They started their first meditation session and attempting to find the stillness within, Akihiro stood up and sat down nearby. His gaze shifted beyond the forest and toward the horizon, lost in thought.
He began to speak softly to himself, more to the forest than to his meditating siblings. "Now that I think of it the world beyond our village is vast, and since it's governed by the central authorities. But truth be told, they care very little about what happens in these remote lands."
Akihiro glanced at Noah and Amelia. "There are powers at play in this world. Mana and Divine energy, which we call Stigma-energy, are the driving forces behind it all. They're like the threads that weave the fabric of reality."
"The central government may have its influence, but the real might lies in the Seven Kingdoms, each ruled by a God King. They're not to be trifled with. Then come the Sovereigns, War Lords, and Emperors – they hold immense power in each kingdom, I believe that those two have the potential to become as strong as them, But I wonder if I was strong would I archive my goal will they be able to archive that goal for me?"
Akihiro's voice grew heavier as he continued, "But it's not easy for me. I lack stigmata, and it's a source of frustration for me. I can't channel divine energy , What a pity."
The quiet serenity of the forest was interrupted only by the sounds of leaves rustling and birds chirping.
"I wish....", he said as he closes his eyes.
He had been lost in contemplation, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts about the world beyond. But was abruptly jolted by a female voice echoing in his mind, "You overthink too much."
He jumped to his feet, bewildered and alarmed. "What the—?" he stammered, his voice trembling. He couldn't fathom where the voice had come from.
"Am I going insane?" he thought, eyes darting around the forest.
But he forced himself to take a deep breath and calm down, attempting to rationalize what had just occurred. "Perhaps exhaustion from earlier is playing tricks on my mind," he muttered to himself.
"My eyes hurts again", He said As he tried to rub his eyes, they began to sting more, and tears welled up, their tracks crimson in color. Panic surged as he watched the tears turn into red blood, dripping onto the ground.
"What's happening to me?" he gasped, his heart pounding in his chest.
Desperation gripped him, and he called out for Amelia and Noah, but his voice seemed to dissipate into the ether. It was as though he were trapped in a silent, surreal world, and they were beyond his reach. "Amelia! Noah!" he cried out.
The pounding in his head intensified, and he clutched his temples in agony, his breaths coming in ragged gasps. "This can't be real am I dying?," he muttered between clenched teeth.
The world around him briefly transformed into a surreal, shifting purple haze, and Akihiro's vision wavered. He blinked rapidly, trying to make sense of the bizarre phenomenon.
"I must be losing my mind here,"
His eyes settled on a surreal sight – a shimmering, humanoid form composed of luminous butterflies. Staring at it he struggled to find words. The myriad butterflies, aglow and ethereal, came together to create the semblance of a female figure.
In a voice laced with disbelief, Akihiro asked, "Are you... are you responsible for all of this? Can you explain what's happening?"
The humanoid figure, nodded gently. Stella, for that was her name, finally spoke aloud. "Greetings, Akihiro. I am Stella, the Mother of All Spirits."
"Mother of All Spirits? But that's... that's impossible. Even the God Kings have never met you.."
Stella lowered her form as if bowing. "Indeed But I am here at the summons of my master, who happens to be you."
"What? Master? I don't understand. I have no stigmata. I'm not capable of summoning spirits. This must be a mistake. I'm just a commoner. I'm not the one you're looking for you mistake me for Amelia."
"I made no mistake, Master "
"Why, Keep calling me that and also why am I seeing everything in purple but I can see you clearly. Please take me back"
Stella, now standing upright. "Take You Back?, Your unique abilities are the reason you see everything in purple. You've created a dimension with your unique abilities, where time remains still. I initially thought you did it intentionally."
"This... it can't be. I have no stigmata, no special lineage. It's impossible. I'm just an ordinary person."
"The concept of stigmata is a blessing from the Gods those with stigmata can use abilities, but ever since your birth, I've felt the balance shift. Your existence is a paradox. You lack stigmata, and yet you possess incredible powers. Your eyes can perceive the world beyond existence itself and also blinded a seer as an infant, and you believe you are ordinary?."
Akihiro struggling to make sense of the extraordinary circumstances, asked "What? This is hard to understand and Do you know my parents? Who are they? "
Stella's form began to shimmer. "I have not much time. Don't overthink too much, you'll know the truth as time goes on but most importantly. you need to learn how to use Soul Sight. To understand, you must read the Ancient Book known as 'The Codex of the Forgotten.' It holds the answers you seek."
And then, as quickly as she had appeared, Stella dissolved into a cascade of luminescent butterflies, leaving Akihiro in a state of bewilderment. The very world he had created with his eyes began to crumble away, and he found himself back in reality, his vision returning to normal.
Akihiro's thoughts were in turmoil as he grappled with the bewildering revelation. "How... how could I be someone with these powers? I have no stigmata, no special lineage. It's beyond belief. What's the connection between me and the seer? Does she know my parents? This raises more questions than answers. Looks like my eyes are back to normal and the blood stains are gone"