Chapter 4: The Return

...Dawn broke quietly over Luntian....

...Soft light spilled across the ocean, turning the waves into sheets of gold. Fishermen were already at work, their voices low and familiar, blending with the rhythm of the sea. To anyone else, it was just another peaceful morning....

...But Kael felt like a stranger in his own world....

...He walked slowly down the narrow path from the cliffs, his body aching with every step. Cuts stung against the cool air, and bruises throbbed beneath his clothes. Wrapped tightly in cloth and slung across his back, the Star Blade pulsed faintly—warm, alive....

...Watching....

...Kael adjusted the strap and exhaled slowly. “This is real…” he muttered....

...No matter how much he tried to deny it, he couldn’t escape the truth. The visions. The shadow. The voice....

...The blade has chosen....

...His grip tightened....

...“Why me?”...

...The blade gave no answer—only another quiet pulse....

...As he reached the edge of the village, the familiar sounds of daily life greeted him. Wooden carts rolled over dirt roads. Children laughed as they ran between houses. The smell of salt and freshly caught fish filled the air....

...Everything looked the same....

...Unchanged....

...Kael lowered his gaze and kept walking....

...“Kael!”...

...He froze....

...Footsteps approached quickly from behind....

...“You idiot, where were you?!”...

...Kael turned to see Jiro rushing toward him, slightly out of breath. His childhood friend looked equal parts annoyed and relieved....

...“Your uncle’s been looking everywhere for you,” Jiro said, stopping in front of him. “You disappeared all night!”...

...Kael scratched the back of his neck, avoiding eye contact. “I just needed some air.”...

...Jiro frowned. “Don’t give me that. You went to the cliffs, didn’t you?”...

...Silence....

...Jiro’s eyes narrowed. “You did, didn’t you? What were you thinking? That place is dangerous.”...

...Kael didn’t answer....

...Instead, Jiro’s attention shifted to Kael’s back....

...“…What’s that?”...

...Kael stiffened....

...The cloth-wrapped blade rested against his shoulder, but something about it seemed impossible to ignore....

...Jiro stepped closer, his expression changing from curiosity to unease....

...“It feels… weird,” he said quietly. “Like… heavy.”...

...Kael instinctively stepped back....

...“It’s nothing.”...

...“Nothing?” Jiro repeated. “Kael, I can feel it. That’s not normal.”...

...A brief silence passed between them....

...Kael’s voice dropped. “Just forget about it.”...

...Jiro blinked, caught off guard by the tone....

...“…Alright,” he said slowly. “But you’re acting strange.”...

...Kael turned away....

...“I’m going home.”...

...The door creaked as Kael stepped inside....

...He hoped to slip in unnoticed....

...“Kael.”...

...He stopped....

...His uncle stood in the hallway, arms crossed, his expression stern but tired....

...“Where were you?” he asked....

...Kael hesitated. “…Out.”...

...“All night?” his uncle pressed....

...Kael said nothing....

...After a moment, his uncle sighed, rubbing his temples. “You can’t just disappear like that. This town may be quiet, but it’s not safe—especially near those cliffs.”...

...Kael’s chest tightened slightly....

...“…I know.”...

...His uncle studied him carefully....

...“…Something’s wrong,” he said. “I can feel it.”...

...Kael looked up. “What do you mean?”...

...His uncle glanced toward the window, toward the sea....

...“The water’s been acting strange since last night,” he said quietly. “Too still. Like something’s waiting.”...

...Kael’s heart skipped....

...Waiting....

...He turned slightly, looking out the window....

...For a brief moment—...

...he thought he saw something move beneath the surface....