CHAPTER 1 : THE PRICE OF WEAKNESS

The sky was red and dark, a haunting hue stretched endlessly over the desolate remains of the Earth. It had been 20 years since the invasion from the planet 007-N019. It left Earth in ruins, there were only few survivors who were able to hide themselves from the evil monsters "NYTHERIANS".

The atmosphere led to a devastation strange side effect on the human genome, their DNA mutated over time. At first, these mutations were seen as curses. Some were able to read minds, some were able to predict. As the time passed new abilities came to save people.

The human learned that it wasn't a curse but rather a gift from their loved ones who passed away due to the invasion, a way of protection for their loved ones

"THE VEILBORN GIFT".

*** ***

A boy, Astra [16 years old], sitting alone on the balcony waiting for his grandma to come back. His vivid emerald green eyes filled with tears, his blonde hairs filled with dirt, his fair face framed with purple and blue bruises, painted a painful story. He wore a plain shirt that was torn at the sleeves, his pants were streaked with dirt.

Astra clutched the few coins in his small hand, half-rotten bunch of grapes lying beside him, angry tears filled his eyes;

"That dirty old vendor, I had done everything right. I counted the coins thrice. Chose the best grapes. Spoke politely" he murmured to himself;

"None of it mattered to him!! He gave me half- rotten bunch of grapes!! He even took half of my money!!... when I tried to negotiate, he beat me to dead!!! Grandma will be so disappointed in me…. aahhhhh!!!!" he wiped his angry tears.

Astra clenched his fists tightly, he raised them toward the sky, his gaze fixed on the red dark sky;

"I will become so powerful and strong... I will teach those bad guys a lesson. I will make a world where nobody is weak, nobody is strong. The only think that would be in them will be humanity. No one will suffer like this. No one would be powerless. No one would be afraid.''

In a world where strength ruled, where the strong crushed the weak, Astra dreamed of a world without power, where no one was divided into ranks.

His eyes burned with wanting revenge, but his heart filled with wanting a change in the society;

**CREAK** {*the door opens*}

"Grandma is back early? She will get worried if she saw me!! I need to hide!!"

 Astra started to panic, he didn't want his grandma to think he is weak, he didn't want to disappoint her; Astra was in a hurry to hide,

"AHHHH??"

 When suddenly someone grabbed him by his hair from behind;

"Someone is going somewhere?"

Before Astra barely had time to react, another figure emerged from the shadows with a voice that is soft yet loud enough to command deadly precision;

"Where can he possibly go??"

Astra recognised them through their voice, they were 'KAEL AND VAEL', his classmates that were famous for awakening their powers earlier than kids their age.

They were the famous OBSIDIAN TWINS, A-ranked mages who once protected their town from B- ranked goblins.

Kael's fingers twisted into Astra's hair, forcing Astra's head backward. A cold shiver ran down Astra's spine.

"Kael, let it go!!"

---- ----- ----- ----

°Name - Kael, the younger twin (The Shadow Flame)

°Specialty – Dark fire magic and mind manipulation

°Ability – Summons black flame. Makes hallucinations that makes the enemies see twisted horrors. Absorbs life energy from those caught in his fire.

---- ---- ---- ----- ----

Kael turned Astra's head, to face him. Kael stared at Astra with his molten gold eyes with fire trapped inside, his jet-black hair moving in the air like a black fire;

"TSK. You're not strong enough as, they said"

Kael murmured to himself his voice quiet but laced with amusement.

Astra gritted his teeth, his hands gripping Keal's wrist, trying to pry him off. He hated this. He hated being powerless and useless.

"L-LET GO"

Astra rasped, his breathing becoming uneven. As he tried to free himself from Kael's grip.

 "Ugh!... let...g-go already!! It hurts!!"

Kael chuckled, tightening his hold

"I will if, you beg me to let you go" Kael smirked.

"KAEL,"

Vael spoke with his voice that was soft, but there was clearly a sharpness beneath it like a warning.

"LET HIM GO... THAT'S ENOUGH"

Kael let's go of Astra. He turned towards Vael, who was leaning against a stone pillar, watching with amusement with his cold silver piercing eyes.

Vael's gaze met Astra's, his black hair falling down around his face like the waves.

---- ---- ---- ---- ----

°Name ~ VAEL, the older twin (THE PLANTOM WEAVER)

°Specialty ~ ILLUSION MAGIC AND ARCANE TRAPS

° Abilities - Creates realistic illusions that traps enemies in the endless nightmare. Manipulates the enemy by weaving magical threads around them. Can switch places with Kael mid- battle and can communicate with Kael through mind.

---- ---- ---- ----

"What? You're getting soft on him?"

 Kael walked towards Vael, who's silver gaze was fixed on Astra.

"He doesn't know yet" said Vael, while pointing fingers towards Astra.

Astra's breath hitched.

"Doesn't know??, What? What are you two talking about?"

Vael walked towards Astra, studying him with the same eerie calm he always had. He almost looked…gentle. But Astra knew better, both the twins were no good. Vael kneeled down to face Astra.

"You're strong, Astra," Vael said softly.

Astra's heart pounded as Vael was very close to him, Astra found his words comforting, which he thought was weird. He gazed back with his shining eyes.

"Stronger than you think. But right now, you're a danger to people, even if you don't realize it" Vael murmured to himself.

Kael watched his brother being gentle with his words for the first time;

"You're too nice to him, Vael. I am kind of jealous you know" Kael pouted as he spoke,

"Anyway, Vael if we don't put him down now, he's going to be like the oth-''

Vael's voice cut through, Kael words;

"Who did this?"

Vael pointed towards Astra's bruised face, his calm expression darkening. His fingers twitched as if he was resisting his urge to reach out.

Astra hesitated, unsure if he should answer. Astra trembled as there was a sudden change in Vael's expression and it scared him.

"Astra."

 Vael's voice sharpened, his gaze locking onto him.

"Tell me. NOW!!"

Before Astra could even part his lips, Kael stepped in.

"You're scaring him,"

Kael muttered, crossing his arms. Then after a beat, he added with an awkward chuckle;

"And also, me, Vael. Calm down."

Vael's gaze flicked at Kael's words the tension in his shoulders loosened.

Kael sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Look, I know you're pissed, but if you go full 'silent nightmare' mode, Astra's going to pass out"

Astra wasn't sure if Kael was serious or teasing, but Vael exhaled slowly, his fury carefully lashed back into his usual eerie calm.

But one thing was written all over Vael's face, whoever hurt Astra wouldn't stay safe for long.

Kael crossed his arms, shifting uncomfortably as he stood Infront of both Astra and Vael. The usual arrogance in his posture was missing, replaced by guilt. He exhaled sharply;

"Tch. Look" his voice lowered "I was…. Out of line."

Astra blinked, confused.

"What I can't hear you?"

 Astra clearly heard what Kael said, but that wasn't something he ever expected from Kael it was a rare moment.

"KAEL, properly" Vael glared at Kael.

Kael clicked his tongue, clearly frustrated with himself.

"I shouldn't have treated you like that, I am sorry"

Kael clearly avoided Astra's gaze along with a bit of embarrassment in himself.

"It's alright, Kael" Astra smiled at him;

"I forgive you"

Kael stared at him, baffled. How can someone be so naive. Kael exhaled, shaking his head.

"I really thought you were dangerous…. to people." Kael mumbled under his breath.

Kael and Vael exchanged a glance – a silent conversation unfolding between them.

"He forgave you just like that?'' Vael's voice echoed in Kael's mind.

"Yeah. Idiot didn't even hesitate" Kael's tone was gruff.

Vael's silver eyes lingered on Astra, watching the way he smiled so easily, despite everything.

"I guess… that's what's different about him."

Kael exhaled, shaking his head. "Too soft."

"Or too dangerous," Vael mumbled.

Neither of them said another word aloud, but as they looked at each other, they both knew -Astra was nothing like them. And maybe, that was what made him so terrifying?

To be continued...