The clock struck 12:00 AM. A cold breeze flowed through the open window as Haru's eyes snapped open.
Something was pulling him.
He quietly stepped out of bed, the floor cool under his feet. The house was silent, asleep. As he opened the rooftop door, the night sky welcomed him—dark and endless, scattered with stars that blinked like distant eyes.
There, in the moonlight, stood the figure he had come to expect.
Mask.
This time, Haru didn't flinch. His voice was calm, almost sarcastic.
"You're two minutes late."
A faint chuckle came from the shadowed man.
"Actually… you're the one who's late."
Haru tilted his head. "What are you talking about?"
Mask stepped forward, the moonlight revealing the edge of a pale, featureless mask. His voice grew sharper.
"In this world, if you're late by even a second… someone could die. If you hesitate while facing a devil power user, that hesitation could cost a life."
A chill ran down Haru's spine.
"But…" he whispered, "why me? Why am I the one chosen for this?"
Mask looked at him silently for a moment, as if peering into his soul.
"You weren't cursed, Haru. You were chosen. You have a gift—and in the entire universe, no one can stop you, if you truly learn to control it."
Haru's eyes narrowed, uncertain. "Then teach me. I want to understand. I want to know… everything."
Mask nodded slowly. "Very well. Let me tell you the truth. But listen carefully…"
---
🕯️ The History of Power: A Forgotten War
The air around them seemed to shift—heavy and ancient. Even the stars above seemed to listen.
Mask's voice dropped, as though speaking across time.
"Millions of years ago, demonic power swept across the human world like a storm. The skies turned black. Fires raged. The ground was littered with corpses. Humanity was on the verge of extinction, crying out for divine help."
"One day, through the smoke and ruin, a lone figure stepped forward."
A vision began forming in Haru's mind as if the words were painting the past.
"He stood before the Demon Lord—Hell, ruler of darkness—and challenged him."
Haru's heartbeat quickened.
Mask continued, his tone turning fierce.
"The Demon Lord laughed. 'You're just a mortal. You think you can face me?'"
"The man didn't answer. He simply raised his hand. 'Let's begin.'"
"A sword was drawn. The battle started with a blast so powerful, it cracked the sky. The world trembled. Dust and flames rose high."
"But when the smoke cleared… the man was still standing. Unharmed. Not a scratch."
The Demon Lord was shaken. 'Who are you?'
"The man replied, 'This is my turn now. Arise—Destruction of Darkness!'"
A black blade rose from the shadows, glowing with divine fury. The Demon Lord's eyes widened in disbelief.
'Impossible… That weapon belongs to the divine realm…'
"And then came the truth," Mask said, eyes gleaming under the moonlight.
"'I am the God of Creation, and I've come to end this war.'"
Haru felt goosebumps down his arms. The weight of the tale crushed his breath.
"The Demon Lord was forced back into the underworld, but before disappearing, he swore revenge. 'I will return… and this world will burn.'"
---
Haru swallowed hard. "But… if the God of Creation won, why is this still happening?"
Mask's voice turned grim.
"Because the Demon Lord is rising again. Stronger. He's building an army of devil power users, growing more dangerous by the day. And now… the world needs a new protector."
"You."
Haru felt a knot tighten in his chest. "I don't even know how to use any power… How can I fight?"
"You'll learn," Mask said simply. "I'll teach you. Your training starts tomorrow."
There was silence for a moment. Only the wind spoke.
Mask turned to leave, but looked back one last time.
"Good night… upcoming hero."
And with that, he vanished into the night, leaving Haru standing alone beneath the stars, heart pounding with fear, wonder, and destiny.