CHAPTER 1
And on that day… fifteen years after the battle that split the world in blood and despair, the skies of Indosvara were torn apart once more.
In the bustling heart of the city, a young man stood amidst the crowd. His straight black hair framed a face too handsome, almost unreal—like a god's creation mistakenly born as a human. His name was Ryu Celestia.
Beside him stood his two loyal companions—
Evelyn Grace, a girl with sharp brown eyes and wolf-cut black hair, her lean body radiating strength.
Leon Ashfield, a studious youth with a serious gaze, his hands always clutching an ancient book.
Three pairs of eyes widened at the same sight.
High above, a colossal meteor pierced the thick black clouds. Flames engulfed the heavens, the shriek of the air tearing apart like the roar of a primordial dragon, and the earth trembled as though praying to be spared the wrath of the sky.
Ryu's skin prickled, his breath caught in his throat.
"Th-that's… a meteor?!"
And in the next instant—
KAAAAA-BOOOOOOM!!!
The meteor tore through the atmosphere and crashed into the earth. Its impact shook all of Indosvara, ripping the air asunder, shattering the ground, and toppling towering spires like fragile toys.
The crowd screamed. The world collapsed.
And the story of destruction… began.
---
One Hour Earlier
At a small academy on the city's outskirts, cruel laughter echoed through a quiet corridor.
Three bulky teenagers whispered among themselves, their eyes fixed on a lone boy sitting on a bench in the schoolyard, absorbed in a thick book.
"Look at him," one sneered, envy lacing his tone. "That bastard's… too damn handsome. Hell, his face is prettier than most girls in this city."
"Yeah," another muttered bitterly. "Girls are always swarming around him. I'm sick of it!"
The third snorted with contempt. "Pretty? He looks more like a girl to me. Skinny body, straight hair like a woman's. One punch and he'd crumble. What a loser."
Their gazes met, wicked smiles forming.
"I've got an idea," one whispered, and the three of them strode toward the boy.
Ryu slowly turned when a harsh voice called his name.
"Hey, Ryu."
His eyes were calm yet piercing, like invisible blades. That gaze alone made one of them boil with rage.
"Damn it… what kind of look is that?!" he barked, grabbing Ryu by the collar.
"Hahaha! Look at this pretty boy. Turns out this 'girl' even has an Adam's apple!" Their laughter was sharp, cutting through the air.
"Oi, are you a guy or a chick? Maybe just some girl pretending to be a boy!" They shoved him against the wall, jeering.
One leaned closer, his lips curling in disgust. "Ugh, that stare of yours makes me sick… don't make me want to break you, you damn pretty boy."
Their laughter exploded, cruel and deafening.
Ryu exhaled through his nose, his voice low, cold, and edged with impatience.
"What the hell… are you idiots babbling about?"
That single line stoked the flames of anger. The muscular teen's face turned red, veins bulging.
"You little shit! You dare talk back?!"
He waved his hand. "Hold him!"
The other two grabbed Ryu's arms, pinning him down.
"Feel this! Polar Bear Punch!!!"
The fist slammed into Ryu's gut. Air burst from his lungs, blood spilling from his lips. His body folded, knees hitting the ground, hands clutching his stomach in searing pain.
"Hahaha! How's that, huh? Feels good?" they taunted, raining down kicks and blows. Their laughter mingled with the sound of fists—a cruel symphony of humiliation.
Ryu stayed silent, eyes blank on the ground, coughing blood now and then.
Then, light footsteps approached.
A girl with wolf-cut black hair, blazing brown eyes, and a lithe frame walked toward them. Evelyn Grace.
The bullies froze. Their faces turned pale. No one in the academy dared cross her—Evelyn, the girl even boys avoided provoking.
"Shit… she's here!" one hissed. Panic spread, and in a scramble, the three of them bolted.
Ryu lifted his face slowly. His breathing was ragged, his lips stained red. He reached for his book—torn, trampled, dust-stained. His eyes were distant, but faintly, a fire burned within.
"Ryu!" Evelyn rushed to him, steadying his body. Her face was etched with worry. "Are you okay?"
"Thanks, Evelyn…" Ryu's weak voice rasped.
Evelyn studied him, frowning.
Strange. Beaten by three bigger guys, yet his body barely shows marks… only faint bruises.
"Is there something you want to say, Evelyn?" Ryu asked softly, his weary eyes meeting hers.
"Ah, right…" She smiled gently, trying to soothe him. "Your mother asked me to fetch you. Lunch is ready."
She took his hand, guiding him tenderly.
---
The modest Celestia home radiated warmth. Outside, Ryu's mother Salsa swept the yard. Seeing her children approach, she smiled.
"Come in, dear. The food is ready."
Inside, they were greeted by Sato, Ryu's hardworking, wise father, and Elena, his sharp-tongued older sister.
"Hurry, before the food gets cold!" Sato said, patting the table.
They gathered to eat. But the meal turned heavy when Ryu voiced the question that had long troubled him.
"Father… why does the kingdom only care for itself? The people starve, yet they live in luxury. Isn't that… unfair?"
The table fell silent. Sato sighed deeply, his gaze steady on his son.
"Ryu… the world is cruel," he said gravely. "The world favors not the weak, but only those with power, strength, and wealth."
He set down his spoon, his voice heavy.
"Since ancient times, the system of this world has been shaped by elites to oppress the powerless. Justice… peace… they're illusions. Because at their core, humans are selfish."
Ryu, Evelyn, and Elena listened, their faces solemn.
"As long as humanity is filled with greed, hatred, and ambition… the world will never know peace." Sato's eyes drifted toward the window. "True peace is but a beautiful dream. Perhaps it will never come. Yet even so, someone must still strive for it."
The room sank into silence. Ryu clenched his fists, his heart stirring with conflict.
But the mood shattered when Elena sneered at her brother's empty plate.
"Ryu! You're already fifteen and still useless! Go wash your dishes! Evelyn is more helpful than you'll ever be!"
"Shut up! I hate having a sister like you!" Ryu snapped, storming off to wash his plate before leaving the house, his face tight with anger.
"Ryu, don't go! It's about to rain!" Salsa called after him, worry etched on her face. She turned to Evelyn. "Follow him."
---
By the River
Ryu sat on the bank, staring at the flowing water—serene, in contrast to the storm inside him.
Nearby, a brown-haired youth was reading. Leon Ashfield.
"What are you reading?" Ryu asked, stepping closer.
"A book," Leon replied simply, then smiled. "About the legend of the Monarch of Destruction."
Evelyn soon arrived, sitting beside them. "What legend is that?" she asked.
Leon's eyes gleamed as he turned the page.
"Long ago, there were two legendary sorcerers: Rei Celestia and Jake Hill."
Ryu froze at the name. "Celestia…?"
Leon glanced at him. "Quite a coincidence your name is the same, Ryu. Even your mother's surname is Celestia. Could there be a connection?"
"No way," Ryu snapped quickly. "It's just coincidence. Besides… if I had magic, I'd use it to uphold justice."
Evelyn chuckled, teasing his seriousness. Leon joined in the laugh.
But Leon's tone grew sober as he continued.
"Rei sought to annihilate humanity. Jake sought to unite them in peace. Their battle… was catastrophic. Rei unleashed his ultimate spell, Hollow Purple, a cataclysm that erased Jake. After that, Rei vanished, never to be found."
Evelyn shivered. "If that's true… then where did Rei go?"
"Jake Hill was real," Leon said firmly. "He's recorded as a hero of the kingdom. Which means this legend isn't just a fairy tale."
Before Ryu could respond, shouts rang out. A mass of people rushed in panic toward the city square.
"What's happening?" Evelyn gasped.
Ryu's heartbeat thundered. "Let's go!"
The three of them sprinted, swept along by the tide of terrified citizens.
---
The crowd halted in the central plaza. Every head tilted skyward.
A meteor.
A fiery titan split through the black clouds. Flames scorched the heavens, the air screamed, the ground quaked.
Ryu froze. "Th-that's… a meteor?!"
"No way…" he whispered, breath ragged.
Panic erupted. People screamed, shoving, trampling each other. Evelyn seized Ryu and Leon's hands, pulling them to run.
The meteor grew closer, its blazing light blinding—
BOOOOOOOOM!!!
The explosion shattered the earth. Fire engulfed the city. Human screams merged with the thunder of destruction.
The sky collapsed. The world shook.
And their fates… were rewritten.
To be continued.