~Marks~
In every corner of the world, on the day a child turned five, the same ritual took place. The waiting. The anticipation. And then, the mark.
For centuries, soulmarks had appeared like clockwork, etching themselves onto skin as an unshakable promise of fate. Some children woke with them on their wrists, others on their shoulders, backs, or even fingers—always unique, always unmistakable.
Finn had spent weeks imagining his. Would it be delicate and swirling, like his mother’s? Bold and sharp, like his father’s? He traced invisible patterns over his arm, wondering where it would appear. Would his soulmate have a mark that mirrored his? Would they be kind? Gentle? Funny?
As the first rays of sunlight spilled through his bedroom window, Finn sat up, heart hammering. Today was the day.
He couldn't contain his excitement. As he ran to the bathroom, quickly finishing his morning routine. Pulling on his favorite shirt and pants, he grinned at his reflection as he tied his hair up. He loved having long hair—it made him feel pretty. As his mother called him down to have breakfast he skipped the stairs , his smile never once leaving his face. He went down to the dinning hall where he was greeted by his beautiful mother. He embraced his mother and kissed her cheeks. Then his father came down to have breakfast and little fin greeted him a good morning too. Hearing this his father froze mid-step, his expression unreadable. Finn tilted his head, confused. Had he said something wrong? But before he could ask, the sweet smell of pancakes distracted him.
"So, are you excited for today honey?" His mother asked him to give him a gentle smile.
"Yes, mama, I'm sooo excited! I couldn't wait to know who my soulmate will be and where my mark will be!" Fin said excitedly making a little bounce on the chair.
Soon, they finished eating and entered the car. The atmosphere of the car was very tense and his parents were awfully quiet. Seeing this Fin tried to lighten the mood.
“Do you think my mark will be on my hand? Or maybe my face? That would be so cool!” Finn giggled, swinging his feet.
Silence.
His mother’s fingers tightened slightly around the steering wheel. His father stared out the window.
Finn blinked, then shrugged. Maybe they were just nervous for him?
The car ride to the ceremony hall felt longer than usual. Finn pressed his face against the window, watching the city rush by. Buildings adorned with banners announcing Soulmark Day stood tall, their holographic displays shimmering with messages of fate and love. On the streets, children dressed in their finest clothes walked hand-in-hand with their parents, excitement buzzing in the air.
When they arrived, Finn’s eyes widened. The Hall of Fates was even bigger than he imagined. The marble pillars stretched high into the sky, and the massive doors, engraved with intertwining soulmarks, glowed softly. A hush of anticipation filled the air as families gathered in the grand atrium, waiting for their names to be called.
Finn squeezed his mother’s hand. “Do you think my soulmate will be here?”
His mother smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Maybe, sweetheart.”
Before Finn could ask what was wrong, a soft chime echoed through the hall. A robed official stood at the front, holding a glowing crystal.
“All children of age five, please step forward for the awakening of their soulmarks.”
Finn felt his heartbeat quicken. This was it. This was the moment he had waited for his whole life—well, as long as he could remember, at least. He took a deep breath and let go of his mother’s hand, stepping forward with the other children.
The official gestured for them to form a line. “One by one, place your hands on the crystal. Your soulmark will awaken in the place destined for you.”
Finn watched as the first child, a girl with curly hair, stepped up. As soon as she touched the crystal, a golden light surrounded her, and she gasped. When the glow faded, she turned her wrist, revealing a delicate, silver marking in the shape of a falling star.
Finn’s excitement bubbled over. That’s so cool!
One by one, the children touched the crystal, each one revealing a unique soulmark. Some gasped, others giggled, a few even cried.
And then—
“Finnegan Hale.”
It was his turn.
Finn swallowed hard and stepped forward, placing his small hand on the crystal. It was warm, almost like it was alive. A soft hum filled the air, and then—
Light. Bright, all-consuming light.
Finn barely had time to react before a sharp, burning sensation spread across his back. He stumbled, eyes widening as heat seared into his skin. It was different from the others. More intense.
The murmurs around him grew louder. He barely registered them as the pain faded, leaving behind a strange, tingling sensation.
Finn’s heart pounded as he turned to the official. “Where is it?”
The official hesitated, glancing at the glowing crystal before looking back at Finn. “Your mark… it’s on your back.” They frowned. “And—”
A sharp, searing pain cut through Finn’s chest and back at the same time. He gasped, stumbling forward. His small hands clutched his shirt where his heart burned, but the pain behind him was even worse—like fire branding his skin over and over again.
His knees nearly buckled. What’s happening to me?
The official stepped back, eyes wide. “This—this is unheard of.” Their voice trembled. “The places where it burns… that’s where your soulmarks are.”
Finn barely registered their words at first, too focused on the strange, all-consuming sensation spreading through him. Then, realization struck.
Soulmarks.
More than one.
His breath hitched. He wasn’t just getting one soulmate—he had more. A bright, genuine smile stretched across his face despite the pain. He had more than one person destined to love him! Wasn’t this a good thing?
He wanted to tell his parents. He turned to them, excitement bubbling in his chest. “Mom! Dad! I—”
A sudden flash.
Blinding silver light exploded around him, so bright it forced people to shield their eyes. Gasps echoed through the hall. The pain in his back intensified, unbearable now, like something was still carving itself into his skin.
Finn wanted to cry out, to reach for his mother’s comforting touch—but when he looked up, everything inside him shattered.
His parents stood frozen, staring at him. But instead of love or worry—
Disgust.
Pure, unfiltered disgust twisted their faces. His mother’s lips curled, her eyes filled with something dark and unreadable. His father’s hands clenched into fists, his nostrils flaring.
Finn’s stomach dropped. Why… why are they looking at me like that?
A cold dread replaced the warmth of his excitement. He took a shaky step forward. “Mama…?”
His mother flinched.
Before he could process it, hands grabbed him—too tight, too rough. His father yanked his arm hard enough to make him stumble, his mother gripping his wrist like she wanted to squeeze the life out of it.
“W-Wait—”
They didn’t listen.
Without a word, they dragged him away. Finn barely had time to protest before they shoved him toward the car. His feet barely touched the ground as they hauled him inside, throwing him into the backseat. His head slammed against the glass with a sickening thud.
Pain bloomed in his skull, dizziness washing over him. His vision blurred, dark spots creeping into the edges.
Through the haze, the last thing he saw was his parents’ furious faces, their eyes filled with something worse than hatred.
And then—
Darkness.
