunlight framed him, making his long silver hair gleam faintly. His eyes, calm and ancient, rested on Olivia with understanding.
"You had a dream," he said quietly, though it sounded less like a question and more like certainty.
"Tell us."
Olivia swallowed and nodded, her voice trembling slightly. "I… I saw them. The seven crystals. They were around me — they were alive, speaking in a strange voice. I didn't understand the words, but… it felt like they were calling to me."
Leofric turned from the fire, brow furrowed, while Edith stopped rocking the baby, listening closely.
Wilfred's gaze softened, but his tone carried weight. "You have been marked, Olivia. What you experienced was not a dream — it was the awakening of the Mark of Resonance. The seven crystals have recognized your soul's echo."
He took a step closer, his robes whispering against the floor.
"It means the time has come," he continued, his voice calm but filled with quiet authority. "You are ready to begin the journey — the Joining — to reunite the Seven and restore balance to Aetheris."
Olivia's eyes widened. "The Joining…?" she whispered, almost in disbelief.
Wilfred nodded once, solemnly. "The world has begun to tremble again, child. The gods have chosen you — the daughter of destiny — to be their vessel of light and balance. From this day, the path before you will no longer be of training, but of purpose."
The fire crackled softly, and outside, a warm wind swept through the forest, carrying the faint scent of blossoms. Leofric looked at his niece with quiet pride and worry. Edith clutched her baby gently, as if sensing the gravity of the moment.
Olivia sat silently for a while, her mind racing — fear, awe, excitement, and a strange calm blending within her.
Finally, she nodded, her eyes shining.
"Then I'll go," she said. "If that's what I was born to do… then I'll find them."
Wilfred smiled faintly — not a smile of joy, but one of recognition. "You already have, Olivia," he said softly. "They found you first."