《THE FORSAKEN》


 CHAPTER 1 : AWAKENING

    The world was never meant to be equal.


    For centuries, humanity had been divided-those who wielded magic and those who did not.


    THIRTY PERCENTof the population bore the mark of sorcery, chosen by the gods throughAWAKENING.Some gained their power early , some late andSEVENTY PERCENTnever awakened at all.


    Magic was categorized intothree tiers:


    1. Normal-Tier Users -Capable of basic spells, stronger than regular humans.


    2. Mid-Tier Users- skilled sorcerers who could manipulate elements, teleport, enhance their bodies.


    3. Supreme Users-The rarest and most powerful, bending reality itself.


    Society thrived on this hierarchy. The awakened ruled. The unawakened obeyed.


    These users protect the world from universal threats as the magic and power in world opened the world to contact with outer universe .


    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    "Dude you okay? You Look like you''re contemplating tax fraud."


    Elias Carterblinked, snapping out of his thoughts as a hand waved in front of his face. Beside him,Dante Voss, his one and only best friend , smirked, "You have been staring at the board like it just insulted your mother."


    Elias sighed, rubbing his temples. "i was thinking about my future."


    Dante snorted. "yeah ? how''s that looking?"


    "Bleak."


    "Nice. same here "


    "There are only slight chance that someone awakens and i am already 19 so there is less than  1 % chance that i will ever be awakened " Elias said in distress.


    " Yeah , same here who don''t want to be awakened , if i ever get those powers , at that time also you will be , best bro and i will make your life easy" said Dante,


    The professor droned on at the front of the lecture hall, but Elias barely heard him. Around him, whispers filled the room.A new Supreme User had emerged.It was all anyone could talk about.


    Elias didn''t care. He had taken the Awakening testTHREE TIMES .Each result was same : Unawakened, At 19 , his chance were slipping away. If he never awakened, he''d be stuck as a background character in a world in which many legends exists. Elias always wanted to be a magic user , it was his dream he even announced it as aim in his primary school that become a matter of laugh for others. At that time he was sure that he will be awakened and he will prove these people wrong , but they were never wrong , they were right all the time because a awakening is not a joke.


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    His eyes drifted across the room, landing onher.


    She sat three row ahead, her name isFaith,focused on the lecture , The sunlight from window caught in her auburn hair, turning it gold edges . She never noticed him staring.


    He looked away.


    A second later , she glanced over at him.


    Elias didn''t see it.


    Dante nudged him. "Bro, you''re down bad,"


    Elias exhaled. "shut up"


    The bell rang, signaling the end of the lecture. students poured out of the gall, some chatting about the new supreme user, others just eager to get lunch .


    As Elias and Dante walked through the crowded corridor, a voice called out behind them.


    "Still powerless, Carter ?"


    Elias tensed.Logan Pierce.


    He turned around, finding Logan leaning against the locker with his usual smug grin. Logan wasn''t particularly special- a Normal Tier magic user with enhanced strength and minor magic and fire control- but to guys like him, that was enough to act superior in between the non magic users.


    Dante groaned. "Oh, great. It''s the walking disappointment."


    Logan ignored him, stepping closer. "You know, Elias, there''s still hope. Some people awaken late. Of course..." He smirked. "Most of them don''t."


    Elias forced a smile. "You should be careful, Logan. All that fire magic and yet you still manage to burn your chances with every girl in class."


    Dante choked on his drink. A few students nearby snickered.


    Logan''s smirk twitched, but he recovered fast. "Big talk for someone who couldn''t even light a candle with his nonexistent powers."


    Elias shrugged. "Maybe. But at least I don''t have to compensate for it by being a jackass."


    Dante whistled. "Damn. Somebody call the burn unit."


    Logan''s jaw clenched. "Say that again."


    "I would," Elias said, stepping forward, "but I don''t want you to cry in public."


    For a moment, Logan looked ready to swing. His fingers twitched, embers forming at his fingertips. The corridor grew tense.


    Then, just as quickly, Logan scoffed. "Whatever. Enjoy being a nobody, Carter." He walked off, bumping Elias'' shoulder as he passed. But while walking away logan moved his finger in a manner causing a magic that twitched the Dante''s hand causing him little pain. "Asshole" said Dante.


    Elias exhaled. "I swear, if I ever awaken, I''m throwing that guy into a lake."


    "Respect," Dante said.


    Bell Rang again and everyone went to class again . Than suddenly


    the headache struck without warning.


    One moment, Elias was fine. The next,his skull felt like it was splitting open. A sharp, blinding pain surged through his body, as if something wasforcing its way into his mind. His vision swam. His skin burned.


    His vision blurred.


    He stumbled forward, gripping the seat for balance. The students around him faded into shadows.


    Then, hesaw it.


    A throne.


    A city in flames.


    A world covered in shadows.


    And seated upon the throne¡ªhimself.


    The whispers came next. Dark. Ancient. Powerful.


    A voice slithered through his mind.


    "You are chosen."


    "You are bound."


    "You are mine."


    Elias gasped, snapping back to reality. His hands trembled. Something was... wrong. The corridor felt darker. The students around him stood frozen, staring at him with wide eyes.


    Dante''s voice broke the silence. "Uh, dude? What the hell¡ª?"


    Elias followed his gaze.


    His shadow had grown. Not just grown¡ªstretched, shifted, writhed like a living thing. The lights overhead flickered. The air felt heavy, oppressive.


    And his hands... his hands were coated in shifting darkness.


    Elias Carter had awakened.


    But something was very, very wrong. It was not a normal awakening.


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    END OF CHAPTER 1


    AUTHOR:- I KNOW CHAPTER 1 WAS VERY SMALL IT IS MY FIRST TIME WRITING I WILL TRY TO MAKE CHAPTER 2 BIGGER THAN THIS :


    THANK YOU FOR READING.

 CHAPTER 2 : WHISPERS OF THE UNKNOWN

    Elias sat in his room, staring at his trembling hands. The memory of what happened in class played on repeat in his mind-the creeping darkness, the burning vision, the throne, and the city in ruins. It felt too real to be hallucination . His body still ached, as if someone inside him had awakened and torn through his very being.


    A knock at the door broke his thoughts.


    "Yo, Elias! You alive in there?"


    It was Dante. Elias sighed, rubbing his face before calling out. "Yeah, come in."


    Dante stepped inside, closing the door behind him. "Dude, what the hell happened back there? You were shaking, the lights flickered, and for a second, it looked like you were... I don''t know, possessed or something."


    Elias hesitated. "I... I don''t know. I saw something. A city in flames, a throne... and a man sitting on it. Then everything turned dark."


    Dante raised an eyebrow. "You sure you didn''t just hit your head too hard? Maybe it''s stress. Or, and hear me out... you''re finally awakening."


    Elias shook his head. "It didn''t feel like a normal awakening. People get a surge of energy, maybe a small burst of power, right? But this-this felt like something was breaking out of me, something I couldn''t control."


    Dante sat on the edge of the bed, arms crossed. "Okay, so let''s say this isn''t just some freak accident. Maybe it is your awakening, but a delayed one? You''ve been waiting for years, maybe it just hit differently?"


    "Why don''t we try doing some magic let''s test it out " said Dante in excitement.


    Elias nodded and tried to do some movements with hands and than stopped in middle, and said "what should i suppose to do "


    Dante replied " i don''t know i am not the one who is awakened "


    Elias tried many thing with his hands and thumbs and fingers like the other magic user do but nothing actually happened.


    "I think you should rest a bit and try it later" said Dante.


    Before Elias could respond, his phone buzzed. A message from Logan.


    Logan: Heard you had a little episode today. Hope you''re not gonna turn into some freak. Would be a shame if I had to put you back in your place.


    Elias gritted his teeth, but Dante snatched the phone. "Oh, this guy is begging for an ass-kicking."


    "Forget it," Elias muttered. "If I fight back, he''ll just find another way to make my life hell."


    Dante scoffed. "Fine. But if you do awaken, promise me you''ll make that jerk eat his words."


    Elias chuckled, but deep down, he felt uneasy. Whatever happened today-it wasn''t over.


    Dante moved out and Elias tries to sleep he was in pain and tired from morning incident.


    The Dream


    That night, Elias found himself standing in an empty void. The air was heavy, thick with something unseen yet suffocating. Then, out of the darkness, a voice echoed.


    "You are not meant for the light."


    Elias turned sharply, but there was no one there. Only shadows shifting like living creatures.


    "The gods have lied to them all. They have lied to you."


    A cold shiver ran down his spine. "Who''s there?"


    The darkness before him twisted, forming the silhouette of a towering figure. Red eyes gleamed in the void.


    "You have seen it, haven''t you? The throne. The fire. The end."


    Elias stepped back, his breath quickening. "I don''t understand."


    The figure took a step forward, shadows curling at its feet.


    "You will. Soon."


    Elias jolted awake, gasping for breath. His room was dark, yet he could still feel the presence lingering, as if the dream hadn''t fully ended. He looked down at his hands. For a brief moment, the shadows at the edge of his fingers twisted unnaturally before vanishing.


    He clenched his fists.


    Something was happening to him. And it was only the beginning.


    Elias sat up in bed, his breath uneven. His room was dimly lit by the streetlight outside, casting long, distorted shadows across the walls. The dream-no, the vision-felt too real. And that voice...


    "You are not meant for the light."


    The words echoed in his mind like a lingering whisper. He rubbed his hands together, expecting to feel normal skin, but the sensation was different-almost... hollow. He turned them over, and for a fleeting second, a black mist curled around his fingers before disappearing.


    His chest tightened. What the hell is happening to me?


    A sudden noise outside made him jolt. He turned toward the window. At first, there was nothing but the quiet street below. But then-movement. A shadow, flickering unnaturally, as if it wasn''t part of this world.


    Elias''s heart pounded. He wanted to believe it was just a trick of the light. That was until the shadow moved again-this time, closer.


    And then it spoke.


    "You see now, don''t you?"


    Elias''s breath hitched. The voice was the same as in his dream.


    He stumbled backward, knocking over a chair. The noise should have woken up the whole house, but everything remained eerily silent, as if time itself had frozen.


    "Soon, you will understand."


    Then, as suddenly as it had appeared, the shadow dissolved into nothing. The street below returned to normal, the sound of distant cars and the occasional barking dog filling the night air.


    Elias swallowed hard. He wanted to believe this was still part of his dream. But the sweat on his skin and the rapid thudding of his heart told him otherwise.


    The Next Morning


    Elias barely got any sleep, but school didn''t care. He dragged himself through his morning routine, hoping the exhaustion would dull whatever the hell was happening to him.


    When he arrived at school, Dante was already waiting by the lockers. "Yo, you look like death," he said, popping a chip into his mouth.


    Elias exhaled. "Didn''t sleep."


    Dante smirked. "Were you finally awakened by the gods? Or was it just nightmares of Logan''s ugly mug?"


    Elias leaned against his locker. "Dante... what if an awakening isn''t what we think it is?"


    Dante stopped chewing. "Okay. That''s a weird way to start a conversation."


    "I mean it," Elias said, lowering his voice. "What if the gods don''t just give us powers? What if there''s more to it?"


    Dante studied him for a second, then sighed. "Alright, spill it. What happened?"


    Before Elias could respond, a loud voice echoed through the hallway.


    "Look who survived his little episode yesterday!"


    Logan.


    Elias tensed as the school''s biggest nuisance swaggered toward them, followed by his usual group of lackeys. His smirk was as irritating as ever.


    "You feeling okay, Carter?" Logan taunted. "You looked like you were about to shit yourself yesterday."


    Dante rolled his eyes. "Wow, Logan, did you practice that one in the mirror? Real impressive."


    Logan ignored him and leaned closer to Elias. "You know, people who awaken late usually don''t end up very strong. It''s kind of pathetic, actually. But don''t worry," he said, clapping Elias''s shoulder a little too hard, "I''ll make sure you don''t embarrass yourself too much when you fail your magic assessment."


    Elias clenched his fists. He wasn''t sure if it was anger or something else bubbling inside him, but the moment Logan touched him, a wave of something cold and dark surged through his veins.


    For just a second, the world around him flickered. The hallway darkened. The people, the walls, even Logan himself-became silhouettes. Everything was drenched in black and crimson.


    And then-he saw it.


    A brief, terrifying glimpse.


    Logan. Lying on the ground. Face pale. Breath shallow. Shadows curling around his body like snakes, squeezing the life from him.


    The vision vanished in an instant, but Elias staggered back, his breath sharp.


    Logan frowned. "What the hell''s wrong with you?"


    Elias blinked rapidly, his heart hammering in his chest. Had he just seen the future? No. No, that was impossible.


    Dante quickly stepped in, pulling Elias away. "Alright, that''s enough of your daily dumbassery, Logan. Go be a disappointment somewhere else."


    Logan glared but let it slide. "Whatever. Just don''t drop dead in the middle of class, Graves." He turned and walked away.


    Elias barely heard him. His mind was still reeling.


    What he saw just now-was it real?


    Or was it a warning?


    Elias barely made it through his morning classes. His body felt sluggish, his mind clouded with the vision he had seen. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw Carter lying motionless, consumed by shadows. Was that really the future? Or just some sick trick of his mind?


    As the lunch bell rang, Elias grabbed his tray and followed Dante to their usual spot near the windows. The cafeteria was loud as always-students chatting, laughter filling the air, and the occasional sound of someone dropping a tray.


    Dante took a bite of his sandwich before glancing at Elias. "Alright, spill. You''ve been acting like you just saw a ghost."


    Elias hesitated, staring at the food on his tray. "I saw something. When Logan touched me. Everything around me changed, like... the whole world turned dark. And then I saw him-on the ground, barely breathing. It felt like a vision, Dante."


    Dante stopped chewing. "A vision? As in... the future?"


    "I don''t know," Elias muttered. "It felt real. Like it already happened, or was about to."


    Dante leaned back, thinking. "Okay, let''s assume you did see something real. That means one of two things-either you''re suddenly psychic, or your awakening is coming in hot and messing with your brain."


    Elias shook his head. "I''ve never heard of an ability like this before."


    "Yeah, well, most people don''t see burning cities and thrones before they awaken, either," Dante pointed out.


    Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    Elias exhaled, gripping his fork. "I need to figure out what''s happening to me."


    Before Dante could respond, a familiar, annoying voice interrupted.


    "Well, well, if it isn''t the freak and his little sidekick."


    Logan again.


    Elias tensed as Logan strolled toward them, followed by two of his lackeys. He placed his hands on the table and leaned down toward Elias. "You looked kinda spooked this morning, Carter. What happened? Had another episode?"


    Dante groaned. "Dude, do you ever get tired of being a walking clich¨¦?"


    Logan ignored him. "I heard the teachers talking," he continued, smirking. "You haven''t even had your awakening yet it all was your little desperation to become a magic user. You''re basically a magicless reject. That must suck."


    Elias didn''t respond. His fingers clenched tighter around his fork.


    Logan chuckled. "I mean, imagine having a dream of being awakened and still not awakened. You''re probably gonna be a dud. Or worse-" he leaned in, his voice mocking, "what if you do awaken, but your magic is totally useless?"


    Elias''s grip on his fork tightened until his knuckles turned white. Something inside him stirred. A deep, unsettling pulse in his chest.


    And then-Logan grabbed his shoulder.


    Elias barely had time to react before it happened again.


    The cafeteria darkened. The sound of chatter faded into eerie silence. A red hue covered everything, and the people around him blurred into indistinct shapes.


    Logan''s hand, still gripping his shoulder, began to rot. His skin blackened, veins twisting into something unnatural. His eyes widened in terror as dark tendrils coiled around his body, pulling him downward into the abyss. He gasped for breath, but the darkness swallowed him whole.


    Elias yanked himself back into reality.


    The vision was gone. The cafeteria was back to normal. Logan was still standing in front of him, laughing with his friends, completely unaware of what Elias had just seen.


    Elias pushed his chair back and stood up abruptly.


    Dante raised an eyebrow. "Uh... you okay, dude?"


    "I-" Elias couldn''t even find the words. He shook his head and grabbed his bag. "I need some air."


    He left the cafeteria without another word, his heart racing.


    Something was wrong with him.


    And if these visions were real...


    Logan was going to die.


    Elias wanted to know what is happening to him so he moved towards


    The Library for Searching for the Answers.


    Elias found himself in the school''s library, sitting in the quietest corner he could find. His mind was spiraling.


    He needed answers.


    Pulling out all books on magic history and all archives on computer, he searched for anything related to visions, awakenings, or prophecies. But most of what he found was generic-signs of an awakening, common abilities, different tiers of magic users. Nothing explained what was happening to him.


    Until one link in computer of library caught his eye.


    "The Forsaken: Those Who Were Never Meant to Awaken"


    His stomach tightened. He hesitated before clicking on it.


    The page was old, buried deep in forgotten archives. It spoke of rare cases-people who had awakenings that weren''t blessed by the gods. Those whose powers didn''t align with normal magic. People who saw things that shouldn''t be seen, who touched the fabric of reality in ways others couldn''t.


    It called them the Forsaken.


    Elias felt a cold sweat run down his neck. He read further.


    "The Forsaken are not chosen by the gods. They are claimed by something else."


    Something else?


    Elias''s hands trembled as he scrolled down. The article continued.


    "Throughout history, the Forsaken have been feared. Their awakenings come with visions, voices, and an overwhelming presence of darkness. Many have been driven mad. Others... have become monsters."


    His breath caught in his throat.


    Was this what was happening to him?


    A shadow flickered at the edge of his vision. Elias''s head snapped up.


    In the reflection of the library window, he saw it.


    A figure. Tall. Shrouded in darkness. Red eyes glowing like embers.


    It was standing right behind him.


    Elias spun around, but-


    There was nothing there.


    Just empty air.


    But in the silence of the library, a voice whispered in his ear.


    "You are not meant for the light."


    Elias''s blood ran cold.


    He wasn''t just awakening.


    He was becoming something else.


    Elias sat frozen in the library chair, his breath shallow. The words from the article echoed in his head.


    "The Forsaken are not chosen by the gods. They are claimed by something else."


    And the whisper-"You are not meant for the light."


    The weight of it pressed against his chest like an unseen force. He clenched his fists, trying to push away the fear creeping into his mind. Was he imagining it? Was this all just some twisted dream brought on by stress?


    Before he could spiral any further, the chair across from him scraped against the floor. Someone had sat down.


    "Didn''t take you for the library type, Elias."


    He looked up, and for a brief moment, his mind went blank.


    Faith Lockhart.


    Her sharp green eyes were locked onto him, her expression unreadable. She rested her chin on one hand, casually flipping through a book with the other. Her dark auburn hair fell over her shoulder in loose waves. Even in the dim lighting of the library, she stood out-calm, confident, and completely out of place in this eerie silence.


    Elias forced himself to act normal. "Uh... yeah, well. Trying something new, I guess."


    Faith arched an eyebrow. "Right. Because ''something new'' for you involves sitting in the darkest corner of the library, looking like you''ve seen a ghost."


    Elias hesitated. "I... just needed some quiet."


    Faith didn''t seem convinced, but she let it slide. "Well, at least you''re away from Logan and his goons. I saw them in the cafeteria still talking about you."


    Elias groaned, rubbing his temples. "Of course, he is."


    Faith smirked. "Logan''s an idiot. He''s been obsessed with his ''normal-tier awakening'' like he''s some kind of prodigy." She leaned back in her chair. "Honestly, I don''t get the whole obsession with rankings. It''s all just power politics."


    Elias glanced at her. "Easy for you to say. You awakened last year."


    Faith shrugged. "Normal-tier isn''t that impressive. People treat it like a big deal, but it''s just better than average."


    "Still better than nothing," Elias muttered.


    Faith tilted her head slightly, studying him. "You really think that?"


    Elias hesitated. "It''s just... what if I don''t awaken? Or worse, what if I get something useless? Logan''s already a pain. I don''t need another reason for people to-" He stopped himself.


    Faith''s expression softened. "You don''t need to prove yourself to anyone, Elias."


    Something about the way she said it made his chest tighten. He opened his mouth to respond, but before he could-


    Faith''s eyes flickered past him.


    Elias turned slightly, following her gaze toward the library entrance. Logan had just walked in, flanked by his two usual lackeys.


    "Great," Elias muttered under his breath. "He''s probably here to-"


    But then he noticed something odd.


    Logan wasn''t looking at him. He was scanning the room, his expression tense. Almost... wary.


    Elias frowned. That''s new.


    Logan always walked around like he owned the place. But now, it was like he was expecting something.


    And then-


    The lights flickered.


    For a split second, the shadows in the corners of the room stretched unnaturally, twisting toward Elias. The air turned cold.


    And then it was gone.


    Faith shivered, rubbing her arms. "Did it just get colder in here?"


    Elias swallowed. "Yeah. I think so."


    Logan seemed to notice it too. His eyes darted around before he shook his head and walked further into the library.


    Elias forced himself to stay calm.


    He couldn''t ignore it anymore.


    Something was happening to him. Something wrong.


    And he had a feeling it wasn''t going to stop.


    The flickering lights returned to normal, and Elias forced himself to take a deep breath. Faith was still watching him, but she didn''t say anything.


    He didn''t know how to explain it-hell, he didn''t even understand it himself. But something was happening. And judging by Carter''s odd behavior, it wasn''t just in his head.


    Still, Elias knew one thing for certain. If anyone else noticed, they wouldn''t just brush it off.


    The government sure as hell wouldn''t.


    The Arcane Council - Central Headquarters


    Far from the school, deep within the heart of the city, a high-rise tower loomed over the skyline. This was The Arcane Council, the governing body that oversaw all magic users. It was where the most powerful sorcerers in the world gathered-those who controlled how magic was used, who was trained, and most importantly, who was dangerous.


    In a dimly lit chamber, a meeting was underway.


    A massive round table stretched across the room, its surface carved with ancient symbols that pulsed faintly with energy. Twelve figures sat around it, each representing different regions and factions of the magical world. Some wore sleek, modern suits, while others were draped in traditional mage robes. But they all had one thing in common-the weight of authority in their gazes.


    At the head of the table sat Chancellor Alden Graves, an older man with graying hair and sharp, calculating eyes. He tapped his fingers against the table as he listened to the report being read aloud.


    "...Unusual activity detected in the western district. Temperature drops, electrical disturbances, and minor reality distortions reported at multiple locations."


    A younger council member, a woman with short silver hair, leaned forward. "Could be an uncontrolled awakening."


    Alden nodded slowly. "Perhaps." He turned to another council member. "What about the surveillance teams?"


    A man in dark robes adjusted his glasses. "We''ve picked up faint traces of Shadow Affinity magic, but nothing conclusive. It''s inconsistent-almost as if it''s not fully formed yet."


    The room fell silent for a moment.


    Then, another voice spoke-deep and authoritative. "That would be impossible."


    The speaker was Lord Varies, a Supreme-tier sorcerer known for his ruthlessness. He leaned forward, his piercing violet eyes scanning the room. "Shadow Affinity magic has not surfaced in over a century. It is a lost power-one that was eradicated for a reason."


    Another council member, an older woman, frowned. "And yet, we are seeing the signs."


    Varies exhaled, fingers tightening against the table. "If it is a Shadow user..." His voice dropped. "Then we have a problem."


    The tension in the room thickened.


    Everyone here knew what that meant.


    If Shadow Affinity magic had returned-if someone had awakened it-then there was only one possibility.


    A Forsaken had been Chosen.


    And that was something the Council could not allow.


    Alden finally spoke again, his voice even. "Deploy an investigation team. Discreetly." His gaze darkened. "If a Forsaken has truly appeared... we must act before it''s too late."


    Back at the School


    Elias sat at his desk, staring blankly at his notebook. The feeling from earlier hadn''t faded-it was like a presence at the edge of his mind, whispering, watching.


    Faith glanced at him from across the classroom but didn''t say anything. Logan, on the other hand, was still acting strange. He kept shifting in his seat, his usual cocky attitude dimmed.


    And then-


    Elias'' vision shifted.


    Just for a second.


    The classroom flickered-normal one moment, then dark and ruined the next. The windows cracked, shadows spread across the walls, and a twisted, skeletal throne loomed in the distance. Flames consumed the world outside.


    And in the throne''s seat-


    A figure.


    Watching him.


    Elias gasped, and the vision snapped away.


    The classroom was back to normal.


    Dante frowned. "Elias?"


    He didn''t answer.


    Because deep down, he knew.


    This wasn''t just an awakening.


    This was something much, much worse.


    The weight of the vision still lingered as Elias sat motionless at his desk. His fingers twitched, his breath shallow. The burning city, the shadows swallowing the world, the throne-it felt too real to be just a hallucination.


    He clenched his fists beneath the desk. What the hell is happening to me?


    A low hum filled the classroom as the teacher''s voice droned on, but Elias could barely process a word.


    But before he could dwell on it further-


    BZZZZT!


    The classroom lights flickered.


    The air turned cold.


    A few students shifted uncomfortably, and the teacher paused mid-sentence. "What the...?"


    A ripple of unease passed through the room as a strange presence settled over them. Elias felt it instantly-a crawling sensation, like unseen eyes were watching him from every shadow.


    And then-


    The door slammed open.


    A man in a long coat strode inside, his expression grim. His presence alone was enough to silence the room. The teacher blinked in shock. "Excuse me, who are-"


    "Elias Carter." The man''s deep voice cut through the air like a blade. "Come with me."


    Elias'' stomach dropped.


    Carter...?


    Dante tensed beside him, Logan''s expression darkened, his jaw tightening.


    Elias swallowed. "Why?"


    The man didn''t answer. Instead, he stepped forward and reached into his coat, pulling out a sleek, silver badge etched with an emblem-a spiral eclipse.


    The Hunter''s Mark.


    The class erupted into murmurs.


    "Wait, that''s-" "Isn''t that the Arcane Council''s investigation unit?" "Why would they be here?"


    The teacher raised a hand. "Sir, I don''t know what this is about, but-"


    The investigator cut him off. "Official Council business. Step aside."


    Elias'' pulse pounded in his ears.


    This wasn''t normal. Students didn''t get called in by the Council unless they were in serious trouble.


    Or worse...


    Unless they were suspected of being something dangerous.


    Dante''s voice was low. "Elias... you don''t have to-"


    "I''ll go," Elias said quickly.


    There was no point in resisting. Not when the Arcane Hunters were involved.


    He stood, feeling every pair of eyes in the room on him. Faith''s included.


    As he walked toward the door, the man in the coat turned, leading him out into the hallway. The moment the door shut behind them, Elias spoke.


    "What''s this about?"


    The man kept walking. "You already know."


    Elias'' hands clenched. "No, I don''t."


    The investigator stopped. He turned slowly, his piercing gray eyes locking onto Elias''.


    "There was a disturbance," he said. "A dark disturbance."


    Elias felt his blood run cold.


    "People reported flickering lights, temperature drops, and reality distortions." The man''s gaze sharpened. "All centered around you."


    Elias opened his mouth, but no words came out.


    The investigator leaned in slightly. "Tell me, Elias. Have you been experiencing... visions?"


    Elias'' heart skipped a beat.


    The burning city. The throne. The whisper in his mind.


    He had.


    And they knew.


    He forced himself to stay calm. "Why does that matter?"


    The investigator studied him, then exhaled. "Because there are only two things that cause those kinds of disturbances."


    "An uncontrolled Supreme awakening."


    Elias held his breath.


    "Or the emergence of a Forsaken."


    The word hit like a hammer.


    Forsaken. The ones who weren''t chosen by the gods. The ones born from something else.


    The ones the Council hunted down.


    Elias'' mind raced. He had felt it. The creeping darkness, the visions, the whisper of something ancient stirring inside him.


    But he wasn''t a Forsaken. He couldn''t be.


    Could he?


    The investigator straightened. "We''re taking you in for evaluation. You will not resist."


    Elias took a slow breath. He didn''t have a choice.


    "Fine."


    But deep inside, a single thought burned.


    I don''t trust them.


    And if what he saw in his visions was true...


    They shouldn''t trust him either.


    END OF CHAPTER 2 : WHISPERS OF THE UNKNOWN,


    Thank you, for reading.


    TO BE CONTINUED...


    <u>CHAPTER 3: THE CHAINS OF FATE .....soon.</u>

 CHAPTER 3 : CHAINS OF FATE

    The Forsaken


    A name whispered in fear, a curse upon those who never chose their fate. Unlike Sorcerers, who are awakened by divine will, the Forsaken are claimed¡ªmarked by something far beyond human understanding. These beings are not blessed but corrupted, their power forcibly implanted by entities of shadow and madness.


    Long ago, these ancient shadow entities roamed the earth, their influence warping reality itself. They were gods of destruction, feared even by the strongest sorcerers. After a long and brutal war, humanity''s greatest champions sealed them away using powerful chants, binding them beyond the reach of this world. But their hatred did not fade. Trapped and powerless, they sought new ways to break free.


    They created The Forsaken.


    By choosing those they deemed worthy, they planted a dark seed inside them¡ªa power that did not awaken through divine will but instead ripped the darkness from within their souls and made it their strength. Some Forsaken were conquerors, others mere pawns in a greater plan. But all carried the same fate: they were weapons of the darkness, tools meant to shatter the seals and bring their creators back into the world.


    And now, after so many years, The Arcane Council fears that another Forsaken has appeared.


    <u>Arcane Council Court ¨C The Verdict Begins</u>


    The grand chamber of the Arcane Council was a cathedral of power, its high marble walls carved with ancient sigils that pulsed faintly with restrained magic. A vast circular table stood at the center, where twelve robed figures sat in absolute silence. At the head, positioned higher than the rest, was Alden Grave¡ªthe Council''s Supreme Magus. His gaze was sharp, his presence suffocating.


    To his left sat Lord Varies, an elder with deep wrinkles that held the weight of centuries, his cane resting at his side. Other members flanked them, each representing different factions of the magical world. They were the twelve who decided the fate of sorcery itself.


    A heavy silence loomed as the Council prepared to deliver its verdict.


    Alden Grave finally spoke, his voice calm yet commanding.


    "The matter before us is unprecedented. A young boy, Elias Carter, has shown signs of an unknown awakening. But the circumstances of his power..." He let the words hang, eyes scanning the room. "...are deeply troubling."


    a murmur spreads across the council, whispers weaving through air  like threads of uncertainty.


    then a women among them, lady Selene, leaned forward, her voice cutting through the hushed conversation.


    "isn''t  the name carter familiar to is?" she asked ,her sharp gaze narrowing. "Elias Carter- does  he have any relation to....." She hesitated ,than uttered the names , Late  "Lucius Carter and Evelyn Carter?"


    Another council member nodded gravely.


    "indeed , he is their son."


    Lady Selene exhaled, almost in disbelief. "isn''t it a bit of irony..."


    the room felt in another murmur than.


    One of the councilors, a stern woman in silver robes, spoke up. "We have reviewed the reports. The darkness reacted to him, not as an enemy, but as an extension of itself."


    A murmuring ripple spread through the chamber. Another councilor, a broad-shouldered man with a scar running down his cheek, leaned forward. "We all know what this could mean. We have seen it before."


    Lord Varies, who had been silent, finally exhaled. "A Forsaken."


    The word sent an unspoken chill through the air.


    A younger councilor, appearing barely in his thirties, shook his head. "That cannot be our conclusion so soon. The boy has shown no signs of corruption."


    Another responded, her voice edged with skepticism. "Yet."


    Alden tapped his fingers against the table, considering their words. "The Forsaken are claimed, not awakened. If this boy is indeed touched by something beyond our understanding, then his very existence is a threat. The last time a Forsaken emerged..."


    A pause. A knowing glance between the oldest members.


    "...an entire country was wiped from the map within hours."


    The chamber fell into deep silence, as if the ghosts of history themselves had joined their gathering.


    Lord Varies cleared his throat. "This boy is not the same. The Forsaken of the past was a man filled with hatred, an experiment gone wrong. But this one is just a boy. He is... different."


    "And that is what makes him dangerous." Alden''s voice was firm. "He does not yet know what he is. But what happens when he does? When his power seeks its true form?"


    A moment of heavy contemplation passed. Then, finally, Alden sat back and folded his hands.


    "We will not destroy him." The statement alone made some councilors tense.


    "We will use him."


    "Until we no longer need him."


    A final decision had been made.


    The verdict was passed.


    The great hall of the Arcane Council was still shrouded in an air of tension, the twelve high members seated in their elevated positions, with Alden Graves presiding at the center. Lord Varys and the others sat in silence as the doors opened once more.


    A man in a dark coat  entered with Elias Carter¡ªDorian  Aldritch, the investigator.


    Alden Graves cleared his throat. "Elias Carter, your situation is... unprecedented. You have awakened, but not in the way anyone would have wanted." His piercing gaze bore into Elias before he continued. "From this moment on, you will be supervised and trained. Investigator Dorian Aldritch will oversee your progress and ensure your abilities are under control."


    Elias remained silent, but in his mind, he couldn''t help but think sarcastically, I''ll use them when I actually know that I have them.


    Graves continued, "You are not to speak of your abilities to anyone outside of this chamber. You will only use them when instructed. Do you understand?"


    Elias gave a slow nod, masking the storm of emotions within. Meanwhile, Dorian stepped forward, his voice even but firm. "I''ll make sure he doesn''t get himself killed." There was a faint smirk in his tone, but his expression remained serious. "Elias, follow me. We have much to discuss."


    With that, the session concluded, and Elias found himself walking alongside Dorian, stepping out of the suffocating presence of the council and into the unknown path that awaited him.


    Dorian crossed his arms, watching Elias with a calculating gaze. "So, tell me, Elias. What do you know about your power? How much can you perform?"


    Elias blinked. "Nothing."


    Dorian arched an eyebrow. "Nothing?"


    "Yeah. Zero. Nada. I don''t even know if I have powers." Elias sighed. "I mean, the council says I do, but I haven''t exactly shot fire from my hands or lifted a mountain yet."


    Dorian let out a tired sigh. "Right. Then let''s start with the basics. Follow me."


    He led Elias to a secluded training ground, an old chamber beneath the council''s main building. The walls were covered in ancient sigils, and the air crackled with dormant energy.


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    "Stand there," Dorian instructed, pointing to the center of the room. "Now, close your eyes and concentrate. Feel the energy inside you. Pull it out."


    Elias sighed but obeyed, closing his eyes. He focused, waiting for something¡ªanything¡ªto happen. Nothing.


    Dorian tapped his foot impatiently. "You''re not even trying."


    "I am trying," Elias shot back. "But nothing''s happening!"


    "Try harder," Dorian ordered.


    Elias gritted his teeth and clenched his fists. He imagined fire, energy, anything erupting from him. A spark flickered at his fingertips. His eyes widened.


    Then¡ª


    A tiny flame, barely enough to light a candle, appeared in his palm. It wavered, pitifully small, before fizzling out.


    Silence.


    Elias looked at his hand, then at Dorian. "Uh... impressive, right?"


    Dorian pinched the bridge of his nose. "You couldn''t even hurt a fly with that."


    "Yeah, well," Elias muttered. "Baby steps?"


    Dorian sighed, rubbing his temples. "That''s enough for today. You can go home, meet your friends, and get some rest. We''ll try again tomorrow."


    Elias stretched his arms. "Finally! Thought you''d keep me here all night."


    Dorian shot him a sharp look. "If you don''t improve, I might just do that."


    Elias chuckled nervously. "Noted."


    As he turned to leave, Dorian called out, "And remember¡ªthis stays between us. No showing off, no unnecessary usage. Understood?"


    Elias gave a lazy salute. "Yeah, yeah. No fun allowed. Got it."


    As Elias turned to leave, Dorian''s voice stopped him.


    "One more thing," Dorian said, his expression serious. "Always be alert. The power you have now... it attracts dark entities. They must already know about you, and sooner or later, they''ll come. They''ll try to extract that power from you¡ªby any means necessary."


    Elias blinked, then smirked. "Great. So not only do I have a power I can''t even use properly, but now I''m also a walking beacon for evil? Love that for me."


    Dorian sighed. "I''m being serious, Elias."


    Elias gave a mock salute. "Noted. I''ll be sure to stay alive long enough to actually awaken."


    With that, he turned and left.


    As Elias reached home in the evening, the exhaustion from the day weighed heavily on him. Just as he was about to collapse onto his bed, a sudden knock at the door made him pause.


    With a sigh, he walked over and opened it. Standing there, hands in his pockets and a raised eyebrow, was Dante.


    "You gonna keep me standing out here, or you gonna let me in?" Dante smirked.


    Elias stepped aside. "Come in."


    Dante walked in, glancing around before settling onto the couch. "Alright, spill it. What happened? Why did the council take you?"


    Elias hesitated. The weight of the past day¡ªhis supposed "awakening," the Arcane Council''s scrutiny, the training with Dorian¡ªfelt unreal. He wasn''t even sure he believed it himself. But Dante was the only person he truly had, and keeping secrets from him felt pointless.


    Taking a deep breath, he sat down. "It''s... complicated."


    Dante leaned forward. "Then make it simple."


    Elias sighed. "They think I''ve awakened, but not in a way anyone wanted. Apparently, I have some kind of power, but I don''t know how to use it. I tried training today and barely managed a flicker of fire magic."


    Dante whistled. "So, you''re saying you''re a big deal now."


    Elias rolled his eyes. "More like a big joke."


    Dante studied him for a moment before nodding.


    "And you¡ªdon''t spill any beans."


    Dante grinned. "Come on, man. When have I ever spilled anything?"


    Elias gave him a deadpan look.


    Dante chuckled. "Okay, fine. Maybe a few times. But not this. I promise."


    A comfortable silence settled between them before Dante stood up and stretched. "Alright, enough of this depressing talk. Let''s go for a walk. It''ll clear your mind."


    Elias hesitated, then shrugged. "Yeah... maybe you''re right."


    The two of them stepped outside into the cool night air,


    As Elias and Dante walked through the quiet streets, the cool night air did little to ease Elias'' restless thoughts. Dante, sensing his mood, nudged him.


    "So, what''s the plan, oh great awakened one? Gonna burn down the school with your tiny fire trick?"


    Elias scoffed. "Yeah, if the fire even lasts long enough to light a candle."


    Dante chuckled. "Hey, at least you got something. I''m still just a regular guy."


    Elias glanced at him. "You say that like it''s a bad thing."


    They continued walking, their casual banter filling the silence of the deserted street. Streetlights flickered dimly above them, casting long shadows as the night deepened.


    Then, suddenly, the air changed.


    The temperature dropped sharply, and an unnatural heaviness pressed down on them. A deep, suffocating weight settled in their chests, like the very fabric of reality had shifted.


    Dante stopped mid-step. "Do you feel that?"


    Elias'' breath hitched as a low, guttural hum reverberated through the air. The ground beneath them cracked slightly. Then, without warning¡ª


    SHRRRRRK!


    A jagged tear split open the space before them, dark energy crackling along its edges. A portal, swirling with shadows and pulsating with an eerie glow, widened before their eyes.


    And then it stepped out.


    A towering skeletal figure, easily over ten feet tall, emerged. Its bones were blackened and worn, held together by sinewy strands of dark energy. Its hollow eye sockets glowed with a sickly green fire, and in its bony grip, it held a massive, rusted cleaver that dripped with some unearthly substance.


    A low, bone-chilling groan rumbled from its hollow chest as it turned its gaze toward them.


    Dante took an instinctive step back. "Nope. Nope. I don''t like that."


    Elias'' stomach twisted. He had never felt anything like this before¡ªlike the very essence of death was staring him down.


    The skeleton creature let out a hollow roar that sent a shockwave through the air, cracks splintering the pavement beneath it.


    Then it took a step forward.


    Elias clenched his fists. What the hell do we do now?


    Darkness swirling within, and from its depths, an enormous skeletal figure emerged. Its body was wrapped in tattered, ancient cloth, runes glowing faintly across its cracked bones. Hollow eye sockets burned with an eerie green fire as it fixed its gaze on Elias.


    With a slow, deliberate motion, the monster lifted one bony hand and pointed directly at him.


    Then it moved.


    The ground quaked beneath its weight as it lunged forward, raising a massive fist. Elias barely had time to react before the blow struck him like a sledgehammer. Pain exploded in his ribs as he was flung backward, skidding across the pavement. His vision blurred, his ears ringing.


    "Elias!"


    Dante was already moving, stepping between his fallen friend and the towering monster. Without hesitation, he clenched his fists, standing his ground.


    "Come on, you ugly bastard!" he growled.


    The skeleton responded with terrifying speed. Its arm lashed out like a battering ram, hitting Dante square in the chest. A sickening crack echoed through the air as he was launched like a ragdoll, slamming into a streetlight. He crumpled to the ground, coughing violently, blood speckling his lips.


    The creature wasted no time. It loomed over Dante, raising a skeletal foot to stomp him into the pavement.


    Elias watched, frozen. He wanted to move. He needed to move. But his body refused to listen. A deep, crushing helplessness wrapped around him like iron chains.


    Move!


    His fists clenched, his teeth grit¡ª


    A blazing fireball roared through the air.


    The explosion knocked the skeleton off balance, flames licking at its bones. A figure slid across the pavement, coming to a stop between Dante and the monster.


    It was Logan.


    He cracked his neck, rolling his shoulders as embers danced around his fingertips. A cocky smirk pulled at his lips.


    "No one lays a hand on these idiots except me," he said, his voice laced with amusement. "And you? You don''t have that privilege."


    The skeleton screeched¡ªa sound that curdled blood¡ªbefore charging at Logan with unnatural speed.


    The fight began.


    Logan ducked as a bony fist cut through the air where his head had been a second ago. With a swift motion, he conjured a whip of fire, lashing it across the creature''s ribs. Bone splintered, cracks forming under the searing heat. But the monster was unfazed. It retaliated, claws raking forward. Logan barely managed to twist away, but not fast enough¡ª


    A deep gash tore across his side. Blood spattered onto the ground.


    "Shit¡ª" Logan hissed, stumbling back.


    The skeleton capitalized, slamming its knee into his stomach. Logan choked, his vision flashing white as he was thrown across the street. He rolled, struggling to push himself up, coughing blood.


    The monster didn''t stop. It turned back toward Dante, still lying motionless.


    Elias''s breath hitched.


    Something snapped inside him.


    A voice, deep and echoing, whispered in his mind.


    Unleash it.


    His pupils dilated. His irises darkened, bleeding into pure black voids. The air around him grew cold, shadows twisting unnaturally at his feet. His body moved without thought, driven by an instinct older than time itself.


    One second, he was standing still.


    The next¡ª


    A blur of motion.


    In a single blink, Elias reappeared in front of the skeleton. His hand gripped something¡ªa blade of obsidian, its edges wreathed in violet energy. Before the monster could react, Elias swung.


    A shockwave tore through the street.


    The skeleton''s entire torso was bisected in a single strike. Its upper half hit the pavement with a deafening crash, the runes on its bones flickering before dying out completely. The lower half collapsed right after, disintegrating into dust.


    Silence.


    Logan and Dante stared, wide-eyed.


    Elias stood there, panting, his blade still humming with unnatural energy. His hands trembled, his breath ragged.


    Dante was the first to speak.


    "...Well, holy shit," he muttered, wiping the blood from his mouth. He let out a breathless chuckle. "Okay, new rule: remind me to never piss you off."


    Logan was still shocked by thinking what just happened.


    Elias turned toward him, his eyes still dark. But as quickly as it had come, the energy in him faded. The blade vanished into black smoke. His vision blurred.


    Then, everything went black.


    END OF CHAPTER 3.


    NEXT - CHAPTER 4 : THE ECLIPSE  ORDER.