Under the celestial dome, Xaide retired to his modest abode. The creak of the door sealed the entrance to the outside world, shutting off the echoes of the prison corridors. The events of the day lingered in his thoughts, a blend of tumultuous emotions swirling within him. The oracle's demise, the impending awakening, and the enigmatic encounter with Sunai all these fragments wove a tapestry of complexities in the fabric of his life.
As Xaide surrendered to the embrace of sleep, the passage of time slipped away. In the cocoon of his dreams, the world unfolded its surreal landscapes, entwined with echoes of a distant melody. Three hours into his slumber, an abrupt disturbance jolted him awake. A resounding kick against the door echoed through the silence, announcing an unexpected visitor.
Step by measured step, a silhouette materialized in the doorway. Xaide's bleary eyes focused to see his cousin Sunai, standing stoically before him. The air crackled with unspoken tension.
"What are you doing here? Did you come for another beating?" Xaide quipped, his voice revealing a hint of weariness. Sunai's reply, delivered with a hollow cadence, cut through the air, "Did you forget what today is?"
Realization dawned on Xaide. "Damn, it's Dad's birthday. Are you here to bring me to his grave?" Sunai's response, filled with an undercurrent of anger, conveyed a complex mix of emotions. "Yeah, he will miss you, you know, even though I hate weaklings, my uncle was the best."
An unspoken acknowledgment passed between the cousins. Despite Sunai's bullying tendencies, there existed an unspoken understanding a thread of familial connection that transcended the surface animosity.
As Sunai prepared to leave, Xaide followed in his wake, stepping into the night's shadows. The journey led them to the pinnacle of a mountain, an ethereal vantage point offering a panoramic view of small mountains and a sea of golden clouds. It was a sight that would drive poets to madness, but for Xaide, it was a backdrop to the poignant ritual Sunai was about to perform.
Sunai, clad in white robes, produced two cups and filled them with wine. The ritualistic pouring, a solemn libation, spoke volumes. One cup was consumed, and the other placed before the grave. Sunai paid his respects in silence, leaving the mountain peak with a weighty silence.
Hozai Shader's grave, marked by a simple stone slab, held the weight of memories. Xaide, now alone with his thoughts, seated himself before the marker. "Dad, your useless son is back. I haven't awakened any ability still useless, still a slave. Nothing has changed, Dad, nothing at all."
Tears welled in Xaide's eyes as he poured out his heart, recounting the struggles and disappointments of the past year. Little did he know that a silent observer lingered in the shadows. Sunai, hidden and tearful, bore witness to the raw vulnerability his cousin revealed.
As night drew its inky curtain over the landscape, Xaide prepared to depart from the solemn space. It was then that a glint of emerald caught his eye. A golden cat, with eyes that mirrored precious gemstones, observed him from a distance. Unable to resist the allure of feline companionship, Xaide approached, only to send the cat scurrying away with a glimpse of his tear-stained countenance.
Undeterred, Xaide chased after the elusive creature, shouting reassurances into the darkening void. The pursuit continued until, in the obsidian shroud of night, he found himself in a precarious situation. The ground crumbled beneath him, and he descended into a pit, his thoughts echoing in despair.
"Is this how my miserable life is going to end? Why is fate so cruel to me? Finally, I am going to be free..."
His descent abruptly halted as he collided with an unseen object, shattering the silence. As the shards settled, a melodic voice resonated in his mind, posing a question that would reshape the course of his destiny.
[ Welcome, mortal. Are you ready for the trials?]
The voice reverberated in Xaide's mind, echoing through the depths of the pit. He found himself suspended in a surreal void, surrounded by an ethereal glow. The mysterious entity spoke again, its words carrying an otherworldly weight.
[ You stand at the crossroads, Xaide Shader. The trials await those who seek the awakening. Will you face the challenges that lie ahead, or retreat into the shadows of your past?]
Xaide, disoriented and intrigued, responded with a mixture of determination and curiosity, "I'll face the trials. I'm tired of being a pawn in this twisted game. Show me the path to my awakening."
The glow intensified, enveloping Xaide in a radiant aura. As the brilliance subsided, he found himself standing on the edge of a vast, surreal landscape. Towers of light pierced the sky, and a path unfurled before him, leading to an unknown destination.
The voice echoed once more, [ Your journey begins, Xaide Shader. Embrace the trials, unravel the mysteries, and awaken the latent power within you.]
With newfound resolve, Xaide stepped onto the luminous path, leaving behind the shadows of his past. The trials awaited, promising revelations and challenges that would shape the destiny of the Unawakened Warrior. The celestial dome above bore witness to the unfolding saga, as Xaide ventured into the unknown, guided by the enigmatic force that had chosen him for a destiny beyond the realms of mortal understanding.