Deep within the dungeon, a group of Eagle School disciples, their Windstep Boots ready, find themselves amidst a mystical forest. Towering trees and winding paths stretch as far as the eye can see, but they remain composed. Jacob, their leader, takes charge. "Alright, team, this is our element. Let's glide through this terrain like true eagles. Stay in pairs, keep an eye out for resources, and if you spot trouble, use the Eagle's Eye communication devices. Our agility is our ace here."
************
In the heart of the dungeon, a group of Tiger School students, clad in sturdy armor, finds themselves in a dimly lit chamber. Distant growls hint at lurking creatures. Josef, their leader, speaks with determination. "We're in for a challenge, team. Remember our training. Form a tight circle, watch each other's backs, and keep those Tiger's Roar horns ready for communication. If we run into trouble, we stand our ground, fight as one, and signal for backup. Let's show this dungeon our Tiger School strength and unity!"
************
"Dungeon Teleportation in Progress."
"Scanning for Target."
"Target has entered the dungeon and is currently recuperating in the Southern Cave of Aetherrest."
"Target's entrance confirmed."
"Dungeon Teleportation is underway."
"Teleportation failed."
"Notifying Dr. Epimetheus and awaiting a response."
"Awaiting response."
"No response received; initiating teleportation to a random location within a 50,000-mile radius."
*Squiiieeezzzshhhh sswoooo*
******************
"Where were you, Grandpa? I had a very confusing dream! I dreamed that I was followed and pursued by very mysterious people."
"My boy, you should stop sleeping and train more!"
"What do you mean? I wasn't sleeping at all. I-.I..."
At this moment, "Valor" turned around and faced Ethan. Ethan became frightened upon seeing his face. His eyes, as dark as ink, felt like a manifestation of darkness itself.
Valor walked slowly in Ethan's direction, each step pounding in Ethan's heart.
*Step*
Ethan started panicking. "Who are you? What have you done to Grandpa?"
*Step*
"Stop where you are and don't take another step."
Badum badum badum badum
Ethan's heart started racing like a car engine.
*Step*
With every step, darkness seemed to manifest on the ground, corroding everything around Valor.
*Step*
"Valor" kept walking with slow steps toward Ethan, and when he was only 5 meters away, he slowly lifted his hands and opened his palm.
*Step*
Ethan's heartbeat accelerated. "What is happening right now? Why does my body not listen to me?"
"Valor" was only 3 steps away, and Ethan felt like darkness was about to swallow him whole.
*Step*
"I told you to wake up, boy. This is not a place to rest."
*Step*
"What are you talking about? I am awake."
*Step**Step*
Ethan closed his eyes, awaiting his inevitable doom.
"I can't believe you are a Stormborn. With a weak mind like yours, you shouldn't even have been granted entrance to this Linkzone. I guess I still owe your father for saving me."
"With this, we are even!"
Suddenly, Ethan felt a hand gently rest on his head.
"Dreamforge: Training Hub."
"Huh?"
*ting*
His confusion was short-lived as he lost consciousness once more, drifting into Squad's dreamworld.
******
A realm of bright light, with defined walls, yet exuding an aura of warmth. This was the life Ethan had known since birth.
"Where am I? Why does it feel like I'm missing something?"
Step step step
His heart quickened as if those steps were a distant memory.
"Who are you today, my dear son?"
"Mum?"
Tears welled up in his eyes, his breath quickened, and his head throbbed.
"Mum, snif snif snif! I missed you. I missed you. I missed you."
Ethan leaped into Lavinia's arms, hugging her tightly.
Wheeeee
"Why did you leave me all alone?"
Wheeeee
"Baby, what are you talking about? Did you have a bad dream?"
Worried, Lavinia checked Ethan for signs of fever.
"No, I wasn't dreaming. I was... I was... with sis..."
Ethan's confusion deepened, etching across his face.
"Baby, listen, it seems like you had a very bad dream. How about we go get your favorite book and read something?"
Ethan looked at his mother, sensing that something wasn't quite right, but he longed for his mother's presence, so he eagerly agreed.
"Yeah, Mum, please read me something. You mentioned a book you wanted to read to me. Can we do that today?"
"Of course, baby boy. Let's go and read about the one who brought honor to your family name, Stormborn. The first hero of your lineage: Valor Stormborn."
Ethan's eyes trembled. Valor... why did that name resonate so deeply? It was as if he had shared a life with this person for a long time.
"But let's start much further back. Back to a time when people still used vehicles powered by world-corroding elements, and the greatest human invention was something called photovoltaic, a system to convert sunlight into electricity."
"It's funny that our ancestors tried so hard when there was a cleaner alternative all around us. In case you're not aware, I'm talking about mana."
Ethan descended from his mother's lap and sat on the floor, listening with intense focus to every word she uttered.
"About 400 years ago, a massive meteorite split into five parts and crashed into five regions of the world—the Arctic, Southern, Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans."
Lavinia closed her eyes and sighed deeply.
"It was the most catastrophic event in human history. Ninety percent of the world's population met their demise, and vast areas became uninhabitable. While it was a hard hit for humanity, they once more displayed their tenacity. In just about 3 years, a remarkable technological breakthrough occurred, led by a team of scientists searching for answers to this undetectable menace. Even though humanity possessed the ability to change the trajectory of a large meteorite, they couldn't even detect this one. This became the first mystery they needed to solve to ensure it wouldn't happen again in the future."
Ethan listened with wide eyes, thrilled by the grim statistics.
"But the first challenge they encountered was that no one could approach the meteorite within 500 miles. Any attempts resulted in unbearable pressure, and electronic devices became useless near the Astronomorphic Zone. That's what scientists decided to call the area around the meteorites. The term combines 'astronomical' to signify its celestial origin and 'morph,' indicating a profound transformation, highlighting the impact of the meteorite."
"Ten more years passed, and a significant change was brewing for humanity. Exactly 14 years after the meteorite struck, teenagers around the world celebrated their usual birthdays, expecting little more than birthday cakes and materialistic gifts. But they were in for a surprise, one that would forever alter the course of history. An era of people with superpowers began. These teenagers possessed diverse abilities, most notably telekinesis. They could control objects with their minds, but it became evident that this power had its limitations. If someone with stronger telekinesis fought someone weaker, the outcome was clear. However, other abilities emerged, such as elemental powers: fire, lightning, earth, and more. Some abilities were even more unconventional, like shadow manipulation and light control. Many teenagers awakened powers they had no idea how to wield. Some parents abandoned children they considered freaks, while others instructed their children to keep their powers secret. A majority became secret weapons for world governments."
"Schools for the awakened appeared, and governments prepared them for potential conflicts. Some awakened individuals were turned into relentless killing machines without their parents' knowledge, while others were trained to protect their families. Imagine children, no older than 14, being used in this manner. They were on the verge of becoming psychopaths."
Lavinia turned to look Ethan in the eyes, searching for any reaction to her words. But to her surprise, the boy, who had been in tears just moments ago, remained unmoved by this grim reality.
Had he started to realize that this was a dream? It couldn't be. No one from this world could escape or even recognize the dream world. At least, not yet.
"It became clear that anyone reaching the age of 14 had a chance to awaken a superpower. So governments initiated efforts to 'protect' these teenagers. If something went wrong during the awakening, it would lead to catastrophic consequences."
"Of course, people resisted. After 11 months, civil unrest almost erupted in 15 different countries simultaneously. Governments eventually agreed to retract the law that forced parents to submit their children to 'protection centers' in exchange for certain privileges. It marked the first step toward dividing humanity into 'nobility' and 'commoners.' Most people chose to protect their children, but some 'purchased' noble status by submitting their children. So, the protection centers resumed their work, and more teenagers awakened. Three years later, governments felt confident in their power, and the first Superpower World War loomed. The oldest soldiers were barely 18, and the youngest just 14. Humanity's greed remained its downfall."
Suddenly, Ethan asked, "But why would the kids with superpowers agree to it? Weren't governments composed of people without superpowers?"
"That's a good question, my baby boy. But what do you think would happen if they were manipulated from a very young age? Trust that human greed will always be their downfall!"
Lavinia's eyes began to glow, but Ethan still stared at his mother, expecting her to continue the story.
"You're quite something, Ethan Stormborn. I didn't expect you to see through this illusion so quickly. In fact, I didn't expect you to see through it at all. Just tell me, when did you figure it out?"
Ethan gazed at Lavinia with confusion. "What do you mean, Mum? What do you mean by illusion?"
"You don't need to play dumb. Just tell me how you figured it out, and I'll finish the story."
Ethan stared back, unrelenting. "First, I want you to change your appearance. It doesn't sit right with me that you're using the face of a loved one. Secondly, it's quite obvious. My mother would never tell me a story about manipulation, as she detested the concept of manipulating people's minds."
A long silence followed between the two. Then, the figure in Ethan's mind altered its features and began to speak. But it wasn't what Ethan had expected.
"PUHAHAHAHAHAH HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. THIS IS THE FUNNIEST THING I'VE EVER HEARD. HAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHA."
Ethan grew annoyed and gritted his teeth. "What's so amusing? Why are you laughing at me? What's the joke?"
"PUHAHAHAHHA
HAHAHHAHAHAHA. STOP IT, PLEASE. PUHAHAHAHAHAHAH."
Ethan's fury grew. "STOP LAUGHING AND TELL ME THE STORY!"
"PUhaha. Okay, okay. I'm sorry. It's just... funny."
"Will you invite me to the joke? What is so funny?"
"Don't worry, it's nothing." As if I would tell you. Epi would kill me even when he is dead. You have to figure it out yourself.
"So where did I leave off? Ah, yes, the Superpower World War of Earth…"