When the light faded, the Azurekin were gone—scattered by the sheer force of the wave.
Daniel fell to his knees, panting. The orb dimmed once more, leaving only a faint sigil burned across his chest—a mark that seemed to shift between lightning and water
His breath came in sharp bursts. The wind was thick with the scent of ozone and wet earth. All around him, the forest was torn apart—the trees leaning at unnatural angles, their bark scorched silver-blue. For a long while, Daniel just sat there, staring at his trembling hand
> "I… I did that
He touched the mark on his chest; it pulsed faintly, resonating with the rhythm of his heartbeat. A gift from that nameless cultivator—one who had said he'd return in three years if Daniel could survive long enough to stand before him ag
The man's voice still echoed in his min
> "The heavens rarely give second chances, boy. Reach the core forging realm and forge your lightning core before you turn fifteen, and I'll make you my disciple. Fail… and the lightning will consume you
Daniel clenched his fists. "Three years. That's all I ne
The sky above the mountains rumbled faintly, as though the storm itself had heard hi
He rose slowly, still weak from battle, and began walking. His home was gone. His mother—taken. The forest, burned and silent. The only path now was forwar
The next morning, mist rolled through the valley like drifting silk. Daniel followed a worn trail that led away from the wildlands toward the nearest settlement. His clothes were ragged, and his eyes carried the look of someone who had lost too much too soo
By midday, the sound of human life reached his ears—hammering, chattering, the clatter of wagons. And soon, through the thinning trees, he saw it: Alderon, the trade town that sat between three river
Tall walls of pale stone rose from the plains, their edges gleaming faintly under the noon sun. Flags bearing the sigil of three entwined rivers fluttered lazily in the wind. Merchants shouted from outside the gates, and spirit beasts of burden groaned as carts rolled through the dus
Daniel paused at the gates. He had never seen so many people in one place before. Cultivators with glowing talismans on their belts, traders with beasts bound in spirit chains, and ordinary villagers haggling for food—all moving in a rhythm that made him feel both out of place and strangely aliv
He slipped through quietl
Inside, Alderon was a storm of color and sound. The marketplace stretched endlessly—rows of tents, stalls, and shops, each displaying things Daniel had never seen: bottled flames, spirit herbs that shimmered with internal light, talismans carved from crystal, and beast pelts that shifted color under the su
> "So this… is the world beyond the village," Daniel whispere
A vendor smiled at him as he passed. "First time in Alderon, lad? Don't look too lost, or someone'll charge you ten times the pri
Daniel smiled faintly. "Thanks for the warning
He moved deeper into the market, hunger gnawing at him. His last meal had been days ago. The scent of roasted meat from a nearby stall made his stomach ache. He reached into his satchel—only a few battered copper coin
He sighed. "Guess I'll have to find work
But before he could continue, a sharp voice rang out behind hi
> "Thief! Stop that girl
Daniel turned just in time to see a young girl in tattered robes sprinting past, clutching a small pouch of glowing stones. Two guards chased after her, yell
Instinct took over. The girl's eyes met his for a split second—violet, sharp, desperate. Then, without thinking, Daniel move
Lightning surged faintly under his feet, and in a blur, he stepped sideways, tripping the lead guard just enough for the girl to vanish into the crow
The other guard stumbled, confused. "What—where'd she go!
Daniel shrugged, feigning surprise. "Didn't see anyone
The guards cursed and ran off in another direction. Daniel exhaled, tension fadin
> "You're either brave or stupid," a voice murmured behind hi
He turned. The girl stood there, half-hidden by a shadowed alleyway, her violet eyes gleaming faintly beneath her h
"Thanks," she said quietly, tossing him a small spirit fruit. "Eat before you pass out
Daniel caught it, confused. "You stole this
"Borrowed," she corrected. "From those who overcharge the hungry
She smiled slightly, then glanced over her shoulder. "You're not from around here. Your energy feels… strange. Wild
Daniel hesitated. "Just passing through
The girl studied him for a moment, then turned to leave. "If you're looking for a place to stay, there's an old herbalist at the edge of town. He doesn't ask questions. Tell him 'Mira' sent you
"Mira," Daniel repeated, but she was already gone, melting into the crowd like mis
By sunset, Daniel found the herbalist's shop—a crooked building wedged between two taller ones, its sign barely hanging. The air smelled of crushed herbs and smok
An old man with narrow eyes looked up from grinding roots. "You're the boy Mira sent
Daniel nodded. "She said you might help
The man snorted. "Help costs coin
Daniel placed his last few coppers on the counter. The herbalist eyed him, then sighed. "Fine. You can sleep in the storeroom. But if you break anything, you'll work it off
That night, Daniel lay on a straw mat, staring at the flickering lantern above. His body ached, but his mind refused to rest. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw his mother's face, the shadows dragging her away, and that symbol—the crescent devouring the sun—burned behind his eyelid
> "Ashira mountain huh," he whispered. "Three years
He pressed his palm against the faint mark on his chest. It pulsed softly, as if answering
Outside, thunder rolled again, far in the distanc
Days passed. Daniel worked quietly at the shop—grinding herbs, fetching supplies, and tending to injured travelers who came through. The herbalist rarely spoke, but one day, while Daniel was preparing bandages, the old man said, "That girl Mira—you should be careful around her
Daniel glanced up. "Why
"She's part of a group that steals from the wrong kind of people. Men who wear black moons on their sleeves
Daniel froze. "Darkened Moon Sect
The herbalist nodded slowly. "Aye. They have agents here too. If they're moving in Alderon, something dangerous is stirring again
Daniel's pulse quickened. So they're already spreadin
That night, he went to the town's outer wall to train. Lightning crackled faintly around him as he practiced control—focusing on refining the energy, guiding it through his veins without burning himself. The orb's mark glowed faintly each time he pushed harde
But the
> "You shouldn't train out here
He turned. Mira stood on the wall, her hair loose, eyes reflecting the moonli
Daniel straightened. "Why not
"Because," she said softly, "lightning is hard to hide. And some eyes never stop watching
He frowned. "You mean the Darkened Moon
She nodded. "You're strong for someone your age… but that storm inside you—it's loud. If they're hunting for the Primordial spark, you're practically calling them
Daniel clenched his fists. "Let them come
Mira tilted her head, studying him. "You really don't know how big the world is, do you
He met her gaze. "Then I'll learn
Silence stretched between them, broken only by the hum of energy in the air. Finally, she sighed. "There's a caravan leaving in two days for the northern valleys. The road passes near the Storm Cradle. You could travel with them—if you can pay or protect them
Daniel nodded slowly. "Thank you
She smiled faintly. "Don't thank me yet. The Cradle isn't a place for the weak
As she turned to leave, Daniel looked toward the distant peaks shrouded in mist. He could feel it again—that faint pull, like thunder calling from beyond the horizo
> "Then I'll get stronger," he murmured. "No matter what stands in my way
Above them, dark clouds began to gather once more, and lightning danced faintly across the sky—answering his v
The tides are about to changeThe moon hung unnaturally dim that night, veiled by shifting clouds that glowed faintly crimson. A storm brewed somewhere beyond the mountains, its echo a low growl across the horizo
Daniel sat beside the broken remains of the beast he had slain — the Crimson Horned Liger. The air still trembled with the aftershock of his final strike. Trees were scorched, the earth cracked, and faint tendrils of smoke coiled upward like the breath of a wounded lan
He knelt there in silence, chest heaving. His body was battered, his robes torn and half-burnt, but the faint silver light flickering around him refused to di
> "If I can take down a Greater-class beast at Refinement First Gate…" he whispered, half in disbelief, half in exhaustion, "…then maybe the storm within me isn't just madness
A faint rustle answered him — the forest shifting uneasily. He frowned. The woods had gone still, too still. Even the insects had stopped singi
Then he felt it — a chill. Not cold like winter, but hollow, consuming, like something that drained warmth and essence alik
The silver spark in his veins flickered in warnin
> "Who's there
No voice replied. Only shadows. They seemed to ripple unnaturally, stretching where the moonlight should have fallen. Then — from the deepest patch of darkness — a figure stepped forwa
A woman cloaked in black silk, her face hidden beneath a veil. Her presence was suffocating; even the silver glow of Daniel's lightning seemed to dim around he
Behind her, five more figures appeared, their robes flowing like liquid shadow. Each one carried a crescent insignia — black against black, visible only when the moonlight caught the faint sheen of silver threa
> "Daniel of the Twin Moon Village," the veiled woman said softly. Her voice was calm, but the way it echoed made it sound as though several people spoke at onc
"The heavens have been noisy. Lightning has stirred again. Tell me… did you awaken it?
Daniel's heart raced. "Who are you peop
She smiled beneath the veil. "We are the Darkened Moon Sect — keepers of the true end. And you, child, have touched something that should have remained forgotten
He rose slowly, hands sparking. "If you came for the beast's core, it's already gone
A faint chuckle. "We care nothing for that. The essence we seek burns inside you
The five behind her moved silently, spreading into a half-circle around him. Their footsteps left no sound — not even the crackle of twigs. Shadows lengthened unnaturally wherever they walke
Daniel's instincts screamed. The storm within him surged in answe
> "Stay back
The woman tilted her head. "Do not resist, boy. The Primordial Lightning belongs to the void from which it came. Hand it over… or it will be taken from your corp
Silver lightning erupted from Daniel's skin, cracking through the clearing. "Try me
She sighed, almost sadly. "So be it
Her fingers brushed the air. Instantly, darkness bled outward like ink spilled on water. The world dimmed. Trees, ground, sky — everything dissolved into a swirling ocean of shadow
Daniel's lightning flared wildly as he tried to hold his ground. Each spark hissed against the darkness like acid, but it was like trying to light a candle in a stor
> "Codex—" he gasped. "Storm Veil Formation
He slammed his palms together. Silver arcs spun outward, forming a thin dome of light around him. The darkness recoiled, hissing. For a brief moment, the moonlight returned — and in that moment, he saw her eyes beneath the v
They were violet — beautiful and terrifying — and filled with something ancien
She smiled faintly. "You resist well… for a child
Then she vanishe
A whisper in his ear: "But you are not ready
A pulse of shadow slammed into his barrier. The dome cracked. Another followed, and anothe
> "Damn it!" Daniel shouted as his barrier shattered. The blast threw him back, crashing him into a fallen log. He coughed blood, eyes flashing with defianc
Lightning burst from his fists, searing through the darkness. One of the shadow figures screamed as the silver light tore through its chest, leaving nothing but d
But there were still four mor
> "Enough," the woman said. "Take him
Before Daniel could move, chains of black essence erupted from the ground, wrapping around his arms and legs. The more he struggled, the tighter they grew. His lightning flickered, then dim
She approached, her voice like silk over glass. "You wield a storm that defied even the gods. But the Darkened Moon was born to erase such defiance
Her hand reached toward his chest — and the silver lightning in his veins screame
Suddenly, a massive explosion of energy tore through the forest. The ground split apart, and the dark figures were thrown bac
Daniel fell to his knees, gasping. His body was burning with silver light, uncontrollable, wild. The chains dissolve
He didn't wait. He ra
Branches whipped against his face as he tore through the woods, the world a blur of trees and shadows. The forest felt alive, whispering with unseen eyes. Behind him, the air shimmered with black smoke as his pursuers followe
"Run, little storm," her voice echoed. "The moon always catches what flees
He stumbled through the last line of trees, bursting into open plains. His lungs burned, and lightning still flickered across his arms. He didn't stop until the forest was a smudge in the distanc
Then he fell to his knees again, clutching his chest. His vision blurred, and for a moment, he thought he saw another figure waiting in the dark — a cloaked man with a single glowing sigil on his hand. But when he blinked, there was nothing. Only win
By dawn, Daniel dragged himself home, half-conscious. His mother gasped when she saw him at the door, her hands trembling as she caught hi
"Daniel! What happened
He tried to speak, but only whispered one wor
> "Darkness
She helped him inside, fear in her eyes. But before she could tend his wounds, a sound came from outside — a low hum, like wind swirling around st
Then the door burst ope
Five silhouettes stepped in — cloaked in the same darkness as before. Behind them, the veiled woman entered, her presence filling the small house like a storm of cold ai
Daniel's mother moved to shield him. "Who are you people? Leave my son alone
The woman didn't even look at her. "Take the mother," she commande
Daniel shouted, lightning flaring — but a blow struck his temple. The world spun. He fell to the floor, consciousness slipping awa
The last thing he saw was his mother being dragged into the night, her scream fading into silenc
When Daniel awoke, the sun had risen high, its light cold and distant. The house was in ruins. His hands shook as he pushed himself u
She was gon
On the table, scorched into the wood, was a single symbol: a crescent devouring a su
Beneath it, words written in a faint trace of shadow essence
> "come to us if you wish to see her again
Daniel's breath came out ragged. His fists clenched until lightning burst from his knuck
> "You took her from me
Thunder rumbled faintly above the mountains, though the sky was cl
> "Then I'll hunt you to the ends of the world
He stood, his eyes glowing silver. The Codex's runes flared to life in his mind, burning brighter than ever bef
> "I swear by the storm—" his voice trembled with fury and grief, "—the next time lightning strikes… it will strike you first
Above, dark clouds began to gather — not from nature, but from his rage. The storm was awakening ag
And somewhere, far beyond the mountains, the Darkened Moon Sect felt i
> "The storm child has chosen," the veiled woman whispere
"Then so be it. Let the prophecy begin."d.t.ain.."ore.."ear.…"les..":n.e.p.---e.y.d.!"r.n.eel.."d:?"m.---d.e.."d.n.d.k.d.."med.."e.ust.e.r.."d.."t.eil.!"m.s.."."se."."r.d.."."."le?""e.d.r.rd.?"g.e.ng.."e.d.n.ow.."n.."."."."?"."."."."?"ght.."n—r.g.."?"."?"."---e.him.."s.."."."?"e.---t.."."."."?"."ood.m.g.."?"d.d.ing.!"m.."s.."ce!"d.n.---y.e.t.s.n.---d.m.ed."."d:ain.?"s..ds in my way."
Above them, dark clouds began to gather once more, and lightning danced faintly across the sky—answering his vow.
The tides are about to change