The forest was alive with the sounds of the night—crickets chirping, leaves rustling in the wind, and the distant hoot of an owl. But to Arun, the world felt unnaturally silent, as if the weight of what had happened had muffled everything around him. He sat on a fallen log, staring at his hands. They were trembling, though not from the cold. The image of his father standing in the doorway, his eyes glowing with that otherworldly light, was burned into his mind. The Leviathan’s power had been both beautiful and terrifying, a force of destruction and rebirth. And now, it was inside him. 

“Arun,” his mother’s voice broke through his thoughts. She knelt beside him, her face pale but composed. “We need to keep moving. They might still be looking for us.” 

Arun nodded numbly, his throat too tight to speak. His younger sister, Lira, clung to their mother’s side, her wide eyes filled with fear. She was only ten, too young to understand what had happened, but old enough to know that their lives would never be the same. 

“Where are we going?” Lira whispered, her voice trembling. 

“Somewhere safe,” their mother replied, though the uncertainty in her voice was unmistakable. She glanced at Arun, her gaze lingering on his hands. “Arun… what happened back there… do you understand it?” 

Arun shook his head. “I don’t know. Father… he said the Leviathan chose me. But I don’t even know what that means.” 

His mother hesitated, then reached out to take his hand. Her touch was warm, grounding. “Your father always said you were special. Maybe this is what he meant.” 

“Special?” Arun laughed bitterly. “I can’t even control it. When I tried to help Father, all I did was make things worse. I’m not strong like him. I’m just… weak.” 

“You’re not weak,” his mother said firmly. “You’re his son. And you’ll find a way to master this power. I know you will.” 

Arun wanted to believe her, but the doubt gnawed at him. He had spent his entire life feeling powerless, and now that he had power, it felt like a curse. The Leviathan’s energy pulsed within him, a chaotic force that threatened to overwhelm him at any moment. He could feel it whispering to him, promising strength, but at what cost? 

The sound of footsteps made them all freeze. Arun’s heart raced as he turned, half-expecting to see soldiers emerging from the trees. But instead, a figure stepped into the clearing—a tall, hooded man with a staff in one hand and a lantern in the other. The light from the lantern cast long shadows across his face, but Arun could see the glint of sharp, calculating eyes. 

“You’re not safe here,” the man said, his voice low and gravelly. “They’re still searching for you.” 

Arun’s mother stepped in front of him and Lira, her posture protective. “Who are you?” 

The man lowered his hood, revealing a face lined with age and wisdom. His hair was silver, and his beard was streaked with gray, but his eyes were sharp and piercing. “My name is Kael,” he said. “And I’ve been waiting for you, Arun.” 

Arun’s breath caught. “Waiting for me? Why?” 

Kael’s gaze shifted to Arun’s hands, where faint traces of blue energy still flickered. “Because the Leviathan’s power is not something you can face alone. And if you don’t learn to control it, it will destroy you—and everything you care about.” 

Arun’s stomach churned. “How do you know about the Leviathan?” 

Kael’s expression softened, but there was a sadness in his eyes. “Because I knew your father. And I know what it means to carry the weight of a legacy you never asked for.” 

Arun’s mother stepped forward, her voice firm. “If you knew my husband, then tell me this: Is he…?” 

Kael’s silence was answer enough. He bowed his head, his voice heavy with regret. “Your father was a brave man. He sacrificed everything to protect you. But his fight is over now. Yours is just beginning.” 

Arun felt a lump rise in his throat. He wanted to scream, to deny it, but the truth was undeniable. His father was gone. And now, he was alone with a power he didn’t understand and a destiny he didn’t want. 

“What do I do?” Arun asked, his voice barely above a whisper. 

Kael stepped closer, his gaze unwavering. “You learn. You grow. And you decide what kind of man you want to be. The Leviathan’s power is a gift and a curse. It can destroy, but it can also create. The choice is yours.” 

Arun looked down at his hands, the faint glow of the Leviathan’s energy flickering like a dying flame. “I don’t know if I can do this.” 

“You don’t have to do it alone,” Kael said. “I can teach you. But you must trust me.” 

Arun’s mother placed a hand on his shoulder, her touch steadying. “Arun, this is your path now. Whatever you decide, we’ll be with you.” 

Lira nodded, her small hand gripping his. “We’re family. We stick together.” 

Arun took a deep breath, the weight of their words settling over him. He didn’t know if he could control the Leviathan’s power. He didn’t know if he was strong enough. But he knew one thing: he couldn’t run from this. Not anymore. 

“Alright,” he said, his voice steadier than he felt. “Teach me.” 

Kael nodded, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Then let’s begin. But first, we need to move. The soldiers won’t stop until they find you.” 

As they followed Kael deeper into the forest, Arun couldn’t shake the feeling that his life had changed forever. The whispers of the Leviathan’s power echoed in his mind, a constant reminder of the chaos within him. But for the first time, he felt a flicker of hope. Maybe, just maybe, he could learn to control it. And maybe, he could honor his father’s legacy in the process.