Chapter 1: Something Impossible
February 2025, Kazan City
Kazan, a city surrounded by volcanoes, was in the midst of a peculiar spring, where the skies often cleared to give way to a gentle climate that attracted both tourists and locals. Every year, during these days, the inhabitants felt increasingly inclined to explore the nearby lush forests, with their winding trails and mountains reaching towards the sky, offering a unique experience. However, deep within those hills, the secrets and history of the place remained hidden, waiting to be discovered.
That day, the sky over Kazan had begun to darken with the arrival of a sudden storm, something not uncommon in the region, though it was stronger than usual. The temperature dropped abruptly, and the wind battered the city's streets. The people hurried to take shelter, aware that the weather in Kazan could change in the blink of an eye, as if nature itself were restless. Meanwhile, beyond the city, a young mountaineer was crossing the hills, unaware of what would unfold.
A mountaineer, with a frustrated expression on his face, found himself at the edge of a cliff, about to fall. The ground beneath his feet, wet and slippery, had tested his endurance. But, in the last moment, an unknown figure appeared like a flash, grabbing him firmly and preventing what could have been a fatal fall.
Mountaineer: "Damn it! I thought hiking through the forests would be a peaceful trip, but I guess it's not."
Looking at the young man who had saved him, he saw a well-built guy, about 22 years old, with short, dark hair. He stood beside a fallen motorcycle, the impact occurring when the young man had jumped off it to prevent his companion from falling into the abyss.
Rescuer: "No problem, brother. You'd better head down if you can't handle the exhaustion, climbing these hills isn't a challenge for everyone."
Mountaineer: "Yeah, thanks, man."
The young man got up, picked up his bike, and with a small sigh, began his journey back home. As he rode down a path full of rocks and potholes, he thought about how dangerous this terrain was and how the people walking there seemed unaware of the risks.
This young man was named John, a lover of mountaineering, climbing, and extreme sports. Standing at 1.75 meters tall, with blue eyes and a strong physique achieved through years of training, John had grown up near the Devil's Falls National Park, an area located at the foot of several volcanoes. His life had always been tied to nature, and the constant challenge of the mountains was what kept him going, beyond the daily routine.
John was no stranger to the perilous paths he walked. In fact, he enjoyed that adrenaline rush, as if every step he took were challenging nature itself. He had taken more dangerous and difficult routes, cutting paths, sometimes even seeking out the steepest trails just to feel the thrill of danger. For him, the challenge wasn't only physical but mental too.
Mountaineer: "Ugh, damn it, my legs are killing me! I just hope I get down and grab a couple of beers."
As he descended through the rough terrain, he began to look around, familiar with the landscape. He had traversed these paths many times, but this time something caught his attention. In the distance, protruding from the thick vegetation, he recognized a structure that seemed vaguely familiar.
Mountaineer: "Wait, this rings a bell... I think it's the Venus Pyramid."
The Venus Pyramid, one of the most mysterious and enigmatic sites in the region, stood before him. It was a place surrounded by dense vegetation, and although it was an architectural remnant from ancient times, no one knew who had built it or what its purpose was. The pyramid had been hidden for years, known only by a few explorers and archaeologists, but rarely had anyone managed to see it in its entirety due to the thick jungle.
Curiously, the mountainner decided to approach. Although he didn't expect to find anything beyond a forgotten structure, something inside him urged him to investigate. He pulled out his phone and began taking selfies in front of the pyramid, unaware that what he was about to witness, something began to happen inside the pyramid. A purple and golden light started to emanate from the depths, illuminating the structure. At first, it was faint, like a weak flicker in the darkness, but gradually it grew in intensity, enveloping the pyramid in a blinding light.
Meanwhile, in Kazan city, the weather had changed drastically. The sky quickly darkened, and the atmosphere became dense. A sense of tension filled the streets as thunder rumbled above and lightning illuminated the clouds. The rain began to fall gently at first, then with great force, and hail struck the streets violently. The citizens hurried to take shelter, fearing that the extreme weather could escalate further.
From his home, John watched the storm, though he wasn't too concerned. He had grown accustomed to these sudden changes, and what mattered most to him at that moment was resting after such a long day.
John: "Ugh, nothing like a relaxing bath after such a crazy day. It annoys me how the city pollution sticks to your face and hair. Maybe that's why most people who live here look bald or kind of... strange. Even though I live two hours away, the clean water from the volcanoes helps wash the city dirt off me."
However, in the midst of his routine, something strange caught his attention. Looking out the window, he saw a bright light emanating from the Venus Pyramid. Despite the storm raging outside, that light was unmistakable.
John: "Hmm... Am I seeing the Venus Pyramid? But how is that possible? It hasn't been seen for years, and the distance isn't right. Wait, I'd better call Aunt Rowena, she'll know what to do."
With trembling hands, John pulled out his phone to call his Aunt Rowena, an expert in ancient history who had extensively researched the region's mysteries. However, the call went unanswered.
Phone sound: "It seems she's not answering... tch. I hope it's nothing bad."
The light shone for a moment, like a fleeting flash, then disappeared, leaving John stunned. He rubbed his eyes, trying to comprehend what he had just seen.
John: "How is it possible for the light to appear and disappear like that? Maybe I'm dreaming... or I'm high."
Determined to clear his mind, he started scrolling through social media. Suddenly, something caught his attention on his feed: a news article about Dragon Ball Daima.
John: "Whoa, what the hell! Is SSJ4 canon now? How is that possible? I thought without the author, there wouldn't be any more surprises... wait, now it's called Daima? What's this?"
Intrigued, he started watching a few episodes, completely ignoring the strange phenomenon he had witnessed. The distraction offered him some relief, but it also made him lose track of time.
One hour later…
John: "I can't believe it! Everything went to hell! Hahaha! SSJ4 is canon! The most incredible version is canon! Though... I don't like how they have such big hands, but still, it's amazing! And Vegeta SSJ3... now that's impressive!"
But as he enjoyed his entertainment, a deep fatigue washed over him. He knew he had to defend his thesis on geothermal energy from the nearby volcanoes the next day, which required focus and rest. So, after a couple of sets of weights to relieve some stress, he finally lay down, trying to sleep.
Soon after, the wind outside his window intensified, and a slight tremor shook the city. The seismic alarms went off throughout the city, but in the small town where John lived, the infrastructure was so poor that the alarms never activated. In his house, everything seemed calm, but the earthquake was only the beginning of something much bigger.