The morning sun broke through the clouds, casting gold across the training field. Today was sparring day — a weekly tradition where the village youth tested their skills under the watchful eyes of the elders.
Kael stood at the edge of the field, wooden sword in hand, feeling the strange hum in his veins that hadn't left him since the shard incident. It was quieter now, but it was there — like a heartbeat just beneath his skin.
"You look haunted," Liora said, appearing at his side and handing him a cloth to wipe his hands.
"I'm fine," Kael said automatically.
"You always say that before something insane happens," she muttered. "Don't go glowing on me in front of everyone, alright?"
Kael didn't answer — mostly because he wasn't sure he could promise that.
The matches began. Ryn was up first, winning easily against his opponent and grinning smugly at Kael from across the field.
"You're next, ghost-boy," he called.
Liora groaned. "Oh, great. He's going to make this personal."
Kael stepped into the ring. The other boy facing him wasn't Ryn, but a lean, quick-footed youth named Marek, known for his speed.
"Don't hold back," Marek said with a grin.
Kael nodded once.
The match began. Marek darted forward, striking fast — but Kael's body moved before he thought, his sword meeting Marek's perfectly, as though he'd known the attack was coming.
Gasps rippled through the crowd as Kael parried again, faster this time, his movements unnaturally smooth. Each time Marek attacked, Kael was already there, his body flowing like water.
"Whoa," someone whispered.
"Since when does Kael move like that?" another murmured.
Liora's eyes widened. "Oh no. Oh no, oh no, oh no—"
The match ended in seconds, Kael's wooden blade stopping just short of Marek's chest. Silence fell over the field.
Marek blinked, stunned. "Did you… see that coming?"
Kael lowered his weapon. "I think so."
Before anyone could say anything else, the wind stirred suddenly — a sharp gust sweeping through the training field and scattering dust in a circle around Kael's feet.
The elders frowned. Ryn's grin faltered.
"Okay," Liora whispered, stepping close to Kael. "I told you not to glow. What is this? This counts as glowing!"
Kael stayed silent, but inside he could feel it — the shard's power responding to something in him, almost as though it was pleased.
After the matches ended, Kael tried to leave quietly, but Elder Haren stopped him.
"You moved differently today," the old man said, studying him carefully. "As though the wind itself carried you."
Kael hesitated. "I've been practicing."
Haren didn't look convinced. "Be careful, boy. Power that comes too quickly often carries a price."
Kael nodded and walked away, Liora trailing behind.
"You know," she said, trying to lighten the mood, "if you keep doing stuff like that, half the village is going to think you're secretly some ancient hero reborn."
Kael glanced at her. "And the other half?"
"They'll think you're cursed," she said matter-of-factly.
Kael was quiet for a long moment. Then, almost too softly to hear, he said, "Maybe they're both right."
Liora stopped walking, suddenly not sure if she wanted to laugh or hug him.
That night, Kael stood outside, staring up at the red star.It felt closer than before.
And in the distance, somewhere deep within the forest, something answered — a low, distant rumble, like the earth itself was stirring.