In the dead of night, beneath the cloud-covered sky of the Kingdom of Vineta, a lone figure cloaked in black moved through the silent streets. The night guards on patrol never noticed him—he was too swift, too quiet, a shadow gliding just out of reach.
He slipped past the city walls and into the forested outskirts, arriving at a decaying, long-abandoned house. Without hesitation, he entered.
The door creaked.
Before he could take another step, a blade pressed cold and sharp against his neck.
"State your name," commanded a feminine voice from the darkness.
The figure smiled. "Easy, girl. Easy."
There was a pause, followed by a sigh of recognition. "What took you so long, Jakes?" the woman asked, pulling her knife back.
Jakes shrugged. "I'm not as strong as you lot. Took time to get here without being spotted."
A deeper voice echoed from the shadows behind them. "Don't worry—I made sure no one followed you."
Jakes turned sharply toward the sound, then glanced around, suddenly aware of two missing faces. His voice turned sharp. "I told you not to roam the kingdom without my permission. One mistake—just one—and everything I've built over the last year will crumble. Where are the other two?"
As if on cue, the door creaked again and two figures entered.
The first strolled in with a grin on his face. "Heh. Their defenses are pathetic. I was able to get right into the castle. And that boy in there… he's something else."
The second, pale-eyed and emotionless, muttered, "You only got in because of me."
Jakes stepped forward, furious. "Where the hell were you bastards?"
The second one opened his mouth to reply, "We're still in the castle—"
But the first quickly slapped a hand over his mouth. "We were at the club. Just had a few drinks, then came straight here."
Jakes glared at them, his voice deadly serious. "Listen carefully. I know exactly where you were. Be thankful the King and Queen weren't there. Even Max was off in WoodStrp. If a single soul had been present in that castle, both of you would be corpses right now."
Silence fell like a heavy curtain. The tension thickened.
Finally, the grinning one chuckled nervously. "Relax. We knew they were out. We didn't touch anything—we were just scouting for tomorrow."
Jakes narrowed his eyes. "Fine. Everything is in place now. We just need to wait for that Doctor. When he arrives, than night will be ours."
Nyssa, the woman who'd greeted him with a blade, crossed her arms. "Are you sure that the man we meet he's willing to help?"
Jakes smirked. "Who doesn't want freedom, Nyssa? He'll help. And there's someone.... else too."
The five figures stood together, cloaked in secrecy and anticipation. Tomorrow was the royal anniversary of King Karl and Queen Luna. And on that very night… the fate of world would change forever.
---
Liam Morningstar's POV
Hours earlier...
I was lying on my bed, staring at my tablet as the news scrolled by on the screen. I was trying to find something useful, some hint of what was really happening in this world.
That's when I saw it.
Reports were coming in from across the Empire and surrounding cities—children who hadn't awakened their mana were disappearing. Kidnapped. The World Government claimed it was the work of the Hellkins.
A chill crawled down my spine.
"That's horrible," I murmured.
Then it hit me.
"Oh crap… I'm a child too. And… unawakened."
I tried to brush it off. Nah, I'm safe. Those kidnappings are happening across the ocean.
Still, it lingered. I kept scrolling until the news bored me again. Then, my mind wandered—to my father's words. The prophecy he spoke of.
The one told in the novel we're now living in.
Back then, the prophecy came from the Saintess of the World Tree, deep in the elven lands. Her vision spoke of a Champion of Light. But the one my father mentioned came from a frail old lady woman. Her version described a Champion of Death.
Two prophecies. Two Saintesses. Two fates?
I frowned. Could there be more prophecies out there? Like by the others Lord but why is the Empire hiding this? Why hasn't anyone told the full truth?
I was lost in thought when something shifted—barely visible, barely there. A shadow.
I sat up immediately, heart racing. I summoned Yama and scanned the room.
Nothing. Except… the window.
It was open now, even though I knew I'd closed it earlier.
I moved toward it cautiously, peering out into the quiet street.
Nothing.
'I think I'm imagining things' in my mind
Then—"Woof!"
I gasped, startled. I tripped on the carpet and crashed backward—
—and then suddenly, I was in my bed again.
Breathing hard.
Eyes wide.
"Was that… a dream?"
But when I turned my head, the window was still open. And the pale moonlight streamed in.
"Or maybe… it wasn't."
I thought about calling my parents. But they weren't home. Still out, probably finalizing things for their anniversary tomorrow.
I got up, shut the window, and returned to bed. I pretended to sleep—just in case.
That's when the door creaked open again.
Soft footsteps. Someone was approaching my bed.
In a flash, I summoned Yama again and aimed the blade at the intruder's neck.
"Whoa! Whoa! Young master!" the voice squeaked.
It was Rex.
I exhaled in relief and lowered the sword. "Rex! How many times have I told you—knock before entering!"
Rex looked genuinely rattled. "You told me to bring you a chocolate shake…"
"Oh… right." I took the shake and sighed. "Thanks. Now go."
Rex nodded quickly and left the room.
I leaned back, sipping the shake. My mind still buzzed with unease.
Was I imagining things? Was it really just a dream?
Whatever it was, it felt real.
And I couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to happen. Something big.
Tomorrow was supposed to be a day of celebration.
But something told me—it would be anything but.