Zadius awoke from his slumber first, the strange voice that resonated in his mind still lingering at the back of his head.
Sharp rays of moonlight shot through the cracks of the broken down shack, illuminating his silver hair.
Unbeknownst to him, his body had gone through a subtle change.
His gaunt and thin frame grew slightly sturdier and his eyes…
His eyes now seemed to hold deep shadows behind them, quickly retreating when the moon's light fell on them.
"I've awakened…" He thought, his gaze distant.
Zadius' body felt renewed, any fatigue he felt was long gone and was replaced with a burning vigor. Then, there was the strange energy that he could faintly sense flowing through his body.
Slowly, he shifted his gaze towards Xaryus to see if he had also awakened but his younger brother still sat beside him.
Looking at Xaryus' somber expression, Zadius began to feel a strange mix of emotions.
Yet he was given no time to ponder his thoughts.
"...What?" Zadius blurted out reflexively…
…Floating in the air in front of him were glowing words.
Name: Zadius
Rank: Inept
Title: N/a
Stage: 1
Spite: [Prince of Shadows]
Spite Abilities: [Kin of Shadows] [Herald of Shadows]
Spite Description: Fate has been distorted and you have inherited a will not of your own soul… One of shadows, darkness and the void beyond. As such, your soul has been ensnared by the will's darkness, protected by its ever changing folds; Your authority has been exalted and your dominion over shadows has become like that of a young lord.
Stigma: [Torchbearer of Sardant]
Stigma Traits:[Stigmata] [Fanged Darkness] [Ensnared Soul]
Stigma Description: You have inherited the will of ■■■■■ and assumed his role as the Torchbearer of Sardant. The darkness beneath the throne awaits you…
Taking a moment, Zadius rubbed his eyes to make sure he wasn't losing his mind.
Once he realised that the words were not disappearing he decided to read through them as best he could. He assumed that the book would have some type of explanation on what he was reading.
"It seems to be harmless at least, some sort of personal analysis through words."
Whilst reading he focused on the list of abilities he had gained from his spite, then as if sensing his gaze they quickly shifted and expanded.
Spite Ability: [Kin of Shadows]
AbilityDescription: The world itself cannot discern whether you are of flesh or of shadow. When within the embrace of shadows they welcome you, but you are unable to beckon their call. However, their mere presence empowers you…
Spite Ability: [Herald of Shadows]
Ability Description: The shadows recognise you as their young lord. Some may be reluctant to heed the call of a strange new ruler but many will follow you into the brightest of places.
Reading the expanded text, Zadius pondered for a moment and outstretched his hand towards the shadows nesting in the corners of his home.
It was an instinctual motion.
He could feel a palpable connection between himself and the shadows surrounding him. Yet nothing happened.
"Am I missing something?" He thought briefly, looking at his hand.
In that brief moment he recognized that he was not even sad anymore, his mix of emotions was washed away by burning curiosity.
Said curiosity was then subdued by guilt.
Guilt of betraying the memory of his mother.
He felt as if he had no right to be happy.
As his thoughts spiralled, Zadius' eyes seemingly became darker and darker as they were filled with shadows.
But before he could delve deeper into his grief, he faintly heard Xaryus rustling awake.
He turned to his younger brother, the shadows nesting in his eyes quickly receded.
After a few moments, Xaryus finally opened his eyes.
He stared blankly for a moment before turning towards Zadius.
"We've awakened?" He asked in shock, a soft smile slowly creeping across his face.
Zadius nodded and returned a smile to his brother, "...What do they say?" he questioned, assuming Xaryus was watching his own set of floating words.
"They say a lot." Xaryus added with a small chuckle.
Name: Xaryus
Rank: Inept
Title: N/a
Stage: 1
Spite: [Emissary of Light]
Spite Abilities: [Illuminate] [Solar Augment] [Solaris]
Spite Description: Your fate has been distorted and the cold nature of your soul has been reborn into that of a vibrant star. You are destined to shine bright and inspire others but for a star to shine it must first endure immense pressure and strife.
Stigma: [Last Blade of Light]
Stigma Description: You have been given a vibrant light that attracts the attention of the most heinous and horrific beings. You are destined to suffer to ease the suffering of others, such is the fate of a "Blade of Light". But as a being that shoulders a burden that none should bear, you are loved by Law and animus. You're destined to fend off darkness and protect those around you.
Stigma Traits:[Stigmata] [Arcane Medium] [Sword's Blessing]
***
Meanwhile, near the center of the settlement within a stone home that was much better than the others.
Andrew sat behind a desk in a dimly lit room. A small candle was all he used to shed light on the old notebook in front of him.
Although he had enough money to purchase runic apparatus to better illuminate his home, he preferred the natural light provided by fire.
It reminded him of home.
After staring at the flickering flame for a few seconds, he contemplated on how to finish writing that day's entry in the book.
"I wonder if I was too hasty with their father?" He thought to himself as he fiddled with his quill.
Shaking away his doubtful thoughts, he was about to write the last sentence of the entry but he suddenly scraped across the page.
His head suddenly shot southwards, towards the new source of his fascination.
"No… There is no way." Andrew said with a confused smile on his face.
Closing his eyes, he began to focus intently.
Even though he was in a weakened state, his body was still rather powerful and so was his ability to sense changes in the strange entity that interacted with all awakened; Law.
He felt a subtle shift, but he wasn't certain.
"What did he leave them that would allow them to awaken on their own? No wonder he was willing to die for them so eagerly."
Before Andrew could keep thinking, he sensed another, more profound shift in Law.
The moment he felt it, he reflexively rose out of his chair, throwing it to the ground.
Someone had just awakened, if he wasn't sure the first time.
He was sure now.
A bright smile flashed across his face and an intense look of excitement fluttered in his eyes.
Draping his long coat over his body, he began to move towards the run-down shack at the edge of his settlement.
"The great snake has blessed me… everything is within view now."