Purple Core

Awakening

Now nineteen in the middle of a ruthless war. The war between the Kingdom of the Great Shadow and the Kingdom of the Holy Light was nearing its end, yet the fighting on the front lines remained fierce. Rowan stood with the soldiers of the Holy Light’s 59th Light Squad, sweat and dust streaking across his armor as the enemy closed in from all sides. The line was collapsing. Shouts echoed, steel clashed, and Rowan felt a tightening in his chest—sharp, sudden, unlike anything he had ever felt. The world around him blurred. A searing pain rushed through his core, then everything went dark.

The war between the Kingdom of the Great Shadow and the Kingdom of the Holy Light was nearing its end, yet the fighting on the front lines remained fierce. Rowan stood with the soldiers of the Holy Light’s 59th Light Squad, sweat and dust streaking across his armor as the enemy closed in from all sides. The line was collapsing. Shouts echoed, steel clashed, and Rowan felt a tightening in his chest—sharp and sudden—before a searing pain rushed through his core and everything went dark. When he opened his eyes, dim lantern light flickered above him, the medic tent rustling with the scent of herbs and smoke. Chris sat at his side, brown hair messy, dirt streaked across his face, a cut above his eyebrow catching the lantern glow, his usually bright green eyes dulled with worry. Rowan tried to sit up, but Chris eased him back down, telling him to take it slow. Confused, Rowan asked what happened, and Chris stared at him in disbelief, shocked that he didn’t remember. He explained that during the battle their flank was moments from falling when a massive wave of energy swept across the field, freezing nearly everyone in place—some soldiers dropping to their knees as it passed. When the wave faded, Chris spotted Rowan deep in enemy lines, farther than he should’ve been able to reach, and for a moment Chris swore he saw a faint purple glow around him before Rowan collapsed. Rowan denied it immediately, insisting an awakening was impossible since the youngest one in history was twenty-four, far older than his nineteen years. But Chris pressed back, demanding how else Rowan could explain wiping out three-quarters of the enemy forces in under a minute. Rowan insisted Chris didn’t actually see it happen, but Chris said that every soldier who wasn’t fighting on his side claimed they had, and they were already calling Rowan the Hero of the Battlefield. Overwhelmed, Rowan sank into the cot, heart pounding beneath the bandages around his chest. Heavy footsteps approached the tent, and the flap lifted as Commander Warrick stepped inside, tall and broad-shouldered with streaks of silver in his dark hair, his armor still marked by battle, his sharp eyes settling on Rowan with a mix of caution and curiosity as he said, “Good. Then it seems I arrived at the right moment.”The two of them greeted Warrick, but the commander wasted no time and immediately said, “Rowan, you will be going to the capital. It’s standard procedure for anyone who has awakened.” He continued, “There, specialists will show you how to use your new abilities and run tests to determine what category you belong to.” Rowan opened his mouth to protest. “But I—” he started, unsure how to explain that he wasn’t even certain anything had happened. Warrick cut him off with a firm shake of his head. “Are you doubting my eyesight,” he said bluntly. Stepping aside, he added, “Can you get up? You’ll be departing in five minutes.”

“Yes,” Rowan said, his voice rough as he slowly sat up with Chris’s steady hands guiding him. Warrick gave a curt nod, turned, and left the tent without another word, leaving a heavy silence in his wake. Rowan stepped outside, blinking against the late afternoon sun, and saw the transport wagon waiting, reinforced with runes and silver plating, ready to carry him to the capital. He looked over at Chris, whose expression was a mix of concern and pride. “Goodbye,” Rowan said quietly, his chest tightening. “You'd better live, alright? And say hi to your sister for me.” Chris nodded, swallowing hard, and the two clasped hands briefly before parting. The wagon jolted as it rolled forward, leaving the encampment behind. Rowan pressed his palms together and stared at his hands, noticing a strange sensation—like a soft current flowing into his fingertips and swirling inward, settling deep into his chest. He flexed his fingers, watching the faint shimmer of energy crawl along his veins, and a shiver ran through him. Exhaustion and the lingering effects of the awakening finally caught up with him, and as the wagon rumbled over the uneven road, his eyes drooped, and he drifted into a deep, uneasy sleep, the glow of power still humming beneath his skin.