The Next Day,,
The sunlight filters through the trees, casting long, dappled shadows on the ground outside Marsel's home.
The scent of fresh herbs and earthy wood mixes with the warmth of the fire crackling inside.
Ace sits at the table, his fingers tapping nervously against the ceramic cup in front of him.
The tea inside smells earthy, bitter—a far cry from what he's used to, but the warmth of it helps settle his nerves.
Elira moves about the kitchen with quiet precision, preparing a simple meal of scrambled eggs and roasted vegetables.
She hums a soft tune under her breath, the rhythm of her movements like a balm to Ace's frayed nerves.
The way she has been trying to get close to Ace and treating him with all the tenderness in the world, it just raises Ace's brows in wonder.
He watches her for a moment, wondering if kindness is her nature or if she has something behind her kindness to him.
Marsel sits across from Ace, slicing through a loaf of freshly baked bread.
He's a man of few words in the morning, but the calmness he exudes somehow makes Ace feel like he can breathe a little easier.
Still, the weight of his responsibilities presses heavily on him, the fear of what he's becoming gnawing at him from within.
Finally, after what feels like an eternity of silence, Ace speaks.
"When's today's lesson starting?" His voice carries a trace of impatience, though he doesn't mean to sound frustrated.
The truth is, he's afraid of what might come next, but he knows he can't just sit here in limbo.
Marsel glances up from his bread, a small smirk on his face. "Eager, huh?" He shakes his head lightly. "Alright. We'll start soon."
Elira turns to Ace, "Dear , first, you should eat." She says.
"She's right, You're going to need your strength." Marsel adds.
Ace huffs, but picks up the fork and digs in. The food is simple, but it's satisfying, the warmth of it seeping into his bones, calming his nerves, if only for a moment.
As he chews, his mind begins to drift again, his thoughts turning to the burning question he's been struggling with ever since Marsel first told him about his powers.
He puts down his fork and finally asks, "Yesterday, you mentioned my soulmark. What exactly does it mean?"
Marsel's expression shifts slightly.
After a moment, he leans back in his chair and takes a slow breath. "Your soulmark," he begins, his voice measured and steady, "isn't just some random birthmark. It's a symbol of your connection to the Moon Goddess. It's not just a mark. It's part of your soul, part of what makes you who you are."
Ace's brow furrows. "A symbol of my connection to the goddess? But what does it mean? Why did she choose me?" He doesn't know if it's the hunger for answers or the desperation to understand himself that pushes him to ask more, but his voice comes out strained. "I still don't get it."
Marsel gives a small, almost regretful smile. "The truth is, Ace, the soulmark is the key to everything. It signifies your bond to the goddess and your destiny. It's a mark that connects you to something greater than yourself, something ancient and powerful."
Ace's heart pounds in his chest. "Okay fine. But why me? I don't understand. I don't even know who my parents are. I don't know where I come from." His voice cracks, raw emotion bleeding through. "They threw me away like I was nothing. How could I be destined for anything?"
Marsel and Elira look at each other for a brief moment, and it's like Elira herself can't hold herself back.
"Ace , dear , maybe they were forced to do that, every parent loves their child and unless something forces , they wouldn't just abandon them. They must have wanted to be with you, but maybe destiny didn't allow." She explains desperately, as if hoping very deeply that Ace understands that.
"Fine, whatever." Ace answers simply turning to Marsel.
"About your soulmark: Your power, your abilities, all of it comes from that mark. It's more than just a gift—it's a responsibility. The goddess doesn't choose her champions lightly. And even though you feel lost right now, that mark means you have a purpose." Marsel says.
"I don't know if I can do it." Ace whispers to himself but Marsel hears it.
Marsel's gaze hardens, and he leans forward, locking eyes with Ace. "That's why we're here, Ace. To help you through it. To help you realize that you are not alone in this. You're not the only one who's struggled. Even the most powerful of us have faced challenges. It's how you rise from them that matters."
Ace stays silent for a long moment, absorbing Marsel's words. The weight of his soulmark presses on his chest, and the connection to Kieran, to everything, feels like a knot that refuses to untangle.
Marsel continues, "As you grow, your powers will become more than just something you can use—they'll become a part of you. They can protect, heal, even destroy if necessary."
"Destroy?" Ace's voice catches in his throat. "Why would I want to destroy anything?"
Marsel's gaze becomes serious. "Your powers aren't just about defense. They're about balance. Sometimes, destruction is necessary for rebirth. But you must learn to control them. These powers are tied to your emotions, your intentions. They're born from your soulmark, and the Moon Goddess herself infused them with the fire of her light. Fire is what you're most connected to. It's the most destructive and dangerous part of your abilities."
Ace's stomach turns at the thought of wielding such power. "I don't want to hurt anyone. I... it... I killed a woman."
"I know." Marsel says knowingly. "And it was necessary, so stop feeling guilty about it. Your powers will detect your enemies , and your emotions will trigger them to destroy them. But if you learn how to control them, you can control them not to kill that enemy, maybe for future reference or anything."
"You know that?! You know that I killed someone?!"
"Yes"
Ace can't believe how this man knows everything. "Then do you know Lila? Lila the woman in Kieran's mansion." Ace asks suddenly.
"Yes, what about her?"
"Tell me if she is just a normal person or she is hiding something, does she have a hidden agenda?" Ace asks .
"What do you think? Mh? You tell me , is she?"
"You said you know about her so why don't you just tell me?"
"I just know her , I don't know her intentions." Marsel lies standing up. He wants Ace to figure that out himself .
In fact he is happy to know that , Ace has already detected his first enemy.
He motions for Ace to follow. "Come on, we should start now , but before we go to your powers , I need you to control your shifting into a wolf , then turn back. That way we can move to the next step."
They go to where they were yesterday, and Ace compels himself real hard , he doesn't want to fail Marsel for his teachings , so he shifts, and shifts back , even if it has taken a little minutes, he has done it by himself.