The school bell rang, but Kael barely noticed. The corridors were crowded with students talking and laughing, some gossiping about UFOs and strange meteors streaking across the night sky, others laughing at trivial school drama. Kael's hoodie was pulled over his head, and his steps were quiet, almost invisible. He tried to make himself small, keep his head down, avoid attention.
"You loser! Give me your CW and watch!" Riyuta's voice rang out, sharp and cruel, shattering the calm Kael tried to maintain. Before Kael could react, Riyuta shoved him against the lockers. The impact jarred his shoulders, and pain shot through his arms.
Kael stumbled, trying to regain balance, but Riyuta was relentless. Another punch connected with Kael's shoulder. He winced, vision blurring slightly, and felt the weight of helplessness pressing down on him. His fists clenched, but he didn't dare retaliate. Fighting back had never been an option.
"Why do you even walk like that? Like a shadow hiding from the world?" Riyuta sneered, looming over Kael. "You think no one notices you? Pathetic."
Kael froze. There was nothing he could say, nothing he could do. His stomach twisted with fear. He felt trapped.
Then, a calm but firm voice cut through the chaos. "Enough."
Kael's head snapped to the side. Ren had appeared beside him, black hair falling over his eyes, sharp and commanding. There was no hesitation in the way Ren moved—every motion radiated precision and deadly focus. Kael felt a strange surge of relief and awe. This wasn't just his best friend; this was a shield, a force he could rely on.
"You want him?" Ren said, voice low but cutting through the tension like steel.
Riyuta laughed, trying to mask his surprise. "Or what, Black-hair?"
Ren didn't answer. His fist moved before anyone could blink. It slammed into Riyuta's chest with a thunderous force. Riyuta went sprawling across the floor, gasping, clutching his chest. The rest of the gang froze, their confidence shattered in a heartbeat.
But Ren wasn't finished. Riyuta scrambled to his feet, gritting his teeth, ready to attack again. Ren dodged his wild swing with an almost effortless grace, then delivered a crushing kick to Riyuta's side. Riyuta cried out, staggering back against the lockers.
The gang tried to overwhelm Ren together, rushing him from different directions. Each of them was met with swift, calculated strikes: a punch to the jaw here, a precise kick to the chest there. One bully slammed into the floor so hard the lockers rattled. Another tried to grab Ren from behind, but Ren twisted, breaking the hold, and sent the bully stumbling.
Kael watched in stunned silence. His best friend was unstoppable—fast, strong, and in complete control of the chaos. It wasn't just strength; it was skill, intelligence, and the quiet confidence of someone who had never lost.
The fight went on, a flurry of movement and sound echoing through the corridor. Riyuta attempted to charge again, but Ren caught his arm mid-swing, twisting him around and sending him crashing into the wall. The impact echoed like a gunshot.
By the time the teacher arrived, panting from the hallway noise and commotion, all the bullies were bruised, battered, and groaning. Punishment was immediate. Each one of them was assigned cleaning duty for a full week. Riyuta glared at Ren, humiliation and rage flashing across his face, but he didn't dare speak.
Ren finally turned to Kael. Brushing dust from his sleeve, he gave Kael a faint smile. "See you tomorrow," he said lightly. And with that, he walked away, leaving Kael standing alone amidst the aftermath.
Kael exhaled slowly, heart still racing. Ren wasn't just his best friend—he was his protector, his shield in a world that had always ignored him. Watching him disappear down the hallway, Kael felt the crushing weight of loneliness settle in once again.
He continued walking home, the streets quieter now, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows. That's when he noticed a faint, unnatural glow coming from a narrow alley off the main road. Curiosity pulled him closer. The glow intensified, swirling with an otherworldly energy. As he stepped forward, he realized it wasn't just light—it was a portal. A doorway to something unknown, something dangerous.
Kael peered into it, and the world around him seemed to warp and twist. The air hummed with power. On the portal's surface, faint symbols shimmered like they were alive, and above it floated the words: ECHOVERSE Mission Gateway.
A chill ran down his spine. He hesitated, heart pounding. His legs trembled, but the pull of the portal was irresistible. He stepped forward—and in an instant, the world changed.
He landed in a desolate landscape, jagged rocks protruding like the spines of some great beast. The sky was a sickly shade of gray, and the wind carried the scent of danger. Before he could gather his bearings, a massive shadow loomed ahead.
The monster was enormous, claws like scythes, teeth glinting under the faint light. It growled, a sound so deep it vibrated through Kael's bones. It lunged.
Kael barely dodged, rolling to the side as the creature's claws sliced through the rocky ground where he had been standing. He scrambled to his feet, striking desperately, but each attack felt useless. The monster was fast, brutal, and relentless.
A swipe sent Kael flying across the terrain. Pain tore through his ribs, and blood ran down his arms. His vision blurred. Each step felt heavier than the last. He tried to call out, tried to find an opening—but the monster anticipated his moves, circling him, waiting for a mistake.
Kael's chest heaved, heart pounding. Death had never felt so close. Every instinct screamed for him to run, to fight, to survive, but the monster's sheer power was overwhelming.
He lunged one last time, desperation fueling his movements. But the monster slammed into him with a force that sent him sprawling across jagged rocks, pain exploding through his body.
Kael tried to rise. He gasped for air, blood dripping from multiple wounds. The monster loomed over him, claws poised for the final strike.
And then—
Everything went black.