The next morning, Sky and Rika packed a few supplies and followed Mael through the forest. The path was quiet, with birds singing in the trees and sunlight shining through the leaves. But Sky felt nervous. He was leaving the only place he knew… even if he didn't remember it.
"Where are we going?" Sky asked.
"To an old village," Mael said. "Someone there may know about your mark."
"Why me?" Sky asked again. "Why not just forget it all?"
Mael looked at him. "Because you're not just anyone, Sky. The mark chose you."
Sky didn't know what that meant, but it gave him a strange feeling—like hope and fear mixed together.
After hours of walking, they came to a small wooden bridge over a river. Rika ran ahead and looked down into the clear water.
"Hey, look!" she called. "There are little silver fish!"
Sky smiled. For a moment, everything felt normal. Peaceful.
But then—
Whoosh!
An arrow flew past and stuck into a tree beside Mael.
"Get down!" he shouted.
They ducked as more arrows flew. Shadowy figures stepped out from behind rocks and trees. They wore masks and dark armor.
"They're not beasts," Mael growled. "They're hunters."
One of them pointed at Sky. "That boy. He has the star mark. Take him!"
Sky stood up, heart pounding. His chest began to glow again.
"No," he said firmly. "I won't go with you!"
Light formed in his hand again—brighter than before. It became a real blade this time, glowing red like a comet.
Mael took out a thin silver sword. Rika hid behind a tree, watching.
"Sky," Mael said calmly, "show them what your power can do."
Sky gripped his glowing blade. The hunters rushed at them.
And the fight began.