Prologue
The moon hung low in the vast desert night, casting a silvery glow over the endless sands, each grain shimmering under a blanket of brilliant stars. Silence wrapped around the desert, interrupted only by the occasional whisper of wind over the dunes. Suddenly, a tear split the sky—a jagged crack radiating with an eerie, otherworldly light.
Out of this rift, a colossal crystal emerged, glimmering and pulsating as it broke through the skies. It careened downward, an unstoppable force, casting shadows as it plummeted toward the desert below. The moment it struck the ground, the desert erupted in an explosion that sent waves of sand billowing outward, creating a cloud that shimmered with stardust, filling the air with a strange, otherworldly hum.
The desert returned to stillness, yet a faint glow lingered at the impact site where the crystal lay embedded in the earth, its edges catching the moonlight. Days passed, then weeks, and life began to bloom around the fallen crystal. A vibrant oasis emerged, an oasis teeming with lush plants, glistening pools, and mutated creatures drawn to its mysterious, pulsing energy. What was once an empty stretch of sand had transformed into a sanctuary—its heart powered by the enigmatic energy of the celestial crystal.
The oasis was no mere accident of nature; it was a haven, perhaps a beacon, a gift from the heavens, or a disaster. The desert had been reborn, its new life a testament to the power of the crystal's arrival.
But as the days stretched into weeks, a sense of unease settled over the oasis. The air grew thick with energy that hummed too intensely, vibrating through the trees and stirring the once tranquil pools into restless ripples. Animals that drank from the oasis began to act strangely—their eyes glowing faintly, their movements becoming sharp and even more fierce and unnatural. The plant's colors deepened into shades that were both beautiful and strangely unnatural.
******
(Scene change)
The night sky hung heavy with clouds, concealing most of the moon's glow. Occasionally, a sliver of light slipped through, casting its gentle glow on the slick cobblestone streets below. Rain poured down in sheets, bouncing off the stones and pooling in shallow puddles that reflected the faint glimmer of distant street lamps. The muffled sounds of the city were lost beneath the steady rhythm of the rain, but through the shadows, hurried footsteps could be heard.
A boy sprinted down a narrow alleyway, his breaths coming in gasps, quick and shallow. His clothes were soaked, clinging to his skin as he darted through the maze of side streets, his sneakers splashing through puddles and leaving a trail of ripples in his wake. Behind him, shadows loomed, figures in dark coats pursuing him with relentless determination, their own footfalls muted but steady, closing in with each turn he made.
The boy's heart pounded in his chest as he slipped around a corner, only to find himself at a dead end. Panic flashed in his eyes as he searched for an escape, his gaze catching on a narrow gap between two buildings. He scrambled toward it, squeezing through the tight space just as his pursuers rounded the corner. They paused, their faces obscured by the brims of wide hats, eyes glinting in the faint light that managed to pierce through the rain.
The boy held his breath, watching as they moved away, their figures melting into the darkness. For now, he was safe. But he knew the chase wasn't over—this was just a temporary reprieve. Somewhere above, the moon drifted out from behind the clouds, casting a thin beam on his face, illuminating the fear and determination in his eyes.
Arata: "Looks like I finally lost them… for now." He exhaled, catching his breath. "Why are they so relentless? What could they want with me?" He shook his head, glancing around the dark alley. "I have to get out of here. I need to get back to the orphanage… No." His face twisted with fear and determination. "Not after what I found out about the matron. I can't go back there, not now. I need to find help—maybe the authorities. They're my only chance."
Just as he slipped out of the alleyway, he took a glance around both sides of the road. The streets were empty, shrouded by the rain and the flickering lights. His pursuers were nowhere in sight. Breathing a sigh of relief, he turned back toward the alley's exit, steps quickening as he neared freedom.
But just as he was about to step out, a firm hand clamped down over his mouth, another closing like a vice around his neck. His eyes widened in shock, a muffled cry of "Help!" escaping, barely audible beneath the stranger's grip. He struggled, his small frame twisting, but his captor's grip was unyielding.
With terrifying ease, he was dragged backward, his feet sliding along the wet ground as he disappeared into the shadows once more. The faint echo of his stifled cries lingered briefly in the rain-soaked alley, swallowed by the darkness as quickly as he was.
Mob 1: "Where do you think you're going, brat? Did you really think you could just run off after all the trouble you've caused us?" He sneered, his voice dripping with irritation, eyes narrowing as he closed in.
Mob 2: "Be smart now. Come along quietly, and maybe—just maybe—we won't make this any harder on you than it needs to be." He chuckled darkly, glancing at his partner. "There are some…interested buyers who'd pay handsomely to have a kid like you on their hands."
Arata: "W-what do you mean by that?" Arata stammered, his eyes wide with fear His heart hammered against his ribs, as each beat echoing the dread building within him.
Mob boss: chuckles darkly "You think you're getting out of this, kid? Fine, I'll indulge your curiosity since it won't matter soon." He leans closer, his smirk dripping with malice. "You caught the eye of some very... wealthy people after your face started showing up in certain dark web circles. Turns out, they have a taste for... assets like you." He pauses, letting the words sink in. "Now, does that answer your question, kid?"
The boy's eyes widen, but the mob boss just sneers. "Good. Enough talk. Boys—get him."
Mob 1: you got it, boss
The two mobsters closed in on Arata, one of them reaching out and yanking him up by the collar. As the man turned to walk away, Arata twisted sharply and drove his elbow hard into the thug's back. The man stumbled, his grip loosening just enough for Arata to break free. Without a second's hesitation, Arata sprinted further down the alley, his hand stretched forward as energy began to gather in his palm.
With a final surge of focus, he unleashed the energy forward, and the air in front of him began to fracture, splintering with an otherworldly light. The alley was lit by a violent flash as the crack widened, erupting into a portal. The mobsters skidded to a halt, their eyes wide with shock as they took in the impossible sight before them.
Not wasting another moment, Arata picked up speed, charging toward the portal. With a final leap, he dove into the rift, vanishing just as the portal sealed shut behind him, leaving the gang frozen in stunned silence.
Mob 1: "What... what the hell was that?!"
Mob 2: "How should I know? I'm just as freaked out as you are! Boss? You saw that too, right?"
The boss stood motionless for a beat, his shock slowly fading into a twisted grin. He looked at his men, then turned away, his eyes gleaming with a dangerous excitement.
Boss: "Oh, I saw it alright. And I think we've just stumbled onto something… valuable."
He chuckled darkly as he walked away, already plotting their next move.
Time skip
*craccckkk*
A shimmering portal crackled in the dark, high on the rooftop, and a small figure stumbled out of it, collapsing to one knee as the portal sealed shut behind him. The boy gasped for air, his breaths quick and shaky, his chest heaving as he struggled to regain his strength. Glancing around, he tried to make sense of his surroundings. Pale city lights stretched below him, casting long shadows across the rooftop, and the height muffled the distant hum of nighttime traffic.
Bracing himself against the wall, he slowly stood, leaning heavily against the wall with each unsteady step as he made his way to the rooftop door. His small, slim frame was shrouded in clothes a bit too large for him, the sleeves of his worn, dark hoodie brushing his knuckles. His hair was a striking mix of silver and dark strands, sticking to his damp forehead from sweat and rain.
As he pushed open the heavy door, dim light from a single ceiling bulb flickered on the stairwell, illuminating his face—a youthful, pale complexion, sharp amber eyes that glimmered with exhaustion. His cheeks were dusted faintly pink from the cold night air, and a few dirt smudges marked his chin.
He took a few shaky steps down the stairs, his breathing steadying as he tried to mask his fatigue. But the strain of his escape was overwhelming, and before he could take another step, his legs gave out. His eyes fluttered shut, and he slumped to the side, collapsing against the stairwell wall. There, in the dim light, the boy finally gave in to exhaustion