The dark decent

The village square was bathed in the soft glow of early morning light. Tokubetsu's heart pounded in his chest as he stood among the other children, waiting for the announcement. Captain Marcus Green stood at the front, flanked by several officials and scientists. Their expressions were grave, as if the weight of their decisions bore down on them.

In the hands of the scientists were two vials, each glowing faintly with an otherworldly light. The sight of the vials captivated everyone. Tokubetsu's eyes were drawn to them, his imagination running wild with what they contained. Those vials held the future—a chance to become more than just ordinary, a chance to become a Chrono Human.

"The chosen candidates for the next phase of training have been selected," Captain Green announced, his voice steady. "These individuals have shown exceptional potential and will move on to become part of our Chrono Human program."

The air was thick with anticipation. Tokubetsu felt his hands clenching into fists, his nails digging into his palms. *This is it. This is my chance.*

The names were read out one by one. Each time, Tokubetsu held his breath, waiting to hear his own. He could feel the eyes of the other children on him, their own hopes and fears mirroring his own.

"Natsu Aoki."

There was a murmur of approval as Natsu stepped forward, his expression a mix of relief and determination. Tokubetsu forced himself to smile, but inside, his heart sank. *Natsu made it... maybe I'll be next.*

The elder's voice cut through the silence again. "And the second child is... Ayame."

A ripple of applause spread through the crowd as Ayame, a quiet girl who had always been kind to Tokubetsu, walked forward to receive her vial. The crowd cheered, but the sound seemed distant, muffled. His vision blurred, and for a moment, he couldn't breathe.

*It's over,* he thought. *I wasn't chosen.*

The world seemed to blur around him, the voices of the other children fading into the background. Captain Green's words of encouragement and promises for the future felt hollow. All Tokubetsu could hear was the deafening silence of his own failure.

As the crowd dispersed, Tokubetsu stood frozen in place, his mind numb. Natsu approached him, his face filled with concern. "Hey, Tokubetsu… I'm sorry. I thought for sure…"

But Tokubetsu couldn't bring himself to respond. He nodded mutely, barely registering Natsu's words. The village, once bustling with life and hope, now felt suffocating.

Without a word, he turned and walked away. His feet carried him through the village, past the curious stares and whispered words of pity. He kept walking, not stopping until he reached the hill on the outskirts of the village—the place where he and Natsu had sat the day before.

Collapsing onto the ground, Tokubetsu buried his face in his hands. The tears came then, hot and bitter, spilling down his cheeks. He had tried so hard, sacrificed so much, and for what? To be told he wasn't good enough? That his dreams were out of reach?

The weight of his failure crushed him, pressing down on his chest until he could barely breathe. He had failed his village, his mother, and himself. The dream he had clung to for so long was slipping away, and he felt powerless to stop it.

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the land, a new feeling began to stir within Tokubetsu. It was dark and cold, like a creeping fog seeping into his soul. He couldn't pinpoint the exact moment it started, but soon, the despair gave way to something else—something far more dangerous.

A voice. It wasn't like the voice of a person or even his own thoughts. It was deeper, darker, resonating from the very core of his being. It was cold and calculating, yet laced with a burning intensity that made Tokubetsu's blood run cold.

*"Why do you cry, Tokubetsu? Why do you wallow in your defeat?"* The voice whispered, low and ominous. *"Is this how you want your story to end? As a failure? As nothing?"*

Tokubetsu lifted his head, looking around as if expecting to see someone there, but the hill was empty. The voice echoed in his mind, filling the silence with its insidious presence.

*"They didn't choose you because they're fools. They can't see your true potential. But I can."* The voice continued, growing more forceful. *"You want to be a Chrono Human? You want power? Then take it. By any means necessary."*

A chill ran down Tokubetsu's spine, but the words resonated with him, feeding the anger and bitterness that had taken root in his heart. *Take it. By any means necessary.* The idea was both terrifying and intoxicating.

*"They won't give you your dream? Then you take it by force."* The voice urged, the words dripping with dark promise. *"Steal one of the vials. Become what you were meant to be."*

Tokubetsu's hands trembled as he wiped away the last of his tears. The suggestion was outrageous, dangerous even—but the more he thought about it, the more it made sense. Why should he accept his fate? Why should he let others decide his worth?

The village had chosen to invest in him, to put their faith in him, and he had failed them. But maybe, just maybe, this was his chance to prove them wrong. To prove that he was more than just an average boy from a poor village. If the world wouldn't let him have his dream, then he would take it. By force, if necessary.

The decision solidified in his mind, like a steel blade being forged in fire. The voice within him chuckled darkly, satisfied with its work. *"Good, Tokubetsu. Very good. Show them your true strength."*

As night fell over the village, Tokubetsu remained on the hill, his resolve hardening with every passing moment. Tomorrow, he would make his move. Tomorrow, he would take what was rightfully his.

And the world would know that Tokubetsu was not to be underestimated.