"The ones without resonance must cling to love—because it is the only magic they're allowed."
Kaen's hands still shook from the encounter with Rellan.Each step home felt heavier than the last.
Dr. Aelis Veyra opened the door before he could knock.
She didn't ask what was wrong.She saw it.
"Oh, Kaen…"Her arms wrapped around him—warm, grounding, unearned.
He didn't hug back right away.His mind replayed the words:
Defect.Forgotten by the Source.Not worth the air.
Aelis cupped his cheeks with both hands.
"Look at me," she whispered.
His eyes met hers—soft brown, full of fire.
"You are a miracle," she said, voice steady."I prayed for a child, but my body failed me."
He swallowed.
"And then… there you were."Her smile trembled with the memory."Curled in a basket beside the river. So small. So quiet. I knew—"She tapped his chest."—the Source sent you to me."
Kaen blinked fast, refusing the sting in his eyes.
"Rellan doesn't think so," he muttered.
Aelis's jaw tightened. "Rellan grew arrogance before he grew wisdom."
Kaen shrugged off the bitterness. "He's right though. If the Source wanted me, I wouldn't be—"
"Stop."Her voice cracked like a whip."You are destined for more than this village can imagine."
Kaen wanted to believe it.
He really did.
A knock shook the moment apart.
Rellan.With his friends.Laughing.
Rellan took one look at Kaen standing in the doorway—and his smile curdled.
"I don't even want to breathe the same air as the defect," he spat.
Kaen felt those words land in the softest part of him—the part still asking to be loved by a brother who had already chosen the world's side.
Rellan and the others stalked off, boots slamming judgment.
Kaen stared at the dirt.
Aelis pulled him back into a hug—tighter.
"You are my son," she said against his hair."No one gets to decide your worth."
She turned, loading a parcel of bread and cured meat into his hands.
"Take this to Lucien," she insisted."You always come back from there smiling."
Kaen managed a tiny nod.A drop of hope.
The chapel door creaked as he pushed it open.
Lucien stood at a table sorting candles, shoulders square from years of prayer.
"I've got food," Kaen said awkwardly.
Lucien took the basket and smiled, wrinkles deepening around wise eyes.
"As always, you bring more than what you carry."
Kaen lingered.
Lucien noticed.
"Would you like me to tell you a story?"He said it like he already knew the answer.
Kaen's eyes brightened—just a little.
"Yes."
Lucien chuckled lightly."Some things never change."
He sat, gesturing for Kaen to join him before a mural bathed in gold and shadow.
"This world began with the Source. A consciousness older than time."
Kaen listened—completely.
"The Source forged two children from its own light and shadow.One to guide the day: Solara, bright and praised."His voice softened."One to guard the night: Erevos, calm and forgotten."
Lucien traced a faint, painted outline—hidden beneath years of edits.
"While Solara ruled with brilliance, Erevos shaped time itself—so humans could grow, heal, and become more than momentary sparks."
Kaen's breath held.
"But power breeds fear."Lucien's tone darkened.
"Solara envied her brother.She wanted the throne—wanted mortals to worship her alone."
Kaen's pulse quickened.
"One night, she killed their niece—innocent and beloved."He lowered his voice."And she blamed Erevos."
Kaen's stomach dropped.
"The other gods rose against him. They silenced him.Cursed his name.Erased him from their songs."
Lucien looked at the painted layers—as if seeing the buried truth beneath.
"He was guilty only of being too trusting."
Kaen's hands curled into fists.
Lucien returned his gaze to Kaen's.
"Not every light is honest," he whispered."And not every shadow deserves fear."
Kaen swallowed.
It felt like the story was about him.
Aelis's voice echoed from outside.
"Kaen! The ceremony's starting!"
Lucien stood and squeezed Kaen's shoulder.
"Walk with your head high," he said."The Source may reveal more than anyone expects."
Kaen stepped out into the evening air.
The sky burned with gold.And somewhere behind it—a patient shadow waited.
"Tonight the world will judge him.But someone else already knows his worth."