The Day Before Everything Changed

The world had never been fair.

Draven Xyros had learned this truth long ago, but it was never more apparent than when he sat in the back of his high school classroom, staring at the holographic display at the front.

A tall, battle-hardened instructor stood before the students, his uniform pristine, his posture rigid. Instructor Helman, a former war veteran, had been drilling the same lesson into their heads for years.

"The alien invasion nearly wiped out humanity," Helman began, pacing the room. "Sixty percent of the population—gone within a year. Our weapons were useless. Our armies crumbled. If not for the discovery of ability books from a crashed alien ship, we'd be extinct."

Draven already knew the story. Everyone did.

Over a century ago, unknown alien forces descended from the skies, bringing war and destruction. Cities burned. Billions perished. Earth was no longer a world of nations—it was a battlefield.

But humanity refused to die.

From the wreckage of fallen enemy ships, scientists discovered strange ability books—artifacts that unlocked superhuman powers. The first five people to awaken the strongest abilities became known as The Originals.

They led the counterattack, distributing weaker ability books to the military. Humanity fought back, reclaiming the planet inch by inch. The aliens retreated, but the war never truly ended. Now, both sides raced to conquer new planets, seeking stronger materials and abilities.

Draven clenched his fists under his desk. It all sounded so heroic—so inspiring.

But for people like him, it was a different story.

"Power defines your place in this world," Instructor Helman continued. "At sixteen, all of you will awaken your abilities. The stronger your power, the greater your worth to humanity."

Draven lowered his head as quiet snickers came from the front rows. He knew exactly what they were thinking.

"Except for him."

He had no family name. No inherited ability. Unlike the rich kids—like Zyrek Faeron, the strongest student in class—he had no guarantee that he would awaken an ability at all.

"Tomorrow," Helman continued, "you will all be tested. The academy will evaluate your potential and place you accordingly. Some of you will be elite soldiers, destined for greatness. Others will…" He hesitated for a moment before finishing, "…serve in other ways."

The message was clear. Those who failed to awaken strong abilities would be nothing more than expendable workers—sent to mine dangerous planets or serve as cannon fodder in warzones.

Draven refused to let that be his fate.

The bell rang, signaling the end of class.

Students filed out, chatting excitedly about tomorrow's ability awakening. Draven moved slower, hoping to avoid unwanted attention, but fate wasn't that kind.

A hand slammed onto his desk.

"Hey, orphan."

Draven sighed before looking up. Zyrek Faeron stood over him, flanked by two of his usual followers. His uniform was perfectly fitted, his posture exuding arrogance. He was everything Draven wasn't.

"Still coming to the awakening test tomorrow?" Zyrek sneered. "Or are you just gonna watch while the real warriors get their powers?"

Draven didn't respond. He had long since learned that silence was better than arguing with people like Zyrek.

"Maybe you'll get lucky," one of Zyrek's lackeys added with a smirk. "Maybe they'll give you an ability to carry water bottles for us in the academy."

Laughter erupted. Draven forced himself to stay calm, gripping the straps of his bag.

Zyrek leaned in closer. "People like you don't belong in our world. No ability, no background, no future." His voice lowered. "You should just quit now before you embarrass yourself."

Draven met his gaze, refusing to look away. He wasn't going to break.

For a brief moment, something flickered in Zyrek's eyes—annoyance. He didn't like that Draven wasn't reacting.

"Whatever," Zyrek scoffed, stepping back. "Enjoy your last day as a nobody. Tomorrow, we'll see just how worthless you really are."

With that, he turned and walked off, his followers laughing as they left.

Draven exhaled slowly, unclenching his fists. He had endured worse before.

But tomorrow…

Tomorrow would decide everything.

The streets of Sector 9 were quiet at night. Most people stayed indoors, fearing the dangers that lurked in the shadows.

Draven didn't care. He often wandered these empty roads, lost in thought.

But tonight felt different.

As he walked past an abandoned industrial site, a strange sensation prickled at the back of his neck. The air felt heavy, as if reality itself was bending.

Then he saw it.

A figure slumped against a rusted metal wall, cloaked in tattered fabric. The air around him shimmered, distorting like heat waves.

Draven hesitated. The man's presence felt wrong—like he didn't belong in this world.

He took a cautious step forward.

The man's head snapped up. His eyes—black as void—locked onto Draven's.

"You…" The voice was weak, yet filled with something ancient. "You were meant to find me."

Draven's breath caught. This man was dying.

Before he could react, the man lifted a trembling hand. A book—bound in black leather, glowing with crimson veins—floated toward Draven.

"Take it," the man rasped. "Your fate… begins now."

Draven's instincts screamed at him to run. To leave this thing alone.

But something deep inside told him otherwise.

He reached out.

The moment his fingers brushed the book's surface, pain shot through his veins. His vision blurred. His head pounded as something awakened inside him.

A blood-red notification appeared before his eyes.

[SYSTEM ACTIVATION: HELLBORN SYSTEM BOOTING…]

Draven collapsed to his knees, gasping for air.

His body felt like it was burning from the inside.

More words appeared.

[BLOOD BOND ESTABLISHED. SYSTEM INTEGRATION: 10%...]

[WARNING: HELLBORN SYSTEM UNRECOGNIZED BY WORLD LAWS.]

[ERROR DETECTED. ENTITY ID: DRAVEN XYROS. STATUS: EXCEPTION.]

[FORCED STABILIZATION IN PROGRESS…]

The last thing Draven saw before darkness consumed him was the man's face, watching him with a knowing smile.

Then the world faded.

And everything changed.