That night, the city's sky looked peaceful. The apartment lights in the central district twinkled like artificial stars.
Zeydan opened the door to his home with tired but light steps — he had just gone through a test he would never forget.
"I'm home," he said, hanging his jacket on the rack.
From the living room, a gentle woman's voice answered,
"Zeydan? You're back, dear."
His mother stepped out of the kitchen, still wearing her apron — her face full of warmth, but her eyes… were the eyes of a mother who had once lost everything.
Zeydan smiled faintly.
"Yeah, Mom. And I've got good news."
"Oh?" She approached, placing a plate on the table. "Let me guess — you passed, didn't you?"
"Better than just passing," he said, half proud, half joking. "I passed the Warden exam — and tomorrow, I'll be deployed straight to the world of Santara."
Her expression changed instantly.
"What… tomorrow?" she asked softly, her tone caught between surprise and worry.
"Aren't recruits usually trained first at the Warden Center? Why so soon?"
Zeydan scratched his head.
"Hmm, not sure. Maybe because my scores were perfect?" he said with a crooked smile, trying to lighten the mood.
But she didn't laugh.
She sat down and stared at her son for a long moment.
"Zeydan," she said quietly. "Listen carefully. Your father once went to the world of Santara too. Back then… that world was still at war. And he never came back."
Zeydan's smile faded.
"I know, Mom…"
"I'm not done," she continued, her voice trembling slightly. "And… your brother, Ivan, disappeared there as well. No signal. No body. Nothing. Both of them had full training before entering Santara."
Her eyes locked onto his. "And now you're going without any training at all. Do you understand how dangerous that is?"
Silence fell. Only the faint sound of the fan filled the room.
Zeydan exhaled slowly, then smiled softly.
"I know, Mom. But if I back down now, I'll always live under their shadows. I need to know… why everyone who enters Santara — especially our family — never returns."
His mother said nothing — she just looked at his face, the same eyes as her late husband's.
Finally, she stood and pulled him into a tight embrace.
"Then promise me," she whispered. "Even if that world devours everything… don't let it devour your soul."
Zeydan closed his eyes, holding back emotion.
"I promise."
After a long silence, she pulled away, gazing at him tenderly.
"If you ever find Ivan in that world…"
"I'll bring him back," Zeydan cut her off gently. "Or at least… I'll find out what really happened."
Tears welled in her eyes, but she only nodded.
Zeydan turned toward the apartment window — the city's night sky reflected in his eyes.
Beyond that skyline, beyond the mysterious system known as Santara, something awaited him.
But one thing was certain: the calm that night… was only the pause before the coming storm.
---
Morning — Zeydan's Apartment
Sunlight slipped through the curtains, shining on a small messy desk scattered with notebooks and an old photo.
In the picture, Ivan smiled in his Warden uniform — now, just a memory.
Zeydan stood before the mirror, wearing a black jacket and gray tactical pants. No official Warden uniform yet — only what he owned.
A knife sheath hung at his waist — a gift from his father.
His mother stood at the doorway, holding a cup of warm tea.
"You're not even eating breakfast, are you?" she said softly.
Zeydan glanced at his watch.
"Maybe later, Mom. If I eat now, I'll just get nervous on the way."
She smiled faintly.
"You've always been like that. Even as a child, you made excuses when you were nervous."
He chuckled.
"Heh… guess some things never change."
Then he looked at her seriously.
"Mom… thank you. For everything."
She walked closer, fixing the collar of his jacket.
"You look so much like Ivan the day he left," she whispered. "But I hope… your story ends better than his."
Zeydan swallowed hard, his voice low.
"I'll come back, Mom. I promise."
"Then go," she said at last, patting his shoulder. "And don't forget… protect that soul of yours."
---
A Few Hours Later — Warden Branch Base, Arvale
The deployment bay buzzed with activity. Agents hurried past carrying equipment; drones floated overhead with cargo containers.
At the far end stood a massive glass cylinder pulsing with blue light — the Transmission Gate, leading to the main Warden Headquarters at the Bermuda Triangle.
Zeydan's eyes gleamed.
"So that's the portal?" he whispered in awe.
"Looks impressive, huh?"
A cool, sharp voice came from beside him.
He turned — Mireya Solstice stood there. She wore a gray hoodie and black pants, her hair tied high. Though she looked calm, there was always something hidden behind her gaze.
"Oh, you don't have your uniform yet either?" Zeydan asked.
"Not yet," Mireya replied, raising an eyebrow. "They said the main HQ decides the uniform style — maybe based on our elemental compatibility."
Zeydan grinned.
"Then I hope mine's not pink."
Mireya smirked.
"If it is, I'm taking a photo."
Their lighthearted talk stopped when Rainer, the branch commander, appeared carrying a data tablet. He wore the long black coat distinctive of senior Wardens.
"Good. You're both ready," he said firmly. "You'll be sent to HQ — coordinates: Bermuda Triangle."
"The Bermuda Triangle?" Zeydan repeated. "Isn't that… dangerous?"
Rainer smiled faintly.
"Dangerous things are why the Wardens exist, Zeydan."
He looked at both of them.
"Listen well. You'll operate in the world of Santara from evening to dawn — by real-world time. But remember, time flows slower there: three hours in Santara equals one hour here. Don't lose track."
Mireya typed notes on her phone.
"So if we're there for nine hours, only three pass here?"
"Correct," Rainer nodded.
"And another thing — when humans enter Santara, their bodies interact with transparent energy particles we call Essence Particles. They search for compatibility. If they match, you'll gain an elemental ability."
Zeydan stared at his hand.
"And if we don't match?"
"Then the particles will leave you. Usually, within a month, you'll know if you're compatible."
"What if someone doesn't get any ability at all?" Mireya asked.
Rainer's tone grew quiet but serious.
"That's rare… but not a curse. It could mean your body's structure differs from Santara's. It could be dangerous… or it could mean something far greater is waiting for you."
Silence lingered — the low hum of the transmission gate filled the air.
Zeydan finally exhaled.
"So we just survive from dusk till dawn… and come back here?"
"Exactly," Rainer said. "After one week of orientation, you'll begin your missions. Santara isn't a playground — but it's not beyond understanding."
He gave a faint smile.
"Remember, you're not pawns. You're the next generation of Wardens."
Mireya smirked.
"Motivational speech before we die?"
Rainer chuckled.
"No. Motivational speech before you live."
Then the lights dimmed as the portal behind them glowed bright blue, swirling like a vortex.
Rainer stepped back and signaled the operator.
"Transmission in ten seconds."
Zeydan swallowed, staring into the light.
"Santara… the world where Dad and Ivan vanished…"
Mireya stood beside him.
"You scared?"
"No," he said with a soft smile. "I just want to know… why they never came back."
"Then let's find out," she replied, eyes fixed on the portal.
"Transmission start!" shouted the operator.
Blue light engulfed them. Rainer's voice echoed faintly as the world dissolved into white.
---
Warden Main HQ — Bermuda Triangle
The blue glow faded.
Then — voom! — they materialized somewhere completely different.
The air was dense, humming faintly with static energy. The walls were made of black reflective metal engraved with glowing blue runes.
Above them, a dome ceiling of transparent glass revealed a massive swirling ocean — as if the entire base sat beneath the sea.
"W-whoa…" Zeydan gasped. "We're really under the ocean?!"
Mireya crossed her arms, calm as ever.
"Looks like it. But we don't feel any pressure."
"Maybe they turned on easy mode first so we don't get squished," Zeydan joked.
Mireya almost laughed.
Footsteps echoed. From the corridor, a tall woman approached — short violet hair, tactical glasses, and a black-blue Warden uniform.
"Welcome to Warden Headquarters — Atlantis Sector, Bermuda Triangle Central," she announced. "I'm Sergeant Vynia, in charge of new recruit orientation."
Zeydan straightened instantly.
"Ah, yes, ma'am! I mean, Sergeant! I'm Zeydan Rothveil — this is Mireya Solstice, from the Arvale branch!"
Mireya sighed.
"You don't have to yell, Zey."
Vynia smiled faintly.
"Good energy. You must be Rainer's recommendations."
"Yes, ma'am— I mean, Sergeant!"
"Good. Follow me. We'll begin with equipment selection."
---
Main Arsenal Hall — 'Hall of Arms'
The massive doors slid open, revealing a long hall filled with weapon racks — from tactical rifles and plasma swords to energy shields and glowing blue bows. The hum of machinery filled the air.
"Choose your gear," said Vynia. "One primary, one secondary, and one defense tool."
Zeydan's eyes lit up like a kid in a candy store.
"This is like a real-life RPG!"
Mireya sighed.
"If this were a game, we'd only have one life."
Zeydan drew a sleek blade glowing blue along the edge.
"Whoa, light but strong. What's it called?"
"Photon Edge," Vynia replied. "Stable for beginners."
"Perfect!" he grinned, swinging it — nearly hitting a nearby holographic bench. "Oops."
Meanwhile, Mireya picked up two silver pistols etched with fine runes. She inspected them calmly before holstering them at her hips.
"Light, precise, balanced. Perfect for me."
Zeydan nodded, impressed.
"You really look like some elite assassin."
"Better than you — who looks like an NPC with default armor," she shot back.
Zeydan pouted.
"So mean."
Vynia chuckled faintly.
"Alright, now let's move on to the uniform chamber."
---
Changing Room — Warden Uniforms
They each received new attire.
For Zeydan — a black tactical jacket with blue stripes, a double-eagle insignia on the chest, and utility belts.
For Mireya — a sleek gray combat outfit, functional yet elegant.
Zeydan looked in the mirror, spinning once.
"Okay… now I look like an anime protagonist."
Mireya, tying her hair again, glanced at him.
"More like the protagonist who needs rescuing."
"Hey, that still counts as a protagonist!" he said proudly.
---
Central Chamber — The Pillar of Light
Vynia led them into a circular hall.
At its center stood a towering pillar of silver-white light, swirling like a living aurora.
Strange symbols pulsed faintly across the floor.
Several agents watched from the sides as systems hummed and data flickered.
"This is the Pillar Gate," Vynia explained. "The only direct path to Santara. You'll first arrive in a safe zone before mission assignment."
Zeydan's eyes widened.
"It's beautiful… just like the 'pillar of light' from Ivan's diary."
Mireya turned to him, her expression softening.
"So your brother came here too?"
"Yeah… and from here, he never came back."
Silence. Only the hum of the machines remained.
Vynia nodded to the control booth.
"Activate transmission channel for two new entries."
The pillar vibrated — the hum growing into a steady rhythm.
."Your first step as Wardens begins now," Vynia said solemnly.
"And remember — Santara isn't just another world. It's a reflection of humanity itself."
Zeydan stared at the light, breath steady.
"Ivan… I'll find out what happened to you."
Mireya stepped beside him.
"And this time, you're not going alone."
The light brightened — swallowing them whole.
Vynia's voice echoed through the chamber:
"Welcome… to the world of Santara."
And everything turned white.