The sky was draped in a gray sorrow. A fine, unending rain darkened the cemetery's stone paths; it was as if the heavens themselves were mourning Mira. Each drop that struck the earth left a weight that sank into the heart.
Silence held sway at the head of the freshly dug grave. The soil creaked as it was opened, and the coffin was slowly lowered. Around them, people whispered; some lifted their hands to the sky in prayer, others simply surrendered to silent tears.
Akira… said nothing. No more tears flowed from his eyes. He had cried so much there was not a single drop left; all that remained was an empty, dull stare. His lips trembled, but they would not part.
His grandmother and grandfather clung to each other, their sobs racking them as they could not hold back the pain that had shattered their hearts. Their old bodies shook, yet their hands were locked tightly together. For them this loss was a wound beyond words. But for Akira… Mira's departure was the breaking of his very heart.
When the ceremony ended people came one by one to offer their condolences.
— My condolences…
—M ay she rest in peace…
But Akira was deaf to all those voices. The world's sound had been cut off for him. The only thing he heard was the rhythm of the rain, pounding into his chest and echoing in his ears.
As his grandparents spoke quietly with a soldier who had approached, Akira involuntarily perked up his ears. The soldier spoke in a tired, sorrowful voice:
—My condolences… Mira's death has been investigated. The case has been closed as a suicide.
The old couple's eyes widened in horror.
— S-suicide?!
— That can't be!
Akira clenched his fists as he stared at Mira's grave. A trembling whisper slipped from his lips:
— S… suicide…
His eyes were fixed on the mound. Memories of Mira spun in his mind like a film reel.
Hours passed. People left one by one. The sky darkened as the sun slid westward. A sharp chill hovered over the graveyard. His grandfather quietly approached Akira.
— Son, let's go now. It's getting dark…
His grandmother wiped her tears and added:
— Look, child… if you stay soaked and freeze you'll get sick. Mira wouldn't want you to stay here.
But Akira remained as if he could not hear them. Then suddenly he clenched his fist. His trembling hand dug into the soil. The anger in his eyes seemed to compress years of pain into a single instant. Finally, he broke his silence:
— Why… Why, sister? Why did you leave me? Why… why?!
His cry echoed off the cemetery's stone walls. It was a scream torn from the deepest part of his chest—loud enough to drown out even the rain's roar. His grandmother and grandfather stood frozen; they could not find words.
At that very moment—
A cold but sure hand lightly touched Akira's shoulder. He turned quickly and saw a tall, blue-haired man in a suit standing before him. The man's face was swallowed by shadow, and his eyes were like two sharp blades cutting through the darkness.
The man spoke in a deep, calm voice:
— Calm yourself… She didn't want to leave you. She loved you very much. She used to… speak of you to me often.
Akira's eyes widened. Surprise and anger fluttered across his face. He tightened his fists even more.
— Then why isn't she here!? Why did she leave me?!
The man drew a slow breath and bowed his head.
— She lives on in our hearts. And believe me… if she were here, she wouldn't want to see you like this.
Akira's breath quickened. Helplessness replaced his fury. His lips moved but no sound came. He could not bring himself to say the words: But… she's gone.
The man lifted his face to the sky. Rain slid from his shoulders and fell to the earth. A mysterious weight settled into his voice:
— There's something you must know… She did not kill herself. When you grow up… seek the truth, and find me.
Akira froze. His heart hammered; his pupils dilated.
— …The truth? What do you mean by that?
He turned to look, but no one was there. No footstep, no shadow—gone as if they had never existed.
The drops sliding down Akira's face—were they rain, or tears? He could no longer tell. His fists loosened. Inside, the echo of a stone dropping into a void rang hollow.
"Truth…" he whispered.
That word reverberated in his mind, as if hurled into the depths of an endless well. He kept repeating it all the way home.
From that moment on, Mira's death was no longer merely a loss. It held a mysterious secret. And that secret… would change Akira's fate forever.
—Eight years later—
The sun shone, spilling warmth and life across Eldravon's crowded streets. In the market, bolts of bright cloth fluttered, the gleam of weapons caught the eye, and savory scents rose from the stalls. People shopped with cheerful faces, and the flow of the crowd pushed toward a single destination: the kingdom's magnificent stadium.
Sixteen-year-old Akira Valen walked through the throng with his closest friends Daichi and Kaito at his side. A smile lingered on his face, a quiet spark in his eyes.
Daichi pointed at a rack of jackets.
— Akira, look at this! Perfect for us.
Kaito added excitedly:
— It's really great! We should grab it before we go to the stadium.
Akira spread his arms and laughed.
— Sure, if you're paying. You know I spent all my money on food.
Daichi raised an eyebrow.
— We only ate one steak! How did your money run out?
Kaito burst into laughter.
— You're hopeless! But never mind… Daichi'll pay, right?
Daichi grumbled.
— Why me? Last time you two left me to cover everything.
Akira gave a crafty grin.
— Then both of you chip in. Easy.
— Akiraaa! Kaito shouted, part irritated, part amused. Then he asked, curious:
— Wasn't there a military exam yesterday? How'd it go?
Akira's steps slowed. His eyes lowered; his voice dropped:
— I failed again…
A brief silence fell. A shadow of sadness crossed his friends' faces. But Akira suddenly lifted his head and pounded a fist into his chest:
— But I won't give up! I'll try again in four months. Next time I'll definitely pass!
A fire of defiance flared in his eyes.
Kaito matched his resolve with a grin.
— I hope so… I want it too.
Daichi sighed, trying to change the subject.
— Anyway… the battles are about to start.
Akira fixed his gaze on the stadium, a gleam in his eyes.
— Yes. Let's hurry. I want to see the strength of the soldiers I'll one day join.
Kaito nodded proudly.
— I've been waiting for this day for a year. I'll be a special soldier, too.
Akira clenched his fist and smiled.
— Of course! We'll all work at the palace together. We'll be the kingdom's strongest soldiers!
Daichi laughed at their youthfulness.
— Oh please… stop dreaming and check your tickets.
Akira pulled his ticket out and waved it.
— Mine's right here.
Kaito showed his.
— Mine too.
Daichi produced his as well.
— Okay. Then let's go.
The three pushed through the crowd and stopped before the colossal stadium, breathless. Built of stone and steel, it towered like a fortress reaching for the sky. Two heavily armored guards checked tickets at the gate.
Inside, a vast arena opened before them. The roar of thousands of spectators crashed into the sky. At the very top, a glass-encased, splendid section caught the eye: the private box of the Council of Twelve.
Akira asked in awe:
— Why is there such a special place up there?
The old man standing next to them chuckled with a knowing smile.
— Don't you know, boy? That's where the kingdom's strongest—the Council of Twelve—sit.
Akira's eyes lit up.
— What?! They watch too?!
The man nodded.
— Of course. They come every year—to observe and to watch the candidates.
Akira kept his eyes locked on the arena and whispered:
— One day… I'll fight here. And I'll make the whole council notice me.
Kaito patted his shoulder with a smile.
— I believe in you, Akira.
Suddenly a voice boomed like an echo across the stadium:
— Ladies and gentlemen! The battles you've been waiting for will begin shortly!
The crowd erupted in cheers as the announcer continued:
— First, let me introduce the warriors entering the arena. First up: the wielder of positive energy, the Great Ice Warrior—the son of Council member Noa Yukishiro, in other words, the Ice King's son!
The stadium rocked with applause.
— And his rival… the son of the Fire Dragon from the Council! This duel will shake the arena to its core!
As the crowd screamed, the barrier masters lifted glowing hands and wove blue shields to prevent energy from leaking out.
Akira pointed excitedly.
— Look! The Council is here!
Daichi trembled with excitement.
— I can't believe it… I'm seeing them in person!
The stadium throbbed with anticipation again. The announcer's voice thundered:
— Now, the moment you've all been waiting for! The heirs of the palace's strongest special soldiers—the Ice King's son and the Fire Dragon's son—will face each other!
The arena gates slowly opened. Two young warriors marched out, facing each other. One walked with an icy, cold gaze, leaving shards of frost in his wake. The other moved like a living flame, every breath radiating waves of heat.
When the gates closed, the stadium fell silent. The two rivals locked eyes.
The announcer's voice trembled.
— If you're ready… begin!!
Silence fell over the arena. The crowd held their breath. As the two opponents slowly approached each other, the tension was so thick it could almost be touched.
The son of the Fire Dragon locked eyes with his rival.
— May I know your name?
The son of the Ice King stood tall.
— Rui Yukishiro. Son of Noa, the Ice King.
Ren smirked arrogantly.
— Nice to meet you. I'm Ren Homura, son of Daigo, the Fire Dragon. Fire always burns ice, you know that, right?
Rui chuckled mockingly.
— Underestimating your opponent before the battle even begins… You're a fool.
Ren's eyes gleamed.
— I've never lost a single fight. I've defeated council members' children like you countless times. I'm far more experienced than you.
Rui shook his head.
— Then I guess we won't get along. Let's not keep the audience waiting any longer.
The crowd roared in excitement.
— Come on! Start! Let the battle begin!
Ren spread his arms.
— As you wish. You should feel honored—you'll witness the true power of my flames.
Energy waves began to surge from both of them. A fierce wind suddenly swept across the arena.
Akira whispered in awe.
— Whoa… What kind of energy is this?
Daichi spoke with trembling hands.
— They're… on a completely different level.
Kaito narrowed his eyes.
— And the battle hasn't even started yet…
The flames rising from Ren's body clashed with Rui's ice. Both of them charged forward at once, and close combat began. Ren's fists erupted with fire, while Rui blocked the attacks with ice barriers.
Rui thought to himself:
— His fire… it melts my ice too quickly. If I stay on defense, I'll burn through too much energy. I need to move.
Ren noticed the weakening ice.
— Hah! You're already tired? I haven't even started!
Rui smiled faintly.
— Tired? You must be dreaming.
Ren gathered intense fire in his fist and smashed Rui's ice shield to pieces. The barrier mages' arms began to shake. A storm-like wind swept through the arena as the spectators screamed in excitement.
Rui barely dodged the blast using his ice, but he muttered under his breath:
— Damn it… this power… how can it be this strong?
Ren charged again.
— Stronger than I expected. Let's not waste time anymore!
He suddenly stopped and closed his eyes. Rui sensed he was preparing something but didn't lower his guard. Minutes passed. On the fifth minute, Ren opened his eyes—and the crowd gasped. His brown eyes had turned blood red.
The barrier mages were struggling to maintain the shield.
Rui quickly stepped back and joined his hands together.
Behind Ren, flames began to take the shape of a dragon. Behind Rui, a massive ice palace rose into the air.
The next moment, both of them vanished. Only the flame dragon and the ice palace remained on the arena. The dragon roared and lunged toward the palace. When they collided, a blinding explosion of energy and light filled the sky. The barrier shattered. The audience screamed.
Council members rushed into the arena one by one.
Daigo, the Fire Dragon, crossed his arms.
— What a great fight. Well, he is my son after all.
Noa, the Ice King, smiled.
— Indeed. Just like in our time. Remember? I always used to win.
Daigo turned furiously.
— What?! Fool! Out of 30 matches, I won 16! That makes me the winner!
Noa laughed loudly.
— You're delusional! According to my records, I won 20 out of 30!
In the back, a short-haired blue council member yawned.
— Ugh… Stop arguing and someone fix the barrier already.
Daigo snapped.
— Why don't you do it? All you ever do is sleep! I still can't believe the former king made someone like you a council member.
Then, a young black-haired woman stepped forward, her voice faintly melancholic.
— Fine… I'll do it.
Noa frowned.
— Are you sure? I doubt your power. I've never even seen you fight.
The woman shrugged.
— Because fighting isn't my thing.
Daigo grumbled.
— What a disappointment. What was the old king thinking?
The woman gave him a cold stare.
— I don't know. Maybe you should go ask him.
She suddenly rose into the air. Reaching above the arena, she raised her hands.
— Wall!
A massive transparent barrier formed again, shimmering with energy. The crowd cheered.
— The Council saved us!!
Akira whispered in amazement.
— She really… did that herself?
Kaito nodded.
— She looks pretty strong to me.
Meanwhile, the Fire Dragon and Ice King descended into the arena and carried their sons out with their own hands.
Ren shouted furiously.
— Father! I wasn't finished yet! I was going to beat him!
Daigo spoke calmly.
— No. This match ended in a draw. You both agree, don't you?
Rui was about to yell.
— I could've defeated him! There's no way I'll accep—
But Noa covered his son's mouth.
— We accept. The match ends in a draw.
Both fathers left the arena, each carrying his son.
Akira closed his eyes.
— Council members… they're on another level. But one day, I'll be like them. No… I'll be stronger than them! One day, I'll be the king!
Daichi raised an eyebrow.
— You're saying that after witnessing this battle…
Kaito clenched his fist.
— Of course! One day we'll conquer this arena ourselves!
As the crowd's noise slowly faded, two soldiers stood guard by the exit.
Akira immediately approached them.
— Hello!
The brown-haired male soldier turned to him.
— Hello.
The short, dark-brown-haired girl beside him averted her gaze indifferently.
Akira looked at the emblem on the soldier's uniform with admiration.
— I'm Akira! One day, I'll become a soldier like you!
The man looked a bit surprised.
— I'm Sato. To become a soldier, you need to be gifted.
Akira's face fell.
— Actually… I don't have any talent. I can't even use energy yet.
Sato looked shocked, while the girl beside him burst out laughing.
Just then, Kaito and Daichi ran over, out of breath.
— Akira, why'd you run off?
— What did you even want to ask the soldiers?
Akira turned to them with a smile.
— I wanted to ask how I could easily pass the exam in four months and become a soldier.
The girl beside Sato looked at him with scorn.
— You can't even use energy… You'll never be a soldier.
Sato snapped.
— Reina! Don't say things like that!
Akira's face darkened, his fists tightening.
— She's right… I'll never become a soldier this weak.
As Daichi and Kaito tried to cheer him up, Reina spoke in a mysterious tone:
— I heard a rumor… about artificially enhancing one's energy.
Sato looked at her in surprise. Akira's eyes widened.
— What?! Is that even possible?
Reina continued in a chilling voice.
— They say there are experiments being done in a laboratory… on humans. The purpose is exactly that—to strengthen energy artificially.
Sato, Akira, and the others froze.
— Human experiments?!
— That's horrible!
There was a brief silence. Then Reina turned to Sato.
— It's time to go.
Sato waved at Akira.
— See you, Akira.
They left toward the exit.
Akira and his friends also left the stadium—but Akira stayed quiet, deep in thought. Could the laboratory really give him power?
After a while, Daichi spoke.
— It's getting late. I'm heading home.
Kaito added.
— Yeah, me too.
Akira nodded.
— See you.
He then walked off alone, to a quiet place where he could think. Sitting on a bench in the dark, he took off the necklace around his neck and opened its back cover. Inside, it read:
"3,5,2" and "Curse of Ares."
Akira began to think:
— My sister used to work in that laboratory… Maybe her death wasn't an accident—or suicide. If they're really experimenting on humans, it must be connected to her death. I have to find out.
He put the necklace back on and clenched his fists.
— I'll uncover the truth.
Akira's eyes gleamed with determination.