Morning light filtered softly through the curtains.
The world was quiet.
Peaceful.
Normal.
Kai opened his eyes.
For a moment, he didn't move. He simply stared at the ceiling, breathing slowly… steadily… as if listening to something only he could hear.
Then he sat up.
Another dream.
Fragments of fire.
A sky breaking apart.
A voice he could never fully remember.
It always ended the same way.
With silence.
Kai ran a hand through his dark, curly hair and exhaled softly. The feeling in his chest lingered — not pain… not fear… just something distant. Something missing.
He stood.
Unhurt.
Always unhurt.
Even after things that should have broken him.
Downstairs, the smell of breakfast filled the house.
"Elena, he's awake," a calm voice said.
"I heard him," his mother replied gently.
Kai stepped into the kitchen, already dressed. His adoptive father, Daniel, looked up from the table with a small smile.
"Morning, Kai."
"Morning."
Elena placed a plate in front of him.
"You didn't sleep well again," she said quietly.
Kai paused… then nodded slightly.
"The same dream?"
"…Yeah."
Daniel and Elena exchanged a glance, subtle but worried.
Kai noticed — but said nothing.
He never did.
Later.
The city moved fast.
People walking. Cars passing. Screens flashing news across buildings.
But one thing stood out above everything else.
Aetherion Academy.
Tall. Massive. Symbol of power and protection.
Where awakened individuals trained.
Where strength defined future.
Where Kai now walked.
Students filled the courtyard, energy sparking faintly around some of them — bursts of flame, flickers of wind, pulses of force.
Normal… in this world.
Kai walked quietly past them.
Calm.
Unreadable.
But eyes followed him.
Not fear.
Not awe.
Just recognition.
He was strong.
Everyone knew it.
They just didn't know how strong.
A loud voice shattered the calm.
"KAI!"
A figure approached fast — confident, energetic, unstoppable.
Ryo Takeda.
Spiky hair. Intense eyes. Burning presence.
He stopped right in front of Kai, grinning.
"You're late."
"I'm on time."
"You're always on time," Ryo scoffed. "Which makes it boring."
Kai gave a faint smirk.
Ryo leaned closer.
"Sparring today. Don't hold back."
"I never do."
Ryo grinned wider.
"Good."
Another voice joined them.
Calm. Sharp. Observant.
"You both cause too much noise this early."
Elias Moreau approached, hands in pockets, eyes steady behind quiet composure.
"Someone has to keep balance between you two," he added.
Ryo snorted. "Balance is overrated."
Elias ignored him, looking at Kai.
"You didn't sleep well again."
Kai didn't respond immediately.
"…It's nothing."
Elias studied him for a moment… then let it go.
For now.
Suddenly—
A distant tremor.
The ground shook lightly.
Students stopped.
Air tightened.
Something felt… wrong.
Then—
An alarm echoed across the academy.
Sharp.
Urgent.
Unfamiliar.
Ryo's grin faded.
Elias' eyes narrowed.
Kai… stood still.
Watching.
Listening.
Feeling something deep inside him stir.
Not fear.
Recognition.
From beyond the sky.
Above the academy—
The air fractured.
And darkness began to leak through.