Kael stood amidst the smoldering remains of his village, his breath catching in his throat as he tried to make sense of the devastation before him. Ashes drifted like snow, coating everything in a pale, ghostly layer. The once-lively village of Ashira was reduced to ruin, the charred remains of homes and lives scattered like forgotten memories. His heart pounded in his chest, a cacophony of fear and disbelief echoing in his ears. His mind raced, trying to piece together the nightmare that had unfolded before him.

But nothing made sense.

Kael's sword felt heavy in his hand, its blade stained with blood. His body ached with the remnants of some fierce battle, but his mind was blank, empty of the details that might explain the destruction around him. It was as though a part of him had been severed, leaving him in this disorienting, hollow void. The last thing he remembered was…

They did it...

He staggered, his legs threatening to give out beneath him. Bodies lay scattered across the ground, charred and twisted beyond recognition, their faces frozen in terror. A wave of nausea surged through him. Among the bodies were people he had known—farmers, friends, children—all lifeless now, their dreams and futures snuffed out like fragile candles in the wind.

Then his gaze fell upon Lyra, her body sprawled beside him, a dagger clutched in her lifeless hands, her throat cut deep. The sight pierced through his soul like a thousand shards of glass, and he felt his heart shatter at the sight of her innocent face marred by the violence that had befallen their home.

Kael's breath came in ragged gasps, panic gripping him tighter with each moment. His vision blurred as tears welled up in his eyes, spilling down his cheeks. Why? Why did this happen?

"I don't deserve to live," he muttered, his voice a weak rasp lost amid the crackling of dying flames. His hand trembled as he raised his sword, pressing the cold steel to his throat. A part of him welcomed the release. To escape this nightmare, to escape the guilt that gnawed at him from within.

In that moment of despair, Kael lifted his sword and pressed it to his throat, ready to end the pain, the regret, the horror of what he was seeing . But just as the blade touched his skin, a sharp, blinding pain exploded at the back of his head. As darkness threatened to envelop him, he caught a glimpse of a shadow whispering something—words lost in the chaos of his mind.

Everything went black.

Four Days Earlier

The village of Ashira was a picture of serenity on that morning. The sun bathed the streets in golden light, children laughed as they chased one another, and the gentle hum of life filled the air. Yet, beneath this peaceful surface, a storm was brewing—one that no one could foresee.

Jiro, Kael's uncle, stirred from a restless sleep, his mind clouded by unsettling dreams that lingered like a dark mist. In his vision, the village was engulfed in flames, with Kael standing at the center, his face twisted in anguish. Beside him lay Lyra, Jiro's daughter, her lifeless body sprawled at his feet. The image felt unnervingly vivid, and it weighed heavily on him, casting a shadow over his thoughts. A sense of dread coiled around his heart, whispering that something terrible was looming, an inevitability he couldn't shake.

That same morning, Kael stood outside, practicing his sword drills with a fierceness that mirrored the turmoil within him. Sweat dripped from his brow as he poured himself into each strike, each movement, yet an unsettling feeling gnawed at him. Why do I feel this way? Kael thought, tightening his grip on the sword as if to ground himself.

Nearby, Rai watched him, arms crossed, a cold disdain etched on his face. "Still playing the hero, Kael?" Rai's voice sliced through the morning air, sharp and cutting.

Kael halted mid-swing, turning to face his older brother. Rai's expression was a mask of irritation, his eyes filled with a bitterness that seemed to deepen with every passing day. "Rai," Kael greeted, forcing calm into his tone, though the familiar tension brewed like a storm between them.

Rai smirked, but there was no warmth in it. "What I want? I want you to stop pretending like you're something special. You think just because you can swing a sword, you're destined to save the world?"

Kael flinched, the venom in his brother's words stinging more than he liked to admit. No matter how much time passed, Rai's anger toward him seemed only to grow, a festering wound that never healed. Kael had never understood why—what had he done to deserve such animosity? The loss of their father had struck them both hard, yet Rai's bitterness ran deeper than grief.

"Why do you hate me so much?" Kael asked, his voice low, barely a whisper.

Rai stepped closer, his gaze intense. "Why? You exist that's enough!."

Kael opened his mouth to respond, but before he could speak, Jiro appeared at the doorway, his voice calm yet authoritative. "Rai. Kael. That's enough."

Both brothers turned to him. Jiro, who had assumed the role of chief after the untimely death of Kael's father, carried the burden of leadership on his shoulders, though the weight of his own unsettling dreams made him seem even more weary.

"I need to talk to both of you," Jiro said, gesturing for them to follow him to the porch.

Both brothers turned to face him. Jiro was the only person who could manage to quell the tension between them, though even he could not erase it completely.

Reluctantly, Rai and Kael obeyed, though the air between them was still thick with unspoken words. As they sat down, Jiro ran a hand through his graying hair, the weight of his earlier dream hanging over him like a cloud.

"Kael, you've received an invitation from the academy," Jiro said, his gaze steady and firm, fixing Kael with a look that brooked no argument. "It seems you've been selected. Now you have to decide: will you choose to remain here and become the chief of this village, or will you join the Starblades—a brotherhood of warriors who traverse the cosmos, embracing adventure and seeking the unknown?"

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Kael's heart raced at the words. The prospect of joining the Starblades stirred something deep within him, a yearning for freedom that had been buried beneath layers of expectation. For years, he had felt the weight of his father's legacy pressing down on him, a mantle he wasn't sure he could bear. To become chief would mean upholding traditions and responsibilities that felt suffocating.

"I know you want me to stay here and carry on Father's legacy, Uncle Jiro," Kael said, his voice steady. "But I need to see where my life will take me. Father's destiny brought him here, but I want to carve my own path. I believe the academy is the first step toward that journey. I hope you can understand.

Jiro studied Kael for a moment, the weight of his decision heavy in the air. "If that's what you want, you can leave after seven days," he finally said, his voice firm yet tinged with understanding.

Kael glanced at Rai, who stood with his arms crossed, scowling. “Since Rai wants to be the chief. Why not just make him chief now?”

Jiro shook his head, his expression somber. "Rai can't be chief, Kael. He was born without a Naadi pathway, and the elders won't allow someone without that connection to lead. They believe a chief must possess the power to protect the village, and without the Naadi, they won't grant him the title."

Rai's jaw tightened as he absorbed Jiro's words. The scorn in his eyes deepened, and without another word, he turned sharply on his heel and strode away, the tension of the conversation hanging heavily in the air. Kael watched his brother go, a mix of concern and frustration swirling within him.

As Rai walked away, Jiro sighed deeply, watching his son retreat. "It's a pity," he murmured, shaking his head. "Rai would have made a good chief. He has the heart and determination for it, but the elders won't allow him the chance because of the Naadi pathway."

Kael glanced at his uncle, concern etched on his face. "He's capable, Uncle. I believe he could lead if given the opportunity."

Jiro nodded. “Perhaps. But the village values power. Rai’s path is different.”

Kael looked at his uncle, his heart heavy. “I just hope he realizes he can still make a difference without a title.”

Kael felt a pang of empathy for his brother. "I just hope he realizes that he can still make a difference without the title."

Jiro nodded slowly. "A title doesn't decide a man's worth; it's the decisions he makes that truly define him. Rai has the potential to lead in his own way, even if the world doesn't see it yet."

Kael hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Uncle, since I've been selected by the academy, can you tell me about my mother?"

Jiro paused, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. He couldn't help but chuckle softly, a little laugh escaping his lips. "I thought you were going to carve your own path and find that out for yourself," he teased lightly.

Kael looked at him, half-smiling, half-serious. "I am, but that doesn't mean I can't ask for a little help along the way."

Jiro turned and walked in the direction where Rai had stormed off, calling back over his shoulder, "Don't ask me for help. I've finished my story—now it's time for you to write your own." He paused briefly before continuing, "Let me go check on your brother."

Just as Jiro walked away, Lyra came hopping toward Kael, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Kael! Did you hear? You got selected!" She struck a dramatic pose, her arms flung wide as if embracing the whole world. "Finally, you can venture out and explore! It’s like your dream is coming true!"

Kael managed a small smile, the weight of his thoughts lifting slightly at her enthusiasm. "Yeah, I guess I'm leaving soon," he replied, though his voice held a hint of uncertainty.

"Soon?" Lyra echoed, her excitement barely contained. "You mean, like, in a few days? That's amazing!" She bounced on her toes, her enthusiasm infectious.

"Yeah, it is," Kael said, his smile widening. "But I'm also nervous. There's so much I don't know."

Lyra tilted her head, her brow furrowing. "But why do you want to go there? You could just venture out and explore the universe on your own, right? Isn't that what you always dreamed of?"

Kael paused, gathering his thoughts. "It's not that simple. The academy is where I can unlock my Naadi pathways. It's a training ground to help me harness my powers and grow stronger. I don't know much about it yet, but I'm excited to find out."

"What's a Naadi pathway?" Lyra asked, her curiosity piqued.

Kael straightened, eager to explain. "Naadi pathways are energy channels in our bodies. Each pathway gives us different abilities and allows us to control the elements. It's like… each one opens up a new part of ourselves, making us more powerful. "

Her eyes widened in awe. "That sounds incredible! So, if you unlock these pathways, you'll become even stronger than you are now?"

"Exactly!" Kael exclaimed, a grin forming on his face. "I'll be able to learn things that i can't even imagine!"

Lyra's expression softened, her excitement mixing with concern. "But what about me? Do I have it too?"

Kael knelt down to her level, meeting her gaze. "Everybody has it and you have the best talent in our village. I know you'll be selected in two or three years. I'll meet you there, and we can explore together!"

"Really?" she asked, a hint of doubt creeping into her voice.

"Absolutely," he assured her. "You'll be amazing! I'll always be cheering for you."

Lyra beamed, a smile spreading across her face. "There's no need! I'll let you conquer the universe while I stay here and help run this village! I'll help Dad and keep things running smoothly while you're off doing… whatever space ninjas do."

Kael chuckled, shaking his head. "Space ninjas? That's a bit dramatic, don't you think?"

Lyra shrugged, a playful grin on her lips. "Well, it sounds cool! Just promise me you won't forget about us, okay?"

"Never," Kael replied earnestly, warmth swelling in his chest. "Just because I'm venturing out doesn't mean I'll forget where I came from."

With a playful smirk, Lyra narrowed her eyes. "Don't cry when you miss me! There are no others like me!" She winked, a teasing grin spreading across her face. "You can always come back when you're feeling lonely. I'll be right here, ready to save the day!"

Kael smiled down at Lyra, placing his hand above her head and giving her a playful pat. "I'll miss you the most," he said, his tone lightening the gravity of their conversation. "Now, why don't we go pack up my things?"

With a dramatic flair, Lyra spun around, striking a pose as she declared, "Follow me, minion! We have to go pack!" Her eyes sparkled with mischief, and she pointed forward as if leading a grand expedition.

Kael couldn't help but laugh at her antics. "Lead the way, Princess," he replied, shaking his head with amusement.

Lyra's laughter echoed as she skipped ahead, her confidence radiating like sunlight. "I'll make sure you have everything you need for your great adventure! You can't leave without my impeccable packing skills!"

Kael followed closely behind, feeling the warmth of her spirit easing the uncertainty that had clouded his heart. "I'd be lost without you," he admitted, the genuine gratitude evident in his voice.

"Exactly! Now, let's get you ready to conquer the universe!" she said, beaming up at him.

Together, they headed toward their home, the weight of the future feeling just a little lighter.

Present Day

Kael gasped for air as he woke, his body aching and covered in dust. He sat up slowly, blinking against the dim light filtering through the overcast sky. The smell of burnt wood and ash filled his senses once more, and the sight of the ruined village around him sent a shiver down his spine.

What happened here?

His mind was a jumbled mess, the last few days a blur. He couldn't remember how the village had fallen into ruin, couldn't recall how the destruction had come to pass. His head throbbed painfully, as though something important had been wiped from his memory.

He stumbled to his feet, his eyes scanning the devastation. Bodies still littered the ground, their faces frozen in the same terror he had seen earlier. And yet… something about it all felt wrong. The smell of death, the feeling of dread—it clung to him like a shadow.

Suddenly, a voice echoed in his mind. It was faint, barely audible, but it carried a weight that sent chills down his spine.

"Find ..your ..path."