[3] Embers of Destiny…

Chapter 3:- Embers of Destiny…

"Good morning Arkan, how have you been?" An old yet mischievous voice sounded in Arkan's ears as he happily and lazily opened his eyes. The soft rays of sunlight peeked through the window, casting a warm glow in the room.

"Huh, who are you?" Arkan's voice was full of confusion as he tried to make sense of the situation.

"Oh, how lovely of you to not recognize your father, young man." Coolius's voice was laced with a hint of amusement and sarcasm. Arkan's eyes widened with surprise as he realized the identity of the mysterious voice. He quickly sat up, his heart racing with a mix of excitement and nervousness.

"Father, how have you been? Oh, how I have missed you so dearly. What brought you here to my place?" Arkan's voice was a bit shaky as he spoke, his emotions overwhelming him.

Coolius chuckled softly, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Ah, my son, it warms my heart to see you after all these hours. I couldn't resist the urge to pay you a visit and see how you've been faring."

Arkan couldn't contain his joy any longer. He threw himself into his father's arms, hugging him tightly. "Father, it's been so long. I've missed you more than words can express."

Coolius patted Arkan's back affectionately, a fond smile on his face. "I've missed you too, my boy. But let's not dwell on the past. I have something special to show you."

(Ah! Nice little fantasy of a little boy and his father.)

Arkan's curiosity piqued as he pulled away from the embrace, his eyes shining with anticipation. "What is it, Father? What do you want to show me?"

Coolius gestured towards the old librarian, who had been silently observing the heartfelt reunion. "Allow me to introduce the esteemed librarian of this village. No need for further introduction I presume."

Arkan turned his attention towards the librarian, his eyes widening with suspicion.

The librarian smiled warmly, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Let me show you something exciting brat."

Arkan's eyes lit up with excitement… and a bit of suspicion, but he nodded eagerly. "Yes, please! I would love to see it."

The librarian extended his hand, and within his palm, a tiny ball of flames danced and flickered. The flames emitted a warm, mesmerizing glow, casting a soft light in the dim room. Arkan couldn't tear his gaze away from the enchanting display before him.

"WOW!" Arkan exclaimed in awe, reaching his hand out towards the dancing flames. He could feel the heat radiating from them, but just as his fingertips were about to make contact, the flames suddenly vanished into thin air. Arkan's hand froze in mid-air, his eyes widening in surprise.

The librarian chuckled softly, enjoying Arkan's reaction. "Fire is a fickle element, brat. It appears and disappears at will. But I'm glad you enjoyed the sight."

Arkan's sparkling eyes turned towards the old librarian, a mixture of gratitude and curiosity shining in them. "Old man. That was amazing! How did you learn to control fire?"

The librarian's smile turned wistful, his gaze momentarily distant. "I have studied ancient texts and honed my skills over many years. It's a gift that has been passed down to me by my sect."

Arkan's excitement bubbled over as he blurted out, "Old man, could you teach me? I want to learn how to control fire too!"

The librarian's expression turned somber, and he shook his head gently. "Haha, sorry brat , but I cannot teach you personally. However, I can recommend you to a sect that specializes in such skills. The Azure Sword Sect is a small sect with a rich history of fire and sword manipulation. If you pass their test, they might accept you as a disciple."

Arkan's eyes widened with anticipation. The thought of joining an immortal sect and embarking on a grand adventure thrilled him to the core. "Really? That would be amazing! When can I join?"

The librarian smiled warmly at Arkan's enthusiasm. "Patience, my young friend. You'll have to wait until your tenth birthday. On that day, I will send a letter of recommendation to the Azure Sword Sect, and they will come to assess your potential."

Arkan's excitement grew even more, and he couldn't help but imagine the possibilities that awaited him. He fantasized about acquiring incredible powers, unlocking ancient secrets, and maybe even having a harem of beautiful girls by his side. The prospect of a new life filled with wonder and adventure consumed his thoughts.

With their interaction coming to an end, the librarian bid farewell and left the room. Arkan turned to his father, a wide grin on his face. "Father, did you hear that? In a few months, I can join the Azure Sword Sect! I can't wait to start my journey as an immortal!"

Coolius smiled proudly at his son's determination. However, behind that smile, a flicker of worry crossed his eyes. He knew firsthand the dangers and sacrifices that came with pursuing the path of immortality. It was a path filled with challenges and uncertainties, and not everyone had the talent or luck to succeed.

Coolius had once known a playmate from his childhood who had joined an immortal sect. The outcome had been tragic, as the boy had ultimately given up and met his demise. The reasons behind his sui*ide remained a mystery, haunting Coolius to this day. The loss of a child had shattered the boy's family, and Coolius didn't want his own son to suffer a similar fate.

Nonetheless, Coolius kept his concerns to himself, not wanting to dampen Arkan's spirits. He believed in his son's potential and wished for his success. Only time would tell if Arkan possessed the necessary talent and determination to overcome the challenges that lay ahead.

Time passed slowly, and before Arkan knew it, he turned ten years old. Excitement buzzed in the air as his birthday arrived, and the village remained unaware of the momentous occasion. Arkan's family and the old librarian had decided to keep the news hidden, not wanting to create unnecessary attention or potential mockery if Arkan failed the entrance test.

Arkan stood in the village square, his heart pounding with a mix of anticipation and nervousness. He glanced at the azure sky, his eyes searching for any signs of the Azure Sword Sect disciple who would come to pick him up. The seconds stretched into minutes, and just as doubt began to creep into Arkan's mind, an azure arc descended gracefully before him.

The village square was filled with awe and curiosity as the villagers watched in wonder. Arkan's eyes widened as he took in the sight of the extremely handsome and charming man standing before him. The disciple possessed an ethereal beauty that could rival that of a goddess, with long flowing hair and captivating eyes. Arkan found himself momentarily mistaking the disciple for a girl, only to be reminded by the presence of an Adam's Apple.

"Who amongst you is Syed Arkan Ali? Come forward," the disciple's melodic voice resonated through the square, capturing everyone's attention.

Arkan stepped forward, his heart pounding in his chest. "I am Syed Arkan Ali. Sir."

The disciple nodded with indifference, his eyes filled with a mixture of coldness and wisdom. "Let's go, the sect assessment will start soon."

With those words, Arkan's adventure as a potential disciple of the Azure Sword Sect began.

As he followed the disciple into the azure arc, leaving behind the familiar comforts of his village, Arkan's heart swelled with excitement and trepidation.

Little did he know that the road ahead would test his resilience, and push him to his limits.

And so, with a heart full of hope and a spirit ignited with determination, Arkan set forth on his path, ready to seize the opportunities that lay ahead and forge his own destiny in the realm of immortality.

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