_“When time stops… what’s destined is revealed.”_
🏞️ 1490 Years Ago – Rural Village on the Outskirts of Terranova
In a warm corner of the red continent, surrounded by gentle hills and fertile essence fields, there lived a charming village. Its houses were carved from living stone, their rooftops layered in moss charged with essence. The people were cheerful farmers, cultivating fruits like Solliris—golden and radiant like sunlight—and vegetables like Nerzaras, magical roots that glowed in the dark.
Every day was calm. Songs at sunrise. Games on frosted paths. Smiles shared during harvest.
They lived in harmony, as if that corner of the world was hidden beneath a sacred charm.
At the heart of the village lived Drag, a respected noble—kind, wise, and different from the lords of Terranova.
He raised three children:
- Sefir, radiant, red hair with golden tips. - Zareth, silent, with eyes black as night. - Dyor, thoughtful, lacking essence but hungry for knowledge.
The three were inseparable—playing in Solliris fields, helping with chores, though Dyor struggled physically.
—Dyor, if you can’t do it, ask for help —Sefir said gently but firmly.
Zareth was already lifting the trunk Dyor couldn’t.
—I can do it! I just need cleverness, not strength —Dyor insisted—. I read that when you lack strength, use your brain.
—Then lift it with your head —Zareth laughed.
—Someday I’ll be stronger than both of you! I’ll be greater than all! —Dyor snapped, eyes ablaze.
From the doorway, Drag watched silently.
—Son, power isn’t everything. And knowledge without purpose… is nothing —he said calmly.
Dyor jumped.
—How long have you been there?
—Since the beginning —Drag smiled, endlessly warm.
📚 Three Years Later – 1487 Years Ago
It was routine.
Sefir and Zareth trained with wooden swords among the Nimurias—flowers that floated at dusk. Dyor sat beneath a tree, buried in stacks of books.
In the morning, chores. Afterward, they ran—some walked, depending on mood.
That day was Dyor’s birthday.
—Go ahead, I’ll get something from the market to celebrate —Sefir said.
Zareth and Dyor didn’t ask. They ran off. She vanished into the crop lanes.
🏛️ Scene: Drag’s Office
Sefir entered.
—You called, Father?
Drag wrote on a parchment. His face was tense, unusually serious.
—Sefir… today, you’ll learn something you must keep close to your heart.
She sat, listening.
—Zareth… is not your blood brother.
—I figured —Sefir grinned—. He’s stronger than you and everyone else. Hahaha.
Drag chuckled—then his tone hardened.
—He is strong. But not by chance. Zareth is the son… of one of the ancient Elders.
—WHAT?! But he’s kind! He loves animals, helps the villagers! How could he be born of those monsters?!
—Not one of the six you know. He descends from the seventh—the exiled one. The forgotten one.
Sefir fell silent.
—Zareth bears a burden beyond us. If his power ever awakens… only you and Dyor can help him not lose himself.
—Then I’ll protect him, Father. And if he steps out of line, I’ll handle him myself! —Sefir laughed.
—Today is Dyor’s celebration. The village is preparing. Let’s go. There’s still essence to toast.
🗡️ Scene: Nimurias Fields – At Dusk
Dyor walked with a gloomy expression.
—Brother… will you teach me swordplay?
—You? First learn not to trip over your own books —Zareth teased.
Dyor sighed. Zareth flipped him with a simple stance shift.
—See? Your center’s off. I’ll teach you… once you learn how to fall.
Dyor stood up, shaking off leaves. He glared. And listened.
🔔 Scene: The Bell That Shattered the Sky
The village bell rang. Once. Deep. Unnatural.
Crows took flight. Children stopped playing. The Nimurias flowers fell, magic drained.
Zareth and Dyor locked eyes. No words.
They ran.
Feet pounding like thunder. Shadows thickened. Air smelled of iron.
🏚️ Scene: The Shed of Fate
They slipped behind dry hay and rusted tools. Zareth lifted decayed wood and pulled Dyor into darkness.
In the plaza, beneath fresh rain, children, women, elders, and men knelt in silence—hands bound, faces hollow from too many tears.
The Essence Guard of Terranova, on foot and horseback, encircled every home.
Wagon wheels groaned. Torches hissed. And at the center… a man walked with the weight of judgment.
📜 Scene: The Messenger of Execution
Captain Tacithus dismounted. His face was grim. His eyes trembled like shattered glass.
He unfurled a scroll bearing the golden seal of essence.
His words were knives:
—By command of the esteemed Elder of Terranova… this village has until midnight to surrender a boy with black hair and eyes like the night.
—Fail… and this place will be erased from maps. Its memory incinerated by sacred flames.
Villagers bowed lower, as if death had already placed a hand on their backs.
Tacithus gestured.
A soldier dragged Drag, beaten, chained, blood dried along his mouth. In the other hand, Sefir, crying, struggling.
🧠 Scene: The Caged Grief
Dyor’s soul ignited.
He wanted to scream. Run. Break free.
Zareth clamped his mouth. Held him tightly.
But Dyor’s eyes were already crying.
—Stay calm. Father will think of something —Zareth whispered, rock-steady.
⚔️ Scene: The Dialogue That Ruptured the Past
Tacithus stepped forward.
—Drag… you were my brother. My guide. My companion.
> His thoughts bled:> “I didn’t want this… I swear. But the Elder commanded. No one disobeys. Forgive me…”
Drag, kneeling, back bent, lifted his eyes.
—Tacithus… I know who you are. I remember wooden swords and laughter.
—Please… save my daughter. Save this village. Don’t erase the last light we still have.
Tacithus lowered the scroll. Unsheathed his sword. And with a cold motion… struck Drag’s side.
> CLANG. SHHHHK. THUD.
Silence.
The hearts of the village dimmed. Rain fell hard. Blood mingled with stones.
Sefir screamed. Her voice made Nimurias petals crumble.
⚡ Scene: The Impossible Moment – Essence Awakens
Tacithus raised his sword toward Sefir.
—I’m sorry, girl. It’s your turn.
But then—
Something shattered.
Air turned to glass. Sound vanished. Raindrops froze in place.
Time itself stopped.
Dyor and Zareth, still hidden, saw a shadow rise beside Zareth.
It had no face. No name.
It simply raised a hand… And with one finger, touched Zareth’s heart.
🩸 Scene: The Night King Awakens
A heartbeat. A tremor.
Zareth opened his eyes. His pupils turned Essence Gray, like the ancient Umbrael.
His clothes darkened—consuming light. A cloak appeared from nowhere. A sword black as solitude formed in his grip.
And in a flash—
> SHING. SLASH. THOOOOM.
Every soldier was severed. By unseen blades. As if the wind had chosen justice.
Their bodies fell in silence. Weapons hit stone.
Rain resumed—drumming on Zareth’s blood-soaked form.
He stood. Unmoved. Emotionless.
Sefir trembled. Her bonds disintegrated under Zareth’s gaze.
She stepped forward— And embraced him.
😢 Scene: Dyor – The Breakdown of Innocence
Zareth walked among corpses. Cutting chains. Freeing villagers. Silent.
Dyor charged forward. His feet slammed the earth like broken drums.
He struck Zareth’s chest.
—WHY DIDN’T YOU SAVE FATHER?! —WHY WAS YOUR POWER TOO LATE?! —WHY DID YOU LET US WATCH HIM DIE?!
Zareth looked at him. Said nothing.
Sefir wept quietly.
—Enough, Dyor. Zareth did all he could…
But Dyor turned away. He walked off. Rain his only witness.
🛑 End of the Chapter
The plaza was soaked in black essence. Bodies lay silent. And memories formed that would never be erased.
That night… A child—heir of a destroyed race—awakened. A sister vowed to protect him. And a brother began forging the hatred that would one day define him.
> Because when essence is unleashed… > There is no turning back.
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