The night was silent, and the village of Liang lay under the dark blanket of a starry sky. However, Castian’s sleep was far from peaceful. Since the day the entity had entered his body, his dreams had become restless, filled with nebulous visions and disturbing sensations. That night, the dream that enveloped him would be clearer and more intense than any he had ever experienced.
In the dream, Castian stood atop a hill, watching his village from afar. Everything seemed calm at first glance, the lights of the houses glowing softly, and the gentle breeze swaying the trees around. But then, a feeling of fear began to grow in his chest, as if something was about to happen.
Suddenly, he saw figures moving in the darkness. At first, they were just vague shadows, but soon they became more defined. Warriors, clad in black armor and wielding sharp weapons, emerged from the forest, advancing toward the village like a wave of destruction. Their faces were hidden by fearsome helmets, but Castian could feel the violence and hatred emanating from them.
He tried to scream, to warn the villagers, but his voice would not come out. He was trapped in that vision, powerless, merely watching as the warriors invaded the village. Houses were set ablaze, the screams of men, women, and children echoed in the air, and the ground trembled under the weight of the brutality. Blood flowed through the streets, mixing with the mud, as chaos took over everything.
Castian ran, trying to reach his house, but it seemed that the more he ran, the farther away it became. He saw his mother, Mei, running towards him, her face contorted in terror, but before he could reach her, a blade pierced her chest. She fell to the ground, lifeless, her eyes fixed on Castian’s, as he screamed in agony, unable to move.
The metallic sound of swords and the screams echoed in his mind as everything around him collapsed. His father, Cheng, also appeared, fighting bravely against the invaders, but he was overwhelmed. Castian watched as a warrior’s sword came down upon him, cutting him mercilessly.
“No!” Castian screamed in the dream, finally finding his voice. “This can’t happen!”
The warriors then turned to him, their swords gleaming in the firelight, and began to advance. Castian tried to defend himself, but his hands were empty, without a weapon. He looked up at the sky in despair as the destruction consumed everything around him.
It was then that he felt a familiar presence. The entity. It was there, watching with its invisible eyes. “Is this the future you wish to avoid, young warrior? This is the reality you must prevent.”
The ground trembled, and the village crumbled into ashes and fire, swallowed by darkness.
---
Castian awoke suddenly, panting and covered in sweat. His body was rigid, his muscles tense like strings pulled to their limit. He got out of bed, the sheets damp with sweat, his heart pounding violently in his chest. His eyes were wide, the image of the village’s destruction still etched in his mind. The smell of fire, the screams, the sight of his dead parents… everything felt so real.
He brought a hand to his face, trying to calm himself, but the bad feeling lingered like a shadow inside his chest. The room was immersed in darkness, but the silence of the house was comforting, a small reminder that everything was still at peace, at least for now.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. It was then that the entity’s voice whispered in his mind, cold and calculating.
“You saw what is to come, Castian. The destruction that awaits if nothing is done. This is but a glimpse of what the future may bring.”
Castian clenched his fists, his breathing still heavy.
“It was just a dream... it can’t be real,” he murmured to himself, trying to convince himself.
“Dreams often reveal hidden truths, young warrior. The evil I sensed in the lands around is stirring, and you need to be prepared. Those warriors... the destruction you saw... perhaps it’s only the beginning.”
Castian felt a chill run down his spine. He knew that, despite everything, the entity was right. Something evil was lurking, and the time to act was running out. If that dream was a premonition, then the village and everyone he loved were in grave danger.
He got out of bed, unable to return to sleep, and went to the window. The night outside seemed peaceful, but the peace was deceptive. The wind carried with it a foreboding of something dark, something he could not ignore.
“What should I do?” Castian asked in his mind, seeking guidance from the entity.
“Just stay alert. Listen to your instincts. The pieces are moving, and soon everything will be revealed. You will have to make difficult choices, but remember... you now carry the power within you. Use it wisely.”
Castian nodded to himself, though still filled with uncertainties. He knew the village needed protection, and somehow, he would have to be the shield against what was coming. The dream wasn’t just a warning; it was a call to action.
He looked out at the dark horizon, with a new weight in his heart. There was no turning back. The future was clouded, but he was willing to face whatever it took to save his village and those he loved.
With that thought, he closed the window and tried to prepare himself for the day ahead. The dream had revealed how fragile peace truly was, and Castian knew that, from that moment on, he would need to be ready to fight—not just against the evil outside, but also against the doubts and fears he carried within himself.