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Chapter 16 – The Half-Truth II

Shawn’s grandfather gently pulled him away, his eyes lingering on the amethyst pendant around Shawn’s neck and the red cloth tied at his waist. A soft smile crossed his lips, though there was an unmistakable urgency in his gaze. “Now listen carefully, Shawn,” he began, his voice steady but tinged with underlying importance, “I need to tell you the truth about our origins.”

Shawn, still overwhelmed with emotion, hastily wiped the tears from his eyes and focused on his grandfather’s words, sensing the gravity of the moment.

“First,” his grandfather continued, “have you noticed your surroundings?”

Shawn looked around, realising for the first time since emerging from the pond that something was off. A thick fog had settled around them, and the air felt heavy, almost surreal. The landscape felt strangely familiar, reminiscent of the place where he had first obtained his powers—yet distorted, as though he was seeing it through a veil.

“This is