EPISODE 2 — "The Libra Vessel"
Kael woke up with his heartbeat punching inside his chest.
The morning sunlight seeped through the curtains of his small room, but everything felt… wrong. Too bright. Too sharp. Too loud. The world itself felt stretched, like reality had increased its resolution overnight.
And the mark on his chest—
That burning, glowing sigil that appeared during the meteor shower—
It was still there.
A silver-blue scale symbol pulsed faintly beneath his skin.
"Great," Kael muttered, staring at the mark in the mirror. "I didn't dream this."
He splashed cold water on his face. It didn't help. His senses were too awake, too alive. He could hear the neighbor's footsteps like they were inside his room.
Then—
A voice whispered.
"Finally awake… Libra Vessel."
Kael froze.
Slowly… he turned.
A shimmering silhouette floated behind him, reflected in the mirror — a being made of cosmic dust, silver scales, and starlight woven together like a living constellation. Its eyes were calm and ancient.
Kael's voice cracked.
"W-Who— what are you?!"
The figure bowed slightly, its form bending like galaxies swirling.
"I am Libra. Spirit of Balance. You are my chosen vessel."
Kael stumbled back until his back hit the wall.
"No, no, no— I'm a normal student! I don't even fight! I don't even run! Why me?!"
The spirit drifted closer, its presence gentle yet overwhelming.
"Because destiny chose you long before you were born."
Kael clenched his fists, breathing hard.
"This has to be a mistake."
Libra tilted its star-filled head.
"Mistakes do not shape fate. Fate shapes mistakes."
Kael groaned.
"Great, even cosmic spirits talk in riddles."
Before Libra could reply, Kael's phone buzzed violently.
> Riven: Meet me behind the school. We need to talk. It's urgent.
Kael blinked.
Riven? The quiet, intimidating guy who barely spoke in class?
Why would he message him now?
Libra turned slightly, gazing as if through the walls.
Its voice dropped.
"Another vessel has awakened."
Kael's breath caught.
"You mean Riven…?"
"Yes. And his spirit is not one of balance."
—
Behind the School — Noon
Kael arrived nervously, scanning the empty field.
Riven stood alone under the large tree, hands in his pockets, black hair falling over his eyes. The air around him felt… wrong. Heavy. Tense.
When he lifted his eyes, Kael froze.
Riven's pupils glowed a venomous purple.
"You can see it too, right?" Riven said quietly. "The world changed last night."
He lifted his shirt slightly—
A dark, jagged scorpion sigil glowed on his chest like burning poison.
Kael's mind spun.
"Y-You're a vessel too?"
Riven smirked slightly.
"Scorpio. And unlike you, I don't run from power."
A crackle of dark energy snapped behind him — a shadowy scorpion tail flickered like a manifestation of his spirit.
Kael stepped back instinctively.
"Riven… you're radiating killing intent!"
"I'm testing something," Riven said, stepping closer. His voice was calm, but his aura coiled like venom.
"My spirit told me to eliminate 'imbalances.' The first imbalance… is you."
Libra materialized protectively behind Kael.
"Scorpio Vessel. Stand down."
A distorted echo answered—
The Scorpio Spirit emerged behind Riven, tall, monstrous, dripping with toxic shadow.
Riven smirked wider.
"Let's see which of us is chosen to survive."
He dashed forward—
His fist coated in dark venom—
Kael raised his hands in panic.
"WAIT—!! I don't know how to fight!"
Too late.
Riven's strike crashed into Kael's forearm like a hammer of darkness—
Kael flew backwards—
—but before he hit the ground, a silver barrier rippled around him.
Libra's voice boomed:
"BALANCE FIELD — ACTIVATE."
Kael floated gently back onto his feet, trembling.
Riven's eyes narrowed.
"So the rumors were true. Libra protects its vessel."
Kael shouted breathlessly,
"I don't want to fight you!"
"You don't have a choice," Riven replied coldly. "War has already begun."
Dark energy exploded around him—
The Scorpion Tail solidified—
And he charged again.
Kael's instincts screamed—
His vision sharpened—
The Libra sigil on his chest ignited—
A pair of glowing silver scales appeared behind him like wings of light.
Kael raised his arm—
A shimmering force pushed outward—
Riven's attack was blocked.
Both boys stared in shock.
Kael whispered, "I… did that?"
Libra floated behind him, voice serene.
"This is only your beginning, Kael Arin."
Riven stepped back, his smile thin and dangerous.
"Next time, Libra won't save you. Become stronger… or die."
He dissolved into shadow and vanished.
Kael collapsed to his knees, shaking.
"What… is happening to my life?"
Libra lowered itself beside him.
"The war of the Twelve Gates has begun. And you, Kael… you are the one who must balance it."
Kael looked up at the sky.
Silver clouds swirled unnaturally.
Somewhere far above…
A giant serpent eye blinked open.