The wind howled across the vast sky. High above the clouds, a massive floating island hovered—ancient, sacred, and untouched by time. Here, Ash stood shirtless, his breath heavy, facing the god who had chosen to train him.
The god's glowing eyes watched without blinking. "Ash Kurogane. You've inherited strength—but strength without control is destruction."
Ash lowered his stance. "Then teach me."
The god raised his hand.
Suddenly, lightning surged from the heavens, crashing into Ash's body. He gritted his teeth, refusing to scream as his muscles tore and bones cracked under divine pressure.
"Pain is not the enemy. Doubt is."
Ash forced himself to stand.
The floating island shifted—platforms appearing, vanishing, shattering under him as the god attacked without mercy. Each strike was like a meteor. Ash barely dodged, bruises forming, blood dripping. But his eyes never wavered.
"I won't fall… I made a promise."
He leapt—cloaked in glowing aura—and threw a punch that shattered part of the sky.
The god halted.
"You're improving. But your power is aimless. Tell me—why do you fight?"
Ash's voice was hoarse, but unwavering:
"I will protect the world."
The god smiled faintly, "Then fight with that reason in your heart. That is the true strength."
Training Scene: Rei – The Ground of Steel
Far below, in a vast canyon surrounded by jagged cliffs, Rei stood before Kaien, the man known as the Demon Hero.
The ground was littered with broken weapons and scorched earth.
"Pick up the sword," Kaien said coldly.
Rei narrowed his eyes. "I don't need a sword to fight."
Kaien didn't argue. He dashed forward in an instant—a blur of motion—and slammed his knee into Rei's stomach, sending him flying.
"Wrong answer," Kaien said.
Rei spat blood, stood, and attacked with raw ferocity—his fists glowing with dark power. But Kaien blocked each strike easily, like swatting away dust.
"You've got talent. Anger. But no reason."
Rei growled. "I don't need a reason to fight. I just get stronger."
Kaien's gaze turned sharp. "Then you'll lose when it matters most."
They clashed again. Kaien forced Rei into the ground, pinning him.
"Listen well, brat," Kaien said, low and deadly. "Power without a reason is like fire in the wind—it burns out. You need something to protect."
Rei turned away. "I don't have anyone."
Kaien stepped back.
"Then close your eyes," he said. "Tell me what you see. Someone… anyone… who ever cared for you."
Rei hesitated.
Then slowly—he closed his eyes.
Darkness.
But then…
A soft voice.
A warm smile.
A memory… Misaki, standing beside him under the old cherry tree. Smiling through tears. The only one who stayed.
Rei's fists trembled.
Kaien smiled, his voice almost proud.
"You see it now, don't you?"
Both Ash and Rei—bruised, panting, reborn in their own way—stood tall.
The god and Kaien spoke in unison from different worlds:
"Power is nothing without a reason. Find yours, and you will become unshakable."
Ash raised his head. "I will protect the world."
Rei looked down. "I… I don't have—"
Kaien stepped forward. "You have someone, don't you?"
Rei hesitated. Then slowly whispered:
"Misaki."
Hero Guild – Six Months Later
The giant gates of the Hero Guild creaked open.
Guild members turned their heads as two powerful presences entered the hall.
The air shifted.
The once-missing warriors had returned.
Ash, calm and composed, walked with a sharpened gaze and quiet confidence—his power now controlled, matured.
Rei stood taller beside him, colder in aura, yet with a quiet storm simmering behind his eyes.
Whispers spread like wildfire:
"They're back… after six months."
"Ash and Rei… they've changed."
"They feel… dangerous."
At the far side of the guild, Misaki and Koharu stood frozen.
Misaki's heart skipped a beat. She whispered, "It's… really them."
Koharu clenched her fists. "Rei… finally."
The girls approached, hesitant but drawn forward by emotion.
Misaki's eyes locked onto Rei, searching for the boy she once knew.
Koharu offered Ash a gentle smile.
Ash returned it, soft but sincere. "You both haven't changed."
Koharu stepped closer. "But you have. You're stronger now."
Ash nodded, glancing at Rei. "We both are."
Rei crossed his arms, eyes avoiding Misaki. "Tch. Took long enough to find a reason."
Misaki's voice was quiet. "Kaien told me you were searching… Did you find it?"
Rei didn't respond.
Ash answered for him with a small nod. "He did. But he's too stubborn to admit it."
Rei shot him a glare. "Shut up."
Misaki laughed softly—genuine, nostalgic.
Ash turned back to Koharu. "We're joining the Guild officially today. We've made our choice."
Rei added, firmer, "We'll protect this world. No more running."
Koharu smiled with pride. "Then… welcome back."
Finally, Rei looked into Misaki's eyes.
"I saw you," he said quietly. "When I closed my eyes… it was you."
Misaki's breath caught. A soft blush rose to her cheeks. Her voice trembled with feeling.
"Then… fight for that reason."
Deep beneath a roaring waterfall in a desolate training ground, Wind howled across the cliffs, but Ash stood tall, his breath steady. His training robe, torn and dirtied, fluttered behind him. Bruised, bleeding—but smiling.
Kaien stood before him, arms folded, a satisfied look in his eyes.
"You've grown," Kaien said quietly. "Not just in strength… but in purpose."
Rei lowered his head in a small bow, his voice calm. "Thanks to you."
Kaien took a step closer, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Listen carefully, Rei. I have only one path now—to protect this world. That's the choice I made long ago."
Rei's eyes narrowed. "And now it's our turn to choose?"
Kaien nodded. "Exactly. You've gained power. But power without a reason is hollow. Protecting the world… is a reason worthy of your strength."
The sky above the floating island burned gold with the setting sun. Ash knelt, breathing heavily. His body trembled from the final session—scars and sweat covering his skin.
A golden glow radiated behind him as a god slowly descended from the mist, feet never touching the ground. Eyes of pure light looked down at him—not with hate, but gravity.
"You have surpassed limits… yet one trial remains," the god spoke.
Ash didn't look up. "Trial?"
The god's voice was unwavering. "Your choice. The world stands on the edge of ruin—not by man's hands, but by ours."
The wind stilled.
"You have one choice, Ash," the god said. "Defeat a god. Defy us. Protect the world. That is your final path."
Ash finally stood, eyes burning with clarity. "If the gods are the threat… then I'll tear them down myself."
The god paused—then smiled. "So be it."
First Mission
The Hero Guild's war room buzzed with tension. A long oval table stood at the center, scattered with maps and ancient scrolls. A giant crystal on the wall displayed a flickering red zone—a warning signal.
Kaien stood at the head of the table, arms crossed, gaze intense.
"Everyone's here," he said. "Now listen up."
Ash, leaning against the wall with arms folded, nodded silently. Rei stood beside him, his expression unreadable. Across the table, Misaki and Koharu exchanged a glance. Both had their guild uniforms on—freshly pressed, yet about to be bloodstained.
Three other figures stepped into the room behind Kaien—his trusted team.
Kai, the towering swordsman with a blade taller than a man.
Luna, the silent assassin whose presence was like a whisper.
Drax, the explosive specialist who grinned even in silence.
Kaien spoke. "This will be your first mission as official Guild members. And it's not a warm-up."
He tapped the map.
"There's been a series of disappearances near the Deadwood Valley. Locals are vanishing without a trace. Scouts sent in... never returned."
Misaki leaned in. "Is it a beast-type threat?"
Kaien shook his head. "Worse. We believe it's a remnant cult—followers of the old gods. And they're awakening something."
Ash stepped forward. "So we shut them down?"
Kaien nodded. "No mercy. But be cautious. If they've made contact with divine energy, even one misstep could cost lives."
Rei crossed his arms. "Sounds perfect. Time to see if all that training meant anything."
Koharu gave a small smile. "Just don't go charging alone, Rei."
Rei clicked his tongue. "Tch. I won't."
Kaien looked at all of them in turn. "You're not children anymore. You've trained. You've chosen your reasons. This mission... is the beginning of your true path."
Ash clenched his fist. "Then let's end it quickly. No second chances."
Kaien gave a rare smirk. "Good. You leave at dawn. Get ready. The world's watching now."
As everyone began to walk out, Kaien's voice rang out one last time:
"Remember—protect each other. And never forget why you fight."