Crack.
Deep in the heart of the moonlit Forest of Erasia, where ancient trees whispered secrets of long-forgotten kings and magic older than time itself, an egg was about to hatch.
It was large, adorned with smooth golden patterns that pulsed faintly under the silvery glow of the moon. A hushed anticipation filled the air as fairies flitted between the branches, their delicate wings shimmering, while the guardians of the forest stood motionless, their gazes locked on the egg.
Crack.
A jagged fracture split across the shell. Pieces crumbled away, revealing glimpses of something stirring within. Then, with one final break, the egg shattered completely, unveiling a newborn creature.
He had striking red eyes that gleamed like embers and hair as black as the void. His small form barely moved as he took in the world around him.
At first glance, he looked human, but that was impossible—humans did not hatch from eggs.
He was nameless. A being without an identity, yet destined to change the fate of the world.
The eldest of the forest guardians, an ancient figure draped in robes woven from moonlight and leaves, stepped forward. With careful hands, he lifted the child, his voice trembling with both awe and reverence as he spoke.
"Our king is born."
A wave of cheers and joyous cries erupted throughout the forest, a melody of celebration carried by the wind. Yet, beneath the elation, an unspoken worry darkened the expressions of the highest-ranking guardians.
_______
Far away, in a chamber deep beneath the earth, shadows danced along cold stone walls. A congregation of robed figures knelt before a grotesque idol, its twisted form looming over them.
The air reeked of burning incense and dried blood, thick with the weight of unseen forces. The flickering candlelight barely held back the darkness that coiled in every corner.
Then, without warning, a crimson radiance erupted from the void. It slithered through the chamber like a living thing, swallowing the candlelight in its wake. The worshippers stiffened, their chants faltering as an unbearable pressure settled over them.
A sign.
Terror rippled through the congregation. They had long awaited this moment, yet now that it had arrived, dread gnawed at their souls.
"The feared presence has awakened," a voice whispered, barely audible over the suffocating silence. "The one sent by God has been born."
_______
Back in the heart of the forest, the eldest guardian and his brethren carried the newborn toward the Tower of Light—a sacred monument that had stood since the dawn of Erasia.
It was a structure of ancient stone, infused with divine energy, its very presence a testament to the power that governed the land. The tower shimmered as they approached, its golden light growing in intensity, as though acknowledging the arrival of the prophesied heir.
The great bronze doors groaned open. Inside, the vast hall was illuminated by a massive, circular table carved from a single slab of luminous crystal. The celestial constellations above mirrored its intricate engravings, as if the heavens themselves bore witness to this moment.
With solemn care, the elder placed the child at the center of the table. The room stilled, the gathered guardians watching in silence, knowing that the fate of Erasia had just been sealed.
The elder spoke first, his voice grave. "His power is too great for his fragile body."
The newborn trembled, a faint ripple of energy surging through the air. Even in slumber, he seemed aware of the force within him—an uncontained storm trapped in a vessel too delicate to bear its weight.
"Should we seal his power?" one of the guardians asked, hesitant.
The elder did not respond immediately. He stroked his long, silver beard, lost in thought. The flickering torches cast shifting shadows across the chamber, as if the very walls held their breath. Finally, he exhaled.
"It would be best… for now."
A solemn understanding passed between them. Raising their hands, they began an ancient chant, their voices weaving through the air like threads of fate. Soft blue light unfurled from their palms, swirling like a living mist, encircling the child. The glow grew brighter, lifting him into the air, cradling him within its embrace. The infant stirred but did not wake.
Then, with a final, silent pulse, the magic sank into his being and disappeared.
The sealing was complete.
Yet, even as relief settled over the guardians, another truth remained.
"We cannot raise this child here," one of them murmured. "He must learn to live in the human world."
Silence followed, heavy and reluctant. The tower was a place of power, not a home for a child burdened with destiny.
At last, a decision was made. "There is a human family near the forest," one guardian suggested. "They will raise him."
One by one, they nodded. It was the best choice—the only choice. A human life would grant him the normalcy they never could.
That night, under the veil of darkness, the guardians carried the infant beyond the sacred grounds, their movements as silent as the whispering wind. The stars bore witness as they reached a modest wooden house on the forest's edge. A lantern flickered on the porch, casting a soft, golden glow over the simple dwelling.
With gentle care, they wrapped the baby in an enchanted cloth, protecting him from the chill of the night. Then, placing him at the doorstep, they stepped back, their hearts heavy with the weight of their decision.
For a moment, all was still.
Then, a sound—soft at first, then rising—a fragile cry that echoed through the quiet night.
Inside the house, a woman stirred. Her eyes fluttered open, heart quickening as she sat up, listening. Another cry followed, unmistakable.
Frowning, she slipped out of bed, drawn toward the sound. The wooden floor creaked beneath her steps as she reached the door, her fingers hesitating on the handle.
Then, she opened it.
The lantern's glow spilled over the small bundle at her feet, illuminating the peaceful face of a sleeping child.
Her breath caught.
She did not know it yet, but the moment she lifted that child into her arms, her fate—and the fate of the world—had changed forever.