Long ago
A mysterious portal suddenly appeared in the heart of Azura City, a sprawling metropolis. Chaos erupted as panicked citizens reported the strange phenomenon. From the swirling void, a desperate figure emerged, promising to unlock the city's hidden magical potential in exchange for help. Blinded by the allure of power, the authorities agreed to the stranger's request.
Their trust was a mistake. The outsider, now empowered, revealed his true goal: to exploit the awakened magic and enslave Azura City. Unbeknownst to him, a secret group of elite warriors had been monitoring the situation. These fighters were far too powerful for the weakened outsider. They defeated him, banishing him back to his own world. In a final act of spite, he cloned the portal, creating countless new ones that led to terrifying realms filled with monsters.
In response, the government established the Shield, an organization dedicated to protecting the city from the creatures pouring through the portals. However, after the outsider's attack, magic was outlawed and no longer able to be used. The people of Azura City now relied on conventional defenses, using their bravery, skill, and advanced weaponry to fight the monstrous hordes. The city's fate rested on the Shield's vigilance against the ever-present threat. The people wondered if the outsider would one day return, more powerful than before.
Seventeen Years Later:
an eighteen-year-old named Ren stood before a large, shimmering portal, his face a mask of hate and determination. "Ahhhhh..." he screamed, preparing to charge in. Before he could, a figure grabbed him by the collar, dangling him in the air. Ren turned to see his twin brother, Zen.
"Zen, what is it now? Drop me already!" Ren said, struggling to break free. Zen, deliberately, dropped him face-first onto the ground.
"Hey, what the hell is wrong with you?" Ren scowled.
Zen calmly folded his arms. "Would you stop running into every portal you see? This is why Mom put me in charge."
"Fuck off, I do what I want! We can't just walk past a spawn portal," Ren retorted with a smirk. "I have to clear it. I bet I can take anything in there."
Zen sighed. "I bet you'd get killed. You don't even know what rank that portal is."
"I know enough," Ren replied instantly. "S-tier portals are black, A-tier are red, and B- to E-tier are all the same purple color. I'm strong enough to handle a B-rank." He started to run toward the portal again, but Zen kicked him down, pinning him to the ground with his foot.
"No, you're not. Besides, you're not a member of the Shield. If they caught you this close, who knows what would happen."
"Shut up and let me go!" Ren struggled. "You just want the glory for yourself. We're competing to be one of the top ten leaders of the Shield, so you just want to clear this portal yourself."
Zen increased the pressure of his foot. "Ow, ow, ow, ow!" Ren yelled.
"You're right," Zen said. "It's our dream to be top ten, but not like this. The Shield exam is tomorrow, and we're finally old enough. Nothing's stopping us from taking it. Just wait until tomorrow, and then you can jump into all the portals you want."
As Zen walked away, Ren stood up. "Why you... I'll kill you!" He ran at Zen, but Zen effortlessly grabbed his hand and flipped him into a trash can.
They saw five Shield members entering the portal. The leader, ranked 203, stopped to look at Zen and smiled. "You two should find a better place to play. We have a portal to handle."
"Sure thing, sir. We were just leaving," Zen replied. He watched the leader enter the portal with a long sword, which triggered a flashback to his childhood. He saw his father, whom he idolized, entering a portal just like that, never to return.
Back in the present, Ren emerged from the trash, rubbing his head. "We're not done yet! Come at me!" he insisted, getting into a fighting stance. Zen chuckled, which only angered Ren more.
"What's funny?" Ren demanded.
"Nothing," Zen said. "I'm just tired of beating your ass for today. Let's head home; Mom might be worried."
As Zen walked ahead, Ren said, "Look at you, acting all cool. Born with great strength and fast reflexes. You must think you're so special."
Zen smiled. "I am. No 'buts' about it. You, on the other hand, were born average—let me rephrase that—weak. And you think you can be a leader?"
"Laugh it up, dickhead," Ren scowled. "No matter the odds, I'll be one of the ten leaders and prove I made it before you—if you even make it."
Zen smiled back, accepting the challenge. "You wish. I'll be the one among the ten leaders. Just you wait, brother."
Ren's smile matched Zen's. "The exam is tomorrow. I'll pass and take the Shield by storm. You just watch me; nothing's stopping me." He ran ahead.
Zen smirked and immediately started running to catch up. "How are you going to be a leader if you can't even beat me in a race?" he taunted, sprinting ahead and leaving Ren in his dust.
Ren's frown turned into a determined grin. "Oh, it's on!" He increased his speed to catch up.
At their house:
The familiar scent of simmering stew filled the kitchen as Hana, Ren and Zen's mom, hummed to herself. A smile lit her face as she poured a handful of chopped carrots into the bubbling pot on the stove. "Oh my, I almost forgot the beef," she whispered to herself, the realization hitting her with a gentle jolt. She quickly pulled on her oven mitts and retrieved a tray of perfectly roasted beef, setting it on the counter with a flourish.
"Mom, I'm home!" Zen called from the living room.
Hana hurried downstairs, her smile widening as she saw him. "My boy, I was worried about you both. Dinner is almost ready," she said, her voice a soothing balm. But her gaze immediately swept the room, her brow furrowing with concern. "Zen... where's Ren?"
Zen just grinned, plopping down at the dining table. "He'll be here soon. He just collapsed two blocks away from exhaustion."
Hana's hand flew to her mouth, her eyes wide with worry. "Oh, God, I hope he's okay!"
Zen's grin never faltered. "That moron's just fine, Mom. Did you know he tried running into another portal again?"
Hana's worried expression softened into a fond smile. "No surprise there. But I can count on you to watch over him for me, right?"
Just then, the front door burst open. Ren stood there, breathing heavily, his eyes fixed on Zen with a furious glare.
"Speak of the devil," Zen said, his grin widening into a taunting sneer.
"You little… where did you learn to run that fast, huh?! I demand to know!" Ren seethed.
Zen just laughed. "Nowhere. I was just born talented. It's not something you'd understand."
Enraged, Ren rolled up his sleeves. "You and me. Right now. Let's go!"
"Enough!" Hana's voice, though soft, was laced with an undeniable edge. She pouted playfully at them. "It's too late for your arguments. I would like it if you two would please be more peaceful sometimes." A sudden thought made her eyes widen. "Oh my, I forgot! Dinner's on the stove. You two sit down. I'll be right back, and no fighting, okay?" She sprinted back upstairs, leaving the brothers alone.
Zen turned to Ren, his wide grin unnerving. Ren's frown deepened. "What are you smiling at, you asshole?"
Minutes later, the three of them were seated at the dining table, eating in peaceful silence. Ren devoured his food, his face alight with joy. "This is delicious, Mom! You can really cook."
Hana blushed. "Oh, stop."
Zen watched his brother with disgust, his own meal untouched. He sighed. "Would you slow down before you choke?"
Ren glared at him, his mouth full. "Shut it! You're not the boss of me, you..."
Before he could finish, a piece of food lodged in his throat. His face turned a frightening shade of purple. Zen, without a word, pushed a glass of water toward him. Ren gulped it down, the water dislodging the food.
"Phew, that was close," Ren gasped.
Hana pouted, her eyes full of concern. "You got me worried. Don't do that again."
Zen turned his serious gaze to his mother. "Mom."
Hana, startled, looked up. "Yes, dear?"
"Roasted beef with carrot sauce. Chicken stew," Zen said, his voice flat. "How much did it cost?"
Hana hesitated. "Well, to be honest... to make everything cost about 500zeths."
Ren gasped, shocked by the price.
"As I thought," Zen said, turning back to Hana. "This isn't our regular meal. Something this good must have been expensive. Why would you go through all that trouble financially? This is a waste of money. We aren't rich. We barely eat three times a day, and with Dad not around, the duty to take care of us is all on you, and you go and pull this off. You..."
"Enough," Hana said, her voice soft but firm, a small smile on her face.
Zen forcefully stopped talking, looking away, trembling with a mix of anger and frustration.
"I had to," she continued. "So don't you dare call this a waste of money. I know that someday my boys will grow up and bring me all the riches my heart desires. So eat up. Besides, your Shield Exam is tomorrow, right? You're finally old enough to take it. So think of this as a celebration gift."
A sudden shift came over Zen. He smiled. Without a word, Ren stood up and walked toward the door.
"And where do you think you're going?" Zen asked, surprised by the change in his brother's demeanor.
"None of your business," Ren grumbled. He was about to leave when he stopped, turning to face his mother. "And Mom," he said, his voice a soft, almost imperceptible whisper.
Hana's eyes widened in shock. "Yes?"
"I promise," he said, his voice growing stronger, a newfound resolve burning in his eyes. "I will be the best Shield Warrior you have ever seen. I'll be among the Ten Leaders. No, I will be the number one. You know they start paying members handsomely from the A-tier list, so I'll work hard so you can live the best life you want. You'll finally eat three times a day, Mom. I promise."
He ran out of the house before they could see the single tear escaping his eye. (I have to train and get stronger. I will be among the Ten Leader and, most importantly, show Zen I'm worthy of being his rival,) he thought, his resolve hardening with every step.
Zen smiled, watching his brother leave. "What do you know? I've never seen this side of him. I guess he does see when your..." he trailed off as he saw Hana, tears streaming down her face, a wide smile still plastered on her lips. He smiled too and walked over to embrace her. "It's getting late. Let's go get some sleep, Mom." He gently guided her upstairs.
Meanwhile, Ren arrived at his usual training ground. He trained until he was breathing heavily, a sense of satisfaction settling over him. He looked up at the moon, its light illuminating the determined look on his face. "Tomorrow is the day. The Shield Exam, held every year, and finally, I get a chance to show myself. I'm nervous, but nothing is stopping me." He trembled, not with fear, but with anticipation. A fierce smile spread across his face, ready for the challenge ahead.