Akai walked through the crowded streets, headphones on, trying to drown out the usual noise of the citydrones buzzing overhead, holo-screens flickering advertisements, people rushing past…
His eyes caught a news feed projected on a storefront window as he crossed the pedestrian crossing…
"Citizens of Primton… the Abyssal Beasts have attacked the outskirts again, and the Valorborn Knights are currently in battle,"said the news reporter, showing footage of the knights clashing with the beasts.
Akai's stomach tightened… He froze in the middle of the sidewalk.
The Valorborn Knights were on the holo-screen, clashing with the Abyssal Beasts, moving faster than any normal human could.
"Get out the fucking way!" shouted someone passing by.
Akai stayed still… his eyes locked on the screen. And then it happened.
The chaos pulled him back… back to thirteen… back to the night his father had fallen.
Akai's heart pounded as he saw the Beast his father was about to face. This wasn't like any Abyssal Beast he'd ever seen… It moved like it was human, purposeful, almost as if it knew exactly what it was doing.
"Get behind me!"Thron, Akai's father, roared, stepping in front of Akai and Riku, his pregnant mother.
The Beast made the first move, a powerful, calculated strike aimed directly at Thron. In response, Thron's sword blazed with shimmering energy, a golden barrier of his magic flaring around him. Sparks of light shot across the street as he deflected the blow effortlessly, his movements precise and fluid—the grace of a legendary knight in every strike.
But the creature was different. It dodged, countered, and learned with every passing second, anticipating his father's attacks, testing the limits of his magic.
Akai gripped his mother's hand so tightly he whimpered, helpless, as the creature lunged again and again. Thron unleashed bursts of radiant magic, each one sending shockwaves that toppled debris and hurled the Beast back… but the Beast was too fast, too clever.
Then, in a single, lightning-fast strike, Thron hesitated for the first time. The Beast pierced through his defense, ignoring the shimmering barrier, and Akai saw the blow land. The world tilted, and he heard his father grunt, staggering… blood staining the ground.
"Go… Akai… live…"his father gasped, forcing a weak smile.
The Beast turned and fled the scene. Akai knew this was no ordinary Abyssal Beast… It was something far darker, far more dangerous.
Akai screamed, "Aaaaaa!" as the sounds of the city returned—the distant cries, the rumble of hover vehicles. Valorborn Knights and medics arrived, grabbing him and his mother, pulling them back as they looked helplessly at Thron's lifeless body.
Everything blurred, the chaos fading, until Akai's vision snapped back to the present—standing on the crowded streets, the holo-screen still flashing the news of Abyssal Beasts. His heart raced… he would never forget that unknown Beast… the one that had killed his father.
The sounds of the city slammed into him—police cars speeding by, honking, chatter, the buzz of drones overhead. His vision slowly cleared, the blur fading until he was staring at the holo-screen again, the reporter's voice echoing through the street.
"…The Valorborn Knights are trying to kill all the Abyssal Beasts so the Rift can close," said the news reporter.
Akai's hands were trembling, sweating like crazy. People brushed past him, annoyed, bumping his shoulder, cussing him out for standing still.
He didn't move.
"Aw man… not again…"he whispered under his breath. "I hate having this feeling…"
Akai tried to steady his breathing.
Haah… hooo… haaa… hoooo…
The neon lights flickered across his face as he focused, trying to pull himself fully back into reality. Little by little, his heartbeat slowed. His mind cleared.
But the fear didn't leave. Not fully. Not ever.
"Akaiiiiii!! Akaiii!! Yoohooo!"Yuri's voice echoed through the busy street as he ran toward him.
He jumped onto Akai from behind, wrapping his arms around him.
"Heeey bro, you good?" Yuri asked, slightly breathless.
"Y-yeah… I'm fine,"Akai muttered.
Yuri stared at him knowingly.
"You had those flashbacks again, didn't you?"
Akai shook his head quickly, denying it. But Yuri already knew.
He ruffled Akai's white hair.
"Haha… sure you're fine," he teased.
They kept walking, passing towering buildings and crowds pushing through. Horns blared, neon lights flickered, the city buzzing around them.
Speed Mart.
Akai stepped ahead to grab groceries for his mom. An employee floated items through the air with magic, stacking them neatly on shelves.
Akai and Yuri checked out and headed back outside.
As they walked, two girls passed by.
"The Valorborn Knights were fighting the beasts again," one said.
Akai jumped but forced himself to continue walking.
Finally, they reached the poor side of the city.
A stray dog barked as it ran across the cracked sidewalk. A drone buzzed weakly overhead. Some kids argued over a broken holo-toy.
The whole place felt alive… but worn down.
They reached Akai's home. His mom opened the door with a warm smile.
"H-hi, mom… hi, Riyu. I'm back,"Akai said quietly.
"Hi, Mrs. Kuraiyami,"Yuri added.
"Hi, my son… hi, Yuri," she replied gently.
"Akaaiiii!! Yuki! Yuki!!"
Riyu ran forward, tiny steps full of excitement.
Akai handed his mom the groceries, and they entered the small apartment.
Yuri flopped onto Akai's bed.
"Aaaah, finally…"
From the kitchen:
"I'm making dinner! I'll call you boys in a bit!"
Akai leaned against the wall, tired.
Yuri shifted, sitting up slightly.
"Alright, man… I gotta show you something."
"Remember I'm a late bloomer, right?"Yuri said.
"Mhmm,"Akai answered.
"Well… I got my magic now!!"Yuri said excitedly.
They dabbed each other up.
"Bro, that's good," Akai said awkwardly.
"Don't worry. I know yours will be coming soon,"Yuri said with a smile.
"Ok, Akai… watch this!" Yuri grinned. His arm shimmered and melted into shadow, stretching along the walls and wrapping around a chair… then snapped back into solid form.
*"Whoa…" Akai whispered, eyes wide.
"Shadow Body. My power. Yours is coming, I promise. Just wait."
"But I think there's more to my power… I just don't know it yet,"Yuri added.
"Boys! Dinner is ready!"Akai's mom shouted.
They went to the dining table. Everyone put their arms in a praying position, bowed their heads, and said a short prayer before eating.
"There's a party tonight. Wanna go?" Yuri asked.
"Yes! I'll ask my mom,"Akai answered.
After dinner:
"Mom… can I go to the party tonight?""Yes, but be back by midnight,"she said warmly.
Akai's eyes lit up. Yes!!
Party packed. Music thumped. Lights flashed. People laughed and danced.
Akai met a girl. Sparks flew. Tension in every glance.
Yuri danced with every girl, laughing and joking.
Akai glanced at the clock. When do we leave?
Walking home, shadows stretched around them. Full darkness engulfed the alley.
A figure appeared.
"You have been chosen… chosen by the gods."
Yuri and Akai laughed.
"Wait… did he just say 'gods'?""Yeah… when do I get my wings?"Yuri joked.
"Akai Kuraiyami, you have been chosen with this legendary power. No one can surpass it. At midnight tomorrow… it awakens. Be ready!"
The man vanished.
Akai's mind spun. Chosen by the gods…
Walking home, city sounds returned. Streetlights flickered.
"What if it's true…?" Akai thought."Bro, he's on some hard drugs, man," Yuri laughed.
"Chosen by the gods? Hahaha!"
They reached the end of the street and parted ways.
Akai looked up at the sky. "What if it's true… stop… be cool."
He finally reached home, unlocked the door, trudged upstairs, and jumped on his bed.
"What if it's true… ughhhh…"
Overthinking everything the mysterious man had said, his eyelids grew heavy… and he dozed off.
Far beyond the city, beyond mortal sight, a world of endless twilight shimmered in molten gold. Shadows twisted, towers of light floated, impossible shapes defying logic.
The mysterious man and three gods stood there, glowing.
Blonde man, long hair shimmering gold, eyes seeing all.
Brown-haired man, calm and steady.
White-haired woman, serene yet dangerous.
Black-haired man, sharp and piercing.
"By the will of the Great Gods… the boy is chosen.He carries power no mortal can ever surpass. The balance rests on him."
The blonde god vanished, leaving a faint golden shimmer—a warning. A promise. Akai's fate had already been marked.