The Beginning (2)

[A Few Hours Later]

I stand on the rooftop of a tall building, gazing down at Silver City, my home. The city sprawls beneath me, a tapestry of neon lights, holograms, and factory smoke—all so… small.

"First, you must learn to control your power." A strange, robotic voice echoes nearby. Yes, it's the Rubik's Cube from earlier. It's hovering now, following my every move.

Apparently, this small object— a Fragment of Balance—is a gift from the Cosmic Balance. Ressmond mentioned that every Cosmic Guardian receives an artifact. And perhaps its purpose is guidance, information provision, and assistance in critical moments.

"The Guardian's power originates from The Cosmic Balance. You can manipulate universal energy, control the elements, transcend age, shift your form at will, and even bend space and time to a certain extent. But be careful—each use attracts the attention of The Devourers."

I nod. "How do I begin?"

"Focus on the symbol on your hand. Feel the energy flow."

I stare at my palm, attempting to concentrate. At first, nothing happens… but then, like a slow current, I feel "something" coursing through my body.

And suddenly…

Bzzzt!

A blue energy blade forms in my hand, emitting a sizzling sound.

"Holy shit–!" I almost drop it.

"Calm down. It's just an energy weapon. You can create any weapon you visualize—the type of ability is determined by what you create. If you only create weapons, it's called 'Low Creation.'"

I try again. This time, the blade transforms into a short sword, then a spear, then an arrow. This… is incredible.

The Rubik's Cube seems to observe, assessing something within me. "You possess immense power, but it's currently limited, as if sealed to prevent you from exploding from uncontrollable energy. You're not entirely used to it yet. Take it slow; don't rush for unsatisfactory results."

I exhale, trying to calm myself. The blue energy in my hand dims, then vanishes completely.

I nod. "So, my power has limits?"

"Not all power is limitless. Even The Devourers aren't immortal. They are just… extremely difficult to destroy."

I frown. "How do we defeat them?"

The Rubik's Cube rotates, seemingly considering its answer. "First, you must find Fragments of Balance, artifacts belonging to deceased Cosmic Guardians. They are the key to amplifying your power."

"Where can I find them?"

"They are scattered throughout the universe. These Fragments are usually hidden in places with high cosmic energy—ancient caves, ruins of old civilizations, or even in the hands of those unaware of their value."

I sigh. "So, I have to go on an adventure across the universe?"

"If you want to save your world, yes."

For a moment, I hesitate. "Well… before venturing into the vastness of space, perhaps I should strengthen this planet's defenses and foster unity before I begin exploring."

Leaving this vulnerable planet while I'm millions of miles away would be disastrous. Space pirates, alien invasions, natural disasters—all become problems. But The Devourers? That's not just an end; it's utter annihilation, the destruction of everything.

This fractured world, teetering on the edge of global unity, is a powder keg. Any small spark—territorial disputes, political assassinations, rebellions, civil wars, technological advancements and breakdowns—could ignite a world war, rendering humanity powerless against the cosmic horror that awaits.

I stare at the city below. Until now, I only saw it as a place of suffering. But now… perhaps there's more here than I know.

I look at my hands, scarred hands. Then, I visualize a small mirror in my grasp, seeing my scarred and unsettling face. And I realize… my eyes have turned blue.

"You said… I don't have a fixed form, right?" I ask.

"Indeed, you can easily alter your physical structure at will," it replies.

Is that so? Alright… let's try.

I dismiss the mirror; it fades like dissipating light particles.

I focus on my palm, trying to sense the energy flow. If my body can truly change, then…

I want to be different. I imagine a cleaner face, free of scars. Smoother skin, like before life broke me. Neat hair, not the wild mess of a madman. And…

Bzzzt!

A strange sensation flows through my body, like molten metal being reformed. I see my right arm – the old scars slowly fade, replaced by smooth skin. The change spreads throughout my body, like water reshaping the land.

Then, the Rubik's Cube moves closer, seemingly examining me.

"Hmm, not bad for a first attempt. But you still look like an ordinary human."

I recreate the mirror and examine my reflection. My face now looks like my eighteen-year-old self.

I frown. "I'm still human, right?"

"Not entirely. You are now an entity beyond human comprehension, taking human form. If you wish, you can become anything—animal, plant, rock, even a bacterium."

Becoming something other than myself… the idea is tempting. For so long, I've been trapped in a weak body, a miserable life. But now…

I try again.

This time, I envision something more extreme.

I want to fly.

Suddenly, my spine feels hot, as if something is tearing from within. Two strange protrusions emerge from my back.

Bzzzt!

And in an instant, a pair of wide, silver-blue wings unfurl behind me.

"W-Woah–!" I almost lose my balance. The wings move on their own, flapping awkwardly.

"Control your breathing. Don't panic," says the Rubik's Cube.

I take a deep breath, trying to feel each feather. Slowly, I understand how to move them. Then…

Whoosh!

I lift off the rooftop, the night wind whipping my face. The city below looks like a miniature, its lights twinkling like falling stars.

This…

This is amazing!

I laugh—a sound barely uttered from my lips for years.

"You adapt quickly," comments the Rubik's Cube, hovering beside me.

"What else can I do?" I ask, my eyes sparkling.

"Try transforming into something smaller. Or larger. Or… perhaps attempt basic Cosmic Guardian abilities."

"Basic abilities?"

"Energy manipulation. Focus on a building below."

I shift my gaze to an empty parking garage. I imagine the energy in my palm gathering, forming a glowing blue sphere. Then…

Kzzht!

A blue laser shoots from my hand, destroying part of the building's roof in a small explosion.

"Holy shit–!" I'm startled by my own action.

"Be careful. Your power can kill if uncontrolled."

I nod slowly. This is not a toy. I truly possess power to change everything.

"Hopefully, this won't attract too much attention from locals or any organizations…"

.

.

.

[8 Hours Later]

I walk slowly, cloaked in a black robe that conceals my entire body.

I'm in a narrow alleyway in the restricted zone—dark, damp, filled with the smell of scrap metal and garbage. Pipes creak, rats scurry—a location outside the city limits. A red-zone, forbidden to the public.

Faint neon lights flicker in the distance, their pale green glow illuminating graffiti-covered walls. Rough voices murmur from behind rusty iron doors; the faint scent of dried blood mingles with the stench that permeates the air.

Now… where do I start?

If I expose my powers too much, I'll be targeted. I need allies, but where can I find them?

In my confusion, I wander far, to a notorious place. A place where underworld organizations and criminal groups reside—"Blood Circle".

My footsteps echo heavily. I pause, focusing ahead, searching for the source of the sound.

A tall woman in a black suit over a white shirt and black pants, wearing dark sunglasses, walks in the opposite direction. Her black hair has a purple gradient, striking under the neon lights. She seems… dangerous.

The woman speaks firmly, "Based on information received, we have reports of a mysterious figure flying through the night sky with wings and destroying a building roof with what seems to be a small-scale explosion. We suspect energy lasers."

I stare at her without speaking. Her silhouette stretches long in the flickering neon light. Her posture, her assessing gaze—I know she's not ordinary.

"Sharon Valsko, a secret agent sent by the National Secret Protection Committee," she introduces herself. Her tone sharpens, "Please follow our protocol."

I stare at her face; her glasses reflect a glint. So, this is how I get caught.

"What if I refuse?" I ask.

The woman is silent, her eyes intense behind her glasses. Her hand quickly moves inside her suit, producing an energy pistol.

"Then, people like you must be eliminated."

Her finger pulls the trigger; a powerful energy blast erupts from the muzzle. But before it reaches me, a small box floats in front of me, transforming into a transparent blue barrier, stopping the blast.

The woman looks surprised. We both look up at the deflected barrier. On the rooftop next to the alley, a figure stands tall, a dark silhouette against the gloomy night sky. Their body is covered in a long black coat billowing in the wind, a tall black hat, and a cracked black mask obscuring their right eye, adding to their mysterious aura. Their eyes—or rather, the visible part through the cracked mask—glow a dim red, like dying embers.

"That damn troublemaker from 'The Umbra' always shows up," she snarls.

I've never heard the name before, but by her reaction, this person is no ordinary troublemaker.

The figure leaps from the rooftop, landing silently before me, like a falling shadow. Now I can see them more clearly.

"You shouldn't target this one, Sharon," their voice is deep, resonant. "He's not part of your game."

Sharon doesn't back down. Her finger still on the trigger, though her weapon is clearly ineffective against the energy barrier. "Any threat to national security is my concern, 'Draven.' And you know we've long wanted to capture you and your organization."

The figure laughs—a cold, emotionless sound. "You can try. But today's not the day!"

That person called Draven raises their hand. Bombs suddenly appear, exploding. Darkness spreads like ink in water. In an instant, the entire alley is engulfed in a smoke screen. I can't see anything—not even my own hands.

"Don't move," Draven whispers in my ear. "It's just smoke, but enough to confuse her."

I feel something cold touch my wrist, like a shadow coiling around it. Then, my body is pulled, moving rapidly through the darkness. I don't know where we're going, but it feels like sliding through an endless tunnel.

Seconds later, light returns.

I stand in a different alley, close to public areas. I know I'm back in the city—Silver City.

That person stands beside me, their coat still moving as if alive. The air here is fresher, though still polluted. The sound of car horns and engines is faint from the highway, tens of meters away. Neon lights from small shops cast orange and red light, contrasting with the darkness I've just passed through.

I stare at Draven with questions in my eyes.

"You must have many questions," he say. "But save them for now; I'll take you somewhere."

"Oh yeah, my name is Draven," he introduce himself.

He stride forward, motioning for me to follow. I comply, walking behind that person, remaining vigilant.

I pass through a series of narrow alleys until Draven stops before a steel door hidden behind wild plants. He knock in a specific pattern—two short knocks, one long, then three short.

Seconds later, the door creaks open. A descending staircase disappears into darkness.

"Enter," he say curtly.

I step inside, descending the stairs, Draven locking the door behind me. Hundreds of steps later, another door appears. I open it and find myself in a long corridor, its end obscured by darkness.

"W-What corridor is this?" I'm slightly confused.

"Don't ask questions; just follow my steps."

I glance at Draven, hesitation gnawing at me. But I nod, trusting.

"Good."

Draven walks strangely, turning right and left, taking only one or two steps at a time. After a while, he bend down; I follow, knowing the corridor is full of deadly traps.

Eventually, we reach the end; a lift door is before me. We've walked over a thousand steps.

I turn, seeing Draven… exhausted, holding their knees.

"Cough! Cough!" Draven coughs.

"You look tired, Draven," I say.

"You think?" Draven seems slightly annoyed, but their breath is still ragged. "Kids these days… you have a lot of stamina."

He now sound like an old man…

After a while, Draven catches their breath. He stand tall, approach the lift door, and I follow.

The lift door opens, and the world before me changes drastically. We step forward. I am in a magnificent, brightly lit circular room, its walls made of sturdy steel. The center is filled with holographic screens and digital maps. People are busy working behind advanced computers in various corners. This feels like the headquarters of a secret organization, not what I'd expect from someone like Draven.

I scan the room, trying to understand the situation. "I thought we'd meet dark syndicates, not… a military base."

Draven chuckles. "We operate in the shadows, but not for ordinary crime."

Draven nods towards a woman with short blonde hair, who is examining me with an analytical gaze.

"You've arrived, Draven." She approaches, arms folded. "…Whose child did you bring? Is this your unknown child?"

"Stop joking, Lissa. This child… isn't someone you can take lightly."

"Oh, really?" Lissa looks at me curiously, taking two steps closer. "Who are you, little one?"

"He's one of 'them'," Draven says.

"R-Really?" Lissa turns to Draven, disbelief etched on her face.

Draven nods.

I raise my hand, and once again, a small blue energy ball appears. The atmosphere shifts. Several people stop working, staring at me with a mix of fear and awe. Lissa looks like she's seen a ghost.

"You… you really are one of them," she whispers.

"You keep calling me that. Who are 'they'?" I ask, extinguishing the energy.

Lissa and Draven exchange glances, seemingly communicating silently. After a few seconds, Draven nods, and Lissa sighs.

"You really don't know?" she asks.

I shake my head.

Lissa gestures to a chair in the center of the room. "Sit. We need to talk."

I comply, Draven standing near the door, guarding the entrance and exit. Lissa takes a tablet from the table, scrolls through images, then shows them to me. The screen displays figures with strange characteristics—some have scaly skin, others have glowing eyes, and some even look like ordinary humans but with a strange aura.

"They are called Mutants," Lissa explains. "People born with abilities beyond normal humans. No one knows about them because information about Mutants is protected, kept secret by governments, except for some nobles. As their name suggests, Mutants can control elements, some have the power to shift into semi-animal forms, and some… like you… can manipulate energy."

I look at the images. So, there are people with superpowers called "Mutants." This is new information; in my 39 years, I never thought such people existed.

But… I'm not a Mutant. I'm beyond what they know.

"Where are they now?" I ask.

Lissa frowns. "Most are dead. Or hiding, blending into society."

"Why?"

"Because the Exlish Government hunts them," Draven replies gravely. "They fear power they can't control. So, every Mutant found is captured, experimented on… or eliminated."

I nod slowly. That makes sense. Power always fears what it doesn't understand.

"But you… you're not the government," I say, looking around the room. "You're not the police."

Lissa smiles faintly. "Indeed not. We are 'The Umbra'—an independent organization opposing the corrupt Exlish government and greedy nobles. Our task is to maintain balance in the Exlish Federation from the shadows, especially dealing with threats beyond the capabilities of the government or ordinary forces. We aim to bring justice to innocent humans and Mutants," she pauses. "And we… are interested in someone like you."

I stare at her. "Why?"

Based on her explanation, they seem like an underground organization dealing with supernatural matters and fighting for justice.

"Because we need power to fight," Draven replies. "And you need protection. A symbiotic relationship."

I consider it. This could be a way to get a new identity and allies who understand my strange abilities. But…

"How do I know you won't sell me to the government after I join?"

Lissa pulls something from her pocket—a small badge with a symbol of a black hand. "We have a code of ethics. And traitors don't last long in our organization."

I ponder for a moment.

"Fine," I finally decide. "I join. But I have a condition."

"What is it?"

"I won't kill innocent people, no matter the order."

Draven and Lissa exchange glances, then nod.

"We're not mercenaries," Lissa says. "We fight for justice. So, we agree."

I extend my hand. "Then, we have a deal."

Lissa shakes my hand firmly. "Welcome aboard… uh, what's your name?"

I smile slightly. "My name… is Nova."

...