Ryan slowly opened his eyes, greeted by the harsh light of the hospital with a tired sigh.
His sister, Rayna, was there, sitting by his bed, engrossed in a book. Her face was expressionless, but her eyes reflected a concern she didn't want to show.
— Another fight, Ryan? she hissed, her voice betraying contained anger. Aren't you tired? Every day, it's the same. Always in the same place, always in the same condition.
Ryan turned his gaze away, embarrassed, a heavy weight on his shoulders. His fingers curled around the white sheets.
— They won't leave me alone, he said in a low voice. They insult me, they tell me I don't deserve Luna, that an orphan like me... has no value.
He paused, staring at his hands. The words thrown at him echoed in his mind, like a painful reverberation.
Rayna set her book down and approached him. She took him in her arms, the embrace soft yet firm, like a shield against the outside world.
— You're not like them, Ryan. You're not what they say, she whispered in his ear.
Ryan closed his eyes, savoring the moment of comfort. Then, a faint smile appeared on his face.
— Hey, Rayna, could you lend me 10,000 Xar? he asked innocently, almost playfully.
She looked at him, her eyes filled with tenderness, before sighing.
— More Xar? Fine, but this is the last time. Promise?
She got up, leaving the room without realizing she had been manipulated once again.
As she passed through the door, a flicker of doubt crossed her mind. Maybe... he had tricked her again.
Two centuries ago, an unimaginable event shattered the world.
Massive, shimmering portals suddenly appeared at every corner of the globe, tearing reality apart like gaping wounds. Initially mysterious, these portals quickly revealed themselves as a threat: they unleashed monstrous creatures from another world.
These beasts, of unimaginable size, ravaged everything in their path. Some were colossal, as tall as skyscrapers, others smaller but infinitely more numerous, moving in hungry hordes. Cities fell, nations collapsed, and billions of lives were erased.
But in the heart of chaos, an unexpected phenomenon occurred. As humanity neared extinction, individuals began to awaken supernatural powers. They were called the Awakened.
These beings developed extraordinary abilities: some controlled the elements, others possessed superhuman strength or more mystical powers, such as teleportation or healing. However, despite their power, it was too late to save the world as it had been. Civilizations had fallen, and the planet was now a vast graveyard of ruins.
The Awakened, those who had survived, then took the reins of the resistance. They fought the monsters tirelessly, each battle a fight for survival. Decades of war passed before humanity began to turn the tide, and gradually, thirteen nations were founded on the remnants of the old world.
Twelve of these nations chose to unite under the banner of the Protectors' Association, an organization created to regulate the Awakened. The Association established strict rules, ensuring that each Awakened was used in defense of humanity. But among the thirteen countries, one resisted: Luibia. This dictatorial regime chose to operate on the fringes, exploiting its own Awakened to maintain power, with little regard for its people.
The powers of the Awakened were then studied and classified according to a ranking system. Rank F was the weakest, often relegated to menial tasks, while Rank S represented the elite, those capable of changing the course of a battle on their own. But higher still, the Monarch rank represented the most powerful among them, living legends.
The cruel truth that followed this discovery: once an Awakened received their power, they could never improve it. The weakest would forever remain at Rank F, while the strongest bore their blessing as a burden. A Rank F Awakened could never rise higher, no matter their efforts.
This rigid hierarchy caused invisible suffering. The weakest were often despised, relegated to subordinate tasks, while the powerful enjoyed near-divine status, their power intangible, granting them unwavering respect.
In this broken but resilient world, each Awakened carried the weight of their powers, whether they were an admired hero or a broken individual struggling to prove their worth.
Ryan left the hospital, his phone vibrating in his hand. He lifted it and read the message from his sister confirming the 10,000 Xar had been sent. A smirk crept across his face.
— Thanks, pigeon, he muttered, his gaze amused.
He slipped the phone into his pocket and took a deep breath. Tomorrow was the big day. The awakening center. He would finally know what rank he would get. He hoped for at least a Rank B, maybe even a Monarch rank, he thought, shivering with excitement. It would be so easy, everything would finally change.
With the 10,000 Xar in his pocket, he knew exactly what he would do with it. He would buy an artifact for Luna. A gift. A gesture. A promise. After all, once he knew his rank, he could finally give her something worthy of her value.
But before that, he had to find the right artifact. The artifact center was the perfect place for that.
Ryan quickened his pace, his heart beating faster with each passing second. Artifacts were rare, often found in the portals. Their use was complicated: too heavy and too fragile against the powerful monsters. But some artifacts were different. Light, durable. Some even granted additional powers. There were seven, but six had disappeared. One remained, hidden in the Z41 laboratory, still under research.
He arrived at the artifact center, his gaze scanning the displays. He headed straight for a room filled with rings. For months, he had been keeping an eye on one of them. He knew it would be perfect for Luna.
He called over an attendant and, after a brief negotiation, bought the ring for his 10,000 Xar.
— This ring brings great luck to the wearer, the employee explained with a commercial smile.
Ryan nodded and slipped the ring into his pocket. He knew Luna would appreciate it. It might not be a legendary artifact, but he hoped this gesture would be enough to show her how much she meant to him.
Back home, Ryan slowed his pace when he spotted Luna. She was there, standing in front of the house, waiting patiently. Her silhouette outlined against the twilight sky, a soft glow in her eyes. Ryan felt warmth spread inside him, like a ray of sunshine on his heart, and he quickened his step, smiling.
— Luna! he exclaimed, happy to see her.
She turned her head, a brilliant smile lighting up her face. She stepped toward him, and Ryan felt his heart race. He took her in his arms without hesitation, holding her tight. She wasn't just a simple friend, she was so much more. She was the one who, despite everything that had happened, was always there for him.
— Did you miss me? Luna teased, glancing into Ryan's eyes.
Ryan loosened his hold slightly, stepping back to look at her, a shy smile on his face.
— Of course I missed you. Always.
Luna looked at him for a long moment, a small smile on her lips, before placing a hand on his chest.
— You know, Ryan, even though you're... how should I put it, different from other boys, you have something no one else has.
Ryan raised his eyebrows, feeling a little unsettled by her words. But Luna, with a light gesture, brushed his chin with her fingertips.
— You don't need to be a great Awakened to be someone special, she told him softly. It doesn't matter if you're Rank F or if you never get stronger. I'll always be by your side.
Luna's words hit Ryan like a lightning bolt. His eyes filled with infinite tenderness, and his heart beat faster. He knew she wasn't lying. Her love for him wasn't tied to his rank. It was a silent promise, a pact made of trust and support.
— Are you... are you serious? he asked, his voice trembling a bit. Even if I never gain more power? Even if I stay as I am? You won't... you won't get tired of me?
Luna smiled gently, then took his hands in hers.
— Of course I'm serious, Ryan. I don't love you because of your rank. I love you because you're you. Because, despite everything, you have a strength no one else has. A strength of character. A perseverance that amazes me every day.
She moved closer, resting her forehead against his. Ryan felt her warm breath on his skin, and his heart tightened a little more.
— You're my hero, Ryan. Not because you're strong, but because you never gave up. No matter what others say. No matter your rank. You've shown me that real courage is to keep going despite it all.
A soft silence settled between them, and for a few seconds, Ryan closed his eyes, letting himself be immersed in the warmth of her words. It was everything he had always wanted to hear, everything he had always hoped for. But he had never dared to dream of it. And yet, here, in front of him, Luna was offering him this simple, pure truth.
— Thank you, he whispered finally, his voice breaking with emotion. Thank you for believing in me.
Luna smiled and straightened, her gaze meeting Ryan's, her eyes shining with love. She slowly brought her lips to his, and before Ryan could react, she placed a tender, almost shy kiss on his lips. This kiss was a vow, a silent promise that nothing would break their bond.
When they parted, Ryan couldn't help but smile. He felt an infinite warmth in his heart, a warmth that had nothing to do with the powers of the Awakened. It was the warmth of sincere love, a love that couldn't be measured in ranks.
Luna, still smiling, looked him straight in the eyes.
— I have a surprise for you tomorrow, she said. I hope you'll like what I've planned.
Ryan raised his eyebrows, surprised by this announcement.
— A surprise? What is it?
Luna looked at him, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
— You'll find out tomorrow. But I'm sure you'll like it. A little something for you.
Ryan smiled, although his mind was haunted by one thought. He hadn't yet told her about the artifact, about the ring he had bought for her. He wanted it to be tomorrow's surprise, the one that would come after he found out his rank. He promised himself he would give her that artifact, no matter what rank he received.
— I can't wait to see your surprise, he murmured.
And for a moment, everything seemed possible. Doubts, fears, insecurities dissipated under the warmth of their exchange. No matter the rank, no matter what the future held for him. He knew he could always count on Luna. And with her by his side, he felt that anything was possible.