The starry sky stretched above the forest like an endless dome of silence and light. I lay on the damp ground, feeling each breath fill my lungs with fresh, cool air. But this calm was deceptive, as if the world itself held its breath, waiting for something to shatter this illusion of tranquility.

I slowly opened my eyes. Shadows of trees swayed above me, and somewhere in the distance, a faint whisper of the night forest drifted through the air. But this was not an ordinary place. It breathed with magic, life, and something else—elusive yet powerful. And suddenly I realized: I was not alone.

From the thick shadow emerged a being. Its figure was framed by a shimmering glow, as if it were woven from light and darkness itself. Eyes, glowing with a mysterious gleam, pierced through me.

— You have awakened, — it spoke, its voice echoing through the forest, enveloping me.

— Cain...

I froze. Hearing my name from a past life here, in this world, felt like a punch to the gut. My heart raced, and thoughts spiraled wildly in my head.

— Why do you call me that? — I asked, trying to cope with the unexpected unease.

The being took a step forward, its voice becoming deeper, yet no less penetrating:

— Because that is the name of your soul. You can bear any other here, but your essence remains unchanged. You know the cost of your mistakes, Cain. How many times have you stood before

a choice and lost?

Suddenly, memories exploded in my mind. Battles, blood, screams… I saw again the faces of those I loved, those I had promised to protect but failed to save. A wife with eyes full of hope and fear. Children I never got the chance to save. Each of them was part of my past, that life I tried to forget.

“Will I be able to endure this again? To lose everything I love once more? No… I can’t allow this to happen again. But what if it’s inevitable? What if my fate is to forever fight and lose?”

The being watched me unwaveringly, as if sensing every thought of mine, every memory.

— Cain, do you remember that day? — its voice became softer but resonated with an inexorable power. — That day when you stood over the bodies of the fallen. Their eyes, their pleas… Do you remember?

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I closed my eyes, and the images of the past rushed before me. Sunlight pierced through the treetops, illuminating the battlefield. The ground was littered with corpses, my hands gripping a bloodied sword. The silence was deafening, and only the pain of loss screamed in my soul. I felt the weight of every promise I had failed to keep.

— Your strength, your determination... All of this has brought you here, but you know the price, Cain. You remember what it is like to lose everything.

“Why me? Why must I make this choice again? I don’t want to be the cause of more losses… but if not me, then who?”

I opened my eyes, my heart tightening with pain and fear, but somewhere deep inside, something else began to ignite. Determination. Strength.

— What do you want from me? — I asked, my voice hoarse but firm.

The being came closer, its eyes shimmering as they looked deep into my soul.

— I am the one who watches the paths, the one who walks between worlds. You, Ellard… or perhaps I should call you Cain? You stand on the brink of a great fate. This mark on your shoulder is not just a symbol. It is your path. But are you ready to accept it?

I glanced at my shoulder. The glowing pattern pulsed with a soft light, warmth and cold intertwining across my skin. I felt this power seep into my being, like a call that could not be ignored.

— What is this mark? — I asked, feeling a growing excitement.

— It is power, — the being answered. — It can destroy or save. It will be a trial and a blessing. But the choice is yours. You can accept it or reject it. But know this: refusal will leave your fate unknown and your power unfulfilled.

“I cannot turn away from this power. I cannot let my family, my friends face what I have already endured once. I must accept this mark. It is my duty.”

— I will accept it, — I pronounced firmly, feeling confidence ignite within me.

The being smiled, its eyes sparkling with a mysterious light.

— Then listen, Cain. Dark times are coming...

The world will be consumed by greed, vice, and injustice. Wars and cataclysms will begin. You will become one of those who can change the course of events. But remember: before you will stand both allies and enemies. Even the gods will one day descend from the heavens to become part of your path.

These words sounded like a prophecy. They weighed more than any sword I had ever held.

— I am ready, — I said, feeling my words transform into not just a promise but a vow.

The being extended its hand and touched my shoulder. A tingling sensation pierced my body, as if the very fabric of the world was seeping into my being. My mana boiled over, becoming wild and untamed. I felt power swell within me, ready to burst forth. It seemed that I could move mountains, destroy everything around me...

But then came exhaustion. I felt the strength leaving me. My legs buckled, and everything before my eyes went dark.

— Remember, Cain, your journey is just beginning. Do not falter; otherwise, all that you protect will be lost.

The last thing I heard was the whisper of the night forest and the sensation of the light from the mark on my shoulder becoming the final anchor in this world.