The sound of arrows slicing through the air.
TSSSHT!
One pierced straight into the trunk of a tree.
Another grazed past.
A blond boy ran through the dense forest, his body covered in scratches, his clothes torn. One of his arms was tied tightly against his torso.
Even so… he didn't look desperate.
He took a deep breath.
The ground trembled.
The earth rose beneath his feet, forming natural steps. He climbed without slowing down.
More arrows.
Trees shifted unnaturally.
The forest itself seemed to be watching him.
He extended his free hand.
Branches snapped off, bending midair, deflecting the projectiles with surgical precision.
An arrow came from behind.
Roots exploded from the ground, crushing it instantly.
Silence.
He stopped.
Slowly, he raised his hand.
The ground ahead split open, revealing hidden wooden targets buried among the trees. Rocks launched forward, striking every single one dead center.
Steady breathing.
Absolute control.
The view slowly lowered to his chest.
A silver necklace.
Engraved:
ERIK.
Hunting.
A wild boar caught in his trap.
Nightfall.
He roasted the meat over a fire.
His eyes reflected the stars above.
Completely focused on nature.
Sharp eyes.
Serious.
No smile.
Even as a child… his gaze was that of a predator.
Cut.
Inside a wooden house.
The table was still set. The food had gone cold.
The atmosphere was calm… yet something felt different.
The father cleared his throat.
"Ryo… I need to give you something."
Bill and Nara exchanged glances.
Almost at the same time:
"We're going with him!"
The father was surprised for a moment.
Then he smiled.
"…Take care of each other."
He picked up an old book beside his chair. Its cover was thick, worn by time.
He handed it to Ryo.
Ryo blushed.
"Dad… I saw your dream book…"
The old man laughed.
"Good. That saves me the trouble of explaining why I'm giving it to you."
THUMP.
Bill punched Ryo on the head.
"Ow! That hurt!" Ryo snapped.
"This big head didn't read it properly. Just skimmed through it!" Bill said, crossing his arms.
"He's useless, you know!" Nara complained.
The father smiled… but then his voice changed.
Deeper.
"Children… this book holds my soul."
Silence.
"My father used to tell me stories. Legends the world was beginning to forget. I wanted to carry them forward… with you."
The mother carefully opened the book.
"I'll read the list," she said softly. "And show the illustrations your grandfather made."
The father turned to Nara.
"The first one is for you. Listen carefully."
He took a deep breath.
"There is a legend about a very rare flame. The Blue Fire."
"Blue fire? That's the hottest fire, right?" Bill asked.
"Yes. The hottest."
A pause.
"But the legend also says… there was once a human born with that element."
The atmosphere grew heavier.
"The element of Blue Fire."
Silence deepened.
"That being can heal any wound."
The father's fingers tightened around the armrest.
"My father died searching for that person… to heal my eyes."
Nara stood up immediately.
"I'll find them!" she said firmly. "I'll bring that person to you! We'll heal you!"
"We'll do it for you!" Ryo added.
The father smiled, deeply moved.
"My daughter…"
He then turned to Bill.
"The next one is for you."
Bill straightened up.
"There exists a rare island. Filled with the rarest materials in the world. Giant mountains covered in precious stones. Flowers of every color."
Bill's eyes sparkled.
"But only those accepted by nature can set foot there."
Ryo froze.
He had seen it before.
The mountains.
The shining stones.
The unreal colors.
That moment… when he passed out.
"I'll become worthy. I want to see the most incredible things in this world!" Bill declared confidently.
The father smiled again.
He held the book tightly.
Then he spoke:
"And Ryo…"
Absolute silence.
"The book… will be yours."
Ryo looked up.
"Live your purpose."
"Keep your soul open to what is good."
The father took a deep breath.
"You… are different."
A pause.
"And we know that."
The candle flame flickered with the wind.
Cut.
Erik walked back home.
The sun was gone. The sky was illuminated by a great moon, its light painting the open field.
He walked in silence.
But his thoughts echoed.
"I will become the strongest."
"And I'll do whatever it takes to enter the strongest squad."
He clenched his fist.
The ground vibrated slightly beneath him.
From afar, his father watched him.
Erik raised his hand.
The earth rose like a perfect wall.
Absolute control.
Pride.
His father crossed his arms.
"Erik has trained his entire life."
"He's always been waiting for this moment."
His eyes shone with conviction.
"He… is worthy."
"Your son is incredible!" said a man beside him.
The view slowly rose.
The moon on the horizon.
A sky full of stars.
"Tomorrow is Saturday… they'll probably come back. I'll show them a talent so special they'll recruit me on the spot!"
Erik said it with full confidence.
His eyes burned with ambition.
His dream still far away.
But his determination… undeniable.
Bill (narration):
Two children.
Two paths.
One destiny.
End of Chapter 2