The universe wasn't always in balance.
Long before life had taken root, the cosmos was ruled by Primordial Beings, entities whose powers could forge or destroy entire galaxies. Over time, their infighting brought chaos, and to restore balance, the Eternal Core, a divine source of infinite energy, created The Guardians—beings tasked with keeping order. For millennia, the Guardians ruled, ensuring peace.
But peace never lasts.
In the present day, the Eternal Core's energy has begun to weaken, and whispers of an ancient threat, Voidbringer, returning from exile have begun to spread. Many believe Voidbringer is just a myth, but others know the truth: if the Core falls, the universe will unravel.
Amidst this cosmic backdrop, the story begins on a small, unassuming planet called Veura. Known for its rugged terrain and sparse population, Veura seemed like the last place the universe's future would hinge.
The training fields outside Mael's village were alive with dust and laughter.
"Come on, Kaion! You call that a punch?" shouted Raya, a fiery, red-haired fighter with an unrivaled competitive streak. Her grin was wide as she squared off with Kaion, a dark-haired young man with an air of quiet confidence. His messy appearance and carefree demeanor often led people to underestimate him—until they saw him fight.
Kaion wiped a bead of sweat from his brow, his smirk teasing. "If I hit you too hard, you might not recover in time for dinner, Raya."
She lunged at him, her fists glowing faintly with a shimmering blue aura. Kaion effortlessly sidestepped, his movements almost lazy, as though he was toying with her. His calm demeanor only fueled Raya's frustration.
"Stop dodging and fight!" she yelled, throwing a barrage of punches.
With a sudden burst of speed, Kaion caught her fist mid-air. His dark eyes locked onto hers, and for a moment, his relaxed expression turned serious. "You're too predictable," he said, twisting her wrist gently and pushing her back. "Control your energy flow, or you'll burn out before the fight even starts."
Raya stumbled but quickly regained her footing, glaring at him. "I hate when you do that."
From the sidelines, Grin, a small, green-skinned alien with oversized ears and a sarcastic streak, laughed. "She's gonna explode one day, Kaion, and it'll be your fault."
Kaion shrugged, grabbing a cloth to wipe his hands. "Better she explodes here than in a real fight."
The three friends had lived on Veura their whole lives, honing their skills and training under Master Sato, an old warrior with a mysterious past. Kaion's quiet strength had always set him apart, but he had never been tested in a real battle. On Veura, there were no wars, no invaders, and no reason to fight beyond training.
Until that day.
The first sign of trouble was the sky. It darkened unnaturally, streaks of violet lightning tearing through the atmosphere. The winds howled, carrying with them a sense of dread. Villagers began to panic, rushing to seek shelter as the earth trembled beneath their feet.
Kaion stood frozen, his senses on high alert. He felt it—a presence unlike anything he had encountered. It was cold, suffocating, and overwhelmingly powerful.
From the clouds, a figure descended. Clad in dark armor with glowing, crimson veins running through it, the being exuded an aura of menace. His face was hidden beneath a jagged helm, but his voice carried authority and malice. "Mortals of Veura," he boomed, "I am Zirak, herald of the Voidbringer. Your planet is now under his dominion."
Kaion clenched his fists, his heart racing. He could feel the raw energy radiating from Zirak, a power far beyond anything he had ever faced.
Raya stepped forward, her fiery temper overriding her fear. "We don't bow to anyone, especially not some helmet-wearing blowhard!"
Zirak chuckled, his voice dripping with disdain. "How quaint. Let us see how your defiance fares in the face of annihilation."
He raised his hand, a ball of crimson energy forming in his palm. Without hesitation, he hurled it toward the village, the destructive force growing as it neared the ground.
Kaion moved on instinct. In a flash, he was there, standing between the village and the attack. Summoning every ounce of energy he could muster, he raised his hands, forming a shimmering barrier of blue light. The impact was devastating, sending shockwaves through the air and carving a massive crater into the ground. Dust and debris filled the air, obscuring the battlefield.
When the dust settled, Kaion was still standing, his barrier flickering but intact. He was breathing heavily, sweat dripping from his brow, but his gaze was locked on Zirak. "If you want this planet," he said, his voice steady despite the strain, "you'll have to go through me."
Zirak tilted his head, intrigued. "Interesting. I sense untapped potential within you, mortal. But raw power without mastery is meaningless."
Kaion tightened his fists, his aura beginning to glow brighter. He didn't know where this power was coming from, but he could feel it growing, rising to meet the challenge before him.
"Then let's see how far that potential can take me," Kaion replied, his voice filled with determination.
And so, the quiet life Kaion had known was shattered. As Zirak descended to test his strength, Kaion realized this was no ordinary fight. It was the beginning of something much larger—a battle that would not only decide the fate of Veura but perhaps the entire universe.