The sky shattered like reality itself was tearing apart. Lightning cracked across the heavens, and from above… it watched.
That eye.
Hung in the sky, swirling with darkness it pulsed once.
Boom.
A dark shockwave rippled across the forest, knocking birds from the air, bending trees backward.
The pressure turned suffocating. Caelum dropped to his knees, clutching his chest, breath ragged. A surge of heat and cold twisted in his veins the clash of light and darkness spiraling inside him like a storm on fire.
Sainm's voice cut through the chaos tense, calm, but shaken.
"It's the Ophanim Spawn…"
Caelum gasped, blinking through tears. "W-What are they?"
Sainm didn't look at him. His gaze was locked on the swirling sky.
"Shattered echoes of ancient beings. The Watchers… servants of the Aetherion."
The clouds spiraled tighter, forming a glowing blood-red sigil.
"They disobeyed the Will," Sainm continued, "and fell from grace."
Caelum winced as a jolt of searing energy slammed into his soul. His eye burned literally burned as it began to glow.
Sainm barely flinched.
"As punishment, their consciousness was sealed within the Crimson Sigil "
Another wave hit Caelum like a truck. He screamed, clenching his glowing eye.
" a cursed gateway floating outside of time," Sainm finished grimly.
Caelum could barely breathe. The pressure wasn't just physical it was inside him. A magnetic pull between light and shadow, ripping him in half. It felt like being drowned and set ablaze at once.
"And when the sigil opens…" Sainm muttered, "He chooses the bearer of Equinox."
The Eye flared again its black-and-white fire spiraling together in chaotic harmony.
Sainm's voice dropped to a whisper.
"And I guess… he found the bearer."
He turned. Caelum was no longer on the ground he hovered inches above it, surrounded by a chaotic storm of light and shadow.
Sainm's eyes locked on him.
"You, Caelum."
Caelum tried to speak, but his mouth moved without sound. The swirling energy crushed everything else.
And then he blacked out.
When Caelum opened his eyes, the world was wrong.
Trees hung upside down like broken puppets. The sky bled shadows. Static energy hissed in the air, clawing at his skin.
In the distance… a figure. Still. Watching.
"Who… who are you?" Caelum croaked, his throat raw.
The figure stepped forward. Same face. Same eyes. Same smirk.
"I'm you," he said, voice smooth and cold. "From the future."
The future-him tilted his head. "You try to balance light and darkness. But you can't. One always wins."
He raised his hand. A black wing unfurled. Crimson light gleamed from his eye.
"I chose darkness."
Behind him loomed a throne made of bones. Ancient. Breathing. Empty.
"We're waiting for you, Caelum."
The air pulsed.
Caelum jolted awake gasping, drenched in sweat, eyes wide.
The haze faded. He was back by the fire. The scent of burning wood and herbs filled his lungs.
"You're finally awake," Sainm said, kneeling beside the fire. A flicker of relief in his otherwise calm expression.
Caelum groaned, pushing himself upright. His whole body ached, like he'd been dragged through time.
"How long… was I out?"
"Two days," Sainm replied. "You collapsed after the sigil flared. Nothing I did could wake you."
Caelum stared into the fire. His voice came softer now, cautious.
"I saw something… maybe a vision. It was me but older. He said I'd have to choose between light and dark."
Sainm didn't interrupt. He just listened.
"He told me he already chose darkness. Said I couldn't balance both."
Caelum hesitated, remembering the throne.
"There was a seat of bones… It felt alive. Like it was calling to me."
Sainm closed his eyes, exhaling through his nose. "So… you saw the illusion. Just like the previous bearer."
Caelum turned to him, eyes narrowing. "Previous bearer?"
Sainm stood, poking the fire. Sparks rose into the night.
"You'll learn everything soon. Tomorrow, we reach the spiritual realm. There… the truth will be revealed."
He looked over his shoulder.
"For now, rest. You'll need your strength."
The next morning…
"Wake up, Caelum. It's time to move," Sainm called out.
"Mmm… okay, Masterr," Caelum mumbled, still half-asleep.
Thawk!
A sudden smack landed on his head.
"Ow! What was that for?!" Caelum winced, holding the spot.
"Wake up, you sleepy pig," Sainm scolded with a tired sigh.
Caelum sat up, rubbing his head. "Yes, Master…"
After quickly packing their belongings, they secured their gear onto the horse and set off. Hours passed in silence, trees fading into misty trails, until they finally reached the entrance.
Sainm came to a stop and looked ahead with a strange heaviness in his voice.
"We're finally here…"
Caelum blinked, confused. "Master… there's nothing in front of us. What are you talking about?"
Sainm didn't answer. Instead, he stepped forward and raised his hand. A low, solemn chant escaped his lips.
"Oh great Spiritual King and Queen, we seek your guidance.
Hear the call of your humble beings and open the gate…"
As the last word echoed, a radiant light burst forth from the void. It shimmered in the air like water disturbed by a stone.
Then a voice, gentle yet powerful, rang out from the light:
"Come, Sainm."
Sainm glanced back. "Follow me, Caelum."
Without hesitation, Caelum followed him into the light.
The world on the other side was nothing short of divine.
The air was crystal clear, the sun hung high above a horizon that stretched into infinity. Dragons soared through the clouds, unicorns grazed near glowing trees, and mystical beings roamed freely as if untouched by time. It was a realm beyond human imagination.
Caelum's eyes widened. "This… this isn't Earth…"
Before he could finish, a tall, elegant figure stepped forward, clad in flowing robes of silver and green. His eyes were sharp, glowing faintly, and his ears curved slightly upward.
"Greetings, humans," the stranger spoke with calm grace.
"I am Fredon Jero of the High Elf Clan. The council awaits your presence. Please, follow me."
As they followed Fredon deeper into the radiant realm, the scenery grew even more surreal. Towering trees shimmered with soft luminescence, and flowers hummed faint magical notes in the breeze. Soon, they entered a village hidden within the heart of the forest.
Elf children ran freely, laughing and playing with floating orbs of light, their joy echoing like music. Some paused mid-play, their bright eyes turning curiously toward the newcomers. A few whispered quietly, their voices like wind brushing through leaves.
"Humans..here?"
Caelum felt the weight of their stares and nudged closer to Sainm. But Sainm remained calm, his expression unreadable.
They walked until they stood before a massive, ancient tree that stretched high above the village. Its bark pulsed faintly with life, and its roots twisted like veins across the ground. A beautiful wooden structure rested in its canopy, suspended by winding branches like nature's own palace.
Fredon turned to them with a graceful bow.
"Please, enter. Our elders have been expecting you."
Caelum looked up in awe. "They live in the tree?"
Sainm gave a slight nod. "The oldest souls often live closest to the heart of nature."
Fredon stepped aside, allowing them to ascend the spiral staircase carved into the tree's body. Each step brought a strange warmth, as if the tree itself recognized them.
And just beyond the entrance… answers awaited.
As they stepped inside the great tree's inner chamber, the air shifted thicker, older, almost sacred. The walls pulsed faintly with golden light, and vines adorned with glowing leaves wove gently across the wooden interior.
At the center, seated on a carved throne entwined with roots and ancient symbols, was an elderly elf. His long silver hair flowed down his shoulders, and his moss-green robe blended almost seamlessly with the nature around him. He looked up, eyes twinkling with familiarity.
"Pleasure meeting you again, my old friend," the elder said, his voice carrying the weight of centuries.
Sainm gave a rare, soft smile.
"The pleasure is mine, Zekald."
Zekald's gaze shifted to Caelum. He leaned forward slightly, fingers stroking the edge of his long mustache with curiosity.
"Ah… and you've brought a new face."
"so he the wielder"
Sainm nodded. "Yes, Zekald. He is."
The elder let out a low hum, examining Caelum with quiet intensity.
"Young, indeed…" he muttered thoughtfully. "Very young."
Caelum stepped forward and bowed politely.
"It's a pleasure meeting you, sir. My name is Caelum."
Zekald chuckled softly, waving a hand.
"No need for formalities, boy. You can simply call me Zekald."
Caelum turned slightly.
Standing beside Zekald was a young woman—her silver hair cascading like moonlight down her back, eyes the color of a calm sea. Graceful and composed, she carried herself with a quiet strength that caught Caelum's attention.
Sainm narrowed his eyes slightly, a small smile forming on his lips.
"…Is that you, Alice?" he asked gently.
The girl turned to him, a soft expression of recognition blooming across her face.
"It's been a long time, Master Sainm," she said with a respectful nod. Her voice was calm, mature, yet carried the warmth of old memories.
Zekald chuckled, his chest puffing with pride. "Yes, that's my granddaughter. She's grown quite a bit since you last saw her."
"She has," Sainm nodded, visibly impressed. "Into a fine woman."
"Stop it, grandfather…" Alice cut in with a blush bloomed on her cheeks.
Zekald laughed heartily. "You'll have to forgive an old man's pride."
Caelum watched the exchange, a strange sense of familiarity and curiosity stirring in his chest.
But the moment quickly turned serious again.
"Now… all pleasantries aside, why have you come, Sainm?" Zekald asked, his voice turning solemn.
Sainm took a breath, his gaze firm.
"Zekald… as you already know, this boy Caelui is the wielder of the Will."
Gasps stirred from the shadows. Zekald's face tightened with the weight of the revelation.
"I brought him here… so he can learn to control the powers of Archangel Michaelos and bearer of Equinox just as it has been passed down through generations before him."
Zekald's expression hardened with resolve. He raised a hand and clapped once.
The air trembled.
Four radiant figures emerged from the depths of the chamber, each cloaked in light and bearing an overwhelming aura that seemed to bend the very essence of the world around them.
"Caelum," Zekald said, voice echoing, "These are the Four Pillars of Balance guardians of the ancient teachings."
Each figure stepped forward as Zekald introduced them one by one:
First pillar :Serhiel, the Flameheart – A tall, imposing woman wreathed in golden fire, her eyes blazing with unwavering justice.
Second pillar:Noctheron, the Veilwalker – Draped in shadows and silence, his aura was cold, calm, and unreadable. His connection to the dark energies was undeniable.
Thirth pillar: Thalorien, the Stormcaller – Surrounded by crackling lightning, he radiated fierce energy, his voice like thunder restrained.
Fourth pillar: Lyssira, the Lifegiver – With blossoms blooming at her feet and light spilling from her hands, she smiled gently, but her presence was as vast as the sky.
Zekald looked back to Caelum.
"If you wish to walk the path of balance… to wield both Light and Darkness without being devoured by either you must learn from them."
As Caelum stands before the four, unsure of what to expect, Zekald raises his hand.
"Your soul wavers like a candle in the storm," he said. "Before power, you must find your center."
Lyssira stepped forward, a gentle breeze following her.
"Come, Caelum. You cannot lift a blade with shaking hands. First… let us heal what's broken."