Prologue
Thousand years ago, a wave of celestial energy struck our planet — 'Azuron'. Scientists later traced it to the collision of two stars, forty light years away — a calamity written in the vast expanse of sky before humans even explored it.
The impact nearly drove the life to extinction, but from that chaos originated something extraordinary : a dormant energy hidden deep within Azuron's womb, awakened. We called it 'Aether'.
It took three centuries for aether to seep into every corner of the world and another 100 years for humankind to understand and harness it. The first person to commune with this force — who shaped this formless energy — came to be known as 'The First Awakener'. His name was Solarein which translates to ruler of light.
But the crisis was far from over.
Five hundred years ago a species from a distant solar system came to find a new place to settle – a home – they called themselves 'Velarim'.
Although they could not utilize aether, they had their own innate advantage. They had three subspecies within them. The first ones 'Velari'Kor' or 'Kor' were gifted with superior physique and combat sense. The second ones 'Velari'Syl' or 'Syl' tapped into the mysterious life force and could heal wounds and amputated limbs, additionally they had superior flexibility and agility. The third ones 'Velari'Nul' or 'Nul' were most peculiar among them, they could train their mind energy to the point of manifestation and could move objects – which was the power of telekinesis.
They chose to wage war against humans for supremacy on Azuron.
The war was a long drawn one — not of evil versus good but of survival. By cooperation of Solarein and a few other revolutionaries from Velarim — for a peaceful future — the war ended in an amicable way. Since then Humans and Velarims have divided the land into two empires — each made of three kingdoms — and since than they have coexisted with each other...more or less.
Beneath a tree in the orphanage courtyard, a boy named Vedran sat quietly with a book on his lap — it's cover titled 'A History Of Azuron'.
The breeze was refreshing. The sun was about to set. "How long are you planning to stay out ?" His friend Revik called from the window. "The sun's about to set. Come inside or Ms. Williams will scold us again".
Vedran closed the book and stood up, brushing dust from his knees, he headed inside.
Revik : "I can't understand why do you like to sit under that tree"
Vedran ( with a smile ) : "That courtyard tree has only a couple of healthy branches left. I sit under it and read stories, hoping it would bloom again someday"
Revik ( with a sigh ) : "Aren't you an optimistic person"
The One Who Listens
As the sun rose above horizon, a warm sensation touched Vedran's face, he woke up as a breeze carrying the sweet scent of wet soil drifted into the room.
He saw a chirping bird hopping on the window sill like it was eager to go somewhere. Vedran sat up on his bed, still drowsy, watched the bird for a while "There you are again, every morning like a clockwork" he whispered, smilling. He did not mind the cold. To him it meant the sparrow had made it through another night.
After folding his favourite blanket neatly and brushing his teeth, he stepped into the hallway. "Let's see, as I remember it's my turn for floor sweeping". He grabbed the mop and bucket and started working alongside three other childrens.
"This tedious task again" grumbled Revik as he glanced at Vedran who was humming a tune "I don't really like this" he said again. Vedran shrugged gently "It's not a tedious task, see it as meditative task" Vedran replied as he swirled the mop over the floor "I know it isn't much but, every clean step might make this place feel lighter, like maybe it remembered to be kind" Vedran started humming the tune again.
Revik stared at Vedran, unsure whether to argue or agree. Instead he said nothing and kept sweeping.
Shortly after chores, it was time for morning class. Vedran wore his uniform as he got ready and made his way towards classroom. As he entered his classroom a familiar scene greeted him — classmates chatting in small groups, some gossiping, some telling jokes while some talking about the topic of previous classes.
Revik waved at him from his seat. Vedran went towards his seat which was right next to Revik and started talking about the new books he'd been reading from the old library.
The the conversation quickly drifted. "Have you heard about the talking bookshelf" Revik whispered with wide eyes. Watching Vedran's confused and questioning gaze, Revik feeling proud as he finally knew something that Vedran didn't, continued "I heard Mr Rechard mentioning it to Ms Williams that there is a talking bookshelf in the old library which talks to people whenever it wants to".
Their conversation drew attention from the nearby classmates, who leaned in to listen. Vedran chuckled softly "I don't think it's true, I have been there a dozens of time and I never saw such a bookshelf". Revik argued jokingly that it doesn't always talk with random people.
"Maybe it just doesn't like me, then" Vedran said with a smile.
Before anyone could add more to the conversation, the teacher entered. The chattering hushed, dozen screeches of chairs rubbing against floor could be heard as everyone scrambled back to their seats.
The teacher started teaching about the history of Azuron and about Velarim and how they look different yet similar to humans. Chalk scratched across the board, Vedran leaned forward trying to follow as the topic shifted to fundamentals and utilization of Aether, but he strained to follow.
He glanced towards Revik, who looked just as lost to him.
Vedran liked learning — the idea of it, books full of knowledge and truth that could become eternal. But when it came to classroom nothing seemed to stick "Maybe I am just a bit slow" he thought with an awkward smile. He didn't let this thought overwhelm him "But I will catch up no matter however much effort it would take". He straightened his back and stared with more determination.
Class ended with a bell. Vedran stood from his seat, putting his books and notebooks in the table drawer, then headed towards cafeteria. Revik followed closely behind.
The hallway was full of noisy chatters, students coming out of their respective classes, weaving past each other. As they were heading towards cafeteria Vedran gazed towards the training yard where lots of his upperclassmen were practicing physical combat in their combat uniforms. There movements were sharp and disciplined.
"They are about to turn fifteen and awaken their Aether vessel" said Revik with a hopeful smile and an enthusiastic gleam in his eyes "I wish I could grow faster, imagine doing cool actions like those awakeners" while trying to mimic the stance he saw in one of those superhero shows he used to watch.
Vedran while still focused at the training yard whispered "I don't know to which star I would awaken, but I hope one day, I could ask Aether to dance with me".
With hopeful dreams in their imaginations they both entered the cafeteria.
The tables were filling rapidly by the minute, Vedran could see it was his favorite stew today as well. He and Revik took their trays, added a couple of bread, lentil stew and few salads from the counter as they headed for the empty seats in the cafeteria. "I could eat it everyday" Vedran thought, dunking the bread with satisfaction, each bite warming him up.
After lunch the classes continued. Minutes turned into hours. The classes continued till dusk and finally, the night came in. It was about to be their bed time.
The children gathered at middle of the room. Vedran started telling them about a story he read in a certain book, where a hero saves the world and lived happily ever after.
Just as the story was getting to it's most exciting part. Ms. Williams stepped in for a bed check as it was time for lights out. Everyone unwillingly went to bed, as they wanted to know what happened after hero found the evil dragon.
Ms Williams came to Vedran's bedside and handed him, his favourite blanket. "Ms. Williams sewed it again for me" Vedran thought with a light smile while tracing the edges "She patched it again, as she knows it's my favorite blanket since forever, still holding strong".
As the lights turned off Vedran's gaze drifted towards the starry sky — which was moonless, deep and vast — "Were stars always this bright" he wondered. "I might not be able to become a flame but i hope i can become a spark — even something small — to illuminate such moonless nights".
As the night echoed Vedran drifted into a dream, maybe where he was strong — not for power but to do what is right.
The One Who Remembers
As the morning came not with warmth, but with a cold air creeping into the room, sharp as needle against his neck. Aesrak hugged his thin blanket more tightly.
Still drowsy, he sat up slowly, for a while. Eyes heavy with this unpleasent day. Wanting to brush his teeth Aesrak dragged himself to the communal sink and stared at the old worn out mirror — skin pale from the cold, face full of exhaustion.
"Look at you" Aesrak whispered, while looking at his reflection in the mirror. "You couldn't even fight with a bit of cold, how the hell are you supposed to fight with those monsters out there" Aesrak asked himself mockingly.
He was not as angry at the cold as he was with his mediocre self. Aesrak didn't hate his surroundings, he hated how powerless he still was within them.
After brushing his teeth he went ahead to take a bath. As expected the water hit him as icy needles. "The water is cold as always" Aesrak said plainly while turning the knob on. "It has always been like this, we rarely get warm water — I guess the heater is a wall decoration at this point". "Even though I told Anna, our caretaker, she never fixed it up" he complained.
He gritted his teeth and went through with his cold shower and started getting dressed for classes. Tugging his collar a little too tight.
Classes were going to start a bit later. As Aesrak entered the hallway, he could hear nothing but a few footsteps from somewhere distant. He made his way towards the training yard. It was empty — no students, no teachers, just wind rustling at times, making the tree leaves sway under its breath.
Aesrak stood alone at the center and started visualizing him commanding Aether to coil around his hands. "They beg Aether to listen" he whispered, "I will make it obey" he said with pride. His voice held no anger, but certainty.
After a while, Aesrak reached classroom, the day felt too long. As he entered a familiar scene greeted him. The same chipped walls, the same faded chalk stains, the same door whose wood was long due for a replacement. Even the bench he sat on gave a worn out creek, as if complaining that he sat on it.
He took his seat quietly in the corner. Unnoticed. Shortly the teacher arrived.
As the class started — or at something that resembled it. The teacher spoke dryly, eyes half-lided, back arched. A few children scribbled whatever they could understand, mostly just stared blankly — just as the lesson itself. Aesrak understood — not the lesson, but the silence beneath it. The act. The performance.
"They're just waiting out the hour" Aesrak thought bitterly. No one asked questions. No one raised their hands. The room was as silent as a graveyard. "It's not that they don't care. It's that they don't even pretend anymore" Aesrak was disappointed.
As the bell rang, Aesrak stood up from his seat fed up from this monotonous bell sound. He went towards cafeteria.
Aesrak entered the cafeteria. He was greeted by the same plate, same colorless mash, in the same dented tray. "Every damn day" he muttered, He took a bite anyway. It was bland as always "They didn't serve it out of kindness. They served it because that's all they were willing to give" he thought to himself "Even though I had complained to Anna, she scolded me instead" Aesrak muttered. There was no love in the food, only repetition.
Time didn't move — it just dragged. The classes continued till dusk. When he got to his room, the sun was already below the horizon. The dorm lights lit dimly.
As he entered his room, a scene of few exciting children greeted him. Two of the children had birthday today, rest were excited and were surronding those two. Their smiles clumsy but real.
Then Anna walked in, with a cake in her hand. "Anna showed up with one damn candle for both of them" Aesrak thought half smiling to himself. She handed out cards both missing the name. "She even forgot their name on the cards". "Some celebration it is" Aesrak whispered laughingly, so that only the wind heard it. "They didn't seem to mind it though" he thought as he saw both of them smiling genuinely.
As the noises from celebration subsided, bedtime crept in. Anna came in and handed each child the same patched blanket — including him.
"I told her it was uncomfortable and stank — she didn't even blink — just handed it over like always and walked away" he thought to himself. "Same damn blanket every winter" he whispered dejectedly, "They could replace it, they just don't want to". To them it was good enough — just like he was good enough. For minimum effort.
Even though it was cold, he decided to sleep in anyway.As he tugged himself tightly in the thin blanket.
His gaze landed on the broken corner of the window from where cold breeze slipped in like cold needles. "Now that I think about it it's this broken part, from where those birds come into the room" he thought remembering the uninvited guests. Hopping around like they own the place.
His eyes locked onto the distant courtyard. He stared at the crooked tree from his window, branches reaching an awkward angle, bark chipped away at places.
"Can't even grow right" he muttered. It was a reflection. Bent, twisted and still expected to grow.
His eyes didn't stopped there but looked at much more distance — towards the night sky. "Those stars are broken as well, since together they can't even properly light up a single place".
"When I get powerful — and I will — I refuse to be just a spark" his voice, like a vow. "Instead I will become a flame that would burn this false world and create it anew with truth" he said with certainty.
And when he closed his eyes, it wasn't sleep that found him it was resolve.
Before The Oracle
[ 5 years later ]
[ Day before the ritual ]
.
Two official–looking individual were talking with the caretaker of a certain orphanage. "Mr. Anton we are here for the registry of children of this orphanage for tomorrow's starlight's oracle".
A young teacher beside Mr. Anton asked, curiously "Although I have gone through the process myself I don't know what goes behind the scene". "Don't just casually ask questions to these officers, it's rude" Mr Anton quickly scolded him. "Sorry he is a newly appointed teacher, quite young and energetic" he said to the officials.
"That's alright young generation deserves to know this" the official replied.
"There are many centers to perform Starlight's oracle spread across the whole kingdom — the whole empire" the official said. Curious, the young teacher leaned in to listen. The official continued "There, we borrow the power from stars and Aether combined which — scans the body of children and tells the exact star level of the children's Aether vessel".
Seeing that the teacher's curiosity hadn't subsided he continued "Star level vary from one to nine star — one being the lowest and 9 being the highest — based on which we determine the stage potential of the individual"
The young teacher finally appeased noded with satisfaction. Mr Anton then asked "But I have heard that there's a tenth star as well".
The official staggered for a bit than continued "There is actually a tenth star qualification but that is just useless now, as their Aether veins — which help in realese and control of Aether powers within our body — are always clogged for unknown reason".
The young teacher had more questions to ask, but decided against it.
The officials soon finished with their registrations and went ahead to visit the last orphanage on the list. "It's been a tiring day visiting one orphanage than the other" one of them said with a sigh. "Relax this is the last one on the list we can go back after this" other official replied, "Speaking of which who is the caretaker for this orphanage ?" he asked. The first official replied — "Ms Anna Williams".
[ In the orphanage ]
It was a rather quite night, stars above Azuron seemed to shine with more passion in the absence of the moon. Once lively courtyard now lay still. The trees had grown a little taller. The crooked one still leaned the same.
Vedran, now fifteen, sat beneath that tree while tracing the stars in the sky with his hands, as if wanting to map them out. "Still shining like always" he whispered. He grew taller, his features got sharper — but the softness in his eyes had not faded. There was no book in his lap today. He wasn't reading tonight.
Tomorrow was the Starlight's oracle, a moment that every children waited for, there was fear, uncertainty and excitement in everyone's heart.
"I don't know what the stars will say tomorrow" Vedran thought "But maybe, just maybe...I can become a spark that shines even in darkness". A soft breeze passed, the tree trembled as if remembering his promise from years ago.
Elsewhere in a quiter room, where everyone nervously slept, a figure stood by the window staring at far sky as if wanted to see beyond it. "Still can't light up" Aesrak whispered calmly.
He was taller now, but his face had become colder — not with cruelty but with certainty. "Tomorrow they will tell me what my worth is" he muttered with a low voice "But they won't define me".
The cracked window still hadn't been fixed. A cold breeze crept inside the room, but it couldn't bother Aesrak anymore. "When I become strong, I won't be a spark like them — instead I will become a flame that burns through the silence".
The candle beside him flickered but the stars, as always, watched silently.