Back in his small, rundown apartment, Kikidori sat on his bed, staring at the crystal. It pulsed faintly, as if alive.
"Is this some kind of joke?" he muttered.
But something about the crystal called to him. He reached out and touched it. The moment his fingers made contact, a surge of energy shot through him.
His vision blurred, and he felt a burning sensation in his chest. Images flashed before his eyes—memories of his parents, the bullies at school, the figure in the woods.
And then, as quickly as it started, it was over. Kikidori sat there, breathing heavily.
"What... what just happened?" he whispered.
He looked down at his hands. They felt different—stronger. He clenched his fists and felt a faint hum of energy coursing through him.
For the first time in his life, Kikidori felt something he'd never experienced before: hope.