The wind carried the smell of smoke long before Kael saw the flames.
He was running through the forest path toward the village when the sky turned red.
His heart began to race.
Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
"Please… not the village," he whispered.
Kael pushed through the trees and suddenly stopped.
The entire village was burning.
Flames devoured wooden houses while terrified screams filled the night. Warriors wearing black armor moved through the streets like shadows, cutting down anyone who tried to escape.
Clan warriors.
Kael's hands trembled.
"Why would a clan attack a place like this…?"
A loud crash echoed behind him.
He turned just in time to see three armored warriors walking toward him.
Their cloaks carried a crimson symbol.
The Crimson Clan.
One of them stepped forward.
"So… the boy survived," the warrior said coldly.
Kael frowned.
"What are you talking about?"
The man slowly drew his sword.
"You really don't know, do you?"
Another warrior smiled darkly.
"All these years… hiding the last heir of the Void Clan in a pathetic village."
Kael felt his chest tighten.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
The leader laughed.
"Don't worry."
He pointed the sword at Kael.
"You'll remember when your power awakens."
The warriors attacked.
Kael tried to run, but the ground beneath him suddenly exploded with energy.
Darkness spread from his hands like living shadows.
The warriors froze.
"What… what is that power?"
Kael stared at his glowing hands in shock.
A deep voice echoed inside his mind.
"The time has come."
"Rise, heir of the Void Clan."
And the darkness consumed everything.