Aki stumbles through the school hallways, still in a daze. His eyes scan the room, people moving, but all he can think about is the Yūgen Realm.
Aki (thinking):
"It wasn't just a dream... What the hell is going on?"
Yumi walks up, glancing at him.
Yumi:
"You've been spaced out all day. You're not feeling sick, are you?"
Aki:
"I—I'm fine, just... tired."
He looks at her, a hint of guilt in his eyes.
"I'll be okay."
---
Lunch break. Aki sits on the steps outside, nervously eyeing his phone. No messages. No news. Just silence.
Aki (thinking):
"I should've asked Rei more questions. About the Trial. About the Realm. Why am I the one getting pulled into this?"
---
The bell rings. Afternoon classes are a blur. As soon as school ends, Aki heads straight home, but something feels off. There's a low hum in the air, like static—
He rushes into his room, slamming the door behind him. He grabs the headset, nearly frantic.
Aki:
"Please... I need to understand this."
He slams the headset on, his vision warping. The Yūgen Realm pulls him in again.
---
The scene opens in a different part of the Realm: a dark city, towering spires reaching the sky, surrounded by swirling clouds of magic. Aki's breath catches. Rei appears, her armor now marked with scratches.
Rei:
"You're late. You were supposed to be here yesterday. We're not safe."
Aki:
"Where are we?"
Rei (gritting her teeth):
"This is Myrin, the city of trials. Where everyone ends up once they sign a pact. And where the system's collapsing."
She looks around, worried.
"Something's wrong. The guardians are changing, and it's not just about the Trial anymore."
---
Suddenly, the ground shakes. A massive, mechanical beast—half machine, half magic—bursts from the sky, crashing down into the city with a deafening roar.
Rei (shouting):
"Stay back! This is not a normal guardian!"
She activates a shield around Aki.
"I'll take care of it! You—stay out of the way!"
Aki clenches his fists, his Sketchblade appearing in his hand.
Aki:
"No. I'm fighting. I've got to learn... somehow."
He charges forward, barely dodging the beast's thrashing tail, and swipes at its armored leg.
The beast roars, but his blade cuts through it with ease, glowing with an unfamiliar energy. Rei watches, her eyes wide.
Rei (to herself):
"That's not... possible."
---
The battle rages on. The beast is strong, but Aki's sword cuts through its defenses, glowing brighter with each strike. Finally, with a deep breath, Aki focuses, and with one final, massive slash, the beast disintegrates into light.
The city falls silent. Dust settles. Aki stands, breathing heavily, his sword still glowing.
---
Rei (walking up, stunned):
"You… you did it. How?"
Aki (panting):
"I don't know. It just... felt right."
Rei:
"Look, you're not ready for this. I don't care what the system says; this is bigger than anything we've been taught. You don't just fight your way out of this place. You need to—"
A shadow looms over them. A figure in black armor stands at the edge of the city, watching them.
Mysterious Figure:
"Interesting. The Seeker is stronger than I thought."
The figure's voice is cold, but familiar.
"Shall we test you next, then?"
---
Aki's hand tightens around his sword as he looks at the figure, a mix of fear and determination in his eyes.
The figure in black armor steps forward. The air distorts around him—time itself feels heavier. Aki instinctively raises his blade, but Rei yanks him back.
Rei (urgent):
"No. We run. Now."
Aki:
"But who is he?!"
Rei:
"An Enforcer. The system's executioner. You're not ready for him."
---
They dash through the crumbling alleys of Myrin. Magic pulses like lightning above. Buildings warp, twisting into impossible shapes. The Enforcer doesn't chase—he watches, amused.
Enforcer (to himself):
"Run, Seeker. Run while your memories still belong to you."
---
They dive into a warp gate. In a flash, they land in a calm, quiet forest—floating lanterns hover in the air.
Aki (panting):
"What... was that thing?"
Rei:
"An anomaly. The system's gone unstable, and he's what it sends to erase people like you. Ones it can't predict."
Aki:
"Why me?"
Rei (quiet):
"I don't know yet. But you've drawn attention—bad attention."
---
They sit beside a glowing spring. Aki dips his hand in the water—memories flash: his mother, his sketchbook, his empty apartment.
Aki (whispers):
"I'm forgetting. I can feel it."
Rei:
"You're paying the price. Every time you enter the Realm, it takes something. But it also gives."
Aki looks down. His palm is glowing faintly, a symbol slowly etching itself into his skin.
---
Suddenly—branches snap. A massive wolf-like creature with armor plating and dozens of eyes emerges from the trees, growling.
Aki:
"More Trials?"
Rei:
"No. That's not from the system. That's something else."
The creature lunges. Rei summons her magic barrier, but it shatters instantly. Aki leaps in, blade flashing.
---
Battle ensues. Aki slashes at the creature's legs, but it regenerates. He stumbles. Just as the beast is about to strike, the sky cracks open—
A beam of pure light hits the creature, vaporizing it instantly. A figure floats down. Young. Calm. Cloaked in white with golden tattoos.
New Figure:
"Apologies. That one escaped my sector."
Rei (shocked):
"You're... a Nexus Watcher."
Watcher (to Aki):
"And you... You're accelerating too fast."
Aki:
"What does that mean?! Who are you people?!"
Watcher:
"You're not supposed to awaken this early. But the system is crumbling. And the Enforcer's watching."
Rei:
"Wait. What's happening to the Realm?"
Watcher:
"It's dying. And he"—points to Aki—"might be the last one who can rewrite it."
---
The forest dims. The Watcher vanishes in a flicker. Aki and Rei are left staring at the ruined battlefield.
Aki (quietly):
"Rewrite a world I don't even understand…"
---
Back in the real world. Yumi stares at Aki's empty desk in class. She opens his notebook—his latest drawing shows the Enforcer perfectly sketched, with blood-red eyes.
Yumi (whispers):
"What are you hiding, Aki?"