The Last Keeper of Magic

The night the magic returned, Kael Rowan was alone in the forest. Rain whispered through the ancient trees, and silver lightning occasionally tore across the black sky. Kael pulled his worn cloak tighter around his shoulders and hurried along the narrow path. He had entered the forbidden forest looking for a lost traveler. He never expected to find something that had been waiting for him. For twenty-two years, Kael had believed he was ordinary. He had no family, no wealth, and no special talent. He lived in the small village of Eldermere, repairing tools and helping farmers survive the harsh winters. But that night, something inside him began to wake. Kael stopped. A strange blue light was glowing between the trees. "What is that?" He stepped closer. At the center of a circle of dead trees stood an enormous black stone. Strange silver symbols covered its surface. They seemed to move whenever lightning flashed. Kael felt a powerful pull in his chest. He should have walked away. Instead, he reached out. The moment his fingers touched the stone, the forest disappeared. Kael found himself standing in a world filled with fire. A massive city burned beneath a crimson sky. Towers collapsed. Magical creatures screamed in the distance. Thousands of people ran through the streets while dark shadows descended from the clouds. Then Kael saw her. A young woman stood in the middle of the destruction. She had long silver hair and eyes that glowed violet. Blood covered her white dress. She looked directly at him. "You finally came." Kael froze. "Who are you?" The girl stepped closer. "You don't remember me." "I've never seen you before." A sad smile appeared on her face. "You haven't." Before Kael could understand her words, the sky behind her split open. A gigantic black eye appeared among the clouds. The girl's expression changed. Fear entered her eyes. "They found you." "Who?" "The ones who killed the old world." The ground shook violently. The girl grabbed Kael's hand. "Listen carefully. Your power isn't a gift." "What power?" "You are the last Keeper." Kael stared at her. "What does that mean?" She whispered four words. "It means you can die." The vision shattered. Kael fell backward onto the wet ground. He gasped for air. The black stone stood silently before him. But something had changed. The silver symbols were glowing. Then a voice came from behind him. "You shouldn't have touched that." Kael turned. A small creature stood beneath an ancient oak. It looked like a fox, but its fur shimmered like starlight. Three silver tails moved slowly behind it. Kael stared. "You can talk?" The creature sighed. "Unfortunately." Kael slowly stood. "Who are you?" "Aeris." The fox's eyes narrowed. "And you, Kael Rowan, have just awakened a power that hasn't been seen for five hundred years." Kael's heart began pounding. "How do you know my name?" Aeris looked toward the black stone. "Because the stone remembers everyone." A sudden explosion shook the forest. Far away, something enormous roared. Aeris immediately turned toward the sound. "They're here." "Who?" "The Dark Order." Kael looked around nervously. "I don't understand." "You will." Aeris stepped closer. "But if you want to live until sunrise, you need to trust me." Kael looked at the strange fox. Then the black stone. For the first time in his life, he felt something burning beneath his skin. He looked down. A thin golden symbol had appeared on his palm. It looked like an eclipse. Aeris stared at it in horror. "No..." "What?" "The Eclipse Mark." The forest suddenly went silent. Then hundreds of glowing red eyes appeared between the trees. Kael heard footsteps. Something was coming. Aeris whispered: "Run, Keeper." Kael turned toward the village. But before he could move, a bolt of black lightning struck the ground. The forest exploded with darkness. And from within the smoke came a man's voice. "After five hundred years..." A tall figure stepped from the shadows. "...the last Keeper has finally awakened." Kael's blood ran cold. The stranger smiled. "Find him." The creatures rushed forward. And Kael's hidden magic finally awakened.