History has always taught us that humanity evolves through time. Yet, science never advances alone: it progresses thanks to forgotten discoveries, dusty manuscripts, and the visionary minds of yesteryear. Often, it is the scholars of the most remote ages who, unknowingly, make the miracles of the present possible.
MANY YEARS BEFORE YEAR 0
In a place withdrawn from the world, a subterranean structure echoed with a murmur that bordered on the religious. Under the trembling glow of bluish torches, men draped in long white hoods sat in a circle. On the ground, a complex symbol, woven from ancient lines, shimmered with an unsettling light.
Everyone was waiting.
Then, as if pulled from the void, a man appeared in the center of the circle. His deep voice resonated against the stone walls.
"Fellow members, today marks the day of the Ancient Festivals. According to our tradition, one among you shall be chosen. That person will have their name engraved in the memory of men until the end of time. He will be sent to a zone of the END... a place untrodden by any living being. He must obey the instructions and bring his discovery back to the world."
Tension rose like a fever. Beneath the hoods, some hands trembled, while others clenched tightly around knees.
Then a name fell, heavy as a sentence:
"ESAHLT."
A shiver ran through the room.
The man stood up, his step sure but his eyes veiled with emotion. He stepped onto the symbol traced on the floor... and his body dissipated in a burst of light, swallowed by the unknown.
Afterward, the assembly designated other chosen ones. The KID family received the heavy responsibility of embodying an influential lineage, a perfect decoy to attract the suspicions of conspiracy theorists and hide the truth. Others were chosen to become leaders of nations; some were to play the tyrant, others the hero, and still others the visible enemies of invisible forces.
A massive planetary stage play had just been written.
In the shadows, two silhouettes, dressed in modern jackets that contrasted with the ancient tunics, observed the scene without saying a word...
ON EUROPE
EuropeUnys stood before our heroes like an urban jewel. The city, metallic white, seemed to touch the sky. The buildings, carved with almost divine precision, reflected the light in golden shimmers.
Angel opened his eyes wide.
"Wow... It's huge!"
Cyriel smiled.
"Obviously! Well, I have to go see a friend. We'll meet again later, okay? Take care of yourselves. "
He waved a broad goodbye before disappearing into the crowded streets.
The group was left alone, without a lead, but determined to find the Sacred Flame.
Yabal thought long and hard. Since the flame was linked to healing, a hospital was a logical lead. The locals stared at them with a curiosity bordering on suspicion: tourists were rare here.
They were pointed toward the North District, where the great castle of EuropeUnys stood, and right next to it, the most renowned hospital on the continent.
Upon their arrival, Angel and Rhea remained outside the entrance, while Yabal and Leopold went inside to gather information.
Silence settled in. The air was crisp, but heavy.
Angel finally broke the quiet.
"Rhea... How do you feel after everything we've been through? How do you see life now?"
She lowered her eyes. Her fingers trembled slightly.
"I miss everything..." she whispered. "Our old life, my father, my mother... I realize that nothing will ever be the same again. My mother... I want to see her again so badly..."
Her words broke, and tears sprang forth. Angel felt a pang in his heart, so strong that a misty veil rose to his own eyes.
"You know... when you are sad, I can't help but be sad too. You and Yabal, you are my light. You gave meaning to my life."
Rhea looked up.
"Angel..."
"I want to protect you. Just as you once protected me. You are my only family here. My parents... my sister... they are on Earth, and they haven't heard from me in a long time. I miss them too. I need you... I just need us to talk sometimes... to share what we feel."
Touched, Rhea pulled him close. Their embrace had the warmth of two wounded souls still standing.
"I promise you, we will stay together."
Yabal and Leopold were led to a portly doctor named Crou, whose glasses constantly slid down his nose.
"The Eternal Flame?" he said with a shrug. "No chance of it being here. Some say there is one at the castle, but it is impossible to access. Another legend speaks of the Forest of Ryu, to the west. They say it is guarded by a monster... well, fairy tales for children. Personally, I don't believe a word of it."
Yabal frowned.
"Legends sometimes hide truths."
"Ha! For God's sake!" laughed Doctor Crou. "If that were true, the Sacred Animals would exist! They all praise the Phoenix, but it has never appeared. Bah! Believe in science, my little ones, not in old wives' tales!"
Yabal sighed, exasperated.
"Another stubborn scientist... Come on, Leopold, let's go."
"The Flame might be in the Forest of Ryu," explained Leopold. "And if that's true, we should go there."
Angel wiped away the last traces of tears.
"Then let's go!"
"Okay!!"
To the west, the forest stood immense and silent. At first glance, nothing distinguished it from other woods. Yet, something vibrated in the air, like an invisible breath.
Then, suddenly, Rhea's eyes changed.
Her sclera turned black, shining like a star-studded sky.
A shiver ran through her body.
"Rhea?" called Angel.
She did not answer. Before her, glowing footprints appeared, winding between the trees. As if in a trance, she walked forward without a word. The others, worried but trusting, followed her.
The path led them before a massive stone temple, covered in moss and ancient symbols. At that moment, Rhea's eyes returned to normal, and she brought a hand to her head.
"I'm okay... I'm okay..." she said, breathing heavily.
On the temple walls, six symbols were engraved: Fire, Water, Air, Earth, an eight-pointed star, and a broken vase. Each seemed to emit an ancient energy.
Our heroes approached, amazed.
Suddenly, a gravelly voice resonated in the dark.
Slow, dragging footsteps approached.
"I hope you arrived safely, children of the END..."
An old man emerged from the shadows. His skin resembled cracked bark, traversed by fine roots. His eyes, however, shone with a wise and unsettling light.
He leaned on a cane made of braided branches.
"I am Brest, of the Chichi Tribe..."
A mysterious smile appeared on his face.
And the destiny of the heroes had just shifted.