Twilight wrapped around the forest, with crystals embedded in towering trees catching the fading light, glowing like fireflies. Wooden houses swayed on thick vines, ropes creaking in sync with the faint clink of hammers and distant laughter. Rian, seventeen, sliced the air with a wooden sword on a wobbly bridge, sweat dripping into his brown eyes. The breeze carried the sweet scent of glowing sap, but his torn glove hid the purple "C" on his left hand, pulsing like embers. Two years ago, during the initiation rite, a violet flash had scarred his skin when the divine weapons rejected him.
"Rian, drop that thing!" Lina yelled, dangling from a rope ladder, her short hair whipping in the wind. "You know the Chosen hate us even touching weapons, even a lousy stick!"
"Let 'em complain," Rian shot back, his voice thick with defiance, a crooked grin on his lips. "A Rejeited with a wooden sword's more dangerous than they think."
"You and your stubborn streak," Lina huffed, climbing fast. "Always picking fights. Look, the Chosen are laughing again. Just ignore 'em, okay?"
"Let 'em come," Rian muttered, his tone cold as steel. "One day, they'll choke on those laughs."
"You and that big mouth," Lina said, rolling her eyes, though her smile wavered. "They've got magic, Rian. All we've got is sweat."
"For now," he said, eyes narrowing. "I'll prove the Rejeited are worth more."
A scream sliced through the air. Black smoke spiraled from the lowest house. Rian froze, the sharp smell of burning wood yanking him back to the fire that took his parents at twelve—flames swallowing the door, his mom's voice breaking as she called his name.
"Lina, get down!" he shouted, sprinting across the bridge.
"Rian, another fire?!" Lina yelled, stumbling after him. "Six, seven vines…"
"Run and shut up!" he roared, panic clawing at his chest.
Orange flames devoured the houses, dry vines snapping like kindling. Screams echoed as Rejeited threw buckets of water, steam hissing in defiance. Rian slid down a rope ladder, boots skidding. Through the smoke, he spotted a hooded figure, cape billowing, wielding a sword wreathed in flames that left red trails. The same shadow from five years ago, the night he lost everything. Rage exploded in his gut.
"Who are you?!" Rian bellowed, choking on smoke, eyes stinging. The figure turned its head, then vanished into the haze. "Get back here, coward!" He ran to Dona Mara, an old woman trapped under a burning branch, her face twisted in pain.
"Rian, get me outta here!" Dona Mara gasped. "The fire… it's everywhere!"
"Hold on, I got you!" Rian said, yanking the branch, heat searing his hands. He gritted his teeth, muscles screaming. "Lina, help!"
"Rian, watch out!" Lina screamed, pointing. Vines erupted from the ground, their thorns glinting with strange colors, spewing shimmering dust that clouded the air. A vine lashed out, and Rian rolled, his reflexes barely saving him. A thorn stabbed into a tree, glowing sap oozing.
"These vines are cursed!" Lina yelled, ducking behind a smoldering trunk, eyes wide. "I've never seen anything like this, Rian!"
"Stay there!" he shouted, his wooden sword shaking in his hand. A low hum buzzed in his head, like the "C" on his hand was whispering.
Create, my chosen… — a voice rumbled, deep as the forest's pulse.
The "C" glowed purple through his glove, heat surging up his arm, waking something raw in his blood.
"What the hell's this?!" Rian muttered, heart racing, staring at the hissing vine.
"Rian, they're coming!" Lina screamed, clutching a makeshift knife. "Do something!"
"I don't know what's happening!" Rian snapped, voice cracking. A vine lunged, and his wooden sword splintered with a crack. "Damn it!"
Create! — the voice thundered, shaking his bones.
"Create what?!" Rian yelled, thrusting out his left hand, desperation flooding him.
Fire Sword Created
Ability: Heavy Strike
Energy: 10/15
Blue and orange flames erupted in his hand, forging a Fire Sword that crackled with wild energy.
"Rian, how'd you do that?!" Lina screamed, dodging a thorn. "Are you… a Chosen?"
"No way I'm a Chosen!" Rian shot back, pulse pounding. "Get behind me, Lina!" He swung the sword, slicing the air with a roar, turning a vine to glowing ashes. The heat scorched his glove, the "C" pulsing like a heartbeat.
"It just… happened!" Rian said, heart hammering. "Stay back!" He leaped, slashing another vine in a blazing arc.
"These things are insane!" Lina yelled, retreating as a vine spat shimmering dust. "Your hand's glowing, Rian!"
"Don't yell that!" Rian hissed, facing two vines. Years of bottled rage fueled his swings. With a Heavy Strike, he cleaved one in half, but the second coiled around his leg, thorns tearing his pants.
He slashed the vine, grunting in pain. "If the Chosen see this, I'm screwed!"
"They're too busy running!" Lina countered, pointing at the Chosen fleeing the burning village. "And there you go counting your vines again. They're pulling back!"
"Good. Let's put out this fire," Rian said, panting, the Fire Sword flickering, its glow echoing in the forest's crystals.
The flames died, leaving the village a smoking ruin.
Rian let the Fire Sword dissolve into sparks. The old wound from his childhood fire—his mom's voice, the flames at the door—tightened his chest. A voice echoed in his mind.
[Rian's Status]
Level: 1
Strength: 5
Speed: 3
Energy: 10/15
Skills:
Fire Sword (20/50 to Level 3)
Heavy Strike(10/50 to Level 2)
"Lina, don't tell anyone about this," he said, voice sharp as a blade.
"I'm no snitch!" Lina snapped, crossing her arms, eyes restless. "But, Rian, that sword… How'd you do it?"
"I don't know," he cut her off, staring at the wide footprints in the ashes, leading into the forest. "But I'm gonna find out who started this fire."
Deep in the forest, a hooded man watched, his flaming sword pulsing.
"He's awakened," he whispered, a cold smile spreading. "Let's hunt him down."