Chapter 1 A New Light
A subtle shade of gray lit the sky. The sun was no more shattered in fragments from past victories.
On a blood soaked hill of jagged stone, two men stood in silence.
In a low, hollow voice, one of them asked, "When will this world undergo its change?"
Chains wrapped around his body from neck to knee. His tunic was torn and faded, skin pale as bone. His red eyes were so dark they looked black, and his long black hair stirred as if alive in the dead wind. Everything about him screamed ghost.
Beside him stood his opposite. Where the first man looked like death, this one radiated lifehealthyskin, bright green eyes too intense to meet for long, and soft brown hair that framed his face just above the eyes.
In a wistful tone, the man replied, "I don't know. But when it comes...we'llbe their past, present, and future. Just be ready, Azael."
Azael blinked, startled, and lowered his head.
"Okay... Kairon."
"WAKE UP, DUMBASS"
"Huh?"
Shiro jolted upright, eyes barely open. His sister stood over him, her voice still ringing in his ears.
"You're going be late for school! Now hurry up!"
She stormed out, muttering under her breath.
"Oh. Right." He yawned.
Dragging himself to the bathroom, Shiro stepped onto cold wooden floors. The walls were a plain white, the kind of boring his sister always said made a house feel "dead." He turned on the faucet and splashed water onto his face, staring into the mirror.
His eyes were a deep brown, almost black when tired. Curly hair drooped across his forehead, and soft features made him look younger than he was. He scowled.
"My hair's a mess."
A few minutes later, he stepped out freshly dressed. His curls now more defined, he threw on his uniform: a gray blazer embroidered with a golden emblem of two hands in prayer, black dress shirt, white tie, gray slacks, and polished black boots.
Grinning, he let his mind drift. Can't wait to see the girls at this school...
A car horn cut through his daydream.
"Get in the car already," his sister called, clearly exhausted.
Shiro climbed in and glanced at her.
"Things really have changed, huh?"
Marigold nodded, watching the road.
"They really have."
As they drove, Shiro stared out the window, thoughts pulling him inward.
Around 1,848 years ago, the gods fell from the heavens like stars, filling the world with light...
Before that, the Observers beings beyond time had birthed humans and other races, then abandoned them. The world had no protector, only horrors: beasts that turned courage into dust at a glance. Humanity fought back, but those monsters evolved faster, stronger. For every sword humans raised, a new horror emerged sharper, crueler.
To stop the extinction, the gods offered their answer: themselves. They gave humans their essence, power, and soul becoming one with them. These god-bound warriors overcame the monsters... and eventually each other.
The war never ended. It only changed shape.
"Are you happy?"
Marigold's cheerful voice yanked him back.
"About what?" he asked, caught off guard.
"About me getting you into the number one-level academy." She beamed. "Just because I work there doesn't mean it was easy."
"Oh. Right. Thanks." He smiled, small but genuine.
They crossed a wide silver bridge, stretching like a blade toward an island fortress.
Eidolon Academy loomed ahead.
Shiro leaned forward in his seat. The building was massive, like a castle frozen in time. Its outer walls were a soft beige, patterned with windows of colored glass. Sharp rooftops rose like spears, and the main tower scraped the sky.
As they passed through towering golden gates, Shiro's eyes widened.
Marigold pulled up to the front entrance and parked.
"Bye, Marigold! I love you!" he shouted as he stepped out, smiling.
She waved back, her deep red-brown eyes soft. Her long curls bounced gently over her shoulders.
"Love you too!"
Shiro turned toward the doors.
I am Shiro and from this day forward, I'll change history.
Inside the classroom, students filtered in each with different styles, energies, and voices. Laughter and chatter filled the room. Everyone clustered on the left side near the door, taking their spots.
Shiro, alone, found a seat and kept to himself.
The room was a warm mix of browns: polished dark floors, wood-paneled walls, and long tables that sat six across. It smelled faintly of paper and cedar.
He sank into his thoughts... until someone sat next to him.
A girl.
She didn't glance at him, didn't speak. Just quietly settled in.
Feeling awkward, Shiro cleared his throat.
"Uh... hi."
She turned. "Hello," she said softly.
Golden hair spilled gently over her shoulders. Her white eyes were piercing yet calm, her soft face delicate, untouched by cruelty. She was at least to Shiro gorgeous.
Before he could say anything else, the door creaked open.
"Crap," he muttered, louder than he meant to.
She gave him a weird look.
The teacher entered.
He was lean and sharp, with jet-black hair and eyes like dull obsidian. His expression looked like someone who hadn't slept in days and didn't plan to.
"Welcome to Eidolon Academy," he said, voice low and tired.
"I'm Myrrh. I'll be your teacher for the upcoming school year. I hope I see you pass."
He scanned the room, something unreadable flickering behind his dark eyes.
"I heard this first-year class is extremely talented," he added. "The gods who chose you might be... worthy."
A faint smile tugged at his lips.
"Well then," he said, walking toward the blackboard, "let's get started."