The double shift went as all normal shifts do. Today, they cut down only pines, and they were on the northern side of Lake Zenith. The forest here was much more dense than the one around Midori's house, although the pine trees did let a lot of light in. The moist air was really difficult to work in, Aiden breaking a sweat from even the slightest effort. However, everyone endured, to the best of their ability. Jake and Mark were constantly complaining, and Sarah spent more time sitting and eating the snacks they prepared than she did work.
The shift finally ended, and darkness had fallen long ago. The rest of the team already left, and Aiden purposefully stayed behind to pack everything up so the rest could go home. After all, he was the one who suggested the double shift, it's only reasonable he took on most of the work. As he placed the equipment in the back of his pickup, he kept trying to make sure he didn't miss anything. Words couldn't explain how much he wanted to go home and sleep. But, something to him felt off. Yes, an empty forest at night is scary in of itself, but that wasn't it. This anxiety that Aiden felt was direct, almost as if something, someone was causing it. It felt like someone's watching. Aiden wanted to make sure, but he didn't want to be too direct, fearing the creature would lash out. So as he kept packing everything up, he glanced around him slowly, making sure no spot left unchecked, yet he saw nothing. Ignoring his fear, he went to get in the truck, and as he reached for the door handle, a gentle voice echoed.
"You couldn't find anything so you just decided to turn around and leave?" said the ominous voice, sending a chill down Aiden's spine. "Smart move, the fear of the unknown is not one that can be defeated, it can only be ignored." Aiden quickly turned in all directions, before noticing a hooded figure leaning against a tree.
"Who are you? What do you want?" exclaimed Aiden, as he curled his hand into a fist and prepared himself to run away if needed.
"Oh, but I am no enemy, you see. You seek power, power is what you'll find. And I can give that power to you, the one you were always promised." The hooded figure pulled out from his pocket a weird necklace. From it hung a large X shaped pendant, with a bright ruby in the middle. "Do you know what the X means, Aiden?"
The man threw the necklace at Aiden, telling him that he'll be needing it, before stepping away from the tree he was leaning against and removing his hood. From underneath it emerged a sulky man with long black hair, and a visible scar diagonally stretching his whole face. His eyes pitch black as well, he looked as if a shadow came to life. "My name is Cassius, my pleasure to meet you, oh the forsaken Silvius child."
Aiden was shocked that this man knew who he was. He intended to ask him about it, but before he even managed to say anything, Cassius stopped him and began speaking.
"In this world, powers are no more than blessings we humans were lucky enough to receive. I intend to honor the one who gave me mine, Lord Feyr, by fulfilling his greatest wish." Cassius pushed back the sleeve on his right arm, revealing a large X on his forehand, similar to the pendant on Aiden's necklace. "When a human is born with a power, his soul is adorned with a mark, and in that mark is an inscription. It tells you who your power belongs to, who you can thank for granting you the sweet embrace of strength. For me, that is Lord Feyr, I am gifted with his mark of X. Meanwhile, the tattoo on my hand, is a symbol of allegiance to my group. We have no official name, but the Ardenians call us 'The Cult of Feyr'. Personally, I think cult is a bit rough. We just revel in the gifts our Lord has provided us with."
Aiden had a rough time understanding everything. He heard of the Deities before, Aldegar told him stories but, never did he get such an explanation. "A Soul Mark?" he asked Cassius, who just lightly nodded his head.
And you Aiden, you too can be graced with Lord Feyr's gift, you too can proudly carry the mark he bestows upon us mortals, but you must join us first." Cassius put his sleeve back in place, and put his hood back on. "Don't worry, I won't rush you. You have 24 hours. If you wish to join us, return here at the same time tomorrow. The rest will be explained afterwards. Goodbye now, o forsaken one." And so, he returned into shadows as quickly as he appeared.
Aiden couldn't decide what to feel after this encounter. He was as terrified as he was excited by this prospect of getting a power. But, should he even trust this man? Is he truly who he says he is, or just some con artist? His mind was a mess, and he didn't want to think about it now. It's clearly a topic that needs to be thought through, that's why he has so much time to decide. Aiden finally got into his pickup, and hit the gas, getting away from the forest as fast as reasonably possible. He left the truck at the Commerce, and without even stopping by to say anything, he went home. "Damn it, I need to spend 24 hours thinking about this, and I have dinner with Midori tomorrow." Aiden was furious, why did this have to happen now? He wanted to make sure that he doesn't involve Midori into this mess in the slightest, so he had to play it safe. No mention of anything.
He headed home as he got ready for bed, his mind swirling with plenty of questions. However, no matter how many things he asked himself, Aiden's focus was unwavering. He will join Cassius, it's something he's certain of. He wasn't sure, was it his lust for power, was it his spiteful promise to Hilda, what caused him to be so determined? He had an iron will and would not let this chance go to waste, he promised himself that. As a storm still raged in his mind, he was able to fight back and barely fall asleep. However, it still felt like the best sleep he's had in a long while.
When he awoke next morning, he was greeted by snowfall. Almost the whole winter went by without snow, so Aiden was pleasantly surprised. He always preferred the cold. He woke up quite early, since he forgot to turn his alarm off. He got up, made himself breakfast before heading out to take a walk in the shallow snow. He soon stopped by a café, to warm himself up a bit. He was sitting alone at a table, enjoying his free time, until someone sat down beside him. Aiden didn't even notice it at first, but with a second glance he was certain. Not only did someone sit at his table, that someone was Cassius. Once he realized Aiden saw him, he extended his hand and shook hands with Aiden firmly.