Kai was eight when it happened.
A traveling merchant's wagon had broken an axle outside town. While the adults argued, a small pack of feral Windfang cubs—low-tier spirit beasts that sometimes slipped past the outer patrols—smelled the horses and attacked.
One of them lunged straight for Kai, who had wandered too close.
Time slowed.
The boy felt something inside his chest unfurl like black wings. The world dimmed. Shadows at his feet rippled, rose, and formed a blade of pure darkness no longer than his forearm.
The Windfang cub slammed into the blade and disintegrated into motes of light.
The other cubs fled, whimpering.
Kai stood frozen, staring at the fading shadow in his hand. It had felt… right. Natural. Like breathing.
Zen appeared at his side instantly, cloak swirling though there was no wind. He placed a hand on Kai's shoulder, voice low and urgent.
"Listen carefully. Never show that again in front of others. Not until I say. The world of Heaven Falls rewards genius… but it devours secrets even faster."
Kai nodded, eyes wide with wonder instead of fear.
That night Zen began the real lessons. He told Kai of the five continents—Valoria, Eldrath, Sylvandar, Aquilon, and Frostreach—each guarding one of the Great Portals. He spoke of the academies that forged geniuses, of the annual Spirit Trials where students competed for resources, of the unwritten rule that the weak were culled, not coddled.
And he spoke, just once, of a higher realm whose name he refused to utter. "Your parents," he said, staring into the fire, "entrusted you to me because they knew you would be hunted. That is all I will say for now."
Kai touched the Voidweave cloth he still kept folded beneath his pillow. It was warm, always warm. A single, silent promise.