Then it cracked.
Three million stars guttered out into silence, drawn like moths into a suffocating bloom of darkness. Galaxies bent, time shuddered, and the fabric of reality itself seemed to inhale before it drowned.
In that expanse one man was dying.
Valeion.
His silhouette was sharp against the dying heavens, his cloak fluttering in a wind that should not have existed. In his hand rested Ultimate-a relic older than the first dawn, humming with a power that made existence shudder.
With it, he reforged the shattered cosmos.
And out of ruin rose Erebus, reborn in flame and darkness and starlight. Valeion became its first Emperor, a ruler hewn from necessity rather than ambition. Before he died, he veiled ULTIMATE beyond time's reach and left behind a final, chilling decree:
“The one who awakens it shall become the next God of Erebus.”
A cold chamber. High walls etched with glowing runes. Air heavy enough to taste.
Akhiro stood in the centre, shoulders tense, eyes sharp but uncertain. Across from him, Dianthia sat upon a throne-like dais, posture immaculate, gaze cutting.
Beside Akhiro was Satoshi, quieter, steadier, but no less on edge.
Dianthia’s voice rang like a blade against glass.
“Speak, Akhiro. What do you mean by ‘we belong to you’?”
Akhiro hesitated. Then scoffed, half defiant, half afraid. “We are not your instruments, Miss. Tell me what happened to my friend—and who the hell are you?”
The temperature in the room seemed to drop.
Dianthia leaned forward, eyes flashing. “Watch your mouth, kid. Words are heavy things here. They choke, and they kill.”
Satoshi stepped in. “Explain yourself. Now.”
Satoshi inhaled—then staggered.
A crushing pressure slammed into him. His knees buckled. Blood seeped from his mouth as an unseen force bore down on him.
He fell.
Dianthia observed without mercy. "Choose your words well, for you are small, you are fragile, and you stand before the Council."
"Akhiro tried to rise, shaking, his ragged breath straining. But the room itself was against him."
Then—he vanished.
Roots burst out of the earth, coiling around him like living chains. They lifted him off the floor, suspending him in mid-air.
Dianthia’s tone changed slightly, though still soft, as she spoke, “Kid, you still don’t even know how to talk to seniors. Arrogance like yours results from poor upbringing.”
Her eyes shifted to Satoshi. “Well, back to you. Everyone is the Council's tool.”
She was gesturing at Akhiro, suspended and fighting.
“Watch yourself. Try to understand the gravity of your situation. You are not in the condition to question anything.”
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A pause.
Next, colder:
“You possess the Cursed Stone.”
The words struck like thunder.
Akhiro’s breathing hitched. “Cursed
Dianthia stood up from her seat and descended the steps in slow, deliberate movements.
“You are now one of them. You are cursed. I cannot let this important weapon fall into untrained hands.”
She halted in front of him.
“So, you have two choices. Die… or come under me. I will train you to use it so you can become a proper Asset of the Council.”
Akhiro laughed, a bitter little sound. “Cursed, asset. What the hell are you talking about? What is the Cursed Stone?”
Dianthia studied him, almost curiously
“You don’t know. That is surprising.”
She started to pace.
“Let's start with the stone. You can feel it, like a second heartbeat inside you. The Cursed Stone is an APIA—an Adaptation, Potential, and Instinct Amplifier. A reality-modifying weapon.”
Her eyes glowed faintly.
“When your blood touches the stone, you make a contract. The stone awakens. It gives you power beyond human limits.”
Her tone darkened.
“But nothing is free. You pay a cost with every use. Some stones demand years. Some demand memories. Some demand your very soul.”
She signaled to Akhiro.
“You possess the power of fire. You can shape it, transform it, and do much more. As to just how much more, nobody knows what all the stone can do.”
Silence spread.
Satoshi finally spoke. "Untie us. We will listen." His voice was calm, heavy.
Akhiro swallowed. “Me too… I’m sorry. This is too much.”
His voice cracked.
“I don’t know if I can handle this. I don’t know if this moment will become a turning point of my life.”
“Do not blame yourself. You tried to help those who were lost in that spaceship.” This was said by Satoshi as he placed a hand on his shoulder.
Akhiro’s eyes trembled. “But there was no one.”
A beat.
Within her mind, Dianthia sensed a stirring.
She was there. I know she was. But where did she go?
Minutes earlier.
Dianthia had run to the crashed ship
Dianthia searched for someone there
“Where did she go? She was here. I know she was. But now… she is not.”
She knelt, her fingers shivering on cold, metallic surfaces.
“A voice echoed,” he
Not allowed.
Inside her mind.
“You won't die here. It will be a small punishment. I will make all the sins committed by you pay you back… your life for your life. You will have everything—but there will be nothing you can call yours. And when you see hope, you will die. Then it’s my turn to go a curse of—”
The message cut off.
Dianthia's eyes went numb, and tears fell before she was able to halt them.
Another message arrived.
A Cursed Stone user almost reached one hundred metres… until it broke.
Akhiro, uncertain, asked, “Why are you crying?” in
Dianthia wiped her face. “Something went into my eye,” her breathy voice cracked.
A falsehood, so thin and glass-like.
She turned to the boys.
“I will tell you everything—but not here. Let’s meet your parents first. Then I will tell you about the boyness.”
Akhiro and Satoshi glanced at each other.
“Okay,” said they together.
They established a magic circle. Under their feet, light spiralled.
“Teleport"
The world folded.
*Planet Anubis*
Realm Three — Underdog Realm.
Near the Pyramid of Giza.
Beneath a colossal spaceship:
Inside, two people talked in short, worried sentences.
“We were lucky. We have a second time machine. This time, let’s deliver this to the Right Person.”
“Okay… why are you not speaking?”
“I am absolutely fine. No need to worry. Let’s do it and land here.”
“What is the time?”
“7:30
“He will be here soon?”
“We are playing fine to fix the future. I hope it does not affect us.”
“Of course, it will affect us. But if already doomed, how much does it even matter?”
A machine hummed, dangerous and alive.
“We are not changing anything. We are doing what should be done.”
“Now drop it. Make it feel like an asteroid. He will do there, I promise.”
A box plunged through the sky like a falling star—and ripped a hole in reality.
The boy moved towards it.
"Perfect timing. Now let’s see how everything will bend."
One voice softened.
“The time is not right. Maybe we will meet one day again—but not today.”
The machine vanished.
Back with Dianthia
Quiet room, warm light, and familiar faces.
Akhiro and Satoshi’s mother was seated.
Dianthia spoke, and her words, though measured, bore the weight of the ages.
“Time gives us one choice. Either we abandon our comfort to make a difference… or we suffer differently from others. This is that time, boy.”
She looked at Akhiro.
“This year, some will have to grow quickly so others can survive. Someone else must set hope on you.”
Her eyes softened and then became hard again.
“It’s that time. You can train, you can deny, but it won’t change the future.”
She turned to the mother.
“So. end your children to become a Mage.”
Long breath.
A decision.
Dianthia, Akhiro, and Satoshi entered the room where their mother was waiting.
The door closed behind them.
*To Be Continued*