The morning sun bathed the village of Ashen Grove in a soft golden hue, but for Axton Backwoods, it felt no different than any other day. The air buzzed with life as villagers bustled about, tending to their routines—traders arranging their goods, children chasing one another through narrow paths, and sparks of elemental energy occasionally flashing from the hands of those gifted with power.
Axton walked the familiar dirt road to his school, his hands tucked into the pockets of his tattered coat. His head was low, avoiding the stares of others. Most kids in the village had shown some sign of their elemental powers by now, even if they were weak— a flicker of flame, a tiny gust of wind, or a small splash of water. But for Axton, there was nothing. No spark, no flame, no power.
In a world where power defined worth, Axton felt like an outlier.
As he reached the school gates, a group of students whispered among themselves. One of them, a lanky boy with a cocky grin, called out to him. "Hey, Backwoods! Find any hidden power yet? Or are you still as useless as ever?"
Axton ignored them, his face impassive, but their words struck deep. He was used to it—years of being overlooked, mocked, or simply dismissed had hardened him. Even his foster parents, William and Evelyn, tried to comfort him, saying his time would come. But deep down, Axton wondered if that was just something they told him to keep his hope alive.
The day dragged on, filled with lectures about elemental control and techniques that Axton couldn't even begin to comprehend. By the time the bell rang, signaling the end of the day, Axton was ready to retreat to the quiet of the woods surrounding the village—a place where he felt most at peace.
As he walked through the dense trees, the chatter of the village faded, replaced by the soft rustle of leaves and the distant call of birds. He sat by his favorite spot, a large oak tree with sprawling roots, and gazed at the horizon.
He couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing—something big. It was as if the world around him was waiting for something to happen, but he couldn't see what.
The wind picked up slightly, and for a brief moment, Axton thought he heard a faint whisper carried on the breeze. He looked around, but there was no one in sight. Shaking his head, he dismissed it as his imagination.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Axton made his way back home, the weight of the day still heavy on his shoulders. The stars began to dot the sky, and he paused for a moment to look up.
Unbeknownst to him, forces beyond his understanding were already in motion.