Eli had always found solace in the small routines of the orphanage. Daylight streamed through the cracked windows, casting gentle patterns on the worn wooden floors. The air was often filled with the scents of old books, dust, and the faint aroma of the meals Mrs. Thompson prepared in the cramped kitchen. As he sat on the rickety wooden bench outside, Eli watched the other children play tag in the fading sunlight, their laughter echoing through the courtyard like a melody.

At seven years old, Eli was one of the older kids in the orphanage, though he didn't feel it. He often felt like a shadow, quietly observing rather than participating. His thick, unruly hair fell over his forehead, and his big, expressive eyes held a mixture of curiosity and sadness. The other children adored him; they saw him as a protector. Eli often played the role of the brave knight, defending imaginary kingdoms from monstrous dragons, but inside, he felt lost in the vastness of the world.

That day, the sun hung low in the sky, painting everything in shades of gold and amber. After lunch, the children were allowed to play outside, and Eli found himself lost in thought, watching the clouds drift lazily overhead. His mind wandered to dreams of adventure, where he could escape the confines of the orphanage. He often imagined what life would be like outside these walls—what it would feel like to be free, to roam the world without a care.

He was jolted from his reverie by the sound of a ball being kicked toward him. It rolled to his feet, and he looked up to see Sarah, a bubbly girl with bright red pigtails, grinning at him. "Hey, Eli! Come on! Join us!"

Eli hesitated. "I don't know, Sarah. I'm not really good at soccer."

"Oh, come on! It'll be fun!" she insisted, her enthusiasm infectious.

With a reluctant smile, Eli stood up and joined the game. Laughter and shouts filled the air as they played, and for a fleeting moment, Eli forgot about the weight of his circumstances. He was just a boy, running with friends, kicking a ball, and letting the joy of the game wash over him.

As the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows across the courtyard, Eli felt a sudden chill run down his spine. He looked around, feeling an inexplicable sense of unease. The laughter of the children faded into the background, replaced by an eerie silence that wrapped around him. Eli glanced toward the gate at the edge of the property, where a dark figure stood. The figure was cloaked in shadow, and Eli squinted, trying to make out any distinguishing features.

"Eli! Pass the ball!" Sarah shouted, breaking his focus.

With a quick shake of his head, Eli returned to the game, but the shadowy figure lingered in his mind. After a few minutes, he decided to take a break, feeling the need to investigate. "I'll be right back," he told Sarah, who nodded, still focused on the ball.

Eli walked toward the gate, his heart pounding in his chest. The closer he got, the more he could sense that something was off. The figure was still there, unmoving, and as Eli approached, he could see that it was a man, tall and imposing, dressed in dark clothes.

"Hey! Who are you?" Eli called out, trying to sound brave even as fear gripped him.

The man shifted slightly, and Eli felt a jolt of fear course through him. "Come here, boy," the man said, his voice low and smooth. "I need your help."

Eli hesitated, instinctively taking a step back. "I don't know you. What do you want?"

"Your life is about to change in ways you can't imagine," the man replied, an unsettling smile creeping across his face. "You don't belong here. Come with me, and I'll show you a world where you can truly be special."

Eli's heart raced. The man's words were enticing, yet something in his gut screamed danger. "I have to go back," Eli stammered, looking over his shoulder at the other children playing in the fading light.

Before he could take another step, the man took a swift movement, reaching out and grabbing Eli's arm with an iron grip. "You don't have a choice, boy."

Eli's pulse quickened. He fought against the man's hold, using every ounce of strength he had. "Let me go!" he yelled, panic rising within him.

The man's grip tightened, and Eli felt a wave of despair wash over him. He kicked and struggled, but the man was too strong. In a swift motion, the man pulled him toward the gate, and Eli's screams echoed into the air, but they were swallowed by the silence of the evening.

Suddenly, a van pulled up, its headlights illuminating the scene. Eli's heart sank as two more figures stepped out, their expressions cold and unyielding. "We've got him," the first man said, dragging Eli toward the vehicle.

"Help! Someone help me!" Eli cried, his voice hoarse with fear. But the other children were too far away, caught up in their game, oblivious to the nightmare unfolding just beyond the gate.

With a swift motion, the man shoved Eli into the back of the van, slamming the door shut behind him. The interior was dark, and Eli's eyes widened in terror. He glanced around, seeing metal panels, strange devices, and no windows.

"Where are you taking me?" Eli shouted, his voice filled with desperation.

The man slid into the seat beside him, a sinister smile on his face. "To a place where you will become something greater than you ever imagined. Welcome to The Ascendants."

Eli's mind raced, fear and confusion swirling within him. The van started moving, and he felt the world he knew slipping away, leaving him in a state of dread and uncertainty. He pressed himself against the cold metal wall, trying to comprehend what was happening.

As they drove further away from the orphanage, the city lights faded into darkness, and Eli's heart sank. This was not the adventure he had longed for; it was a nightmare. He had no idea of the horrors that awaited him, the trials he would face, and the powers he would gain.

All he knew was that he was no longer a boy playing soccer in the sun; he was a pawn in a game he couldn't understand, caught in a web of magic and technology that would reshape his destiny forever.

With a heavy heart and a mind racing with fear, Eli closed his eyes, wishing for the familiar sounds of the orphanage, the laughter of his friends, and the comforting warmth of the sun. But all he could feel was the cold grip of fate pulling him into the unknown.