A faint whisper echoed through Xavier's ear as he was sleeping.
"Destiny determines your power and fate, Xavier Cowell", the entity said in a firm and somewhat mystical voice.
Xavier jolted wide awake, a ringing inside his head started to emerge and his hands felt as if they were buried in ice. The boy had awoken into an unfamiliar place, the ground beneath him felt soft and unsteady much like that of a cloud. A ghostly fog covered his line of sight preventing him to see any further. Up above him was a clear sky full of bright stars, but it did not help him one bit in finding where he is. A brief feeling of eerieness ran through his chest which made him feel uneasy.
Xavier scratched his head, confused. He knows that he isn't where he should be but something must be calling to him, so he got up from his bed and felt his feet sunken into the mist. His white, snowy hair covering most of his right eye also started to feel cold. Out the corner, Xavier caught a shine of light in the distance, seeing a wooden table with a black lantern on its surface. Slowly walking towards it, he took the lantern and flashed it at the fog.
"Still nothing to be seen", Xavier thought to himself as the ringing fades away.
A voice suddenly shouts over yonder, catching his attention.
"Over here, child" beckoned the same voice.
The boy ran towards it swiftly, holding his dangling lantern as the fog consumes what's behind. He looked back to see the table disintegrating in the murky vapor. With each pace, the ground became heavier that his feet began to sink every second. He had found himself climbing an enormous mountain of clouds, where the voice awaits him. Xavier trekked through with perseverance, unaware of the demonic presence that lurks within the fog. Dark figures began to sprout from below, with each wearing a nightmarish expression and possessing limbs disproportionate to their body. Somewhat similar to a human being, except it was a demon. A ghoulish scream can be heard, Xavier gasped and looked behind to see a huge hand come out from the fog to attack him. Xavier dodged the hand but it dragged him far down the mountain on its way back. The figures started to chase after him with much more speed. Panicked, he pushed through the cloudy mass hastily. Suddenly, one of the demons managed to catch up and grab Xavier's torso, allowing the others to overwhelm him.
"LET ME GO!" screamed Xavier in a struggle to escape. The demons mockingly replied with a terrifying cackle, and began to drag him down the clouds.
All hope seems lost for the boy but even in the most dire times, a spark of hope can ignite. Xavier managed to punch one of them away, stunning it. The horde of figures left Xavier alone to tend to the incapitated comrade. One by one, the infuriated monsters began charging at him. But Xavier was faster, he dodged most attacks with ease, utilizing the lantern as a weapon.
Clang! Clang! The rough sound of rusty metal can be heard as the blunt edges of the lantern collided with the demons' dark, ebony skin. One of them took Xavier by surprise, but he reacted quickly by elbowing the demon in its jaw. Alas, he wasn't fast enough to evade its attack. The demon slashed Xavier's back with its sharp tail.
"Agh!" screamed the wounded hero.
He was weakened but that will not stop him. Xavier fought the demons with all his might and took them all down, one by one. His assailants retreat, tired and defeated.
As the demonic beasts regroup once more, the boy in trouble gulped. Xavier was running out of ideas and he doesn't have enough strength left to fight them off. He glanced at his lantern and acted quickly.
"HEY! COME AND GET ME, YOU UGLY WARTS!" yelled Xavier, seemingly wanting the demons to charge at him.
Aggravated once again, the horde sprinted towards him with great speed. A demon jumped forward,
"This is it" Xavier thought to himself.
With a quick and powerful swing, he smashed the lantern against the demon's spiky head. The impact caused the fire within the lantern to spread outwards onto the others, erupting into a huge fire. Xavier ran away as fast he could while the smoke covered the sky. Screams of pain and agony resonated from the defeated foes as they submerge back into the clouds along with the fire. He continued his journey upwards, still having difficulty advancing with feet stuck in the clouds.
Eventually, he made it to the top. Xavier saw nothing to be seen except for a small patch of grass with a giant tree in the middle. The tree had blue leaves that glowed with the moonlight, looking more majestic than most blue trees he had seen before. He walked towards it, and the closer he was to the tree made its leaves glow brighter.
"Xavier Cowell, what a delightful encounter." said a mysterious voice from near the tree.
"Not many people can make it this far, you know."
A cloaked man appeared from behind the tree. He had an appearance that resembled that of an middle-aged person but had white eyes that glistened. Slowly, the man walked towards Xavier.
"Congratulations, you have achieved your powers"
"Where am I and how did I end up here?" asked Xavier whilst tending to his injury.
"You might've heard of the great god who gives people special abilities once they complete his trial."
"Wait, Eudicus!? I didn't think that today was my time. Whatever my power will be, I-I promise to use it wisely to honor you!"
"That's what they all say" jokingly said Eudicus.
"Come here, Xavier"
The boy followed Eudicus to the tree where the leaves fall steadily with the silent wind. They were up the sky and the absence of clouds made the moonlight coming from all three moons of Orbis shine, as bright as the hottest stars.
"You have been gifted with a powerful ability, being able to summon spirits that will help you. These spirits are unique, treat them with respect" stated Eudicus as an advice to Xavier.
"Spirits? What kind of spirits are they exactly?" the curious Xavier asked.
"Each one represents a certain element of our world. The darkness, the light, the earth, the life that exists in our soul and many more. You see Xavier, a great evil has resurfaced. I can't assure you that I will continue to protect your world."
"A Great Evil? What do you mean?" questioned the boy in a worrisome manner.
"It's nothing you can comprehend yet, continue to nourish your gift. Farewell, human" answered Eudicus as he slowly faded away.
"Xavier! WAKE UP! He's not moving, get the medic!" hollered a familiar voice.
The boy woke up.
He was in his bed, surrounded by people who looked like they were troubled. The knights were holding a variety of medicines while the maids were hysterical. Xavier's father can be seen behind the crowd, talking to another knight. He looked so desperate and tense. Everybody began to talk simultaneously.
"I saw tiny flames hovering above you. They entered your body and looked as if they were alive!" said one concerned maid.
"My goodness, Xavier! Do you know how scared we were when we saw you shaking in your bed!?" exclaimed another woman, clutching to a castle guard.
"Everyone be quiet!" shouted Xavier's father.
"Sorry Master Cowell" the maids apologised.
"Son, what happened to you? I was afraid you were attacked by some evil spirit! I don't know what I'd do if-"
"I got my powers, dad" interrupted Xavier, smiling proudly.
The crowd behind them gasped.
"Let me see the mark!" said Mr. Cowell excitedly.
Xavier rolled up his sleeves, revealing an insignia on his arm that was known as an "The Seal Of Power". You see, Eudicus wants people to be reminded of how generous he was. So he would put a mark like none other on a person's skin, claiming it as his own for people to recognize his magical gifts.
Mr. Cowell hugged Xavier tightly.
"I'm proud of you, son"
"Aww, thanks dad!" responded Xavier.
All the people in the room cheered for Xavier's successful mission. The hallways were filled with joyous praises.
The boy got up from his bed and picked up his trusty dagger. Mr. Cowell looked at Xavier with a confident smirk. He knows that his son is ready to become a protector of Ephronia, and with a firm voice he said:
"It's time to train you like a true warrior!"