Prologue: Moonlight Flame
The world had never been kind to Yuki Simi. His frail body was a prison, his every breath a reminder of his limitations. While other boys his age played sports, ran through the streets, and chased their dreams, Yuki remained confined within the walls of his small home, his parents' worried gazes following his every step.
"I wish I could be stronger," he often thought, staring at the moonlit sky from his bedroom window. Its soft glow was the only comfort in his lonely world. But his body betrayed him. Weak. Fragile. A burden. That's how he saw himself.
One fateful evening, as Yuki trudged back from a rare outing, his path crossed with that of a young girl. She stood frozen in the middle of the road, a truck barreling toward her. The world seemed to blur, and before Yuki could think, his legs moved on their own.
The last thing he felt was the impact, a flash of pain, and the girl's terrified scream.
When Yuki opened his eyes, he was surrounded by a serene, glowing void. Standing before him was a woman unlike any he had ever seen. Her ethereal beauty was matched only by the radiant wings that shimmered behind her.
"Yuki Simi," she said, her voice as soft as the moonlight. "You've left your mortal life behind. But I have been watching you. Your sacrifice was noble, and I wish to grant you another chance—another life, in a world far different from your own."
Another life? The words hung in the air like a dream. Was she truly a goddess, or was this some strange hallucination? Yuki swallowed, his voice barely a whisper. "Why me? I wasn't strong… I couldn't even live a proper life."
The goddess smiled gently. "Strength comes in many forms, Yuki. In this new world, you will not be the weak boy you once were. Tell me—what is it you desire most?"
Yuki hesitated. The answer was simple, yet it felt so far out of reach. "I… I want to protect others. To be strong enough to make a difference."
The goddess nodded. "Then I shall grant you the power of the spirits. In this world, three great elemental forces reign supreme: Fire, Ice, and Wind. I bestow upon you the Fire Spirit, one of the most powerful of them all. Wield its flames wisely."
With a wave of her hand, a crescent-shaped bracelet appeared on Yuki's wrist, glowing faintly. "This bracelet connects you to the Fire Spirit and the light of the moon, which will guide you in times of darkness."
Yuki felt a surge of energy unlike anything he had ever experienced. His frail body no longer felt weak—it felt alive, brimming with power.
"Now, Yuki," the goddess said, her voice growing distant, "step into your new world and forge your path."
Before Yuki could respond, the light enveloped him, and the void disappeared.
Episode 1: Rebirth in Flames
Yuki awoke in an open field, the scent of grass and earth filling his lungs. The sky above him was an endless expanse of blue, dotted with fluffy white clouds. For the first time in his life, he felt… whole.
He sat up, his hand instinctively brushing against the crescent bracelet on his wrist. Memories of the goddess's words flooded back. "A new world…" he murmured, looking around. The land stretched out before him, vibrant and alive.
Yuki clenched his fists, and to his astonishment, a flicker of flame ignited in his palm. It danced and flickered, warm and fierce. A smile tugged at his lips. "So, this is the power she gave me."
In this new world, he was no longer Yuki Simi. His name, as if whispered by the wind, felt clear in his mind: Ryn Ignis.
As he stood, taking his first steps into this new life, Ryn marveled at his surroundings. The air felt different here—thicker, charged with an energy he couldn't quite explain. Every tree, every blade of grass seemed to hum with life.
But his wonder was short-lived. A scream pierced the tranquil air.
"Help! Somebody, please!"
Ryn's heart raced as he sprinted toward the sound. He found himself in a clearing where a young girl with silver hair was cornered by three ragged men. Bandits, by the looks of them.
"Hand over your pendant, girl, and we might let you live," one of them sneered, brandishing a dagger.
The girl clutched a small pendant to her chest, her eyes wide with fear. "No! Please, it's all I have left!"
Ryn didn't hesitate. "Leave her alone!" he shouted, stepping into the clearing.
The bandits turned, laughing when they saw him. "What's this? Another kid trying to play hero?"
Ryn didn't respond. Instead, he raised his hand. The flame from before roared to life, swirling around his arm. The bandits' laughter turned to panic as the flames grew larger, crackling with power.
"L-Leave him alone!" one of them stammered, backing away.
"Not so tough now, are you?" Ryn said, his voice steady. With a flick of his wrist, the flames surged forward, cutting off their escape. The bandits dropped their weapons and fled, disappearing into the forest.
The girl stared at Ryn, her fear replaced by awe. "You… you're a mage?" she asked.
Ryn extinguished the flames, turning to her with a soft smile. "Something like that. Are you okay?"
She nodded, clutching her pendant tightly. "Thank you. I'm Lyra. You saved my life."
"Ryn Ignis," he replied. "It's nice to meet you."
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Lyra offered to guide Ryn to her village. "You're not from around here, are you?" she asked as they walked. "You have a strange energy about you."
Ryn touched the crescent bracelet on his wrist. "It's… a long story."