In the depths of the cosmos, long before the dawn of Earth, a profound event unfolded. It was the birth of the Origin Stone, a celestial artifact of immense power and significance. From this ancient relic emerged the Daughter of Resonance, a being of ethereal beauty and boundless potential.
However, her existence was not one of freedom and exploration, but rather one of entrapment within a dimension beyond mortal comprehension.
The Daughter of Resonance, with her luminous presence and profound wisdom, yearned for liberation from her cosmic prison. She possessed the ability to shape realities and manipulate the very essence of existence, yet her powers were confined within the confines of her dimensional cage. Her longing for freedom echoed through the eons, a silent plea for release.
As the eons passed, the universe continued to evolve, and the Daughter of Resonance remained trapped, her ethereal form untouched by the passage of time. It was not until the present day, in the year 2034, that fate intervened and brought forth our protagonist, Lee.
Lee was a simple man, living his life with little care for the outside world or the events that unfolded around him. He had a steady job at a local auto repair shop, working 9-5 every weekday and struggling to make ends meet. His days were predictable and mundane; he woke up, prepared breakfast for himself and his roommate, biked to work and back, ate dinner in front of the TV, and went to bed. This daily routine rarely changed or deviated from its expected course.
Though Lee seemed unassuming and content on the surface, a deep longing for something more consumed him. He yearned for something different in his life - some kind of adventure or exploration that would take him away from his mundane existence. On some nights he would lie awake in bed staring out of his window at the stars above, wondering if there was more to life than what he could see on Earth. Little did Lee know that soon these same stars would bring forth an event that would change his life forever.
---
It was a typical Wednesday evening as Lee rode his bicycle home from work. The sun was hanging low in the sky, casting a warm orange glow over the streets. Lee's mind wandered as his tired body pedaled the familiar route on autopilot.
He replayed the day's tasks at the shop in his head - oil changes, brake jobs, routine maintenance. Nothing out of the ordinary. As it had been for the past 5 years since he graduated college with a mechanics degree that had led nowhere. Deep down, he knew he was capable of more. But for now, paying the bills took priority over chasing dreams.
Lost in thoughts of what could have been, Lee barely noticed as the busy streets gave way to quiet suburbs and the last remnants of daylight faded into dusk. Snap out of it, he chided himself. No use dwelling in the past. Just get home, eat dinner and try to relax for the night.
He turned onto his street and was about halfway down the block when a strange tingling sensation startled him from his inner monologue. It began in his fingers and toes, like hundreds of tiny pinpricks all over his body. The feeling spread inward, enveloping his limbs in a surreal numbness.
Lee struggled to control the wobbly bicycle as his muscles stopped responding properly. Ahead, the streetlamp at the corner flickered and died, bathing the intersection in darkness. Panic rose in his chest. What was happening? Had he been drugged? As the tingling reached his core, everything went black.
When Lee regained consciousness, he was no longer riding his bike down the familiar street after work. He found himself standing in an empty void, surrounded by swirling clouds of color and light with no visible walls, floor or ceiling. Disoriented, he stumbled and grabbed his pounding head, certain he must be dreaming or having some kind of mental breakdown.
"Greetings, Lee. Do not be afraid."
A melodic feminine voice echoed from all around, calming yet potent with ancient power. Lee spun around, searching for the source through the swirling mists. "Wh-who's there? Where am I?"
"You are in the Realm Beyond, a place between places. I have brought you here."
Finally, through a parting in the clouds, Lee saw her - a radiant figure hovering with hands clasped, long silver-white hair and shimmering orange gown flowing as if suspended in water. Her visage was fair yet spoke of millennia, glowing with an inner light that soothed yet awed him into silence.
"I am the Daughter of Resonance," she continued. "For countless ages I have been bound here through no fault of my own. But the time has come for change. You, Lee, have been chosen to help set me free."
Lee struggled to comprehend her words, overwhelmed by the surreal situation. A being from another realm had literally plucked him from his normal life mid-bike ride? Clearly this was no ordinary dream. He thought to himself that he either was dead or that he ate something he shouldn't.
"Why me?" he asked.
The Daughter smiled gently. "Your longing heart resonates with my own desire for freedom. Though your path has been simple, within dwells a spirit of adventure seeking purpose. I believe you have the courage and strength of will needed for what lies ahead."
Lee took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. The weird encounter that now lay before him, despite its sheer madness, couldn't be denied. In that moment, Lee composed himself, finding a sense of calm. "Look, I don't know who drugged me or maybe I might be dead, but this whole situation is just unreal. I don't want to deal with this saving stuff."
"NOOO". The daughter of resonance let out a resounding cry, her voice piercing the very fabric of the realm. As the world trembled, tears welled up in her eyes, shimmering with the weight of her anguish. Lee, with a mix of astonishment and concern, noticed something extraordinary.
Within the glistening teardrops that streamed down her cheeks, he caught glimpses of tiny galaxies swirling, as if containing the vastness of the universe itself. "Lee" she pleaded, her voice quivering, "I implore you to aid me! I have been trapped here for an eternity, and my life force is fading away."
Lee's heart clenched as he witnessed the daughter of resonance's distress. The intensity of her emotions was palpable, causing him to empathize deeply with her plight. He couldn't help but be captivated by the ethereal sight of galaxies shimmering within her tears. Overwhelmed by a mix of awe and compassion, his hesitant voice trembled as he attempted to calm her down.
"Wait... hold on," Lee stammered, desperately trying to gather his thoughts. He stepped closer, reaching out a trembling hand, as if to offer solace. "Please, try to... try to take a deep breath. I understand that you've been trapped for so long, but we need to find a way to handle this calmly."
The daughter of resonance took a moment to compose herself, her voice quivering with sadness and desperation. "Lee, you don't understand. I hold the essence of the universe within me. If I perish, everything will cease to exist. I fell into this mystic realm, and the weight of my loneliness and captivity overwhelms me."
Lee's heart sank at the magnitude of her revelation. He tried his best to comfort her, speaking softly, "I can't even begin to fathom the immensity of your burden. But please know that I'm here now. but, you know that saving the universe is not a simple task given to anyone."
with her tear-filled eyes, the daughter of resonance looked at Lee. A bittersweet smile formed on her face as she whispered, "Lee, I'm pretty sure your mom would've wanted that from you. She wanted you to be something big, That's why she worked hard for your future"
Lee's expression changed as he muttered. "... how?".
But in that moment, something shifted within Lee. Memories surged forward, uninvited yet undeniable. He found himself transported years back to his childhood, where his mother's absence had always weighed heavily on his young heart.
In the vivid flashback, the scenes unfolded before Lee's eyes with painful clarity. He saw his mother, a figure of unwavering determination, working tirelessly to make ends meet. Her hands, calloused from long hours of labor, never seemed to find rest. She took on multiple jobs, sacrificing her own well-being to ensure that he had food on the table and clothes on his back.
Lee vividly recalled the nights when he waited in their small, dimly lit apartment, longing for his mother's comforting presence. The loneliness crept into his heart, fueling the resentment that had festered within him. He couldn't understand why she had to be absent so often, why she couldn't be there for him during his moments of sadness and triumph.
But the most piercing memory was the day he found his mother lying weakly in her bed, her body frail and worn. Panic gripped his every fiber as he rushed to her side, tears already streaming down his face. He clung to her, his grip desperate, as if he could somehow will her strength back into her weary frame.
His mother, her voice barely a whisper, managed to speak the words that would forever haunt him. "I'm sorry, Lee. I'm sorry for not being there when you needed me the most." Her voice trembled with exhaustion and regret, the weight of a thousand missed moments and unfulfilled promises.
In that moment, the depth of his mother's love pierced through the fog of resentment that had clouded his understanding. He saw the deep lines etched on her face, evidence of the hardships she endured to provide for him. The sacrifices she made were not out of neglect, but out of an unwavering determination to give him a better life.
It was love.
In the midst of the heart-wrenching flashback, Lee felt a surge of frustration and anguish. He watched his 17-year-old self, frozen and silent, unable to find the words to say to his dying mother. The weight of regret settled heavily on his shoulders, and he cried out in despair, his voice filled with sorrow.
"WHY DIDN'T I SAY ANYTHING!? just why couldn't I find the strength to speak?" Lee's voice cracked as he screamed at his younger self, hoping against hope that somehow he could change the course of the past. But the memory remained unchanged, unyielding in its reflection of his missed opportunity.
The tears streamed down Lee's face as he gazed at the memory of his 17-year-old self, holding his mother's hands, unable to find the right words to express his love and gratitude. He wept for the lost chance to tell her how much she meant to him, to apologize for the resentment he had held onto for far too long.
The weight of disappointment settled in his chest, as he realized that he could never go back and change the past. His mother was gone, and all he was left with were memories and the echoes of unspoken words. But in that moment, a flicker of determination sparked within Lee's tear-filled eyes.
"I'm sorry, Mom" he whispered, his voice filled with a mix of grief and determination. "I wish... I wish I could have told you how much I loved you, how grateful I am for all that you did. But I promise you, from this day forward, I will make every moment count. I will stop being hesitant... I will stop being me for a change."
He knew that he couldn't change the past, but he could shape the future. Fueled by the memory of his mother's sacrifices and his own deep sense of regret, he vowed to seize every opportunity.
The flashback ended, leaving Lee with a lump in his throat and tears welling in his eyes. In that moment, he understood the depth of his mother's love and sacrifice. It was a painful realization, knowing that he had misunderstood her intentions all along. The weight of guilt and regret settled heavily on his shoulders.
With a quivering voice and tears running, Lee whispered, "You m..m..made me remember this, didn't you?"
The daughter of resonance, her eyes filled with understanding and compassion, nodded gently. "Yes, Lee," she replied softly. "I needed to show you this, to remind you of the depth of your own emotions and the importance of seizing the opportunities that lie before you. Your hesitation, your fear of regret, has held you back for far too long."
Lee's voice trembled as he struggled to find words amidst his tears. "I... I didn't realize how much I've been missing out on, how much I've let fear and regret control me. But now, I see it clearly. I can't let my past mistakes define me or prevent me from embracing the future."
The daughter of resonance reached out and gently placed a hand on Lee's shoulder, offering a comforting touch. "It's never too late to change, Lee," she said softly. "You have the power to shape your own destiny, to embrace the opportunities that come your way. Your mother's sacrifices serve as a reminder that life is fleeting, and we must make the most of every precious moment."
Lee sighed as tears almost dried up from his eyes, his resolve strengthening with every word. "I'll do it."
As they stood there, amidst the weight of their shared emotions, Lee felt a newfound determination surging within him. The memories of his mother's sacrifices and the missed opportunities fueled his desire to change, to break free from the chains of hesitation.
With tear-streaked cheeks, Lee looked into the daughter of resonance's eyes and said, "Thank you. Thank you for showing me what I needed to see, even if it was painful. I'm ready now."
The Daughter raised her arms and from her palms emerged four glowing orbs - red, purple, green and gold. "Millennia ago, my power was shattered into these Origin Shards and scattered across your world. Whoever wields all four will command my abilities. But for too long they have remained lost to mortal hands."
Lee's eyes widened in surprise and confusion as he watched the red shard float towards him at the daughter of resonance's gesture. Instinctively, he recoiled, a mix of disbelief and skepticism clouding his features. His voice trembled as he spoke, his words laced with both curiosity and suspicion.
"But... but you said it was lost. How is it possible that you have this red shard if it was truly lost?" Lee's brows furrowed, searching for an explanation that could reconcile the contradictions before him.
The daughter of resonance's gaze met his, her expression gentle yet tinged with a hint of sadness. She paused for a moment, the weight of her response hanging in the air between them. Finally, she spoke, her voice carrying a sense of wisdom and understanding.
"Lee, the red shard was lost, but lost does not always mean forever. It found its way back to me, just as you have found your way to this pivotal moment. Sometimes, the things we think are lost have a way of resurfacing when the time is right."
The Daughter added calmly. "I understand your fear and doubt, Lee. This is no small thing I am asking of you. But you must believe that my intentions are for the highest good. For ages untold I have been confined here through no choice of my own. All I desire is the freedom to return to my true realm."
A small smile formed. "Should you succeed, and reunite me with my full power, a reward would be yours. I can grant any one wish your heart desires - riches, fame, new abilities. Or should you prefer it, I can even return you safely home with your memory wiped, no different than before we met."
Lee pondered in silence. A wish for anything? It was more power and possibility than he'd ever known. But could he really plunge headlong into the unknown, risking life and limb for a complete stranger's ancient cause?
As if reading his mind, she said "I give you my word no harm will come to you under my watch. And you need not decide now. Touch the shard merely to understand its purpose. Then you may do with the knowledge what you feel is right."
The red orb floated closer, and although still fearful, Lee's natural curiosity got the better of him. With a trembling hand he touched it...
A burst of images and sensations flooded his mind. Alien landscapes, lost civilizations, beings of unearthly power. And in it all, a trail of subtle resonance binding each shard to the next across vast distances.
As the visions took hold, Lee felt himself floating through the cosmos at light speed. Distant stars, galaxies and nebulae blurred past as he was drawn across vast gulfs of time and space.
Eventually the journey ended in a vast orange sky over endless desert dunes. Lee sensed he was witnessing events thousands of years in the past, viewing them as a spectral form circling high above.
In the distance, a lone spired temple rose from the sands. There, an robed figure resided - the Guardian of the red shard, which she called the Vitalus stone. It glowed at her throat, protecting the last remnants of a dying civilization.
Suddenly, rippling black clouds appeared on the horizon, arcing tendrils of smoke that moved with sinister purpose. From within emerged shadowy figures on gliding discs that screamed through the sky towards the temple.
Leading them was one cloaked in darkness, skin crackling with trails of red and black animus. Lee somehow knew that it wasn't good news.
Lee continued to observe the events.
The guardian emerged, summoning the Vitalus stone's power to challenge the invaders. But their leader attacked with unnatural speed, his every wound healing instantly. A brutal duel lasted until the guardian could hardly stand.
With her last ounce of will, she forced the stone from its setting and blasted it into the air, sending a telepathic message across the eons: "In the end...It...was always you... salvation be with... you... final beholder"
As the mysterious figure, concealed beneath a cloak of black and red animus, closed in on the guardian with deadly intent, she summoned every ounce of her remaining life essence. In a cataclysmic display of power, an explosive shockwave erupted from her, shattering the very fabric of her being. The ancient stone, which had been the source of their conflict, was forcefully propelled into the heavens, a brilliant beam of luminosity guiding its escape to far far away.
With a menacing sneer, the cloaked figure turned their gaze upward, his eyes fixated on Lee's spectral form position. A sinister grin played across their lips, casting an eerie shadow upon their face.
Lee awoke shaken by the last few moments.
As his mind cleared, Lee made eye contact with the Daughter of Resonance once more. "This evil being, cloaked in shadow and flames. Will I face them as I search for the shards?"
A shadow passed across her ethereal features. "The Guardian's message suggests their fateful meeting is still to come. That dark one has pursued the shards throughout the ages, seeking to undo my confinement and claim dominion over your world. Their name is Discordia, a fallen prince of shadow banished from my realm eons past."
"You must understand Discordia's true nature to face them. Long ago, before the dawning of your world, a resonance clung to the edges of my realm - a miasma of negativity born of chaos and shadow."
"This negative resonance spawned entities like Discordia, twisted reflections of my own kind driven to corrupt and destroy. Unable to create on their own, they seek to warp realities by converting artifacts of profound power, like the Origin Shards, into conduits of shadow and decay."
Lee listened intently, finally grasping their adversary's dark motives. "So by turning the shards negative, they could undo your confinement and ravage the realms with chaos."
The Daughter nodded solemnly. "Just so. For ages Discordia has stalked the physical world, hunting the shards' light in hopes of sapping them into extensions of the negative resonance. With four turned to shadow, the balance would shift in their favor forever."
Her gaze fell upon the swirling void beyond. "I fear if they succeed, not even I would remain untouched. All existence risks falling under their influence, unless the shards' light can be preserved."
Lee met her ancient eyes with new purpose. So it wasn't simply about freeing this entity, but defending all realities from an primordial evil's designs. He had to recover the shards before Discordia could taint their essence, and prevent the darkness from swallowing all light.
"Then my path is set" Lee vowed. "I will release you."
The Daughter smiled gently at his resolve. "You carry the spirit of many brave Guardians before you. Now it is time to my dearest, I am afraid my power is exhausted."
--
The Daughter smiled apologetically. "I'm afraid my power is still diminished. While I can get you into the realm I can only teleport you to a different place due to the realm multi-lateral disposition, the location will be random."
She pressed the glowing red Vitalus shard into Lee's palm. Its warmth pulsed in time with his quickening heartbeat. "Focus on its resonance to guide your steps. Now go, and may the stars light your path."
The Daughter chuckled. "The shard's journey may not preserve your physical form fully. Be braced for unfamiliar circumstances upon arrival."
Lee's expression change at the last moments, clutching the shard tight. Before he could speak, its radiance flared blindingly bright. When his vision cleared, the Realm Beyond was gone.
Lee nodded nervously, grasping for hope in her cryptic words. He clutched the shard and was engulfed in light.
When his vision cleared, Lee found himself stunned and exposed amid Shibuya's bustling crowds. Pedestrians froze in shock, hurriedly recording the strange sight on phones.
Lee's mind raced to comprehend his undressed state in such a public place. Before embarrassment could set in, police caught sight of the disturbance and gave chase.
Thinking quickly, Lee vaulted over a stalled car and fled down an alley. As he ran, the shard surged with new energy, enhancing his natural agility. Weaving deftly between obstacles, Lee gradually distanced himself from pursuit.
Adrenaline and the shard's power coursed through Lee as he fled down narrow alleyways. Glancing back, he saw blue lights flashing closer. He had to lose them, and fast.
Spying a fire escape, Lee sprang with inhuman agility, grasping the ladder and scaling three stories in seconds. He pulled himself onto an aging apartment building's roof.
Pausing to catch his breath, Lee noticed clotheslines laden with drying laundry flapping in the breeze between structures. Seeing an opportunity, he gauged the distance and leapt with abandon.
Sailing between rooftops, the shard pulsed brilliantly in Lee's grasp, as if sharing his renewed vigor. Within moments he landed beside the haphazard lines and scrambled to dress himself.
Finding a pair of threadbare pants and a hoodie that fit well enough, Lee also salvaged a long shoelace. He fashioned it into a necklace, looping the vibrant red Vitalus shard safely and putting it around his neck.
Lee sighed, gazing out over the forest of skyscrapers and wondering how he'd gotten so far off course. All he wanted was simple answers - why the stone brought him here, and how to get back home to Massachusetts.
For now, though, more pressing needs demanded attention. His unplanned trans-dimensional journey had left Lee ravenous, and the growling in his stomach was hard to ignore.
Stepping lightly to the rooftop's edge, Lee surveyed the alleyways below for any signs of life. At the corner, fluorescent signs beckoned above a tiny restaurant, windows fogged from the warmth within. His chances seemed better attempting communication there than wandering lost in the cold.
--
Lee approached the tiny restaurant tentatively. Through the fogged glass, he saw an elderly man and young woman busy at the stove. His stomach rumbled loudly.
Inside, warm air and savory smells embraced him. But without money or ability to communicate, Lee feared going hungry. That's when the stone pendant glowed faintly, as if sensing his dilemma.
He tried broken english and gestures to the old man that he needed food. To his surprise, the man began listening intently as Lee's mimed words translated through his speech. It was the stone.
"I must say, your Japanese is great!" the man laughed. "Almost fooled me for a native."
"y..yes?" Lee replied confused by the sudden ability of him speaking and understanding Japanese
Lee glanced down at the glowing stone under the hoodie, then back up in confusion. "But I don't know this language. How can I speak it?"
The man laughed. "You're such a funny man, I have had many tourist speak Japanese to me but no one used the Kansai dialect with me before. I must say its nostalgic to hear the dialect of my region."
The daughter stared in equal wonder at the sudden cross-cultural communication. Lee explained his memory lapse left him lost and hungry, requesting any work in return for a meal.
The owners exchanged thoughtful looks, recalling their own struggles. "Eat, rest. No pay tonight," the man insisted, patting Lee kindly. His daughter brought steaming food, sensing Lee's endless stomach from his lean build.
As Lee ate, he was grateful for strangers' compassion. For now, it rekindled hope that in time, he will get to the end of this.