In the depths of a shadowed laboratory, dimly lit by flickering green flames and pulsating runes, Rez bent over her workbench. Her slender fingers expertly manipulated delicate strands of energy, weaving them into intricate patterns that sparked with dark magic. The air buzzed with raw power and the faint scent of ozone.
She straightened, brushing a stray lock of raven hair from her sharp, angular face. Her eyes—gleaming like onyx—narrowed in curiosity.
"What happened now?" she asked aloud, as if expecting an answer.
Suddenly, a swirling shape coalesced in the corner of the room—a crow formed from shadows and smoke, its eyes glowing faintly red.
The crow spoke in a harsh, clipped voice. "A strong enemy has appeared. He used a strange technique that wounded the dark masters."
Rez's lips curled into a sly smile. "Hurt a Dark Master? In the Deishin Realm? Now that's an interesting specimen. What do they want me to do?"
"The Dark Masters want you to distract him. Buy time so they can analyze his powers and reclaim the Ragon Balls," the crow reported.
Rez sighed softly, her gaze distant. "I don't understand their obsession with ruling the Omniverse. Isn't the Deishin Realm enough? But... I'm intrigued. I will do it."
With a whisper, the crow dissolved into a swirl of smoke and vanished.
Rez reached beneath her bench and retrieved a mysterious orb—dark and swirling with an inner light. Within its depths, a faint image flickered: Jin, alongside Ray and Sei.
-
Meanwhile, far from Rez's lair, Jin, Ray, and Sei landed on a grand lookout perched high above the kaleidoscopic clouds. At its center stood a towering pillar of energy, swirling and crackling like a storm raging between heaven and earth—an ethereal gateway pulsing with raw power.
Sei pointed with a fluttering wing. "This is the real Passage. Only through it can one travel to other worlds."
Ray's eyes darkened with caution. "But only the strong survive the journey. The weak will simply be crushed by the pressure. But for you, Jin, I believe it won't be a problem."
Jin studied the swirling vortex, intrigued. "Oh! This is interesting. But let's not waste any more time."
Sei then replied, "Yeah. We don't have much time. Let's go."
Back in her laboratory, Rez's sharp gaze locked on the orb. "Now, let's see how far you can go."
She rummaged through a pile of enchanted dust, finding a handful of glowing, crackling particles. With a deft motion, she scattered the dust onto the orb. It sparked and shimmered, reacting to her magic.
-
As Jin stepped into the pillar of energy, a crushing pressure pressed against him, heavy but not overwhelming.
Suddenly, without warning, an unseen force slammed into Jin from behind. He staggered violently, losing control mid-transit.
"Jin!" Ray shouted, flapping his wings frantically as he tried to reach him.
"Hold on, Jin!" Sei called out, her voice filled with alarm.
But it was too late.
With a flash, Jin was flung out of the energy pillar
Ray and Sei exchanged worried glances, their moment of panic cut short as the swirling energy pillar pulsed once more.
As for Jin, he landed hard on a smooth, featureless white surface. All around him stretched empty whiteness—limitless and silent.