The celebration that followed Shin's awakening felt hollow to Ravi. While the villagers rejoiced, their spirits soaring high with excitement, he couldn't shake the weight of disappointment that clung to him like a heavy cloak. He had awakened a system, yet there was still a profound emptiness where he had hoped to find a powerful soul servant.
---
**"What if I'm just a failure?"** he thought bitterly as he sat on a rocky outcrop overlooking the village. The laughter and cheer from the festivities echoed faintly in the background, a haunting contrast to the turmoil raging inside him. He had awakened a system, yet there was still a profound emptiness where he had hoped to find a powerful soul servant.
Days turned into weeks, and Ravi found himself withdrawing from the vibrant life of the village. He spent most of his time alone, watching the clouds drift by, lost in thoughts of what could have been. The once-thrilling tales of adventures began to feel like distant dreams, slipping further away as he remained stuck in a cycle of self-doubt.
---
His friends, particularly Aiko and Shin, noticed his absence and tried to reach out, but he brushed them off with vague excuses. **"I just need some time,"** he would say, forcing a smile that never reached his eyes. The truth was he felt like a ghost, haunting the edges of their lives without truly participating.
Shin, the real protagonist of their story, seemed to flourish in ways Ravi could hardly bear to watch. He had awakened two soul servants: a fierce human swordsman, akin to a legendary warrior with an unwavering spirit, and a majestic silver dragon that could manipulate silver in ways that defied imagination. With them, his power surged. Each day, Ravi would hear tales of Shin's exploits, how he trained tirelessly with his new companions, embarking on adventures that promised glory and excitement.
---
**"You should have seen Shin today! He took down a band of rogue soul beasts!"** Aiko exclaimed one afternoon, her eyes wide with admiration as she recounted the latest tale.
"Yeah, sounds great," Ravi replied, feigning interest but feeling the familiar pang of envy rise in his chest.
He tried to push away those feelings, telling himself it was childish to feel such resentment toward a friend. Yet, as he listened to Aiko and others share stories of Shin's victories, a sense of longing gnawed at him.
---
**"What's wrong with me?"** he muttered under his breath one evening as he watched the sunset paint the sky in hues of orange and purple. **"Why can't I just be happy for him?"**
As days passed, Ravi spent more time brooding, and less time with his friends. He would wander the village at night, the cool breeze carrying whispers of laughter from the homes, while he felt increasingly like an outsider.
His nights were filled with insomnia, haunted by dreams of what it meant to have a spirit servant and a powerful weapon. He envisioned himself standing alongside Shin, ready to face the world together. But those dreams were quickly replaced by nightmares of solitude—fighting alone against overwhelming odds, with no one to turn to.
---
The arrival of his eighteenth birthday marked the peak of his internal struggle. The day passed quietly, devoid of celebration or acknowledgment. While others celebrated their new beginnings, Ravi remained in his thoughts, spiraling deeper into depression.
**"This is it,"** he thought as he stood alone on the hill, gazing at the stars that twinkled brightly above. **"I'm just…nothing."**
It was then that a familiar voice broke through the haze of his thoughts.
"Ravi! Hey!" Aiko's voice rang out, and he turned to see her running toward him, her expression filled with concern.
"What do you want?" he snapped, the bitterness spilling out before he could stop it.
"Are you okay? You've been avoiding everyone," she said softly, concern etched on her face. "We miss you. I miss you."
Ravi looked away, unable to meet her gaze. "I'm fine. Just... busy."
---
"Busy doing what? Hiding? Ravi, we're worried about you," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "You're one of us. We need you."
"I don't belong here anymore," he admitted, feeling the weight of his words. **"I couldn't even awaken properly. I'm just a failure."**
Aiko's eyes widened in shock. "That's not true! You're not a failure! Just because you didn't awaken the same way doesn't mean you're not powerful!"
Her words felt hollow to him, but he appreciated her attempt. "You don't understand. Everyone is moving forward, and I'm just… stuck."
---
With a sigh, Aiko sat down beside him. "I know it's hard to see everyone else succeeding, but you're stronger than you think. "
Ravi turned to her, frustration boiling within. "It doesn't matter! I don't have a soul servant. I can't fight like Shin can. I'm just… nothing!"
Aiko took a deep breath, her expression earnest. "Ravi, the journey isn't just about power. It's about who you become along the way. You've learned and grown so much. Just because your path looks different doesn't mean it's any less valuable."
---
He wanted to argue, to push back against her optimistic perspective, but deep down, her words resonated with a small part of him. **Could there be a purpose beyond the awakening?**
"I don't know, Aiko," he said quietly, his voice wavering. "I feel like I'm losing myself."
"Then find yourself again," she replied, her eyes fierce with determination. "Don't let this moment define you. Your journey is just beginning. Maybe you need to figure out what you want, rather than what everyone else expects from you."
---
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Ravi contemplated her words. **What did he want?** He had never really thought about it. In the back of his mind, a flicker of the desire to fight for something greater began to stir.
"I just don't want to be alone anymore," he confessed, his voice barely above a whisper.
Aiko placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Then come back to us. We're all in this together. You have a place here, Ravi. You always will."
---
The warmth of her friendship sparked a flicker of hope within him. As he looked out at the stars, he realized he had a choice to make. He could either remain in the shadows, consumed by jealousy and despair, or he could rise and discover the strength within himself that he had yet to tap into.
"I'll try," he finally said, his voice steadying. "But it's going to take time."
"Take all the time you need," Aiko smiled gently. "Just don't shut us out. We believe in you, Ravi."
---
As the night enveloped the village, Ravi felt a glimmer of determination igniting within him. It wouldn't be easy, but he was ready to step out of the darkness and embrace the journey ahead. With each passing day, he would strive to understand his unique path, one that would eventually lead him back into the light.
However, just as he began to feel a hint of optimism, the weight of reality crashed down upon him. **"I haven't awakened,"** he reminded himself. **"And the time for that has passed."**
In the days that followed, Ravi's resolve slowly faded. Despite Aiko's encouragement, he remained trapped in a cycle of despair. He could not shake the feeling that he had missed his chance. Every day he awoke with the same hollow feeling in his chest, as if a part of him had died with his unfulfilled potential.
---
The villagers' conversations shifted towards Shin's upcoming journey beyond the wall, and Ravi felt the distance between them grow. He listened to Aiko and others talk about their plans with a growing sense of hopelessness.
Finally, one evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple, Ravi made a decision. **"I need to get out of here,"** he whispered to himself, the thought echoing in his mind. He stood up, feeling an urge to break free from the confines of his stagnation.
---
Without a clear destination, he began to walk, leaving the village behind. Each step felt liberating, as if shedding the weight of his disappointments. The cool night air filled his lungs, and for the first time in weeks, he felt alive.
Ravi trekked for hours, lost in thought, contemplating the vast sea that surrounded the islands. **"There has to be more out there,"** he thought. **"If I can't awaken here, maybe I'll find something on the other side of the wall."**
As he walked, the darkness around him began to lift, revealing a path he hadn't considered before. **"This journey is about finding my own strength, not comparing myself to others,"** he realized. **"I can't let my past define me."**
---
With renewed determination, he turned back toward the village, ready to face his friends and share his newfound resolve. It was time to embrace the journey, even if it meant venturing into the unknown. **"I'll carve my path,"** he thought, a fire igniting in his chest.
**"I'll find my place in this world."**