Beyond Worlds, Beneath the Star God

The scream shattered the night.

Kun bolted upright in the barn, straw clinging to his clothes. Outside, torches were being lit one by one, casting flickering orange light across the village paths. He heard the sharp clang of the iron bell on the watch post—an alarm only used for one thing.

Beasts.

He threw on his outer cloak and rushed outside.

In the distance, beyond the fence-line, glowing yellow eyes glinted in the darkness—too many to count. Shadows writhed in the tall grass. The villagers were scrambling, grabbing pitchforks, torches, anything they could find.

A familiar voice called out, "Get the children to the tower!"

It was Lyra, already at the center square, staff in hand, cloak fluttering behind her like a banner.

She glanced at Kun. "You can run or help. Your choice, fire boy."

He ran to her side without hesitation.

---

The Attack

The beasts came from the forest—low, wolf-like creatures with twisted horns and glowing mouths that leaked faint green mist. Corrupted mana beasts, drawn to the village by the presence of something… unnatural.

Kun glanced at his hand. The starfire beneath his skin pulsed faintly.

They're after me, aren't they…?

He turned to Lyra. "What are they?"

"Marhounds. Corrupted by death essence. Fast, aggressive, and dumb. But in packs, they're lethal." She raised her staff, whispering a chant. A wave of flame arced across the front line, driving several beasts back.

A howl pierced the air—one of the hounds lunged over the fire, jaws snapping toward a fleeing villager.

Without thinking, Kun ran forward.

He grabbed a broken spear and swung.

The beast's body slammed into him mid-air, knocking him down. Its weight pressed against his chest, saliva dripping from its jaws.

His heart raced.

Instinct screamed.

And the power responded.

For a moment, the world slowed.

His hand burned—not with pain, but with pressure, light, and heat.

He thrust his palm upward.

A burst of blue-gold flame—small, raw, and unstable—shot directly into the beast's torso. It yelped, its body flung backward by the impact, smoke trailing from its ribs as it crashed into the dirt.

Silence followed.

Lyra stared at him.

The other villagers did too.

Kun slowly got to his feet, hand still faintly glowing. He gritted his teeth, forced himself to pant like someone who had just pushed beyond his limit.

"What… was that?" Lyra asked, stepping closer.

He looked down at his palm. The glow faded instantly. "I don't know. It just… happened."

Elandor appeared behind them, staff glowing with defensive wards. "Some latent fire burst, perhaps. Even weak mages can awaken under stress."

Kun nodded weakly, deliberately swaying on his feet. "I… feel dizzy."

Lyra caught him before he could fall. "You idiot. You shouldn't be charging in like that. You're not trained."

"But someone had to do it," he muttered.

---

Aftermath

By morning, the village was secured. The hounds had scattered. Two were slain. Several fences were destroyed, but no villagers had died—thanks to Kun's intervention.

He sat quietly on the well's edge, holding a cup of herbal water. Lyra approached, arms crossed, but her usual sharpness had softened.

"Looks like you do have a bit of fire in you after all."

Kun smiled faintly. "Maybe. I guess it just needed... the right kind of danger."

She studied his face for a moment.

"…I was wrong about you," she said at last. "You're no prodigy. But you're not useless."

He chuckled. "High praise coming from you."

Lyra smirked. "Don't get used to it."

She sat down beside him. For a moment, neither of them spoke.

The sun was rising over the distant hills, painting the sky gold. The air smelled of ashes and dew.

"Thank you," she added quietly. "For stepping in."

Kun's eyes lingered on the horizon.

One day, I'll have to stop hiding.

But not yet.