After his encounter with the mysterious man that night, Ryo returned home, burdened by the weight of the truth he had discovered. He sat in his room, trying to process the events he had experienced, but anxiety seeped into every part of his being. He couldn't shake off the questions racing through his mind: How could he be part of an ancient prophecy? And why him, specifically?
The man had asked him to return that evening to the same place to introduce him to others who shared the same abilities and to help him understand more about his lineage and role in the prophecy. Ryo decided to go through his day as normally as possible until the time of the meeting.
The next morning, he woke up from a restless sleep filled with disturbing dreams. His mother, Miko, entered his room and smiled at him, saying, "Good morning, Ryo. Are you okay? You look pale today."
Ryo answered in a low voice, "I'm fine, just a long night." He tried to hide his anxiety, but he couldn't stop thinking about what he had seen the previous night.
He quickly finished his breakfast and headed to school, where Kozo greeted him with an energetic smile, "Good morning! Why do you look so tired? Didn't you sleep well?"
Ryo forced a smile and said, "Yeah, just an uncomfortable night." But Kozo noticed his distracted look.
Throughout the school day, Ryo couldn't focus. His eyes monitored every movement around him, as if expecting something strange to appear at any moment. Every sudden noise or motion made him flinch with worry. Sakura, who sat beside him, asked with concern, "Ryo, are you sure you're okay? You seem distant today."
He nodded and replied quietly, "I'm fine, just a headache." But he wasn't entirely truthful. Inside, he wrestled with an unsettling feeling of fear and anticipation. Suddenly, a strange shiver ran down his spine, as if he was being watched. He quickly turned to the classroom window, and his eyes widened when he saw a dark creature standing in the school yard with glowing red eyes. The creature moved through the shadows with a suspicious grace, as if it was waiting for something.
A sudden burning sensation flared in his eyes, and their color gradually shifted to red. He tried to cover his eyes with his hands to avoid drawing attention, but the heat kept rising, and his eyes glowed in a way that sparked fear.
When the class ended, Ryo hurried out, trying to reach the yard before anyone noticed his change. When he arrived, he felt the creature's presence right behind him. He stopped and slowly turned to find the creature lunging at him, mouth open with sharp fangs.
Time seemed to freeze for a moment, and adrenaline surged through Ryo's body. He felt an unfamiliar power ignite inside him, and his eyes glowed even more. Suddenly, flames erupted uncontrollably from his hands, sending a wave of fire that struck the creature, which shrieked in pain before vanishing into thin air.
Ryo stood still, staring at his burning hands in disbelief. The flames slowly faded, but he knew something within him had awakened. He looked around to make sure no one had witnessed what happened, but he felt uneasy, knowing that his return to school would never be the same.
In the evening, as the time for the mysterious man's meeting approached, Ryo left his house and headed to the designated place. The night was quiet, the stars shining brightly in the sky, but he felt that something bigger was looming.
He arrived at the location and found the mysterious man waiting for him, surrounded by people he had never met. Their expressions were strong, and their eyes reflected experience and seriousness. The man spoke in a deep voice, "Welcome back, Ryo. It seems you had your first real encounter."
Ryo took hesitant steps forward and said, his voice still carrying shock, "Yes, I encountered a creature at school... and I killed it. I didn't know I could do that."
The man smiled slightly and said, "That is the proof we were waiting for. Your journey has begun, and now you must be prepared for the next step."
The man gestured to the people standing behind him, each with unique features and a stance that spoke of their individual power. He approached Ryo slowly and said, "Let me introduce you to the others. These are the remaining descendants of the ancient warriors, each holding a unique and vital power in this battle."
The first to step forward was a tall young man with white hair and strange silver eyes. He smiled lightly and said, "My name is Kenzo, and I am from the lineage of the 'Dark Shadows.' I can move between shadows and use them to conceal myself and attack. My power relies on the element of darkness, allowing me to infiltrate unnoticed."
Next was a girl with short red hair and a sharp gaze. She spoke confidently, "I'm Akira, from the lineage of the 'Heavenly Storms.' My power allows me to control winds and storms, creating powerful whirlwinds that can protect allies or strike enemies with great force."
The mysterious man smiled and said, "Akira and Kenzo are the core of our offensive strength, combining unexpected attacks with formidable defense."
Another young man stepped forward, appearing younger than the rest, with green eyes that shone. He spoke softly, "My name is Haru, and I am from the lineage of the 'Ancient Forest.' I can communicate with nature and use plants and trees as part of my defensive and offensive abilities. I can heal minor wounds and summon vines to shield the team or restrain enemies."
Then, a girl with blue eyes and long blue hair appeared and said in a calm tone, "I'm Mira, from the lineage of the 'Deep Seas.' I can control water, whether through powerful aquatic attacks or creating water shields to protect the team. My strength depends on my proximity to water sources."
The last to step forward was a tall, muscular young man with stern features. He said in a deep voice, "My name is Ren, and I am from the lineage of the 'Mighty Earth.' My power allows me to control the earth and rocks, creating impenetrable barriers or strong rock attacks capable of crushing anything in our way."
The mysterious man stepped forward again and said to Ryo, "All of them have gathered because, like you, they carry a special lineage connected to the other realm. Each one of them has an essential role in the approaching battle. And you, Ryo, will be the link that binds them all. 'The Burning Eyes' grant you the ability to see everything and control pure fire, the power that bridges the realms."
Ryo felt a mix of awe and excitement as he looked at these people who had suddenly become part of his reality. He knew that his path would be full of challenges, but their presence made the responsibility he bore seem more bearable.
Akira looked at him with a challenging expression and said, "Welcome to the team, Ryo. Things are going to get more interesting now."
Ryo glanced at everyone, feeling the weight of the responsibility placed on him. Despite the confusion that filled his mind, he felt a new pulse running through his veins, as if seeing these warriors gave him a sense of hope and belonging.
The mysterious man stepped forward and said, "Now that you've met the team, I want to tell you about your main mission. As I said before, the creatures appearing in our world are just the beginning. There is a leader in the other realm called 'Zoltar,' who commands this campaign to invade the human world. Our goal is to stop Zoltar before he causes more chaos."
Kenzo spoke, "We have fought some creatures before, but this time, it seems more serious. Zoltar is not just an ordinary leader; he possesses great power that allows him to control ancient creatures."
Akira said with enthusiasm, "And this is where you come in, Ryo. Your unique power is the key to stopping Zoltar. The Burning Eyes are not just for seeing creatures, but they allow you to wield pure fire, the only force that can repel Zoltar and his minions."
Ryo felt a wave of fear and confusion but decided to hide it and replied, "I understand what you're saying, but I still need time to learn how to control my power. I just discovered it, and I don't know how to use it effectively."
Haru smiled kindly and said, "Don't worry, we'll train together. Each of us started from zero, and you won't be alone on this journey. We'll teach you everything you need to become strong enough to stand against Zoltar."
The mysterious man took a deep breath and said, "Alright, tonight will be the beginning of your training. I want you to come back here tomorrow ready because we will start training you on controlling your power. The other realm will not wait, and you need to be prepared."
Ryo looked at the man and the rest of the team, his eyes still carrying some anxiety, but he felt the warmth of the confidence he was starting to gain. "I'll be back tomorrow. I'll be ready."
As the meeting concluded, Ryo returned home and spent the night thinking about everything he had heard. His life had turned upside down in one day, but he felt that this was his destiny. He began to sense that his power was not just a burden but an opportunity to protect the world and everyone he loved.