The voice was everywhere. It echoed through the cobblestone streets, reverberated off the towering walls of the Kyrios Empire's capital, and seeped into the very bones of its citizens. It was the voice of the Grand Herald, cold and authoritative, amplified by Acarna-infused crystals embedded throughout the city.
"Citizens of Kyrios," the voice began, its tone heavy with gravity. "By decree of His Imperial Majesty, the nation is now in a state of emergency. All citizens are to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the nearest Arcane Knight outpost. Failure to comply will result in severe penalties. Long live the empire."
The announcement repeated itself, the words sinking into the hearts of the people like a stone dropped into still water. In the marketplace, merchants paused mid-transaction, their faces pale. Commoners whispered to one another, their voices tinged with fear. Even the children, usually carefree and loud, fell silent for a moment, their games forgotten.
But not for long.
---
Kael adjusted the strap of his satchel and quickened his pace, his head down as he navigated the crowded streets. He knew what was coming. The other kids had been relentless lately, and today would be no different. He just had to make it to his mother's kiosk without incident.
Oh! It's the talentless bastard!" a voice called out, sharp and mocking.
Kael clenched his fists but kept walking. He recognized the voice—it belonged to Ryn, the son of a wealthy merchant. Ryn was flanked by two other boys, both grinning like hyenas.
"Where's your daddy, Kael?" Ryn sneered, stepping in front of him. "Oh, right, he's off playing hero while you're here, useless as ever."
The other boys laughed, their voices cutting through the hum of the marketplace. Kael's cheeks burned, but he refused to look up. He knew if he did, he'd only give them more ammunition.
"Your mom's a prostitute, isn't she?" one of the boys chimed in. "That's why you're so weak. You're not even a real deviant."
Kael's chest tightened, but he forced himself to keep moving. He'd heard it all before—the insults, the taunts, the endless reminders of his failure. At eleven years old, he was already an outcast, a disappointment to his father and a laughingstock to everyone else.
"Hey, I'm talking to you!" Ryn grabbed Kael's arm, yanking him to a stop. "What's the matter? Too scared to fight back?"
Kael finally looked up, meeting Ryn's smug gaze. For a moment, he considered swinging his satchel at the boy's face. But he knew it would only make things worse. Instead, he wrenched his arm free and pushed past them, ignoring their laughter as he hurried down the street.
---
The kiosk came into view, its colorful awning a welcome sight. Kael's mother, Lira, was inside, arranging baskets of fruit. She looked up as he approached, her face softening with concern.
"Kael," she said, "are you all right? You look pale."
"I'm fine," he muttered, setting his satchel down. "Just… tired."
Lira studied him for a moment, her eyes narrowing. She knew better than to press him—Kael had inherited his father's stubbornness—but she also knew when something was wrong.
"Why don't you help me with these apples?" she suggested, handing him a basket. "The festival's coming up, and we need to be ready."
Kael nodded, grateful for the distraction. He focused on the task, arranging the apples in neat rows. For a little while, the taunts and the empire's announcement faded into the background.
---
It was late afternoon when Kael stepped out to the alley behind the kiosk. He needed to fetch a crate of oranges from the storage shed, but as he reached for the door, he heard footsteps behind him.
Before he could turn, someone bumped into him, nearly knocking him off his feet. It was a figure in a dark cloak, their face obscured by a hood. They were clutching a small box, their breathing ragged.
"Help me," the figure whispered, their voice faint but urgent. It sounded like a girl.
Kael hesitated, his heart pounding. He glanced toward the street, where a group of armed men were searching the crowd. They didn't look like Arcane Knights—their armor was too crude, their movements too erratic. Thieves? Spies? Kael didn't know, but he knew they were dangerous.
Without thinking, he grabbed the figure's arm and pulled them into the kiosk, locking the door behind them. The girl—he was sure now it was a girl—stumbled into the corner, still clutching the box.
"What's going on?" Kael demanded, his voice low. "Who are you?"
The girl didn't answer. Instead, she opened the box, revealing a glowing cube. The light was faint but unmistakable, pulsing like a heartbeat. Kael felt a strange pull, as if the cube were calling to him.
Before he could react, the girl lunged forward, pressing the cube against his chest. Kael gasped as the cube seemed to melt into him, its energy flooding his body. His vision blurred, and he felt as if he were being torn apart and put back together.
When the light faded, Kael was on his knees, his chest heaving. The girl stared at him, her eyes wide with shock.
"What… what did you do to me?" Kael stammered, his voice trembling.
The girl took a step back, her expression unreadable. "What are you?" she whispered.
---
Outside, the sound of footsteps grew louder. The men were getting closer.
---
Kael's mind raced as he struggled to process what had just happened. His body felt different—alive in a way he'd never experienced before. He could feel the energy coursing through him, a strange, pulsating warmth that seemed to emanate from his very core.
"We need to go," the girl said suddenly, her voice urgent. She grabbed his arm and pulled him to his feet. "They'll be here any second."
"Who?" Kael asked, still dazed. "Who are they? And what was that thing you put in me?"
"No time to explain," the girl snapped. She glanced toward the door, her body tense. "If they find us, we're dead. Come on!"
Kael hesitated, his instincts warring with his confusion. He didn't know this girl, didn't know what she'd done to him, but he could hear the fear in her voice. And he could hear the men outside, their voices growing louder as they approached the kiosk.
"Fine," he muttered, grabbing his satchel. "But you owe me answers."
The girl didn't respond. She was already moving, slipping out the back door with the grace of a shadow. Kael followed, his heart pounding as they darted through the narrow alleyways of the capital.
---
The city was a maze of twisting streets and towering buildings, but the girl seemed to know exactly where she was going. Kael struggled to keep up, his legs burning as they climbed a steep set of stairs and ducked into a hidden alcove.
"Stay here," the girl whispered, peering around the corner. "They're still looking for us."
Kael leaned against the wall, trying to catch his breath. His mind was a whirlwind of questions, but one stood out above the rest.
"What's your name?" he asked, his voice barely audible.
The girl glanced at him, her expression unreadable. "Lyra," she said after a moment. "And you?"
"Kael."
Lyra nodded, her eyes scanning the street below. "Listen, Kael," she said, her voice low. "That cube… it's not something you were supposed to survive. Do you understand? You should be dead right now."
Kael's stomach churned at her words. "What are you talking about? What was it?"
Lyra hesitated, her gaze flickering to the glowing mark on Kael's chest—a faint, pulsing light where the cube had entered his body. "It's called the Arcana Core," she said finally. "It's… a weapon. A source of pure Arcana energy. Only a deviant can survive its power."
Kael stared at her, his mind reeling. "But I'm not a deviant," he said, his voice trembling. "I've never had any abilities. I'm just… ordinary."
Lyra's eyes narrowed, and for a moment, she looked almost afraid. "Not anymore," she said softly. "Not after this."
---
The sound of footsteps echoed through the alley, snapping them both back to reality. Lyra grabbed Kael's arm and pulled him deeper into the shadows, her grip firm.
"We need to move," she whispered. "Now."
Kael nodded, his heart pounding as they slipped into the darkness. He didn't know what was happening, didn't know what the Arcana Core had done to him, but one thing was clear: his life would never be the same.
—