the journey of cards and gods

**Chapter One: The World of Cards and Gods**

The early morning light filtered through the curtains of a small, cluttered bedroom, casting a soft glow on the figure stirring beneath a thick blanket. With a groggy sigh, a boy sat up, his long white hair spilling over his shoulders in messy waves. His skin was a rich shade of brown, warm and alive, contrasting with the stark whiteness of his hair. His fingers brushed through the strands as he blinked against the sunlight.

Ryu sighed as he swung his legs over the edge of the bed, feet meeting the cold wooden floor. The world had changed so much in the last decade. Ever since "The Shift," the day gods and deities descended upon the earth, everything had been different. Entire landscapes morphed into otherworldly realms. Creatures from myth now roamed the land, and humanity, once mere mortals, were now given "systems"—arcane mechanisms that tracked their abilities, strengths, and stats like a game. Everyone had one, and Ryu was no exception.

His system appeared before him as he willed it, translucent blue text hovering in the air:

---

**System Stats**

- **Name**: Ryu Seran

- **Level**: 5

- **Rank**: Initiate

- **Chosen God**: Unchosen

- **Strength**: 18

- **Agility**: 14

- **Intelligence**: 21

- **Mana**: 30

- **Skills**: None

---

"Still unchosen..." he muttered, staring at the line that remained blank under 'Chosen God.' It was something that weighed on him every day. In this world, deities selected their pupils—offering power, knowledge, and sometimes immortality. These gods would appear to people in the form of cards, each card offering the possibility of a bond that would shape a person's entire future. Everyone had gotten one by the age of seventeen. Everyone, except Ryu.

The gods were selective, and it wasn't always based on strength or talent. It was something deeper, something Ryu didn't understand yet.

He stood up, grabbing his uniform: a white button-up shirt, the black-and-red tie of Yusaki High, and dark slacks. As he dressed, he wondered if today would be the day. He was about to start his second year at Yusaki High, and though he excelled in most of his studies, there was an unspoken truth: without a god's card, his future would be severely limited. No god meant no access to higher-tier skills, no divine protection, no ascension to true power.

Ryu tied his long hair back into a low ponytail and glanced at his reflection. His black eyes stared back at him with quiet determination. He wasn't going to give up, no matter how many days passed without a card.

As he grabbed his bag, a soft knock sounded on his door.

"Ryu? Are you awake?" His mother's voice was soft, carrying a gentle worry as always.

"Yeah, I'm coming." Ryu opened the door and smiled at her, her eyes immediately glancing over his uniform as if to double-check everything.

"Breakfast is ready. Don't forget, the entrance ceremony is today," she reminded him with a faint smile. "Maybe... maybe today will be the day?"

Ryu's heart twinged. She always tried to stay hopeful for him, but they both knew the odds were getting slimmer. "Maybe," he echoed, not wanting to dampen her spirits.

Downstairs, the familiar hum of morning life filled the kitchen. His younger brother sat at the table, already scarfing down a piece of toast. Ryu grabbed his own plate, barely tasting the eggs and bacon as his mind wandered to what lay ahead. Yusaki High was known as one of the premier schools for those with divine pacts. The competition there was fierce, and though Ryu had managed to keep up without a god's aid so far, it was only going to get harder.

---

As Ryu made his way through the bustling city streets, he could see how deeply "The Shift" had integrated into daily life. Tall skyscrapers, some fused with glowing crystals from the realms of forgotten deities, towered above. Small, ethereal creatures darted between people—faint traces of magic leaving their trails. Shops advertised "Blessings for Sale" and "Skill Enhancements." Even mundane objects like coffee cups could be imbued with minor charms or magical effects.

The world had adapted. People had adapted. But no matter how advanced society became, everything revolved around the gods.

He arrived at the gates of Yusaki High, a prestigious academy surrounded by massive stone statues of ancient deities, their faces weathered but still awe-inspiring. Students crowded the courtyard, some exchanging excited greetings while others stared at their systems, bragging about new skills they had unlocked or recent blessings they'd received.

Ryu walked past them, unnoticed and unbothered. He preferred it that way.

"Ryu!" a voice called out, and he turned to see Aya, his closest friend, jogging up to him. Her short, choppy hair and determined eyes always gave her the look of someone ready for a fight. "Still no card?"

Ryu shook his head.

"Well, I wouldn't worry about it. I bet one of the gods is just waiting to make a dramatic entrance." Aya grinned, punching his shoulder lightly. She already had her card—chosen by Eos, a god of light. Her skills had developed rapidly, and she was quickly becoming one of the top students in their class.

"I hope you're right," he said, adjusting his bag as the bell rang, signaling the start of the day.

As they headed toward the assembly hall for the entrance ceremony, Ryu couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to change. Maybe Aya was right. Maybe today would be the day.

And then, as they crossed the threshold into the hall, a shimmer caught his eye.

Floating in the air before him was a single card.

His heart skipped a beat. The card was unlike any he had seen before. It was dark, nearly black, with swirling golden runes across its surface. The air around it felt charged, as if the card itself was pulsing with raw power.

Aya stopped next to him, her eyes wide. "Ryu... that's a god's card."

But whose? And why now?

Ryu reached out, fingers trembling slightly as he grasped the card. The world around him seemed to fade, the sounds of the school distant as a voice, deep and ancient, echoed in his mind:

**"You are chosen."**

And everything changed.

Just as Tyrel, the Elemental Deity's chosen, was about to step away, the air around them crackled with a strange energy. A brilliant light, impossibly bright yet soft, descended from the sky, bathing the entire courtyard in a warm, golden glow. Everyone froze, their gazes snapping upward as a powerful, ethereal voice echoed in their minds.

**"No,"** the voice said, firm but gentle, as though scolding children who didn't yet understand the world. **"You are not here to be rivals, nor enemies. You are chosen as heroes in another world—one that mirrors your own, but is far more perilous. You will be teammates, bound by fate, not adversaries. You must get along, help each other, and grow together. Your survival and success depend on your unity."**

The light grew stronger, pulsing with divine energy. Ryu could feel the presence of something far greater than any of their gods—something ancient, timeless, and beyond comprehension. His heart raced as he glanced at Aya, who looked equally bewildered. Tyrel, the girl with the Dragon Star card, and the Soul Sargent chosen all exchanged looks of confusion and hesitation. For the first time, their cocky, confident expressions faltered.

Before any of them could respond, the ground beneath them trembled, and a deep, resonant rumble echoed through the air. A black void opened beneath their feet, swirling like a whirlpool, and with no warning, the ground gave way.

Ryu felt his stomach lurch as he and the others plummeted into the swirling darkness, the world above vanishing in an instant. The light from the mysterious voice followed them, but all around was nothingness—just the sensation of falling, weightless and untethered.

**"You will awaken in a world similar to your own,"** the voice continued, its tone now softer, almost comforting. **"But more dangerous, more unpredictable. Only by working together can you overcome the trials ahead."**

As the voice faded, Ryu's senses returned just in time to see the ground rushing up toward them. He braced for impact, but instead of hitting solid earth, they landed softly, as if cushioned by some unseen force. He blinked, disoriented, his body trembling with adrenaline as he tried to make sense of his surroundings.

The others stirred beside him, equally dazed. They were no longer in the familiar courtyard of Yusaki High. Instead, they found themselves in a vast, untamed wilderness, the likes of which Ryu had never seen. Towering trees with glowing blue leaves reached up into a twilight sky, where two moons hung ominously—one silver, the other blood red. Strange creatures darted through the air, their iridescent wings leaving trails of shimmering light. In the distance, mountains floated in the sky, massive landmasses suspended by some mysterious magic.

The landscape felt familiar, but also impossibly foreign, like a dream world brought to life.

Ryu stood up slowly, gripping his cosmic katana, **Leviathan's Fang**, still pulsing with cosmic energy in his hand. The others were on their feet as well, each of them holding their respective weapons, eyes wide as they took in the bizarre, alien environment.

Tyrel was the first to speak, his red hair tousled from the fall. "What... what just happened?"

Aya shook her head, still in shock. "That voice—it said we're heroes in another world. This place… we're not in our world anymore."

The girl with the Dragon Star card, still holding her double-bladed staff, surveyed the area with sharp eyes. "Looks like we've been thrown into some kind of alternate realm. The voice said we're supposed to be teammates… not enemies." She sounded skeptical but cautious.

The last of their group, the guy with the nature card—**Soul Sargent**—nodded. "We're supposed to help each other. That's the only way we'll survive this."

Ryu felt a cold chill settle in his bones as he took in the gravity of their situation. They had been brought to this strange, parallel world with only their new powers and a vague command to work together. And though the prospect of cooperation seemed like the only option, there was still an undeniable tension between them. The competitive energy from earlier lingered.

"Alright," Ryu said, finally breaking the silence, "let's figure out where we are and what we're supposed to do. If we're really going to survive here, we need to work together, just like the voice said."

Tyrel raised an eyebrow. "You're actually taking orders from some disembodied voice? What if it's lying?"

Ryu met his gaze, standing firm. "You heard it just like I did. Do you have a better idea?"

Tyrel huffed but didn't argue further. The truth was, none of them had any idea what they were up against.

As they began to move through the strange wilderness, the landscape unfolded with breathtaking beauty and danger. The ground was soft underfoot, covered in a glowing moss that gave off faint warmth. Strange plants pulsed with magical energy, their flowers shifting colors as they passed. Every now and then, Ryu could sense a presence watching them from the shadows—hidden creatures, waiting to see if they were prey or predators.

Suddenly, a loud screech echoed through the forest, and from the shadows emerged a hulking beast. It stood over ten feet tall, its skin a dark, leathery gray with glowing red eyes. Its fangs dripped with venom, and its claws were sharp enough to cut through stone. The air around it crackled with malicious energy.

Instinctively, the group fell into position. Ryu held his katana, the cosmic energy within it flaring as he prepared for battle. Tyrel twirled his staff, elemental energy swirling around him, while the Dragon Star girl raised her staff, the golden dragon sigil on her card glowing brightly. The Soul Sargent drew his twin daggers, his movements fluid and controlled, his eyes focused on the beast with deadly precision.

"We take it down together," Ryu said, his voice steady. "No fighting amongst ourselves. We'll need everything we've got."

The beast roared, charging at them with terrifying speed.

And the battle for survival in this new world began.

The beast charged, its massive frame tearing through the undergrowth as it barreled toward the group. Its glowing red eyes locked onto them with predatory focus, its claws ripping through the ground with each step.

Ryu tightened his grip on Leviathan's Fang, the cosmic energy within the katana pulsating in rhythm with his heartbeat. Tyrel, with his staff glowing, was already summoning elemental forces around him—flames flickering at his fingertips while gusts of wind whipped around his body. Lilly, poised and calm, raised her staff as the sigil of her **Dragon Star** card flared with golden light, the image of a dragon coiling around her weapon. Damion, silent but deadly, moved with the fluid grace of a predator, his twin daggers drawn, their dragon designs glowing faintly with a soft, green light.

The beast let out a terrifying roar, lunging forward with alarming speed, and in an instant, Ryu acted.

"Now!" he shouted, dashing forward, his katana glowing with the energy of the stars. He slashed at the beast's side, the blade cutting through its tough hide, purple light trailing behind. The creature howled in pain but didn't slow down, swiping at Ryu with one of its massive claws.

Before the strike could land, a wall of fire erupted in front of the beast, forcing it to recoil. Tyrel grinned, his staff sparking with elemental energy. "You think you're fast? Try getting through this!"

The beast roared again, but the fire held it at bay—at least for now.

Lilly took advantage of the moment, spinning her staff with expert precision. Golden light radiated from her, the dragon sigil on her card blazing brighter as the power of her **Dragon Star** deity surged through her veins. "Let's see how you handle a dragon's wrath," she muttered, her voice low and controlled.

With a swift motion, she unleashed a blast of golden energy from her staff, the image of a massive, ethereal dragon forming in the air before her. The dragon let out a deafening roar, lunging at the beast and colliding with it in a burst of shimmering light. The force knocked the creature back, its monstrous form crashing into the glowing moss.

"Nice hit," Ryu called out, quickly repositioning himself.

Damion, ever quiet, darted in from the side, moving like a shadow. His twin daggers flashed as he struck the beast with surgical precision, targeting its legs and sides. Each slice was deliberate, weakening the creature's movements while avoiding its more heavily armored front. "Keep it distracted," he said in a low, even voice, barely breaking a sweat.

The beast snarled, its attention split between Ryu, Tyrel's fire, Lilly's dragon, and Damion's rapid strikes. Despite their best efforts, it was still powerful, still relentless. Its claws tore through Tyrel's fire wall, and with a furious swipe, it knocked Ryu back, sending him skidding across the ground.

"Ryu!" Aya shouted, rushing forward, her own divine power of light flaring as she threw a shield of radiant energy around him to protect him from another attack. The beast's claw slammed into the shield, but it held, cracking only slightly.

"I'm fine!" Ryu called out, quickly getting to his feet. His body hummed with energy as Sol Commander's power coursed through him. His katana glowed brighter, and he could feel the cosmic might within him awakening further. He focused, breathing deeply, and channeled that power into his next strike.

"Get ready!" he shouted to the others.

Tyrel, Lilly, and Damion all nodded, readying themselves. The beast, sensing their renewed determination, let out a furious roar and charged again, but this time, Ryu was ready.

He stepped forward, the stars themselves seeming to swirl around him as he raised his katana high. **Leviathan's Fang** glowed with cosmic power, and with one swift, fluid motion, he brought the blade down. A beam of concentrated starlight erupted from the katana, slamming into the beast with the force of a meteor strike.

The ground shook, and the creature howled as the cosmic energy tore through it, the light from Ryu's attack burning into its hide. Tyrel, not missing a beat, followed up with a torrent of fire, while Lilly unleashed another golden blast from her dragon. Damion darted in for one final, deadly strike, his daggers glowing green as he plunged them into the creature's neck with precision.

With a final, guttural scream, the beast collapsed, its massive body hitting the ground with a thud. The glow in its red eyes faded, and the forest around them fell eerily silent.

Ryu stood still for a moment, his chest heaving as he lowered his katana. The blade was still glowing faintly, but the intense power had subsided. He could feel the weight of the battle settling in, the exhaustion creeping up on him.

Tyrel let out a long breath, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Well, that was... something."

Lilly twirled her staff once before letting it rest against her shoulder. "If we're supposed to be teammates, I hope there aren't many more of those waiting for us."

Damion, ever quiet, simply sheathed his daggers, his eyes scanning the area for any more threats.

Aya rushed over to Ryu, her light dimming as the shield around him disappeared. "Are you okay?"

Ryu nodded, giving her a tired smile. "Yeah. I think we'll be okay."

As the group gathered their bearings, the mysterious voice from before echoed in their minds again.

**"Well done, heroes. Your first test was one of many. Remember, unity is your greatest strength. This world will challenge you in ways you cannot yet imagine, but together, you can overcome even the gods themselves."**

The voice faded, leaving them in the eerie quiet of the alien wilderness.

Tyrel sighed, shaking his head. "So we're stuck here, huh? No way back to our world until we play hero."

Ryu glanced at his teammates—Lilly, the fierce and calculating warrior; Tyrel, brash but powerful; Damion, silent but deadly; and Aya, his steadfast friend. This world was dangerous, unknown, but somehow, in the pit of his stomach, he felt that together, they stood a chance.

"We'll get through this," Ryu said quietly, gripping his katana tightly. "As long as we stick together."

As the eerie quiet of the alien wilderness settled around them, Ryu glanced at the strange, unfamiliar landscape, his thoughts racing. The world felt surreal, like something out of a dream—or, more accurately, a nightmare. Yet, despite the fantastical environment, there was something strangely familiar about it all.

The voice had said this world was similar to their own, but more dangerous. Ryu had a hunch that meant more than just the physical landscape. If the systems from his world were still in place, then maybe…

He focused inward for a moment, and just as he expected, his system interface flickered to life before his eyes. It was a transparent, holographic window that hovered in the air, showing his stats and abilities. Relief washed over him as the familiar display appeared, and he quickly skimmed through the details.

---

**System Status:**

- **Name**: Ryu Kazehara

- **Chosen God**: Sol Commander

- **Class**: Cosmic Warrior

- **Weapon**: Leviathan's Fang (Cosmic Katana)

- **Level**: 1

- **Health**: 85/100

- **Mana**: 60/100

- **Strength**: 15

- **Agility**: 12

- **Endurance**: 10

- **Cosmic Power**: 20

- **Skills Unlocked**: Starborn Blade, Celestial Awareness

---

The numbers were lower than he would've liked, especially after that intense fight, but it was comforting to know the system was still intact. That meant he could grow stronger here, just like back home.

Ryu swiped through a few more pages, checking his skill trees and abilities. Everything seemed functional, even in this alternate world. That would be a huge advantage—if the others' systems worked the same way, they'd have a shot at surviving.

He glanced over at Lilly and Tyrel, who were standing a little ways off from the group, talking quietly. Tyrel still looked a little on edge, running a hand through his red hair, but Lilly seemed calm and composed as always, her golden eyes scanning their surroundings.

The two of them were close—closer than Ryu had initially realized. They were dating back in their world, and that bond had always made them a formidable team. Watching them now, it was clear their connection went beyond just fighting side by side. Despite the tension of their new situation, they found comfort in each other's presence.

Lilly caught Ryu's gaze and gave him a small nod, acknowledging him. Her confidence was unshakable, even in the face of the unknown, and that helped steady Ryu's nerves. If they could stay united as a team, they might just have a chance.

Tyrel, noticing the look between them, raised an eyebrow. "You checking your stats too, Ryu? Looks like we're still running on the same system as back home."

Ryu nodded, walking over to join them. "Yeah. Everything seems intact. We can level up, unlock skills, the whole deal."

Tyrel let out a relieved sigh. "Good. That means we're not completely out of our depth here." He glanced at Lilly, his expression softening for a moment. "At least we're not dealing with this alone."

Lilly smiled at him, her hand briefly brushing against his. "We'll figure it out together, like we always do."

Ryu felt a pang of envy—not in a bad way, but in a way that made him realize how much easier it must be to face something like this when you had someone to lean on. He and Aya had been close for years, but their relationship was different. Lilly and Tyrel had a deeper bond, something unspoken that made them stronger together.

Aya walked over then, her own system interface flickering in front of her. "Looks like we're all set," she said, nodding at Ryu. "Our powers are still connected to the gods. That should give us an edge."

Damion joined the group silently, his system interface closing with a flick of his wrist. "We need to find shelter. This place… it's too open. We'll be vulnerable if something else attacks."

Lilly's eyes scanned the horizon, her gaze sharp and focused. "He's right. Let's start moving. We can figure out more about this world as we go."

Ryu agreed, tightening his grip on Leviathan's Fang. As they began to move through the glowing forest, he couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning. The voice had mentioned trials—trials that would test them as a team.

And for the first time since they had arrived, Ryu realized just how crucial it was that they stuck together. Lilly and Tyrel's bond gave them strength, and the rest of the team had to find that same unity if they were going to survive whatever this world had in store for them.

The adventure was just beginning, and Ryu was determined to see it through—no matter what challenges lay ahead.