The Golden Globe capital shimmered beneath a sea of gold and white.
Decorations lined every tower, every street, every archway leading to the Grand Academy Hall. Excitement hung thick in the air—alive, electric—something one could almost taste with every breath.
Today marked the Graduation of the Children of the Dawn.
A celebration of strength. Of hope.
Of the future defenders of the Golden Globe.
Inside the Grand Hall, over a thousand seats were filled to capacity. Nobles occupied their reserved section, draped in elegance and quiet pride. Above them all, seated on elevated thrones, were The Four Elders—their presence commanded reverence.
At the center stage stood the Golden Guardian, silent and composed.
Floating orbs drifted through the air, broadcasting the ceremony to citizens across the capital.
The hall buzzed with anticipation.
Then—
The clock struck noon. A horn blared.
The noise in the hall died instantly, replaced by a rising tension.
And then—
They appeared. The students.
Cheers exploded across the hall as they walked forward in perfect formation. The Top Ten led the procession, followed by the rest. Each wore a pristine white gown lined with intricate golden patterns—symbols of their years of discipline and growth.
Some surprised as they saw Meriosa walking with the others, quiet focus, her gaze steady.
Excitement flickered beneath the calm expressions of many others.
They reached the stage, aligning in rows.
Ten per line.
...Except one.
Class Five stood with only nine.
The Golden Guardian raised her hand.
Silence fell.
"Today," she began, her voice echoing through the hall, "we gather to celebrate and welcome our new protectors."
Cheers erupted.
She allowed it to settle before continuing.
"These students chose this path. They endured seven years of training, sacrifice, and hardship—not because they had to… but because they wished to stand for something greater."
A pause, then a softer tone.
"And I am proud to say… they are ready."
The hall roared.
"With no further delay," she said, stepping aside, "I welcome the Four Elders."
The Elders rose as one.
They approached in pairs:
Iron and Water — representing the Troops.
Spirit and Light — representing the Scouts.
One by one, the students stepped forward.
Adam, ranked number one in the academy stood in front of the Iron and Water Elder and received the Troops badge... He looked at them and smiled.
Then came Xavier, number two. Alex, three. Ruth, four. Ash, five... Each received the Troops badge
Dave, number six stepped forward and received the Scout badge.
Meriosa followed—Trooper, Ra'an—Trooper.
One after another, the students claimed their roles.
Until—
It ended.
They stood divided into two groups.
Troops.
Scouts.
The Golden Guardian stepped forward once more.
"These are your defenders—"
"WAIT!"
A voice cut through the hall like a blade.
Silence crashed down.
Heads turned.
From the back of the hall, a lone figure advanced.
Masked.
Calm.
Carrying something heavy across her back.
Whispers rippled through the crowd.
"Who is that…?"
"She's interrupting the ceremony…?"
The figure reached the stage.
Stopped.
Then slowly—
Removed the mask.
Gasps spread like wildfire.
"…Koya."
In the front rows, Anna, Cal, Lira, and Meriosa broke into smiles.
Koya stood tall, her gaze fixed ahead. "I challenge Ra'an," she said, her voice steady, "to a combat match."
Murmurs erupted.
"This isn't the place for—" the Iron Elder began.
"I accept." Ra'an cut in, then stepped forward.
The hall froze.
The Golden Guardian glanced at the Elders and noded calmly.
Then—
"Very well," the Iron Elder said. "If both parties agree… the match will proceed."
The tension shifted. The atmosphere became unease. The crowd murmured.
"Why must she cause trouble?"
"This gonna be interesting."
Koya and Ra'an stepped aside and warmed up.
Anna, Cal, Lira and Meriosa walked to Koya.
Lira rushed in and hugged Koya tightly.
Koya froze.
Lira pulled back... Sorry. She said.
Koya smiled. "I miss you too."
Her eyes caught Cal and Anna, she became slightly unease.
"Welcome back Koya." Anna said.
Koya slightly lowered her head. "Sorry for everything, especially the library..."
Anna hugged her mid sentence. "It's okay."
While Ra'an stretched.
Bless stood with him.
"You don't have to do this." Bless said.
"But I do." Ra'an replied. "She's the one that challenged me. And because of her we never finished the Flow bound and I didn't get a chance to take Adam down and become number one."
The Golden Guardian called Koya and Ra'an to the center stage.
Ra'an walked away.
Stopped...
"What's a better way to show the people what they new trooper can do." He said then walked away.
While Koya walked to the center stage... Anna and the others wished her good luck.
Cal faced Meriosa.
"So how long have you and Koya been friends?." He asked.
Meriosa eyes locked on the stage. "It's a long story."
Both Koya and Ra'an reached... Stood few steps apart, stared at each other fiercely... Koya holding Ikua's arm, Ra'an holding his twin blade.
The Golden Guardian raised her hand... The entire hall goes silent. Begin!
Koya charged towards Ra'an.
Ra'an stood ready.
Ikua's Arm tore through the air in a wide, crushing arc—
Ra'an dodged the attack.
The impact alone cracked the stage.
He quickly attacked from the side, blades flashing.
Koya twisted—barely avoiding the strike—metal scraping against her weapon as sparks burst outward.
They separated.
Then collided again.
Faster. Sharper. Relentless.
Blow after blow, neither yielding ground.
Until—
CLANG!
Koya knocked one of Ra'an's blades from his grip.
It hit the floor.
Ra'an didn't hesitate.
He lunged forward—fist driving straight into her guard.
The force pushed her back. But not down.
They reset.
Eyes locked.
Breathing steady.
Then—
Again.
Koya surged forward, slamming Ikua's Arm downward.
Ra'an dodged—
The weapon struck the ground. Koya used the momentum—vaulting upward—
BAM!
Her kick connected.
Ra'an staggered.
She pressed forward, bringing the weapon down toward his head—
Darkness flickered.
Ra'an vanished.
Koya's eyes sharpened. A shift in the air, She turned—
CRASH.
Ikua's Arm struck him mid-materialization.
Ra'an was sent rolling.
Gasps filled the hall.
Even the Elders leaned forward.
Ra'an rose slowly. Disbelief all over his face. He looked at Koya.
Then his expression changed.
Glowing circles formed around Koya.
He vanished again.
Koya closed her eyes. Breathed. Listened. She moved—
Swinging with precision.
Again.
Again.
Again.
Each strike nearly connecting. But not quite. Ra'an was slightly faster.
The entire hall grew silence. Couldn't believe their eyes.
Ra'an stepped on the eleventh circle, then teleported back.
His stared at Koya, his body little bit shaken.
Her eyes locked on him, she breath calmly and steadily.
Ra'an grew furious. "No more holding back." He muttered.
His body ignited with golden light... The air grew heavy... Wind blew calmly around Ra'an.
"Bring it on." Koya muttered.
Boom!.
Ra'an teleported, appeared in a dozen places surrounding Koya. All attacked her at once.
She smirked, "one trick pony." She whispered.
Spinned, attacked one, attacking from behind.
Her strike connected cleanly. But to her surprised. The remaining eleven attacking her, attacks also connected.
Eleven fist rained down on Koya.
Ra'an moved so fast that this weren't just mere after images but him being at twelve places at once.
His attack dropped Koya to her knees. She coughed out blood. Head lowered, blood dripped from her mouth and nose.
Ra'an appeared in front of her. "I won't lie you were a fraction impressive." He said... Then kicked Koya hard.
She rolled on the ground, still gripping Ikua's arm tightly.
"…Of course he got stronger," she muttered.
Koya forced herself upright. Barely steady.
The crowd stirred.
"She's getting up…?"
Just stay down."
Ra'an smirked. "Guess I shouldn't have held back."
He stumped. Then teleported.
Koya raised Ikua's arm with both arms... Exhaled... Let it dropped... It hit the ground with a quiet thud...
Boom!
A massive energy wave emersed.
Pushed Ra'an back.
The entire Golden Globe trembled.
Back at the flow star. Her mother's eyes finally opened.
Back to the hall.
Ikua's arm levitating in front, sparks flying from it.
The entire crowd stunned to silence.
The Elders leaned closer.
Koya stared at her arms, tiny sparks coming from it. She smirked.
Charged towards Ra'an who's still recovering from the wave.
Jumped up, hands raised. Ra'an looked at her.
From thin air, a sword materialized in Koya's hands.. The force from the jump, she drove the sword down.
Ra'an managed to block with his twin blades. Sparks flew.
The entire hall gasped.
Koya pressed on Ra'an.
He stepped. Teleported.
Koya became unbalanced.
Ra'an appeared beside her and swung. Went for a finishing blow.
A shield formed at Koya's side. Blocked the attack.
She turned— moved faster
Her fist flew towards Ra'an's head.
A gauntlet formed around it—
CRACK.
The punch landed clean.
Ra'an hit the ground.
Silence.
Koya stretched her hand, a blade formed.
She pointed it at him.
Ra'an didn't move.
"Koya wins." The Golden Guardian called out.
The hall remained frozen.
Her friends rushed to the stage, pulling her into laughter and relief.
That was so awesome." Anna said... Like wow... How."
Ikua's Flow, a voice said from behind.
Anna and the others turned, The four Elders stood behind them.
They quickly bowed.
Koya hesitated then bowed as well.
"Please stand." The water Elder said.
All rose.
"You've learned how to use Ikua's Flow." The light Elder said, then smiled. "The Golden Guardian was right about you."
Koya stared at them calmly.
The Spirit Elder walked closer to Koya.
"Koya they is something really important I need to tell you." He said.
"Koya!" A voice screamed from behind.
Everyone turned... Immira rushly moved to the stage.
She bowed. "Sorry for the intrusion Elders." She said then rose. "Koya your mother has woken up."
Koya froze.
To be continue...