The sun hung low over the quiet village of Lyris, painting the cobblestone streets and thatched roofs in hues of amber and gold. It was a peaceful place, nestled between rolling green hills and the Whispering Woods, where the rustling leaves seemed to sing with the breeze. To Kael, the village was both a sanctuary and a cage.
At sixteen, Kael had spent his entire life in Lyris, raised by Mara, the village elder, after his parents vanished when he was just a baby. Mara often told him tales of their bravery, though she never revealed much beyond that they were "special people." Kael, however, felt anything but special. He was lanky, with unruly dark hair and mismatched eyes—one a stormy gray, the other a piercing blue—a feature that earned him as many curious stares as whispered rumors.
Today, like most days, Kael was running deliveries for Mara, carrying small parcels of herbs and trinkets to the villagers. It was honest work, if monotonous, and it kept him busy enough to ignore the strange dreams that had plagued him for weeks. Dreams of a glowing amulet and a voice, soft yet commanding, calling his name.
"Kael!" Mara's sharp voice broke through his thoughts. She stood at her garden gate, her wiry frame silhouetted against the setting sun. "If you don't hurry, you'll miss the start of the festival."
Kael sighed, shifting the satchel on his shoulder. "I'm going, I'm going."
The Festival of Lumina was the biggest event of the year in Lyris, celebrating the goddess of light and the blessings she supposedly bestowed upon the village. For Kael, it was little more than a noisy distraction. Yet tradition dictated everyone participate, and Mara had no patience for his reluctance.
The village square buzzed with life when Kael arrived. Lanterns hung from every post, casting a warm glow over the gathered crowd. Children chased each other with sparklers, while vendors called out to passersby, selling everything from roasted nuts to carved figurines. At the center of it all stood the ceremonial bonfire, a towering structure of wood and straw waiting to be lit.
Kael lingered at the edge of the crowd, avoiding the clusters of villagers who whispered about him when they thought he couldn't hear. He knew what they said: "That's the boy with the strange eyes. They say he's cursed." He clenched his fists, forcing himself to focus on the flickering light of the lanterns.
The festival officially began with a prayer from Mara, her voice ringing clear and strong despite her years. She spoke of Lumina's protection and the balance of light and dark, her words a comfort to many. Yet as the bonfire was lit, sending sparks spiraling into the night sky, Kael felt anything but comforted.
A chill ran down his spine, stark and unnatural against the warmth of the flames. He scanned the crowd, searching for the source of his unease, when he saw them—shadows, darker than the night itself, slipping between the trees at the edge of the square. His mismatched eyes widened.
Before he could shout a warning, the shadows surged forward, taking form as monstrous creatures with jagged limbs and glowing red eyes. Panic erupted as the villagers screamed and scattered, their festival joy replaced with terror.
Kael stumbled back, his heart pounding. One of the creatures lunged at him, its claws glinting in the firelight. He raised his arms in a futile attempt to shield himself, but just as the creature struck, a blinding light burst from his body. The creature shrieked, disintegrating into wisps of smoke.
The light faded, leaving Kael stunned and gasping for breath. Around him, villagers stared, their fear now mingled with awe and suspicion. "What… what was that?" someone whispered.
Kael had no answer. His hands trembled as he looked down at them, as if they belonged to someone else. But before he could process what had happened, a figure stepped forward from the shadows—a man clad in dark armor, with a sword glinting at his side. His face was partially obscured by a hood, but his presence commanded attention.
The man raised his blade, pointing it at the remaining shadow creatures. "Begone," he said, his voice low and resonant. The creatures hesitated, then retreated into the woods, vanishing as swiftly as they had come.
The man turned to Kael, his piercing gaze locking onto the boy. "You're the one I've been searching for," he said.
Kael blinked, still reeling from the chaos. "What are you talking about? Who are you?"
The man sheathed his sword and extended a hand. "My name is Ardyn," he said. "And you, Kael, are far more important than you realize."