“Mum… Dad… please, don’t kill them! You DEMON! Please, I beg of you!”
His voice echoed in the endless black void as he watched in horror. There they were—his parents, bound, helpless, their eyes wide with fear. Looming over them was a monstrous figure, its grotesque hand gripping a jagged blade.
The demon’s laughter was low, cruel, and endless. It raised the blade high.
“NO! STOP!” Sam screamed, thrashing against the invisible bonds holding him in place.
Slash! Slash!
The blade fell with terrifying precision. Blood sprayed into the air, splattering the dark void. Caross and Claire’s heads hit the ground with a sickening thud, their lifeless eyes staring into the empty nothingness.
Sam felt his breath leave him as the demon turned to him, a wicked grin stretching across its monstrous face.
“You’re next,” it growled.
“NOOOOOO!”
The scream ripped from Sam’s throat as he shot upright in bed, gasping for air. His chest heaved as though he had been running for his life. Sweat soaked his hair and his sheets, clinging to him like a second skin.
It had been a dream.
Just a dream.
But it felt so real.
Sam’s heart pounded painfully in his chest, the vivid images refusing to fade. He could still hear their screams, see the blood pooling at his feet. His trembling hands clutched at the blanket as he tried to steady his breathing.
“Why did it feel so real?” he whispered to himself, his voice shaking. “Why did it feel like I was… there?”
Sliding off the bed, Sam made his way to the window and stared out at the quiet village, bathed in pale moonlight. Everything looked calm. Safe.
But it wasn’t.
Sam’s gut twisted with unease. He’d always had a knack for sensing things, and now, that sense screamed at him. Something was wrong.
“It’s nothing,” he muttered, trying to convince himself. But the weight in his chest said otherwise.
He clenched his fists, frustration bubbling to the surface. His emotions were a tangled mess—fear, anger, dread—all swirling inside him like a storm. Why was he so powerless? Why couldn’t he protect the people who mattered to him?
His eyes narrowed. Not again.
Morning came too soon, sunlight streaming through the windows in warm, golden rays. To Sam, the cheerful light felt like a lie.
Still, he forced himself out of bed and headed downstairs, where his parents greeted him with bright smiles.
“Happy birthday, Sam!” Claire and Caross exclaimed in unison.
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Claire scooped him up into a hug, her warmth and affection momentarily melting his unease. Sam instinctively wrapped his arms around her, feeling the familiar softness of her embrace.
Caross stood nearby, smiling fondly. “Looks like someone’s getting spoiled today.”
Sam chuckled weakly, trying to push the nightmare from his mind. It was his birthday, and his parents were clearly excited. The least he could do was try to enjoy it.
Claire covered his eyes and led him to the living room. “Ready? Three… two… one… surprise!”
When she removed her hands, Sam’s eyes widened.
Before him sat three gifts: a shimmering white crystal, a penguin plushie, and four pieces of paper.
“The crystal is special,” Caross began. “It’s called a Divine Crystal. It holds incredible power—power that can only be unlocked when the time is right. But once it’s inside you, it’s permanent.”
Sam’s gaze flickered to the crystal, his curiosity growing.
New Skill Unlocked: Analyse
Accept Skill? Y/N
Without hesitation, Sam willed the answer. Yes.
Congratulations! You have learned the skill: Analyse.
He activated the skill, and information flooded his mind:
Divine Crystal (Level 57)
An artifact of immense divine power. Extremely rare, with only 15 in existence.
Sam blinked. “Level 57? How do levels work for crystals?”
Claire answered, her tone soft but serious. “The higher the level, the stronger the power. But they’re dangerous. Divine Crystals aren’t toys.”
Sam nodded, tucking the information away for later. He moved to the four pieces of paper, his curiosity piqued.
“They’re paths,” Caross explained. “You’ll pick one, and we’ll find someone to help you train.”
Sam’s fingers brushed over the papers, his heart pounding with anticipation.
- Swordsman
- Emotion Enhancer
- Rage Manager
- Learn Magic
He hesitated for a moment, then grabbed the paper labeled Learn Magic.
Caross grinned. “Good choice, son. Looks like we’ve got a mage in the family.”
Claire smirked, teasing. “I guess he’s taking after me.”
“Hardly,” Caross retorted. “He’s clearly following my lead.”
Sam chuckled at their playful bickering, feeling lighter than he had all morning. For a moment, the nightmare seemed like a distant memory.
The lighthearted atmosphere shattered as a low, guttural growl echoed from outside.
Claire froze, her eyes narrowing. “What was that?”
Sam turned toward the window, his blood running cold. A faint blue glow lit up the street, crackling with ominous energy.
“Stay here,” Caross ordered, his voice tense.
He stepped outside, sword in hand, as the glow intensified. Sam and Claire followed cautiously, staying close to the doorway.
A blue teleportation circle had appeared in the center of the village, pulsating with dark energy. One by one, demons emerged from it, their grotesque forms casting long, jagged shadows across the cobblestone street.
There were twenty-one of them, each more horrifying than the last. Their eyes glowed with malice, their jagged teeth bared in twisted grins.
At their head was a towering figure clad in black armor, his aura suffocating.
“This is the place,” the demon commander growled, his voice deep and menacing. “The source of the mana.”
His gaze landed on Sam, and his lips curled into a cruel smile.
“There you are,” he sneered. “The boy with the power. You’re coming with us.”
Claire stepped forward, her eyes blazing with defiance. “Over my dead body.”
“Gladly,” the commander replied.
The demons surged forward, their claws tearing through the air.
Caross moved like lightning, his sword flashing as he cut down the first demon in a single strike. Claire followed suit, summoning a barrier of light to shield them.
Sam watched in awe and terror as his parents fought. They were strong—far stronger than he had ever realized—but the demons kept coming.
For every one they struck down, two more took its place. The tide was overwhelming.
“Sam!” Claire shouted, her voice sharp with urgency. “Run!”
“No!” Sam yelled back, his voice trembling. “I’m not leaving you!”
“GO!” Caross bellowed, his blade cleaving through another demon.
Tears streamed down Sam’s face as he backed away, clutching the Divine Crystal tightly. His heart screamed at him to stay, but his legs carried him toward safety.
As he ran, the Book of Shadows pulsed against his chest. A new quest appeared in his mind:
Quest Unlocked: Protect the Ones You Love
Defeat the demon commander.
Reward: +500 EXP, Shadow Bind Level 2.
Sam skidded to a stop, his fists clenched. He couldn’t run. Not now.
“I have the power,” he whispered, his voice shaking. “I can save them.”
Turning back toward the battle, Sam opened the Book of Shadows.
“Time to fight,” he muttered.