Taiyou stumbled forward, an odd sensation of weightlessness flooding his senses as he crossed an invisible threshold, stepping into a world beyond time and space. The Creed's realm stretched out before him—a vast, ethereal world of floating platforms and spiraling towers suspended in a boundless void. The sky shimmered with hues of indigo and silver, where stars seemed to pulse with strange energy, casting an eerie glow over the landscape.
Beside him, Ryojin walked with purpose, a faint smile on his face as he took in Taiyou's reaction. "Welcome to the Creed's realm," he said. "A sanctuary, training ground, and last stronghold for those who stand against chaos."
Taiyou's gaze swept across the scene, his awe tempered by a flicker of confusion. "Why am I here? Why did you bring me?"
Ryojin looked over at him, an almost proud gleam in his eyes. "You're here because you're one of us—a Primordial. I brought you here so you could meet someone who will help you understand what that means—and why it's so important."
Taiyou was about to ask another question when a figure emerged from one of the swirling towers, moving with a commanding yet graceful stride. Her coat was dark, reaching just above her knees, embroidered with silver symbols that seemed to shift subtly as she moved. She wore an armband on her left arm, marked in silver—the color of Squad One. As she approached, Taiyou felt an air of calm strength radiating from her.
"I'm Captain Kaede," she introduced herself, her voice carrying a firmness that commanded respect. "You must be Taiyou. We've been expecting you."
Taiyou, feeling slightly self-conscious, nodded. "So… this place. And all of you… you're Primordials, too?"
Kaede's eyes softened slightly. "Yes. The Creed is an alliance of Primordials from countless timelines. Our purpose is to guard against chaos—a force that consumes everything it touches, destabilizing worlds and tearing apart timelines. You'll learn more as you train, but know this: your power is rare and essential."
Ryojin stepped in, his gaze fixed on Taiyou. "Chaos is drawn to us, seeking our power to fuel itself. If it consumes a Primordial, it grows stronger, more destructive. It's why we're here—to protect that power and use it for balance, not destruction."
Taiyou felt the weight of their words, and his gaze drifted to the sky, where flashes of light and shadow seemed to ripple. "So… this chaos… the monster we fought—is that part of it?"
Kaede's expression grew serious, her voice tinged with caution. "That creature was merely a fragment—a small piece of a larger force we call the Devouring Shadow. It's a being that embodies chaos, constantly feeding on worlds and timelines, growing stronger with each one it consumes. Our squads exist to prevent this—each with unique skills and powers for our mission."
Taiyou's brows furrowed. "And what powers? I thought mine just… appeared when I fought that monster."
Kaede nodded. "Most Primordials wield abilities connected to one of six primal forces—fire, shadow, life, void, light, or earth some are even capable of wielding 2. These elements form the basis of our squads, though we each have individual specialties. Squad One, for example, confronts chaos entities directly, wielding elemental forces to neutralize them. Other squads handle reconnaissance, healing, temporal manipulation, and even predicting chaos's movements. Together, we hold back the darkness."
Taiyou's eyes widened. "So all of you have… elements? And chaos… does it have its own kind of powers?"
Ryojin met his gaze with a somber nod. "Yes. Chaos entities wield unnatural powers. Some warp time and space, twisting reality to distort our perception and weaken us. They don't obey the laws of any universe—they tear at them. Each encounter with chaos is different and dangerous."
Kaede gestured for Taiyou to follow her toward the edge of a high balcony overlooking the training grounds below. There, Creed members were practicing complex techniques, their uniforms swirling as they moved through disciplined formations. Some conjured flames or shadow, others manipulated space itself, while a few closed their eyes and tapped into powers Taiyou couldn't even begin to understand.
"We train here to hone our power, to make sure it doesn't consume us or endanger others," Kaede said, watching Taiyou absorb the sight. "You have powers, as Ryojin confirmed when he saw you battle the monster. You'll learn to control them here—if you choose to join us."
Taiyou considered her words, questions racing through his mind. "And… what about my friends? Kenji and the others—are they alright?"
Kaede's expression softened with empathy. "We're looking into it. It may take some time, but we won't stop until we find them."
She paused, her gaze meeting his. "But this is your choice, Taiyou. If you'd rather return to your world and live an ordinary life, we can arrange it."
"Ordinary life…" Taiyou murmured, her words landing hard. Going back to a life where he was unaware of his powers, where the mundane routines of school and life awaited him, seemed impossible now. And the idea of being able to protect people—of living a life of purpose—stirred something deep within him.
He took a deep breath, glancing at Ryojin, then back at Kaede. "No. I want to stay. I want to protect people. And if chaos is out there, threatening everything, then… then I'll fight."
Ryojin's face broke into a smile of approval, and Kaede's gaze softened with respect. "Then welcome to the Creed, Taiyou. From this point forward, you'll train, you'll learn, and eventually, you'll join a squad. The Creed isn't just an organization—it's a family. And our mission is to protect every world, every timeline, from the Devouring Shadow."
As Taiyou looked out over the vast, mysterious realm, a new resolve surged within him. The Creed was more than a mere alliance—it was a force that defied chaos itself, a united front of those who stood against the darkness. And now, he was one of them.