The rooftop was silent, the wind barely whispering across the concrete.
Rei stood alone, his eyes fixed on the distant city. He didn't know why he had come up here. His body moved before his mind could catch up. Something had pulled him.
Then—
A pulse.
Like reality itself blinked.
And suddenly, he wasn't alone.
A divine figure stood before him—glowing robes, skin like polished light, and eyes that shimmered with entire constellations. Not overwhelming. Not terrifying. Just… calm.
"You are Rei," the god said, his voice like a breeze brushing across ancient mountains. "I've come with a message. My Lord wishes to speak to you."
Before Rei could even respond, the god gently placed a hand on his head.
And the world changed.
Light filled Rei's vision.
He was no longer on the rooftop.
He stood in a vast space—stars orbiting around him, galaxies spinning like silent prayers. In the distance, a throne. And upon it, a figure shrouded in calm white radiance.
Then—he heard the voice.
Not loud.
Soft. Gentle. Like a mother humming to her child.
"Hello, Rei."
"I am Almirah, the Supreme Lord."
"I have watched your journey… your pain, your questions, your strength."
The voice was never forceful. It wrapped around Rei like warmth.
"I want you to become my vessel."
"But I will not take. I will not force."
"I ask you… softly."
Rei's eyes trembled. He didn't understand. Why him? Why now?
"What do you mean… your vessel?" he whispered.
Almirah's presence moved closer, yet remained gentle.
"To carry me… not just my power, but my will. My voice. My judgment."
"You are at the center of this world's shift. You are more than a survivor. You are my hope."
Rei clenched his fists. "I… don't know if I'm worthy."
"That is why you are."
"I will wait for your answer, Rei. Not today. But soon."
The light began to fade.
"When the time comes… I will ask again. And you will know what must be done."
Rei opened his eyes.
Back on the rooftop. Alone.
But everything had changed.
Inside his chest, a faint glow. Not visible. But alive.
And the voice of Almirah echoed one last time.
"Until then, my chosen vessel… walk your path."
The next day, nothing seemed different.
Classes continued. The sun rose and fell. Laughter echoed through the halls. People trained, talked, and lived as if nothing had happened.
But Rei—
Rei had changed.
He walked among them quietly. His expression calm. His voice steady. But deep in his eyes, there was a flicker—like a storm hiding behind still water
Ash and Rei sat on the academy rooftop, the wind tousling their hair, the city lights flickering below like restless stars.
Ash had been watching Rei for a while now. Noticing the way he'd grown quieter. Distant. The way his smile had faded just a little more each day.
Finally, he couldn't hold it anymore.
"Rei... what happened?" Ash asked, his voice soft but steady.
Rei didn't answer at first. He just stared up at the sky—empty, dark, vast.
Then, after a long pause, he whispered,
"If I die… take care of Misaki."
Ash's eyes widened.
"What…?" he said, standing up. "What are you talking about?"
Rei still didn't look at him. His hands tightened on the railing.
"Just promise me, Ash."
Ash stepped forward, grabbing Rei's shoulder and forcing him to turn.
"Don't say that like it's already decided!" he snapped. "You're not dying! What the hell is going on?!"
Rei met his eyes now. And for a moment, Ash saw it—the fear. The sadness. The weight.
But Rei still smiled.
"Nothing's going on."
"Just… just be ready. Please."
Ash let go, his fists trembling.
"You're hiding something from me."
Rei turned back to the sky, his voice barely a whisper.
"Maybe I'm just trying to protect you from it."
And in that silence, the bond between them began to strain—but not break.
Because even if the truth was buried...
Ash could feel it.
Something was coming.
And Rei… was preparing to face it alone.
Tenma appear
Tenma stood there, arms crossed, cloaked in shadows—watching him with unreadable eyes.
Before Rei could speak, another voice echoed behind him.
"Rei?"
Ash.
He had followed him, breath unsteady, eyes confused.
Tenma looked at Ash now, stepping forward slowly.
"Ash… your life is going to hell."
Ash frowned. "My life?"
Tenma nodded. "You think it's about Rei. About protecting him. About staying by his side."
He took a step closer, his voice lower, sharper.
"But you don't realize… everything you care about is about to collapse. And this time, no one's coming to save you."
Ash's fists clenched. "Why are you saying this? What's going on with Rei?!"
Rei remained silent.
Tenma's gaze flicked back to Rei.
"Tell him."
Rei shook his head slowly.
"Not yet."
Tenma sighed, stepping aside.
"Then keep running, Rei. But just know…"
He looked at both of them.
"The gods don't wait forever."
And with that, he vanished.
Ash grabbed Rei's arm.
"Rei… talk to me. Please."
Rei's eyes softened.
But all he said was—
"One more day. That's all I need."
And he walked away again, leaving Ash behind with nothing but questions—and the growing fear that soon, everything would change.
Next night was quiet, but Rei's heart was loud—throbbing with uncertainty and fear.
As he finally fell into uneasy sleep, darkness surrounded him.
Then… light.
He stood in an endless void of white clouds and golden mist.
A towering figure slowly appeared before him—his presence divine, overwhelming, yet oddly gentle.
A voice echoed like the wind and thunder combined:
"What do you think, Rei?"
It was Almirah, the Supreme Lord.
Rei took a breath and stared straight into the god's eyes.
"I will become your vessel," Rei said.
Almirah's form leaned forward slightly, curious.
"But… one condition."
Almirah raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"
Rei's voice was steady, eyes unwavering.
"You don't touch my friends."
A long silence followed.
Then, the Supreme Lord slowly nodded.
"So be it."
He raised his glowing hand to begin the process.
But Rei raised his own hand—stopping him.
"No. Not yet."
Almirah tilted his head. "Why?"
Rei closed his eyes for a moment.
"I want one more day."
Another pause. Then a small smile curved on Almirah's face.
"Very well… one more day."
The light faded.
The dream ended.
And Rei woke up—sweating, breathless, staring at the ceiling.
One day.
That's all he had left before the world started changing forever.
The morning sun filtered softly through the clouds. Rei stood at the door, hands in his pockets, eyes unreadable.
Misaki blinked from the kitchen. "You're up early."
He nodded. "Want to go shopping with me?"
She paused, tilting her head. "Shopping? You?"
Rei looked away. "It's been a while… I just thought we could spend some time together."
A small smile crept onto Misaki's face. "Alright. Let me get ready."
---
Later — Downtown
They walked side by side through the bustling streets. Misaki pointed at clothes, snacks, even dragged Rei into a few shops.
"You're weird today," she teased, holding a soft scarf against him. "You usually hate this stuff."
Rei gave a small smile. "Maybe I'm just trying to remember what it feels like… to be normal."
Misaki blinked. "Huh?"
"Nothing." He looked away again. "Let's keep going."
They laughed, they bickered over ice cream flavors, and Misaki forced him to carry all the bags.
But behind Rei's quiet smile was a storm waiting to fall.
One last day of peace.
They sat on a quiet bench under the fading orange sky. The crowd's noise felt distant here—like the world was giving them a moment.
Misaki held Rei's hand tightly, her fingers intertwining with his as she rested her head on his shoulder. The weight of the moment hung between them, unsaid thoughts swirling in the quiet. The wind whispered through the trees, and the sound of the distant city faded as if the world had shrunk to just the two of them.
"Rei," Misaki said softly, her voice barely more than a breath, "whatever happens... I'm not going to let go of your hand."
Rei looked down at her, his heart tightening. His gaze softened, but the weight of his secret hung heavy. He could feel her trust in him, her quiet determination to stand by him. It made everything harder.
"Misaki," he started, his voice trembling slightly, "I don't know what's coming. But you might not be able to stop it. You might not be able to save me."
Misaki's eyes met his, and in them, Rei saw the fire of resolve.
"I don't need to save you," she said firmly. "I just need to be here. With you. Even if it's not enough, I'll stay by your side."
Rei's heart ached at her words. He squeezed her hand gently, his mind torn between the inevitable fate waiting for him and the quiet warmth of this moment with her.
"You don't have to," he whispered, "but I'm glad you want to."
The evening continued to stretch on, the world unknowingly turning toward the storm Rei was preparing to face. But for this one fleeting moment, the simple act of holding hands felt like everything.