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Chapter 1 — The Awakening of Creation
Dark clouds rolled across the heavens, and storms began to stir.
In the distance, the sound of thunder whispered like an omen of things to come.
Narrator (Ezra TGA):
Storms have come. Hope has been seen across the Ten Realms, but now something greater—something darker—has appeared. I only hope you can overcome these challenges, Paul… our Creation.
The world shifted.
---
A Normal Morning in the Stark Household
The soft chirping of birds filled the air as sunlight spilled through the curtains of the Stark mansion.
"Paul, you're going to be late for school," Catherine called from the hallway.
"Yes, Mom," Paul replied absently, eyes fixed on his video game console.
Catherine frowned. "I hope you're not playing video games."
Paul's fingers froze. "No, Mom. I'm just… waiting for Helena to make breakfast."
From the kitchen, Helena's voice rang out cheerfully. "Breakfast is ready, young lord!"
Catherine sighed. "Helena, I told you not to call him that."
"Yes, ma'am," Helena said quickly.
But Paul smiled. "I like it, Mom. It makes me happy."
Catherine softened. "If you say so, then it's fine—young lord."
Paul grinned. "Yes, Mom."
Helena entered, holding a tray. "A postmail arrived this morning from SPIRE."
Catherine raised an eyebrow. "How long ago?"
"Around 7:16 a.m., ma'am."
Paul stood, brushing crumbs off his uniform. "All done here, Mom. Can I go to school now?"
"Wait," Catherine said, her phone buzzing. "I'll call you back, Danny."
Helena smiled. "I'll come get you from school later, young lord."
Paul's grin widened. "Yes. Bye! See you later."
As he turned to leave, Catherine's voice softened. "Paul… I know I've been hard on you lately, but there's a reason for all this. I wish I could tell you everything."
"I don't mind," Paul said quietly. "Besides… you never give me attention."
Catherine blinked. "Did you say something?"
"Never mind," he muttered.
"I'll be coming back late again tonight," she said, hugging him. "Be good."
Paul pointed at the convoy outside. "Why so many cars, Mom? One is enough."
Catherine smiled faintly. "That's one of the reasons I'll explain to you soon."
From outside, their driver called, "We're here, young lord!"
"Not you too, Ivan," Catherine groaned, shaking her head. "Come, give your mom a goodbye kiss."
Paul hesitated, face darkening slightly.
"You don't like school?" she asked.
Paul sighed. "Everyone there sees me as a god… but behind my back, they call me a rich brat."
"Don't mind them, honey," Catherine said gently. "I'll talk to the principal later."
---
At School — Elseford Academy
As they arrived, dozens of eyes turned toward Paul. He could feel their stares—admiration mixed with envy.
Ivan muttered, "I see the look in their eyes says it all."
Catherine touched Paul's shoulder. "Survive this term, and I promise I'll change schools for you."
Paul forced a smile. "Alright, Mom."
"Don't forget my goodbye kiss," she teased. "Don't be shy."
"No fair, Mom," Paul said, laughing. "I love you."
"I love you more," she replied.
Her phone rang again. "Hello, Danny."
"Good morning, Mrs. Catherine," came the voice on the other end. "We have an urgent issue. Another gate has appeared."
Catherine froze. "How long?"
"Seven hours before it disappeared again," Agent Danny said grimly. "It's the third one this week."
"I'm on my way," Catherine replied, already walking off.
---
The Realm of Hierarchy
Far from Earth, the dark skies of the Hierarchy Realm churned like molten ash.
Figures cloaked in black stood in a circle, their voices echoing through the void.
Umbra growled, "Still can't find the right location."
ILOH's tone was cold. "We must kill the next Creation before he awakens his powers."
Betamon scoffed. "We haven't recovered from the last fight with the Eighth Creation."
Crystallous stepped forward. "Then send me. I'll get rid of him."
Hydroin frowned. "Shouldn't we wait for Damogo's command?"
ILOH's eyes glowed. "We already have those two—they can handle it."
Vitalis licked his lips. "I want to eat him."
Umbra snapped, "Shut up, Vit. What do you say, Unique?"
The Second Seat, Unique, leaned forward with a calm smile. "Killing him now will do us better. Crystallous, Terraka, Vitalis—go after him. Harry has found his location."
Chimono's voice was low. "He's weak in this state."
---
Back on Earth
Teacher Hannah stood before the classroom. "Good morning, students. Welcome to a brand new week."
Dave groaned. "Nothing good about this week."
Save muttered, "Yeah, especially when he's in class."
"Stop it," Hannah warned. "Paul is a normal kid like everyone else."
Mary raised her hand. "No, Mrs. Hannah. His eyes glow like the universe."
Mai giggled. "Paul's a genius."
Paul stared out the window. Need to leave school on time. Why won't the opportunity present itself?
"Paul?" Mai asked. "Are you alright? Sensei, Paul doesn't look good."
Paul smirked faintly. Now's my chance to fake faint here.
He collapsed onto his desk.
"Get him to the nurse's office, now!" Teacher Hannah shouted.
Thirty minutes later, Paul awoke to find Helena beside him.
"Helena?" he murmured. "What are you doing here?"
"Me and Ivan came to take you home," she said. "The car's waiting outside."
"Alright. Can we get ice cream on the way?" Paul asked.
Helena smiled. "Of course."
As they walked down the corridor, Paul bumped into a girl.
"Sorry!" she gasped. "I'm late for class."
Paul nodded. "It's fine."
"Going home already?" she asked curiously.
"He's not feeling well," Helena interrupted. "Save your questions for next time."
"Alright," the girl replied.
Outside, Ivan honked the car horn. "Let's go, young lord!"
"Coming!" Helena shouted.
The girl frowned as they left. "Young lord? What does that even mean?"
---
The Incident
Thirty minutes later, Paul was home again.
Helena stretched. "Go change your clothes. Let's get that ice cream."
"Yes! That's why I love you, Helena," Paul teased.
Helena blushed. "Love me? Don't use that word carelessly."
But before she could laugh it off, the air trembled.
A portal—crackling with light—opened at both Paul's house and Elseford School.
From the void, a figure emerged.
Ezra TGA.
"Hello, Creation," he said calmly. "Good to see you're doing well."
Paul staggered back. "Who are you?"
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Chaos at the School
At Elseford, the Hierarchy poured from their own portal.
Students screamed as shadows consumed the courtyard.
"Monsters! Monsters!" Lars shouted.
Vitalis tilted his head. "Why are they shouting?"
Terraka chuckled. "Because they're scared of us."
A school guard stepped forward. "Who are you people?!"
Crystallous didn't answer.
She simply swung her blade—ending the man's life in a single motion.
"The child isn't here," Vitalis said.
"What? Umbra said he'd be here!" Crystallous snapped.
Terraka sighed. "Ask the school children, maybe?"
Vitalis grinned. "Or I could just—"
"No, Vit! Don't!" Terraka barked.
Sirens wailed.
"Hands in the air!" a police officer shouted.
Terraka smiled. "Alright." He unleashed a Pin Blade attack, slicing through the air.
The officers screamed. "We need backup! These people have powers!"
"SWAT team's on the way!" came the command over the radio.
---
SPIRE Headquarters
Inside SPIRE's command center, the news screens flashed live footage.
"What's that?" one staff member gasped.
"Wait—isn't that Mrs. Catherine's son's school?" another asked.
Catherine turned sharply. "What?! That's my son's school!"
She snatched her coat. "All units, move out!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
Her assistant, Kate, ran in, pale-faced. "Ma'am, there's an emergency!"
"What is it, Kate?"
"It's your house, ma'am… it just exploded."
Catherine froze. "What do you mean exploded?!"
Kate swallowed. "That's what I'm trying to tell you—Paul… went home."
Catherine's heart stopped. "No… no!"
---
One Hour Earlier
Ezra stood in Paul's living room, his eyes calm. "I'm taking you with me."
Paul shook his head. "No! I don't even know you!"
"You don't need to," Ezra said. "Your life is in danger."
Helena screamed. "Who are you?!"
Ezra sighed. "Please don't scream like that."
He snapped his fingers. Helena fell asleep instantly.
Paul's eyes widened. "What did you do to her?!"
Ezra opened a portal. "You'll thank me later."
He threw Paul through it. "Now that's settled… you can wake up, Helena."
Ivan burst in. "Helena, what happened?!"
Tears streamed down her face. "Someone took Paul away!"
"What? No one came in! The alarm didn't even go off!"
"He came through some kind of… portal!" she cried.
Ivan paled. "We need to inform his mother!"
The alarm blared. "INTRUDER ALERT!"
"I'll check it out," Ivan shouted. "Call Mrs. Catherine now!"
---
Hierarchy's Arrival
Moments later, the portal opened again.
Delios stepped through, his blade glowing.
"Illusion Element," he murmured. "Harry was right—his sister is smart."
A guard appeared, trembling. "Who are you—"
Delios cut him down instantly. "I never gave you permission to speak."
Ivan, hiding behind the wall, gasped.
"Come out, human," Delios said. "I can see you."
Ivan stepped forward reluctantly. "What do you want with our young lord?"
"Wait," Delios paused. "You're saying he's been kidnapped?"
"Kidnapped?" Ivan asked. "You mean you're not the one—?"
Delios cursed. "Ezra got here first. Say your prayers, human."
He unleashed his technique—Gravitational Explosion—and the world burned.
---
Aftermath
Catherine arrived at the smoking ruins of her home.
Kate stood beside her, trembling. "Oh my God… nothing but ashes."
"Paul!" Catherine screamed. "Paul, where are you? Please answer me!"
Her eyes fell on his burned wristwatch and torn uniform.
"No…" She fell to her knees, sobbing. "I can't lose you…"
Agent Danny arrived moments later. "What happened here?!"
---
The Realm of Aethoria
Far beyond the mortal world, a shimmering castle floated among the stars.
Ezra stepped through a glowing gate, pulling Paul along.
"Welcome to Aethoria," he said gently. "Your new home."
Paul pulled away. "No! You took me from my home! Why do you look human when you're not?"
Ezra smiled faintly. "You can see through the disguise. Wonderful. We need your help, Paul Kirman Stark."
"Why my full name? Paul is enough. Wait—my help?"
"Yes," Ezra said simply. "First, we need to unlock your powers."
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To be continued…
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