Kai Ren stood on the edge of the forest, his gaze fixed on the dark, twisted trees ahead. The village elder had always warned the children not to venture too far, but something about the ancient woods called to him. It was an old instinct, a deep curiosity that Kai couldn't shake off no matter how hard he tried. It was the feeling that he didn't belong in this small, quiet village—a feeling that had haunted him for as long as he could remember.

The village of Aelrin was a forgotten place, nestled far from the bustling cities of the empire. It was small, with no more than a hundred souls living within its boundaries. The people here were simple: farmers, hunters, and craftsmen, all struggling to survive against the wilderness that surrounded them. The village had no grand history, no tales of heroism or greatness. To everyone here, it was a place where they could live quietly, far away from the battles and wars that plagued the outside world.

But for Kai, it was a prison.

He kicked a rock down the path, sighing as the sun began to dip behind the trees. Another day of chopping firewood, another day of fetching water from the river, another day where nothing changed. His hands were calloused from hard labor, and his muscles ached from a life of toil, but deep down, Kai knew that there had to be more. More than this endless cycle of survival. More than this village.

As he turned to head back, he saw a figure approaching—an old man dressed in worn robes, leaning heavily on a staff. It was Elder Harlan, the village's oldest resident and the closest thing to a scholar they had. His face was weathered, etched with the lines of age and wisdom, but his eyes still gleamed with a sharpness that betrayed his years.

"Kai," Elder Harlan called, his voice raspy but firm. "You're daydreaming again."

Kai smiled sheepishly. "Just... thinking."

"Thinking can be dangerous," the elder said, stepping closer. "Especially for someone like you."

Kai frowned. "What do you mean, someone like me?"

Harlan gave him a long, measured look before sighing. "Come, walk with me. There are things you need to know."

The two of them walked side by side, the crunch of dirt underfoot the only sound between them for a while. Finally, Harlan spoke again.

"You've always felt it, haven't you?" the elder asked, his voice soft but probing. "That you don't belong here."

Kai hesitated but nodded. "I've always felt... different. Like something's missing."

The elder's gaze grew distant, as if he were staring into a past only he could see. "You were left at the village's doorstep when you were just a baby. No note, no name. Just you, alone. The villagers took you in, raised you as one of their own. But I always knew there was something special about you."

Kai stopped walking, confusion clouding his mind. "What are you saying?"

Harlan turned to face him fully. "This world is much larger than you know, Kai. There are forces at play that go far beyond this village, beyond the empire. Powers older than time itself. You've been touched by one of those powers, though you may not know it yet."

Kai's heart raced. The elder's words felt heavy, almost too much to grasp. "What does that mean for me?"

"It means," Harlan said, his voice dropping to a whisper, "that your life will never be simple. And soon, the world will come calling for you."

Before Kai could respond, a loud, bone-chilling howl pierced the air. The elder's face grew pale, his eyes widening in fear.

"That sound," Harlan muttered, gripping his staff tightly. "It can't be… not here."

Kai looked around, his instincts screaming at him to run. The howl came again, closer this time, followed by the heavy thud of footsteps.

"Elder, what is that?" Kai asked, panic rising in his chest.

"Go!" Harlan ordered, shoving Kai toward the village. "Warn the others! We don't have much time!"

Without thinking, Kai sprinted down the path, his feet pounding against the earth. Behind him, the howls grew louder, more frantic, as if whatever was coming was hungry—hungry for blood.

As he reached the edge of the village, the sky darkened, and a foul stench filled the air. Villagers rushed out of their homes, confusion and fear on their faces. Kai's heart pounded in his chest as he saw the dark shapes moving at the forest's edge, creeping closer with every passing second.

They were massive creatures, their bodies covered in matted fur, eyes glowing red in the dim light. Their claws gleamed like daggers, and their mouths dripped with saliva.

"Wolves?" someone shouted.

"No," Harlan's voice boomed from behind. "Worse."

The elder stepped forward, his staff glowing faintly. "These are not mere beasts. They are creatures of darkness, servants of the old gods."

Kai stared at the creatures, his heart frozen with terror. For the first time in his life, he truly understood what it meant to be powerless. The village had no soldiers, no warriors to defend it. They were defenseless against monsters like these.

"Listen to me!" Harlan shouted to the villagers. "Run! Flee to the mountains!"

But it was too late.

The creatures leaped forward, faster than anything Kai had ever seen. They tore through the villagers with ease, their claws cutting through flesh and bone like paper. Screams filled the air, and the smell of blood mixed with the stench of death.

Kai froze in place, his mind unable to comprehend the horror unfolding before him. All he could do was watch as the village—the only home he had ever known—was torn apart.

"Kai!" Harlan's voice broke through the chaos. "Get to the ruins! You'll be safe there!"

The ruins. Deep in the forest, hidden away for centuries. No one had ever dared to enter them, but now, with no other choice, Kai turned and ran, his heart pounding in his chest.

As he raced through the forest, the sounds of the slaughter faded behind him. The ruins loomed ahead, a massive stone structure covered in vines and moss, ancient and foreboding.

Kai stumbled inside, collapsing against the cold stone floor, his breath coming in ragged gasps. He was safe, for now.

But as he lay there, something caught his eye. A faint glow, coming from the far corner of the chamber.

Curiosity tugged at him, and despite his exhaustion, Kai crawled toward the light. It was coming from a pedestal, upon which sat an old, weathered book.

The moment his hand touched the cover, a searing pain shot through his body. His vision blurred, and his mind filled with images of strange worlds, powerful beings, and ancient battles.

And then, a voice spoke, echoing in his mind.

"You have been chosen, Kai Ren. The Celestial Codex has awakened."

End of Chapter 1