I jolted awake, startled by a sharp thud on my head. “Ouch!” I exclaimed, rubbing the sore spot. Glancing down, I saw a book sprawled beside me, part of the chaotic mountain of textbooks that surrounded my study spot in the library. “Guess I shouldn’t have dozed off,” I muttered, shaking my head with a sheepish smile.

Lately, my dreams had taken a strange turn. I kept seeing flashes of celestial bodies, swirling flames, and cryptic symbols that seemed to call out to me. I tried to shake off the unsettling images, but they lingered in the back of my mind.

“Hey, what’s going on with you?” My best friend Hazel’s voice pulled me from my thoughts. She looked up from her own reading, concern etched on her face.

I blinked, realizing I had drifted off again. “Oh, Hazel, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to fall asleep.”

She smiled gently, her eyes sparkling with warmth. “It’s okay. But you’ve been zoning out a lot. What’s on your mind?”

I hesitated, biting my lip. “I don’t know,” I admitted, frowning as I tried to gather my thoughts. “These dreams… they’re just so weird. Celestial bodies, fire… It feels like something important, but I can’t figure it out.”

Hazel chuckled, her laughter lightening the mood. “Sounds like you’ve been studying too hard. Maybe you just need a break.”

I forced a laugh, though my mind was still heavy with confusion. “Yeah, maybe.” But the dreams felt too vivid to brush off as mere stress, and I didn’t want to worry her with my uncertainty.

After packing up, we left the library, Hazel animatedly discussing our plans for the weekend while I pretended to listen, my thoughts still swirling with images of the night.

That evening, I returned home, determined to focus on my studies. But my mind kept drifting back to the library and those strange dreams. Just as I was reaching for a book, something caught my eye—a letter perched on my shelf, its envelope pristine and inviting.

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Where did this come from?

My curiosity piqued, I picked it up and opened it, revealing elegant handwriting that felt strangely familiar.

Dear Ignis,

I know you’ve been having strange dreams lately, and I have the answers you seek. Come to your terrace right now, and all will be revealed.

A nervous laugh escaped me. This had to be a joke—probably Hazel trying to scare me. But a nagging curiosity pulled at me. What if it was real?

I hesitated for a moment before making my way to the terrace, half-expecting to find Hazel waiting with a grin. But when I stepped outside, my heart dropped.

An old man stood there, cloaked in garments that resembled those of ancient monks. His robes were adorned with intricate symbols, and his presence radiated an aura that made me uneasy yet intrigued.

“Finally, you’re here,” he said, his voice calm but commanding.

I took a cautious step back, my heart racing. “Who are you?” I asked, striving for steadiness. “What’s going on? Did you send this letter?”

He nodded, his gaze unwavering. “Yes, child. I am the one who wrote to you. It’s time you learned the truth.”

A chill crept down my spine, fear mixing with disbelief. “If this is some sort of prank, it’s not funny. I don’t know who you are or what you want.”

The man remained still, a soft smile playing on his lips. “Ignis, this is not a joke. I’m here to reveal your destiny.”

I frowned, shaking my head. “Destiny? What are you talking about? How do you know about my dreams?”

He chuckled, the sound warm and inviting, as if he understood my confusion. “You’ve always been curious, haven’t you? That curiosity will serve you well in what’s to come.

I crossed my arms, feeling a mix of annoyance and intrigue. “What do you mean? This is all too vague. You’re not making any sense.”

The man’s expression shifted, growing serious. “Child, you are not ordinary. You are the chosen one—the leader of the Zodiac signs.”

His words hung in the air, heavy with implication. I stood there, trying to process what he had just said. My dreams, my strange visions… Were they more than just figments of my imagination?

“Chosen one?” I repeated, disbelief coloring my voice. “What does that even mean?”

The old man stepped closer, his eyes filled with a knowing light. “It means you have a destiny intertwined with the very essence of the Zodiac. Each sign, each celestial body, holds a part of you. And it’s time to awaken that power within.”

As his words sunk in, I felt a strange energy pulsating around me, as if the universe itself was resonating with the truth he spoke. Suddenly, everything I had experienced—the dreams, the feelings of being different—began to make sense.

I took a deep breath, my heart racing. “What do I need to do?”

“Follow me,” he said, gesturing toward the stars twinkling above. “Your journey is just beginning.”