The forest opened into a glimmering valley. Crystal-like flowers bloomed across the field, and a river shimmered with starlight, flowing silently.
Shane was the first to walk ahead, eyes alert. "I'll scout."
"Wait, Shane," Rio called, but she was already moving—fighting spirit in her veins.
Suddenly—a wave of pressure hit.
It wasn't wind or sound, but a force that made her knees stiffen.
Shane looked up.
There, standing on a slope of glowing grass, was a man.
Cloaked in dark blue robes trimmed with silver, his long dark hair fluttered in the breeze. His golden eyes shone like twin suns. A sword glowed faintly on his back, as if forged from light itself.
He was... impossibly calm, yet held the presence of a storm.
Shane stepped forward instinctively, heart pounding. "Who—"
Before she could finish, he vanished.
She turned, instinct sharp—he was behind her.
Shane spun, attempting a punch. He blocked it with two fingers, amused.
"You're fast," he said, voice like velvet and frost. "But reckless."
Her heart skipped.
"Who are you?" she demanded, flinching back into fighting stance.
The man tilted his head. "You don't belong to this realm, warrior."
From behind the trees, Rio, Luna, and Xin rushed forward, stopping as they saw him.
Wei hansol's eyes narrowed as he scanned each of them.
"Four outsiders… interesting."
Xin stepped forward, calm but guarded. "We don't mean harm. We're lost.
The prince walked toward Shane again. "You… you carry a spark. Crimson flame, barely awakened. You're dangerous—but not yet ready."
He touched the center of Shane's forehead—light bloomed—and she saw visions: fire, battlefields, crowns shattered, stars falling…
She gasped and stumbled back.
Rio caught her. "Don't touch her like that."
Weihansol gave him a cold stare. "She's the one who'll bring either balance… or ruin."
Then he looked at Luna, eyes softening. "And the one who hears hearts… you must protect her. They'll come for her first."
Before they could ask more, he turned, vanishing like mist.
"Wait!" Shane called, but he was gone.
Silence fell again.
"What just happened?" Luna whispered, voice shaking.
Rio held Shane steady. "Whoever he was… he wasn't normal."
Xin's eyes shone. "That was power on another level."
Shane clenched her fists, her heart beating fast—not with fear, but something else.
Fate had just begun to stir.
To be continued…