Xever floated in an endless void, a disorienting expanse of swirling shadows and muted colors that blended together, creating a disquieting sense of limbo. He had no idea how long he had been here—time seemed irrelevant in this strange realm. Memories of his last moments on Earth flickered in and out like dying embers. The screams of those he had tried to save haunted him, a constant reminder of the sacrifice he had made.
He felt weightless, detached from the pain of his past, yet the emptiness weighed heavily on his heart. The last image he held was of Yuri, fear and determination etched on his face as he faced the flames of chaos alone. What had he done? Was it enough? The questions spiraled endlessly, lost in the void.
Just as despair began to tighten its grip on his soul, a warm glow pierced the darkness, expanding outward until it enveloped him completely. From the brilliance, a figure emerged—a young man, seemingly no older than eighteen, radiating an aura of power and authority.
"Xever," the figure called, his voice clear and resonant, echoing through the void. "I am Zenith, the god who bestowed powers upon humanity."
Xever blinked, feeling both awe and disbelief. "Zenith? You're… a god?"
Zenith smiled, a blend of warmth and intensity in his gaze. "Indeed. I have watched you from afar, and I know of your bravery in saving those trapped in the gymnasium. You sacrificed yourself for others, an act of true heroism."
The words struck Xever like a sudden gust of wind, stirring memories of fire and chaos. "But… I failed," he murmured, his voice barely audible. "I couldn't save everyone. I couldn't save Yuri."
Zenith stepped closer, the light surrounding him pulsating gently. "You did what you could. Your sacrifice has not gone unnoticed. However, your journey is far from over. The darkness has begun to encroach upon your friend, and without your guidance, he may fall deeper into despair."
"What can I do?" Xever felt a spark of determination igniting within him, mingling with the sadness. "If I could return… if I could help him…"
"You can," Zenith replied, his tone firm. "But first, you must be prepared. To aid Yuri, you must master the gift I will bestow upon you: the manipulation of space."
As he spoke, the void around them shifted, morphing into a shimmering landscape filled with stars and ethereal colors. Xever's breath caught in his throat; this was a realm of infinite possibilities, a stark contrast to the emptiness he had felt moments before.
"Space manipulation?" Xever echoed, both curious and apprehensive. "What does that entail?"
Zenith gestured to the surrounding cosmos, stars twinkling like distant diamonds. "With this power, you will learn to bend the fabric of reality. You will have the ability to create rifts, alter distances, and perceive the world in ways unimaginable. But know this: mastery of such power is not achieved lightly."
The god's presence seemed to radiate a sense of gravity. "You will start with the fundamentals—understanding the very essence of space. It requires focus, patience, and respect for the forces you will manipulate."
Xever nodded, his resolve solidifying. "I'm ready. Teach me."
Zenith smiled, the expression reflecting both kindness and wisdom. "Let us begin. But remember, the power I grant you is as much a burden as it is a gift. Use it wisely."
With a wave of his hand, the space around them transformed once more. Xever found himself standing on a vast, star-lit plane, the ground firm beneath his feet. The air shimmered with a palpable energy, and Xever felt the buzz of potential humming in the atmosphere.
"Your first lesson is to open a tear in space," Zenith instructed, demonstrating by creating a small rift in the air beside him. It flickered like a flame, revealing a glimpse of a different dimension. "This requires focus and intent. You must visualize the space you want to connect with, then pull it apart with your will."
Xever watched intently, absorbing the god's movements. He stepped forward, feeling the energy around him thrumming with power. He raised his hand, trying to mimic Zenith's gesture. Concentrating, he visualized a point in the distance, a place he could connect to.
At first, nothing happened. He felt frustration creeping in as he struggled to focus his thoughts. He pushed harder, imagining the fabric of space bending, but only a few sparks flickered in response. Zenith observed him patiently, nodding in encouragement.
"Breathe," Zenith advised. "Space is delicate. Approach it gently. Feel the resistance, the tension. You cannot force it."
Xever took a deep breath, calming his racing heart. He relaxed, letting go of the pressure to succeed. With renewed focus, he tried again, visualizing the point he wanted to reach. This time, he felt a subtle shift, a gentle tug in the air. Slowly, a small tear began to form, quivering as it fought against the surrounding space. It held for just a moment before collapsing into a cascade of sparks.
"Good," Zenith said, his voice warm. "You touched it, even if only briefly. Each attempt will bring you closer to mastery. Remember, the goal is not simply to create; it's to understand."
Days blurred together as Xever trained under Zenith's watchful eye. Each lesson built upon the last, layer upon layer of understanding. They worked tirelessly to explore various aspects of space manipulation—creating rifts, sensing spatial distances, and even beginning to manipulate small objects from afar.
At times, the training was grueling. Xever faced frustration and exhaustion as he struggled to grasp the complex principles. Yet, each time he faltered, Zenith's guidance kept him grounded. "Patience, Xever. The power within you is vast, but it requires nurturing."
With each passing lesson, Xever grew stronger, gradually gaining a deeper understanding of the space around him. He learned to perceive objects beyond sight, allowing him to react instinctively, sensing movements and changes in the air.
"Spatial awareness is crucial," Zenith explained during one lesson. "The ability to feel what is around you will save your life. Trust your instincts, and your training will follow."
Finally, Zenith began to touch upon more advanced concepts. "Now, we will explore dimensional fractures—how to create small pockets in space where you can manipulate the environment to your advantage."
Xever listened intently, knowing that each technique was a step closer to returning to Earth and saving Yuri from his dark descent. The prospect of wielding such power both exhilarated and terrified him.
"Create a fracture," Zenith instructed, demonstrating with a fluid motion. "It will allow you to bend your surroundings in your favor."
Xever focused, channeling the energy within him, envisioning the space bending at his will. With a wave of his hand, a shimmering distortion formed, but it was unstable, flickering in and out of existence. It fell apart before he could fully control it.
"Again," Zenith urged. "Feel the space. It's not about power alone. It's about connection and understanding."
With renewed determination, Xever tried once more. He felt the energy coursing through him, the gravity of the task pressing down on his shoulders. This time, he focused on the essence of the space around him, envisioning how it should flow.
A ripple formed, then a fracture—a small, stable rift that hung in the air like a door to another world. He maintained it, breathing steadily, feeling the connections binding the space together. The rift shimmered, a glimpse into the possibilities waiting on the other side.
Zenith's eyes sparkled with approval. "You are learning, Xever. The more you practice, the more you will uncover the depths of your abilities."
As the training continued, Xever began to see the potential within himself—the ability to shape reality itself, to alter the very fabric of the world. But with each lesson came a growing sense of responsibility. He understood the weight of the power he was gaining, and the burden it would carry in the battle to come.
"Your journey is only beginning," Zenith said, his voice steady. "Remember, Xever, the greatest strength lies not in power alone, but in the choices you make. Your gift is meant to be a beacon, a source of hope. Wield it with wisdom."
With that thought echoing in his mind, Xever prepared himself for the challenges that awaited him, eager to return and save Yuri from the darkness threatening to consume him. He would carry this knowledge, this power, into the world once more, ready to face whatever trials lay ahead.