The forge was quiet, except for the clang of hammer on steel. Kai Ardent wiped the sweat from his forehead, his calloused palms grasping tight on the tongs as he turned the glow blade in the fire. The hot forge air hung heavy even outside, where night had fallen quietly, but this was his haven. This is where he stood in charge, where he had a break in the turmoil the world threw up against him for a few, fleeting moments.
Emberfall was an insubstantial thing, a forgotten speck of little consequence in the lowest of the cultivation realms. Spiritual energy was scarce here, and those who could cultivate were few and far between. Kai wasn't one of them. He had no innate talent, no divine spark. He was just a blacksmith, making tools and weapons for the village guards. It wasn't much, but it was honest work, and it kept food on the table for him and his younger sister, Mira.
Kai paused, setting down his hammer and wiping his hands on his apron. The blade he was working on was nearly finished, its edge sharp and gleaming. It wasn't anything special—just another tool for the village guards—but Kai took pride in his work. It was honest, at least. Unlike the stories of cultivators within the higher realms, who derailed planets with a thought and moved mountains with a single flick of his wrist, everything Kai did flowed from his very own two arms. And those were enough, he told himself.
Footsteps echoed and pulled him from his thoughts. He turned to see Mira standing in the doorway of the forge, her dark hair tied back in a messy braid, her cheeks flushed from the cold. She held a basket in one hand, the smell of fresh bread wafting from it.
"I brought you dinner," she said, stepping inside and setting the basket on a nearby bench. "You've been out here all day. You need to eat."
Despite himself, Kai smiled. Mira was only fifteen, but she had a way of mothering him that always made him feel both grateful and slightly guilty. She shouldn't have to worry about him. He was the older brother; he was supposed to take care of her.
Thanks," he said pulling off his gloves and reaching for the basket. Bread was still warm, and it filled his stomach with growling. He tore off a piece and handed the rest to Mira. "Here, you eat too."
She shook her head pushing the bread back towards him. "I already ate. This is for you.
Kai scowled but said nothing. He knew better than to compete with Mira in an argument. He sat down on the bench, taking his first bite of the freshly baked bread. It was simple satisfaction to have fresh bread and peace.
"How's the blade coming?" Mira asked, looking at the unfinished sword on the anvil.
"Almost done," Kai said around a mouthful of bread. "Just need to polish the edge and add the hilt."
Mira nodded, her expression thoughtful. "Do you ever think about making something… more? Something that could change things for us?"
Kai paused, his hand halfway to his mouth. He knew what she was asking. Mira had always been the dreamer of the two of them, the one who believed that there was more to life than Emberfall. She'd heard the stories, just like he had—stories of cultivators who could fly through the air, summon fire with a thought, and live for centuries. She wanted that for them. For him.
"Mira…" he started, but she cut him off.
"I know, I know," she said, rolling her eyes. "You're just a blacksmith. But you're more than that, Kai. You could be more, if you just…" She trailed off, her gaze dropping to the floor.
Kai let out a heavy sigh, pushing the loaf aside. "Mira, this is our life. We aren't cultivators. We don't have the talent, the resources, the. whatever it takes. And that's alright. We have each other, and we have this village. That's enough.
Mira didn't say anything, but the look in her eyes said it all; she wasn't convinced. Before he could say anything else, a loud crash echoed from the village square, followed by a chorus of shouts.
Kai was on his feet in an instant, his heart racing. "Stay here," he said to Mira, grabbing a nearby hammer and heading for the door.
Kai, wait!" Mira shouted, but he was already outside, his eyes scanning the square for the source of the noise.
The village was in turmoil. People ran in all directions, their pale faces twisted by fear. And the sky - it was somehow wrong. This was a spinning vortex of black and gold that looked like ink spilled upon a canvas. The stars were hidden, and sharp streaks of light zigzagged through this void, their pulsating as if alive, the air being heavy, almost charged with a kind of electricity that made the skin prickle on Kai.
What's happening?" someone shouted, their voice barely audible over the din.
Kai didn't have an answer. He gripped the hammer tighter, his knuckles white, and turned to see Mira standing behind him, her eyes wide with fear.
"I told you to stay inside," he said, his voice sharp with worry.
"I'm not leaving you," she replied, her voice trembling but firm.
Before Kai could argue, the ground beneath their feet began to tremble. A low, guttural roar echoed through the village, sending a chill down Kai's spine. The villagers scattered, their cries of panic filling the air. Kai grabbed Mira's hand and pulled her toward the edge of the square, his heart pounding in his chest.
We must get out of here," he said, his voice tight with fear. Before they could go a crack split open the ground in a deafening sound. There before them stood a chasm, its bottom lost in shadows. From there, shadowy figures began emerging-tall skeletal beings with eyes that glowed and claws shining like obsidian.
Kai's mind raced. He had no weapons, no way to fight these creatures. He glanced around, searching for an escape route, but the village was already in chaos. Flames licked at the rooftops, and the air was thick with smoke and screams.
"Kai!" Mira's voice was shrill with panic. He turned to see one of the creatures lunging toward them, its claws outstretched. Without thinking, Kai shoved Mira behind him and raised his arms in a futile attempt to shield her.
The creature was upon them in an instant, its glowing eyes boring into Kai's. He braced for the impact, but it never came. Instead, a blinding light issued from his chest, making the creature shriek in retreat as it stumbled back. Kai lost his footing and tripped back also, his sight spinning with the lessening of light. He lowered his eyes, staring at something: a talisman on the end of a cord that sat against his collarbone. A glow had grown on it faintly, in shimmering ethereal strands around it.
What…?" Kai started to say, but he had no time to think. The creature was coming back, its claws flexing in preparation for another attack. Kai took Mira's hand and ran, his heart pounding in his ears.
On approaching the edge of the village, the forest stood looming ahead as a dark wall. Kai looked back over his shoulder; his stomach twisted at the sight of his home as it was enveloped by the devastating flames. His lifetime friends in the village were nowhere to be seen; their cries had been overwhelmed by the chaos.
"Kai, we can't leave them!" Mira cried, tears dropping from her face.
"We have to," he said, his voice breaking. "There's nothing we can do."
As they plunged into the forest, Kai felt a strange pull in his chest, as if the talisman was guiding him. He didn't understand what was happening, but one thing was clear: his life would never be the same.
(-_-)