For the first time in human history, the stars glowed differently. Each shimmered in its own hue as young heirs across every dynasty discovered glowing markings on their skin—and visits from the deceased.
From the jungles of Soryn to the valleys of Vayhera, a single pulse ran through the veins of the first born of each clan or it's surviving descendants.
Amil felt it first, faint violet crystal lines flaring against his wrists. He and his brother stared frantically at the translucent message hovering above them:
[THE TIME WHEN THE YOUNG SHALL RISE, GUIDED BY THE FALLEN…]
Half a continent away, Kaelen of the Soryn Empire awoke to golden lines crawling across his arms. His long-dead grandfather stood translucent just a few meters away.
Lyra of the Vahera dynasty gasped as silver markings etched across her chest. Her long-deceased grandmother hovered above her, staring confusedly at her own translucent form.
"What is happening?" she asked, voice trembling. Lyra screamed, drawing the attention of her elder brother, who rushed in—but all he saw was Lyra pointing at invisible air.
In Zevran, Toren's forearms burned as crimson tattoos spread across his skin. He grunted in pain and confusion as his dead father knelt beside him.
"Toily Ick tan í toké el wu" — Take courage, Toily. It's going to be alright.
Across the globe, each newly awakened heir and their guardian stood in disarray, until a translucent scroll hovered above them both, blinking the same instruction repeatedly:
[PROCEED TO THE OPEN FIELDS OF VALGNAR AND AWAIT FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS]
Amil's pulse quickened as books in the library swirled violently, moving in unison out into the night sky.
"We have to get to Valgnar now," Umar's spirit urged. Amil looked at his leg—and damn, it was whole. Strong, unbroken, as if the dislocation had never happened.
"Amil, where are you going?" one of the elders called, panic in his voice as Amil dashed past. More books streaked behind him like shooting stars. A chief peered into the library, mouth falling open.
"By the elements…" he whispered, terror threading his words.