Evin awoke with a jolt, his heart pounding with anticipation. The sunlight filtered through the small window of his room, casting a warm glow on the wooden floor. He stretched, feeling the burst of excitement tingling through his limbs. Today was the day his Pathway would be activated.

He sat up and glanced over his body, searching for the mark that was supposed to appear. His heart sank when he saw nothing. He had heard stories of marks being hidden, but not seeing it still made him anxious. Determined, he closed his eyes and tried to feel for the mark, but there was nothing.

Evin sighed, feeling a mix of frustration. He knew that in a few hours, their teacher would help them activate their marks for the first time. Hopefully, he would find it then.

He dressed in his simple adventure gear: a sturdy linen shirt, well-worn trousers, and his favorite leather boots. He buckled on a belt with a small pouch for collecting herbs and a water flask. As he headed downstairs, the scent of freshly baked bread filled the air.

Evin's parents were waiting for him in the kitchen. Elara looked up as he entered. Evin loved seeing her gentle eyes and a kind smile, it had always made him feel at home. Thorne was a tall man with a rugged appearance from years of working in the higher regions. As Evin hurried down the stairs, Thorne was preparing a loaf of herb bread for him.

"Evin, come here, let me have a look," Thorne said, gesturing him closer. "Your mark is near your right eye, towards your ear. It's quite striking actually!"

Evin rushed to the small mirror on the wall and finally saw it: a diamond-shaped mark, delicate yet distinct. It was outlined in a deep blue, contrasting with his skin. He touched it gently, feeling a faint warmth.

"Wow," he whispered, turning to his parents. "It's amazing."

Elara smiled. "It's a mark of distinction, Evin. You'll do great things."

They sat down for breakfast. Thorne explained how he heroicly had collected the herb for the bread in the third region, also known as The Verdant Frontier. The herb was known to invigorate the eater. As the rumour had it, Evin chewed and immediately he felt a burst of energy and a subtle, tingling sensation spreading through his body. The bread was savory, with a hint of sweetness and a rich, earthy flavor.

As they ate, his parents shared their memories of their own activation days. Thorne, with a distant look in his eyes, recounted the history of the nine regions and the legends of old.

"Evin, has Njord told you about the old legends? Apparently, in ancient times, humans could wield the strength of an ox and call upon the power of the gods, even without a Pathway mark" Thorne said. "But these are just stories, everyone eventually receive their mark – without it we’d all stay weak as children throughout our lives”, he hummed deep at the thought.

Evin felt a flicker of curiosity. "Do you think there's any truth to the legends?"

Thorne shook his head. "We would all be stuck in Edenvale if so, never expanding and advancing into the higher regions. "

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Their conversation was interrupted by a knock on the door. Evin's heart leaped as he opened it to find Allovilde standing there, her eyes bright with excitement.

"Ready to go?" she asked, showing off the spherical mark on her left hand. "Yours looks really cool, Evin. Right by your eye, it suits you."

Evin smiled. "I know right! So does yours by the way. I’m ready in a second, be right back", Evin went back inside, stuck in thought, he decided to leave his leather jacket; his linen shirt would be enough for the day. He ran back and hugged his parents goodbye before turning around and running out the front door, slamming it behind him.

“Oops!”, he made a facial expression of guilt, slightly turning his head towards the door as he heard his fathers voice bellowing through the open window.

“EVIN! How many times do I have to tell you to stop slamming the door!”.

Evin and Allovilde looked at eachother, chuckling as they ran through the garden towards the village center.

The sky was clear, and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves.

After a few minutes, they came up to village square, where their group was gathering. The teacher, a knowledgeable man named Njord Oakheart, was waiting for them. Njord had a reputation for his deep understanding of nature, although he had never ventured beyond The Verdant Frontier. These days he much preferred the more pleasant environment of the lower regions, where he could explore the treasures of the forrest without constantly being on high alert.

As the group gathered, the chatter grew in noise, as everyone was eagerly anticipating what would transpire the following hour.

Evin glanced around and spotted a few familiar faces—Liora, the daring climber; Finn, always buried in a book; Soren, tall and strong, eager for any physical challenge; Anya, whose parents had left behind the hardships of the higher regions; and Garin, the storyteller with an infectious laugh.

Njord clapped his hands together, drawing their attention. “Alright, let’s see those marks.” His voice carrying a mix of authority and pride, a sharp smile spreading on his face.

One by one, the group rolled up sleeves, shifted collars, or extended hands, revealing the intricate symbols etched onto their skin. Each mark was unique, a reflection of something within them.

Njord nodded approvingly. “Your marks aren’t just decorations. They show your strongest attributes—though don’t expect to fully understand them right away.” He smirked. “That’s part of the journey.”

A few latecomers joined, murmuring apologies as they settled in. Njord took a step forward, folding his arms. “Now, let’s get to it. Today, you’re going to activate your marks for the first time.”

A ripple of excitement—and nerves—passed through the group.

Njord let his gaze sweep over the gathered students, his expression calm but expectant. "One by one, I want you to close your eyes," he instructed, his voice steady. "Turn your focus inward. There’s something new inside you—something waiting. Find it. Hold onto it." He let the words settle before adding with a small, knowing grin, "And when it stirs, don’t resist. Let it shine."

He shifted his stance, scanning the group until his eyes landed on the far end, opposite where Evin and Allovilde stood. "Alright, Garin, you’re up first." Then, glancing at the others, he added, "Everyone else, hold back. This can get chaotic fast—especially if someone suddenly starts sprouting horns from their forehead!"

Silence.

The group just stared at him, their eyes wide with unease. Njord blinked, then let out a short chuckle. "That was a joke," he clarified, rubbing his temple. "No one’s growing horns… probably."

Eventually it was Evins turn to activate his mark. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He searched within himself, feeling for anything different. At first, there was nothing, but then he sensed it: a faint, warm presence. He focused on it, and it began to grow stronger.

Suddenly, his mark started to burn, and visions flooded his mind. He saw landscapes and creatures he couldn't explain, ancient symbols and powerful energies. He heard Allovilde's voice calling his name, but it was distant. The visions overwhelmed him, and everything went black.