The Diamond's Call

Kaito was unlike most high school students—not because he was exceptional at sports, or top of his class, or because he had some tragic backstory. No, Kaito was ordinary in every sense. He had loving parents who cared deeply for him, a steady routine dividing school and home, and the comfortable neighborhood near the edge of town with a small, quiet park he sometimes visited. Life was simple, and sometimes, that was exactly what he wanted.That afternoon, as usual, Kaito walked home from school feeling the cool autumn air settling around him. The sky was painted with streaks of orange and pink; shadows lengthened as the sun began its slow descent. Near his house, the little park stood bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun. He hadn't planned a stop, but the quiet beckoned him, and before he realized it, he found himself stepping onto the worn path inside.The park was a familiar haven—a place to lose himself for a bit away from homework and the noisy buzz of daily life. The rustling leaves played a gentle symphony, and the distant laughter of children echoed faintly in the background. He made a beeline for the swing near the oldest tree, the one with thick limbs spreading like welcoming arms above him.Sitting down, Kaito let his feet dangle, pushing lightly as he began to hum a tune—a carefree melody that floated softly on the breeze. His voice started low, then grew stronger with each passing moment, a song born only for himself, a temporary escape from reality. What he didn't realize was how much he cherished his ordinary life—his quiet home and the loving faces of his parents, waiting for his return.The last glimmers of sunlight caught on something glittering deep within the crook of the tree's mighty branches. Kaito's humming faltered as his eyes fixed on a strange, shimmering shape. Curiosity swept over him, slower than adrenaline but clear and steady.Climbing carefully, he reached toward the luminous object nestled between the leaves. It was a diamond, pure and flawless, yet exuding an unfamiliar warmth and power. The air seemed to thicken around him as his fingers brushed the crystal's surface.In that instant, the world spun wildly. The comforting park vanished beneath him, replaced by a vast expanse of rolling plains and distant mountain ranges that looked nothing like home. Stormy skies roared overhead, and beneath them, shadowy figures—dragons, dwarfs, humans, and beasts—moved in a landscape divided into mighty kingdoms and sprawling continents.Kaito felt himself caught between realities, a soul tethered to nothing, a wanderer stranded in the liminal space between worlds. He was not of Earth, yet this new land demanded his presence. Powers surged through him—magic unlike anything he had ever seen, coursing through his veins with exhilarating force.Yet, this power set him apart. No fire, no blade, no beast could harm him here. Immortal and untouchable, Kaito stood as an enigma among the inhabitants of this realm.But immortality was not salvation. Almost immediately after his arrival, he was seized by a primitive tribe—beings clad in animal skins, faces painted with earth and charcoal, eyes wild with suspicion. They saw him as a trophy, a creature to be feared, perhaps even consumed.Bound and surrounded, Kaito's heart pounded not just with fear but with the ache of loneliness. His deepest wish burned quietly within him—to find a way back to his parents, to the home where he belonged.His silent, confused expressions only made them wary, but fate had other plans. As he slowly unlocked the extent of his powers and learned about this strange, fantastical land, one thing remained clear: he was no longer a high school kid—he was a force of nature, destined to wander between worlds forever, all while holding onto the hope of returning to the life he loved.