Nei awoke to the soft glow of light reflecting off the cave walls. The air was calm, filled with the earthy scent of moss and stone. Beside him, curled like a guardian spirit, lay the small white fox—its fur warm against his side, its breath steady.
Nei slowly sat up, clutching his fist.
Something felt different.
A heat pulsed within him—power, maybe. It boiled beneath his skin, ready to erupt. Determined, he stood, faced the stone wall of the cave, and threw a punch with all his might.
CRACK—!
He recoiled in pain. His knuckles throbbed. The stone wall stood untouched.
His eyes widened in disbelief. What...?
He stared at his hand, trembling. Nothing changed. No strength. No power.
He dropped to his knees, his voice quiet.
> "Maybe... I really was meant to be weak."
But then something echoed in his mind.
> "Weakness is only the shell before rebirth."
Nei's eyes widened. He whipped his head around. "Who said that?!"
There was no one in the cave.
Except Ryuu, the fox, now sitting upright and looking at him with glowing eyes.
"...Was that you?" Nei asked cautiously.
"Are you the one talking to me?"
The fox nodded.
> "Yes. I've regained some of my power since returning to this world."
Nei's heart pounded. "Then... you're not from my world?"
The fox tilted its head.
> "No. My mother was from this world. When I was born, we were attacked. To protect me... she sent me through a rift, into your world."
Nei's chest tightened. "I see... then what's your name?"
The fox looked away for a moment.
> "I don't have one. I'm still young. Just over two years old... But since you saved me, it is only right. You shall give me my name."
Nei smiled gently and placed a hand on the fox's head.
> "Then I'll name you... Ryuu."
The fox's ears twitched. Its cheeks flushed a faint pink—but it quickly turned its head to hide it.
> "A good name," Ryuu said, trying to sound composed.
They both chuckled.
Then Nei asked, "Ryuu... how did you regain your power?"
> "The river," Ryuu replied. "Drinking its waters awakened my energy."
Nei's smile faded. "But I drank it too… and I got nothing."
Ryuu's expression turned serious.
> "Let me check your mraidens—your spiritual gates."
But as he placed his paw over Nei's chest, a violent shock pulsed through the air. Ryuu was flung backward into the cave wall.
> "What... was that?" Ryuu growled.
He looked at Nei, troubled.
> "Something is blocking your spiritual flow. You're completely sealed. You can't absorb energy at all."
Nei looked at the ground, his fists trembling.
> "So I really am cursed to be weak... to always be below everyone..."
He turned his back.
> "Maybe I should just accept it…"
Ryuu stepped forward. "No."
> "There may be a cure. But not here."
Nei turned slowly.
> "Where then?"
Ryuu's eyes gleamed.
> "The Dragon Village. Their chief may know what this is."
Nei's jaw dropped. "Dragons...? Aren't they just myths?"
Ryuu chuckled.
> "Nei... this isn't your world. This is a place thousands of times stronger than your own. Dragons are very real—and very dangerous."
Nei hesitated. Then nodded.
> "Then let's go. I'll do anything to break this curse."
Ryuu smirked.
> "First, we need to gather supplies."
Nei and Ryuu stepped out of the cave, into the glowing forest. Nei packed dried herbs, leaves, sharp stones, and fruit into a makeshift pouch. Ryuu scouted ahead with sharp eyes and ears, alert to the jungle's many threats.
When the sun rose high into the sky, they looked toward the far mountains—where the ancient Dragon Village lay hidden beyond clouds and thunder.
And so, their true journey began.