Chapter 1: Endless Pain

In the heart of the empire's most renowned hospital, a poignant scene unfolded. An emaciated infant, struggling for life, was born amidst the cutting-edge medical facilities and top-notch care. The child's condition was dire, necessitating immediate admission to the intensive care unit.

As the medical team rallied around the fragile newborn, the atmosphere was tense with concern. The hospital's top specialists converged to provide life-sustaining treatment, administering critical care with precision and compassion. Despite the hospital's state-of-the-art equipment and expert staff, the child's prognosis remained grim.

The medical team worked tirelessly to stabilize the infant's vital signs, but the tiny body struggled to fight off the frailty. The child's parents, overwhelmed with worry, anxiously awaited each update from the doctors. Every passing moment seemed like an eternity as they clung to hope.

The intensive care unit became a sanctuary of hope, where medical professionals employed their expertise to coax the child back from the brink. The hospital's chaplaincy services offered emotional support, providing solace to the distressed family. Amidst the uncertainty, one thing was clear: the child's survival depended on the unwavering dedication of the medical team and the family's unrelenting hope.

Shirley's eyes brimmed with tears as she gazed at their fragile newborn, struggling for life in the intensive care unit. Zilong, determined to comfort his distraught wife, wrapped his arms around her shoulders.

"Shirley, don't be sad," he whispered softly. "I truly believe that our child will definitely grow strong and stand tall!" His voice resonated with conviction, offering a beacon of hope.

Shirley turned to him, her face etched with worry. "But what if...?" she trailed off, unable to voice her deepest fears. Zilong's grip tightened reassuringly.

"We have the best medical team caring for our baby," he reminded her. "We must stay positive and trust in their expertise. Our child will overcome this." His words were a gentle balm to Shirley's frayed emotions.

Together, they stood vigil, hands clasped, and hearts filled with determination. Their love and resilience would be the cornerstone of their child's fight for life.

Shirley's tears continued unabated, her heart heavy with sorrow. The plight of their newborn weighed heavily on her.

"This child is so pitiful," she whispered, her voice trembling. "Born into suffering, he's faced calamity after calamity. First, the catastrophic event, and now his fragile body struggles to cope."

Zilong's expression turned somber. "We did everything we could," he reassured Shirley. "The doctors said we made it just in time."

But Shirley's guilt lingered. "If only we'd acted sooner..." Her voice trailed off, consumed by regret.

"The gods are merciless," she whispered, despair creeping in. "This is their punishment for our hesitation." Zilong gathered Shirley into his arms, offering warmth and comfort.

Zilong gently shook his head, his eyes filled with a mix of frustration and resignation. "This matter has been strictly censored by both the Freedom Federation and the Imperial Alliance," he reminded Shirley. "It's now a forbidden topic, hidden from public discourse."

The catastrophic event had left an indelible scar on humanity, the worst since the dawn of the New Era. Its aftermath was shrouded in mystery, cloaked by the twin powers that ruled the world.

Shirley's gaze dropped, her voice barely above a whisper. "Before humans are destroyed, God makes them go mad." The ancient proverb echoed through the hospital room, a haunting refrain.

Zilong's eyes locked onto hers, filled with a deep sorrow. "In the end, who truly knows what's right and wrong?" he murmured. "Perhaps our understanding is but a fleeting illusion."

——————————————————————————————————————————————

Dr. Oji, a prodigious genius and the century's foremost authority on science and rune technology, inadvertently stumbled upon the "Fate Gem," a mysterious hyperdimensional artifact of unparalleled power. This serendipitous discovery ignited a flurry of revolutionary ideas zealously backed by the Imperial Alliance.

The Alliance enthusiastically endorsed Dr. Oji's vision: "Everyone can become a god." "Humanity will reclaim its rightful dominance," and "Conquer the hyperdimension." For centuries, humanity had been fascinated by the hyperdimension's limitless potential, driving relentless pursuit of its secrets.

Unregulated and unbridled, Jonin City became the epicenter of these experiments, drawing brilliant minds and rogue scientists. They pushed boundaries, defying ethics and morality. The Fate Gem's power fueled their quest for transcendence.

Dr. Oji's groundbreaking research, backed by the Alliance's resources, ignited a new era of scientific exploration. Yet, whispers of caution echoed through the shadows, warning of unforeseen consequences.

This wasn't humanity's inaugural foray into divine realms, nor their first humiliating defeat. However, the catastrophic consequences of Dr. Oji's experiment far surpassed previous failures. Jonin City trembled beneath a magnitude-13 earthquake, shaking the very foundations of existence. The apocalypse unfolded over twelve agonizing hours.

Heavens darkened, earth shattered and tsunami waves crashed, inundating the city. Floodwaters claimed countless lives, leaving devastation in their wake. Approximately 100,000 people were displaced, their homes reduced to rubble.

The Imperial Alliance, once Dr. Oji's fervent patron, disavowed him. Abandoned and condemned, the brilliant scientist was vilified. Posthumously transformed from visionary genius to detested pariah, Dr. Oji became the embodiment of scientific hubris.

His groundbreaking research, once hailed as revolutionary, was rebranded as reckless folly. The Alliance's expedient betrayal served as a paltry attempt to deflect accountability for the calamity. History would forever remember Dr. Oji as a cautionary tale, a genius consumed by ambition.

Leo Subaru, a young orphan, was a poignant reminder of the devastating disaster that had ravaged Jonin City. His resilience inspired hope.

Zilong tightly enveloped his wife, Shirley, in a comforting embrace. "This child is incredibly strong," he whispered, his voice trembling. "He was trying to reassure us just moments ago."

Shirley's eyes welled up anew as memories flooded her mind. "My heart nearly shattered when I saw him smile through the agony," she sobbed, tears streaming uncontrollably down her face. "How can someone so small endure so much pain?"

Their gazes met, hearts heavy with empathy. Zilong's arms tightened around Shirley. "Our child's strength gives us courage," he whispered. Together, they found solace in their love and determination.

Zilong's voice resonated with conviction. "Perhaps death is a form of liberation. But if our child perseveres, we'll escape this chaotic world and find serenity elsewhere."

His eyes locked onto Shirley's, filled with determination. "We'll leave the intrigue, the danger, and the pain behind. Our focus will be on love, peace, and family."

Having experienced both pinnacle success and crushing defeat, Zilong's priorities had crystallized. His family was now his sole anchor, his guiding purpose.

Within his dreams, sensible Leo typically encountered an endless, oppressive darkness. Helpless, he had grown accustomed to this desolate landscape. However, today was different. The infinite darkness suddenly transitioned to a deep red hue, startling Leo and bringing him pleasant surprise.

The torment of his ailment had long since stripped him of his fear of death. Now, his sole anxiety was the prospect of being alone. His fragile existence had made him cherish any shred of connection.

The colors around him continued to shift, gradually transforming from red to orange and then to yellow. Leo's heart swelled with joy. His previously monochrome world had finally gained some vibrancy. While others might disdain such a subtle change, for Leo, this unexpected splash of color was exhilarating.

As yellow enveloped him, Leo's thoughts returned to his waking world. He recalled the hospital ward, the IV drip and the sterile smell. His mind lingered on the faces of those who cared for him, their kindness a beacon amidst the isolation.

The colors danced, brightening Leo's dreamscapes. He reveled in the beauty, knowing that, no matter how fleeting, this joy was his alone.

Leo's surroundings transformed, freezing at the majestic hue of purple, reminiscent of a blossoming rainbow. From the heart of this radiant colorscape, a figure emerged. It was a small, majestic wolf with a coat of shimmering silver and gray fur. His piercing yellow eyes sparkled like gold in the sunlight.

The wolf seemed particularly happy, his tail wagging excitedly. "Hi hi! Child, I am your envoy of fortune, the handsome Kaida! The peerless Kaida! The powerful Kaida!" He proclaimed, his voice booming through the dreamscapes. With a fluid motion, Kaida somersaulted three times in mid-air, landing in an exaggerated pose. His bushy tail swished elegantly, and his ears perked up.

Leo chuckled, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Kaida? That sounds like a puppy's name!" His laughter echoed through the dreamscapes, lightening his heart.

The wolf's face fell, his expression turning serious. "What puppy?" Kaida protested, his tone tinged with indignation. "I am the Fate Destiny, Kaida! I play tricks on fate itself, defying destiny's whims. There's nothing I cannot accomplish! Child, you have encountered something truly remarkable!" His chest puffed out proudly.

Leo's curiosity deepened. "Really? Can you change my fate?" he asked, his voice filled with wonder.

Kaida's confident smile returned. "Absolutely! Fate Destiny wield immense power. We weave fortune and misfortune like threads in a tapestry."