ARC: ARRIVAL
Before this story begins, we are shown a hilltop with a purple sky and a planet with large rings. There are many corpses of various creatures. Among the many dead bodies, there is one person still standing among them. He wears a black cloak and earrings with two sides of colour: the upper side is black with white patterns, and the lower side is white with black patterns, featuring a circle in the centre resembling a wheel, with the same colour on both sides. He stands there among the many dead bodies.
The scene shifts long before humankind was born. In a galaxy billions of light years away. There is a planet called T-10 that has characteristics almost identical to Earth. The planet is covered by vast landmasses and divided into large regions. Among these regions are ten large countries that form a superpower. The people living in T-10 are called Cerdiva. They look almost the same as humans, but what distinguishes them is their women. Cerdiva women can carry a child for 6 to 8 months.
In one of the superpowers, specifically in the country of R.O.E (REALM OF ENCHANTMENT), there lived a child named SHION. He was the son of the King of R.O.E and had a dream: to become the leader of the country he lived in, just like his father.
One day, Shion went to see his father in his private room. Shion knocked on the door and opened it. His father saw Shion, smiled, and said:
"What's up, Shion? Why are you here while Dad's working?"
Shion:"(approaching his father) Can I be a father now?"
At that time, Shion was only 8 years old. However, his father smiled at him, thinking that Shion was joking. Shion's father laughed casually until he slowly stopped laughing. Shion's father invited him to come closer. Once Shion was closer to his father, his father stroked Shion's head.
His father:"You are still too young to be a leader. There will come a time when you will be able to be like your father."
Shion:"Really?"
His Father:"Of course. So now, you'd better go and play with your friends, your father is busy at the moment."
Shion:"(sighs) Oh well, Shion wants to play first."
*Shion left his father's room*
During the day, Shion went out to play with his friends. Even though he was the son of the country's leader, he liked to hang out with ordinary children. He had 4 friends: RAFAELA (an 8 years old girl), IKHAS (an 9 years old boy), ROHIM (an 8 years old boy), and ISYAR (an 10 years old).
That afternoon, they were hunting large animals. These animals had pig-like faces but long bodies. Shion and his four friends hid and got ready after receiving the signal from Ikhas.
Ikhas: '(still waiting for the signal). We'll wait until I count 1, 2, 3, then you catch it. Okay?'
The four of them nodded in unison, while only Rafaela gave Ikhas a thumbs up. After waiting for seven minutes, Ikhas gave the signal.
Ikhas:"All right, I'll count. One..."
*Rafaela and Isyar are getting ready*
Ikhas:"Two..."
*Shion and Rohim are getting ready*
Ikhas:"Three...!"
*The four of them threw their spears simultaneously, while Rohim used his powers*
Rohim:"HUOOZAI... FIRE HAIIRRR!!"
Rohim unleashed a fire that spread around the pig. The fire came out like hair, crawling from the ground, then binding the animal with fire. The animal became hot from Rohim's HUOOZAI. The animal ran around because the heat filled its entire body. The five of them simply watched as the animal slowly died. They managed to capture the animal. And not only did they capture it, but the animal was roasted by Rohim's HUOOZAI.
*The four of them admired Rohim's power to use HUOOZAI. Except for Shion, who felt a little annoyed with Rohim but tried to ignore that feeling.*
Shion:"Hhhahhh... Yeah, yeah. You really are amazing. Since you're the one who caused this pig to be roasted, you're the one who has to carry it."
*Rohim was unhappy to hear this. But remembering that Shion was the king's son, he did not want to have to obey Shion's words because he was aware of his status compared to Shion's.*
Ikhas:"(looking at the animal) It's big, and it'll take a long time to eat."
Rafaela:"If you bring it to the palace."
Isyar:"(happily) We can do that! If we put it in the palace, it definitely won't rot quickly."
Shion:"No, no, no. I might get scolded later. I'd rather put it in Rohim's house."
Rohim:"(surprised to hear this) Me..?
Shion:"(looking at Rohim, still feeling envious) Yes, of course. My palace is out of the question, and their houses are definitely out of the question too. Your house is the only one here."
Rafaela:"Ah... I agree too. Your mother wouldn't refuse such a large amount of food, would she?"
Rohim, forced by his friends, couldn't resist. Until Rohim said:
"Alright then. The important thing is that we eat this animal quickly."
After that, Rohim and Ikhas took a wooden pole and four thick ropes. After tying the animal's hands and feet, they both carried the large animal to Rohim's house to be cooked.
*On their way, they passed through a bustling market. However, it seemed that the five of them were quite surprised by the lively atmosphere of the market.*
Isyar:"That's strange. As far as I know, this market has been abandoned for a long time. Why is it suddenly so crowded with visitors?"
Ikhas:"Same here."
Rohim:"We haven't passed through this place in a long time either. We were just heading to my house, so you guys are surprised that this market is suddenly crowded again."
Ikhas:"Then why are you surprised too?"
*Rohim was suddenly silenced for a moment, because he was actually afraid to pass through the market.*
Rohim:"I-it's just... I don't feel comfortable going through this place. I'd rather take a busier road."
Ikhas:"Eeeelleeh... Just say you're scared."
*Rohim falls silent again*
Rafaela:"So what do we do now? The market is so crowded, it's too difficult to carry this big animal."
Shion, who had been thinking, seemed unable to think any further. So Shion looked at his friends and said:
"There's no other way, this is the closest route. (looking at the animal) Besides, there's still room for this animal to pass through."
Rafaela:"But what if we really can't?"
Shion:"It's possible. Don't say anything before trying it."
*Rafaela fell silent and listened to Shion's words. Rohim and Ikhas also thought like Shion*
Ikhas:"You're right, Shion, there's no other way. What do you think, Rohim? Do you want to enter this market?"
Rohim:"This is indeed the closest route. So we have no choice but to take it."
Isyar:"(agrees) Well, let's just go through with it."
Rafaela:"(agrees) If you all agree, then what else can we do?"
After discussing it, they finally passed through the market at Shion's suggestion. And the five of them actually entered the bustling market carrying their large prey.