Chapter III: The Legend Along the Horizon
The soft glow of the television screen flickers in the dimly lit room as Ryujin Furukawa finds himself engrossed in the evening news. The headline seizes his attention—a cave in a far-off land unveiling ancient mysteries. Sacred artifacts, adorned with mystical engravings, whisper promises of untold power and the elusive origins of constellation abilities.
"The cave is a one of a kind structure as it unravels some mysterious encryption whereas archaeologist are still trying to decipher the meaning of those texts. Artifacts from the cave are also being transported to their laboratories in order to analyze them via carbon dating."
His parents, sensing the spark of excitement in their son's eyes, reveal their plan for a family outing to the beach the following day. The promise of sun, sand, and surf fills the air, amplifying the anticipation that tingles in Ryujin's veins.
The next day dawns with the brilliance of a clear sky, the sun casting its golden hues upon the glistening waves. The beach, a canvas of joy, awaits their arrival. Laughter resonates, carried away by the gentle breeze that caresses the shoreline.
As they frolic in the water, Ryujin's keen eyes spot shells strewn along the sand—nature's treasures waiting to be discovered. Among them, he finds a collection of particularly captivating shells, each one a testament to the ocean's artistic prowess.
"This one's spotless", as he picks up one of the seashells.
"This one has a lot of frets. This is very smooth. This one is rough. This one has a lot of spot. Hmm, I wonder what could have lived in these shells. Hermit crabs? Oysters? Lobsters? Who knows."
His attention shifts as he glances up at a rocky outcrop, where a glint of something mysterious catches his eye. Drawn to it, he navigates the terrain and unearths a ring adorned with otherworldly symbols. A ring with a golden frame, and blueish to purplish crystals that looks like it's gemstones of amethyst, coincidentally aligning to Ryujin's birth month. The crystal embedded within it, unlike any other, possesses an enigmatic equilibrium of light and darkness.
"Sweet, this is something. It might have belonged to a princess, or a rich man. Or it can be from a foreigner that's for sure", he says as he examines the ring.
A voice echoes in his mind, assuring him that this artifact is a shield, a guardian that will bring no harm. Intrigued and trusting, Ryujin slides the ring onto his finger, feeling an immediate connection to the power it promises.
"I feel an indefinite aura emanating from this ring. It's something positive. I sense nothing negative, no terrifying message whatsoever, but it doesn't give any off vibes or anything. I must show this to mom and dad."
Excitement brims as he rushes to share his discovery with his parents. As they behold the mystical ring, a palpable aura of luck surrounds them. Ryujin's mother envisions selling the unique piece to a jewelry shop, eager to cash in on its rarity. However, his father, sensing something more profound, insists on keeping the ring within the family.
"Oh, this might be worth a lot of money, Ryu. Maybe, a hundred-thousand yen. Wait, no, a million. Oh wait, a billion, NO, trillion! We must show it to a jewelry store HAHAHA!" (Ryujin's mom)
"Nah, wait there honey. If we sell the ring, then we haven't seen the best it could give. Let's say as a lucky charm for Ryu. Besides, money is a root of evil, and money can corrupt people just like pesky politicians. Another thing, if we're going to sell it, it's going to be like selling Alaska to the United States." (Ryujin's dad)
"But how about the loans?" (Ryujin's mom)
"It doesn't matter if we have loans. We can make it up and pay back the loans with or without interests. Besides, our family necessarily matters more than a dirty slump of money." (Ryujin's dad)
Back on the road, as they leave the beach behind, a glance over their shoulders reveals an unexpected transformation. The once serene sunset morphs into ominous dark clouds on the horizon. Simultaneously, on the opposite side, a vivid rainbow emerges, stretching across the mountainous landscape.
"What a lovely evening" (Ryujin's mom)
"Yeah, glad it's not like Mrs. Adam's 'What a lovely morning'" (Ryujin's dad)
"You can say that again, dad." (Ryujin)
Upon reaching home, the family, exhausted from their day of revelry, retires for the night. Little does Ryujin know that his dreams will be woven with threads of destiny, guided by the enigmatic ring he now wears.
In the realm of dreams, a voice speaks to him, a voice that transcends the boundaries of reality. A flashback unveils the origin of the ring, narrated by the spectral voice. The previous bearers, unlucky in their signs, have met unfortunate fates. The ring, cast into the ocean by its dying guardian, seeks a chosen one to carry out unfinished tasks.
"I see the potential in you," the voice resonates in Ryujin's dream. "You may not have full control of your power yet, but explore it. That is why I chose you."
"W-who...who are you?", Ryujin asks.
"I am the voice in the ring. Not exclusive outside, but inclusive to the ring. Trapped within its walls."
"Then, why are you here?", Ryujin asks again.
"I came from a long, long, long time ago. However, my constellation spirit will not vanish for I am not like you. You humans have become the bearers of the powers of the constellations, yet there are still many to be done in order to grasp full control of thy powers."
As the dream unfolds, hooded figures attempt to breach his room, seeking the power within the ring. However, the moment their fingers graze its surface, a tempest of wind erupts, hurling them out of the room. Thunder crackles as they vanish into thin air, the ring's protective force asserting itself.
Even in the dream realm, Ryujin grapples with the newfound responsibility placed upon him. The voice guides him, urging him to delve into the mysteries and potential hidden within the ring. Yet, as he endeavors to harness his newfound abilities, time remains a relentless constraint.
The night unfolds in a dance of dreams and destiny, setting the stage for Ryujin's journey as the bearer of the mysterious ring—one that holds the power to shape the course of his life and the world around him.