The morning breeze blew gently across the fields surrounding Verniel, a small town hidden deep within the 4th district. The cobblestone streets were still deserted, save for a few merchants setting up their stalls in the central market. Lian walked slowly through the familiar streets, his pace unhurried as he took in the simple facades of the wooden and stone houses. It was an ordinary sight, but one he cherished.
Lian, with his messy brown hair and eyes of the same hue, was a boy taller than average, though his reserved posture often kept him from standing out. He wore simple clothes—a coarse shirt and worn-out trousers, practical for a day of work or his visits to the forest. A quiet smile played on his face as he made his way home after a brief morning stroll, a routine he enjoyed to clear his thoughts.
Today, however, would be different. He was turning 17, and that meant only one thing: the revelation of his weapon. Like many young people in the district, Lian awaited this moment with a mix of anticipation and dread.
As he approached the small house where he lived with his family, he saw Mia, his younger sister, crouched near the garden, trying to catch a black cat that stubbornly evaded her small hands. With her light-colored hair contrasting against Lian's darker locks, Mia had bright, curious eyes that always sparkled with energy.
"Do you think your weapon will be amazing, Lian? Maybe a flaming sword, or who knows, a giant scythe?" she asked, smiling with a gap-toothed grin typical of her age.
"With my luck? It'll probably be something like a fork," he replied, laughing as he knelt to help her try to catch the cat.
"Ah, don't be silly! You're going to be amazing, I know it!"
He ruffled her hair. "I just hope it's something I can use without embarrassing myself."
Inside the house, their mother, Lyara, was busy preparing breakfast. She was a well-respected healer in the town, known for her patience and skill with herbs. Their father, Edrin, sat at the table, engrossed in an old hunting book. Once a skilled hunter, he had been forced into early retirement by a leg injury.
"You're back early today, Lian," his father remarked, not looking up from the book.
"I wanted to enjoy the day. It's not every day you turn 17," Lian replied, taking a seat at the table.
As they shared their meal, a distant explosion shook the house. Lian's smile vanished instantly. Outside, the sky began to turn red, and the sound of screams echoed through the streets.
"It's coming from the town's entrance..." his father muttered, standing and grabbing an old sword from the wall. He looked at Lian with a serious expression. "Stay here and protect your mother and sister."
Before Lian could protest, another explosion shook the ground. Ignoring the command, he ran to the door. What he saw made his stomach churn.
Tall, slender creatures with pale skin, glowing ember-like eyes, and broken horns were invading the town, destroying everything in their path. They were swift, deadly, and coordinated, toppling houses and attacking the townsfolk.
"The Kyn..." Lian had heard of them but had always dismissed them as mere travelers' tales. They were described as intelligent, cruel monsters, an ancient race that despised humans.
One Kyn advanced toward a group of children trying to flee. Acting on instinct, Lian grabbed a training staff and charged. His strike was easily blocked, but before the creature could retaliate, Lian's father appeared, driving his sword into the enemy's side.
"Go back to the house, Lian!" his father shouted, eyes locked on his foe.
Lian hesitated but knew he had to protect his family. He sprinted back home, only to find the house engulfed in flames. Inside, he could hear the screams of his mother and Mia. He tried to rush in, but the heat and smoke drove him back.
"No!" he yelled, attempting to push forward, but his injured father pulled him back, breathing heavily.
The next explosion separated them. As the dust settled, Lian saw a Kyn drive its sword through his father's chest. Edrin fell to his knees, unable to say a word.
Lian screamed, charging at the enemy, but was struck and thrown to the ground. As he lay there, pain coursing through his body, he felt something warm in his right hand. A glowing symbol appeared, but he couldn't make out what it was before losing consciousness.
When he awoke, the town was in ruins. The smell of smoke and blood was suffocating, and the silence was worse than the screams. Staggering to what remained of his home, he found Mia's bracelet among the ashes, stained with soot.
His heart filled with hatred as the symbol on his hand began to glow. Lian screamed, a wild, guttural sound, his eyes devoid of life. Dark energy surged from his hand, blanketing the surroundings with an oppressive aura. The pressure grew until his body gave out, and he collapsed unconscious.
The symbol on his hand faded away.