A scorched sky, as if a dying sun were collapsing in on itself.
An orange light—cold, almost toxic.
And around him…
the ruins of a city he had never seen before.
Yuta remained still, unable to understand where he was.
No memories surfaced.
No familiar images.
Nothing.
Only that strange sensation…
as if the world itself had been drained of life.
He remembered only the assault.
The girl in danger.
The drunken man.
The blow to his head.
Then… darkness.
A complete void.
He took a deep breath and decided to move forward, even though each step felt unreal.
— Damn it… what's happening to me? Am I dead or something? he muttered, using nervous humor to hide his distress.
Around him, collapsed buildings formed a chaotic landscape.
Half-torn houses, shattered roads…
Everything seemed to have been destroyed by something far greater than a simple war.
— Hey! Is anyone there?! Please! I need help!
No answer.
Nothing… except a sharp, whistling wind that sent chills down his spine.
That was when he understood.
He was alone.
Alone in a place that should never have existed.
After several minutes—or perhaps hours—of walking, something finally disturbed the silence.
A voice.
Distant.
Soft.
Calling out to him.
Yuta stopped.
His heart tightened.
And without really thinking, he chose to follow that voice, as if it were guiding him.
The closer he drew, the clearer it became…
until suddenly, it stopped.
Before him stood a blinding light, rising from the midst of the ruins.
A silhouette took shape within it—
slender, graceful…
feminine.
— But… what is going on here? I don't understand anything anymore…
He stepped closer.
The light slowly faded, sliding across the ground like a veil being lifted.
Only a shadow remained.
A humanoid form… but without a face, without clear contours.
Neither human nor inhuman.
Just… there.
══ ✦ ══
An unfamiliar fear ran through Yuta.
Not terror.
Something older.
Deeper.
Before he could speak, the silhouette did.
— Forgive me for all this, Yuta… that is your name, isn't it?
— How do you know my name? Who are you?
— My name is Arley. And don't worry… I mean you no harm. I only wish to speak with you.
— Speak with me? In a place like this?
— This place… is called Celestia. Long ago, it was a magnificent world. I'm sorry you have to see it in such a pitiful state.
Celestia.
The name meant nothing to him.
— Why did you bring me here? he asked.
— I told you. I wish to speak with you.
I won't tell you our entire history, but you must know this:
Celestia was the universe's first battlefield.
The Y'onn, children of Creation, against the Titans, born of Destruction.
Arley continued.
A long, dense monologue—almost hypnotic—recounting the first cosmic war and the fall of Celestia.
Then she paused.
— Yuta… I would like to ask something of you.
This is not an easy choice, so take all the time you need.
The other two Y'onn and I have recognized you.
You possess the strength and the heart required to become an Eygis.
She fell silent, then declared:
— Will you accept becoming an Eygis… and fight for the universe?
Yuta felt his breath catch.
— Why me? What makes me special?
— I cannot tell you any more than this. Not yet.
He lowered his gaze.
His thoughts collided within his mind.
If he accepted… what would become of him?
And if he refused… what would happen to the world?
He lifted his head and stared straight at the silhouette, into what should have been her eyes.
— If this role allows me to protect those who need it…
then I accept.
Arley formed an invisible smile—yet Yuta could feel it.
She extended a luminous hand toward him.
— Place your hand upon mine… and look.
Yuta hesitated, then pressed his palm against Arley's.
A powerful light erupted instantly, rising toward the sky.
The shattered sky.
The scorched sky.
For the first time… it became radiant.
Yuta watched the light ascend into the heavens.
Then, when he looked back toward Arley…
She was gone.
Everything was gone.
The scenery had transformed.
══ ✦ ══
Before him stretched a vast plain covered in multicolored flowers.
A beautiful landscape… unreal.
He turned around.
Blurry silhouettes stood there.
Impossible to distinguish their faces.
Three of them faced him.
Two others had their backs turned.
Then everything faded away.
— What was that supposed to be…? he whispered, completely lost.