Baku sat on the edge of his bed, his mind swirling with confusion. The Awakening ceremony had ended hours ago, yet he still felt the lingering presence of Prima, the strange world inside him. The desolate landscape, the twisted trees, and the voice—none of it felt like a mere dream. It was real, and it was terrifying.

“Baku!” His mother’s voice called from downstairs, pulling him out of his thoughts. “Dinner’s ready!”

He barely heard her as his thoughts drifted back to the ceremony. The other children had received their abilities—some had awakened powers over fire, water, or lightning, while others demonstrated feats of strength or agility. But Baku’s awakening had been different. He hadn’t displayed any of the usual powers. No visible signs of strength, no elemental control. Instead, he had collapsed, lost in the vision of Prima.

Standing, Baku made his way downstairs. His family sat around the small wooden table, the smell of stew filling the air. His father, a broad-shouldered man with a kind but stern face, looked up as Baku entered.

“How are you feeling, son?” his father asked, his voice gruff with concern.

“I… I don’t know,” Baku admitted, taking a seat. “Something strange happened during the ceremony.”

His mother, a gentle woman with soft brown eyes, placed a hand on his shoulder. “What do you mean?”

Baku hesitated, unsure of how to explain it. “I saw… a place. A world, almost. It wasn’t here. It was inside me. And there was a voice.”

His father and mother exchanged worried glances. “A voice?” his father repeated.

“Yes. It called the place Prima.”

The room fell silent for a moment. His father leaned forward, his expression serious. “Baku, every Awakener’s ability is unique, but what you’re describing... I’ve never heard of anything like it.”

“I don’t understand it either,” Baku said, his voice barely a whisper. “But it felt real. Like it’s a part of me.”

His father sighed deeply. “You’ll need to talk to the elders about this. They might know more.”

The thought of going back to the elders made Baku’s stomach churn. The way they had looked at him during the ceremony—their eyes filled with a mixture of awe and fear—still unsettled him. But he knew his father was right. If anyone had answers, it would be them.

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After dinner, Baku lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. The village outside was quiet, save for the occasional howl of wind. But inside him, Prima was still there. He could feel it, like a distant echo. He closed his eyes, and before he knew it, the familiar landscape began to form in his mind—the dark trees, the swirling sky, and that eerie sense of being watched.

Suddenly, Baku was no longer lying in bed. He stood once again in Prima, the twisted trees looming around him. The air was thick with an unsettling stillness, and the sky above churned with angry clouds. The voice from before echoed in his mind once more.

You have returned.

“Who are you?” Baku asked, his voice trembling slightly. “Why am I here?”

You are here because Prima is yours to command, the voice replied. This world exists within you, and its strength will be your strength.

Baku frowned. “What does that mean?”

This world is a reflection of your potential, your power. The stronger Prima becomes, the stronger you will be. But be warned—this power is not without its dangers.

As the voice faded, Baku felt a presence nearby. His heart raced as he turned to face the source of the sensation. Emerging from the shadows of the trees was a figure, tall and cloaked in darkness. Its form was human-like but twisted, as though it had been warped by the strange nature of Prima.

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“Who are you?” Baku demanded, his voice trembling slightly.

The figure said nothing. Instead, it began to advance toward him, its movements slow but deliberate. Panic surged through Baku as he stepped back, his heart pounding in his chest.

“I don’t want to be here!” he shouted, hoping to wake up from this nightmare.

But Prima did not release him. The figure drew closer, and as it did, Baku felt a strange pull deep within him, like a part of himself was being drawn toward the figure.

In a flash of instinct, Baku raised his hand, trying to defend himself. To his surprise, the air around him rippled, and a barrier of light formed between him and the advancing figure. The figure paused, its head tilting as if studying the barrier. Then, with a growl, it dissolved into the shadows, leaving Baku standing alone.

His breath came in ragged gasps as the barrier faded. He looked down at his trembling hands, unsure of what had just happened. Did he control that light? Was it a part of his power?

Before he could contemplate further, the voice returned, this time fainter, as if coming from a great distance.

You are not ready yet, Baku. But soon, you will understand. Prima is both your gift and your burden.

Baku’s vision blurred, and once again, he was pulled out of Prima. He gasped as he sat up in bed, drenched in sweat. The night was still, his room dimly lit by the moonlight streaming through the window. Everything was as it should be—quiet, safe.

But Baku knew now that Prima was real. It was inside him, waiting to be explored, and with it came power unlike anything he had ever imagined. But there was danger too. The figure, the voice, the unsettling presence of the world—it all felt like a warning.

Whatever path lay ahead, it was clear that Baku’s life had changed forever. His ability wasn’t just a simple gift like the others had received. He had been given something far greater—and far more perilous.

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Morning came too soon. Baku, his body still heavy from the night’s ordeal, forced himself out of bed. His parents had already left for their daily tasks, leaving him alone with his thoughts. Today, he would have to face Elder Turok.

The walk to the village center felt unusually long. Every step weighed heavier on Baku, not because of physical exhaustion but from the growing uncertainty about what awaited him. The elders were revered in Rostal, and Elder Turok, the one in charge of Awakening ceremonies, commanded respect and authority.

The village, quiet in the early morning, began to stir as Baku reached the Elder Hall. He noticed other young Awakeners—his friends and peers—moving about, showing off their newfound abilities. They seemed so confident, so at ease with their powers. Baku, on the other hand, was plagued by doubt.

He entered the stone building and made his way to Elder Turok’s chambers. The elder was a tall, imposing man with long white hair that hung over his shoulders. His eyes, though aged, were sharp and filled with wisdom. He was seated at a large wooden desk, studying ancient scrolls when Baku approached.

“Ah, Baku,” Elder Turok said without looking up. “I expected you.”

Baku swallowed hard, trying to gather his thoughts. “Elder, I… I need to talk about what happened during the Awakening.”

Turok set the scroll aside and fixed his gaze on Baku. “I am aware. What you experienced was no ordinary Awakening.”

Baku’s heart pounded in his chest. “So, you know about Prima?”

The elder nodded slowly. “Hmmm, it seems it is as I expected. I believe I do have an inkling of idea of whatever answers you require. But what you must understand, Baku, is that Prima, as you call it, is unlike any ability we have ever encountered. It is not just a power; it is a world unto itself.”

“A world?” Baku repeated, his voice trembling.

“Yes. A world that exists within you, but also apart from you. Prima’s power will grow as you grow, but it will also test you. It will not simply hand its strength to you. You must earn it.”

Baku’s mind raced as Elder Turok’s words sank in. “What do I need to do?”

“You must first explore Prima, understand its nature, and learn its secrets. The dangers you face within that world are real, Baku. They can harm you, perhaps even kill you. But if you master Prima, you will have power beyond anything this village has ever seen.”

Baku’s breath caught in his throat. The weight of Turok’s words settled on him like a heavy cloak. The figure he had seen, the twisted darkness that lurked in the shadows of Prima—it wasn’t just a nightmare. It was real, and it was waiting for him.

“But remember,” Turok continued, his tone grave, “Prima is also a burden. It will demand much from you. And there may come a time when you wish you had never awakened it.”

Baku stood in silence, the gravity of the situation pressing down on him. He had always thought of Awakening as a blessing, a gift that would bring strength and purpose to his life. But now, he realized that his gift was far more complex—and far more dangerous—than he had ever imagined.

“I will do what I must,” Baku said finally, his voice steady despite the fear gnawing at him.

Elder Turok gave a slow nod. “Good. Remember, Baku, you are not alone in this. We will guide you as best we can. But the path you walk is yours to tread.”

As Baku left the Elder Hall, the weight of his new reality bore down on him. He was no longer just a boy from Rostal, an ordinary villager. He was the bearer of Prima, a world of immense power and mystery. And whether he liked it or not, his journey had only just begun.