Holyark

III

Blaze's eyes widened in surprise as the Ultima Tree's voice took on a tone of intrigue. "Curious! Curious indeed!" it exclaimed, its leaves rustling with excitement. "As you know, the shard chooses the wielder, Mr. Aegis, and it seems that the shard you bear broke off another piece of itself."

Instinctively, Blaze's hand moved to his hip, where a birthmark he'd had since childhood resided. He'd never given it much thought before, but now a chill ran down his spine as the tree continued.

"Now, it seems curious that you would wield this particular shard when its bigger brother gave you that birthmark on your hip," the tree mused, its words heavy with implication.

Blaze's mind reeled. "What are you saying?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "This birthmark... it's connected to the Obori Shard?"

The tree's voice softened, taking on an almost conspiratorial tone. "The Obori Shard, as you now know, possesses incredible power. But there exists another, its 'bigger brother' as we might call it. A shard of unimaginable strength, one that has long been sought after."

Blaze's fingers traced the outline of his birthmark through his clothes. "And this... this other shard, it marked me? But why? How?"

"The ways of fate are often mysterious, young Aegis," the tree replied. "Perhaps you were always destined for this path. The shard that marked you as an infant has been waiting, watching, preparing you for this moment."

The implications of the tree's words began to sink in. Blaze wasn't just randomly chosen; he had been marked for this destiny since birth. The Obori Shard in his possession was somehow connected to this greater power, this 'bigger brother' that had left its mark on him years ago.

"But where is this other shard now?" Blaze asked, a mix of fear and excitement coursing through him.

The tree's leaves rustled ominously. "That, young wielder, is a question whose answer may shape the fate of many worlds. The path ahead of you is fraught with danger, but also great potential. You must be prepared for what lies ahead."