Ryen woke slowly, his head spinning, and found himself lying in a grand room far more lavish than his home. Polished stone tiles covered the floor, and intricately carved furniture surrounded him.
"Oh! You're awake," came a calm voice. Ryen turned to see an elderly man with white hair and beard dressed in formal white and black dress sitting in an elegant chair near the bed. "Ryen Seraph, son of Lucian and Alicia Seraph. Am I correct?" the old man asked with a slight smile.
"Who are you? Where am I? How do you know my name, and where is Joh-I mean, Alstar?" Ryen asked, struggling to climb down from the bed.
"Hey, my name is Alastair, not Allstar," said a voice from behind him. Ryen jumped in shock as Alastair stepped out of the shadows, irritation flashing in his eyes.
"You could've warned me! I nearly bit my tongue!" Ryen stammered. "You called for me, and now it's my fault for answering?" Alastair shot back, his voice laced with sarcasm.
"Ahem. If I may have your attention," the elderly man said, clearing his throat. "May I answer your questions now?"
"Sorry, sir," Alastair replied, bowing respectfully.
Ryen turned back to the old man, eyeing him warily. "Who are you, anyway, old man?"
"Show some respect!" Alastair snapped. "This is Master Orion. You should be honored." "May I, Mr. Caelum?" Orion asked, placing a gentle hand on Alastair's shoulder. Alastair bowed. "Yes, please, sir."
Orion settled back into his chair, his face solemn. "Long ago, a meteorite fell to Earth, shattering into countless fragments, each carrying unimaginable power. Some fragments granted humans supernatural abilities, while others twisted them into terrifying beings we call Fallenions. And then, there are those fragments that merged with creatures, turning them into the wild entities we know as Metbeasts."Orion paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "Meteorions, like Alastair, are humans strong enough in willpower to keep the influence of the fragment's soul at bay. But those who cannot control it... they are consumed, becoming Fallenions."
Ryen's face filled with dread and confusion. "Then what was that thing that attacked my mom? Alastair said Metbeasts don't go after ordinary humans-so why would it attack her?"
Orion took a deep breath. "What you saw was a Metbeast-an earth-dwelling animal possessed by a meteor fragment. Metbeasts feed off core energy, which is found in those with even a trace of a dormant fragment. Ordinary humans don't usually have core energy, so Metbeasts avoid them; human meat alone is repulsive to them.""But your mother," Orion continued carefully, "must have held just enough core energy to draw it in. She likely carried a small, dormant fragment within her, even if it was almost undetectable. For a starving Metbeast, even that tiny amount is enough."
Alastair's expression turned remorseful. "I... should have sensed it sooner. But the fragment within her must have been hidden deep. Ryen... by the time we arrived, your mother was already... gone. I should have done more to protect her, and for that, I am deeply sorry." His head dropped, weighed down by regret and a renewed determination. "I'll work harder so that no one else has to face what you did."
Ryen's fists clenched, frustration and sadness clear on his face. "But if these fragments give power... then why did my mother have one? Why didn't she ever tell me?"
"Not all fragments grant visible abilities," Orion explained. "Sometimes, they lie dormant, only detectable by certain traces of core energy. It's possible your mother never even knew she carried one. That would explain why she became a target."
Alastair interjected, his voice steady yet tense. "The Meteorions and Fallenions are constantly at war, Ryen. It's a fragile balance of power and chaos. Meteorions, who have learned to control their fragments, work to protect humanity and uphold this balance. But the Fallenions seek only to dominate and destroy, pushing to unravel our world."
Orion nodded, his gaze focused squarely on Ryen. "And that's why people like Alastair, myself, and others in the Legion of Meteorions work so hard. We ensure that fragments remain with those who can control them-those with the wisdom to wield this power responsibly."
Ryen swallowed, trying to process everything. "But... if Metbeasts don't feed on ordinary humans, and humans don't hold core energy, then why do Fallenions target them?"
Orion's expression grew colder. "The Fallenions are no mindless monsters. They're as intelligent as humans-perhaps even more so. Their attacks on humans aren't for sustenance or power, but for fear. They create terror to establish dominance, much like lions marking territory by eliminating rivals. Fallenions see humanity as a nuisance, a weakness to be exploited. For them, causing terror among humans is a statement, a way of setting hierarchy."
Ryen asked, his voice a mixture of confusion and frustration, "Then why don't they just wreak havoc on the world? Why do humans know nothing about them?"
Orion settled back, his expression grave. "Oh, they have tried, many times over. They would have plunged the world into chaos by now-if it weren't for the Meteorion Legion. We are the reason humanity can live unaware, safe from the darkness lurking beyond their sight. Every attack, every catastrophe averted, is because we stand between humanity and the Fallenions' wrath."
Alastair added, his voice low but intense, "It's a constant war, Ryen. The Legion has dedicated their lives, generation after generation, to making sure people can live in peace, blissfully unaware of the danger just beyond their reach."
Orion nodded, looking directly at Ryen. "Without the Legion, the world you know would be unrecognizable-a realm overrun by creatures that see humans as nothing but prey. That's why we keep this secret, and why we need people like you who are willing to fight, who are strong enough to carry this burden. Join us Ryen."
Ryen clenched his fists. "Join you? How can you expect me to fight alongside people like... like that?" He shot a bitter look at Alastair, who stood stoically nearby. "I trusted him. And look where it got me-losing my mother to a monster I didn't even know existed."
Alastair's jaw tightened, his voice laced with remorse. "You think I wanted this, Ryen? We face this darkness every day. Every choice we make, we risk lives-including our own. You're angry, and I get it. But if you walk away now, you'll be leaving behind the very thing that could give you a fighting chance."
Ryen's eyes flashed with defiance. "A fighting chance? Against what? More monsters? More secrets?"
Orion's gaze held steady, piercing through Ryen's turmoil. "Ryen, right now, you're blind to the danger surrounding you. Every fallen creature, every fragment-each one is a ticking time bomb that could turn your world upside down. The Legion can help you control that. Without it, you're at their mercy."
"Why should I believe you?" Ryen's voice was strained, his desperation barely masked by anger. "For all I know, joining you means getting sucked into a war I didn't ask for!"
Orion leaned in closer, his tone deadly serious. "You're already part of this war, whether you want it or not. Your mother's death proves that. They won't stop, Ryen. Not until they've devoured everything you love."
Ryen faltered, his anger giving way to a flicker of fear. "What... what exactly are you saying?"
Alastair stepped forward, his voice somber but firm. "You have a choice, Ryen. Run, and you'll always be looking over your shoulder, wondering when they'll strike again. Or stand and fight. Learn what it means to become a Meteorion, to harness the power inside you. This isn't about revenge-it's about survival."
Ryen looked away, swallowing hard as he absorbed their words. "And if I refuse?"
Orion's expression turned grim. "Then you'll be hunted by Metbeasts, Fallenions, and others who won't stop until they've used you-or destroyed you. The Legion is more than just a battleground, Ryen. It's a way to keep those creatures at bay, to learn to protect yourself and the people you care about."
After a heavy pause, Ryen finally met Orion's gaze. "If I join... what happens to me?"Orion softened, just slightly. "You become one of us. We'll train you, show you how to wield the strength buried in you. We'll give you purpose in this fight. And in time, you'll gain the power to turn the tide against them."
Alastair added, his voice steady, "But it won't be easy. This path demands sacrifice, relentless training, and strength beyond measure. But if you have the will... then maybe, just maybe, you can make sure no one else has to go through what you did."
Ryen's fists relaxed, his breathing steadier now. His gaze hardened with a resolve that hadn't been there moments before. "Alright... I'll do it. I'll join the Legion. But not for vengeance."He took a deep breath, his voice a low, steady promise. "For my mother-and for everyone else who can't fight back."
Orion's lips curved into a small, approving smile. "Then welcome to the Meteorion Legion, Ryen. Your battle has only just begun."