Matteo Vistani's Arc

Chapter 1 of 3

Matteo Vistani pressed his palms against his temples as another vision flashed behind his eyes. He saw a woman's face, blurred but warm, laughing at something he couldn't hear. The image faded like smoke. He'd spent years hiding these visions from everyone he met, watching people walk away when they sensed something different about him. All he wanted was to find someone who wouldn't run—someone who would see his gift and stay anyway. He needed a place to call home first. Somewhere safe to share what he saw without fear. Matteo walked through the forest until he found it—an old dwelling covered in strange symbols carved deep into the wood. The markings seemed to glow faintly in the dim light. He stepped inside and ran his fingers over the walls. The air felt different here, like the space understood what he carried. This could be where he'd finally build a life with someone who accepted him. The symbols seemed to watch him as he stood in the center of the room, imagining that future. But a home wasn't enough. He needed to meet people, to find the one who would understand. Matteo left his new dwelling and followed a stone path deeper into the Hidden Realm. The path led to a massive hall built from dark stone. Its walls rose high above him, ancient and solid. Inside, voices echoed off the stone as people gathered and talked. This was where the townspeople came to share their stories. Matteo stepped through the entrance and watched the faces around him. Somewhere in this hall, or in the days to come, he would find her. The woman from his visions. The one who would stay. Days passed as he returned to the hall each evening, listening and watching. He noticed a small shed near the gathering place, its walls painted in bright colors with strange carvings along the doorframe. People moved in and out, carrying tools and materials. Matteo pushed open the door and saw benches covered with half-finished projects—wood being shaped, fabric being stitched, metal being formed. This was where people created things together. He picked up a carving tool and turned it over in his hand. Maybe working alongside others would help him connect. Maybe she would walk through that door while he stood at one of these benches. He set the tool down and looked around the shed once more. He had his home. He had places to meet people and work beside them. Now he just needed to wait for the right person to see him for who he really was.