Time To Take Charge

Ren sat hunched over a pile of old books. His eyes darted across pages filled with strange symbols, stories of dragons, and spells he barely understood.

The dim candlelight flickered which only made the words seem like they were moving. He flipped through the pages, trying to piece everything together. The magic, dragons, Kurugami… It was too much, but he had to make sense of it.

Then, a memory crept into his mind, a memory so soft but clear.

"Ren," Akane's voice echoed in his head. "You will be given a system, one that will help you grow stronger as the next Dragon Lord. But only if you can stand the test of time."

He had been just five years old when she told him that. It wasn't supposed to be possible. He wasn't supposed to have magic.

Akane had told him the truth then. Unlike others, he wouldn't develop any magic on his own. Not until he awakened the evolving system, the force that would help him grow into the Dragon Lord.

Without it, he had nothing.

His only hope of gaining power was to awaken the evolving system. Until then, he was just a powerless boy, waiting for the day his true strength would emerge.

But now… everything seemed to contradict that. His hands had ignited, his flames had roared to life without the evolving system.

How?

Wasn't he supposed to be powerless until the system activated? Then why did his flames appear? Why now?

But the flames had erupted from him at seventeen.

His grip on the book tightened. His heartbeat pounded in his chest.

Why?

A cold chill crawled up his spine.

For years, he had clung to Akane's words, waiting for that day, his eighteenth birthday when he would finally prove everyone wrong. He had imagined it over and over again. The moment when all the whispers, all the mockery, all the years of being looked down on would end.

The day when his power would finally ignite, and the world would see him.

But this… this wasn't how it was supposed to happen.

It was too early. Too sudden.

Had something gone wrong?

Was his power broken?

Or worse, was this a sign that something was wrong with him?

Or… had his body acted on instinct? Had it sensed danger and forced his power to awaken before its time?

His thoughts clashed like a raging storm. Excitement. Fear. Confusion. A flicker of hope.

He flipped through the book again, but he wasn't reading anymore. His mind was too restless, it was still caught up in everything that had happened two days ago.

Then, suddenly, the door swung open.

Shiku leaned against the doorframe with her arms crossed.

"Get up, you're going to the academy," she said flatly.

Ren didn't even look up. "What academy?" he muttered, pretending not to know.

Shiku scoffed. "Don't play dumb. I know you heard everything."

Of course, he had. Every word of the heated argument between her and her parents had reached his ears.

She walked over and flopped down onto the chair beside him.

"Listen, the city's gearing up for war. The portals are opening, beasts are creeping in, and Kurugami's chains are weakening. Every clan is sending their strongest fighters to train. They need warriors." She leaned in. Her gaze was sharp. "And I told them to send you."

Ren finally looked up. "Me?"

"Yes, you," Shiku said firmly. "I saw what happened with that beast, Ren. That fire—" She shook her head. "You've been underestimated for too long. This is your chance."

Ren hesitated. He gripped the book tightly. His thoughts swirled with confusion and doubt.

After a long pause, he finally shut the book with a loud thud and let out a sharp breath.

"Shiku..." He glanced at her, his voice was uncertain. "I don't have magic."

He ran a hand through his hair with a frustration that was clear in his face. "The academy only takes people who actually have skills. You? You don't have magic either, but you're fast, strong, and deadly with a spear."

He swallowed hard, his chest tightening. "Me? I have nothing."

Shiku narrowed her eyes. "That's where you're wrong."

She grabbed a piece of wood from the corner of the room and dropped it in front of him. "Burn it."

Ren blinked. "What?"

"You heard me. Burn it."

He sighed. This was ridiculous. But just to prove her wrong, he lifted his hand, focused, clenched his fist, and willed something, anything to happen.

Nothing. Not even a flicker of heat.

Shiku tapped her foot impatiently. "You're not trying hard enough. Imagine being in danger. Imagine that beast again, ready to rip you apart."

Ren scowled. "That's stupid. I wasn't imagining anything when it happened."

"Then imagine me about to get killed," she pushed. "Wouldn't you try to save me?"

His jaw tightened, but he tried again. Still, nothing. Just empty air.

Shiku folded her arms and studied him. "I don't buy it. That monster saw something in you. Its eyes turned red because it recognized power. And you think I'm just going to ignore that?"

Ren dragged a hand through his hair. His thoughts swirled.

"Maybe it was a mistake. Maybe that thing wasn't even looking at me, maybe—"

"Maybe you're just scared," Shiku cut in.

Ren tensed. She stepped closer and locked her eyes onto his.

"Listen to me. That thing saw something in you, Ren. And I believe it. You just don't know how to use it yet." Her voice was steady. "That's why you need the academy. To train. To figure out what's inside you."

Ren let out a slow breath and shook his head. "I don't want to go."

Shiku frowned. "Why not?"

He hesitated and his fists clenching at his sides. "Because if I go and fail, it proves what everyone's been saying my whole life. That I'm nothing," he muttered.

But even as he said it, he knew that wasn't the real problem.

Shiku's eyes narrowed. "You don't have a choice, Ren. You're going."

Ren scoffed. "And what if I fail the test? What if it shows I have nothing?"

But the truth was… that wasn't what scared him the most. His magic had come too soon. Akane had told him he wouldn't get any powers until he was eighteen.

So why had flames come out of his hands now?

Something wasn't right.

And it wasn't fear twisting in his gut, it was the awful feeling that something about him was wrong.

Shiku crossed her arms. "You won't. That fire didn't just come out of nowhere. It came from you. If they test you, there will be a trace of magic. I know it."

Ren shook his head. "You're betting on a miracle, Shiku."

"I'm betting on you."

Before Ren could respond, a sharp, inhuman shriek cut through the air.

They froze.

The sound wasn't normal. It was layered, like dozens of creatures screaming at once. It was deep, raw, and unnatural, something that didn't belong in this world.

Shiku's face turned deadly serious. "That came from outside."

They bolted out of the house. The moment they stepped outside, the breath was stolen from their lungs.

The beasts were here.

Giant, deformed creatures tore through the streets. Some crawled, leaving behind thick, black slime. Others had way too many legs, moving in a way that made Ren's stomach churn. Their glowing, empty eyes scanned the area, their mouths stretching open to reveal jagged, uneven teeth.

One of them, bigger than the rest, looked like a walking skeleton, its blackened skin stretched too tight over its bones. Dark shadows oozed from its body, shifting and writhing like they were alive, swallowing everything in its path.

Screams filled the air. People ran for their lives. Some weren't fast enough.

A man sprinted down the street, but before he could take another step, a beast lunged its sharp claws skewering him mid-stride. Blood splattered onto the cobblestones.

A woman raised a dagger with desperation, but it was useless. A creature grabbed her by the throat, squeezed it until she went limp, then tossed her aside like she was nothing.

Ren and Shiku stood frozen as the city fell apart around them. The streets that were once filled with life were now drowning in screams, blood, and chaos.

Shiku's heart pounded. Then it hit her.

"Their parents!"

Without another thought, she took off.

"Shiku, wait!" Ren shouted, but she was already weaving through the chaos, dodging snapping jaws and lunging claws. Ren cursed under his breath and ran after her.

Shiku's breaths came fast and shaky as she tore through the ruined streets scanning desperately. Where were they? Where—

Then she saw her.

Her mother was crumpled on the ground.

"No!" Shiku dropped to her knees. Herhands shook. Her mother's face was pale, her breathing was weak. Blood soaked her clothes, but she was still alive. Barely.

Ren skidded to a stop beside her panting. "She's hurt."

Shiku swallowed hard pushing the fear away. "We need to move her."

They lifted her carefully, carrying her through the shattered streets until they found a small shelter, hidden from the beasts. They laid her down as gently as they could. She groaned in pain and her face twisted.

Shiku turned to her father. He stood frozen, trembling.

"Stay here. Look after her," she told him firmly.

His eyes widened. "Shiku—"

"I have to go."

Ren grabbed her wrist. "Shiku, you saw those things. They're everywhere—"

"And they'll keep tearing this place apart unless someone stops them." She pulled free, gripping her spear. Her hands shook, but her eyes burned with determination. "I'm not just going to sit here while they destroy everything."

Ren met her gaze, searching for some way to convince her otherwise. But he already knew there was no changing her mind.

Shiku looked at her mother one last time, swallowing back the ache in her throat. Then, without another word, she ran back into the battlefield.

She fought like a storm. She dodged, spun, struck with deadly precision, every movement was sharp and relentless.

A beast lunged. She twisted, driving her spear straight through its throat. Another rushed her from behind, she turned, slicing through its limbs in a blur of motion.

She lost track of time. Everything became a haze of blood, sweat, and fury.

Then, finally, there was silence.

Shiku stood in the middle of the carnage, breathless, covered in blood, exhausted but victorious.

Her body ached, but she didn't stop. She sprinted back to the shelter.

Shiku dropped to her knees beside her mother. She gripped her hand tightly.

"I can't keep doing this," she whispered with a shaky voice. "We can't keep living like this."

Ren frowned, watching her. "Shiku—"

She snapped her head up. Anger flashed in her eyes.

"Why is it always us, Ren? Why do the people in the outskirts have to suffer? We live near the portals, so we're the first ones to get attacked. Meanwhile, the elites sit in their fancy homes, safe behind their magic and guards, while we fight for our lives every single day!"

Her father flinched at her words. Ren didn't say anything.

Shiku took a deep breath, trying to calm herself, but her hands still shook.

"That academy," she said with a tight voice. "If we go, we get a better house. A better life. A safer place for them." She motioned toward their parents. "No more attacks. No more struggling. They'll finally be safe, Ren."

Ren exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "And you really think going to some academy will fix all of this?"

Shiku stepped closer but her voice was softer now. "Even if you don't believe in yourself, I believe in you. And even if you don't want to do this for yourself, do it for them. Do it for Mom and Father."

She took a deep breath. "And it's not just about giving our parents better lives, Ren. We're going because there's something in you. Something real. You have potential."

Ren scoffed. "Potential? Shiku, I don't even know what's happening to me."

"You don't have to know everything right now," she shot back. "But if you stay here, doing nothing, you'll never find out."

Ren opened his mouth to argue, but the words died on his tongue. Deep down, he knew she was right. And then he remembered Akane's words, your life will be in danger, again and again.

Maybe this was what she meant.

Before he could say anything, Shiku's father stepped forward.

"Ren's not going anywhere," he said firmly. "We promised the Seer he would stay here until he was eighteen. He warned us going to the city would put his life in danger." His voice dropped a little. "And we know what happened before. His own father tried to kill him when he was a child."

Ren felt his stomach twist, but Shiku didn't back down.

"That was years ago," she argued. "Besides, they won't even recognize him now. And if he stays here, what then?"

"The beasts will keep coming, and one day, it won't just be a few. It'll be hundreds. Thousands. Bigger than anything we've seen. And when that happens, who's going to stop them?"

She turned back to her father. "You think those small creatures are terrifying? What happens when even bigger ones show up? What happens when no one in the city is strong enough to face Kurugami?"

Ren swallowed hard.

Shiku turned back to Ren with fierce eyes. "So what's it going to be, Ren? Will you go to the academy and fight for your destiny? Or will you stay here and let your potential waste away?"