The sun hung low over New Horizon, its golden rays reflecting off the towering skyscrapers that stood resilient against the ever-growing Black Hole looming in the sky. A permanent wound in the universe, the Rift had appeared a year ago, bringing with it Hellions, monstrous beings that emerged every seven days, leaving destruction in their wake.
Despite this, life went on—at least, for those who hadn't been wiped out.
Inside Sector 7 Academy, the students of Class 2-A sat through another monotonous lesson on Hellion survival tactics, a routine drilled into them since childhood. The teacher droned on about barrier zones, evacuation procedures, and combat training, but Kai Takashi wasn't listening.
Slouched in his chair, arms folded behind his head, he let out a long sigh. His black hair with white streaks caught the fading sunlight as he lazily stared out the window, watching the sky churn with unnatural energy.
"Another pointless lecture," he thought.
"Mr. Takashi," the teacher's voice cut through his thoughts, sharp and irritated.
Kai blinked, turning his gaze toward the front of the class. "Huh?"
"Perhaps you'd like to explain why the Hellions invade every seven days?" the teacher asked, arms crossed.
Kai grinned, sitting up with mock seriousness. "Oh, that's easy. Hellions invade because they love long walks through ruined cities, free human buffets, and the occasional existential crisis. Who could resist that?"
Laughter rippled through the class.
The teacher, unimpressed, rubbed his temples. "Detention, after school."
Kai shrugged. "Worth it."
Before the teacher could continue, the classroom door slid open. A girl stepped inside, her long pink hair streaked with black and green highlights catching the light.
Her eyes, a piercing shade of violet, swept across the room like a silent challenge. She carried herself with sharp confidence, her posture stiff but deliberate, like someone always ready for battle.
The classroom fell into whispers.
"She's from Sector 5…"
"I heard she's been in real Hellion fights."
"Isn't she from a high-rank family?"
The teacher cleared his throat. "Class, meet Luna Everhart. She transferred here today."
Kai arched an eyebrow. Great. Another try-hard elite.
Luna's gaze locked onto his. For a moment, the room felt colder. Then, her lips curled slightly—not a smile, but something close to a smirk.
She strode to the only available seat, which just happened to be right beside Kai.
As she settled in, she glanced his way. "What are you staring at, hair dye boy?"
Kai smirked. "A walking cherry blossom."
Luna scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Idiot."
The students snickered, sensing the instant tension.
"Enough," the teacher warned. "Luna, welcome to Sector 7 Academy. Kai, behave."
Kai leaned back in his chair. "I always behave."
Luna ignored him, pulling out a notebook and immediately taking notes. Ugh, a perfectionist.
The class continued, though Kai barely paid attention. His mind drifted until—
BZZT. BZZT.
The emergency alarm blared.
Everyone froze. Then—chaos.
"Attention!" A voice rang through the school intercom. "Rift disturbance detected. All students evacuate immediately!"
Outside, the sky darkened unnaturally, clouds swirling like a living vortex. Then, from the center of the Rift, black shapes emerged, growing larger as they descended.
The Hellions had arrived.
Hellions Descend
The school hallways erupted into chaos as students rushed to designated shelters.
Kai stretched his arms. "Well, guess class is canceled."
Luna was already moving, eyes sharp. "This isn't normal. The Rift is fluctuating more than usual."
Kai tilted his head. "And that means…?"
"It means we might be dealing with something worse."
Before Kai could respond, a massive impact rocked the building. The ground trembled as a Hellion landed in the courtyard outside—a hulking beast with obsidian skin and glowing red eyes, its jagged claws tearing through the pavement.
Students screamed.
Teachers shouted for order.
"Kai!" A classmate grabbed his arm. "We have to get to the bunker!"
But Kai's gaze was locked on the creature outside. A familiar rush of adrenaline surged through him.
He knew the protocol. He was supposed to retreat.
But that just wasn't his style.
He ran toward the fight.
"Idiot!" Luna hissed, following after him.
First Battle
The Hellion roared, its guttural cry shaking the air.
Kai grinned.
Then, he raised his hand.
A faint blue light flickered in his palm, growing stronger, brighter—until it solidified into a sleek, crackling blade of energy.
The students watching from inside froze.
"Kai… just summoned a weapon?"
"But he's E-Class!"
Kai dashed forward, faster than the eye could track.
The Hellion swung a massive claw, but Kai slid underneath, twisting mid-air to slash at its side. A clean hit.
The beast shrieked as dark mist poured from the wound, but it wasn't dead yet.
Luna extended her hand, summoning an arcane spear of light, and hurled it straight at the creature's skull. The spear pierced through, and with one final wail, the Hellion disintegrated into mist.
The students inside the school gasped.
Kai twirled his energy blade until it evaporated, then turned to Luna with a lazy grin. "Not bad, Cherry Blossom."
Luna scoffed. "You nearly got yourself killed."
"Yeah, but I didn't."
Luna's violet eyes locked onto him, scanning. "You're hiding something."
Kai shrugged, but before he could retort—
BZZT. BZZT.
The Black Hole pulsed again, and the sky turned even darker.
More Hellions descended—twice as many.
Kai cracked his knuckles. "Well, looks like round two's starting."
Luna sighed. "You're insufferable."
Kai smirked. "You'll get used to it."
The two braced for the next wave, standing side by side.
The battle for Sector 7 had just begun.