■ FLASHBACK
*"Wait!! Let me explain everything, it's not what it seems..."*
*"LIAR!!" (with a loud voice)*
■ PRESENT
As dawn broke over Eldoria, pale light filtered through the thin curtains of a small, cluttered room. Noah sat up on his worn-out bed, the quiet hum of the city barely audible in the distance.
His eyes fell on a single photograph resting on the bedside table. Two faces stared back at him—their smiles frozen in time, untouched by the years that had passed. He picked it up carefully, his fingers brushing over the faded edges.
For a moment, he sat perfectly still, studying the image as if searching for something he'd lost. Then, with quiet resolve, he pulled the photo from its frame.
"Sorry," he whispered.
The picture tore easily in his hands, the sound sharp in the morning silence. He let the pieces fall to the floor without looking down.
Rising from the bed, he stepped over the torn fragments and walked out of the room, leaving them behind like everything else from his past.
---
After a quick breakfast, Noah prepared for his first day at SHO. The streets of Eldoria buzzed with early morning activity as he navigated through the maze of alleys and towering buildings toward the Training Ground in the Levitation Sector.
The neon lights of Sector 11 cast an ethereal glow over the SHO Training Ground's main entrance. As Noah approached the gate, a security robot scanned him.
"Sir, may I see your identification?" the robot requested in its mechanical tone.
Noah handed over his ID without a word.
"Scanning... Ah, you're Noah, age 21, new recruit. Today marks your first day at SHO, correct?" - Robot
"Yeah." - Noah
The gate hissed open. "You may proceed. Welcome to SHO!"
Inside, Noah was met by the stern gaze of General Mariana, a seasoned Elite Hunter from WAD-1 who commanded the training grounds and headed the SHO hunter corps.
"Hey! You there, stop," she called out, her voice cutting through the morning air.
Noah turned, raising an eyebrow. "Me?"
"Show me your identification."
He handed it over along with his recruitment card. "Here."
General Mariana's eyebrows rose slightly as she examined the documents. "A recruitment card... interesting. This means you've already demonstrated considerable skill and potential." She looked him up and down. "Head to Block-B for orientation."
"Understood," Noah replied, pocketing his ID.
Noah walked into Block-B as the hall buzzed with noise. The moment he stepped in, the room fell silent, as if everyone felt something special about him. Suddenly, a scared boy ran in, shouting, "RUN! RUN! Epic Grade Spirits have entered the Levitation Sector!" The panic spread quickly.
General Mariana, one of the best fighters after the Special Grades, immediately took charge. "Everyone, run to Block-A—quick!" she yelled.
As the crowd hurried away, a thunderous crash shook the building. The wall exploded inward, concrete and metal flying in all directions. Through the smoke and debris, a massive Epic Grade Spirit emerged, blocking their escape.
"GeneralMariana : (Contacts SHO HQ) WE ARE UNDER ATTACK! I repeat we are..un..under attack ! Spirits of Epic grade have managed to enter Levitation Sector, SEND ELITE HUNTERS NOW!"
Emergency alarms blared across Eldoria as hunters geared up for battle. Government of ELDORIA declared an emergency shutdown in mainland and tightened the security. Everyone started hiding in their houses.
The few veteran hunters present took defensive positions, but several newer staff members retreated to safer distances, their faces pale with terror. Some tried to help evacuate panicking recruits while others simply stood frozen by the magnitude of the threat.
Mariana launched herself at the nearest Spirit without hesitation—one of the more muscular variants with arms like tree trunks. Her blade carved an arc of light through the dust-filled air, connecting with the creature's waist, but barely scratched its armored hide. The Spirit's response was immediate and brutal—a four-armed assault that forced her to retreat, parrying desperately as claws whistled past her head.
She rolled under a sweeping attack and came up slashing at its legs, but two more Spirits flanked her from opposite sides. One of the lean variants moved with serpentine grace, its elongated limbs allowing it to attack from unexpected angles while its muscular companion used brute force to smash through her defenses.
"Mariana!" one of the other hunters called out, but he was pinned down by his own opponent—a wiry Spirit that seemed to flow like liquid shadow.
The General found herself giving ground steadily, her silver blade a blur of defensive movements as six Epic Grade Spirits began to encircle her. Blood ran from a dozen small cuts where claws had found their mark, and her breathing grew labored as the creatures pressed their numerical advantage.
"This is it," she muttered, backing toward the center of the room as the Spirits tightened their circle. There was no escape, no reinforcements close enough to matter.
Then something moved with impossible speed.
A blur of motion crossed the room faster than human eyes could track, and suddenly Noah was there—not beside Mariana, but directly in front of her, his body acting as a shield between her and the advancing Spirits.
Without hesitation, he dropped to one knee and placed his palm flat against the rubble-strewn floor. His lips moved, speaking words in a language that seemed to twist the air itself—ancient syllables that resonated with power older than human civilization.
"*Vethari nul asthen mor'dun keleth nai*," he whispered, and the very atoms seemed to vibrate in response.
Noah rose to his feet, his movements fluid and controlled.Then he raised his head, and when he spoke again, his voice carried the authority of storm winds and earthquake tremors.
"LUNAR ECLIPSE FORM-ONE: ETERNAL SHIELD!"
The world exploded into blue light.
Chunks of concrete and twisted metal began to rise from the floor, defying gravity as they orbited around Noah like a miniature solar system. His eyes blazed with brilliant blue radiance that cast sharp shadows in every direction, and the air itself seemed to crystallize around him.
A perfect circle of crackling blue energy erupted outward from his position, expanding like a shockwave until it formed a dome twenty feet in diameter. The barrier's surface rippled with liquid starlight, its edges sharp enough to cut reality itself.
The six Epic Grade Spirits struck the shield simultaneously, their combined assault sending thunderous impacts through the training ground. The floor cracked beneath their feet, windows shattered throughout the building, but the barrier held firm. More than that—the energy discharge sent all six creatures flying backward, their massive forms crashing into walls and support pillars with bone-crushing force.
Inside the protective dome, Mariana stared in shock as debris continued to orbit around Noah's kneeling form. The blue flames of his power cast everything in an otherworldly glow, and she could feel the raw energy radiating from him like heat from a forge.
"What are you?" she whispered.
The Spirits were already recovering, their durability allowing them to shrug off impacts that would have pulverized normal creatures. They regrouped with predatory patience, their red eyes fixed on the glowing barrier that stood between them and their prey.
Noah's hands moved through a complex series of gestures—symbols that seemed to leave glowing traces in the air before fading. Each movement was precise, purposeful, as if he were writing equations in the language of reality itself.
The Spirits charged again, all six moving in coordination. The muscular variants led the assault while the lean ones flanked, their four arms working in perfect synchronization as they hammered against the blue barrier.
Noah completed his final gesture, he raised his right hand and pointed his index finger toward the sky, it appeared as if lighting struck at his finger. When he spoke, his voice carried the finality of judgment itself.
"PHOENIX STRIKE!"
The attack wasn't a simple energy blast—it was a fundamental rewriting of the space around them. A massive slash of pure blue energy erupted from Noah's position, cutting through the air with the sound of reality tearing. The attack moved faster than light, faster than thought, a crescent of annihilation that encompassed all six Epic Grade Spirits in a single, devastating arc.
For a moment, the world held its breath.
Then the Spirits simply... came apart. Not destroyed so much as unmade, their molecular bonds severed by forces beyond physical law. They dissolved into scattered particles of shadow and light, their forms unraveling like smoke in a hurricane.
The supernatural slash continued past its targets, carving through support pillars as if they were paper. Ancient concrete and steel fell like dominoes, and where the energy had passed, blue flames sprang to life—not burning the debris, but somehow existing alongside it, casting ethereal light through the settling dust.
Silence fell over the training ground, broken only by the crackle of supernatural fire and the groan of a building trying to hold itself together despite massive structural damage. Noah stood at the center of the destruction, his power slowly fading back to dormancy, leaving only a young man with tired eyes and dust on his uniform.
The protective barrier flickered and dissolved, and the orbiting debris settled to the ground with gentle precision. Where six Epic Grade Spirits had stood moments before, only empty air remained—not even shadows to mark their passing.
General Mariana stared at him in shock, her weapon hanging forgotten at her side. Around the room, the few survivors—hunters and recruits alike—looked at Noah as if he had just rewritten the laws of physics.
Which, perhaps, he had.
"What... what are you?" Mariana whispered again.
Before Noah could answer, the sound of approaching vehicles filled the air. Elite Hunters burst through the breached walls, their weapons ready and their faces grim with battle-ready determination. They found only blue flames dancing among fallen pillars, and a training ground full of people looking at one recruit as if he had just performed a miracle.
In the aftermath of Noah's miraculous intervention, the training ground lay in ruins, but the threat had been neutralized. At that time Elite hunters also arrived there who evacuated everyone, General Mariana was also gravely injured, so she was taken to the hospital.
Noah's valor during the assault catapulted him to fame in Eldoria, earning him widespread acclaim and admiration. As whispers of his extraordinary abilities started spreading like wildfire.
---
## THE SUMMONS
Two hours later, Noah sat in an unmarked vehicle as it made its way through the maze of Eldoria's inner sectors. The Elite Hunters who had escorted him from the training ground maintained professional silence, but he could feel their eyes on him through the rear-view mirror.
SHO Headquarters loomed ahead—a monolithic structure that seemed to absorb light rather than reflect it. Security checkpoints marked every entrance, and the building itself was surrounded by enough defensive measures to stop a small army.
They led him through corridors lined with portraits of fallen hunters, their faces serious and their eyes following visitors with the weight of sacrifice. The air here was different—charged with the authority of an organization that held humanity's survival in its hands.
He was sent to a dimly lit room, sparsely furnished, with a single desk and two chairs. Commander Garick sits behind the desk, his face partially shadowed. Noah enters and takes a seat across from him, his expression calm but unreadable.
"Commander Garick :- (leaning back in his chair, studying Noah intently) Noah. It's good to finally meet you. I'm Commander Garick."
"Noah :- (sits down without a word, his expression neutral, eyes locked on Garick)"
"Commander GARICK :- (leans forward, resting his elbows on the desk) You've made quite the impression, you know. People are talking.They think you might be... different."
"Noah:- Come straight to the point ! What do you want?"
"Commander GARICK:- (smirks faintly, his tone sharpening) Straight to the point. I like that. We want you in the Special Grade division. Your abilities are beyond exceptional, and SHO needs people like you."
"Noah:-Special grade ?? "
"Commander GARICK:- You know, I'm getting different kind of vibes from you, there's something special about you....something really special.You seems smart enough and I think you already know about SPECIAL GRADES...isn't it ?"
"Noah :- YES, I know about SPECIAL GRADES."
"Commander GARICK :- I've heard about you… Noah, isn't it? If I'm not wrong, you're the son of Dr. Williams, right?"
"Noah :- Leave him out of this. I know you want my signature. Fine, take it."
"Commander GARICK :- Theseare the papers, take it and sign it."
"Noah :- (Signing the paper)
"Commander GARICK :- WELCOME TO SHO, now you are a SPECIAL GRADE hunter. By tomorrow you will be selected in a unit.
*NOAH SMILES STRANGERLY.
* SPECIAL GRADE :- Special Grade is a designation given to hunters in the Spirit Hunters Organization (SHO) who possess exceptional skills and abilities. Special grade hunters are the most skilled and powerful hunters in the organization, capable of handling the most challenging missions and dealing with the most powerful spirits. They are considered the elite of the elite when it comes to hunting capabilities.
*SPECIAL GRADES are also part of WAD-1.
* E-Unit :- An E-Unit (Elite Unit) in SHO is a standard unit composed of three elite hunters and one medic. These units are deployed for missions involving strong spirits or crucial missions. Each member of the E-Unit plays a specific role, with the three elite hunters assuming combat roles while the medic provides essential medical support and assistance.
*SG-Unit :- The SG-Unit (Special Grade Unit) is an elite team within the SHO, composed of four Special Grade hunters. These hunters possess exceptional abilities and powers that set them apart from regular hunters. They are tasked with handling high-level spirit missions that require a unique set of skills and expertise.
*Next Day,
Noah woke up from his makeshift bed and noticed a letter behind him, the official seal of the SHO Headquarters marked the top, bold words commanding his attention: he had been assigned to unit SG-04.
A flicker of determination stirred within him. Without hesitation, Noah rose from his bed. The worn fabric of his clothes whispered as he peeled them off, piece by piece—the faded shirt falling from his shoulders, the threadbare pants sliding down his legs. Now standing naked and vulnerable, he took a deep breath, steeling himself for the day ahead.
He stepped into the small washroom and twisted open the tap. The water thundered cold against his back, shocking breath from his lungs.
Steam crept along the cracked edges of the mirror. Noah hunched, watching his pale reflection sharpen and blur, droplets slicking the contours of his chest and the taut lines along his arms. He exhaled, flexed one bicep, then both—studying the play of muscle beneath his skin, the faint bruises and the old scars mapped across his body. Water collected at his collarbones and traced downward.
For a moment longer, he just stared—searching for something in the hard shape of his own eyes. Then he shut off the tap and let the hush settle, the beat of water echoing in silence.
After freshening up and having a simple breakfast, Noah put on his Special Grade uniform and made his way to HQ.
Navigating his way through the maze of alleys and towering buildings, he reached the main gate of the HQ and was stopped there by an elite hunter.
"HUNTER:- Hey, Stop right there !! "
"NOAH :- Huh...why ?? "
"HUNTER :- Don't you know the protocols."
"NOAH :- I know the protocols....do you know who I am ?? "
"HUNTER :- Watch your tone, rookie ! "
"NOAH:- I AM NOAH, A Special grade.....now let me in. (In a serious voice)"
"HUNTER :- Noah ?? You are the one who saved Mariana, right ?? "
"Noah :- (smirks) Yeah, that's me."
"HUNTER :- Oo, Apologies....I'm Ryder, Nice to meet you. Welcome to SHO HQ, Noah. We've been expecting you."
"Noah :- (nods) Thanks. I'm looking forward to get started."
"RYDER :- You're part of unit SG-04, right ? You'll be meeting your teammates soon."
"Noah :- Hmm...sounds good."
"RYDER :- Briefing's about to start. You'll learn more then."
Noah nods, and Ryder leads him to the briefing room.
BRIEFING ROOM,
"STEPHEN :- You're the third member, right ?? Where's the fourth? Supposed to be four of us ?? "
"LYRA :- NOAH should be on his way."
"STEPHEN :-Noah?? Noah isn't the guy who saved MARIANA ? "
"LYRA :- Yup, that NOAH."
"CLARIE :- Guys, I heard that he killed almost 6 epic grades with one bow !"
"LYRA :- Yeah, it's crazy."
"STEPHEN :- (Smirking) Really...?? "
At that moment, the door suddenly slams open, and Noah steps in with a confident stride. He exudes an aura of power and authority, drawing the attention of everyone in the room.
"NOAH :- Apologies for the wait."
"INSTRUCTOR:- Everyone please sit down!"
●The instructor cleared her throat, drawing everyone's attention back to her.
**INSTRUCTOR**: "Before we move on, it's crucial to understand the risks involved in your upcoming missions. The Spirit threat is real, and facing them can result in severe injury or even death. Every decision you make could have life-or-death consequences, not just for you but for your team."
•She paced the room, her expression serious.
**INSTRUCTOR**: "Now, the most important thing, regarding your assault gear. Assault gear is a is a set of equipments that Spirit hunters use. Each piece is designed specifically to enhance your capabilities in the field and to protect you against Spirit attacks."
•She gestured toward a display of equipment.
**INSTRUCTOR**: "First, the *Jetpack*. It allows for aerial mobility, giving you an advantage in combat and helping you navigate challenging terrain. Mastering its use could mean the difference between life and death."
•The group nodded, absorbing the information.
**INSTRUCTOR**: "Next, the *Slaughterer*. Each of you will have a weapon uniquely attuned to your abilities. This weapon is an extension of your soul. Train with it, learn its strengths and weaknesses—these will be your primary means of defense."
**INSTRUCTOR**: "Then we have the *UVS*, or the Ultraviolet Source. This is a powerful light which is essential for weakening lower-grade Spirits. Use it wisely; you'll need to strategize when and how to deploy it."
•She continued, her tone growing more intense.
**INSTRUCTOR**: "The*SMP Armor* is special armor designed to withstand Spirit attacks. It will absorb some of the energy from attacks, but it's not invincible. Know your limits."
•Finally, she pointed to the*S-Tracker*.
**INSTRUCTOR**: "This device will keep you connected to HQ during missions. If you encounter trouble, use it to call for backup. Don't underestimate its importance; it could save your lives. This deviceis just like a GPS, it will help you to find your way back to Eldoria after a mission."
•Noah and his teammates exchanged glances, the weight of the responsibility settling in.
**INSTRUCTOR**: "Remember, your training isn't just about honing your skills; it's about learning to rely on each other. You will face formidable challenges. Stay alert, work together, and you may come out alive, Is everything clear !!"
EVERYONE :- "YES !!"
Few hours later,
The briefing came to an end. Noah, still processing the day's events, watched as the recruits filed out of the room, their faces a mixture of apprehension and excitement. His mind raced with thoughts of his awakening powers. The energy that had surged through him during the attack still pulsed faintly in his veins.
As he stood to leave, Commander Garick approached him, his expression was unreadable.
Garick: "Noah. I need you to stay sharp. We'll be needing your skills sooner than you think."
Noah nodded, feeling the weight of Garick's words. The Commander's tone wasn't just an order—it was a warning.
Noah (thinking): Something's coming... I can feel it. But what?
As Noah exited the room, the door closed behind him with a solid thud. The hum of the SHO headquarters filled the air, but Noah felt a strange, creeping silence in his thoughts. Something about the current events felt wrong—off, even.
*(Garick's Perspective)*
As Noah walked away, the focus shifted back to Garick, who stood silently in the empty briefing room. He took a deep breath, straightened his jacket, and glanced at the clock on the wall. The debriefing was done, but his work for the day had only just begun.
His eyes narrowed, thoughts moving around the Sector-11 (Training Ground) incident. The Spirits' unexpected breach, Noah's unexplained powers, the internal unrest within the SHO. It was all connected—he just didn't know how. Yet.
Garick let out a deep breath, his usual calm look fading a bit. He had to stay in control. There was no room for doubt now.
Garick walked briskly through the dimly lit halls toward the inner sanctum of SHO headquarters. The large conference doors loomed ahead of him, guarded by Four elite hunters. With a brief nod, they opened the doors for him.
---
■ The conference room in SHO Headquarters felt heavy with tension. The President sat at the head of the table, surrounded by various ministers, all looking serious. Commander Garick sat across from them, his hands clenched in frustration.
**President:** "We need to talk about what happened at the Training Ground. This attack has made people doubt our security. We can't let this get worse."
**Minister of Defense:** "All of us knows that the Spirits came from the Sector-9 Research Facility. How could they escape? Our security was supposed to keep them locked up!"
•Garick leaned forward, his voice tense.
**Commander Garick:** "We found holes in the ground at the Training Ground that lead straight to our facility. Someone broke through our security. We have to find out who did this."
•The ministers looked at each other, concerned.
**Minister of Internal Security:** "If the public finds out that Spirits got out from our facility, it will cause panic. We need to keep this under wraps."
**President:** "Exactly. We can't let fear spread. We need a plan to show we are in control. I think we have to make a Fake investigation team."
•Garick's frown deepened as he realized where this was heading.
**Commander Garick:** "But making a fake investigation team? That's just hiding the truth! We need to deal with this honestly, or we'll end up in bigger trouble."
**Minister of Science:** "Come on, Garick. We're not trying to hide anything; we're trying to keep people safe. This isn't the time to act like a hero."
**Minister of Technology:** (laughing) "Yeah, Garick, stop pretending you're the only one who can handle this. We can't have you running around like some knight."
•Garick's jaw tightened, but he stood firm.
**Commander Garick:** "This is serious! The safety of Eldoria is at risk. If we don't address this, we're inviting disaster."
**Minister of Defense:** "And what do you want us to do? Admit that we've been keeping Spirits locked up? That would create chaos. We can't afford that."
•The President rubbed his forehead, frustrated.
**President:** "So what's our plan? How do we manage this without revealing our secrets?"
**Minister of Internal Security:** "As you said earlier, we will set up a fake investigation team. They will pretend to investigate and announce that we are improving security. This will keep the public distracted."
**Minister of Science:** (sarcastically) "Don't worry, Garick. We'll make sure they wear their best detective hats."
•A few ministers laughed, but Garick remained serious.
**Commander Garick:** "This isn't a joke! Do you really think making fun of this will keep us safe? This is about real lives!"
•Despite Garick's warnings, the ministers were firm.
**President:** "We'll go ahead with the investigation team. Garick, you will give them just enough information to make it seem real. No details that could point back to the facility."
•Garick stood up, his frustration boiling over.
**Commander Garick:** "I'll do what you ask, but remember: hiding the truth is dangerous. When the public finds out what really happened, it will be a disaster."
•As he walked out of the room, he could hear whispers behind him.
**Minister of Technology:** "What a drama queen. Does he really think he's a hero?"
**Minister of Defense:** "He takes everything too seriously. Someone should tell him this isn't a fantasy."
**Commander Garick:** "YOU ALL ARE JUST COWARDS !! COWARDS !!....Who's just scared of truth."
Garick left the room, feeling the weight of their mockery. He knew they were playing a risky game. The secrets of Sector-9 would eventually come to light, and when they did, everyone would have to face the consequences.
●FLASHBACK
Noah sat alone in his dark room, heart
racing. Outside, kids laughed and
played, but he felt trapped.
Suddenly, the door opened. A big
shadow filled the doorway. Noah's
stomach dropped.
"Where were you?" the voice growled.
Noah looked down, scared.
Without warning, the figure grabbed
him and pulled him close. "You think
you can get away?"
A hand struck his face. Pain shot
through him, and he fell to the ground.
"Why can't you be better..huh?" the voice
yelled. Noah curled up, tears in his
eye.
Each hit felt like it was breaking him,
but deep inside, something strong
began to rise.
When the figure left, slamming the
door behind them, Noah lay there
crying. In that dark moment, he made a
promise: "One day...one day I swear I will kill you."