The world twisted when Kael opened his eyes.
He wasn't in Eldermoor anymore. The burning houses, the shattered well, the blackened corpses—all were gone. Instead, he stood on a narrow path carved between towering stone cliffs. The sky above was a heavy blanket of clouds, dark enough to feel like dusk, even though no sun or stars were visible.
The air was cold. Colder than anything he had ever felt.
Kael shivered and looked around. "Where… where am I?"
The cloaked man who saved him walked a few steps ahead, his long dark coat brushing the ground. He didn't look back as he spoke. "Far from the village. Far from the beast. Far from anyone who could find you."
Kael swallowed. "You didn't answer the question."
The man stopped.
Slowly, he turned, his silver eyes glowing faintly in the dull light. "This place is known as the Duskwalk. A hidden passage between the mortal lands and the old territories."
Kael frowned. He had heard rumors—drunk hunters talking about cursed paths where even the air had weight, where night never ended.
"Why bring me here?" Kael whispered. "Why me?"
The man stepped closer. "You already know, Kael. The brand on your chest is older than any kingdom. You felt it awaken. You felt it hunger."
Kael instinctively grabbed his ribs through his torn shirt. The mark burned faintly, like it was listening.
The man crouched so his eyes met Kael's. "Tell me, boy. When the beast came for you… did you fear it?"
Kael hesitated, remembering the monster's roar, the claws, the red eyes—then the shadow that surged out of him like a storm.
"I… don't know what I felt."
"That is a lie," the man said simply. "You felt its hunger. And the shadows inside you answered."
Kael took a step back. "Stay away from me."
A soft, dark laugh escaped the man's throat. "If I wished to harm you, Kael, you would have never woken."
Kael's fists clenched. "Who are you?"
Finally, the man stood fully, shadows curling around his boots like smoke.
"My name is Vaelor," he said. "And once… I walked beside your ancestors."
Kael blinked. "My ancestors? They were farmers."
"No," Vaelor said. "That is what your village wanted to believe. To hide you. To keep you from knowing the truth."
He raised a hand toward Kael's chest. "You are Shadowborn."
Kael's breath caught. "You keep saying that! What does it mean?"
Vaelor looked up at the sky, his expression unreadable. "Long before the kingdoms rose, before the temples stood, there existed a clan born from the night itself. They commanded shadows, shaped darkness, and carried curses in their blood. People feared them… because nothing could hide from a Shadowborn. Not men. Not beasts. Not even the gods."
Kael stared at him. "That can't be true."
"Then explain how you defeated a Cursebeast alone."
Kael opened his mouth… but no words came.
Vaelor continued walking. "Come. There is still much to see."
Kael hesitated but followed. What else could he do? Everything he knew was gone. The world he grew up in had burned in front of his eyes. The only person who had answers was this strange man.
After a long silence, Kael asked, "If my people were so powerful… why haven't I heard of them?"
Vaelor didn't slow. "Because power breeds fear. The kingdoms united to wipe the Shadowborn out. Those who carried your blood were hunted. Erased. Buried in stories and burned in history."
Kael stared at the ground. "Then why am I still alive?"
Vaelor exhaled slowly. "Because someone hid you. Someone protected you the night you were born."
"My mother?" Kael whispered.
"Perhaps. Or perhaps another Shadowborn who survived long enough to carry you into hiding."
Kael swallowed hard. His chest tightened.
He had always wondered about his mother. No pictures existed. No belongings. Only a grave behind the village where grass grew strangely dark around the soil.
"You said the world will come for me," Kael said quietly. "Why now?"
Vaelor stopped again.
The path ahead opened into a vast landscape—an endless expanse of black rock and fog. Strange pillars of stone rose like broken teeth from the ground. Shadows drifted between them like wandering souls.
"The world can sense you now," Vaelor said. "Your power awakened. The Shadowbrand has claimed you."
Kael rubbed his chest. "I didn't want it."
Vaelor looked at him with something almost soft in his eyes. "No cursed child ever wants the curse. But the mark chooses its bearer."
Kael stepped toward him. "Can it be removed?"
Vaelor shook his head slowly. "No. But it can be mastered."
Kael's heart thumped painfully. Mastering it meant accepting it. Accepting the thing that killed everyone he knew.
"What if I don't want this power?" Kael whispered.
"Then the world will kill you."
Silence followed.
Finally Kael said, "What do you want from me?"
Vaelor turned fully, his expression suddenly sharp.
"To teach you how to survive. How to fight. How to control the darkness before it controls you."
Kael hesitated. Then, "And if I refuse?"
Vaelor spread his hands. "Then you will die tonight. The beasts smelled your awakening. They will come again."
A chill ran down Kael's spine.
"Why help me?" Kael asked. "What do you gain?"
Vaelor's smile was thin.
"Because, Kael… I once swore an oath to the Shadowborn. To protect the last of your bloodline, should any survive."
He leaned forward. "And you… are the last."
Kael looked out over the shadowed wasteland, the broken pillars, the moving darkness.
If he stayed with Vaelor, he might become something terrifying.
If he left, he would die.
Neither path felt like a choice.
But he thought of the villagers screaming.
He thought of the Cursebeast tearing through homes.
He thought of his mother's grave.
He thought of revenge.
Kael closed his eyes.
When he opened them, something colder flickered inside.
"I'll learn," he said.
Vaelor nodded once. "Good."
Kael took a breath. "But promise me something."
Vaelor raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"
"When I'm strong enough…" Kael's voice hardened, "…you will tell me who destroyed my clan."
Vaelor's eyes gleamed.
"Oh, Kael. You already know the answer."
He turned, cloak flowing like living night. "The same people who will soon try to kill you."
Kael followed, the darkness shifting behind him like a loyal shadow.
The path ahead was cold.
It was dangerous.
It was full of secrets.
And Kael had just taken his first step into the world that wanted