The sky over the small town of San Lorenzo was painted an unsettling gray. A storm, absent from any forecast, had begun to form, bringing with it a cold wind and a heaviness no one could explain. For Alex, a 17-year-old boy, it meant only one thing: excitement.
With his old bicycle, he rode along the trails leading to the Cerro del Jaguar overlook. It was his favorite spot, where he could race down the steepest slopes and feel adrenaline coursing through his veins.
"One more jump, and I'm done," he told himself, adjusting his helmet.
The rumble of distant thunder echoed as Alex sped downhill. The world around him blurred—trees and rocks passed like shadows, and all he could hear was the sound of his breathing and the whirring wind. But just as he reached the end of the slope, something strange happened.
A flash of green light streaked across the sky, crashing into the nearby forest. The impact was so strong it shook the ground, causing Alex to lose control of his bike. He was thrown forward, landing on his back in the dirt, staring in shock toward the spot where the strange bolt had struck.
"What the hell was that?" he muttered, rubbing his aching shoulder.
Against all instincts of self-preservation, Alex decided to investigate. He ventured into the forest, feeling the temperature drop with every step. When he arrived at the clearing where the bolt had landed, he found something beyond explanation.
In the center of the clearing was an altar, covered in ancient inscriptions that glowed with an emerald light. The air around it seemed to hum with energy. Above the altar, a serpentine figure made of light and energy began to take shape.
Alex took a step back, but a voice in his mind stopped him cold.
"Do not fear, young one. Your destiny has brought you here."
"Who… what are you?" Alex stammered, barely able to form the words.
The figure finished materializing: it was a massive, feathered serpent—majestic and terrifying at once. Its golden eyes locked onto his, as if peering straight into his soul.
"I am Quetzalcoatl, god of wisdom, wind, and renewal. And you, Alex Reyes, have been chosen to wield my power."
Alex stepped back, shaking his head.
"There must be a mistake. I'm nobody special."
Quetzalcoatl let out a sound that was a mix of laughter and a whispering breeze.
"The chosen are not those who seek greatness, but those with the potential to achieve it."
Before Alex could reply, the serpent lunged at him, enveloping him in a blinding light. In that moment, he felt as if his body were burning from the inside out, as if something immense and powerful were awakening within him.
When the light faded, Alex was on his knees, gasping for breath. His right arm glowed with a strange symbol: a coiled serpent encircling a sun.
"What… what did you do to me?" he asked, struggling to steady himself.
"I have given you a fragment of my power. From now on, you are my Avatar, my representative in this world. But be cautious, for others like you have also been chosen."
Before Alex could ask more questions, the sound of branches breaking caught his attention. He turned just in time to see a man emerging from the shadows. The man wore black armor with golden details and carried a flaming sword.
"So, you're the new Avatar of Quetzalcoatl," the man said with a cold smile. His voice was a growl, brimming with hostility.
"This will be fun."
The man raised his sword, the fire illuminating the clearing. Alex, still disoriented and unsure how to use his newfound powers, raised his hands defensively.
"Get ready, kid!" the man shouted, charging at him.
The battle was about to begin, and Alex had no idea how he would survive.
End of Chapter 1