Chapter 2: The First Step
The light from the artifact died down, leaving the alley in oppressive darkness. Kaylen staggered back, his fingers tingling with residual energy. He looked at the thieves, their faces frozen in shock.
"What the hell was that?" the taller one hissed, his voice laced with fear. "You didn't say it would do that!"
Kaylen shook his head, trying to catch his breath. "I didn't know either." But deep down, he felt a spark of something more—a faint, unfamiliar warmth within him. For the first time in his life, he wasn't completely empty.
The shorter thief stepped forward, his Signature flaring defensively. "If you've ruined it, we're done. You're dead, Blank."
"Relax," Kaylen said, raising his hands. "I don't think it's broken. Look at it—it's still intact."
They glanced at the artifact, now sitting inert in its casing. The glow had faded, but its intricate design remained unmarred. The taller thief rubbed his chin, then jabbed a finger at Kaylen. "You touched it, so you're finishing the job. If this thing doesn't work, we're coming for you."
Kaylen swallowed hard but nodded. "Fine. Deal."
Without another word, the thieves disappeared into the shadows, leaving Kaylen alone with the artifact. He crouched down, examining it more closely. It wasn't like anything he'd seen before—cylindrical, etched with strange runes, and faintly warm to the touch. It felt alive somehow, pulsing faintly beneath his fingertips.
Curiosity overwhelmed caution. Kaylen pocketed the artifact and hurried back to his apartment, his thoughts racing. Whatever this thing was, it had done something to him. He could feel it. But what?
---
Back in his dingy room, Kaylen locked the door and placed the artifact on the table. He stared at it, willing it to reveal its secrets. Minutes passed. Nothing happened. Frustration bubbled up, but he forced himself to stay calm. Whatever it had done to him earlier, it wasn't random. He just needed to figure out how to trigger it again.
He clenched his fists, focusing on the faint warmth he'd felt earlier. His body tensed as a strange sensation bubbled to the surface—a faint, tingling energy that seemed to dance beneath his skin. Then, without warning, his vision shifted. A shimmering pattern appeared before his eyes, overlaid on the room like a ghostly projection.
"What... what is this?" he muttered, blinking rapidly. The patterns didn't fade. Instead, they began to coalesce, forming shapes and symbols that seemed almost familiar. He reached out instinctively, and his hand passed through one of the shimmering symbols. It rippled like water, then vanished.
As the last symbol disappeared, a sudden flood of information overwhelmed him. He saw flashes of memories that weren't his own—people wielding powers, forging alliances, and fighting battles. Techniques, strategies, even the sensation of channeling a Signature—all of it poured into his mind.
And then, just as abruptly as it started, it stopped. Kaylen gasped, clutching his head. The room swayed, and he collapsed onto the bed. His vision blurred, but his thoughts were crystal clear.
"I... I felt it," he whispered. "I felt a Signature."
He sat up slowly, his heart pounding. If the memories were real, then the artifact hadn't just given him information—it had shown him how to mimic a Signature. He could feel it now, a faint echo of power waiting to be called upon.
Testing his theory, he held out his hand and focused. The air around his palm shimmered, and suddenly, a faint glow appeared. It was weak, unstable, but it was there.
Kaylen laughed—a sharp, disbelieving sound that echoed in the tiny room. For years, he'd been told he was nothing. A Blank. Now, he had proof otherwise. The artifact had changed everything.
---
The next day, Kaylen ventured into the market district. He kept his hood low, his mind racing with possibilities. The thieves would come looking for him soon, but for now, he needed to test his newfound ability.
He spotted a street performer juggling flames—a flashy display of their Signature. Kaylen stopped in the crowd, observing carefully. He watched the way the performer moved, the subtle flicker of their energy as they manipulated the fire.
Then he closed his eyes and focused. The artifact's warmth surged within him, and he felt the faint spark of a connection. When he opened his eyes, his hand glowed faintly. With a flick of his wrist, a small flame appeared, hovering just above his palm.
The crowd gasped, but Kaylen quickly extinguished it, blending back into the masses. His heart raced as adrenaline coursed through him. He'd done it. He'd copied the performer's Signature.
But as the excitement faded, a pang of guilt crept in. This wasn't his power. It wasn't real. He was still a Blank, wasn't he? The thought gnawed at him, but he pushed it aside. For now, it didn't matter. He finally had a way to change his life.
As he turned to leave, a pair of eyes followed him from the shadows. A cloaked figure stepped back into the alley, pulling out a communication device.
"We've got an anomaly," the figure said, their voice low and urgent. "A Blank just used a Signature. Send a team."
Unaware of the danger closing in, Kaylen disappeared into the bustling streets, his mind filled with plans for the future. He had no idea that his actions had already drawn attention—and that his newfound power came with a price.