Calmness, something I haven’t felt for quite some time. It felt like a dream, so calm and peaceful, one which I am just in the middle of an empty dark space. The empty space almost too soothing, my mind began to lose my numb or lack of emotions, and it hit like a bucket of cold water.
Why can’t I move?! Trying to move my head, I realized I don’t have one. Shit, shit, shit. Trying anything else, I began to lose my calmness, and then the cold creeping feeling of terror took over. Trying to shout, I felt worse as I couldn’t hear my voice, no, I couldn’t speak. This was more of a sudden turn of horror, as if I were in one of those creepy mind-horror movies.
Turning each corner and inch around me, I could tell that it is what I thought. I’m dead?!!
So, it was true that there didn’t exist afterlife. Well, that sucks more than anything. But I tried to remember myself. Bon-Bon Lee, age 22, born in South Korea, and as well, was going to graduate in two years in my college. Now, I wondered what happened. Death was something truly terrifying. As I stayed with my thoughts in the empty void.
That’s right, I can try and remember the last thing before I woke up in this place! The last thing I remember, was a trip, to the mountains. The view of the forest was unbelievably beautiful, in fact, it was almost hypnotic. But that is all I could muster to remember. Then, a sudden warmth crept into me. Then, as I more felt it than saw, I began to have parts of my body appear. First, my chest, the sudden warmth that radiated began to have a physical presence.
The glow that highlighted my body didn’t fade completely, and my heat began to calm down, something that relieved me from any lingering feeling of anxiety. My hand, almost transparent and with my veins and something else glow a pale blue. The structure of the other lines that ran through my body reminded me of circuits of a computer but kept a similar pattern to my veins. And in the middle of my chest, I felt and saw a small galaxy. Stars and even purple and yellow lights gleamed like as if I were watching it in a telescope.
The small galaxy then began to form into a ball, and turn into a single bright star, that shined like a rainbow, each color coming and fading. What is this? The darkness around me was beginning to fade into a bright room with particles of many colors. Flabbergasted, I couldn’t stop but to stare at the small sparkles of colors that floated around me.
Am I really dead? Asking myself, but I didn’t expect a response.
“No, you are not. I am sure of that.” A honeyed voice said as a giggle escaped her. Looking everywhere, a small light of pure golden color, and as blinding as the sun.
The light wasn’t shapeless, but having the figure of a petite woman, along her hair being as long as falling even lower than her feet. The woman had only a figure, but no characteristics. Her voice rang like a mother speaking to her newborn child.
“Child of another God.” Her soothing voice echoed throughout all the blank space. The warm calmness that came from her voice, it may it more tranquil to wait and hear what she would say next.
“The process is complete. I wish I could say more, get along with you, but.” As if I could sense it, I could feel her crying and biting her lip. “Thou art to be the truth of all, and your star shall shine the brightest. This will not be the last time we will see each other, good-bye, Bon-Bon.”
Trying to reach out, I began to be sucked or even forced to be taken far from her. For a single second, I could tell she was smiling, and waved, but then, universes and galaxies were filling the blank space.
My body shined like a falling star, one that was heading towards a planet. It was filled with water and land, as… Earth? My body felt heavy, and with a sudden flash, I felt land. The floor was cold and hard. My eyes landed on the ceiling, one made of pure glass and a moon. Trying to adjust my sight, I realized something. I wasn’t seeing double, there were two moons. I blinked, rubbed my eyes, and even close my eyes for a second or two. Nope, there are two moons.
“Where am I?” I asked myself. But I was surprised I was speaking. But one thing caught my eye. As I lifted myself, I realized I don’t have my phone, or even my supplies or books. I felt somewhat overwhelmed by doubt as I began to lift myself. Then, I heard a voice.
“Is that you Bon-Bon?” A squeaky but youthful voice asked. I looked to my left side and found a girl with orange glowing eyes. I squealed softly and looked closer. “Hyun-Ha?” I asked as her face glowed in relief and joy.
Embracing me, I felt her cheek slam with mine. “Ow!” She began to rub it and pull tighter. Accepting my fate, I waited for her to have her hug, along me gasping for air. “I couldn’t recognize you, BB. You look so different.”
“What?” I said as she pointed to her head. “Your hair, it’s blue.” She said with a toothy smile. “Grabbing some of my hair, I noticed it was a pale blue. I scoffed. I look like one of those idols. “It suits you. With your purple glowing eyes.”
What was happening? Blue hair, purple eyes, what the hell was going on. Taking one more look around, I began to see more of the people around us, and murmurs began to turn into scared voices.
“Where are we?” A boy shouted with green pale hair and pink eyes. He turned to a boy who had his long hair behind his ears, blonde and sporting green emerald eyes. “Hey, what is this place?”
Turning to my other side, I found two girls, one holding the other. The girl with blue dark hair that faded to a purple, along her eyes being pink-ruby. In her arms, a girl with black and white hair divided in the middle along her heterochromatic eyes —the right eye silver and the other blue gray— was looking around. “Bing-Bing and Iseul.” I whispered, Hyun-Ha waving to which they did the same.
This was getting weird. Not only did I awaken in a strange room but my classmates as well. And by the looks of it, they seemed to have changed appearance. My brown hair and eyes seemed to have changed to pale blue hair and purple eyes, along everyone else having their hair and eyes change as well.
“What the hell is going on?!!” A girl shouted as she turned to hug her friend. Both of them were the gals of the class, Saya and Bin-Jun. Saya had pink hair with sapphire eyes. Along her, Bin-Jun had her dyed hair turn into a blonde purple gradient that was accompanied with yellow pale eyes. Everyone was here, my entire class was here.
Then one boy who was just sitting still on the ground kept me aware of his unchanged appearance. Eun-Ji, the quiet guy in the class, had his black messy hair, along the only thing that changed was his black eyes that now were a pale silver.
Each pair of eyes glowed and I could tell that mine were too. The warmth and ability to see in the dark made it obvious we weren’t normal anymore.
“Greetings Heroes.” A raspy voice echoed in the black room. As it did, the entire room lit up, and a door appeared in front of us. As it did, symbols and circles all across the floor and walls appeared and an elderly man stepped inside.
Silky robes of a pure white that shined along with a blue marine piece of cloth hanging in front of his chest with a symbol similar to a ‘J’. Our expressions must’ve been showing how we felt as he genuinely smiled and lifted placated hands. “You may have questions and even are scared, but I wish no harm for any of you.” His raspy and hoarse voice was calm, not hostile in the least.
“I am the elder priest, Olsen Tro’Viel. You are the Heroes that have been summoned to aid our world.”
“What?” One of the boys said with venom. I knew he was furious, but we didn’t know completely everything. “I understand you might be angry, but you were chosen by the artifact, being the ones brought and to become Heroes.”
One of the boys wanted to march towards him, but one young man, taller than the others, held his arm and a sudden pressure slammed onto us. “What the—?”
His black hair, shining with the light of the moon, turned, revealing golden pale eyes that sparkled as if having stars coming and fading in them. “Dae-Hyun.” His friend said as he saw him walk to the elder man. “Woah, he got golden eyes.” Hyun-Ha said as she stared with her mouth wide open. I could tell she found him charming.
“May we know what is going on? I hope you can tell us how we got here.” His calm and kind manner of speaking made the elderly man lose his stiffness. Relaxing, the elder man, Olsen spoke.
“You were all transported to this world, something that happens every 102 or so years. The purpose is for you to aid us in defeating the enemy that has suddenly cause war.” His eyes showed to flow with sadness, and his bags became even darker as he took in a pause and then continued.
“War has gone for 10 years now, and the people of our world need your help. The summoned had brought you as every one of has been chosen as the best of the Heroes of your era.”
Of our era? I was confused, and most of the others began to question and doubt most of all his words. Was it like an isekai or something. Though it may seem that way, I began to see that this wasn’t like any of the stories that were popular back in the day. Now, we stood before a elder man who seemed to be a priest in a white room.
“Can you return us? I believe we are not fit for such task, plus, we are only mere students.” Dae-Hyun said as he tried to analyze the situation ever further. The elder man closed his eyes and bowed slightly.
“I truly apologize, I cannot do that. The circle in which you were summoned, it cannot be used for returning you back to your world.” Everyone began to gasp and shout curses at the elder. But once more, a pressure caused everyone to stay quiet, something that I realized was caused by Dae-Hyun.
“So, there’s no going back? But how can we return?” The elder began to think, but I knew he didn’t know. If it was like all those stories I read back then, I know that there is no way back. “There is one way, and there have been records of Heroes returning back, but it’s more of a song and poem.”
Before the elder could say anything else, Dae-Hyun spoke up. “You call us Heroes, as in like champions or saviors?”
The man shook his head. “That’s the name of your race.” He said simply. As he did, we put our attention to a younger girl who appeared in a rectangle that opened in the white room.
Her figure was that of a girl around her 13 or 14 years of age. Her eyes were sealed by a black blindfold, and she was dressed in black robes along her hands being covered by some weird looking balls that seemed like chains. “Uz Divino Argo’invoque?”
I couldn’t understand her at all, a native language perhaps of this world. “Do’Re.” She said, her hands being released as the balls of metal disappeared, and light began to shine golden and then rainbow.
I didn’t believe in magic at all, fantasy was only a genre, something to distract and enjoy such world build. But that young girl made everyone in the room stay with their mouths wide open. As she lifted them, golden lights —22 in total— began to form into girls as well. The girls all took off their hoods, the original one as well. The original one, had black hair, along some tinge of golden on the tip.
The others had golden hair with symbols all over their neck. The young group of girls were all shown to go on a straight horizontal line and began to stand before us. We were startled and surprised. “I promise you young Heroes, the Virtues mean no harm. They wish to activate your abilities.”
We all stared at Dae-Hyun for some reason, perhaps everyone thought to acknowledge the response of him. He simply stood in front of the black haired one, and she bowed deeply. His friend, Tae-Soo followed behind him and then another. And another, then, we all stood in front of each one.
The silence was intense, but each of us witness them remove their blindfolds, and with a gasp, I understood why they hid their eyes. Gem-like eyes stared at me, almost like crystal that took in every basic color. Red shined with purple, green with yellow, and blue with silver. Their eyes took us with awe, and each one bowed to us. The girls began to lift their right hand and touch our chest. Not knowing what was going to happen, I closed my eyes, trying to prepare myself for any pain or discomfort.
However, what my eyes caught after opening slightly, was my chest shine in four main colors, blue, red, brown and green. All four fused, taking as form similar to a vortex, and then, a strange swirl began to have stretch all over my body, each cell reacted, and I began to feel a rush of adrenaline that caused me to hold my breath for a heartbeat or two. Then, one simple color shined in my center, a pale blue, almost the same as the sky, and the girl shivered, her mouth releasing a condensed breath of air. The others had similar reactions. Each shined one single color at the end of the process. Yet, Dae-Hyun held his breath as small sparkles of gold gleam began to swell around him and the Virtue.
She lifted her eyes, shining more than before, tears streaming down as she wept silently with a faint smile. As the process was done, my body shot a spark, something that caught me by surprise. As it did, my sight began to bring something that shook me. My name in the middle up top, my eyes catching everything that I saw, even registering everyone who had eye contact with me.
As I did, my eyes began to feel a bit warmer, and I could tell my eyes shined. Lavender with a tinge of yellow below, and my sight faded from the name and information such as my level and health.
Taking a breath, the Virtues were already back to where they stood, each with their blindfolds back on. I began to take one breath when the elder man began to speak. “The process is complete. You are all awakened to use your power. Though this may be an awakening, the power you have needs to be increased by training and such.”
Everyone murmured, and with a slight cough, the Virtue stepped once more forward. “Heroes, you all seem to be stressed, scared and even hostile, but we only wish for you to help this world that is at war. War with Heroes like you, Heroes who once helped us a century ago, but now they only desire the death of all living beings, along bringing an end to our world we call home. This may seem selfish, even greedy, but we want you to help us.” Dae-Hyun stared intensely at her. But his shoulders sagged, and he turned to us.
“We should understand first what we can do, perhaps there is a way back home.” He said earnestly. As he did, the Virtue bowed deeply to him and opened the door. “Please follow me, I will take you with the lords and masters.”
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Dae-Hyun follows right behind her, her body not swaying or even making any sound. As he left, his friend went behind him, and we began to follow him.
II
The white room was bright, but the other side was somewhat lit by some strange light artifacts that shined a tinge of yellow white. The blue marine carpet was beautiful, the intricate designs on it sowed in a golden color made it so majestic. Up above, the hall ceiling was made of pure glass, snowflakes falling down and sliding from the curved glass. The walls and pillars that held the hall were a pure white that hummed with the light of the lights. The hall was wide enough to put 40 or so more people side by side, and the objects and doors were all made of a rich wood that was made of a black gray color.
One or two so guards stood at each door we passed, dressed in blue royal uniforms that had buttons of golden, along chains hanging from their shoulders, most using black boots made of leather. The female guards held a skirt that went all the way down to their knees and wore leggings. They all had a sword crossing on their back hip, while holding what appeared to be muskets. Though unlike in our world, the muskets were of black color, made completely of metal, along having a strange orb near the trigger.
Walking further, I saw paintings that would take a whole space of the hall, and most of it showed the wars of this world. The painting was so realistic, way more than any artist in our world would have painted historical moments. Men and women in golden and white armor were being slain by monsters and even knights in black rusted armor and behind, a girl —no more than 10 years older— was floating up above, along light shining where she floated. The painting must’ve been quite eye catching, because everyone stopped to see it.
“The first ever Hero war to happen in Cypher.” The elderly man said as he placed his palm near the young girl. “The strongest Hero to have ever existed in those times, and she was merely a child, something that everyone in this world felt so horrible about. But her age didn’t defy her will or maturity.” Lowering his hand, he gestured for us to follow. After a few more turns, we stood before two giant doors ten times bigger than us and taking most of the space of the hall.
“Though this may be a sudden surprise, the lords and ladies of the lands have come to see the new generation as it is tradition.” As he said this, four soldiers on each door push with what seemed to be their magic, huffing and heaving as they pushed the ginormous doors. As they were fully opened, the room inside, was round, pillars holding around. But one thing stood out. Up above, a second floor was present, and seats that were filled by people.
Dae-Hyun stepped first along the Virtue and everyone else began to follow right behind him. The marble floor was almost like a mirror, everyone staring in disbelief of the sight. Nine pillars held in a circular form, and up top, the people sat, the faces covered in darkness.
“My lords and ladies of Cypher, I have come to bring you forth the new generation of Heroes.” He bowed deeper, his head turning to see something on his left. The entire room was dark, only where we stood, light shined from the artifact up top, that seemed to be a giant crystal. My sight, began to detect what appeared to be their magic, though they were something strong, on leaked out the most. Her twin-tails crooked as she tilted her head.
Three figures stood up, and the three had golden hair that shined when they moved. “Greetings Heroes, may I ask the name of your land?” A man’s voice boomed throughout the room. “Seoul, South Korea.” Dae-Hyun said without stuttering.
Murmuring and having scoffs come out, the elder began to speak again. “Seoul, South Korea, located in the east of their planet. They are 23 in total, four additional from the former.” I turned back to the three figures, and the man lifted a hand and leaned forward. “Heroes of Seoul, you all have been summoned and brought to aid Joyce and the kingdom in them from the former generation of Heroes.”
“—What??”
“—How come__”
“—Isn’t fair!”
Everyone one of my classmates began to shout, something that actually surprised the royals. Then, the pressure of Dae-Hyun began to choke them, which he turned off again. His expression showed anger but hid it very well. “Why would you need a new generation of Heroes defeat the former? Are they that powerful?”
The woman with her twin-tails lifted herself and a honey but cold voice spoke. “Heroes, they’re called that for a reason young man,” she said nonchalantly, something that made the other royals to turn and gasp, “Heroes are a race that cannot be slain by just anyone. It must be another Hero, and only a Hero can kill another of his or her kind.’
“I see,” Dae-Hyun said simply. “Then, does that mean that the entire generation is still alive?” The man nodded and spoke once more. “As you say, the generation of Heroes still live, most of them, along having an army of monsters and people who joined them in their ranks.”
The truth was being told, yet it seems they were trying to interrogate us. “If I may ask,” Tae-Soo spoke up, “is there a reason you are suspicious of us?”
Silence held the room once more. Then a scoff left a woman. The heels clanked on the marble floor, and from the darkness, a woman with silver eyes and hair appeared. Her slight toned abdomen was showing from her shirt that was opened to reveal it. Wearing tight black jeans and knee-high boots, she had a white glass sword on her hip, and her hands were covered in leather black gloves. She turned and patted the elder on the arm. Reaching the middle where we stood, she faced the royals.
“My lords, I believe the charade of trying to see if they are evil is a nuisance. After all, they seem genuine.” She winked at us. The woman was very beautiful, as if being a perfect ‘big sister’.
Master Grey, it seems to me that you just consider them children and not demigods. Remember, these children are powerful enough to destroy Joyce.” She laughed it off, something that seemed offensive, but the noble just shrugged it off. Master Grey turned and took a bow and looked at each of us.
“Youthful, but adults as well, good.” She turned to the nobles once more, “We shall train them for the year as it is with every generation.” The nobles all murmured, ones already nodding in affirmation. The room stayed silent and then, the man spoke once more. “Alright then, I shall accept their help, but please do be aware of what might come Master Grey.” Just like that, the nobles left, nothing more.
“Now young ones,” Grey said as she clapped twice, “welcome to Cypher, my name is Natalia Jinn Grey, but you can call me Grey.” Her smile warmed us up, all of us staring at the beautiful woman, some even trying to look away.
Grey seemed to look in the darkness and whistled loudly. My ears pitched and footsteps began to echo. From the dark, four figures came out, all being handsome and beautiful just like Grey.
Two men and two women walked towards us, all of them dressed neatly, especially the young man and young woman who shoved and pushed at each other. “Well Grey, you have a way to abuse the respect and trust that the nobles have on you.” The bulky man said.
“C’mon, instead of calling me out, introduce yourselves.” They formed a single line and bowed.
“As my fellow Master has introduced herself, I shall as well,” the man who stood way taller than any other present, along his toned bulky shoulders stretching his military shirt straightened and bowed, “John Gram, it’s a pleasure to meet you youngsters.” A toothy grin came out, almost cheerful and proud. He reminded me of an energetic motivational trainer.
“I am one of the five Masters that shall train you and teach you, as well be a friend of yours. I wish for everyone to trusts us.” He took a small bow and smiled childishly. He nodded to the woman next to him, one who had beautiful pink gradient hair the faded to a creamy silver. Her empty blue ice eyes were hollow enough to believe they led to the abyss.
Her hourglass figure made every boy in our group drool, that is except Dae-Hyun. Her white suit was combined with a drape sparked black dress that was almost see through but was quite enchanting as a galaxy sparkling its stars. Her hands were put together and she bowed, stream of her silky hair fall forward.
As I stood enchanted by her beauty, her icy cold and honey voice felt like winter, “Salutations Heroes. My name is Cordelia K. Crane, Crane will suffice.” She lifted her head and smiled faintly. “I shall train you and hope to be a supporting member in your lives from now on.”
The other two, shoving and even glaring at each other, it was obvious they were the closest to each other from the rest. One of them —a young man who seemed around our age— had crimson hair that was tied well behind his head into a small ponytail, along some bangs slipping down to his forehead. The other who had green hair and yellow eyes showed to punch his back. The sound was unbelievable, and they both began to scowl. Without any warning or even second thought, Crane smacked both their heads, both getting a cartoonish bulge.
They both let out tears, but the young man managed to keep his composure. “Greetings,” his deep voice made Hyun-Ha and some other girls squeal in excitement as they heard him, “my name is Aries Aegis, one who shall train you and teach you the way of combat.” He nudged his comrade, and she clicks her tongue. Her face changed fast as she looked at us.
“My name is Florence Diane. But please, call me Diane. I hope we all become great friends. We all are the same age after all.” Aegis chuckled through his throat, making Diane have her forehead bulge with a vein.
Gram let out a barked laugh and went to stand in front of Dae-Hyun, his hand extending towards him. “We’ll be working together from now on.” Dae-Hyun smiled his hand gripping the giant one that was of Gram, and everyone chuckled.
III
After a month of staying in Cypher there was much to learn about this kingdom. Apparently, Joyce is the main capital of all East Cypher, which is the kingdom that unified every nation in the lands of the East.
Joyce was the kingdom that was created after the fall of another kingdom when the first generation of Heroes came and after the end of the war, the kingdoms united. The 22 nations united and have distributed their parts to create a stable and harmonious society. It’s as well known that there are two strong kingdoms that summon Heroes: Joyce and the Western nation known as Altior. Both nations have taken up arms against the Hero Empire.
But that was still information I haven’t heard completely. As I continued to learn more about the world where we were summoned, I found out that even though this world is in a medieval time, they have beyond advanced technology that was fused with magic. This world truly was beyond what our world would ever reach in a century or two. Trains, vehicles that ran with mana, hot and cold water, heating and cooling artifacts that ran the same.
Staring down at the notes I made from the first few sessions of magic, I found out that mana was actually something similar to oxygen, having particles that float around the atmosphere. These particles show to have attraction to those who can fuel it inside a core. Each living being in this world —or perhaps even in this universe— can control and manipulate mana with a core that is like an extra organ.
The particles were colorless, but what amazed me is how it can turn into the particular element that is produced in each core or even by the attraction it obtains to every element. Though in this world, the ordinary person can have to up to three elements, it rare for everyone to even have two. The four elements —wind, fire, earth and water— were the basic elements, while there existed more than those.
It’s known that if mana fused and with a bit of creativity, the elements could become more powerful, such as lightning, lava and poison. Though there is one element that even Heroes have a difficult time controlling.
Taking out the notes, I began to put them together for the next session that would be taking place in 10 minutes. The group had stayed inside this place known as the Joyce Palace, a temple for the Heroes to train and study, which has been around for several centuries. The palace seems to be located near a mountain that has shown to be behind the castle of the Joyce Kingdom. Much of the palace showed to be made of a strange stone that reminded me of glass or ice, which shined beautifully.
Snow filled all around and the palace has shown to be quite big. Big enough to make the university where I studied look small. As the notes came out, there was one thing that came to my mind every single day and night, it appears I am immortal. Though it may sound unbelievable or even cliched, I won’t age, nor would I change appearance, not even have any illness.
It was one of the many blessings that a Hero is given as he or she is transport to Cypher. The other gifts are regeneration and a godlike physique. What made me think it was all too good, was the demonstration of how Diane tried to cut the head off Dae-Hyun, but the sword broke in contact with his skin, making the blade shatter like glass. It surprised us as she explained to us.
“Heroes are very similar to the galaxy; it’s known that most of the first Heroes had been proven to be invulnerable, resulting in everything that has any major impact and with the intention to injure, would be destroyed.”
Diane began to pat a horrified Dae-Hyun, to which everyone laughed. It was quite surprising that our bodies are not human, though our appearance is quite the same.
“Heroes show to be similar to us in appearance, but that doesn’t not change the fact that you are made of pure energy, a form that can be explored every time you reach a Supernova.”
With a marker, she began to draw something similar to a star, to which she later began to erase and draw something similar to an explosion. What I remember from our trip back a year ago, a star has a lifespan in which it later explodes. This was called a supernova.
“Like the stars, you begin to reach what is called the Nine Supernova phases, this is what makes you get stronger, which actually improves all your skills, and have the gift to obtain or perfect new ones.”
Scribbling in my small notebook, Seo-Ji, —friend of Dae-Hyun— lifted her hand. Diane nodded and asked, “Does this Supernova get detected by our System?”
“Your system, is something that is similar to a scanner, it will detect and report to you, along with it, the Supernova gives a golden time to your new power, though be careful, it does give a backlash that is worse than any hangover.”
Demonstration of our powers were truly surprising, from our strength to our speed, even our intellect. I was able to break stone by flicking my finger, run to the other side of the ginormous garden of the palace in four seconds. The garden was at least 50 football fields, and with being able to even understand quickly the way mana and magic work.
Our existence was practically broken as we had no rivals, that is if it's another Hero. But there was the other problem, which was our classmates that had different ideas of how to survive. Some of us took seriously the training, while others used their title as Hero to skip or even leave it.
As the time passed with each day, there came a day when the Supernova happened. Staying in a meditating pose, I felt a surge of mana up on the next floor. It was beyond what we expected to be as Dae-Hyun was glowing with stars filtering through his aura. His eyes glowed, and his hair was on tip, but it only lasted for a few minutes until he felt his new strength.
That day, many of us felt that power up as well. Mine was not what I expected. After finishing a training session in front of everyone, ice began to erupt from where I stood, my heart began to speed up, and my eyes burned with the glow. Everyone got scared as the temperature in the training room began to fall below zero, and with it, pure white ice cracked the floor. As I looked, my System began to detect my aura increasing.
Trying to breathe, Hyun-Ha rushed to me at a lightning speed, holding my hand as she used to when my anxiety attacks overwhelmed me back home. Such as she did, she felt my temperature, causing her to pull her hand. “BB, you’re freezing.”
Everyone tried to keep their composure, but it was futile, the Masters already ran towards where I stood, Diane and Grey having shocked expressions. “Bon-Bon, you’re an ice elemental user.” Diane said with a bit of concern.
Grey was the one to help me up, her face shown to be passive, her smile always bringing me to keep calm. “BB, it seems you’re an ice elemental, something that hasn’t appeared in four generations.”
My face was left in a dumbstruck state, in which Grey just giggled.
“Huh?”
IV
GREY
Ice elemental, truly something I didn’t expect from Bon-Bon who was a kind and very sweet girl with the desire to return home. Since the former generation, the Tokyo Faction, no one has shown such effort, but only one boy came to mind.
“Seems you're remembering again Nat.” Crane sipped her tea with her eyes closed. Her pink creamy silver hair shined from the sun in the stadium where the children trained. “So, you noticed huh?”
Crane was always observant, something that made her quite scary sometimes. “You know Nat, you are always taking burdens over everything that happens, never blaming anyone, but you aren’t to blame about his death.”
Trying to sip my coffee, she looked at me. “These kids need us; we are the ones who should guide them so we can’t make the same mistakes.” Simply putting down her cup of tea. As we watched everyone train, I noticed that Bon-Bon had quite the difficult time using her new element. Though she was quite the quick learner, I could tell she was scared of her new power.
“Surely you don’t think they’re the same do you Cordelia?” She just closed her eyes and shrugged slightly. “I don’t think so, much of what the children of Tokyo went through traumatizing experiences that even we couldn’t shake off our conscience.”
“True,” I said simply, “war never ends, and sadly youngsters like them are forced to fight them.” Staring at the group, I could see Dae-Hyun practice his elements, each one getting more powerful and mastered with each session. For centuries, I had seen young men and women go to war, but what I didn’t expect from this class, was their carefree way to enjoy their sessions.
“The harsh reality is the fact they weren’t like this back in their world. Just youth studying, like those in our world.” Taking her last sip, she took a deep breath.
“Even if we don’t age like ordinary people, our lifespan is just a millisecond to the Heroes. And I hope we can fulfill the promise to help them achieve their goals.”
Taking a small stretch to my back, I lifted myself. “That’s right, we should continue the training. We have a few minutes before they have their session with the Virtues and Diane.” Nodding, Crane got up and walked besides me.
As we headed to return to teach them their movements and foot placement. I still couldn’t shake the memories. Back when I trained the Tokyo Faction, I knew that the whole team was talented, yet one child stood out to me. Perhaps because he lacked elemental attraction, or even because of his weak aura, however, that boy was really observant.
Dae-Hyun, Bon-Bon and Si-Young reminded me much of him as they all showed effort and determination to train. It brought me nostalgia.
“Master Grey, Master Crane.” Tae-Soo said. His light brown hair highlighted his teal eyes that had a vibrant color, along him being sprouted on the ground. Dae-Hyun was on top of him, his wooden sword placed right on his friend's cheek. I could tell he was poking him with it a few times before getting up.
Bowing, Dae-Hyun stood straight and everyone else began to follow his lead. Taking a simple step in front, Crane patted the shoulder of Dae-Hyun.
“You have grown much more. Your dedication is truly remarkable and admirable. Everyone should be proud of their efforts and the much you have grown the past days.”
Taking one step to the side, I smiled as I sensed each aura. Unlike an ordinary person in our world, the Heroes had an aura that could make anyone feel pressure on their body, much that it can be felt with their growth, that is why the concealment of their Cosmo was truly amazing.
Power is more controlled when the aura is controlled, as that can deceive their opponents. Much as well to prevent any allies from being debilitated by their presence. Magic is something that exists as such as gravity, oxygen and even us. Such as this is, the mana that flows through a person is built and can grow inside each person. This makes our presence more and more heavy, causing everyone near a certain radius to feel weak or even lose all strength.
From what I have seen these past four centuries, I could tell that the Heroes were more than any of us. The Heroes are capable of having an aura that can suffocate anyone, or as in the records of the historians have shown that there were those who’s mere presence was enough to kill thousands of enemies at once.
The lesson had finished and began to head out to the palace’s meditating room. Unlike the stadium where they would train physically, the meditating room was built to make those inside train their minds.
As we arrived, we could see the entire building that was triangular. The palace had been built to train the many generations of Heroes and to be almost entirely composed of building them into formidable soldiers.
The building was rather the smallest of all the palace, being all black, and in a pyramid shape that was fully closed. Stepping inside, Diane and the Virtue were already meditating. Diane floated clumsily around while the Virtue had a radiant aura circling around her body, the echoes of each color passed and returned to white.
“Starting without us, are you?” I asked jokingly. Diane and the Virtue stared down at us and began to slowly fall. Diane landed on her bum while the Virtue landed on her toes. Taking a deep bow, Crane lowered her head towards the Virtue along rubbing the head of Diane.
Taking a bow as well, we greeted the Virtue. “Vi’sve Virto.” The language of the Primordials, Primordia was the language taught to the first civilizations of this world. This language was kept as a sign of respect to the creators and their children. “Vi’sve Mastros.” Her voice said with a calm tone.
The boys and girls were confused, probably because their Systems can’t translate the deity languages. Chuckling I said, “we just greeted the Virtue. You see, in their language, their doesn’t exist good morning, good night or even hello. Instead, we say something like, bless you or something along those lines.”
Everyone was in awe, some more than others, Iseul trying to mouth the words we spoke just now. Smiling, I brought them in along Crane standing to the side of the entrance. The entire pyramid shaped room was blank, almost as if a blank page that hasn’t been used.
“The lesson for today is what will bring you to step up your game,” I said pausing as I did. “Everyone will have to create their own weapons. That is the lesson until you are able to master in creating one from your very soul.”
Taking a seat on the white floor, everyone but us Masters and the Virtue began to explain the power.
“Since the first generation of Heroes, the concept of creation was inscribed in their genetics, something that even I don’t know. Perhaps it is the way reality, and all existence has chosen for you to break the laws of theirs in order to become more than any other.”
Virtue took off her blindfold, and opened her eyes, such as the room began to glow in a rainbow color. Almost like a kaleidoscope. Her eyes beamed like the mix of blue and red, green with yellow, and then, a sudden black covered her irises. As she did that, the room turned pitch black and I couldn’t see anything.
“The first lesson shall be to see and shape your souls. Though it may be the first lesson, it is the hardest to learn and to master.”
“Shall we begin?”