Chapter 1: The Orphan Brothers

The sky above the slums was painted with the dying colors of the sun, casting long shadows over the narrow alleyways. Free sat on a broken wooden crate, running a hand through his messy yellow and white hair. His short yellow, white, and red clothes were dusty from a day of scavenging. Next to him, Shawn leaned against the wall, arms crossed, his white hair gleaming under the fading light. His red eyes flickered with determination.

"We can't live like this forever," Free muttered.

Shawn exhaled. "I know."

The slums were no place for dreams, but the two brothers had one—joining XO Academy. It was the only way out, the only chance to become something greater. The academy trained warriors to capture and command XO Beasts, creatures that emerged from the Realm Gate, a portal connecting their world to the unknown. Those who controlled the strongest XO Beasts became legends—the Ten Commandments, the most powerful fighters in the nation.

"Tomorrow's the entrance exam," Shawn reminded him. "We'll make it in."

Free smirked. "Obviously."

Just then, a deafening roar echoed through the slums. The ground trembled. People screamed. A shadow loomed over the alley as a feral XO Beast crashed through a nearby building, its eyes glowing with wild fury. It had broken free from its containment—a nightmare for those without XO Cards to tame it.

Shawn grabbed Free's wrist. "We need to run!"

But Free's gaze locked onto the beast. His pulse quickened. He knew this was their moment. If they could capture it, they'd prove they belonged at XO Academy.

"We fight," Free said.

Shawn cursed but didn't argue.

As the XO Beast charged, Free leaped forward, heart pounding. The battle for their future had begun.