The air was cold, heavy. I could barely understand what was happening around me, but I felt the fear in the atmosphere, like a faint tremor in every breath.

—"Jiro, don't move from here." —My father's voice was firm, almost cutting. He had always been like that: serious, direct, as if every word he said carried more weight than it appeared.

I looked at him without saying anything. My small hand gripped tightly onto the edge of my mother's jacket. At six years old, I didn't fully understand what was going on, I just knew that what was happening was dangerous. My mother hugged me tightly, as if afraid that something could tear me away from her arms.

—"Dad... will you come back?" —I asked, barely in a whisper.

He turned and, for the first time, I noticed something in his gaze that I had never seen before: worry. But it only lasted a second. He gave me a brief smile, as if trying to reassure me, and then turned to join the other warriors.

—"Don't worry, Jiro. Everything will be fine." —That was the last thing he told me before leaving.

I watched him walk toward the center of the village, where the rift stretched across the sky like a black wound that wouldn't stop growing. There was something terrifying about it, something I couldn't comprehend. It was as if a piece of another reality had suddenly opened in ours.

—"Mom! What's happening?" —I tugged at her clothes, searching for answers.

She looked at me, but her eyes were filled with something I had never seen before: real fear.

—"I don't know, Jiro. I don't know…"

The screams started shortly after. Everyone was running back and forth, trying to get to safety. I couldn't see exactly what happened, but suddenly, everything went silent.

All that remained was the sound of the wind and the flash of that rift, which slowly began to close, as if it had never been there.

My father didn't return that night. Or the following nights.

Years later, the rifts kept appearing. Not as often as that first time, but enough to keep the village always on edge.

I grew up training under the strict eye of my grandfather, who ran a magical martial arts academy. He was a man of few words, and although he never spoke of my father, I saw him in his eyes every time he watched me train.

—"As always, you're being lazy, Jiro. You just need to try... what's it costing you?" —he would always say.

—"Is that good or bad?" —I would ask, panting after each training session.

—"It depends. If you don't break before you learn."

That was his way of motivating me, I guess. I didn't mind. I didn't have the natural talent like the others, but I trained hard every day. Something inside me pushed me to keep going, even though I didn't know exactly why. Maybe I wanted to find answers, or maybe I just wanted to fill the void left by my father's disappearance.

The rifts, the creatures that emerged from them, and the rumors of a hero from the past who faced the gods… everything seemed to be connected. But it was still a mystery that no one dared to unravel.

"Who am I?" I guess that's a good question, though the answer is a bit boring. My name is Jiro Kamimizu, I'm thirteen years old, and I was born in a small village at the foot of a mountain. This place is not like the common villages you might imagine; here, humans and Onis live together as if they were never enemies. It's strange if you think about all the old stories about wars and rivalries, but to me, this coexistence is normal. I don't know any other kind of world.

My mother is human, and my father... well, he was an Oni. He used to tell me that, long ago, Onis and humans lived in separate territories. No one trusted anyone, and any small conflict could lead to a battle. But one day, everything changed when both sides realized there was something worse out there: dimensional rifts.

According to the story my grandfather used to tell me, the rifts were portals to other worlds, and from them came creatures that didn't belong to either Onis or humans. Beasts with impossible shapes and powers that defied the logic of our world. That's when Onis and humans decided to put aside their differences and unite to survive.

—"It wasn't easy at first," my grandfather used to say while scratching his horns.

—"But when you have a common enemy, you quickly learn to trust your neighbor."

—"And what's that supposed to mean?" I said, with a bored look.

Over time, the war was left behind, and the two races began to coexist. There were even mixed families, like mine. Here, no one is surprised to see a boy with small horns and eyes that glow in the dark, like mine. No one looks at me strangely for being half human and half Oni. It's just part of what we are now.

My father was a strong warrior, one of the best. He always talked about how one day he was going to teach me to wield a sword and use Oni magic. But when I was six, he disappeared into one of those dimensional rifts. No one knew exactly what happened. I just remember that night the sky was filled with strange lights, and the next day, he was gone.

Since then, I've lived with my mother and my grandfather. My mother runs a small store in the village, while my grandfather manages the dojo. It's a kind of academy where the village's youth learn martial arts and magic. Although there are quite a few students, I'm undoubtedly the one who causes the most trouble.

—"Jiro, stop fighting with your classmates."

—"But Grandpa, he provoked me!"

—"It doesn't matter who started it, what matters is knowing when to stop."

I'm not the most talented at the dojo, that's clear, but I'm not the weakest either. My grandfather always says I have potential, although sometimes I think he only says it because he's tired of my nonsense. What I do know is that, despite everything, I never stop training.

—"Talent can open a door, Jiro, but only constant effort will allow you to cross it."

Those words have stuck in my mind since I was little. That's why, even when everyone goes home after training, I stay a little longer, practicing the same moves over and over. I don't want to be a hero or anything like that; I just want to be strong, strong enough to protect those I care about... and maybe, one day, find my father.

Despite everything that happened, the world has been at peace for the last few years. The rifts don't open as often as they used to, and the creatures from other worlds have become just a bad memory. But sometimes, I have the feeling that this calm won't last forever. It's like something is waiting for the right moment to return.

—"Jiro, are you coming to dinner or are you planning to stay there all night?"

My mother's voice pulls me out of my thoughts.

—"I'm coming!" —I reply as I dust off my hands and run toward the house.

This is my world, a place where two races that were once enemies now live in peace. A place where the ancient stories of war have been replaced with stories of unity and hope. But it's also a world full of mysteries, and I feel like my story is just beginning.

I'm Jiro Kamimizu, half human, half Oni. I'm not special, nor am I the strongest, but I know one thing for sure: I will never stop trying, and no matter what happens, I will keep moving forward.

Until I find my father.

The dawn brought an eerie silence. The cool breeze from the valley had stopped, and the sky, usually clear and blue, was now tinged with a dark red. Something was wrong.

—"Jiro! Wake up!" —my grandfather's voice boomed from the courtyard, pulling me out of my sleep abruptly. I jumped out of bed, half asleep, and ran out without even properly putting on my haori.

Jiro: "What's going on, Grandpa? Why all the noise so early?"

My grandfather, Kamon Kamimizu, was an elderly man with a severe face, a long white beard, and muscles that still intimidated anyone. He pointed towards the horizon, where a huge red crack tore through the sky near the great Kaigen mountain. The crack twisted as if the sky itself was being ripped apart, and from within, a dense and oppressive energy emanated.

—"It's a Daiketsu... one of the largest rifts in the void." —My grandfather's voice grew grave—. "And this time, it seems it brought something more dangerous than ordinary monsters..."

In a matter of minutes, the entire village was filled with screams and chaos. Villagers ran from one side to the other, while a group of guards armed with magical spears and enchanted swords headed towards the rift.

—"Stay in your homes!"

—"Don't approach the rift!" —the guards ordered, trying to control the curious crowd that was gathering near the main square.

I watched from a corner, uneasy. I knew that Daiketsu were rare, but whenever they appeared, they caused destruction.

Years ago, my grandfather and other masters of magical martial arts had to face a giant creature called Kuroten. The beast destroyed entire villages before being defeated, and today it seemed like something similar was about to happen.

Suddenly, a loud crash shook the ground, followed by a deep roar that echoed throughout the valley.

From the rift emerged enormous, monstrous creatures with bodies made of shadows and eyes glowing like burning embers. The villagers screamed and ran to seek refuge.

Villager 1: —"Those things are going to destroy everything!"

Villager 2: —"Call more guards! We won't be able to stop them alone!"

I stayed still, watching as the guards tried to contain the creatures, but the situation seemed to worsen. It was then that something caught my attention: a group of children, too scared to move, was trapped near one of the beasts.

Jiro: (Thinking) —"I have to do something!"

Without thinking twice, I ran toward them. The beast lifted one of its enormous legs, ready to crush them.

Jiro: —"Hey, move out of the way!" —I shouted as I leaped forward. Without really knowing how, I focused all the energy I could and released it in a crimson flash.

The impact was enough to deflect the creature's attack, which took a few steps back, stunned. The children ran to safety, but now all the attention was on me.

Jiro: (Scratching his head nervously) —"Uh... sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt your attack and... cause problems..."

The guards and villagers stared at me as if I were crazy. The situation, already tense, became a bit comical with my clumsiness, but before I could relax, a deep, firm voice resonated from the rift.

—"Interesting... a human and an Oni... fused into one body."

A tall, elegant figure emerged from the rift, covered in a black cloak that moved as if made of living shadows.

Its eyes glowed with a silver hue, and in its hand, it held a dark spear that emanated a terrifying energy. This being was not like the other monsters; it seemed intelligent and powerful. It was a Genshurei, a primordial spirit.

Genshurei: —"I didn't expect to find resistance so soon… but you..." —it pointed at me with the spear—, "are different. What's your name, boy?"

Jiro: (Swallowing nervously) —"Uh... Jiro... Jiro Kamimizu..."

The Genshurei smiled in a way that I didn't like at all.

—"Well, Jiro Kamimizu... let's see if you have what it takes to face the chaos that's coming."

Things spiraled out of control quickly. The village guards reacted swiftly. Seeing the Genshurei, they all charged at him, relying on their weapons and skills, but the result was a complete disaster.

With a single movement of his finger, the spirit sent several flying through the air like dry leaves in the wind. Some who managed to get close enough were engulfed in a black shadow that seemed to drain their life force. They collapsed to the ground, motionless, their skin pale as if all their strength had been taken from them.

"Pathetic…" the Genshurei said, his voice deep and cold like a moonless night. "Do you really think you can stop me?"

I watched it all without moving. My heart pounded so hard I thought it would burst from my chest. I knew I had no chance against something like that, but my legs were glued to the ground.

Then he looked at me. His silver eyes fixed on me, glowing with a flash of disdain and amusement.

"And you? Half-breed…" he said, drawing out the word as if mocking me. "Are you going to fight or would you rather die without trying?"

I didn't say anything. I could barely breathe. I knew that if I tried to face him, I would end up like the guards, or worse. So I did the only thing I could do.

I ran.

I turned and sprinted as fast as I could, heading straight for Kazekumo Hill, a place everyone avoided because they said it was cursed. I didn't care. If there was a chance to get away from that monster, I was going to take it.

"Run? How disappointing… I thought this would be fun," I heard him say, laughing as he followed.

---

I climbed the hill as fast as I could, feeling his footsteps getting closer. I couldn't stop thinking about what had just happened. The old people in the village always told stories about this hill. They said it was a dangerous place, where a strange phenomenon had once occurred—one of those dimensional rifts that left marks on the land and the air.

When I reached the top, I didn't have time to turn around before he caught up to me. I felt a brutal impact in my stomach, and everything went blurry. The kick sent me flying several meters backward, and I rolled into a crater at the center of the hill. I couldn't breathe, the pain paralyzed me, and I could barely move.

"What a weak half-breed you turned out to be… I got excited for nothing," he said, laughing.

I saw him form a black scythe in his hand, made of pure shadows. It was as if the darkness itself had taken shape. He raised it, aiming at me, and I knew there was no way to escape.

"Goodbye, half-breed."

I closed my eyes, waiting for the final blow. But then, something happened.

I felt a strange energy around me, something warm and bright. I opened my eyes just in time to see the scythe disintegrating as it collided with a light barrier that had appeared out of nowhere.

I looked around, confused, and then I saw it. A spear rested on the ground beside me, emitting a bright crimson glow. Somehow, that light had protected me.

Before I could process what I was seeing, a voice resonated in my head. It was deep and firm, and it seemed to come from everywhere at once.

"Use me, child…"

I looked at the spear, feeling something… different. Something I couldn't explain. I didn't know what this weapon was or why it was there, but in that moment, something inside me told me I had to take it.

"What… what are you?" I whispered, not expecting an answer.

The voice didn't speak again, but the spear kept glowing, as if it were waiting for me. I hesitated for a second, but then extended my hand, knowing that I had no other choice if I wanted to survive.

I was breathing heavily as I reached out toward the spear. The crimson glow continued to surround it, radiating an indescribable energy.

I didn't know exactly what it was, but something inside me told me I had to take it. I gripped it tightly, and the moment my fingers fully encircled it, I felt a surge of power course through my body, as if a spark that had been dormant all my life had been ignited.

At first, the spear seemed deeply embedded in the ground, heavy and firm, but with a bit more effort, I lifted it with ease.

I guess all those years of training hadn't been in vain. I felt the weight disappear, or maybe it was me who had become stronger by holding it.

"What the hell just happened...?" murmured the Genshurei, taking a step back, visibly surprised. Then, his expression shifted to a mix of anger and mockery. "So, you were pretending to be weak, huh? Don't get your hopes up, half-blood."

The Genshurei charged toward me, but before he could touch me, the spear reacted on its own. A crimson energy erupted around me, forming a force field that launched him into the air, breaking several trees in the process. The impact was so powerful that he was buried in the debris.

"What... what is happening?" I whispered, staring at my hands.

As I climbed out of the crater, I noticed something strange. I felt my body much lighter and... different. I approached a nearby puddle, and when I looked at my reflection, I saw my eyes glowing with a deep crimson color.

Two marks, like the stripes of a cat, had appeared on my cheeks, the same reddish hue as the spear. Also, my horns, which had been barely visible before, now glowed, and a crimson aura enveloped my entire body.

Not only that, my wounds... had vanished.

"Impossible... How could he touch me if I'm supposed to be a spirit?" growled the Genshurei, rising from the rubble, furious.

Suddenly, he punched the air, and several dimensional rifts opened before me, releasing chaotic energy that spread throughout the area.

Without thinking, I dodged one of the rifts that nearly swallowed me, and amidst all the chaos, I couldn't help but smile a little.

"That's so cool!" I exclaimed, impressed by what I had just seen, even though the situation was clearly not fun.

As I continued dodging, the spear in my hand began to glow again, and, without fully understanding how, I felt I could do something else.

Instinctively, I moved the spear toward one of the rifts, and it began to close on its own, as if it absorbed the fracture in space.

"Huh? Can I... close rifts?" I murmured, surprised.

The Genshurei, seeing this, became even more enraged and created more rifts with his punches. But now I had an idea of what I could do. With quick movements, I began closing the rifts one after another until the chaos stopped completely.

"It can't be...! This can't be happening!" screamed the Genshurei, desperate, as he charged at me one last time, forming a huge shadow scythe in his hand.

Without thinking too much, I raised the spear, and with a quick spin, I delivered a powerful strike that sent him straight into one of the remaining fissures. Just before he disappeared, I saw his eyes fill with tears, and to my surprise, they shot out in the form of two comedic streams.

— "This can't be happening!!!"

—he screamed as the fissure closed behind him, taking his lament with it.

With that final blow, all the rifts disappeared, and the place fell into complete silence. The wind blew softly, and the glow of the spear began to dim, though I still felt its energy flowing within me.

I stared at the spear, still in disbelief at what had just happened. I raised it with both hands, admiring its crimson shine and the power it contained.

— "I guess you and I are going to do great things..." I said with a proud smile.

I had saved the village, closed the rifts, and discovered something I never imagined: I had the power to control dimensional rifts. But beyond that, I felt that this was just the beginning of something much larger.