ARCANE DRIFTERS – Volume 1
Chapter 3: Impossible
Shen stood frozen before the Awakening Orb.
The blue crystal remained silent.
No light.
No aura.
No magic.
Nothing.
His hands trembled.
His breathing became uneven.
"No..."
His voice came out as a whisper.
"This can't be right."
The Commander checked the readings again.
Then again.
Then one more time.
The result never changed.
The Commander slowly lowered the device.
"No power detected."
The words felt heavier than a mountain.
Shen stared blankly.
"No power...?"
The children around him had awakened incredible abilities.
Kenya possessed a God-Class Fire Demon Power.
Eliz possessed both Light and Dark Magic.
Ruke had Ultimate Lightning Manipulation.
Everyone had power.
Everyone except him.
The boy everyone believed would become a legend.
The genius.
The prodigy.
The future hero.
Nothing.
Absolutely nothing.
A strange ringing filled Shen's ears.
His vision blurred.
The people around him seemed distant.
Like they were underwater.
"No."
Shen stepped toward the orb.
"I'll try again."
He placed his hand on it.
Nothing.
Again.
Nothing.
One more time.
Nothing.
The silence was unbearable.
The Commander closed his eyes.
"Shen..."
But Shen wasn't listening.
His chest felt tight.
His throat burned.
He suddenly turned around and ran.
"Shen!"
Kenya's voice echoed behind him.
But he didn't stop.
He couldn't stop.
He just ran.
Ran as fast as he could.
Away from the training ground.
Away from everyone.
Away from the truth.
Behind him, Kenya looked worried.
"Where is he going?"
The Commander watched Shen disappear into the distance.
His expression darkened.
"You shouldn't let him go alone."
Kenya immediately nodded.
"We'll bring him back."
Without wasting another second, Kenya, Eliz, and Ruke ran after him.
---
Meanwhile...
Shen continued running.
His legs burned.
His lungs screamed.
Yet he kept moving.
Eventually he reached a large tree standing alone near the edge of the forest.
His strength finally gave out.
He collapsed beneath it.
The grass felt cold.
The earth felt cold.
Everything felt cold.
Shen grabbed his hair.
"Why..."
His voice shook.
"Why don't I have power?"
His eyes became red.
For years he had dreamed about becoming strong.
For years he had trained.
For years he had worked harder than everyone else.
And now...
Nothing.
He clenched his fists.
"If I don't have power..."
"How can I fight the Arcanes?"
"How can I protect anyone?"
"How can I become an Arcane Drifter?"
His shoulders trembled.
For the first time in years...
Shen felt powerless.
Completely powerless.
Suddenly—
A strange sound echoed above him.
SHRRRRRRR!
Shen froze.
Slowly he looked up.
His face turned pale.
A flying Arcane hovered in the sky.
Its black wings stretched wide.
Its glowing red eyes stared directly at him.
The creature looked like a nightmare given form.
Shen's heartbeat accelerated.
"No way..."
A Flying Arcane.
Why was one here?
The creature screeched.
A chilling sound echoed through the forest.
Before Shen could move—
CRASH!
Another monster landed behind him.
A massive Arcane.
Twice the size of a human.
Covered in dark armor-like scales.
Its claws dug into the ground.
Shen's eyes widened.
His escape route was blocked.
One in front.
One behind.
He was trapped.
The Flying Arcane opened its mouth.
A glowing sphere of energy began forming.
A magic cannon.
Shen recognized it immediately.
His body moved backward.
But there was nowhere to run.
Nowhere to hide.
Fear gripped his heart.
For the first time since his family's death...
Shen truly felt death approaching.
"This is bad..."
Very bad.
The energy sphere grew larger.
Brighter.
More dangerous.
The Arcane aimed directly at him.
Shen closed his eyes.
I can't move.
I can't fight.
I can't even defend myself.
So this is how it ends.
BOOOOOOOOM!
A deafening explosion shook the area.
Heat blasted across Shen's face.
He opened his eyes.
The Flying Arcane was gone.
Only ashes remained.
Shen blinked.
"What?"
A familiar voice sounded behind him.
"He's coming."
Kenya stepped forward.
Flames danced around her hands.
The Fire Demon Power burned fiercely.
Shen stared.
"You..."
Kenya crossed her arms.
Then immediately punched his shoulder.
"What were you thinking?!"
"Ow!"
Shen grabbed his shoulder.
Kenya looked furious.
"Why did you run off by yourself?!"
Eliz arrived moments later.
She folded her arms.
"Seriously."
"We were worried."
Ruke walked forward casually.
A smirk appeared on his face.
"Pretty sure he was scared."
Shen immediately stood up.
"I wasn't scared!"
Ruke laughed.
"Sure."
"Totally."
Eliz tilted her head.
"Then why do you have tears in your eyes?"
Shen froze.
His hand touched his face.
A tear had escaped.
He immediately wiped it away.
"That's rain."
The group looked upward.
The sky was completely clear.
Not a single cloud existed.
Ruke stared at him.
"Rain?"
"Yep."
"The invisible kind."
Silence.
Then everyone started laughing.
Even Eliz couldn't stop herself.
Shen's face became red.
"Stop laughing!"
Kenya laughed harder.
Suddenly a familiar voice echoed behind them.
"Enough."
The Commander had arrived.
The group immediately straightened.
The Commander looked toward the forest.
Several shadows moved between the trees.
More Arcanes.
His expression hardened.
"Get in the vehicle."
"Now."
The children didn't argue.
Moments later they climbed into a military revulsor.
The engine roared.
The vehicle sped away.
As the forest disappeared behind them, silence filled the cabin.
Eventually Shen lowered his head.
"Sorry."
The others looked at him.
Shen smiled weakly.
"Sorry for making everyone worry."
Kenya sighed.
"Just don't do it again."
Eliz nodded.
"Agreed."
Ruke smirked.
"Besides."
"The Commander is probably going to punish you tomorrow."
Shen froze.
"...What?"
Kenya grinned.
"Definitely."
Ruke nodded.
"Without mercy."
Eliz smiled.
"You deserve it."
Shen's face turned pale.
"No..."
The others laughed.
Meanwhile, the Commander sat quietly in the front seat.
Watching the road.
Watching the horizon.
And thinking about something strange.
Because despite the orb showing no power...
For a brief moment...
When Shen touched it...
He had felt something.
Something impossible.
Something terrifying.
And he couldn't shake the feeling that Shen's story had only just begun.
To Be Continued...