AetherFall

The city of Eidolon gleamed under the light of its moons, Celeste pulled the hood of her cloak lower, going through the evening crowds in the marketplace.

Aether pulsed through the city that was dedicated to the Great Pantheon. sigils flickered . They were reminders that every citizen of Eidolon that bore the mark of their fate—except her.

Celeste clenched her fists. The gods do not make mistakes, yet, she had been born To the Pantheon, she was a threat to the peace.

Celeste slowed her pace as she approached a vendor's stall, pretending to browse The scent of cinnamon and starroot filled the air, The merchant, a woman with bronze rings on every finger, gave her a look.

"Looking for something " the woman asked, her voice low and careful.

Celeste hesitated, a rare herb used to enhance focus. "Just passing through," she murmured smiling, sliding a few bronze coins across the wooden counter.

The merchant looked at her for a moment before subtly shifting a cloth to reveal a hidden symbol etched into the wood—a crescent moon. A silent sign of the underground work. Celeste look at it slowly. There are some in Eidolon who did not listen to the Pantheon.

"Be careful" the merchant whispered to Celeste's "They're watching."

A chill ran down her spine. the merchant knew. The woman's warning came seconds before she heard the whisper from the crowd— ITS YOU The Unbound One.

Celeste looked over. Beneath her cloak, the aether in her stirred, She turned slightly, catching sight of robed figures slipping through the crowd—Enclave agents, the Pantheon's enforcers. They had found her.

Her heart pounded. There was no time to think. Celeste turned and ran down narrow alleyway. The air around her get low as she reached out, the aether respond. A flicker of silver light curled around her fingers before she thrust her palm forward, sending energy to propel herself onto a rooftop.

The Enclave agents jumped up to her but Celeste She ran, jumping from rooftop to rooftop, her breath and her mind racing. She had spent years hiding avoiding the Pantheon's gaze. 

Now

she would no longer run and hide.

she would fight .