The morning sun had barely risen when Arin suddenly woke.
A strange sensation ran through his body—like tiny sparks of energy moving beneath his skin. His chest felt heavy… yet light at the same time, as if something invisible had settled deep within him.
He sat up slowly, breathing unevenly.
"What… is this feeling…?"
He rubbed his eyes.
Then he froze.
A faint green glow reflected on the wall in front of him.
Arin's heart skipped.
He rushed toward the small mirror beside his bed.
His eyes…
They were glowing.
Soft green light shined from within them, pulsing gently like the emerald itself.
"No… this can't be…"
His hands began to shake.
"Mira…" he called, his voice low and unsteady.
"Mira, come here… something's wrong."
The door creaked open.
Mira stepped in, leaning slightly against the frame, her arms crossed. At first, she looked calm—but the moment her eyes met his, her expression changed instantly.
"Arin… your eyes—"
She stepped closer quickly.
"They're glowing!"
"I know!" Arin said, stepping back slightly. "I don't understand… I just woke up like this."
He clenched his fists.
"I feel… different."
"How?" Mira asked carefully.
Arin paused, trying to explain.
"Stronger… but also unstable. Like something inside me is… awake."
Before Mira could respond—
WHOOSH!
A sudden gust of wind rushed through the room, slamming the window open.
The curtains flew wildly.
Arin's body tensed.
He felt it.
A pull.
Deep. Powerful. Unavoidable.
Like a heartbeat calling to him from far away.
"The emerald…" he whispered.
Mira looked confused.
"What?"
"It's calling me."
His voice was calm now—but serious.
"I can feel it."
Before she could ask more—
A presence entered the village.
The air outside changed.
Heavy.
Ancient.
A slow, steady sound echoed through the street.
Tap… Tap… Tap…
A staff hitting the ground.
Mira turned toward the door.
"Someone's here."
Arin followed her outside.
Standing at the edge of the village was an old traveler.
He wore a long cloak, dark but lined with faint glowing symbols that moved like living runes. His hood partially covered his face, but his sharp eyes were visible—calm, wise… and powerful.
His staff touched the ground again.
Tap.
Tiny sparks of light appeared where it struck.
He looked directly at Arin.
"You feel it, don't you?" he said.
His voice was deep, echoing slightly as if carrying more than just sound.
Arin swallowed.
"The Master Emerald…"
The traveler nodded slowly.
"It has chosen you."
Arin's heart began to race.
"Chosen me?" he asked. "Why?"
The traveler stepped closer.
"The emerald does not choose randomly," he said.
"It chooses those with potential… with courage… and with the will to protect others."
His gaze became sharper.
"You are now its Guardian."
The words hit Arin heavily.
"Guardian…" he repeated softly.
Mira stepped forward, standing beside Arin.
"Then we'll help him," she said firmly. "He won't face this alone."
The traveler looked at her for a moment… then nodded.
"Good."
His expression darkened slightly.
"Because the moment the emerald awakened…"
He looked toward the forest.
"…darkness awakened as well."
By nightfall, Eldoria had changed.
The air was colder.
The wind whispered through the trees in a way that felt… unnatural.
Villagers stayed inside their homes, doors locked, windows shut.
But outside—
Something was moving.
At the edge of the village, shadows twisted between the trees.
Creatures stepped forward slowly.
Their bodies flickered between solid and smoke.
Their eyes burned like red embers.
And wherever they stepped…
The ground darkened.
Arin stood near the village entrance, his breathing steady but tense.
"They're here…"
Mira stood beside him.
"What are they?"
The traveler stepped forward, his staff glowing faintly.
"Shadow creatures," he said.
"Servants of darkness. Drawn to the emerald's power."
Arin clenched his fists.
"What do we do?"
The creatures moved closer.
Slowly.
Silently.
Watching.
Waiting.
Then—
They attacked.
In a sudden burst of speed, one lunged forward.
"MOVE!" Mira shouted.
Arin reacted instantly—but something happened.
A surge of energy exploded from his chest.
Green light surrounded his body.
His hands glowed brightly.
"I—!"
BOOM!
A wave of emerald energy burst outward.
It struck the shadow creature directly.
The creature screeched and was thrown backward, its body breaking apart into dark smoke.
Silence fell for a moment.
Mira stared in shock.
"Arin… you did that…"
Arin looked at his hands, breathing heavily.
"I didn't mean to…"
Another creature moved forward.
Then another.
They weren't stopping.
The traveler raised his staff.
"That power is strong," he said, "but uncontrolled."
He looked at Arin seriously.
"If you don't learn to control it…"
His voice lowered.
"It will destroy you."
Arin's heart pounded.
Destroy me…?
He looked at the creatures again.
Then at Mira.
Then at the village behind him.
His expression changed.
Determination replaced fear.
"I'll control it," he said firmly.
Green light flickered around him again—this time steadier.
"I have to."
Mira grabbed his arm.
"We'll figure it out together."
Arin nodded.
"I won't fail."
Morning came slowly.
The sky turned gold and violet as the sun rose over the mountains.
The village was quiet again… but nothing felt the same.
Arin stood at the edge of Eldoria.
Mira stood beside him.
The traveler stood ahead.
Far in the distance—
High above the clouds—
The floating island shimmered.
And at its center…
The Master Emerald pulsed.
Arin felt it clearly now.
Calling him.
"We have to go there," he said.
The traveler nodded.
"Yes."
His voice was calm—but serious.
"The emerald is no longer stable."
He turned slightly toward Arin.
"And you are the only one who can protect it."
Mira smiled slightly.
"Then we're going together."
Arin looked at her… then forward again.
Excitement and fear mixed inside him.
But one thing was clear.
His journey had begun.
Far away…
Deep within the forest…
A figure stood in darkness.
Watching.
Waiting.
His red eyes glowed faintly.
"So…"
"The emerald has chosen a new Guardian…"
His voice was cold.
"I must act before he grows stronger."
The wind blew through the trees.
Carrying danger with it.
And though Arin could not see him…
A chill ran down his spine.
Something was coming.