It all began on a rainy night
Vian and his younger brother stood on the balcony, silently watching the downpour blur the city lights. Suddenly, their attention was caught by a strange red glow moving silently through the clouds. It hovered above, unblinking and otherworldly.
Compelled by an instinct he couldn't explain, Vian made a choice.
"You go back home," he told his brother. "I'll check where it's heading."
He chased the crimson glow through wet streets and dim alleys, eventually reaching a sparse wooded area beyond the petrol station. The red light hovered mid-air, unmoving. As Vian stepped closer, a black, shadowy hand burst forth from the orb — its long, sharp fingers piercing into his chest. The pain was instant and overwhelming, ripping through his chest and skull before the world went dark.
---
When he opened his eyes, the world had changed.
He found himself lying on a wooden bed inside a small, rustic cabin. Warm sunlight filtered through the window, touching the rough walls with golden hues. He tried to sit up, his head aching faintly.
Moments later, the door creaked open. A girl entered — with soft blonde hair, gentle eyes, and a white dress under a blue apron. Her presence felt… familiar.
"You're awake now," she said with a kind smile. "Are you feeling better?"
Vian studied her face.
"You're the girl… the one that man was trying to drag away, right?"
She nodded. "Yes. My name is Lisa."
"I'm Vian," he replied, unsure. "I… I think I'm not from around here. Maybe… another world."
A sudden surge of pain struck his head. He clutched it, confused.
"It's all so blurry."
Lisa stepped closer, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "You're safe now. I treated your wounds myself."
Vian glanced around the room.
"Do you live alone?"
Lisa's expression darkened. "My father took a loan from that man. He passed away without repaying it. Since then... I've been on my own."
"I'm sorry," Vian murmured. "Where are we now?"
"This village is called Therinvale," she replied softly.
He blinked at the ceiling. "How long was I out?"
"Almost a full day. It's morning now."
After a moment, Vian asked quietly, "The girl who saved me… who was she?"
Lisa gave a subtle smile.
"You'll meet her again. Sooner than you think."
---
Market of Whispers
Later that day, Lisa and Vian walked to the local market — not the crowded one in the village center, but a quieter square surrounded by tall oaks and mossy walls. Lisa picked up bread, herbs, and fresh vegetables while Vian wandered nearby, still taking in the strange new world.
Suddenly, the air shifted.
A tall figure strolled into the square — a golden-haired young man dressed in a regal dark-blue coat lined with silver. His boots were spotless despite the dirt path, and a curved sword hung at his side like an ornament. The villagers subtly moved aside as he passed, bowing slightly in respect.
"That's John Loren," Lisa whispered. "He's… someone important."
As John walked by, his eyes momentarily locked with Vian's.
Not a stare — but a calculated glance, full of quiet curiosity.
Then he looked away, continuing forward with the same composed grace.
Moments later, a sudden chill drifted through the warm air. The sound around the market dimmed.
She arrived.
The silver-haired girl from the alley. She wore a white combat uniform with silver patterns that shimmered like frost. Her sword, strapped across her back, gave off a faint mist of cold air. Her gaze locked on Vian.
Her eyes widened—shock... then something gentler. Relief.
She approached slowly, her voice calm yet firm.
"You're alright now."
Vian was stunned. "Thank you... for saving me."
She gave a small, knowing smile—then turned and joined John, who was waiting for her a few steps away. The two walked off together, quiet and powerful. A team.
---
A Quiet Bond
On their way home, Vian broke the silence.
"Who… are they?"
Lisa answered, "They're forming a team. Not a guild — we don't have those here. Teams are chosen by the High Watch, and they take on missions beyond the protected zones. Some even work with the royal army."
Vian thought for a moment, then asked, "Why did you let me stay?"
Lisa looked at him warmly.
"You had no magic. No strength. But you still tried to protect me. That meant something. Until you recover… you're welcome here."
Vian's cheeks flushed. "I want to stand beside them… beside her."
Lisa hesitated. "You don't have magic. That world out there is cruel."
"There must be something inside me," he said. "We keep going… until even our souls are exhausted."
Lisa turned away, smiling faintly.
---
Training the Ordinary
From that day, Vian trained with obsession.
Morning sword drills, using a thick wooden blade
Balance training, walking on narrow logs across shallow rivers
Shadow focus exercises, watching the flickers of energy in his hands
Stretching and flexibility routines, taught by Lisa from old scrolls
Evening combat footwork, dodging and redirecting strikes
Every time he gripped the sword, strange black tendrils of smoke coiled around his fingers. He ignored them, unsure if they were real.
Lisa would return from her work each evening to find him drenched in sweat, still swinging his sword under the fading sunlight.
One night, her mind flashed back—
"Until I get selected... can I stay here and train with you?"
She had paused… then replied:
"Alright. But don't overdo it."
He had no legacy.
No noble name.
No magic.
But what burned in him was something far stronger—
Unbreakable will.