The sun has barely risen. It casts a warm glow across Shiku's room. His body stirs, eyes fluttering open, and he groggily sits up stretching. The sunlight pours through the window, casting long rays over the room. He was dressed in nothing but his pants. The warmth of the morning sunlight against his skin pulls him into a quiet wakefulness.
After a quick bath, he dresses in just his pants and rubs his stomach, while being drawn to the savory aroma of food wafting from the kitchen. Shiku's mouth waters as he pads barefoot down the hallway. He stops at the kitchen entrance. His eyes fall on his older sister, Kina, who is practically bursting with excitement, and Houki, who is standing at the table with a breakfast feast laid out before them.
"Good morning guys!" Shiku grins. His eyes scan the delicious spread.
"You're up a little late today. You're usually up and working out by the time the sun rises." Kina gently teases.
With a shrug, Shiku replies, "Yeah…had a long night."
As he steps fully into the kitchen, Kina jumps up and rushes to him, wrapping him in a tight hug. Once she lets go, Shiku walks over to Houki. They met in the center of the room, and in an unspoken tradition, they perform their special handshake—a practiced rhythm of claps, snaps, and a final fist bump.
Happy birthday, Shiku!" Kina exclaims, her voice filled with joy.
"Happy birthday, loser," Houki adds with a smirk. "You're catching up to me in age, but good luck catching up in skills."
Thanks, guys! I can't believe you both did all this for me," Shiku replies, genuinely touched.
Shiku took in the simple handmade birthday decorations marveling at the effort they put in. Carefully arranged plates of food lay across the table. It wasn't extravagant, but it was more than enough. As he sat down, Kina took the seat beside him while Houki slid into his usual spot across the table.
They offered their blessings before digging into the meal. Shiku wasted no time, practically inhaling his meal and finishing before the others had even started. When he looked up, Kina was laughing.
"Wow... Haha, I still get amazed at how much you remind me of Dad." Kina said, wiping a tear of laughter from her eye. "He'd be proud seeing how you've grown.
Shiku swallows. A spark of determination ignites in his chest.
"And one day, I'll be just as great of an Èlan Warrior as him!" Shiku declares, his voice filled with conviction.
Houki raises his glass, nodding in agreement. "To Shiku, future great warrior! " His voice rang with encouragement as they clink their glasses together."
"This is gonna be the best day ever. I can become an Èlan Warrior and save Zeodia!" Shiku exclaims, his eyes shining with excitement. The thought made his heart race—being part of a legacy, protecting his home.
But as the words left his mouth, a deeper thought settled in the back of his mind. What if he wasn't ready? What if he fell short of the legacy his father had left behind?
"Dad… I'll make you proud of me someday." Shiku thinks visibly saddened by the memory of his father's last mission. The shadows of uncertainty tried to creep in but he quickly shook them away, focusing on the path ahead.
Kina reaches over, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
"Whether or not you become an Èlan Warrior, today's supposed to be special, Shiku. I'll have a special gift for you later today!" Her eyes twinkle with a secret and Shiku couldn't help but feel a little bit lighter, embraced by the comfort of family.
"I can't wait."Shiku grins, anticipation sparkling in his eyes.
After finishing a second helping and bonding with his family, Shiku rushes to his room to finish getting dressed. Before he leaves, he gives Kina a big hug and slaps Houki on the back playfully, eager to head out.
As Shiku dashes toward the door, Houki glances back at Kina, who, clearly stressed, places her head down on the table. He shakes his head but follows Shiku.
With quick strides, he catches up, grabs Shiku in a headlock, and playfully gives him a noogie. Shiku, laughing, manages to push him off and sprint ahead, starting a chase through the city.
The two boys weave in and out throughout the almost empty streets of Suncross City, laughing as they play their favorite game of cat and mouse. Their laughter echoes through the alleyways, a familiar rhythm of friendly competition.
In the dim light of a crumbling old throne room far from the city's lively streets, a group of people gathered in hushed conversation. The room's only light came through shattered windows, casting jagged shadows across the floor.
Among them, Konji walks sternly. He makes his way to the center of the room. The light shows a scar marks on his cheek. He kneels before a figure seated on a broken throne. A man with a twisted, broken crown tosses an apple lazily in the air.
"What happened to you? Where's the other one?" the shadowy figure asks His voice is as sharp as a blade cutting through the silence of the chamber.
"Your favorite traitor and his little sidekick attacked us from behind and killed him." Konji's voice is steady, tinged with bitterness.
"Who would've thought that after all this time they still have the nerve to challenge us?" The man on the throne continues, his voice is a mix of irritation and grudging respect.
"King Ikewa, we need to do something about them. Kiri was my brother and they took him away from me!" Konji stands up abruptly, clenching his fist, and adds, "We must retaliate before they think they can walk all over us.
The man, known as King Ikewa, sighs heavily, rubbing his disheveled hair before waving for everyone to gather around. One by one, his followers approach Their steps echo ominously in the silence.
"Ughh…everybody get over here now. We can't let them think they can do anything they want. Let's show them what happens when you cross the King of Zeodia." Ikewa rose with surprising agility,
As his followers close in, Ikewa slouches back into his throne. A purple aura briefly flickers around his hand as he crushes the apple with a dark chuckle. The juice drips onto the stone floor, mixing with the dust.
His followers then quickly disperse in different directions.
❧
Shiku lies peacefully on a hill. On the edge of a field heavily breathing with his head resting on his hands with his legs crossed. A big smile washes over him while admiring the birds flying across the sky.
Beside him, Houki sits at the peak of the hill watching people in tattered clothing walk around chattering in the park-like field, holding his right knee.
Shiku and Houki were in the midst of their playful sparring session, surrounded by the bright sun and the open space of the hill. Shiku, fills with determination, expresses his belief that once he becomes an Èlan Warrior, there will be hope for not just himself but for all of Zeodia.
He feels a surge of optimism knowing that Kina has been working hard to create a welcoming environment. Houki wholeheartedly agrees but suggests they test Shiku's readiness to take on the responsibilities of an Èlan Warrior.
Motivated by Shiku's enthusiasm, Houki stands up and grabs Shiku's hand, pulling him up with a chuckle. In a playful twist, he trips Shiku, sending him rolling down the hill.
Shiku quickly springs back to his feet. Excitement lights up his face as he witnesses Houki prepare for a leap. Houki jumps off the hill, executing a diving kick but Shiku was ready. He sidesteps to the left and counters with a quick punch, initiating a rapid succession of strikes that culminate in a spinning kick aimed at Houki's torso.
Although Houki evades most of the blows, he manages to catch the final kick, tossing Shiku onto the ground.
"Hey, I know you can do better than that," Houki laughs as they continue their friendly competition.
Shiku, not to be outdone, replies with a playful challenge: "Who said that was everything?" With a swift move, he sweeps Houki's legs, sending him tumbling down again.
Both fighters share a moment of quick recovery, getting back to their feet before they lock hands tightly, engaging in a test of strength. For a while, they were neck and neck but Shiku felt himself slipping and leans back, pulling Houki into a monkey flip.
Their playful fight concludes. They lay side by side on the ground, heads touching and bodies facing opposite directions. Bursts of laughter escape them as they catch their breath.
After a few minutes, they stand up, brushing off the dust and grime from their clothes, exhilarated by their playful match. "Now let's go! It's almost time!" Shiku exclaims, shaking off the last bits of sand from his shirt as they make their way toward the tower in the distance.
As they approach the crumbling tower, its lack of a door and the surrounding rubble hints at the decay within. The sun began to rise behind the structure, casting a warm glow over it. Shiku and Houki exchange glances—one filled with excitement, the other tinged with worry.
Once inside the tower, they still bear the marks of their earlier scuffle. Shiku, brimming with enthusiasm, seeks out the spot where Kiri had perished. He begins stomping on and breaking through the rotting wooden floorboards, tossing the splintered pieces out of his way.
Meanwhile, Houki is consumed by an uneasy feeling. He paces the vicinity, his mind racing. Quietly, he mutters to himself, "I don't know how to tell him. He's going to be devastated once he realizes the Élan stone doesn't work anymore." The weight of his thoughts contrasts sharply with the lingering excitement of their playful sparring.
"This is it! In a few minutes, we'll be Èlan warriors!" Shiku exclaims joyfully. He began stomping and breaking through the rotting wooden floorboards.
"Zeodia's Èlan stone hasn't been used in years, It might not even work…And I know Kiri and Konji are going to bring more trouble eventually," Houki mutters to himself, trying not to let Shiku hear his doubt.
"Huh"
"What... Oh, it's nothing I can't wait either..." Houki replies.
Shiku finally finishes clearing through making a hole big enough revealing the stairs leading to a dark hallway underneath. Throwing the wood planks aside hitting Houki's legs.
Houki glances around the room, a wary expression crosses his face as he observes the remnants of chaos. "Watch it, dude," he warns, stepping carefully to avoid splattered blood that still stained some of the wooden planks nearby.
After a diligent effort, the boys finally clears away the last of the wooden debris, uncovering the entrance to the downstairs section of the tower. They stand at the top of the stairs, peering into the darkness below.
"I can't believe no one but us knows about this place," Shiku exclaims, an infectious excitement gleaming in his eyes.
Without hesitation, he rushes down the steps, his enthusiasm carrying him forward. Houki follows him, albeit with a hint of reluctance.
Just as they reach the final few steps, Shiku trips, tumbling down, but is quickly caught by Houki, who grabs onto his hood to steady him.
As they arrive in front of the Èlan Stone, Shiku's expression transforms into pure joy; the stone, sitting majestically on its pedestal, captivates him. Eagerly, he reaches out and touches the top of the stone. With determination, Shiku begins chanting an incantation, hoping to awaken the stone's dormant power.
However, his efforts prove futile and after several attempts that end in disappointment, Shiku's initial excitement begins to dissolve into doubt.
"Wait, what… it should've worked! We've done everything correctly," he stammers, frustration mounting as he falls to his knees, his trembling hand resting against the stone.
Houki, sensing his friend's despair, kneels beside him and gently pats the top of his head, offering a small gesture of comfort amid their shared disappointment.
"Maybe we're doing it wrong or maybe it just doesn't work," Houki explains trying to calm him down.
"No, it has to work. Something must have gone wrong! Without it, I'll never—"
Amidst Shiku's mental meltdown, the ceiling begins to crack, and the wood splinters instantly. The King suddenly crashes down, falling untouched through the falling debris starting them. He stands tall while the final debris falls around him.
"Ugh!"
Slightly hunched over staring at them grinning menacingly as the Ravengers follow him landing behind him. One of them carries a human-shaped item that the boys can't see.
"Hahaha," Ikewa menacingly laughs. "Did you think you could hide from me forever little brother? I see you found that worthless stone." His intimidating gaze focuses on Houki.
Houki tenses furrowing his eyebrows.
"… Tch. You're not my brother. You're barely a king. Stay away from us!"
Ikewa sinisterly smiles at Houki.
"Don't be like that, Houki. Especially since I've heard you and your little sidekick have been causing a lot of trouble for us. So we brought a little gift with us today."
King Ikewa snaps his fingers towards Konji, instructing him to bring over the item. Dragging Kina by her hair, chuckling, Konji slams her unconscious body face down next to The King, laughing, while he walks away.
"Hahaha. You pathetic losers really thought that stone would work?" Konji mockingly jokes at Houki and Shiku.
Ikewa grabs the body by the ponytail, before wrapping his hand around her neck. Lifting her, he begins slapping her awake.
Houki and Shiku take a step back in shock at Kina's presence. They back into other members of the Ravengers who grab their shoulders and scare them. The four delinquents force them to stare at and watch their leader toy with Kina like a doll.
"You had to go on and kill him, Houki. And what kind of king would I be if I left that unpunished."
"Wait, is that Kina? Why do you have her?!" Shiku exclaims. "Huh, let go of me!"
Taunting Shiku, Ikewa begins slapping her even harder. Kina feels the stinging slaps across her face as her consciousness returns, confused and disoriented in his grasp.
Kina tries her hardest to fight back, kicking, scratching, and punching The King, angering him even more.
"Let go of me!" Kina begs barely having enough breath to get the words out.
Wrenching her neck, Ikewa begins lifting her off her feet, holding her above his head with one arm.
Ikewa looks past Kina staring directly at Houki, "Houki you can stop this. Come back to the Ravengers join us and make The Ravengers whole again and we'll be unstoppable."
Konji steps forward angered by Houki seemingly getting to rejoin the Ravengers.
"NO! They killed my brother, why would we let him join us again?" Konji protests taking a half step forward.
"Quiet, Konji!" Ikewa demands, glaring at him intensely.
Houki clenches his fist, his stomach twisting in knots. If he joined the Ravengers, would he be betraying everything he fought for? His heart pounds. Kina gasps for air in Ikewa's grip, her eyes pleading. 'Damn it… I have no choice.' His resolve hardens. He had to save her—no matter the cost.
"Stop, Ikewa, I give in. As long as you let Kina and Shiku go. I'll rejoin the Ravengers." Houki takes a step toward Ikewa and then hesitates. Looking back at Shiku, a huge wave of sadness runs heavily on his face.
Shiku tries to take a step forward but is pulled back by the two Ravengers holding him.
"No, Houki wait… th-there has to be another way. We just have to get to the Èlan stone and try again," Shiku shouts begging for his best friend to stay by his side.
A wave of laughter runs across the Ravengers at the thought that the Èlan Stone could work. Ikewa's sinister laugh being the loudest of them all.
Houki starts walking towards Ikewa with his head held down, he clenches his fist and grits his teeth. " I can't believe I'm doing this." Houki thought, feeling as if his will was broken.
"Stop Shiku, it's over. The Èlan Stone doesn't even work. It's broken and has been for years! Not only that, he's the last Èlan warrior in the kingdom. We can't win." Houki shouts as he continues walking toward Ikewa. He drops his head as a single tear falls off his face to the ground.
Trying his hardest to fight back against the tears, Shiku watches Houki walk away. The feeling of defeat and disbelief weighs heavy on him. He tries pulling him back by his sleeve but is forced to let go.
The boys stand adjacent to each other, the tension is palpable in the air. The King laughs heartily, his amusement echoing through the crowd as he held Kina firmly by the neck, relishing in Shiku's misfortune. Meanwhile, Konji roughly grabs Shiku, squeezing his arms tightly, a look of upset crosses Shiku's face.
Ikewa suddenly tosses a dagger. Watching it clatter to the ground at Houki's feet, Houki looks down at the sharp weapon, a hint of hesitation in his demeanor as he kneels to pick it up, the gravity of the situation settles around him.
"Now kill him or I kill her," demands Ikewa, laughing maniacally.
Houki looks at Ikewa distraught by his words, "But you said you would let them go."
"Do it Houki… Do it to save Kina!" "I can't lose anyone else!" Shiku begs, wanting to save his sister at all costs.
Houki struggles to make a decision. Not knowing what to do, he freezes.
Coughing and gasping for air, Kina starts grabbing and pulling at Ikewa's hand, eventually loosening his grip just enough for her to start taking heavy breaths. She slowly turns her head towards Shiku and tears stream down her face profusely.
"HOUKI NO!" Kina pleads. Knowing this is her final moments, "Shiku, you're the light this kingdom needs! The world needs both of you—don't let this be the end!" Hoping her words can inspire the boys to live on
Houki's body moves on instinct to protect Kina. He uses the knife and stabs Ikewa on his side. As the blood pours out, using one arm, he smacks Houki, sending him flying backward into a wall near the Èlan Stone. Groveling in pain, Houki tries to stand back up but Ikewa's glare paralyzes him with fear and he falls back down.
King Ikewa's purple aura explodes and then he tightens his grip on Kina. She begins choking while her neck starts corroding. "Hahaha," The King laughs maniacally watching then tossing her lifeless watching her body go lifeless.
A sickening crack echoes as Kina's body goes limp in Ikewa's grasp.
Shiku's breath hitches. His heart pounds so hard it feels like it might explode.
"No. No. No." Shiku cries out.
Ikewa tosses Kina aside like trash. Her body crumples to the ground, lifeless.
Shiku's mind shatters.
As the sun rises to its peak, Shiku, in desperation, tries the incantation one final time. Ikewa's mana flows into the cracked stone activating it.
"I'm king because I'm the strongest! I'll show you the power of Zeodia's last living Èlan warrior."
Years of unused mana and the tiny amount left over mana from Kina and Kiri's bodies combine and flow into it. The mix of all the different mana as well as causing it to overload.
At the same time, an enraged Shiku breaks free and starts dashing toward Ikewa but before he gets to him, The Èlan stone starts floating and shaking, making him stop in place. The overload of mana causes it to explode.
Knocking back everyone and destroying the tower, rendering almost everyone unconscious. Letting off a massive pulsing wave of mana it coats the sky in an aurora borealis-like fashion that spreads covering the entirety of Zeodia.
Different colored spirits scatter across Zeodia. Ikewa gets up grunting, holding his side, releasing an aura wave, feeling slightly powered up.
Looking around, finding an unconscious Shiku lying on his back, picking him up by his hair, Ikewa punches Shiku repeatedly, slightly poisoning him.
Shiku coughs up blood.
A small rock hits him in the back of his head; he then unleashes a poisonous aura out of frustration. Looking back he sees a hunched-over Houki staring at him fiercely, breathing heavily.
"Uggh. What is that?" Ikewa thinks, groaning in pain. "You little punks, I'll kill both of you!"
In that split second, Ikewa starts feeling a burning sensation. His hand turns back realizing a large fierce fiery aura and an enraged Shiku glaring at him with missing irises.
Shiku's whole body is engulfs in flames, completely covering him with an immense fiery aura as he lets out an explosive roar.
"How can he possibly have so much mana?!" Ikewa thinks, looking at Shiku's massive aura.
Still holding him, Ikewa angrily throws a punch full of poisonous mana at Shiku's stomach set to send a powerful poison throughout his body.
Before the punch lands, a black space-distorting aura surrounds Houki, unknowingly creates a void portal. Suddenly he appears behind him quickly slicing his leg with the knife and leaving a deep gash.
"What?! When did he get over here?"
"How did I do that?" Houki wonders sitting on his knees as he stares at his hands.
Distracted, he loses focus, letting Shiku go. The instant Shiku's feet touch the floor, he screams. Jumping high in the air, Shiku's fiery body shines like the sun. Houki creates a portal in front of Shiku bringing him right in front of Ikewa.
Shiku throws a barrage of punches with fists full of fire and hits him, launching Ikewa across the room and knocking him out in a seated position. Unconsciously, he uses almost all his mana in the attack on Ikewa.
While some Ravengers begin waking up, Shiku's body goes limp and he collapses to the ground as the flames slowly disperse from his body. Houki rushes towards Shiku, grabbing him, whilst hoping to get to safety and as far as possible.
"I need to get us out of here. It isn't safe in SunCross anymore. We need to get as far as possible." Houki thinks while looking for a way out of the dire situation.
A memory from his childhood appears to him: A black circle forms around them, distorting the space around them. A darkening black light forms underneath him as he uses most of his mana to accidentally create a big black hole. Houki and Konji have an intense stare-off as he tosses Shiku in and then jumps in behind him.
"What is this? Did I do this? I guess we have no other option."
Falling out of the black hole created by Houki they unknowingly end up outside the great walls of Athedon, City of the Sura Kingdom. Both boys land with a thud lying down in the middle of a dirt road.
Hearing what seems to be the end of a huge festival coming from behind the giant wall behind them and seeing a horse-drawn carriage in the distance coming closer, Houki forces himself to stand and walk forward with will and determination.
"What was that portal? Did I make it?" Houki wonders aloud, his hands trembling from the residual energy. Houki thinks to himself wincing in pain.
Houki tries waving them down while dragging and pulling on an unconscious Shiku before he succumbs to his injuries and collapses due to lack of mana.
Houki's vision begins fading with tears running down his face. The last thing he hears are stomps in the dirt.
Everything fades black.
People emerging from the carriage run towards the unconscious boys.