The sun sank lazily beyond the horizon, painting the training grounds of the Guild of a Thousand Lights in shades of gold and orange.The wind whispered between the swords planted in the ground, carrying the sound of old promises — and battles yet to come.
Inavy's footsteps echoed across the stone floor, steady and calm. Near the old oak tree, Kelvin waited — arms crossed, eyes lost in the void.
Inavy (smirking): "Well, well… long time no see, Vice-Captain of the Guild of a Thousand Lights."
Kelvin turned slowly. His face seemed more mature, but the weariness in his eyes betrayed a war being fought within.
Kelvin: "It's been a while, Inavy. Sometimes… it feels like something inside me is trying to take control."
Inavy's smile faded. A brief silence followed — heavy with understanding.
Inavy: "You feel it too?"
Before Kelvin could answer—
Darius (shouting, grinning): "Hey! Enough drama! How about you two stop competing to see who's the most tragic and come get some ice cream?"
Rose (teasing): "It's our day off, heroes. Come on, before Darius eats everything himself."
Kelvin and Inavy exchanged glances — the kind that said "why not?" A small smile appeared on both their faces.
Inavy (sighing): "Fine… but you're paying, Darius."
Darius (grinning proudly): "Paying? Me? My charm should be more than enough payment."
Rose (laughing): "Charm doesn't buy dessert, genius."
Their laughter echoed across the field. For a moment, the weight of destiny felt light.The group walked through the bustling streets, beneath glowing signs and distant laughter.
Ice cream. Jokes. Bare feet on the park's grass.A normal day — or as close to normal as heroes could ever get.
But silently, Inavy looked up at the sky, his mind elsewhere."Why do I feel… watched?"
Later that night, at the Stormbreak residence, the atmosphere was warm and welcoming.
Tiana (smiling): "Ray won't be home tonight. He said he was going to train alone."
Inavy nodded, though the unease in his chest grew stronger.Since the last incidents, he knew that when Ray said training, it meant something else. Something greater.
Scene Change — The Isolated Field
A barren field, wrapped in twilight.The air trembled, distorted. The ground cracked with each breath of the man standing at its center.
Ray Stormbreak stood there — eyes closed, his body wrapped in a living tempest.Lightning danced around him like golden serpents.
The wind roared, and the clouds answered his will.
Ray (low, focused): "Almost… ready."
The stones began to rise. The ground burned in shades of blue and white.Thunder roared — not from the sky, but from within him.
Suddenly, the air exploded in light.The ground split open.And there he stood — cloaked in a radiant mantle of pure energy: the form of a Storm Ascension.
Ray: "Divine power… and chaos restrained. Light and destruction, in perfect balance."
He raised his hand. The sky answered with a deafening crash of thunder.For a moment, he seemed more god than man.
Ray (opening his eyes, firm): "I cannot fail. Not this time."
The thunder ceased. The wind grew still.And on the horizon, the first signs of the storm to come began to take shape.
Four Months Later
The entire world buzzed with the news — Inavy Stormbreak, Darius Lorien, and Rose Eldara had officially been promoted to Rank SS+, joining the Top 10 strongest heroes on the planet.
That day, communications between guilds became a symphony of laughter and celebration.
Darius (charismatic, teasing): "Top Ten, baby! Never doubted it for a second. Someone tell the world that Lorien Jr. just became a living legend!"
Rose (smiling): "Oh really? Maybe they should also mention that this 'living legend' still runs from his sister during sparring matches."
Inavy (calm): "Let's just enjoy the moment. The Heroes Festival is coming — time to show the world what we're made of."
At another house, Lorien watched the broadcast with a proud smile.
Lorien: "Darius, you've surpassed everything I ever dreamed of. I'm proud of you, brother."
Darius (grinning): "Keep that in mind, because when I surpass you completely, I don't want any excuses."
They both laughed — the kind of laughter that only family understands.
Meanwhile, Rudius Eldara, leader of the Leviathan Guild, called his sister.
Rudius (smiling): "Rose, seeing you among the top ten leaves me speechless."
Rose (happy): "Thanks, brother. And… there's someone who's been inspiring me a lot lately."
Rudius (pretending to be jealous): "Don't tell me it's Inavy."
Rose (laughing softly): "Maybe…"
A short silence followed, full of meaning. Rudius just smiled — proud and understanding.
At the Stormbreak residence, the celebration continued.Ray, now recovered from his training, raised his glass. The lightning's glow reflected in his eyes.
Ray: "To Inavy — our pride. To the new heroes… and to the future we're about to forge."
The glasses clinked. Laughter filled the air.
Ron (eagerly): "Can I have a sip too?"
Inavy (laughing): "Not yet, champ. You're still too young."
Ron (pouting): "So unfair."
Everyone laughed, and their voices mixed with the wind outside.But behind those smiles, something silent began to stir — the prelude to a new era.
Narrator (voice-over)
"Even in calm… thunder never sleeps.""For every light… is born from chaos."
And high above, beyond the eyes of mortals, the clouds began to gather —a warning of something that not even Ray Stormbreak could contain.
The storm was about to begin.