Chapter 4: Chapter 4. The Shrine of Revelation

The narrow trail snaked up the side of the mountain, carved through ancient stone and tangled roots. Mist clung to the edges of the cliffs, and far below, the outline of Throst City shimmered in the distance, swallowed by the morning haze.

The boys walked in single file, their footsteps crunching over loose gravel. Ivan led the group with his usual restless energy, practically skipping ahead before jogging back to the others with a grin plastered on his face.

“So, Taigami,” Ivan said, turning to walk backward in front of him, “what if your Energy ends up being something crazy like... bone armor? Or turning invisible? Or—wait—controlling sand! That would be so cool.”

Taigami gave a half-smile. “Is sand even a thing?”

“Everything’s a thing if you believe hard enough,” Ivan shot back dramatically, pumping his fists into the air.

Prince rolled his eyes. “Ignore him. He’s had too much air this morning.”

But Taigami's expression turned more thoughtful. “Actually... I’ve been meaning to ask. I saw my brother use what he called a wind-style Energy before, but... I don’t really know what Energy is, or how it works. What’s a Divergent Energy? And are there other types?”

Sky, walking quietly beside him, perked up at the question. “Oh... um... I can explain that,” he said softly.

The others slowed their pace as Sky stepped forward a little, his voice gaining clarity. “Energy is the force that people are born with—well, some people. Not everyone has it. When it manifests, it usually shows itself between childhood and teenage years. And it takes different forms depending on the person.”

He continued, gesturing gently with one hand as though shaping the concept in the air. “There are two broad categories of Energy types: Divergent and Convergent. Divergents make up the majority—about 80% of the Gifted. Their powers are usually elemental or physical in nature. Like mine, which is ice. Ivan’s strength and speed are divergent too. And Prince—his electricity? Also Divergent.”

Taigami nodded slowly, trying to absorb it all. “And Convergents?”

Sky hesitated, then looked to Prince.

Prince took the lead. “Convergents are rare. They make up only about 20% of those born with Energy. Their abilities are... different. Less flashy at first glance, but a lot more technical. They tend to manipulate internal or abstract forces—like memory, perception, time delay, or even healing. Some say Convergents can end a fight before it starts—if they know what they’re doing.”

Ivan leaned in with a grin. “Which is why it’s way cooler to be a Divergent. We get the big booms.”

Prince smirked. “What Ivan means is, it's far more common to be Divergent. So if you do have Energy, the chances are high that it’ll be something physical or elemental. Like one of us.”

They paused as the path widened, revealing the shrine perched near the mountain’s edge—a structure carved from stone, its archways adorned with faded symbols and ancient vines. The air shifted as they approached, a stillness settling over them, like the shrine itself was watching.

The shrine stood gracefully beside a wide, shallow river, its water shimmering with a light that seemed to come from within. The current was slow, yet it danced like flowing glass beneath the sunlight, casting ripples of pale blue and gold across the smooth rocks. A faint hum vibrated through the air, soft and melodic, like the sound of wind chimes swaying in an invisible breeze.

Tiny glowing figures floated just above the surface of the river—some fluttering on delicate wings, others gliding gently like petals caught in the wind.

Taigami stopped in his tracks, eyes widening. “Wait… are those…?”

“Fairies,” Prince said simply, brushing past him with a faint smile.

“I-I thought they were just myths,” Taigami whispered, mouth slightly open as he watched one drift close, its wings leaving a trail of sparkling dust behind.

Ivan chuckled. “Everything's a myth until it flaps in your face. Welcome to the real world.”

Taigami blinked rapidly as one of the fairies zipped around his head, giggling before darting away. “They’re… real. I never saw anything like this back home…”

“That’s because places like these are protected,” Sky said softly as he approached the edge of the river. “They’re ancient sanctuaries. Not just for humans, but for other clans too.”

This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

“Other clans?” Taigami asked.

Sky nodded. “Apart from humans, there are several other races across the lands. The Fairy Clan, obviously… but also the Cloud Clan—beings that live among the skies. Then the Ghost Clan, silent and secretive… the Dragon Clan, ancient and mighty…”

“But the worst of them all—” Ivan suddenly jumped in, waving his arms dramatically, “—is the Demon Clan! Monsters born of chaos. I read somewhere that they—”

“Were sealed centuries ago,” Sky interrupted, his voice firmer than usual. “By the Speedfire.”

Taigami blinked. “Speedfire?”

Prince stepped forward, crossing the shrine’s worn stone steps, his eyes focused on the magical river. “A legendary warrior,” he said. “He was the one who sealed the Demon Clan after the Great Clash. No one’s seen him in centuries. Some say he vanished… others say he became one with the wind.”

“Or he became an old man selling vegetables in some random village,” Ivan mumbled.

Prince ignored the comment. “Come on,” he said, beckoning Taigami to the river’s edge. “We’re here for something else.”

The four boys stood at the riverbank, where the water lapped softly at the shrine’s stone base. Prince pointed at the water.

“This is no ordinary river. It’s a channel of awakening—imbued with the life force of the island. For centuries, it’s been used by those seeking to discover their affinity.”

Taigami stared at the glowing water. “You mean… this is how I find out if I have Energy?”

Prince nodded. “Step into the shallow end. Let the river touch you. Then we’ll each bring one of the elemental catalysts—fire, wind, water, earth, and so on. If your body reacts to one of them, it means you carry Divergent Energy of that type.”

“And… if nothing happens?” Taigami asked, almost afraid to hear the answer.

“Then it means your Energy, if you have any, isn’t Divergent,” Prince replied. “But don’t worry—we’ll cross that bridge if we get there.”

Ivan placed a hand on Taigami’s shoulder and grinned. “Time to dip your toes in destiny.”

Sky was the first to step forward, his hands cupped around a floating orb of cool, rippling water. He let it hover just above the river’s surface before slowly lowering it toward Taigami.

Taigami held his breath as the water approached, his legs half-submerged in the magical current. His eyes locked on the floating orb, waiting, hoping.

Nothing happened.

No glow. No shimmer. No reaction.

Sky hesitated, then gently let the water fall into the river with a quiet splash. His pale eyes searched Taigami’s expression.

Taigami gave a small, confused frown. “Did I… do something wrong?”

Sky shook his head, his own expression softening. “No. That just means water’s probably not your affinity.”

Next came Prince. He walked over to a patch of dry leaves beneath a tree and shot a low-voltage jolt of electricity from his fingers. The leaves crackled, then ignited. He snapped off a branch, dipped its tip into the flame, and brought it carefully to Taigami’s side.

Again, nothing.

Taigami looked down at his arms, half-expecting to feel warmth swell within him. But there was only silence. Stillness.

One by one, each element was tested. Ivan tossed pebbles representing earth at his feet. Then he sprinted in a small blur to generate wind. Even Sky called forth a faint icy mist to see if it would cling to Taigami.

But the river stayed still.

Taigami stood motionless in the water, staring at his hands with wide, blank eyes. He looked like someone who had knocked on every door and heard nothing in return.

Sky turned away, hiding the concern that had crept into his gaze.

“I… guess that’s it, huh?” Taigami whispered, stepping out of the water as droplets fell from his clothes.

Prince met his eyes seriously. “There are two possibilities,” he said as he helped Taigami onto the shore. “The first—and most obvious—is that you don’t have any Energy.”

Taigami’s lips parted slightly, but he said nothing.

“Or,” Prince continued, “you’re a Convergent.”

Ivan raised a brow. “A what-now?”

“Convergent Energy types,” Prince explained, folding his arms. “They're rare—like one in five Gifted. Unlike Divergents, their power doesn’t rely on channeling a single elemental affinity. Their abilities… blend, fuse, break rules. They don’t always fit into categories.”

“But if I were Convergent,” Taigami asked, his voice small, “how would I awaken it?”

Prince looked away, frowning slightly. “That’s the problem. I don’t really know. Convergent Energy doesn’t need to be awakened. It just… works. From birth. Sometimes subtly. Sometimes wildly. But it’s there.”

“So… if mine hasn’t shown up yet…” Taigami said slowly, piecing it together.

“Then it either doesn’t exist,” Prince said bluntly, “or it’s buried so deep that even the Shrine couldn’t stir it.”

Taigami turned away, his shoulders sagging as he sat on a nearby stone. His eyes were distant, his mind replaying the pain of helplessness—just like when the masked man attacked. Just like when the ghost tore through his home.

Sky knelt beside him and placed a hand gently on his arm. “Hey… don’t let this get to you. Maybe it’s just this shrine. It’s old. Maybe too old. Not all of them are as reactive anymore.”

“Yeah,” Ivan added quickly, bouncing on his heels. “Or maybe your Energy’s so powerful that it’s just being shy!”

Taigami didn’t smile. He didn’t look up.

Sky leaned in closer. “We’ll figure this out. One way or another. You’re not alone, okay?”

Behind them, the river shimmered softly. Fairies danced in lazy spirals above its glowing surface, whispering of wonder and magic.

But in Taigami’s chest, only silence echoed—a hollow throb where hope was supposed to be.

And then—

BOOOOOM!!!

The mountain shook beneath their feet as a violent tremor ripped through the shrine grounds. The sound that followed was deafening—a thunderclap of destruction that shattered the stillness like glass.

Birds erupted from the treetops, fleeing in a frenzied storm of wings and cries.

All four boys spun toward the horizon.

And saw it.

A massive, boiling explosion had erupted from the heart of Throst City—a towering pillar of black and deep purple smoke, rising like cursed fire to devour the sky.

The light of the shrine dimmed. The fairies vanished into the trees.

The mountain held its breath.

And so did they.