Chapter 1: The Day the Sky Burned
Zane Emberwood never expected anything interesting to happen in his quiet town.
Cindervale was small and peaceful, surrounded by tall mountains and endless trees. People here lived simple lives. Farmers sold vegetables, blacksmiths hammered metal, and kids ran through the streets without a care in the world. Nothing exciting ever happened.
At least, not until today.
Zane was chasing his homemade gearhound—a small, steam-powered mechanical dog—through the busy town square. The little thing barked in high-pitched puffs of steam, its tiny legs spinning fast as it darted between wooden crates and startled chickens.
"Bolt! Come back here!" Zane shouted, laughing. His messy black hair bounced as he ran. He swerved around a group of merchants, nearly knocking over a fruit cart.
"Watch it, Emberwood!" one of them shouted.
"Sorry!" Zane called, still grinning.
Bolt let out a mechanical yip and zigzagged away.
Then it happened.
A loud, low siren echoed through the town. It sounded like a deep horn, shaking the air.
Everyone stopped.
Zane froze in place. His laughter died instantly. The people in the market dropped their baskets and looked up at the sky with wide eyes.
The siren only meant one thing.
Danger.
Suddenly, the clear blue sky turned red.
Not from sunset. Not from fire.
From cracks. Flaming cracks.
It looked like the sky itself was tearing open, like someone was ripping through paper with burning hands. Red light poured out, and from the cracks came shadows—huge, dark creatures with glowing eyes.
They dropped from the sky like falling stars, landing on rooftops and streets, roaring loud enough to make the ground shake.
Shadowbeasts.
Zane had heard the stories. Creatures from another realm. Monsters made of darkness and rage.
But he never thought he'd see one.
Now, there were dozens.
People screamed. Mothers grabbed their children. Guards pulled out weapons and shouted orders. The peaceful town became a battlefield in seconds.
Zane stood still, heart pounding in his chest.
One of the beasts spotted him. It was huge—like a lion made of smoke and claws, its eyes glowing like purple fire.
It let out a horrible snarl and charged.
Zane's body refused to move. His legs were frozen. His mind screamed at him to run, but his feet stayed stuck to the ground.
The beast jumped.
Time seemed to slow down.
Zane's eyes widened as death rushed toward him—
Then a flash of light.
The beast exploded into black smoke.
Zane blinked.
Someone stood in front of him.
A girl.
She looked about his age, maybe sixteen. Her long white hair blew in the wind like silk. In her hand was a sword shaped like fire. Glowing red patterns ran across the blade. Her eyes were sharp and calm, and on her chest glowed a strange symbol—a mark that looked like it was made of flame.
She didn't say anything right away. She just stood between Zane and the monsters like she belonged there.
"Who… who are you?" Zane managed to ask, his voice shaking.
She looked over her shoulder at him. "My name is Lyra," she said. "And you're not supposed to die today."
Another beast leapt at them—but Lyra didn't flinch. She raised her sword and slashed through it in one smooth motion.
Zane stared at her in awe.
Then something happened inside him.
His chest started to burn.
He cried out, clutching his shirt. A strange heat spread through his body, like fire running through his veins. His skin glowed. A symbol began to appear on his chest, just like Lyra's—only his pulsed wildly, like it was waking up after sleeping for centuries.
He didn't know what it was, but it felt powerful. Alive.
Suddenly, flames burst from his hands.
He didn't know how, but when another beast ran at him—he moved. His body reacted on its own. He raised his hand, and fire shot out, blasting the creature into ash.
Then everything went quiet.
Zane fell to his knees, breathing hard. He stared at his hands, still glowing with leftover fire.
"What… was that?" he gasped.
Lyra stepped closer, kneeling beside him. "It's called the Soulbrand," she said. "And it just chose you."
Zane's eyes met hers. "Chose me? For what?"
She looked toward the burning sky. More monsters were falling. The world was crumbling.
"To fight back," she said. "This world is dying. But with your flame, we might still save it."
Before Zane could ask another question, the ground shook. Everything around him faded—people, buildings, even Lyra.
His vision turned white.
And then… nothing.