And on that day… fifteen years after the battle that divided the world in blood and despair, the sky above Indosvara split open once more.
In the crowded heart of the capital, a teenage boy stood amidst the waves of people. His straight black hair framed a face so strikingly handsome it seemed almost unreal—like a god who had accidentally disguised himself as human.
Ryu Celestia.
At his side stood his two loyal friends, staring up at the same sky—
Evelyn Grace, a girl with black wolf-cut hair and sharp brown eyes, slender yet athletic.
Leon Ashfield, a bookish boy with a serious gaze, his hands almost always clutching an old tome.
Three pairs of eyes widened at once.
Above them, a colossal meteor tore through thick black clouds. Flames engulfed the sky, the air hissed like the scream of an ancient dragon, and the earth trembled as if praying to survive heaven's wrath.
Ryu felt the hairs on his neck rise. His breath caught in his throat.
"That's… a meteor…?!"
In the next instant—
DUUUUAAAAARRRRRR!!!
The meteor pierced the atmosphere and slammed into the earth. The explosion shook all of Indosvara, ripping through the air, splitting the ground, and toppling towering structures like fragile toys.
The crowd screamed.
The world collapsed.
And the story of destruction… began.
---
One Hour Earlier
A small academy on the outskirts of the city. Rough laughter echoed down a quiet corridor.
Three muscular teenagers whispered among themselves while glancing at a young boy sitting alone on a garden bench, absorbed in a thick book.
"Look at him," one muttered enviously. "That bastard's way too handsome. Damn it, his face is prettier than most girls in this city."
"Exactly," another sneered. "Girls are always swarming around him. I'm sick of seeing it every day."
The third snorted. "Pretty? He looks like a freak to me. Skinny body, straight hair like a girl. One punch and he'd collapse. What a loser."
They exchanged glances.
A sly grin formed.
"I've got an idea," one whispered.
The three approached.
Ryu slowly looked up when he heard his name called.
"Oiii, Ryu."
His gaze was calm—distant, yet sharp like an invisible blade. That very look made one of them boil with rage.
"Bastard! What kind of look is that?!" he barked, grabbing Ryu by the collar.
"Hahaha! Look at this pretty boy. Didn't know a 'woman' could have an Adam's apple!" They laughed mockingly.
"Hey, are you even a guy? Maybe you're just a girl pretending to be one!" They shoved him against the wall.
One leaned in closer, lips curling in disgust. "That look of yours makes me sick… don't make me feel like raping you, you damn freak."
Their laughter echoed cruelly.
Ryu exhaled slowly. His voice was low, cold, impatient.
"What the hell are you idiots talking about?"
Those simple words ignited fury.
"Damn you! You dare talk back?!"
He raised his fist.
"Hold him!"
The other two pinned Ryu's arms.
"Take this! Polar Bear Punch!!!"
The fist slammed into Ryu's stomach. The air burst from his lungs. Blood sprayed from his lips. His body folded, collapsing to his knees as burning pain shot through him.
"Hohoho! How's that, huh? Feels good?" they mocked, kicking and punching him repeatedly. The sound of blows mixed with cruel laughter—a symphony of humiliation.
Ryu remained silent, staring at the ground. Occasionally, he coughed blood.
Then—
Light footsteps.
A girl with black wolf-cut hair and blazing brown eyes stepped toward them.
Evelyn Grace.
The bullies' faces drained instantly. No one in the academy dared to pick a fight with Evelyn.
"Damn it… she's here!" one muttered.
They panicked and ran off.
Ryu slowly lifted his face. Blood stained his lips. He picked up his torn, dirtied book. His eyes looked empty—yet within them flickered a faint flame.
"Ryu!" Evelyn rushed over, catching him before he fell. "Are you okay?"
"Thank you… Evelyn…" he murmured weakly.
Evelyn studied him carefully.
Strange. Beaten by three big guys, yet his injuries were barely visible—just faint bruises.
"Is something on your mind?" Ryu asked quietly.
"Oh—right." Evelyn smiled gently. "Your mom asked me to get you. Lunch is ready."
She took his hand and led him home.
---
The Celestia family's modest house radiated warmth.
Salsa, Ryu's gentle mother, was sweeping the yard. She smiled when she saw them.
"Come inside. Food's ready."
Inside waited Sato, Ryu's wise and hardworking father, and Elena, his talkative older sister.
"Quick, before it gets cold!" Sato said.
They sat together.
But the mood shifted when Ryu voiced a question he had long kept buried.
"Father… why does the kingdom only care about itself? The people starve while they live in luxury. Isn't that… unjust?"
Silence fell.
Sato sighed deeply.
"Ryu… the world is cruel. It does not favor the weak—only those with power, strength, and money."
He set down his spoon.
"Since ancient times, this world's system has been built by elites to suppress the weak. Justice… peace… those are illusions. Because humans, at their core, are selfish."
The three listened intently.
"As long as greed, hatred, and ambition rule humanity… this world will never know true peace." Sato stared out the window. "True peace is a beautiful dream. Perhaps it will never come. But even if it's impossible… someone must still fight for it."
Silence lingered.
Ryu clenched his fist.
Then Elena broke the tension.
"Ryu! You're already fifteen and still useless! Wash your plate! Even Evelyn's more useful than you!"
"Shut up! I hate having a sister like you!" Ryu snapped, washing his dish before storming out.
"Ryu, don't go! It's going to rain!" Salsa called anxiously, then turned to Evelyn. "Follow him."
---
By the riverside, Ryu sat in silence. The water flowed peacefully—so different from the turmoil in his chest.
Nearby, a brown-haired boy read a book.
Leon Ashfield.
"What are you reading?" Ryu asked.
"A legend," Leon replied. "About the Monarch of Destruction."
Evelyn joined them.
"Long ago," Leon began, eyes shining, "there were two legendary sorcerers: Rei Celestia and Jake Hill."
Ryu froze at the name.
"Celestia…?"
"Interesting coincidence," Leon said. "You share the same name. Even your mother does. Could there be a connection?"
"Impossible," Ryu replied quickly. "And even if I had magic… I'd use it for justice."
Evelyn laughed softly. Leon chuckled.
But Leon's tone grew serious.
"Rei wanted to annihilate humanity. Jake wanted to unite it. Their battle was catastrophic. Rei unleashed his ultimate spell—Hollow Purple—a devastating explosion that erased Jake. After that… Rei vanished too."
Evelyn shuddered. "If that's true… where did Rei go?"
"Jake Hill is recorded in the kingdom's archives as a hero," Leon said firmly. "So this isn't just a fairy tale."
Before Ryu could respond, screams erupted.
A crowd rushed toward the city center.
"What's happening?" Evelyn asked.
Ryu stood, heart pounding. "Let's see!"
They ran.
---
The Sky Split
The crowd stopped in the square.
Everyone looked up.
A meteor.
The fiery giant pierced the black clouds. Flames scorched the heavens. The air hissed. The ground shook.
Ryu froze.
"I… it's a meteor…?!"
"That's impossible…" he whispered.
People screamed and trampled one another.
Evelyn grabbed Ryu and Leon's hands and ran.
The meteor drew closer—its blinding light consuming the sky—
BOOOOOOMMMMMM!!!
The explosion shattered the earth. Fire swallowed the city. Human screams merged with the roar of destruction.
The sky fell.
The world trembled.
And their fate… began to be rewritten.
To be continued.