Jin Woo sat on the edge of his bed, staring at the book he had taken from the archives. **The Chronicles of Arkanis** lay open on his lap, its pages filled with ominous accounts of a world torn apart by the Gatekeeper's will.
The words seemed to leap off the page:
"The Gatekeeper held dominion over the monstrous realms, not as a hero or savior, but as a king. His power was absolute, his reign unquestioned. Those who opposed him knelt, not out of loyalty, but out of fear."
Jin Woo's hands trembled as he turned the page. The images etched into the parchment were haunting: armies of monstrous creatures bowing before a shadowy figure, gates tearing through the fabric of reality, entire cities crumbling under his gaze.
He closed the book abruptly, the weight of its contents pressing down on him like a physical force.
"Is this who I really am?" he whispered to himself.
---
The next morning, Jin Woo was summoned to the Academy's Council Hall, a place reserved for high-level awakeners and matters of great importance. He hadn't been told why, but the knot in his stomach told him it wasn't good.
As he entered the grand chamber, he was met with the cold stares of the council members. Headmaster Baek stood at the center, his presence commanding. Hana, Dojin, and Min Soo were also present, their expressions a mix of concern and curiosity.
"Jin Woo," Baek began, his voice echoing in the chamber. "We have reviewed the details of the recent gate mission. Your actions, while commendable, have raised… troubling questions."
Jin Woo stood stiffly, unsure of what to say.
"The power you displayed," one council member said, her tone sharp. "It is not natural. It is not something an F-class awakener should possess."
Another council member leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. "What are you hiding, Jin Woo?"
"I'm not hiding anything," Jin Woo said, though the lie tasted bitter.
"Enough," Baek said, raising a hand to silence the room. He turned his piercing gaze to Jin Woo. "You may not understand the nature of your power, but it is clear that it is dangerous. For your safety and the safety of others, we must monitor you closely."
"Monitor me?" Jin Woo asked, his voice rising.
Baek nodded. "Until we can determine the source of your abilities, you will be restricted from participating in further missions. You will also undergo regular evaluations."
Jin Woo clenched his fists. "I didn't ask for this power. I didn't ask for any of this."
"That may be true," Baek said, his tone softening. "But power is not something to be taken lightly. If you cannot control it, it will control you."
---
After the meeting, Hana caught up with Jin Woo as he stormed out of the hall.
"Wait, Jin Woo!" she called, grabbing his arm.
He stopped but didn't turn to face her.
"Talk to me," she said. "What's going on with you? This isn't like you."
Jin Woo shook his head. "You wouldn't understand."
"Then make me understand," Hana insisted. "You're shutting everyone out, and it's not helping."
Jin Woo turned to her, his eyes filled with frustration and pain. "Do you know what it's like to not know who you are? To feel like you're losing yourself?"
Hana hesitated, her grip on his arm tightening. "No, I don't. But you're not alone in this, Jin Woo. Whatever it is, we'll figure it out. Together."
Jin Woo sighed, pulling away from her. "I need time, Hana. Just… leave me alone for now."
Hana watched him walk away, her heart sinking.
---
That night, Jin Woo found himself standing in the courtyard, the cold air biting at his skin. The Academy was quiet, the only sound the rustling of leaves in the wind.
He closed his eyes, trying to calm the storm inside him. But instead of peace, he felt the familiar presence of the shadow.
"You again," he muttered, opening his eyes.
The shadowy figure stood before him, its form more defined than before. Its eyes glowed with an otherworldly light, and its voice was deep and resonant.
"You cannot escape the truth, Arkanis."
"Stop calling me that!" Jin Woo snapped. "I'm not him. I'm not a king. I'm not a monster."
The shadow tilted its head, as if amused. "Denial will not change your fate. The power within you is not a curse. It is your birthright."
Jin Woo shook his head. "I don't want it. I never wanted it."
"Want is irrelevant," the shadow said, stepping closer. **"The throne has chosen you. The gates will continue to open, and the monsters will come. They will come for you."
Jin Woo's breath caught. "Why me?"
"Because you are their king," the shadow said simply. "And kings do not hide from their destiny."
Before Jin Woo could respond, the shadow faded, leaving him alone in the courtyard.
---
As dawn broke, Jin Woo stood at the edge of the Academy grounds, staring out at the horizon. The world felt larger and more dangerous than ever, but he couldn't ignore the truth any longer.
The shadow's words echoed in his mind: "The gates will continue to open."
If he truly was the cause of the gates and the monsters, then he had a responsibility to stop it. But to do that, he would have to embrace the power he feared so much.
"I don't know if I can do this," he whispered.
But deep down, he knew he didn't have a choice.
---
**End of Chapter 14**