The sun bathed the small town of Arvendale in soft gold, casting long shadows across cobbled streets. It was a place where nothing extraordinary ever happened — or so everyone thought.
Eren Locke never imagined he was anything more than ordinary. He was a university student, balancing deadlines, part-time shifts at the bookstore, and moments stolen with his girlfriend, Lyra. His circle of friends was small but loyal: Kade — always reckless; Mira — the quiet thinker; and Sol — the joker hiding sharp instincts.
But lately… the dreams.
They came every night.
Flashes of wings so massive they blotted out the sky, flames rolling across ancient battlefields, and a voice — deep and thunderous — whispering words he could never quite remember when he woke.
He didn't tell Lyra. She already worried too much. But even now, sitting with her in the little café where they always met after class, his hands trembled slightly when he lifted his cup.
Lyra noticed. Her green eyes searched his face.
"You're pale again," she said softly, brushing a lock of hair from his forehead. "The dreams?"
He hesitated. Then nodded.
She reached across the table, taking his hand in hers. "You should see someone."
"I'm fine," he lied.
He wasn't.
Outside, the world carried on as if nothing stirred beneath the surface. But in the distance, dark clouds gathered — not weather, but something heavier.
That night, the dream came stronger.
He stood on a mountain of bones. Armies surrounded him, armed with glowing spears. In front of him, a shadowed figure pointed. "You do not belong here."
But then — wings. Enormous wings unfurled from his back, and fire erupted from his throat. Soldiers fled. He roared so loudly the sky cracked.
He woke with a gasp, drenched in sweat, heart pounding. The whisper echoed in his mind:
"Soon."
Morning came dull and heavy. He shuffled into the kitchen, where Kade and Sol sat arguing about video games, Mira sipping tea in silence.
"You okay, man?" Kade asked, seeing the bags under his eyes.
Eren forced a smile. "Didn't sleep well."
Mira watched him closely. She always saw more than she let on.
Before he could sit, there was a sound.
A low rumble.
The windows shook.
"What the—" Sol started, but then the explosion came.
The café across the street — gone in fire and debris.
Screams filled the air.
Eren's instincts kicked in. He grabbed Lyra and dove behind the counter. Kade, Mira, and Sol crouched close.
Through the smoke, figures appeared. Black cloaks, masks that hid their faces.
One of them pointed directly at Eren.
"Found him."
The world turned silent for a moment.
Eren's heart pounded.
"Run," Mira whispered.
They ran.