Every person in this world has their own Fractum—a power that awakens at an early age, usually around five.
But for Nait Elstein, it awakened when he was only one year old.
The first case in all of human history.
His goal? To join the empire’s strongest order—The Colossus Order.
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"EVERY PERSON IS A SHARD OF SOMETHING GREATER."
That’s what the elders used to say.
But sometimes, a shard is too big for its vessel.
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— This is impossible.
The murmur of voices filled the dark hall. Tall figures in black robes sat around a massive, round table. Their eyes were locked on a small child sitting in the center of the room.
Nait Elstein.
Only one year old.
And yet, he had already awakened his Fractum.
— No one in history has ever awakened their power this early!
— What if he’s unstable? This could lead to disaster!
— We must…
The child stared at them with steel-gray eyes.
He did not cry.
He did not scream.
He showed no fear.
And at that moment, they all understood—
He was not an ordinary child.
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10 YEARS LATER…
The Empire is divided into castes.
Some are born weak.
Others shape the fate of the world.
Everyone has a Fractum—a power that defines their place in this society.
But when a Fractum awakens too early…
…it is not the world they fear.
The world begins to fear them.
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NAIT ELSTEIN LIVED ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF THE EMPIRE.
His father was the best blacksmith in the region. His Fractum, "Forge Master," allowed him to create blades stronger than steel and armor tougher than stone.
Nait was proud of him.
But deep down, he knew—his own Fractum was something else entirely.
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The School Incident
THE DAY EVERYTHING WENT WRONG
— Hey, you!
A group of older students blocked Nait’s path. There were four of them.
Their leader—Randolph.
The son of an aristocrat. A spoiled brat who always got whatever he wanted.
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
— I heard you have some special Fractum. — He smirked, tilting his head. — Let’s see it.
Laughter echoed from behind.
A crowd started to gather.
Nait didn’t want to fight.
He stayed silent, meeting Randolph’s gaze.
But Randolph took silence as a challenge.
— What? You think you’re better than me?
The smirk vanished.
He grabbed Nait by the collar.
And in that moment—
He made a mistake.
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DESCENT INTO DARKNESS
The shadows beneath their feet quivered.
— What…?
They didn’t notice at first.
Then, suddenly—
The darkness flared to life.
Like living hands, it grasped their legs—pulling them down.
— W-what the hell?!
Randolph jerked back, but his body refused to move.
Panic flashed in his eyes.
And that’s when Nait understood how it worked.
> Stand still, and the darkness will consume you. Move, and you might escape.
One of the boys managed to jump back—the shadows couldn’t reach him.
But the other two…
They were already sinking.
— Help!!!
They screamed.
But no one knew what to do.
The shadows clung to them like a swamp, slowly swallowing their silhouettes.
Nait’s eyes remained cold.
He stood still.
And the darkness kept pulling them under.
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THE ARRIVAL OF ZANE
A quiet chuckle came from behind.
— Damn, dude, what kind of horror show did I just walk into?
A warm hand rested on Nait’s shoulder.
He flinched.
— Zane…
He exhaled, finally relaxing.
Zane grinned—a lazy, carefree smile, as if he wasn’t looking at two half-conscious, terrified bullies.
— Next time, give me a heads-up before you start summoning demons, okay?
The shadows began to recede.
The black mire seeped back into the ground.
The bullies, gasping for air, scrambled to their feet.
They looked at Nait like he was a monster—then turned and ran.
— Yeah, keep running, cowards. — Nait scoffed.
Zane just shook his head.
— Alright, are you done with your edgy villain arc? — He yawned. — Let’s go eat. Your aura of darkness is making me hungry.
Nait frowned at him.
— Are you serious?..
— I’m always serious when it comes to food.
A pause.
Then—Nait laughed.
— Fine… Let’s go.
They walked away, leaving behind whispers, fear—
And the fading traces of darkness.
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THE CAFETERIA
The smell of melted cheese and warm dough filled the air.
Nait took a silent bite of his pizza.
Meanwhile, Zane leaned back in his chair, feet up on another seat, shamelessly devouring his third slice.
— You do realize they want to kill you now, right?
Nait slowly looked up.
— Randolph?
— Who else?
Zane snorted.
— The guy was already an asshole, but now? You humiliated him in front of the whole school.
Nait kept chewing, unfazed.
— So what? He’ll cry to daddy?
Zane grinned.
— Maybe. But his daddy isn’t just anyone—he’s in the Senate.
A heavy pause.
Zane leaned forward, voice dropping slightly.
— There’s a rumor…
Nait raised an eyebrow.
Zane tapped his fingers against the table, as if debating whether to say it.
— They say his family has ties to the Colossi.
Silence.
Nait stopped chewing.
Zane, pleased with the reaction, grabbed another slice.
— So eat up, buddy. If they come for you, you’re gonna need the energy.
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HEADING HOME
Zane yawned, stretching.
— Alright, I’m off. You good?
Nait nodded.
— Yeah.
— Try not to start another apocalypse.
— Me? Never.
Zane laughed, shaking his head.
— Sure.
He turned and disappeared into the night.
Leaving Nait alone.
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FOOTSTEPS ECHOED IN THE SILENCE.
Home was two blocks away.
Then—
The world shuddered.
What?..
His vision blurred.
The air tightened, like a collapsing bubble.
Shadows bled.
Streetlights stretched into dim streaks.
Fractum?
Nait tried to move—
But his body wouldn’t respond.
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SILENCE. DARKNESS. OBLIVION.
End of Chapter.