Kiren was just a teenager like many others… except he spent hours locked in his room playing video games and reading action manga, shōnen, and even a few romance stories. He wasn't popular at school, had few friends, and his laid-back, almost apathetic attitude made him a boy of few words.
That morning, he planned to head to the store to buy some manga after classes. He woke up lazily, went straight to the shower, and after getting ready, went downstairs to the dining room. His mother wasn't there, but she had left him a note next to a bowl of cereal:
Had to leave early for the office. Have breakfast and I hope you have a good day. Hugs and kisses, Mom.
At the bottom, several little hearts were drawn, along with the mark of a kiss from her pink lipstick.
—Again with the same thing… —he sighed—. Everything's so boring.
He ate without much interest and went outside to wait for the school bus. His distant gaze and sleepy face caught the eyes of passersby, who looked at him with mild disdain. He yawned constantly, chewing as if savoring an invisible candy.
A PSSHHHH announced the school bus pulling up in front of him. He got on and, while his classmates chatted noisily, walked down the aisle. The front and middle seats were full, but there was an empty one at the very back. He hurried and sat next to a girl with large glasses, short red hair, and a rather unsettling gaze.
Kiren grew a bit nervous. Without looking at him, she kept flipping through the pages of a sketchbook filled with characters he instantly recognized. He glanced over and, unable to contain his curiosity, asked:
—Did you draw those?
The girl's eyes widened slightly, and she shrugged. Without an answer, Kiren decided not to bother her further. He took out his phone, put on his earphones, and let the music carry him away.
Before long, they arrived at school. Everyone got off, except for him and the girl, who were the last to stand. When she walked ahead of him, he felt a strange skip in his chest.
—Come on, kid, off the bus! I don't have all day —the driver growled.
Kiren stepped down heavily, swallowing hard as his foot hit the last step.
—Kiren! Kiren! —his only friend at school was calling him from a distance.
But a loud BEEP-BEEP-BEEP and shouting cut everything short. A car, chased by the police, skidded, jumped the curb, smashing chairs and hitting several students. It was heading straight for him.
—Shi—! —he tried to dodge.
CRASH!
He avoided the fatal blow, but the side of the car clipped him, sending him off balance. His head slammed against the pavement. His vision blurred.
Distant voices. Darkness.
Falling. Falling into an endless void.
—AHHHHHH! —his scream vanished into nothingness.
A blinding silver flash engulfed him, and suddenly he felt something cushion his fall. It wasn't his body… it was something stronger, more agile.
He looked around: ancient streets, people in period clothing, medieval-style houses… but also strange vehicles floating above the ground.
He noticed he was high up, as if standing on the top of a tower. He stumbled and plummeted.
—No, no, no! —fear gripped him.
THUMP!
He landed on his feet.
—I'm… okay? What the hell…? —he looked at his hands: they weren't hands, but sharp claws.
A young woman saw him and stepped back, pale.
—Are you all right? —Kiren asked, confused.
She screamed, a sharp, piercing cry. The crowd began to run, begging for mercy. Without understanding anything, he ran too… but soon realized he was moving far too fast, like lightning.
BAM! —he leapt, crashing through a rooftop as he landed. Inside, a mirror reflected the image of… a grotesque creature.
—No way…
—Stop right there, demon! —a voice thundered.
Several soldiers in sophisticated armor approached.
—Demon? I'm not… —his voice was deep, distorted—. Wh-what is this voice?
Above their heads floated numbers: most were low, between 2 and 5. The leader bore a 6.
—By order of the king, do not move or I swear we'll kill you!
—Kill me? I haven't done anything!
—Soldiers, ready positions!
—Wait…!
But his right hand fired a blast of energy without his consent. The leader blocked it with his shield.
—Attack!
CLANG!SWISH!CLANG!
Weapons clashed as Kiren vaulted over them, landing on a rooftop. Arrows and spears sliced through the air (FSSSH!WHAM!). He dashed across, smashing tiles underfoot, the wind whipping his face.
—This is… amazing! —he shouted, exhilarated.
But suddenly, a young woman, beautiful and armed with a crimson sword and matching shield, blocked his path. Above her head floated a number: 20.
—This is where you fall, monster.
Kiren tried to stop, but slipped on a slope of stone.
WHOOM! —a crimson wave burst from her sword, slamming into his chest.
—Ughhh!
BOOOOM!
The strike hurled him like a meteor into the city's center. The impact sent out a shockwave (KRRRAAASH!), cracking foundations and toppling weaker structures.
And just when he thought the worst was over… a shadow larger than the storm moved before him.