This world is called Elaria, a place filled with mystical energy harnessed from the life force of the planet itself, known as Reiki.

Around two thousand years ago, during the Age of Enlightenment, humans discovered they could harness this power, allowing it to flow through their bodies, granting them unique abilities and powers. Only a select few could awaken this power, but those who did received great power beyond their wildest imaginations.

The powers one could receive ranged from Elemental Manipulation, Increased Strength and Agility, Heightened Healing and Regeneration, Sensory Enhancement, Energy Projection, and more.

Simultaneously, with the dawn of the Age of Enlightenment, monsters began to appear, ravaging the land and leaving trails of destruction in their wake. These beings were later called "Kōsō."

Those who awakened their mystical energy rose to fight the beasts, striving to rid the world of their menace. No one knew where these beasts came from or what they truly were, but as the years passed, humanity learned more and more about them.

Friday, July 19, 3074 AE

A young boy, no older than five, with unruly spiky black hair, ran around an open field, laughing and giggling. With him was a girl a year younger, with short dark purple hair and glowing violet eyes.

"Big brother, slow down," the young girl said, feeling a little exhausted.

"Come on, sis, keep up!" he called, running around the field.

As they played, they unknowingly ventured into a nearby forest and soon found themselves lost.

"W-where are we, Blaze?" the young girl clung to her older brother's shirt.

"I don’t know, Lyria, but I'm sure we'll make it out. If we can't, I know Mom and Dad will find us," Blaze reassured her, holding her hand.

Scared and lost, they called out for their parents, sticking close to each other. Suddenly, there was a rustling in the bushes, causing them to freeze and back up.

"What is that, Big Brother?" Lyria clutched his hand, afraid.

"I don’t know, but stay close to me," Blaze pulled his sister close in a protective manner.

Out of the bushes emerged a very tall monster—a Nexus Beast in the form of an ogre, with a massive club in its hand. At first, it didn't seem to notice them until Lyria gave a sharp gasp, catching its attention.

"Lyria, I need you to run," Blaze said, standing protectively in front of her.

"What? No, I can't leave you! I won’t leave you!" Lyria protested.

"I’ll be fine. Believe me, it’s an older brother's job to protect his little sister." He pulled her into a tight hug. "I need you to go and find Mom and Dad, okay?" Blaze tried to calm her down and give her time to get somewhere safe.

He watched as she ran away. After she was out of sight, he turned back to the Nexus Beast that was now looking down at him.

‘This doesn’t look good. I wonder if anyone will come to save me. Am I going to die here? Will I be able to run away? No, I can't run. If I did, I'm sure it could catch me,’ he thought to himself. As he mused, his instincts kicked in, and he jumped to the right, dodging the massive club that smashed into the ground, ripping it up.

‘I don’t want to die,’ he screamed in his head as he stood up and started running, the Nexus Beast close behind. ‘Please, someone help me!’ He ducked as the club smashed into a tree, crushing it instantly. Splinters flew everywhere, cutting his arm and legs, causing him to bleed.

Blaze tried to ignore the pain as he continued running, his blood trickling onto the forest floor. After some time, he ended up at a dead end, cornered by the Nexus Beast.

‘I guess this is the end,’ he thought, closing his eyes and waiting for the inevitable. But it didn’t come. Instead, he felt a warm liquid splatter onto him and his wounds. Opening his eyes, he saw the Nexus Beast lying on the ground, burned to a crisp, its blood covering him. What stood out the most was the figure in front of him with short spiky black hair and blue eyes.

“D-Dad…” he said weakly, falling to the ground but caught in his father's arms.

“I’m glad you're safe. You were quite brave standing up to that monster to protect your sister. Quite the little hero, aren’t you?” His father grinned, causing Blaze to grin faintly. “Let's get back home. Your mother is worried about you.” He carried Blaze back home in his arms.

Two Years Later

Two years had passed since the incident in the forest with the Nexus Beast. Blaze, now seven years old, had fully recovered and returned to normal. However, his sister, Lyria, now six, had become far more protective of him, ensuring he didn't do anything reckless.

In this time, both Blaze and Lyria had awakened their powers. Blaze discovered he had Pyrokinesis, while Lyria awakened Energy Manipulation and the ability of Flight.

Their parents trained them on how to use their powers and the Reiki. Everything seemed fine, and they lived a happy life until the fateful day a Nexus Beast ravaged their city.

OUTSIDE THE CITY

High in the sky, a sinister figure looms, its form a blend of dark, shadowy energy and semi-solid, otherworldly matter. This being, known as The Abyssal Wraith, possesses a shifting, mist-like body, glowing red eyes, and a mouth filled with sharp, jagged teeth. It has long, sinuous limbs ending in clawed hands and feet, shadowy tendrils extending from them, and massive, tattered wings capable of creating powerful gusts. Its long, coiling tail of swirling mist adds to its terrifying presence.

“Oh, there are quite a few humans down there. This should be fun,” The Abyssal Wraith mutters with glee. With a flap of its wings, it creates gusts of wind so powerful that several buildings collapse, killing and injuring many. “That’s it, let me hear your screams and cries as you struggle to survive,” it thinks as it revels in the chaos.

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Simultaneously, it conjures three giant tornadoes, further devastating the town while releasing a burst of energy that plunges most inhabitants into nightmarish dreams. The Wraith then launches a beam of dark energy, creating a massive crater.

“Hahaha, this is so much fun! Causing chaos and destruction gives me purpose. Watching them squirm and struggle to cling to life is delightful!” The Abyssal Wraith laughs, circling the city.

It then summons a horde of shadow creatures—smaller versions of itself—to attack and finish destroying the city.

OVER WITH BLAZE AND FAMILY

From their window, Blaze and Lyria witness the minions of The Abyssal Wraith invading their town.

“Mom, Dad, what's going on?” Blaze and Lyria ask in shock and horror.

“I don’t know, but I want both of you to stay inside. Your mother and I will go out and help those in need,” their father, Marcus, instructs.

“But we can help. We've been training for the past two years,” they plead.

“No buts. You both are far too young to help. Stay in the house and don’t leave,” Marcus says sternly before leaving with his wife, Elena. Elena waves back at them with a reassuring smile.

Outside, Marcus and Elena cut through the beasts with ease, using their fire abilities to protect the townspeople and help them reach safety. After a few hours, they manage to defeat the minions. Suddenly, the area around the city becomes pitch black, and all they hear is laughter.

“Aww, why did the two of you have to ruin my game?” a voice taunts.

“A game? Is this a game to you, killing innocent lives?” Marcus asks, his anger flaring.

Inside the house, Blaze hears everything, and his blood boils as he realizes this monster destroyed their home for its own amusement.

“Yes, this is all a game to me. Humans are nothing more than cattle to be devoured by wild beasts, and the beast is none other than me! Hahaha!” The Abyssal Wraith mocks.

Marcus launches a giant ball of fire, hitting the Wraith and pushing it back a few feet.

“That was quite a good attack, but far too weak to do anything,” the Wraith says, opening its mouth to send a beam of dark energy at Marcus and Elena. They release torrents of fire to push it back, but they are quickly overpowered and sent flying into a building. Elena is trapped under the rubble, unable to escape. Marcus rushes to help her.

Seizing this opportunity, The Abyssal Wraith releases another beam of dark energy, badly injuring them both. It flies high into the air, creating a giant ball of darkness and hurling it at the city, reducing it to a massive crater before flying away, satisfied.

Blaze and Lyria run out of the house, desperately searching for their parents. When they find them, they are horrified to see their bodies torn apart, some skin removed to reveal bone. Blaze pukes at the sight, while Lyria kneels beside their mother, sobbing.

“It... seems as if... this is the end for us,” Marcus says weakly, coughing up blood. “It truly saddens me that I cannot watch you grow up, but keep moving forward and don’t look back,” he tells Blaze. “Blaze, protect your sister. Make sure she is safe. That is your job as the older brother.”

Blaze nods, tears streaming down his face. He then hears his mother's weak voice.

“And you, Lyria, keep an eye on your brother. You know he has a habit of getting into trouble and over his head,” Elena says. “It has been a joy to be your mother. I have loved every moment with you both. Always smile, no matter what, and be the best you can be,” she says, shedding tears.

“Take care, and don’t let this incident stop you from achieving your dreams,” she says with a smile before they both pass away.

For hours, the destroyed city echoes with the sobbing of two children who have lost their home and parents to the cruel fate of this world. It feels as if a malevolent hand guided The Abyssal Wraith to them.

Inside Blaze's mind, a flood of emotions—sadness, hatred, and a thirst for revenge—swirl. He vows to avenge his parents, rid the world of all Kōsō, and stop at nothing to achieve that goal.

BLAZE'S AWAKENING

Seventeen-year-old Blaze wakes up in a cold sweat, his black spiky hair tousled, and his crimson eyes wide open. Sitting on the edge of his bed, he recounts the events of his childhood, the pain of loss, and the burning desire for vengeance that fuels him.

Suddenly, there is a knock on Blaze's door. In comes Lyria, now sixteen years old with long, dark purple hair that flows to her lower back and glowing violet eyes. “Are you alright, brother? I heard screaming coming from your room,” she asks worriedly.

“Yes, I'm fine. Just a nightmare about the incident,” Blaze replies, placing his head in his hands.

“Dinner’s ready, so come down when you’re ready and don’t be late,” she smiles before walking away.

After she leaves, Blaze gets up, gets ready, and puts on a red shirt with a sun on it and some black pants.

Going downstairs, he smells the wafting aroma of bacon and eggs. He sits down across from Lyria, who is already eating.

“Glad you were able to make it. You've been held up in your room the past few days. What have you been doing?” She gives him a stern, but playful glare.

“Hn, nothing, just thinking about the past,” he says in a monotone voice.

“Ha, what will I ever do with you? You need to stop thinking about the past. Mother and father would not want that,” she shakes her head.

“Yes, but it was because of the Kōsō that caused their death. Because of that, we had to go on without our parents.”

“Yes, but don’t let your hatred consume you. Just like they said, live your life, have fun, and don’t always brood and plan to get rid of the Kōsō.”

“Easier said than done. The only goal I have is to kill every last one of them, even if it kills me,” he says, his hair shadowing his eyes.

Suddenly, Lyria smacks him across the face. “Don’t say that. We already lost our parents, and I won’t lose you. I can't lose you. Without you, there would be nothing left for me.” She begins to shed a few tears.

Seeing his sister crying because of him, Blaze pulls her into a hug, rubbing her back gently. “Alright, I'll make sure to live. I won’t die anytime soon. I can’t leave you alone.”

After both of them calm down, they finish eating and get ready to leave the house for their plans of watching a movie together called “Nexus Hero” about a hero who vanquishes all of the Kōsō and brings peace to the world.

Upon stepping outside, they are met by Scarlett, Blaze and Lyria’s best friend, whom they met before the incident when they were younger. Scarlett is the same age as Blaze and has deep crimson hair that cascades to her lower back in loose waves with almond-shaped amber eyes.

“Where are you two going, hmm?” she asks curiously.

“We're going to watch ‘Nexus Hero.’ Wanna come?” Lyria asks.

“Sure, sounds like fun. And why don’t we go hunt down some Kōsō ourselves tomorrow?”

Blaze is the first to respond. “Hn, I bet I can take down more than you,” he taunts, showing some emotion for the first time.

“Oh, you’re so on. Whoever kills the most Kōsō has to buy the other dinner, and trust me, I'm going to win,” Scarlett confidently states with pride. Both of them shake on it as their competitive spirits emerge.

‘I’m happy that he has a friend. Whenever he’s around Scarlett, he brightens up. He’s only like that with me and her. It could be because she experienced the same thing as us and understands the pain he feels. Though I wish he would try and make more friends,’ Lyria thinks to herself as she looks up into the air. ‘Guess I can’t stop them from doing it, so I might as well get ready for tomorrow.’

With laughter and a competitive spirit, the three of them head off to watch the movie, all the while thinking about what the next day will bring them.