Andre's heart was heavy as he shuffled his feet, wandering into the forest. The day at school had gone the it always had for the past two years.
The dense canopy above swallowing the noise of the bustling city he had left behind. His footsteps crunched over dried leaves and twigs, each sound accentuated by the profound stillness of his sanctuary. It was here, away from the jeering crowds and their superhuman feats, that Andre felt at peace.
This had become habitual for Andre over the past few months, he would come here during the evenings to gather his thoughts. The journey was easier for him as his house was close to the outskirts, overseeing the lake and forest greenery. He would oftentimes sneak out of the house without anyone's notice, on other occasions, his ever curious sister, Tara would alert his parents bringing inquiries. He loved this spot, it was hardly ever ventured.
Deep in the forest were areas marked to be out of bounds for anyone below the earl class as it was said those were the zones where the beasts of such class roamed. There was a barrier placed by mages to prevent the beasts from crossing said zones into the city. This was common knowledge to the general public.
Andre reached the clearing with the ancient oak tree, its gnarled roots twisting like tendrils reaching into the earth. This tree had been a silent companion during his many moments. He sat down with his back pressed against its massive trunk and sighed, his breath catching in the crisp air.
"Maybe I'm not meant for this world," he muttered, running his hands through his hair.
The forest offered no reply, only the gentle rustle of leaves in the wind. As Andre closed his eyes, surrendering to the quiet, something unusual caught his attention; a faint glimmer at the base of the oak.
At first, he thought it was a trick of the light, a playful reflection from the setting sun. But the gleam persisted, flickering like a tiny star trapped in the earth. Curiosity tugged at him, pulling him toward the source.
He crouched by the roots, brushing away layers of soil and decaying leaves. The glimmer grew brighter, revealing an object partially buried in the dirt. With trembling hands, he unearthed it.
It was a coin, but unlike any he had ever seen.
The coin was slightly larger than his palm, rough to the touch with strange runic symbols engraved on it. Its surface shimmered, shifting between hues of gold and crimson as if it couldn't decide on a color. The intricate ancient-looking symbols etched into its surface seemed to move subtly, rearranging themselves in patterns that evoked a strange sense of purpose.
Andre stared at it, mesmerized. The air around him seemed to grow still, heavy with an invisible presence. His fingers tingled as he held the coin closer to his face.
The coin began to pulse faintly, a rhythmic vibration that matched the beat of his heart. It felt alive.
Against every ounce of caution screaming in his mind, Andre tightened his grip around the coin.
The moment his skin made full contact with it, the world seemed to explode.
A searing pain shot through his hand, spreading like wildfire through his veins. His muscles locked as his entire body convulsed. He tried to scream, but the sound was swallowed by an overwhelming rush of energy. The symbols on the coin flared to life, glowing brighter than the sun.
Visions flooded his mind; images so vivid they felt real. He saw colossal beings locked in battle, their forms towering over mountains. He saw a vast, star-filled void where time seemed meaningless. He saw the coin itself, forged in fire and shadow, passed through the hands of countless figures throughout history.
The pain intensified, his nerves alight with sensations both agonizing and exhilarating. It was as though every molecule in his body was being dismantled and reassembled. He clawed at the ground, his nails digging into the dirt as tears streamed down his face.
"Make it stop!" he gasped, but the force ignored his plea.
The energy surged again, this time centering in his chest. It felt like a dam breaking, releasing a torrent of power that was too vast, too ancient to comprehend.
Just as he thought his body would rip apart under the strain, everything stopped.
The clearing fell silent. The coin, now cool to the touch, rested in his trembling hand, seemed to be dissipating into thin air. Andre collapsed onto his back, gasping for air, his eyelids shutting close as he passed out on the forest floor.
Andre had no idea how long he was out for but when he woke up, the setting sun was still on the horizon which could only mean he had not passed out up to an hour. His entire body felt different - stronger, heavier, as though it had been filled with something immense.
For a long moment, he lay there, staring at the canopy of leaves above. His heart still pounded, but the pain was gone, replaced by an eerie calm.
Finally, he sat up, his fingers twitching, as if it were still remembering the pain he had just gone through.
"What... what just happened?" he whispered, his voice hoarse.
The forest offered no answers. The air was still and quiet, as though the world itself was holding its breath.
Strangely enough, he could see much farther and much more clearly and his hearing had also improved as he could hear sounds that seemed to be much farther than he should have been able to hear. It seemed all his senses were upgraded, a phemonon he was trying to wrap his head around.
Andre's gaze shifted to his hand, where faint traces of light lingered beneath his skin, pulsing in time with his heartbeat. The energy he had felt earlier was still there, coiled within him, waiting.
Curious and cautious, he extended his hand toward a nearby rock. He focused on the sensation in his chest, willing it outward.
To his astonishment, a spark of light erupted from his palm, forming a small, glowing orb. The light hummed softly, radiating warmth.
Andre stared, his mind racing. With a flick of his wrist, the orb darted forward, colliding with the rock and shattering it into fragments.
He stumbled backward, his breathing shallow.
"This... this can't be real," he muttered, but the evidence was undeniable.
The coin had done something to him, something impossible. For the first time in his life, he felt powerful - not just in body, but in spirit.