Hiba sat quietly, gazing at the massive computer with his adorable blue eyes and soft white hair. The computer displayed an interactive screen with a face-like image.
Hiba looked around with innocent curiosity before turning back to the computer. "I'm Hiba Zuichi... You're G Wise..." He tilted his head in confusion. "How do I even know that?" he murmured quietly, lowering his head in bewilderment as he stared at the unfamiliar floor.
G Wise emitted an electronic sound. "Would you like to know everything about yourself and your father?" The atmosphere grew slightly cold and tense. Hiba smiled brightly. "Yes!" His sparkling eyes and cheerful, adorable voice eased the tension.
G Wise proceeded to explain everything Hiba needed to know. Hiba reacted in various ways-shocked, excited, proud, a little sad, and more.
After learning about Veole's battle with Fetora and the fact that the God Core's was now inside him, Hiba seemed overwhelmed, processing everything in confusion. He lifted his head. "But... why me?" he asked, his eyes full of curiosity.
G Wise responded with a loud, mechanical electronic voice. "Why? Don't ask like that... This is your life, Master Hiba." It whispered. A question mark appeared in Hiba's mind as he gaped, his eyes turning into dots.
Before he could ask anything else, G Wise quietly deactivated its task. Left alone, Hiba simply stared at the floor. "Power... huh?"
---
As I grew older, I learned more about this world. Even though I wasn't allowed to go outside, I didn't really mind-I was too lazy anyway. I spent all my time reading books in my enormous underground library. This library had so many things that made me even more curious about the outside world.
Girls, food, tourist spots-I learned about all kinds of things. But beyond that... one day, I found a book about outer space... Honestly, I still had doubts. Why was I chosen? Could I really not escape my fate as the heir to the God Core's? But... when I really thought about it-what even is a god? Astro Invaders? The Rulers of Darkness? What are those?
I'd never encountered anything about them... except in the section about the universe. The books there talked about outer space, and I was fascinated. They said space was unimaginably vast... and that Fetora and even the Astro Invaders came from beyond Earth.
What were extraterrestrial beings like?
Now, at 13 years old, I was deeply curious about space-its creatures, its history. I wondered about the gods-what would happen if they didn't exist? Lost in thought, Hiba stared at the sky in his backyard.
As he pondered, a man with square glasses and purple hair parted in the middle suddenly appeared before him, his aura slightly shaking the surroundings.
Hiba lifted his head, feeling as though he had been summoned by that aura. His face showed a hint of panic. "Who are you?" he blurted out, staring at the cold, imposing man.
The man adjusted his glasses. "I am your father's disciple-Veole, the Ouranos God... My name is Avanz Moretz." His tone was serious, his expression unreadable.
Hiba was stunned. "My... father's disciple? Wait, you expect me to just believe that?" he asked skeptically.
Avanz smirked. "Hmph, at least you're not naive... You really are his child. What would it take for you to believe me?"
Hiba wiped his sweat, slightly nervous. "What's my mother's name?" he asked confidently.
Avanz answered flatly. "Reyeevile. A goddess who lives in a timeless, distant place."
Hiba's nervousness melted into a smile. "Then you really are my father's disciple!" he said cheerfully.
Avanz chuckled. "Hahaha, that was a good question. Of course, you already knew about my arrival and everything from G Wise, right?" His expression remained calm.
Hiba scratched his head. "Yeah... I don't know how G Wise can predict the future, but the gist is-I have to go to space... and awaken the power of my God Core's, right?" His eyes were innocent.
Avanz nodded coldly. "Correct. And to awaken your true power, we must borrow the strength of our ancestors-the power of humans on Earth: Arsene." He slowly walked toward Hiba, holding up an amulet.
Hiba raised an eyebrow. "Arsene?" He was confused.
Avanz explained, "As G Wise told you, Ren is an energy from living beings that can be transformed into any form, like 'Ki' in the Legend of the Seven Dragons. But each race has its own unique power. For humans, it's Arsene-the manifestation of hidden potential. Its supernatural power is limitless, depending on the individual's talent." His tone was firm, his gaze sharp.
Avanz continued, "But one thing is certain. To obtain Arsene, you must be recognized by the ancestors-the first humans blessed by the Ouranos God on Earth: The Glory Losts. They will choose you based on your attitude, personality, and inclinations." The atmosphere grew tense and cold as Hiba listened intently.
Avanz went on, "If they favor you, they will each pass down a fragment of their power. These fragments will merge into a new power-or you may inherit only one if only a single ancestor chooses you. The way to inherit this power is to focus all your thoughts and desires onto this amulet, like a form of hypnosis. It will hurt every time a different ancestor grants you their power. Are you ready for that?" He narrowed his eyes, staring at Hiba with unwavering intensity.
Hiba swallowed hard. "Of course! I want to know what could have killed my father," he muttered with determination.
Avanz smiled faintly. "Very well."
His expression hardened. "Then let's begin!" He channeled Ren into the amulet, causing it to glow brilliantly. The surrounding area trembled, the air pressure intensifying violently.
Hiba shut his eyes as countless images flashed through his mind, overwhelming his senses. Then, one by one, invisible hands reached out to him.
From Avanz's perspective, Hiba's chest began to glow. The light grew stronger, flooding Hiba's mind with memories, emotions, and wills of the ancestors.
The amulet's orange radiance intensified, its vibrations growing more violent. *"It seems the legends of the Glory Losts are drawn to him,"* Avanz thought with amusement.
Hiba's chest now shone with ten distinct lights. He hunched over, clutching his head. Before his focus could break, Avanz shouted, "Endure it! Pain is the limit of your strength-if you want to grow stronger, EMBRACE THE PAIN!" His voice shook Hiba to his core, forcing him to stand firm.
The tremors worsened. The lights in Hiba's chest multiplied endlessly-carrying memories, desires, and hopes of countless ancestors. Suddenly, the glow exploded, surpassing **232 lights**, shimmering across his chest like stars in the night sky.
Then-the amulet shattered.
Time seemed to slow as the air chilled. Avanz's eyes widened. "Ancestors... of the Void Era?" he muttered in disbelief.
Invisible hands gripped Hiba, his body erupting in blinding light. The ground quaked like an earthquake, the air pressure crushing like a tsunami. Hiba's hair stood on end like Son Goku's. The tremors ceased, but his body still shimmered, his hair still electrified.
Slowly, Hiba opened his eyes-his blue irises now gleaming with power. Avanz shielded his face from the swirling dust.
Gradually, the wind calmed. The cracked earth mended itself. Hiba's hair settled back down.
Avanz lowered his hand, astonished. "Incredibly strong... With training, you could destroy nations..." he murmured.
Adjusting his glasses, Avanz smirked. "You're still no match for me, but you've grown stronger. Congratulations." His tone was cool.
Hiba blinked. "Eeeeeh?!"
-To Be Continued-