Earth, France.

Few weeks ago, Sen only remaining kin, his grandfather, passed away. Since then, gloominess engulfed him. Finally feeling the crushing weights of his student mortgage and daily needs, Sen had to take the helping hand of one of his few remaining friends : Bob. Bob’s father owned a local grocery store and was in dire need of a substitute cashier.

While on an errand, the tyrannical heat of the Mediterranean summer oppressed Sen. The pavement released its heat in waves, fanning an asphalt wind over the town that pulled at the throat and sat in the lungs like a fume.

Not a single sound could be heard throughout the streets of Gémenos, a small town deep in the Provençal maquis. Most stores closed on Sundays, but the old antique store by the baker’s was opened. As usual. After 5 miles of rushing under the burning sun, Sen could not bear it anymore. Enticed by the shade freshness, he boldly sat under the store’s awning, but not before quickly peaking through the door. The antique store was unsurprisingly filled to the brim with antiques covered by a thick layer of dust. The sun rays reflected on bronze instruments, giving the store an undescriptible atmosphere.

Alone and exhausted, Sen could not help but gaze vacantly in the air thinking about his late grandfather. Life can’t help but throw curves at you, doesn’t it ? While mulling over his current circumstances, he did not notice an old man slowly getting out of the store, his limping betraying a peg leg, who came to a stop just behind him. His deep grey eyes unveiled deep wisdom and flickered with otherworldly glints. Time seemed to stretch, with seconds feeling like minutes and minutes like hours.

He snorted “Haha ! Meeting the remaining bloodline of my old pal here is fate’s work. He did not want to introduce you to the wider world, but his ennemis will not rest until his bloodline is thoroughly extinguished. I cannot help you directly but let me grace you with this bit of good fortune, little youngling. Grow well and fast, only you can avenge the Setmenis.” A thin book and an intricate dark box fell in front of Sen’ feet while a dark red tribal tattoo reminding flames lickings appeared on his arms. Both Sen and these objects suddenly vanished.

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After what felt like hours, Sen suddenly came out of stupor, his head ringing. He muttered : “What the hell happened, did I just fall asleep ? ... Shit ! I had to get Mr. Jameson’s notes !” Hastily getting up, he tripped on something and fell face first towards the scalding tarmac. Strangely, what met him was not blistering heat but soft grass. Standing up, he whirled around, only seeing trees everywhere. A strange drifting damp mist drifted around the tree trunks, its thickness made his surroundings impenetrable.

He finally noticed a thin book. It smelled sulphur. The first cover read Sundering Light by George Setmeni.

“Wha …. ?” Dumbstruck, Sen froze : his heart beats thundered in his mind. By bending to pick up the book, his sleeves were rolled up, revealing dark red tattoos spread all over his arms. Heaving, Sen was dazed. He was all alone, stranded God knows where. All he had to fend for himself in this bizarre environment were unknown tattoos and a dusty book. And he had yet to open the overturned dark box.

~~~

As Sen stumbled upon surprises and shocks and failed to gather his wits for over 10 minutes, an old man loudly laughed “Oh Razae .... did you really believe you could suppress a Setmini for 30 years without backlash ? You dimwit ! The Setmini youngling will thrive in that backwater place. Those filthy demons cowered before the peaceful George, and they pissed themselves before the Setmini madmen. How will young Sen react when he learns the secrets of his family and its tragedy ? Oh Razae, I can’t wait to see retribution befalling upon your despicable clan.”

~~~

In a faraway secret room, the eyes of a young woman abruptly lit up. She desperately tried to locate the spatial disruption that rippled few moments ago. After 10 minutes of unfruitful efforts, she growled : “Only a spatial master can stabilize and suppress spatial tears at the same time. It must be this wrinkly codger. What is he up to ?” Her ire was so potent that the air rumbled and the sky darkened. Besides her, 3 old women were shivering. Pointing at them, she screamed : “Have Aylan come her ! Immediately.” They simultaneously replied : “Your wish is our command Lady Razae.”