In the city of Gulrukh, people went about their routines as usual that morning. Everything looked calm and peaceful, almost like the city wasn't in the middle of a massive war or any threat whatsoever.
Of all the people who are passing by, a young boy named Haruki was walking down from the hill, carrying a bunch of wooden logs on his back. He was with two of his friends, who were clearly carrying less than him.
"AH! This is way too heavy!"
"You complain too much, Cal. Look at Haruki—he's carrying way more."
"Well yeah, that's because Haruki's stronger than us. That's why he's got more to carry."
Haruki didn't say anything. He was used to hearing those kinds of comments.
Haruki, Caleb, and Iria had been friends since they were little. They met on the farmlands where their parents worked. Haruki was the quiet one, Caleb always complained, and Iria who has the soul of a fighter.
The three of them were walking back home, surrounded by this peaceful silence—until suddenly, a loud bell rang behind them. Caleb and Iria turned around, confused about what that sound meant.
But Haruki already knew. Without saying anything, he ran straight toward the ocean.
Other people were moving too—heading in the same direction, as if waiting for something to appear.
Caleb and Iria eventually caught up to Haruki, still trying to understand what was going on.
"What's happening?"
"Balga creature."
"Wait, WHAT? Then shouldn't we be running?!"
A few seconds later, a creature emerged from the depth of the sea. It was terrifying, enormous and roared at the sky as if it owned it. Following the emergence of the creature, a sound of rotors echoed above them. Everyone looked up and saw a helicopter flying toward the creature out at sea.
The whole crowd stared, eyes fixed, like they were waiting for something big to happen.
Then, two people jumped from the helicopter—diving straight toward the beast. The monster let out a deafening roar, trying to intimidate them. But suddenly, the two people began to glow.
A burst of light shot out, and then it happened.
A massive machine, shaped like a titan, emerged from the light—smashing into the creature below. That was a Titanis—a giant robot built to fight the Balga.
The crowd erupted into cheers every time Titanis landed a punch to the monster. After a few strong hits, the monster retreated, diving back into the ocean.
Titanis spun around proudly, lifting one arm into the air like a victory pose. The crowd roared even louder, completely amazed.
Even Caleb and Iria, who were totally confused earlier, ended up joining in the celebration.
That night, Haruki was out on his balcony, staring at the stars. The events from earlier kept playing in his head. He tried to shake it off, but it just wouldn't leave.
Then, he heard his mother's voice from inside the house.
"Haruki! Come down and eat with your uncle!"
"Okay!"
Haruki left the balcony and went to the dinner table. His uncle was already chatting with his dad. As soon as Haruki walked in, his uncle turned to him.
"Haruki, Haruki! You saw your uncle in action today, didn't you?"
Haruki nodded quietly. His uncle walked over and slung an arm around his shoulder from behind.
"Hey, that's it? Your uncle just saved the city, you know!"
"Yeah, you're so heroic and cool, Uncle," Haruki replied, half-hearted and a little sarcastic.
"Now that's what I like to hear!"
His uncle went back to his seat beside Haruki's dad, right across from Haruki and his mom.
Haruki sat there watching his uncle go on and on about his "heroic" moment, exaggerated like usual, while his dad listened like it was the best story in the world.
Haruki felt jealous. He wants his story to be like his uncle's too—moments that made people look at him the way they looked at his uncle. And in that moment, he decided.
"And then I punched it so hard it—"
"I want to join the Sentinels."
Everyone at the table went completely silent.
"Wait… are you serious?"
"Yeah, are you really sure, son?"
They all stared at him, concern written all over their faces.
"I'm serious. And I'm done eating."
He got up and walked away, leaving the three of them confused and worried.
They quietly exchanged looks, wondering what was behind that decision.
The truth was, Haruki just wanted to be someone people could be proud of. Someone who could beat those monsters and get cheered for it.
Lying in bed later that night, Haruki couldn't stop thinking about everything he saw. The roar of the monster. The glowing transformation. Titanis raising its hand to the sky. The cheers. The people jumping with joy.
"I can do it too,"
Haruki told himself, picturing the day he'd be the one in that cockpit—hearing the crowd chant his name after saving the world from those monsters.