The Grand Library was silent — not with peace, but with tension.Dust floated in the stale air like suspended time.The ceiling fans creaked as they turned slowly overhead.From between the towering shelves came the sounds of study and strain:The rustle of paper… the soft thump of books being dropped… the occasional sigh of frustration.The scent of ancient parchment, dry ink, and leather bindings wrapped around everything like a forgotten perfume.
Then—A figure sat hunched in a darkened corner.Eyes sharp. Hands twitching.Desperation clung to his shoulders.The young man flipped through ancient tomes, urgency in his breath."There's no time left..." he muttered, scanning page after page in a frenzy.Dust rose from the yellowed paper as his fingers tore through centuries of forgotten knowledge.His voice, though low, carried weight — a soft echo caught between shelves.
"Ordinary humans… they're fading. Replaced by Element Wielders. The next stage of evolution…"He paused."They have two extra ventricles… connected to special veins that don't just carry blood — they carry elemental force. One vein per point. One point per vein."
He turned another page."Common Wielders have only three to six in both eyes.It's all measured through 'Eye Points' — ranging from common eyes to rare ones that have, in their right eye, a jagged, geometric, glowing emblem — never touching the pupil.And in their left eye, six points.Then there are the Mother Eyes, which — like the rare eyes in the right — have an emblem piercing through the pupil's core like a blade.They can use all elements related to the family of the one they possess.Like the Mother Eye of Fire — its wielder can use lava, for example.They also have six points in their left eye, just like rare element wielders.But some rare ones… they say they've even surpassed the Mothers."
He snapped the book shut."Pointless..." he breathed, pressing trembling fingers against his forehead."Years of searching. Nothing."
Then—A flash.A memory burned behind his eyes.A celestial figure bathed in shimmering green-gold light, standing proud as a god among mortals.People stared in awe.And the figure… he turned toward him.Opened his mouth to speak—But Dark never heard the words.He only remembered the silence… and the pull in his chest.
Dark clenched his fists."No… I can't give up. Not here."
He leaned back in his chair.Thump.An old leather-bound book slipped from the upper shelf and hit the floor.Footsteps passed behind the row.A shadow moved.But Dark didn't notice.He picked up the book. Flipped it open.Its pages were brittle… its ink faded… but something about it called to him.
At the very end, a single sketch remained.A trial.A fall of light.A title barely legible beneath:"The Trial of the Lightfall."
He read it.Once.Twice.His heart pounded louder with each line."No way…" he said aloud.
"Shhh!" hissed the librarian from somewhere in the shadows.
"Sorry," he whispered, tucking the book under his arm and rushing out into the wind.
Posters danced on the walls of cracked buildings:"DREAM CHASERS ENLISTMENT – Starts Next Week!Minimum Requirement: 4 Points.Good Luck!"
He stopped. Looked down for a moment, then continued running toward the train that would take him to the Light City.He waited at the station for a little while until the train arrived.All the people were looking at him in a strange way — avoiding him like he was sick.He stayed silent, looking down, and boarded the train.
A little kid with three points in his eyes, holding his mother's hand (who also had three points), pointed at Dark."Mom, look — a sick guy."His mother replied, "Don't say that out loud. He might be sick or something."
Dark looked down at his hands."Does everyone have to remind me?"
And for the first time, we see Dark's eyes."…I only have two points.I'm technically disabled in their eyes…"
He thought, pain visible on his face:"People hear I have the Gold Energy Element and assume I'm lucky.But no… I can't create gold.I can't shape it.All I can do… is borrow the energy from gold I touch — for a moment.A spark.A boost.A joke…"
He gritted his teeth.But this time —everything is going to change…
Dark sat quietly as people continued to glance at him with disdain. Just as the train doors were about to close, a breathless figure rushed inside.
"Ugh—barely made it," the stranger muttered, scanning the cabin.
He stood for a moment, searching for a place to sit. Every seat was taken. Some people were even standing. All except two empty ones—on either side of Dark.
Dark watched him nervously and thought,"Great. Here it comes again. He'll probably push me to the floor like the last one did, just to take my seat… I'm used to it. Whatever."
But then, to his surprise, the stranger with five glowing Eye Points sat calmly beside him.
Dark blinked, stunned.
"Hey," the stranger said, glancing around. "Don't you think everyone's looking at you like you're famous or something?"
Dark lowered his gaze. "I only have two points."
"So what?" the guy replied casually.
"Aren't you… disgusted?" Dark asked.
"Should I be?"
Dark paused. "You're… weird. This is the first time anyone's treated me like this."
"Two points, one point—what's the difference?" the boy grinned. "Name's Laiver. Fireborn Element, as you can probably tell. Five points."
"Dark," he replied simply. "Two-point joke. Gold Energy Element."
"Whoa! Gold?" Laiver's eyes lit up. "Bet you make a fortune."
Dark let out a bitter chuckle. "As I said… joke. I can't create gold. I can't shape it. I can only draw energy from gold I touch—briefly. A spark. A boost. Nothing more."
Laiver tilted his head. "So, why are you headed to Light City?"
Dark's expression shifted. "To change my life. I'm going to attempt the Trial of the Lightfall. whta about you Laiver ?"
Laiver raised an eyebrow. "lets say im looking for someone , The Lightfall Trial?"
"Yeah," Dark nodded. "It's an ancient, dangerous ritual. Two compatible wielders enter the great light waterfall—cut their palms, let their elemental blood mix in the stream. It could either… increase their Eye Points the viens in thier bodies—or kill them."
"Sounds kinda reckless," Laiver muttered.
"I've got nothing left to lose. And it's my only chance."
Laiver paused, then smiled. "Heh… I like you. You're my friend now."
"You really are strange," Dark smirked.
They sat in silence for a while.
"So," Laiver asked eventually, "have you found someone willing to do the Lightfall Trial with you?"
"Ugh," Dark groaned. "I forgot about that part..."
Laiver chuckled. "Don't worry. Do you at least know what your compatible element is?"
"Hold on," Dark said, pulling out his phone. After a quick search, he said, "Here. It says my match is an element called… Deep Light. Huh. Sounds rare."
"You're in Light City," Laiver replied with a confident grin. "Most people here wield Light or some variation of it. You'll find someone."
After about two hours, the train pulled into Light City Station.
Laiver stood. "Alright. Time for me to start looking."
"Same here," Dark replied. "Good luck, Laiver."
"You too."
As they parted ways, Dark smiled to himself.
"This is the first time I've had a friend… Maybe things really are changing."
He looked ahead, determination flashing in his eyes.
"Now… I just have to find the one with the Deep Light element. I'm coming for you."
And for the first time in a long while…He smiled.