Nato7

The Awakening: Around 150 years ago, a mysterious event known as "The Rift" caused a dramatic shift in the world. This event opened portals from another dimension, bringing Essences—mysterious and powerful entities—into the world. These Essences granted some individuals extraordinary abilities and set in motion a global conflict.

Essence Warriors: These are people who possess the power of an Essence, which can take various forms depending on the individual’s soul and affinity. Some are born with their Essence powers from birth, while others awaken them later in life. These warriors are ranked according to their power level, and the rankings play a significant role in their status, training, and missions.

Essence Reborn

The rain hammered steadily against the guild's windows, thunder rumbling deep and low as the storm raged outside. Inside the recovery room, the steady drip of cold water being poured into a glass was the only sound that cut through the quiet.

Riku lay back on the soft bed, the faint hum of the Essence recovery systems barely masking the storm's fury. His silver-grey hair, still tousled from restless sleep, framed his sharp, athletic face. Dark eyes, usually so piercing and commanding, were half-lidded with fatigue — but slowly clearing.

Yumi Aoyama stood nearby, holding the glass carefully, her cheeks flushed with a gentle pink. The soft lighting cast a warm glow on her calm, focused expression as she set the glass down on the bedside table and gently brushed a stray lock of hair from Riku's forehead.

"Here, drink this," she said softly.

Riku managed a small smile, reaching out to take the glass."Thanks, Yumi."

Inside her mind, Yumi's heart fluttered — he looked so vulnerable and yet so strong, the way his dark eyes briefly met hers made her blush even deeper.He's so cute when he's sick... but I have to stay professional, she thought, steadying herself.

She reached out and took his wrist, pressing her fingers gently against his skin."Your temperature's dropping. You're getting better," she said with relief.

Riku nodded slightly, the fever ebbing away under her careful watch. Around their necks, the matching necklaces glimmered faintly — two halves of a symbol representing the Hayashi Clan's legacy. Riku had given them to Yumi for her birthday months ago. The energy connection between them pulsed softly, an invisible tether that comforted both, especially now.

In the guild's operations room, Yumi stood before a holographic map, flanked by Takumi Kuroda, Renji Tatsuya, and Reina Aozora — her trusted team."This mission is critical," Yumi explained, her voice firm despite the storm outside. "Intel reports a group of low-level Essence rogue agents near the outskirts of the city. They're causing disturbances that could attract unwanted attention from enemy factions."

Takumi, calm and disciplined, nodded as he tightened the grip on his dual-blades."We'll handle it with precision."

Renji's eyes sparkled with excitement."I've been itching for some action — traps and ranged strikes will work great here."

Reina smiled serenely, her music Essence orb gently glowing in her palm."I'll keep everyone calm and healed."

Yumi looked back at the recovery room briefly, thoughts flickering to Riku."We'll keep things under control here. Rest up, Riku. We've got this."

Back in the recovery room, the rain's rhythm and distant thunder became a steady lullaby as Riku closed his eyes, feeling the warmth of the necklace's energy flowing through him, linking him silently to Yumi even from afar.

The storm outside was fierce, but inside, hope was quietly growing.

Chapter 153: Storm and Care