The first rays of dawn spilled over the jagged horizon, brushing the frost-coated trees and shattered stones with a mixture of gold and silver. Arlen stirred, his body aching with the familiar soreness of exertion, yet there was an underlying tension in his muscles, a hum of energy he could not fully explain. He tried to remember how he had come to rest here in the cold, isolated valley, but his mind remained stubbornly blank. Only fragments lingered: the faint taste of adrenaline, the echo of frost and lightning, and the memory of Lira's hand on his arm as they fought their way through danger.
He inhaled sharply, the air crisp and electric in his lungs. Something about this morning felt different, heavier. The valley around him seemed too silent, too still. A shiver ran down his spine, and his blue eyes scanned the landscape instinctively. Broken branches, frost-laden leaves, and faint traces of lingering energy hinted at battles fought, yet none of it explained the thrum in his veins or the strange tug at the edges of his consciousness.
Without warning, the world dissolved around him. The frost-coated ground, the shattered trees, and the faint morning haze vanished, replaced by an endless expanse of darkness that shimmered with arcs of frost and lightning. The void pulsed like a living entity, bending light and energy in impossible ways. Arlen felt weightless, suspended, and yet utterly grounded. Every nerve in his body thrummed with anticipation, a premonition of something beyond the ordinary.
Then, from the shifting currents of frost and light, a figure emerged. White hair flowed around him like a storm frozen in time, his eyes an intense, piercing blue that radiated calm authority. Lightning flickered across his form, intertwining with the soft, crystalline frost that traced the edges of his silhouette. The aura around him was formidable yet serene, resonating with power that Arlen instinctively recognized as a reflection of what he could one day become.
> "Arlen," the figure said, voice clear and resonant, vibrating in the very marrow of his bones. "You have awakened."
Arlen's chest tightened. "Who… who are you?" His voice was shaky, yet determined. "Are you… a vision? A system projection? Or… me?"
The figure smiled, calm and knowing. "I am a reflection of the path you are destined to walk. Not everything you are, nor everything you will be, but a fragment of what is possible. Call me your future self, if it helps you understand. I am here to answer the questions that have been growing in your mind — questions that you cannot yet articulate fully."
Arlen hesitated, trying to absorb the magnitude of the moment. "Questions… yes. I need answers. I need to understand… how do I become stronger? How do I face the challenges ahead? How do I protect everyone… those I care about?"
The vision's gaze softened, frost crackling faintly along the edges of his form. "Strength is not measured merely by the force of your blows, nor by the destruction you can command. True strength comes from understanding, from the harmony of mind, body, and spirit. The powers you wield — frost and lightning — are extensions of who you are. To master them, you must first master yourself: your impulses, your fears, and your decisions. Only then will your abilities respond perfectly to your will."
Arlen swallowed hard. "I've felt glimpses… fragments of power, like echoes of something greater inside me. How do I awaken it fully?"
> "Those fragments are seeds of your potential," the vision explained, gesturing to the shifting void around them. "They are echoes of the path you have walked before, reminders of what is possible, but they are not the whole truth. True awakening requires patience, discipline, and the courage to step beyond what you believe are your limits. Each choice you make, each trial you face, strengthens the bond between your spirit and your abilities. The fragments guide you, but they cannot carry you; that is your task."
Arlen frowned, clenching his fists. "And… the battles, the challenges… I will face enemies beyond anything I can imagine. How will I know if I am ready?"
> "You will not know, not until the moment arrives," the vision said. Lightning crackled softly, entwining with frost as if the elements themselves echoed his words. "Readiness is forged through experience, through courage in the face of fear, and through resilience when all seems lost. The trials ahead will push you, shape you, and reveal the true measure of your character. Strength without wisdom is meaningless; power without restraint is dangerous. Remember this above all else."
Arlen's mind raced. "And Lira… the guild… my friends? Will they matter in this journey? Or am I truly alone?"
> "They matter more than you realize," the vision said firmly. "Trust in them as you trust in yourself. Their courage, loyalty, and determination will amplify your own. The bonds you form are as important as the power you cultivate. Alone, you may be formidable; together, you will be unstoppable. Remember, Arlen, no one becomes a legend in solitude."
Arlen closed his eyes, letting the words sink into him. "But… what about the limits? How far can I go? Will I ever understand my true potential?"
> "Limits are illusions, Arlen. What you see as barriers exist only because you have yet to learn how to surpass them. Your path is long, filled with trials that will seem insurmountable. Each victory and each failure will expand your understanding. And there will be moments when you feel powerless, moments when the weight of the world is on your shoulders — yet even then, you will find strength in your choices, your resolve, and those who walk beside you."
A long silence settled over the void, frost spiraling in intricate patterns and lightning flickering like celestial veins. Arlen opened his mouth, then paused. Finally, he asked the question that had been burning in his mind since he woke:
"Will I… ever know who I truly am? The real me… beyond these fragments, beyond the powers, beyond everything?"
The vision's gaze softened. "You will. But not today. Not yet. The knowledge you seek is not given; it is earned. Every decision, every bond, every trial is a thread woven into your destiny. And when the time comes, you will awaken to the truth of yourself, more powerful and more aware than you can imagine now. Until then… trust the fragments. Trust your instincts. Trust yourself."
Arlen's breath caught in his chest. He could feel the truth in the vision's words, even if he did not fully understand them. A profound sense of clarity settled over him, accompanied by a weighty responsibility he could not ignore.
> "One last question," he whispered. "What should I do now? What step must I take next?"
The vision's eyes gleamed, frost and lightning swirling around him. "Live. Learn. Protect. Grow. Each day is a trial, each choice a step forward. The future is not written; it is forged by your actions, guided by your heart, and strengthened by your bonds. Walk your path deliberately, Arlen, and when the time comes, you will rise to heights you cannot yet fathom."
Slowly, the void around him dissolved, frost and lightning fading like mist in the morning sun. Arlen's body felt heavy, yet alive, and a calm determination settled deep within him.
---
When he finally awoke, the real world greeted him. The valley lay serene, sunlight spilling across frost-coated branches. His muscles ached faintly, but his mind felt clearer, sharpened by the vision he could barely articulate. Beside him, Lira lay sleeping, her chest rising and falling gently.
Arlen's heart swelled with gratitude. He reached out carefully, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
> "Thank you," he whispered. "For staying with me… for everything."
Lira stirred, eyes fluttering open, a soft blush coloring her cheeks. "Arlen…?" she murmured.
He smiled gently. "It's okay. I'm fine. Thanks to you."
They sat together in silence, basking in the fragile peace of the moment. Lira finally spoke, voice soft: "We should go back. The guild… they're waiting."
Arlen nodded, taking her hand. "Yes… but first, just a moment. For a while… just this."
The sun climbed higher, melting frost into glistening rivulets. They lingered, enjoying the rare peace before the next challenge. When they finally started toward the Vale Guild, every step was deliberate, over broken trees, frost-covered rocks, and traces of residual energy. Lira led the way, vigilant, while Arlen followed closely, mindful of every hazard.
> "Step by step," Lira murmured. "We'll make it."
Arlen reflected on the vision and the guidance he had received. Though he remembered nothing of the god-tier power he had wielded, he felt its echo within him — a latent potential waiting to awaken fully.
By the time they reached the guild, anxious members had gathered, waiting for a report. Arlen and Lira explained the mission in full detail: strategy, challenges, and survival, carefully omitting the events that no one else had witnessed.
> "Your performance was impressive," a guild representative said. "Few could survive such trials with such skill."
Arlen and Lira exchanged a glance, understanding that some truths were theirs alone.
Later, in a quiet corner, Lira spoke softly. "Arlen… you felt different out there. There was… something I can't describe. You weren't the same."
He met her gaze calmly. "I don't know. I only remember the mission itself… nothing more. Whatever you saw, I'm glad you were there."
Silence fell, heavy but comforting. They shared a quiet bond, understanding each other without words.
> "Stay with me," he whispered.
> "Always," she replied.
Sunlight streamed over them, and in that quiet moment, they understood: the journey was far from over, but together, they were ready for what awaited.
---