One day. At bedroom. Adrik was hurriedly stuffing a slice of toast into his mouth while fumbling with his socks. His bag was half-zipped, one shoe untied, and hair sticking out in every possible direction.
Adrik: Shit, shit, shit! I'm late, I'm late, I'm—ugh!
He yanked the bag over his shoulder, almost knocking over a glass of water. Sprinting to the door, he tripped on the threshold, caught himself, and bolted outside. The sunlight hit him as he froze for a second, blinking.
A car—floating above the road—zoomed past him, wheels spinning uselessly in the air. Actually, none of the vehicles had their wheels touching the ground. Strange, black-and-white square panels lined the road, humming faintly with magnetic energy. The car glided along them effortlessly, propelled by some futuristic force.
Adrik gulped.
Adrik: Okay…okay…don't get hit…don't get hit…
He darted across the street, heart pounding, dodging more magnetically hovering vehicles. As he ran, the camera pulled back, showing the city from behind him—towering buildings gleaming in the sun, trees neatly planted between streets, cars gliding smoothly on their tracks, and people moving calmly along the sidewalks. A perfect, almost surreal city…except for Adrik's panicked sprint.
Chrono Guardianz…
Episode 1: The Beginning of the Adventure
At college. The classroom was quiet, except for the faint hum of the virtual board projecting a 3D solar system. Students were jotting notes, eyes glued to the teacher.
The door burst open with a dramatic slam. Every head turned. Adrik barreled in, face red, hair a mess, backpack swinging wildly.
Teacher: Adrik…what a time. I guess you've never heard of "clock" or "time," huh?
Adrik: S-sir…uhh…ma'am…uhhh…traffic?
Teacher slapped her palm to her forehead with theatrical exasperation.
Teacher: Did a car almost hit you or was it traffic?
Adrik: Both…maybe…actually, yes. A car tried to hit me.
The teacher groaned and pinched the bridge of her nose.
Teacher: You never change. Sit. Open your textbook to page 94.
Adrik's face lit up in a grin so wide it could blind someone.
Adrik: Yes, ma'am! You are the best teacher of all time!
He slid into his usual seat, thumped the textbook on the table, and tried to catch his breath. Just then, Draxil slid over, eyes narrowed with mock suspicion.
Draxil: Hey…Adrik. Forgot something yesterday?
Adrik: What man? I'm busy studying…
Draxil froze mid-breath, pale as a ghost. He practically hovered over Adrik, examining him.
Draxil: ARE YOU HURT?! Did your head hit something?! Since when did you start…studying?!
Adrik: Relax, man. I'm fine. Just…trying to get good grades. But I can't concentrate.
Draxil exhaled sharply, visibly relieved.
Draxil: Thought I lost my best friend there…
Adrik raised an eyebrow, unimpressed.
Adrik: Bro…seriously?
Draxil waved a hand, ignoring him.
Draxil: Anyway…did you forget about her? You said you'd convince her yesterday.
Adrik felt heat creeping up his neck. He shuffled in his seat, cheeks pink.
Adrik: I didn't forget…ugh…just didn't…think about it. Too busy. But today…I'll do it.
Draxil: She's looking at you.
Adrik's head whipped around. There she was—Lyra. Calm, composed, and ridiculously pretty. Her eyes caught the sunlight, glinting like she had just stepped out of a painting. Then she turned back to the teacher, completely unaware of the chaos brewing in Adrik's chest.
Draxil: Bro? Earth to Adrik? You still alive in there?
Adrik: …
Before he could reply, a piece of chalk smacked into his forehead.
Teacher: Adrik! Pay attention, or you'll fail your exams!
Adrik: Y-YES, MA'AM!!
Lunch break. Draxil and Adrik sat under a tree, eating sandwiches and observing the other students laughing and chatting. Adrik's eyes, however, were glued to Lyra, who sat beside her little brother, Lior, shyly nibbling his lunch while sneaking glances at her.
Adrik: Damn…why did the gods have to put him there?
Draxil smirked.
Draxil: Yeah…if I were him, I'd totally sit on her lap.
Adrik shot him a suspicious glare.
Draxil: Ahem…uhh…never mind, forget I said that.
Adrik: I just…need a chance to tell her how I feel. But she…she's so protective. Like…"I live for my little brother" or "he's all I've got" or…ugh…
Draxil: Are you sure? You've been saying that for months.
Adrik: Yes! But today…I need to do it…alone. And if she slaps me, no one else can see.
Draxil: Hmm…there might be a place. Haven't seen her alone in the lab for a while. I can come too…just in case she knocks you out.
Adrik nodded, determination written all over his face.
Evening. The college was silent, shadows stretching along the empty hallways. Draxil and Adrik crouched outside the lab door. Inside, Lyra and Lior were present. They saw them, and immediately ducked behind the door.
Adrik: Why is Lior here? You said Lyra was alone.
Draxil: I only saw her in this room before. Maybe I missed him.
Adrik slapped his palm against his face in frustration.
Lyra: Are you sure you want to do this?
Lior: Yes, big sis. I've waited for this moment…my whole life.
Lyra: I know it's your dream…but we have to go slowly. One step at a time.
Lior nodded, excitement and fear warring in his eyes.
Outside, Draxil and Adrik exchanged horrified, suspicious looks.
Draxil: Aren't they siblings? Are you thinking what I think?
Adrik: Yes…no…let's just get in before anything happens!
They stormed into the room. The door slammed behind them with a thunderous bang.
Lyra: What the—what are you guys doing?!
Adrik: First…what were you—
Then he saw it. A glowing portal forming in front of Lior. It pulled everything toward it. Lior screamed as he was sucked in.
Lyra: NOOO!!
Without hesitation, Lyra jumped in after him. Draxil and Adrik looked at each other.
Draxil: Should we help them?
Adrik: Of course. I can't even live without her.
Draxil summoned two massive red glowing blades. Adrik's blue sword ignited with a brilliant light. Together, they leaped into the portal.
The scene changed. The new world was bathed in green fog, filled with broken trees, destroyed buildings, and abandoned cars. Camera panned to a ruined building where a man gripped a baseball bat lined with nails. Behind him, a terrified woman held a baby tightly.
Man: We can't stay here. We need somewhere safe.
A small explosion rocked the forest nearby. The man lifted binoculars, spotting four unconscious figures—Adrik, Draxil, Lyra, and Lior—on the ground.
Man: Shit… how did they get here? They're just kids.
Slowly, zombies began to emerge from the fog, shuffling toward them.
TO BE CONTINUED…