Chapter 1: The Gate at Home

Fifty years had passed since the world began to change, when the gates first appeared—vast, shimmering portals leading to other worlds and dimensions. At first, humanity marveled at their beauty, with colors that danced like auroras and energy pulsating in waves that filled the air with an electric thrill. Cruz Hernandez, an ordinary fifteen-year-old, spent countless evenings in his small bedroom, imagining the wonders that lay beyond those gates. But the awe quickly faded as reports of strange creatures and horrifying events flooded the news.

Cruz was an average kid, with dreams of becoming a hero but trapped in a life defined by routine. He had his friends at school, his chores at home, and a small, close-knit family. His father worked long hours at a local mechanic shop, while his mother, ever the caring figure, managed the household. His sister, Emilia, was two years younger and often stayed quiet, lost in her books. They had their share of problems, but nothing prepared them for the day everything changed.

It was a Saturday afternoon when Cruz's life shattered. The sun filtered through the window, casting golden rays across the kitchen table where the family gathered for a light lunch. His father shared stories of his day, and they all laughed, the air filled with warmth and comfort. But then a strange humming sound pierced the cheerful atmosphere, growing louder and more ominous. Cruz looked out the window just in time to see a shimmering portal opening in their backyard, a swirling mass of colors that seemed to devour the sunlight.

"What the—?" Cruz muttered, heart pounding.

His father shot to his feet, an expression of fear flickering across his face. "Get away from the window!" he shouted, instinctively moving toward Cruz and Emilia. But it was too late; a monstrous creature burst through the gate. It was a grotesque beast, covered in scales that reflected the light in blinding flashes. Its eyes glowed with an unnatural hunger, and its claws glinted like knives.

"Run!" Cruz's father yelled, pushing them toward the kitchen. But the creature was too quick, lashing out with a swipe that sent Cruz sprawling to the floor. His father stepped in front of him, blocking the creature's attack.

"Get back!" he shouted again, his voice filled with determination. Cruz felt a rush of terror as he watched the creature lunge, its claws tearing through his father's chest. The world slowed as he stared, unable to comprehend the horror unfolding before him.

"Dad!" Cruz screamed, scrambling to his feet. But his father's strength faded; he collapsed to the ground, the life draining from his eyes.

Cruz's mother appeared in the doorway, panic etched on her face. She rushed forward, but the creature turned its gaze on her. In that moment of chaos, Cruz felt a surge of energy he didn't understand, a flicker of something deep within him. But it was fleeting, overshadowed by the weight of despair.

Cruz couldn't process the loss as the creature roared, hungry for more. Just then, a blinding light erupted from the gate, engulfing the room. Cruz felt an invisible force push him backward, slamming him into the wall. When he opened his eyes, the creature was gone, sucked back into the swirling vortex, and his mother was collapsed on the floor, gasping for breath.

"Mom!" he shouted, rushing to her side. She clutched her chest, her face pale and drawn. "What happened? Are you okay?"

"I… I don't know," she stammered, struggling to rise. "It was the mana… I could feel it." Her voice trailed off, and her eyes rolled back as she slipped into unconsciousness.

Cruz's world shattered. He knelt beside his mother, tears streaming down his face. The chaos faded, replaced by an overwhelming silence. Emilia stood frozen at the doorway, wide-eyed and pale, her hands trembling. She had witnessed their father's final moments and the terror that followed, but she couldn't comprehend it fully.

"Emilia, go call for help!" Cruz urged, his voice raw. She shook her head, backing away, fear etched into her features. The fear that had gripped them all now paralyzed her.

As sirens wailed in the distance, Cruz struggled to keep his composure. He cradled his mother's head in his lap, wishing for her to wake up. But deep down, he felt something else stirring inside him, a connection to the gate that had opened in their backyard. He remembered stories of the Awakened—those who gained incredible powers from the gates. What if he was one of them? But as he reached deep within, he discovered a hidden skill, a remnant of a primordial being long gone—a power that seemed useless at first.

Cruz could manipulate causality, shifting minor outcomes ever so slightly. He'd always thought it was just luck, like predicting when a ball would bounce back to him. But now, faced with life or death, he couldn't see its potential.

The ambulance arrived, breaking through the haze of grief. Cruz was ushered away from his mother, who was taken inside the vehicle. Emilia stood to the side, her eyes glassy, fear replacing any semblance of the sister he knew.

"Cruz," she whispered, her voice shaky. "I don't want anything to do with the gates. They're cursed!"

"Emilia, please," Cruz implored, desperate to connect with her. "We need to find a way to help Mom. I—I can figure this out. I have to."

But she turned away, retreating into the shadows of their home, leaving Cruz alone in the chaos that had erupted from a single, horrific moment.

Days passed, and the world outside shifted dramatically. The news was filled with reports of gates appearing everywhere, each one unleashing new monsters and chaos. People began to awaken, gaining powers that transformed them into heroes or villains. They fought against the creatures that emerged, but with every victory came loss. Cruz watched from the sidelines, feeling more lost than ever.

He had learned that the gates were tied to the remnants of beings long forgotten —those who had fought in a war long ago, their legacies obscured by time some gates even appearing to have small worlds inside of them, others mirroring civilizations long gone . Some had perished in that conflict, while a few remained, hidden in the shadows.

But for Cruz, the prospect of power felt like a curse. His father was gone, his mother lay sick, and Emilia had retreated into a shell of fear. He needed to understand the gates, to explore their mysteries, but the thought of facing the horrors they contained filled him with dread.

With a heavy heart, he made his decision. He would enter the gate in their backyard—the one that had brought the monster to them. He had to understand its purpose and his hidden skill. Maybe, just maybe, he could turn the tide for his family and find a way to bring hope back into their lives.

And so, with resolve ignited in the depths of his being, Cruz stepped toward the gate, ready to face whatever lay beyond. As he crossed the threshold, he felt a jolt of energy surge through him, igniting the hidden power within—a power that, perhaps, was more than just luck, but a chance to reshape destiny it.