Darkness still loomed over the land as Akin lay motionless in the cave, his breathing shallow, his mind clouded with pain, loss, and rage. The air felt heavy—as if the forest itself mourned. In this foreign world, stripped of power, abandoned, and betrayed, he had nothing but the echoes of his past and the ache in his chest.
Images of his parents flashed in his mind. His mother, always smiling, calling him her "gentle genius." His father, full of pride when Akin fixed a broken phone at just age ten. He remembered their evening talks, their encouragement when he struggled, and the warmth of their embrace. Nigeria might've been chaotic at times, but it was home. Akin never thought he'd miss it this much.
Tears rolled down his cheeks.
"I didn't ask to be here… You ruined everything…"
He clenched his fists, nails digging into his palms. The pain brought clarity.
"Mage… Kingdom… Even if it takes everything… even if I become a monster in their eyes… I swear—"
"Be it in spirit or flesh… I will get my revenge."
Suddenly, the cave trembled.
A soft wind blew, though no entrance was open. A radiant blue light slowly formed before him, twisting like smoke until it became a figure—ancient and ethereal, with eyes that held the sorrow of ages. It was the deity of the land.
"You carry rage… grief… but also resolve," the being spoke, its voice echoing within Akin's mind. "You are not the first to be wronged… This land too was betrayed… Would you hear its tale?"
Akin's body couldn't move, but his eyes narrowed. He gave a slight nod.
The deity raised its hand, and suddenly, Akin's vision shifted.
He saw a land once known as Elarian, a vast realm where humans, beastkin, elves, and noble demons lived in harmony. A society built on knowledge, magic, and balance. They were ahead of every other kingdom—masters of alchemy, spiritual arts, and elemental magic. Children learned to bend water before they learned to speak. Warriors forged weapons with lightning and healed with light.
But their unity was feared.
The surrounding kingdoms, especially the human-led empires, saw Elarian as a threat. In secret, they formed alliances, spreading lies, twisting the truth, labeling Elarian's people as heretics and monsters.
One by one, they invaded.
"They came under banners of justice, but they only wanted what we knew," the deity said. "We fought with honor, but were outnumbered."
The vision showed fire raining from the skies, beastkin warriors shielding children, elven mages casting defensive spells, noble demons sacrificing themselves to stop the armies. Eventually, Elarian fell.
But not completely.
Before their extinction, the remaining sages sealed their knowledge and cursed the land. No outsider would claim what they had built. The lands would wither, twist, and reject all foreign life.
And the world would forget them.
"Since then, this land was called cursed. Not because it is evil… but because it remembers," the deity whispered.
The vision faded.
Akin's breath trembled. "So you want revenge too…"
"Yes. I need a vessel. Someone to carry my will. Become my sword, and I shall grant you—"
Akin interrupted. His voice firm.
"No."
The deity paused.
"This world already took everything from me—even you. I won't be anyone's puppet, not even yours," Akin said. "If you want revenge, fine… But I'll use you. Not the other way around. I've got nothing left to lose."
The cave was silent.
Then the deity smiled—a rare, genuine, sorrowful smile.
"I think I like you," it said. "Then I shall give you my power. My knowledge. The secrets of Elarian's alchemy… and the five great elements. Fire. Water. Earth. Wind. Lightning. They shall be yours to command."
A bright light enveloped Akin. Memories, spells, ancient knowledge flowed into his mind like rivers pouring into a sea. He saw symbols and transmutation circles. Felt energy connecting everything. Learned how to shape matter, bend elements, and sense the unseen.
To Akin, it felt like years. Yet when the light faded, only two hours had passed.
The deity's form was now fading.
"Within this land lies a hidden energy. Breathe it. Claim it. Make it your own. It shall guide you, feed you, strengthen you. Seek the secret chamber—there lies the materia that unlocks your future."
"And Akin…"
"I will be watching."
The light vanished.
Akin jolted awake.
He was still in the cave, his school uniform torn and dusty. But he felt… different. The air no longer crushed him. Instead, it flowed through him. He stood up, slower than before, but steadier. A blue aura faintly shimmered around his body—calm, but vast like the ocean.
"Was it really a dream…?" he whispered.
As if to answer, he saw faint footprints of light leading deeper into the cave. Driven by instinct, he followed them.
Soon, he found a strange wall—smooth, with ancient markings. His fingers brushed against it.
The wall responded.
The markings glowed, and suddenly, the wall split open like a door. Inside was a glowing chamber—filled with orbs of light and crystalline materia, floating mid-air, waiting to be used.
The chamber lit up as Akin stepped in.
His journey had only just begun.