Caesar's chamber was anything but ordinary.
Vast and silent, bathed in a soft light filtering through tall windows adorned with dark stained glass, it exuded a quiet, almost noble luxury. The walls were made of polished stone, engraved with ancient patterns—spirals, incomplete circles, and strange shapes that seemed almost alive the longer one stared at them.
A large bed stood at the center of the room, covered in black sheets with silver reflections. Beside it, finely carved furniture spoke of exceptional craftsmanship. A towering bookshelf filled with ancient volumes occupied an entire wall, while a ceremonial sword rested on a stand, untouched, as if waiting for a destined moment.
A ray of sunlight finally pierced through the curtains.
Then another.
Until it landed directly on his face.
— Mmh…
The young man groaned softly, frowning before slowly opening his eyes.
A few seconds passed.
Then—
His eyes lit up.
— …Today.
A smile spread across his lips.
He sat up abruptly, letting the sheets fall around him.
— It's today!
Sixteen.
Finally.
He ran a hand through his messy hair, letting out a small, nervous laugh.
— I made it…
His heart was beating faster than usual.
Today, everything could change.
In this world, gods and goddesses chose representatives. Chosen ones. Beings capable of channeling a fraction of their essence… their power.
And every youth, upon turning sixteen, could experience their awakening.
Or remain… ordinary.
— Not me.
He quickly got up and headed to the washroom.
— No way.
Cold water ran over his skin, fully waking him. He placed his hands on the edge of the basin, staring at his reflection.
— What kind of ability will I get…?
Fire manipulation?
Ice?
Something rare?
His gaze sharpened.
— Doesn't matter… as long as it's powerful.
A smile appeared.
— Then I'm heading straight to the Academy.
The Academy…
Everyone's dream.
The place where chosen ones were trained, where the future heroes of the world were forged.
He closed his eyes for a moment.
Imagining himself there.
Stronger.
Recognized.
Respected.
Then—
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK
The sharp sound shattered his thoughts.
He raised his head.
— Lord Caesar.
The voice was formal.
— The Patriarch is waiting for you in his office. The Elders are already gathered.
Silence.
The Elders?
This early?
His smile faded slightly.
— …I'm coming.
The atmosphere shifted.
Something… felt off.
But he shook his head.
— I'm overthinking it.
A few minutes later, Caesar stood before the mirror, dressed in his ceremonial attire.
Black.
Entirely black.
The fabric fit his body perfectly, highlighting his already well-built frame. The design was elegant, restrained, yet imposing.
He slowly lifted his head.
And looked at himself.
His red hair fell slightly over his forehead, framing a face with almost unreal features. His piercing blue eyes seemed to cut through the mirror itself. His pale skin contrasted sharply with the dark outfit, giving him an appearance both noble… and dangerous.
He stood still for a moment.
Then a smirk appeared.
— Yeah… I get why they stare.
He adjusted his collar.
— Perfect.
He turned and opened the door.
Two knights stood there.
Straight. Imposing.
But as soon as they saw him—
— Lord Caesar.
— Still that serious?
He walked past them with a grin.
— You could at least pretend to relax today.
One of them smiled faintly.
— Happy birthday.
— Ah, finally someone civilized.
— We'll escort you to the Patriarch.
— As always.
They began walking through the long stone corridors.
Caesar glanced around.
Everything was familiar.
And yet…
— You're unusually quiet today.
Silence.
He raised an eyebrow.
— Hiding something?
— No, my lord.
— Mmh… I don't buy it.
But he didn't push further.
They arrived before the great doors of the Patriarch's office.
Massive.
Imposing.
He took a deep breath.
Then knocked.
KNOCK
— Enter.
His father's voice.
Deep. Heavy.
He pushed the doors open.
And stepped inside.
The Patriarch stood behind his desk.
Imposing.
Powerful.
The same build as Caesar, but more defined, more hardened. His red hair was slicked back, and his blue eyes… identical to Caesar's, yet carrying a weight of experience he could not yet comprehend.
Beside him stood his mother.
Beautiful.
Her long black hair flowed down like a waterfall. Her dark eyes, deep and unreadable, seemed to see right through him.
It was from her… that he inherited that almost unreal beauty.
Behind them stood the Elders.
Silent.
Watching.
— Father. Mother.
He bowed slightly.
His father nodded.
— Caesar.
His voice filled the room.
— Today is an important day.
— Yes.
A faint smile.
— My awakening.
— Not only that.
The tone shifted.
Subtly.
But he felt it.
The Elders exchanged glances.
His father stepped forward.
— You have become a man today.
Classic speech.
He expected that.
— You now carry the weight of your name… your blood… and your future.
Caesar nodded slowly.
But something felt wrong.
He could sense it.
His mother wasn't smiling.
The Elders were too tense.
His father kept staring at him.
Then spoke again.
His voice grew darker.
— The reason we called you here… is not just to celebrate your sixteenth birthday.
Silence fell.
Heavy.
Oppressive.
Caesar's smile disappeared.
— Then… why?
His father didn't answer immediately.
Their eyes locked.
And for the first time—
Caesar saw something in him he had never seen before.
Worry.
— Because it is time… for you to know the truth.
What you are about to hear… must never leave this room.
Caesar's heart began to race.
— In this world… there are ducal houses.
— They carry the will of the gods.
He raised his hand.
— War… embodied by the god Varkaros.
— Life… by the goddess Elyndra.
— Time… by Chronéon.
— And Light… by Solmira.
Each name weighed heavily in the air.
— These houses rule the world.
A pause.
Then—
— But we… are not a simple clan.
Caesar frowned.
— We serve a different entity.
His voice dropped to a whisper.
— A forgotten divinity.
Silence deepened.
— Deemed too dangerous.
— Sealed… by the others.
Caesar froze.
— It managed to escape.
— Weakened.
— And since then… it survives through us.
A chill ran down his spine.
— Every generation… we hope it will choose an heir.
— But it never has.
His father gave a faint smile.
— Who knows…
— Maybe it will be you.
— Absolutely not.
His mother's voice cut through sharply.
— I refuse to let him be dragged into this war.
— It's not a war. It's his destiny.
— It's a death sentence!
They locked eyes.
Tension rose.
Then—
— Enough.
The Patriarch exhaled.
— Enough jokes.
He turned to Caesar.
— It is time.
— For you to undergo the Rite of Valor.
He stepped closer.
— In this world, awakening does not come easily.
— It is born in fear.
— In pain.
— In moments where life and death collide.
A shiver ran through Caesar.
— The Rite will place you in an extreme situation.
— And that is when your power will emerge.
Silence.
— You won't be alone.
— Michael will accompany you.
A faint smile crossed Caesar's face.
— I know him.
— And another.
— Judas.
— A promising young talent.
He nodded.
Then his father placed a hand on his shoulder.
— No matter what happens…
— We love you.
— And we will always be there for you.
Caesar grimaced.
— Wow… sounds like the end of the world.
Silence.
No one laughed.
— …That was a joke.
Too late.
His father raised his hand.
And—
The world tore apart.
Space bent around him.
And in a single instant—
He vanished.
⸻
The Patriarch remained seated.
Silent.
The Elders behind him.
— …So it's today, huh.
His voice was calm.
Tired.
— I wish I had lived long enough…
— To see how this ends.
His wife placed a hand on his arm.
— Me too.
She closed her eyes.
— But we have no choice.
— You know what he said.
Silence.
— We must not interfere with the course of events.
The Elders lowered their heads.
— Today…
— Our clan is meant to be wiped out.
Silence fell.
Heavy.
Inevitable.
And somewhere far away…
Fate had already begun to move.