Ethan's heart still pounded in his chest as he stared at the dimly lit chamber, trying to make sense of everything Magnus had just told him. He had always thought magic was the stuff of books and movies, but now it surrounded him, thick in the air, pressing in on his senses like a wave he couldn't escape. And worse, if Magnus was right, something far darker was coming after him.
"Awaken the magic within me?" Ethan echoed, his voice unsteady. "I don't have any magic. I'm just... me."
Magnus's eyes gleamed, the hint of a smile playing on his lips. "That's where you're wrong, Ethan. The power within you is ancient, more ancient than this world. It's tied to Valantria itself, and the gods who once walked this land. You may not understand it yet, but it's there, waiting to be unlocked."
Ethan shook his head, pacing back and forth across the stone floor. "You keep talking about power and destiny like I'm supposed to be some kind of hero, but I don't even know what's going on here! I didn't ask for this. I was in a car crash, and now I'm in another world being chased by monsters!"
Magnus regarded him with a calm, measured gaze. "I know this is overwhelming, but the more time we waste, the closer the agents of the Dark Sovereign come. You've already felt their presence, and they won't stop until they've captured you. If they succeed, they'll harness the power within you for their own purposes—and Valantria will fall into eternal darkness."
Ethan stopped pacing, the weight of Magnus's words sinking in. His mind raced with conflicting thoughts—part of him wanted to scream that none of this was real, that it had to be a nightmare he'd wake up from any moment. But deep down, something told him this was all too real. The creatures he'd seen, the magic in the air—it wasn't just a dream. It was something more.
"Fine," Ethan muttered, running a hand through his hair. "Let's say I believe you. How do I unlock this... power?"
Magnus stepped forward, his expression growing serious. "The process of awakening your magic is dangerous. It's not something I can do for you. You'll need to face it yourself, confront the deepest parts of your soul. And if you succeed, the magic within you will rise. But if you fail..." He paused, the unspoken words hanging heavily in the air.
Ethan's throat tightened. "What happens if I fail?"
Magnus's eyes darkened. "Then the magic will consume you."
A cold chill ran down Ethan's spine. "So it's either unlock my magic or die trying. Great." He exhaled sharply, trying to steady his nerves. "But if that's the only way to survive, then I'll do it. I don't really have a choice, do I?"
Magnus gave him a solemn nod. "It's not about choice, Ethan. It's about what you're willing to risk to protect this world. Valantria is in danger, and whether you like it or not, you're now a part of that fight."
Ethan swallowed hard, the weight of Magnus's words pressing down on him. He had spent his whole life feeling like just another face in the crowd, someone whose biggest worries were passing exams or figuring out what to do after high school. Now, he was being told that the fate of an entire world rested on his shoulders. It didn't seem real, and yet, standing in that ancient chamber, with the threat of dark forces looming outside, it was impossible to deny.
"Alright," Ethan said, his voice stronger than he felt. "What do I have to do?"
Magnus's expression softened slightly, as if he sensed Ethan's inner turmoil. He placed a hand on the young man's shoulder, his grip firm yet reassuring. "First, you must center yourself. Clear your mind of distractions and fear. The magic you carry is powerful, but it is also volatile. You need to control it, or it will control you."
Ethan nodded, though he had no idea how to "center himself." His thoughts were a whirlwind of confusion, fear, and disbelief. But he forced himself to breathe, to focus. He closed his eyes, trying to shut out the noise of his own doubts.
"Now," Magnus continued, "I will guide you, but the journey inward is yours alone. There will be visions, echoes of the past and future, illusions crafted by the magic within you. You must see through them to reach the core of your power."
"Visions?" Ethan's voice wavered slightly as he opened one eye. "What kind of visions?"
"Memories, fears, and perhaps even pieces of the destiny that awaits you," Magnus replied cryptically. "But remember—none of them are real. They are simply tests, meant to push you to the brink and force you to confront the truth of who you are."
Ethan swallowed hard, the knot in his stomach tightening. "Okay. I'm ready."
Magnus stepped back, his hand raised in a slow, deliberate motion. The air around them began to shift, the faint blue glow in the chamber intensifying. Ethan could feel the magic now, a tangible force wrapping around him like a cocoon. It hummed through the air, vibrating against his skin, and he suddenly felt lightheaded, as if the ground beneath him had disappeared.
The chamber faded away, dissolving into a swirl of colors and shapes. Ethan's vision blurred as the world around him twisted and warped, and then—
Darkness.
---
He was standing in a familiar place now, one that made his heart clench with dread. His old high school. The hallway stretched out before him, lined with lockers and faded posters. The smell of floor polish and sweat hung in the air, and the distant murmur of voices echoed down the corridor.
But something was wrong.
The hallway was empty. Completely silent. No students rushing between classes, no teachers barking orders. Just him. Alone.
"Ethan..."
The voice was soft, barely a whisper, but it sent a jolt of fear through him. He turned, scanning the empty corridor. There was no one there.
"Ethan... you don't belong here."
The voice again, closer this time. Ethan's heart raced as he backed away, his eyes darting from one shadowy corner to the next. "Who's there?" he called, his voice echoing in the stillness.
Suddenly, the shadows at the far end of the hallway began to shift. They twisted and writhed, taking shape, forming into something monstrous. A figure emerged, its form tall and cloaked in darkness, its eyes glowing a sickly green—the same as the creatures that had chased him through the forest.
"You're nothing, Ethan," the figure hissed, its voice low and venomous. "A weakling, unworthy of the power you carry. You'll fail, just like you always do."
Ethan's breath caught in his throat. He tried to move, but his feet felt like they were glued to the floor. The figure advanced, its shadowy tendrils reaching out toward him, cold and suffocating.
"Run!" a voice in his mind screamed. But he couldn't move. The figure was upon him now, its hand reaching for his chest. Ethan could feel the cold seep into his bones, draining the strength from his body.
"You don't deserve this power," the figure snarled, its voice now a roar in his ears. "It will destroy you."
A surge of panic flooded Ethan's veins, but just as he felt himself slipping into the abyss, something deep within him stirred. A warmth, faint at first, but growing stronger. It pushed against the cold, against the fear, burning brighter with each passing second.
*No*, Ethan thought, his mind clear and sharp for the first time. *I won't let this consume me.*
The warmth exploded outward, a wave of energy that sent the figure reeling back, its shadowy form dissolving into mist. Ethan gasped, stumbling back as the hallway around him faded once more, replaced by the swirling vortex of magic.
---
When he opened his eyes again, he was back in the chamber. The glow in the air had dimmed, but the sensation of power still thrummed through his body. He could feel it now, the magic, pulsing beneath his skin, humming in his veins like a second heartbeat.
Magnus stood before him, watching carefully. "You did it."
Ethan exhaled, his body trembling from the ordeal. "I... I felt it," he said, his voice shaking. "The power... it's real."
Magnus nodded. "Now, the real journey begins."
Ethan looked down at his hands, still glowing faintly with the residue of magic. He didn't know what awaited him in this strange new world, but one thing was clear: there was no turning back now.