Kiren's eyes fluttered open. He mumbled a few nonsense words, different voices echoing all around him, each with a different tone. It was overwhelming.
He shot up. —Fwoosh!— When his eyes finally adjusted, he realized he was in a hospital. His bare torso was wrapped in bandages across the chest. He touched his head and felt the bandages there, too.
—Well… I thought it was just a dream… but this all feels way too real.
He ran both hands over his body, quickly stood, and headed straight toward a young male nurse nearby.
—Hey, how do I look? I'm human, right? —he asked, sounding almost desperate.
—Yes, you're human… and a very beaten-up one. I recommend you get back in bed. You need to rest —the nurse suggested with a kind smile.
Kiren shrugged.
—I still don't understand what happened —he said with a worried tone—. I was on my way to—
Suddenly—flash!—the accident came rushing back to him: the car hitting him, BAM! the fall, crash! the blood, the void… and then, that grotesque creature.
—Huh… I think I'm dead. Is this hell? I guess I was a bad kid —he said in a deflated voice.
—No, you're alive thanks to the Knights of Haz; you only have a few minor injuries —the nurse smiled.
—Knights of Haz? Who are they? —his lips puckered in a childish frown.
—Please, get back to bed. You'll have time to learn everything later. Where are you from?
—I'm from—
—Don't say anything —that voice again. He remembered hearing it earlier.
—Who are you?
—Sir, I'm the nurse. My name is—
—I'm not talking to you —he took a deep breath—. I think I do need more sleep… now I'm hearing voices in my head.
The nurse guided him back to the bed.
—If you need anything, just call me.
—Sure —Kiren replied without much enthusiasm.
After several minutes of tossing and staring blankly at the ceiling, he got up and began wandering through the hallways and rooms. The air was scented with incense and warm tea, a harmonious peace lingering everywhere.
As he walked, he found a bathroom and stepped inside. Clink! He came face-to-face with the mirror.
The first thing that caught his attention was the number zero floating above his head. He remembered the voice's words: "Say 'Zero Transformation' to activate your human avatar."
—Zero Transformation? Does this have something to do with that number above my head? —he let out a guttural sound from his throat—. All I know is, I'm still scrawny —he inhaled sharply and exhaled fast.
He kept walking until he heard repeated voices. —Tap, tap, tap!— His pace quickened. He recognized the blonde girl's voice; she was speaking with the orange-haired boy and other men in knightly armor.
—The Kordro that attacked today looked really different from the others that have attacked the kingdom, don't you think, Pedrus? —the blonde asked.
—Yes, captain —the boy replied.
—So she's a captain… —Kiren whispered to himself.
—It was strange… it could talk, and it was very strong —the blonde said.
—I noticed that too —Pedrus stroked his chin—. Do you think it could be a special Kordro?
—I don't know —she took a deep breath and drank from a bottle.
The place reeked of thick, bitter beer, mixed with the sour sweetness of cheap wine soaked into the wooden floorboards. Everyone was drinking, and a hive-like murmur filled the air.
Someone opened the door to leave, and Kiren—who had been leaning against it—paf! fell to the floor, bumping his head.
—Ow, my poor head! —he exclaimed.
Pedrus recognized him. The captain merely glanced over and moved to another table.
—Hey, are you alright? —Pedrus asked, helping him up.
—I think so.
—How's your head? —he asked kindly.
—I'm fine now, thanks for asking.
Pedrus eyed the boy's strange clothing with some curiosity.
—Sorry to ask, but… where are you from?
—You mean because of my clothes —Kiren realized.
—Yeah —Pedrus smiled.
—I'm from—
—Don't say anything —that strange voice again, which he now noticed sounded like a little girl—. From a faraway country. Very far.
—I see. Maybe you're from the south… people there are pretty unusual.
—Yeah… —Kiren gave a silly smile—. I heard you talking about the creature that attacked today.
—Yeah, it was very different and powerful. Maybe… —he thought for a moment— a new era of monsters is beginning.
—A new era? Monsters?
Kiren's puzzled expression told Pedrus the boy wasn't very informed.
—Maybe because you're young, you don't know about the Kordros… though that's strange.
—Yeah… I don't know much.
—For hundreds of years now, strange creatures have been appearing all over the world. We don't know exactly where they come from or what they want, though some believe a disruption in the balance of the universe caused their arrival. But the big question is—why do they attack us?
—I see… and I don't know the answer —Kiren grinned sheepishly.
—The thing is, out of all the kingdoms, this one's been hit the hardest. Hordes of Kordros attack us often, but thankfully, the Haz Knight Order was founded to protect Grendoria and humanity —Pedrus said proudly.
—Well… I'm still not sure I get it, but I guess I'll understand over time —Kiren admitted, still confused.
—Of course you will —Pedrus seemed pleased.
—And she's the captain? —Kiren pointed at the blonde, who had taken his breath away since the moment he saw her—. Isn't she a bit young?
—Yes, she's the captain of this squad. Her name's Daela. She holds the record for having killed ten thousand Kordros since her first deployment. Isn't that incredible?
—I guess so… but you're stronger. Are you a captain too? —he asked, scratching his head.
—That doesn't matter. What matters is the number of enemies killed. There are knights stronger than her, but rank is based on kills, not power.
—I get it… it's more about doing than showing off.
—You talk a little funny, but yes, you're right. Anyway, it's time to rest. If you want, I can take you home.
—I'm really far from home, and honestly… I have no idea how to get back.
—Then be my guest. My house is big, you can stay as long as you want.
—Sure.
Pedrus drove Kiren home in a vehicle unlike anything he'd ever seen. —Vruuum!— He didn't want to ask questions and risk sounding ignorant. When they arrived, Pedrus quickly showed him to a room.
—You'll stay here. Tomorrow I'll give you a tour. Rest well.
—Just like that…?
—Do you need something?
Kiren's stomach growled loudly. —Grrrr!—
—I don't want to bother you, but I'm starving.
—Go to the kitchen, help yourself to whatever you want. Good night —Pedrus hurried off.
—But… —Kiren couldn't say more; the knight had vanished in the blink of an eye—. This is completely insane —he yawned wide.
Kiren wandered the enormous house. The hallways were overwhelming—everything perfectly organized, armors everywhere, knight monuments at every corner, sword collections on the walls, and a silence that was almost eerie.
—He wasn't kidding when he said his house was big —he scratched his head, as usual.
Once he finally found the kitchen—after getting lost in the maze-like place—he ate until he was full. His mind kept circling back to what had happened earlier that day. How was it possible he had turned into a beast?
—I'd like to know what this "Zero Transformation" thing is.
—I can explain it, if you want —said the voice in his head.
Kiren jumped, —Crash!— making a mess in the kitchen as he bumped into everything.
—Damn it! Who are you, and why are you in my head?
—My name's Mecamina. Nice to meet you, User X: Kiren Nakasuka.
—Mecamina? User X? What's all this?
—Congratulations. You were chosen from among many Kordros to fight for the Kingdom of the Monarch.
—What…?
And now, what fate awaits Kiren Nakasuka?