Thomas's father was in a state of shock as he witnessed the peculiar sight of black wings sprouting from the back of their newborn baby. Concerned and bewildered, he turned to his wife for an explanation.
"Honey, are you okay?" Thomas's father asked, his voice filled with worry.
"Yes, but what happened to our baby, and why does he have wings?" Thomas's mother replied, equally puzzled.
The couple gazed at Thomas, who was peacefully asleep, his innocent face adorned with a smile. The young child yawned and mumbled unintelligibly, his baby vocal cords unable to form coherent words.
Thomas stretched his hands and, to his surprise, brushed against something soft. Perplexed, he attempted to touch it again, only to find it had vanished. Assuming it was a fleeting sensation, he dismissed it without much thought. Meanwhile, his parents engaged in a conversation, their words falling on deaf ears as Thomas remained oblivious to their discussion.
Days passed by, and Thomas's parents named him Kai-Jin, embracing the cultural tradition of combining their initials. In the Soul Kingdom, where the family resided, surnames were earned through dedicated service to the realm. Kai-Jin's parents, Kenny and Jenny, were highly esteemed soldiers in the army, renowned for their joint efforts and remarkable achievements on numerous battlefields. As a result, they were granted the surname "Warmonger."
As time progressed, five peaceful years flew by. During this period, Kai-Jin learned to walk, talk, and develop his understanding of the world. At the age of two, his parents started to impart upon him the values, history, and tales of their family and kingdom. Although they provided him with books to read, Kai-Jin possessed an exceptional ability to absorb knowledge. Merely glancing at a page allowed him to comprehend its contents and execute the instructions effortlessly. His mother, impressed by his unique talent, even had him learn and master various cooking books and recipes, enabling him to assist in the kitchen.
As Kai-Jin turned three, he delved into the study of magic—the history, applications, benefits, and drawbacks. Regular visits from soldiers further fueled his curiosity and shed light on his parents' prominence in the kingdom. By the time Kai-Jin reached the age of four, he yearned to explore his new home, the colossal planet called Titan. The name suited the vastness of the planet, as it could easily encompass over a million Earths within its expanse. Titan boasted three distinct continents—Regis, Regalia, and the Soul Kingdom. Unlike Earth, water covered only half of Titan's surface, and its inhabitants had the ability to purify water using magic, mitigating any scarcity.
Although the continents coexisted without waging wars, tensions simmered beneath the surface, and each region maintained an air of detachment from the others. The Soul Kingdom, where Kai-Jin resided, stood as a testament to unity, strength, and resilience. The inhabitants were trained in combat and magic from a young age, serving the kingdom with unwavering loyalty.
By the age of five, Kai-Jin's parents introduced him to combat training and the development of magical abilities. Magic, accessible to all to varying degrees, became an integral part of life on Titan. Upon reaching the age of ten, individuals unlocked their unique Magical Abilities, a distinct aspect separate from traditional magic. To activate these abilities, one had to visit the nearest Mage Tower, present in nearly every city. There, individuals received a Magic bracelet, which served as a repository of knowledge, replacing the need for traditional grimoires.
Each person's Magical Ability differed, ranging from transformation into magical creatures to exceptional control over specific elements that surpassed conventional magic's limits. When someone activated their ability, the bracelet shimmered in unique colors. These bracelets incorporated various technological advancements, such as a limited storage space called the Time Space, expandable with additional investment. Additionally, the bracelets displayed an individual's stats digitally, revolutionizing the assessment of strength and skill without resorting to physical confrontations.
Under the guidance of his capable parents, Kai-Jin excelled in his magical training, obviating the need for a tutor. He rejoiced in the knowledge that he was born into an esteemed family. Kenny, his father, possessed black hair, black eyes, and a lean yet muscular build, standing tall at 6 feet with sharp features. Jenny, his mother, boasted silvery hair, captivating blue eyes, and a somewhat childlike face, despite her imposing height of 5 feet 10 inches. The couple's love story began during a competition where they represented their respective Academies. Kenny emerged victorious by a significant margin, leaving an indelible impression on Jenny. Their meeting eventually led to a relationship, and they married at the tender age of 17. Kai-Jin came into the world when they turned 18, and now, at the age of six, his parents were 25—a common practice on Titan, where early marriages were the norm.
One ordinary day, as Kai-Jin's parents left for work, the young boy engaged in household chores, followed by a hearty breakfast and an intensive three-hour exercise session. Despite reaching his limits during pull-ups, Kai-Jin pushed himself further, determined to complete one more repetition. Suddenly, a fluttering sensation overcame him, and in the blink of an eye, his head collided with the ceiling. Astonishingly, he felt no pain. When he glanced downward, a sense of awe and chill coursed through his being—black feathers adorned his back. Overwhelmed by the strange occurrence, Kai-Jin stood there, his mind momentarily blank, unsure of what to make of this extraordinary transformation.
For a moment, Kai-Jin feared that his newfound wings were merely a hallucination or a sign of some inexplicable illness. However, as he cautiously spread his wings, he felt a surge of energy and an otherworldly connection to the vast realm of magic that surrounded him. Excitement and curiosity replaced his initial trepidation as he began to comprehend the significance of his transformation.
The world seemed to hold its breath as Kai-Jin gingerly flapped his wings, lifting himself a few inches off the ground. He soared higher, his heart pounding with a mixture of exhilaration and disbelief. The sight of the Soul Kingdom from above unveiled a majestic panorama—imposing castles, bustling cities, and lush landscapes that stretched as far as the eye could see.
News of Kai-Jin's extraordinary wings spread like wildfire throughout the kingdom. Rumors and speculation swirled, creating a buzz of excitement among the citizens. The council of elders, concerned about the potential consequences of Kai-Jin's unique abilities, convened to discuss his fate. They feared that his wings could upset the delicate balance of power, causing chaos or drawing unwanted attention from neighboring realms.
Unbeknownst to Kai-Jin, a clandestine group known as the Order of the Eclipse monitored his every move. This secret society sought to control and manipulate individuals with extraordinary abilities for their own nefarious purposes. They saw Kai-Jin's wings as a valuable asset and set their sights on recruiting him, no matter the cost.
Amidst this backdrop of intrigue, Kai-Jin struggled to comprehend his place in the world. Questions swirled within him—Who was he? What did his wings signify?