Prologue
The cave outside Voyage City was drowned in shadows, the damp air heavy with the stench of blood. Jagged rocks jutted like fangs, and in the middle of that oppressive darkness, a twisted, morphed creature stood tall, its hand clamped tightly around the throat of a young girl. His glowing eyes pierced the gloom, cold and merciless.
"Oh, dear poor soul," the creature sneered, voice laced with mock sympathy. "How I feel for thee… for you shalt die in my hand painlessly." His grip tightened, squeezing the life from her.
Rose's eyes brimmed with tears as her body convulsed. She choked out broken words, her gaze darting behind her as if clinging to some unseen hope.
"I'm sorry… Joyce, I'm so sorry… big brother, I'm sorry…" She trembled, crying, her hands desperately glowing as she tried to regenerate the stumps where her legs had been cut away.
Evolve—the name the creature bore—only smirked. His grip did not relent.
"You know," he said casually, as though speaking of the weather, "I can literally copy and evolve your ability, right?" With a flick of thought, he halted a sword that slashed at him from behind, suspended in mid-air by telekinesis. "Well then," he murmured, lips curling into cruel amusement. "Any last words?"
Rose's voice cracked into a whimper, frail and trembling. "Save me…"
Evolve tilted his head mockingly. "Sorry, what was that? I didn't quite hear you."
This time, she screamed, her voice breaking from despair.
"Save me, big brother!!!"
Laughter erupted from Evolve, deep and mocking. "Hahahaha! That's very funny, coming from a mere human being begging for help! And even if you did—there's nobody who will…"
His words were cut short in a flash. A fist, wrapped in multicolored lightning, struck him at hyper speed. The blow hurled him through solid stone, shattering the mountain's side in an instant.
"Don't you ever dare touch my sister!" a furious voice thundered.
Johnson stepped into the cavern, his eyes blazing, every stride burning with rage. He lunged after the enemy without hesitation.
Evolve coughed, twisted his neck with a sickening crack, and began to laugh. He straightened, his form shuddering as he adapted—copying Johnson's hyperspeed and upgrading it into light-speed. His grin widened, fangs glinting in the half-light.
"You can't stop me, boy! Furie!"
At his call, blazing arrows of fire materialized, streaking toward Johnson like meteors.
"Erie!" In the same breath, spears of ice formed and shot forward, propelled at light speed.
But Johnson did not falter. His eyes gleamed like stormlight. "Nobody touches my sister! And I swear I will kill you." He cracked his knuckles, lightning surging along his arms. "Jake—release all limiters!"
From within him, a voice responded. Yes, master.
A rush of power tore through the air as Johnson's body ignited in multicolored lightning. Only fifteen percent of his true power had been released, but the force was enough to bend reality around him. In the blink of an eye, he blurred past the attacks, fists colliding with Evolve in a devastating impact. Both were hurled together, crashing into the waters of the Mississippi River.
Evolve rose from the waves, laughter echoing like thunder. "Interesting…" His eyes gleamed with savage joy. "Then I won't hold back!"
Johnson, shrouded in writhing lightning, bared his teeth in defiance. "Bring it on!"
The two vanished, clashing at speeds beyond comprehension. To Johnson, the world slowed into fragments of motion. Every strike split the air, every step burned with his fury.
Then his voice cut through the chaos, almost like a narration.
Hold on, guys. You might be wondering—what's going on? Who's this kid running in a multicolored suit? Who's he fighting? And why the hell are they even fighting?
The truth is, I can't explain it all right now… not in a way you'd understand. To do that, I need to take you back. Back to where it all began…
Chapter 1: Prologue
The year was 2035. On Earth, in the bustling heart of Voyage City, life seemed peaceful. Streets buzzed with activity as residents went about their daily business, unaware of the storm that would one day descend upon them.
Among the crowd, two children could be seen returning home from school. One was Johnson Stone, a bright-eyed boy of seven. At his side skipped his younger sister, Rose, only six years old, her small hand nestled trustingly in his.
"Hey, Rose," Johnson asked as they crossed the street. "How was school today?"
Rose's face crinkled into a pout. "It was good, big brother… but it was also bad."
Johnson tilted his head. "What happened?"
Rose's eyes welled as she held his hand tighter. "A boy called me ugly…" She sniffled. "Am I ugly?"
Johnson stopped, bending down until his eyes met hers. His hand reached out to pat her head gently. "Aww, come here. You're not ugly." He wiped her tears with a thumb, his voice soft yet certain. "Listen—you are the most beautiful girl in the universe. Okay?"
Her lips quivered, but she nodded, comforted. Together, they walked home, their laughter slowly returning.
"Mummy! Daddy!" Rose chirped as she knocked eagerly at their door. But silence answered her call.
Johnson frowned. "Maybe they're sleeping… or preparing a surprise cake for us."
Rose's face lit with excitement. "Yes! That's it! I heard Mom telling Dad last night that he should take us to the park."
"Really?!" Johnson's eyes widened, a grin spreading across his face. "Then I'm gonna tell Dad to get me the Minecraft video game I like!"
Rose puffed out her cheeks. "No! Dad's going to get me my dollhouse!"
"No, my video game!" Johnson argued back, half-smiling.
"No, my dollhouse!" she retorted, stamping her foot.
Johnson sighed dramatically. "Fine. Let's play a game to decide who gets to ask first."
Rose blinked. "What game?"
Johnson grinned, raising his hand. "Rock, paper, scissors!"
"Okay… but if I win, I'll ask Daddy, and you'll ask Mummy. If I lose, you ask Daddy and… you still ask Mummy?"
"Deal!" Johnson laughed.
They stood in front of their door, hands moving in rhythm.
"Rock, paper, scissors!" they chanted together.
But before a winner could be decided, the house shook violently. A deafening roar split the air, followed by a blinding flash of light bursting from within.
Johnson's instincts kicked in instantly. His eyes widened in horror. "Rose, get down!" he shouted, pulling her into his arms as the world around them exploded
--
Rose's small body was slammed backward by the explosion. Two blinding flashes had ripped through the building, and the force of the blast sent her sprawling across the scorched floor. Smoke and dust stung her eyes, the roar of the collapsing structure deafening, as she struggled to catch her breath.
Johnson staggered, battered and bleeding, panic clawing at his chest. "Rose? Rose!" His voice cracked as he searched frantically through the smoke and debris. Suddenly, an unseen force yanked him away, dragging him outside the city block at impossible speed. "Where am I? Somebody help!" he screamed, fear and tears streaming down his face.
An officer passing by spotted the terrified boy. "Hey, kid! Are you lost?"
Johnson fell to his knees, sobbing. "I… I can't find my sister! We were just together… we were supposed to be home… but the place caught fire!" His voice broke. "Please… take me to her!"
The officer knelt beside him. "You're very brave, kid. I'll do my best to help. Come with me and tell me about your home." He guided Johnson toward the police station, keeping a protective hand on his shoulder.
Meanwhile, Rose staggered toward what remained of the house, confusion and fear etched into every step. "Johnson! Where are you?" she called, her small voice trembling. She flung open the door and froze, eyes wide with horror at the sight of her parents' lifeless bodies. Her hands flew to her mouth as a scream tore from her throat.
"Mummy… Daddy! Wake up! Wake up!" she sobbed. "You said you'd take us to Hawaii next week! Mummy! Daddy! I still wanted cheeseburgers and fries today! You promised me my dollhouse… Mummy! Daddy!"
Flames licked the walls, the smell of smoke thick in the air. Her tears streaked her soot-covered face as she collapsed beside her parents. Every word she cried out—about trips, gifts, and simple joys—pierced the chaos, a haunting reminder of everything they had lost.
Fifteen minutes later, police arrived, Johnson in tow. The building roared around them, fire consuming what little remained. An officer shouted from the perimeter. "Stay back, boy! Don't go in there!"
Johnson's chest heaved. "Why should I? My sister… she's in there!"
"She'll be safer if we go in together," the officer said, trying to reason with him.
"I don't care!" Johnson yelled. He ran through the smoke, dodging falling debris and flames, until he spotted her huddled in a corner where the fire burned less fiercely. "Rose! Oh, thank goodness… let's get out of here."
But his relief vanished. His eyes fell on the shattered remains of his parents. Limbs scattered, bodies unrecognizable. Shock and grief paralyzed him.
"My mom… my dad…" he whispered, voice breaking. "This… this is my fault." He sank to his knees, reaching for their cold, broken hands. "I… I was too selfish… too playful… I loved myself too much…"
Rose's sobs filled the space between the flames and rubble. "Mummy! Daddy! You said you'd take us to Hawaii… Mummy! I wanted my dollhouse! My cheeseburgers!" Her tiny voice cracked and echoed in the ruin, a child's grief laid bare.
Johnson clutched her to his chest, tears streaming down his face. "I'm so sorry, Rose… I'm so sorry. Nobody will ever forgive me… I'll never… love myself again." He buried his face against her shoulder, trembling.
Finally, firefighters and officers forced him away, guiding them both to safety. Flames hissed and spat as they were extinguished, bodies were removed, and the house sealed. Outside, the two siblings clung to one another, their hearts heavy, their childhood gone in an instant.
"Even as the smoke cleared, the echo of Rose's cries lingered: a testament to lost innocence, shattered dreams, and the cruel weight of grief that would haunt them forever."