Whisper of the old Root

The silence that followed Kai's awakening was not stillness—it was anticipation.

The forest held its breath, the roots subtly shifting beneath his feet as though sensing the change. Something ancient had stirred. Power—untouched for centuries—was now flowing freely through Kai's veins. But with great power came a ripple. And far beyond the glade, others were beginning to notice.

In the darkened halls of the Fallen Sect, an elder snapped his eyes open.

"It's begun," he rasped, his voice echoing off the stone walls.

Back in the forest, Rhea looked up at the sky as the clouds moved faster, spiraling as if drawn into Kai's aura. Her fingers tightened around her staff. She had been taught about awakenings, about the harmony between man and nature, but what she witnessed now was something far beyond any legend.

"You're drawing the attention of the Old Root," she said softly.

Kai turned, his eyes glowing faintly with golden energy. "The Old Root?"

She nodded. "It's the first consciousness of this world. A will older than any sect, any realm. And now... it's watching you."

Before he could respond, the ground trembled.

From the earth, massive root-like structures surged upward, twisting into a figure—an ancient guardian, born of bark and moss, towering above the trees. It had no eyes, but Kai could feel its focus piercing straight into his soul.

"Child of balance," it rumbled. "Why do you seek to command the storm?"

Kai stepped forward. "Not to command... to protect."

The guardian was silent. The wind howled around them, leaves spiraling into the sky as the trees swayed like dancers in the wind.

"Then prove your heart is not hollow. Face what you fear most. Only then will the Old Root judge you worthy."

With that, the guardian's body dissolved into vines that wrapped around Kai, dragging him into the earth. The world spun, and suddenly, he stood in a void.

Alone.

No Rhea.

No forest.

Just a mirror—and in that mirror, a version of himself with burning red eyes, a cold smirk, and a blade dripping with blood.

His storm… unleashed.