Meridian City stood as a testament to humanity's resilience and ingenuity. Towering skyscrapers lined the horizon, their surfaces shimmering with energy harvested from blue crystals. Vehicles hovered above wide streets, and glowing signs displayed advertisements for everything from crystal-powered devices to warrior recruitment posters. Pedestrians moved briskly, their faces a mix of determination and weariness.
Astral walked through the crowded streets, his academy uniform hugging his frame. The black and gray outfit bore the insignia of the Warrior Academy—a badge of ambition for those striving to protect humanity from the rising tide of beasts. He tightened his grip on the small satchel slung over his shoulder, his thoughts swirling with the weight of the day ahead.
The Warrior Academy had been established five years ago as humanity's structured response to the mutated beasts that plagued the Earth. The institution was the pinnacle of training for those who dared to stand against the monsters. Today, Astral's future would be decided within its walls.
Having already passed the first stage of testing—the Test of Knowledge—Astral had proven his understanding of the crystal system, warrior history, and battle tactics. But two tests remained, and failure in either would mean the end of his dream to become a warrior.
For Astral, becoming a warrior wasn't just a dream; it was a necessity. His family's survival depended on it.
His mother lay in a hospital bed, her health deteriorating with each passing day. The illness clung to her like a shadow, unyielding to conventional treatments. The hospital bills alone were an overwhelming burden, consuming the bulk of the family's resources.
At home, Astral's younger brother lived a life of silence. Born unable to hear or speak, he had been denied the opportunities other children enjoyed. Special schools that catered to his needs were exorbitantly expensive, far beyond the family's means. His frail body and weak constitution further barred him from pursuing the warrior path.
Astral's father bore the brunt of it all, juggling multiple jobs to keep the family afloat. The man's shoulders were stooped from years of backbreaking labor, but he never complained. His determination to support his family was unwavering, though Astral could see the exhaustion in his eyes.
The world they lived in made their struggles even harder. Seven years of war against the mutated beasts had drained society of its strength. Cities fell, lives were lost, and the beasts grew stronger with each passing year. Humanity's greatest challenge was now its survival.
The shattered remnants of the asteroid continued to wreak havoc across the globe. Animals that consumed the blue crystals mutated into monstrous forms, their strength and ferocity outmatching even seasoned warriors.
Among these creatures, the Three Beast Emperors stood at the top of the hierarchy. Each of these terrifying beings possessed power so immense that they could destroy entire continents. Three years ago, humanity had managed to wound them in a desperate battle, but the victory came at an unimaginable cost. The strongest warriors perished, and the survivors were left to hold a crumbling line.
Now, the warriors' numbers dwindled, and humanity's ability to fight back was waning. The beasts grew bolder, launching coordinated attacks on cities and safe zones. Towns were razed to the ground, and entire regions were left uninhabitable.
To combat this growing threat, the government increased the incentives for warriors. Killing beasts and collecting crystals now came with promises of wealth and resources. But the challenges were immense. Apex beasts—those that consumed the largest crystals—were near invincible, and even seasoned warriors struggled to bring them down.
For Astral, the rewards offered to warriors were a beacon of hope. If he could pass the academy's tests and earn his place, he would gain access to resources that could change his family's life.
Becoming a warrior would mean more than prestige. It would mean money for his mother's treatments, education for his brother, and relief for his father. The path wasn't easy, but it was the only way forward.
As Astral approached the towering gates of the Warrior Academy, his heart pounded in his chest. The structure was a marvel of design, its crystalline facade shimmering under the morning sun. The energy coursing through its walls was palpable, a reminder of the power humanity had harnessed—and the price it had paid.
Today, Astral would face the trials that would determine his future. Failure was not an option.
The academy gates opened silently, and Astral stepped inside. His mind was focused, his resolve unshaken. Two tests stood between him and his goal. He could not afford to falter.
His family's future depended on him, and so did humanity's fight against the beasts.