Fear and dread painted the faces of Tom, the students, and the inhabitants of Earth as they absorbed the unsettling proclamation that the end was near. The weight of impending doom settled upon them, casting a shadow over their hearts. However, amidst the turmoil, a voice emerged once again, this time delivering a message of hope.

"Earth cannot hold out for much longer, and now it is up to its inhabitants to protect it," the voice spoke, its tone determined. Despite the interference and distortion in its words, the message pushed through. "To do so, those who wish to fight for the planet's safety must unseal their dormant potentials. For this purpose we will aid you one last time."

As soon as the voice finished talking, strange sounds filled the air. Tom and a group of students rushed to the windows of the school, their eyes widening in awe. Outside, a mesmerizing sight unfolded—the emergence of magical portals. These mystical gateways shimmered with ethereal energy, displaying a kaleidoscope of colors and patterns. Each portal held the promise of new possibilities, beckoning the curious and the brave.

The phenomenon extended far beyond the confines of the school. People abandoned their cars, opened their windows, or left their workplaces, drawn to the spectacle unfolding before their eyes. The world paused, witnessing the birth of these enchanting portals. They stood as celestial gateways, inviting those who gazed upon them to question their reality and embrace the extraordinary.

As the scene unfolded, the voice resumed its guidance, reaching the ears of all Earth's inhabitants. "To unseal your talents, you must pass through these portals and undergo a trial. However, be warned, for many of you will perish in this trial." The mention of potential death sent a ripple of fear through the hearts of the listeners. Yet, amidst the trepidation, some, saw an opportunity—a chance to prove their worth and protect their planet.

Meanwhile, the voice continued, "After a certain period, some of these portals will close. To undertake the trial, you must then find within yourselves the means to transport into the dimension of the trial. The portals are mere catalysts, expediting the process."

The voice concluded with a final message to the people of Earth, "I hope that for the wellbeing of all of us you will succeed in protecting your planet."

that was all, after this last statement the earthlings no longer heard the voice that conveyed the message to them.

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Tom stood at the forefront, contemplating the gravity of the situation. Determination burned in his eyes, outweighing the fear that lingered. The portals represented a path to strength, an opportunity to tap into untapped potential and emerge as a defender of their world.

***

Tom stood before Maya and Alex as he resumed talking to them, "As I said, you shouldn't destroy the school facilities."

Alex replied with a somewhat annoyed tone, "What's there even to destroy? And even if we wanted to destroy everything, you can't do anything to stop us."

After the message, people started using the portals to gain power, but as the voice said, the death rate was high—70% within the trial. Needless to say, after witnessing this, many didn't want to undergo the trial due to fear. They comforted themselves by believing that there would be others who would pass the trial and save them.

...And they were right. However, some of those who survived the trial, after countless near-death experiences, regarded those who didn't pass the trial as cowards. Some extremists even saw them as traitors of the human race and looked at them with contempt and disdain in their gazes.

Tom belonged to the first category of people and didn't pass the trial. However, it wasn't out of fear or such, but because of his sisters Marie and Wendy. He didn't want to take the risk and leave his sisters alone, especially since their parents had disappeared, and they were the only family they had left.

He also desired to gain those fancy powers and use them to save the Earth and its inhabitants, but he simply couldn't. However, people who didn't know this fact considered him a coward, and he even lost his position as the student council president, further accelerating the decline of their school.

Meanwhile, Alex continued speaking, "Leave us alone or-"

Just as he was speaking, Alex's words were cut off by a sudden lightning sound behind them. They turned towards the source of the noise and saw a young man approaching with a commanding presence. Standing tall and imposing, he exuded strength and confidence. His rugged features and chiseled jawline complemented his piercing gaze. Adorned with a muscular physique, each step he took seemed to ripple with power. As if bestowed with a protective aura, crackling bolts of lightning danced around him, symbolizing his electrifying presence and hinting at his extraordinary abilities.

"Th-Thunderstrike Leon," Alex said with fear evident in his voice. Even Maya, who had maintained a cold expression until now, showed signs of anxiety.

Leon looked at Alex and uttered a single word, "Scram."

He said it calmly but the tongues of electricity coiling around him made it look like he was going to eat them. seeing this made alex and maya flee without even looking black.

Leon then turned his attention to Tom, who still stood there with a smile on his face. Leon frowned and approached Tom, giving him a menacing look and said:

"Who do you believe you are to moralize to others?"