Chapter 1
Current year 2203- 200 years after the emergence.
It was the year 203 of the ability awakening era, and it had been over 6 years since I lost my family due to a world opening near our home. I was only 10 years old at that time and the feeling of helplessness and rage that I still hold close to me has yet to dissolve.
I can still remember watching as our father went out alone to face the incoming flame hounds that came pouring out of the C class world, the look of defiance along with his straight and proud back that I saw standing with unhinging strength almost as if he had the will to fight world itself for his family. Alas sometimes the will to fight can only make someone a little bit stronger, against the first few flame hounds my father managed to fight and kill but as they got increasingly stronger due to numbers he started to get overwhelmed.
My little sister Ivy and I watched in absolute horror as a hound ripped his arm from its socket whilst another clamped it's flaming jaws around his neck dragging him down as the other hounds quickly started to tear him into shreds. I still remember the smile he gave as he was overwhelmed, the smile of a man who knew he would die but was proud and happy that even if it was only for a few minutes that he fought and protected his family.
I remember grabbing Ivy who was only six at the time and running with all my strength whilst covering little Ivy's mouth in case our noise drew deadly attention to us. We managed to soon run back to our house where we found our mother Ilene who was covered in blood yet still standing, wether it was her blood or not I didn't know but as soon as she saw us without our father she new that he was likely gone. She grabbed us with her rank C speed and quickly took off running trying to get to a safer place, yet just as hope overtook me that we might survive a giant flaming hound with three heads appeared blocking our way. Before any of us could realise it leaped at us, it's jaws wide and it's teeth glistening with fresh blood and flesh hanging from its nauseating mouth, quickly our mother threw us trying to get us out of harms way. The jaws soon clamped shut on the top half of our mother separating her lower half from her top, out of the corner of my eye I saw little Ivy opening her mouth to scream, I tried to run to get to her hoping I was going to make it before it realised it didn't get all of us, but yet reality was cruel. The second mouth of the Cerberus soon closed with a bone crunching snap, and soon there was no trace of Ivy.
Time slowed down as if the world had come to a complete halt, the flaming Cerberus moved in slow motion with the third head slowly closing in on me. I could neither hear or smell the loud screams nor the smell of smoke and blood combined together, all I could see was that flaming abyss which would devour me. A tiny smile of regret and loathing over came me as I wished I could become stronger, stronger then anything else in this world, strong enough to protect and hold those dear to me, strong enough to freeze all monsters and beast which took everything away from me.
And yet wishes don't all come true, as the jaws started closing around me the faces of my mother and father started flashing through my mind along with the cute face of little Ivy with her beaming and yelling big brother, a small tear leaked from my closed eyes, as I wished they in my next life I was reborn again with this family of mine.
And yet nothing happened, no pain, no lose of consciousness, no bright light at the end of a tunnel. And so I opened my eyes to see a beautiful women with bright flowing silver hair holding an equally bright Longsword, her bearing as of an angel, down from the heavens to slaughter all those monsters that took liberty with human kind.
Her smile flashed before my eyes as she approached me, patting my head softly before saying in a bright and concise manner,
"It's okay your safe now, I am sorry I arrived late".
I soon felt my consciousness fading as my mind slowly shut down from the built up adrenaline fading as if I knew I was safe and could finally rest.
I sat up breathing heavy in my small rundown 1 room apartment, the rough sheets soaked with a mixture of tears and sweat from the continuous nightmare that had plagued me ever since that incident from six year ago. My eyes became resolute for the awakening ceremony soon to be held in the next few days, as I soon knew that I would be able to awaken an ability that would allow me to be just like that beautiful women who saved me six years ago. I quickly got up and hanged out the soaked sheets on the mangled railing on the small and worn down balcony connected to the shabby apartment which I had lived in for the past 6 years ago. Jumping in the shower I knew my life was bound to change soon, clenching my fist tightly, not feeling or noticing the droplets of vibrant red blood as it went down the drain. I soon changed into some faded jeans, and a greying sports shirt worn down from continuous use and training.
I was currently six foot at fifteen years old with my sixteenth birthday coming in the next month, as I always looked after my body apart from some malnourishment, my body was in a relatively good shape with a faint six pack showing and lean yet packed muscles flowing around my arms and legs. I wouldn't say I am the hottest person in the world as I am not a narcissist but I wouldn't deny that I certainly held an attraction for most girls.
Heading out of the apartment I quickly found my way to the local bakery, and bought the day old bread from the old lady who ran the place for two dollars. Tearing the stale and flavourless bread I started doing a warm up and some simple stretches as I got ready for my morning five kilometre run. Whilst running I tuned out all thoughts unrelated to getting stronger and getting my revenge on all monsters and beast that dared to enter this planet.
Thirty minutes later once I had finished my run I immediately started my workout routine of push-ups, squats, pull ups, and then finished with some mediation to get my head focused so I could focus on my future.
A sudden notification from my 8 year old and heavily outdated quantum watch awoke me from my mediation, opening the notification I saw that it was a reminder for the awakening ceremony soon to happen on Monday in two days.
A strong light lit up in my bright blue eyes flashing with determination for a stronger future.
120km away from from Yule in a luxurious and massive mansion stood an old man with a similarly old butler standing next to him. The old butler quickly notified the old man,
"Master, the young master is soon to hold his awakening ceremony".
The old man addressed as Master, had his cold eyes light up for a brief moment as he replied in a somber tone,
"Good, let's hope he can become strong enough that he can survive in this horror filled world, only with enough strength can he get his revenge and accomplish anything in this world".