Greatest of All TimeSeason 2 – Chapter 2Moon Shadow Island
The morning sun shone brightly over Satyass Academy.
One week had passed since Arashio met the mysterious Time God, Bibek. Although he smiled on the outside, his mind was filled with questions.
Who am I...?
What are the Heavenly Stones?
And why did the Time God choose me?
Before he could think further—
RIIIING!
The classroom door opened.
Their teacher smiled.
"Class, I have great news. Tomorrow, we're going on a three-day trip to Moon Shadow Island."
The classroom erupted with cheers.
"YES!"
"A vacation!"
"This is going to be awesome!"
Arashio smiled faintly.
"...Maybe a peaceful trip isn't so bad."
The Next Day
The school bus rolled through the mountains toward Moon Shadow Island.
As Arashio looked out the window, someone gently sat beside him.
It was Siya.
"Is this seat taken?" she asked with a smile.
Arashio looked away awkwardly.
"...I was actually waiting for you."
Siya blinked.
Then her cheeks turned slightly pink.
"...Really?"
Arashio scratched his head.
"I-I mean... I didn't want anyone noisy sitting here."
Siya giggled.
"Liar."
Inside Arashio's subconscious...
James folded his arms.
"You're getting smoother."
Arashio whispered,
"I'm not flirting."
James laughed.
"Keep telling yourself that."
Moon Shadow Island
By afternoon, the bus arrived.
The island looked like paradise.
Crystal-blue rivers flowed between ancient forests, while giant mountains touched the clouds.
"It's beautiful..."
Siya whispered.
The teacher smiled.
"This island only appears once every ten years. Many ancient ruins remain unexplored, so don't wander off alone."
Everyone nodded.
Except Kai.
"So... treasure hunting?"
The teacher sighed.
"Absolutely not."
A Funny Accident
That evening, everyone explored the forest.
Suddenly—
"ROOOAAARR!!"
A huge monster jumped from the bushes.
"KYAAAH!!"
Siya screamed and instantly hugged Arashio.
Arashio froze.
His face turned bright red.
"S-Siya..."
The monster suddenly took off its mask.
"Hahaha!"
It was Kai.
"I got you!"
Everyone burst into laughter.
Realizing what she had done, Siya quickly stepped back.
"I-I'm sorry..."
Arashio smiled.
"...It's okay."
For some reason...
Neither of them could stop smiling.
Midnight
The island became silent.
The students slept peacefully inside their cabins.
Outside...
The moon hung high above the ancient forest.
A cold wind suddenly swept across the island.
Far beneath the mountains...
Thousands of meters underground...
An ancient temple stood untouched by time.
Massive stone pillars stretched into endless darkness.
Countless broken swords lay scattered across the floor.
In the center...
Two gigantic crystal coffins rested side by side.
One glowed with blue lightning.
The other burned with a crimson flame.
Silence...
Then—
CRACK...
A tiny fracture appeared.
Another.
And another.
The entire temple began to tremble.
RUMBLE...!!
Blue lightning exploded across the chamber.
The first coffin shattered into countless pieces.
A young man slowly stepped forward.
His glowing blue eyes opened.
"...Finally."
A familiar voice echoed through the darkness.
It was...
James.
At the same moment—
The crimson coffin exploded.
A terrifying red aura swallowed the temple.
Another young man opened his eyes.
His lips slowly curved into a smile.
"...It's been a long time..."
Saku.
The two stared at each other in complete silence.
Then...
James smiled.
"So..."
"You really survived."
Saku laughed quietly.
"I've been waiting for this day."
The air became heavy.
The ground cracked beneath their feet.
Above the island...
The peaceful night sky suddenly split apart.
Dark clouds covered the moon.
Blue lightning collided with crimson flames.
Far away, Arashio suddenly woke up, breathing heavily.
His heart pounded uncontrollably.
"...James?"
Inside his subconscious...
There was only silence.
James...
Was gone.
Deep beneath the island, Saku looked toward the surface and smiled.
"The game begins now."
BOOOOOOM!!
A pillar of blue and crimson light shot into the heavens, shaking the entire island.
Every student woke in terror.
To Be Continued...