The Cluster Planet
The skies above CLUSTER Planet swirled with hues of violet and crimson, torn by the warping energies of distant battles. Once a realm of peace and balance, it now stood on the brink of collapse. In the Great Hall of Eternis, Gline, the High Sovereign of the Cluster Realm, paced the floor, each step echoing with tension.
Before him hovered the Warcluster ring—an artifact of immense energy, forged by the very power of the Epics. It spun slowly in the air, its glow bathing the hall in waves of gold and blue. To Gline, it was more than a weapon; it was a burden he could no longer carry.
"Arthur, I believe we must destroy the Warcluster," Gline declared, voice strained. "If not, I will do it myself."
Arthur, the oldest and wisest among his council, remained still. His expression betrayed concern, but not surprise. "No, King. The Warcluster holds all your powers within it. Destroying it would take more time than we have—and Simon knows the exact location where its powers can be nullified."
Gline's fists clenched. The air around him vibrated with raw energy. "Do you have another option? He could arrive at any moment with his army. Our own people have turned against us. This ring must not fall into Simon's hands!"
Auther stepped closer. "There is one way. We cannot keep the ring, but we can make sure Simon never gets it."
Gline's eyes narrowed. "Speak."
"I will encase the ring and send it through the Bright Portal. It will drift through the void, eventually landing on an unknown planet. When the war ends, we can retrieve it."
Gline hesitated. Visions of planets crumbling under Simon's power flashed in his mind. "Do whatever it takes. Just make sure it never falls into the wrong hands."
Moments later, the ring was encased in a crystal shell powered by ancient epics energy. With the whisper of a thousand voices, Auther opened the Bright Portal—a swirling mass of energy beyond understanding. As the ring vanished into the void, Gline felt the last tether of safety break.
Earth—College Cafeteria
Sunlight poured through the glass panels of the college cafeteria. The room buzzed with students chatting, laughing, and stressing over assignments. In a corner by the window sat Johnny and James, their trays half-full, attention fixed on their conversation.
"Hey, Johnny, the boxing tournament's in two days. You ready?" James asked, chewing through a sandwich.
Johnny shrugged. "Yeah, I guess… but I'm not sure I'll have time."
James raised an eyebrow. "Come on, bro. You know it's about my reputation too. Don't let your only brother down."
Johnny chuckled. "You're the only one I'm actually close to."
"Shut up, idiot," James smirked. "Also, Cassy's friend told me she wants to talk to you before the break ends."
Johnny blinked. "I know. That's the only reason I came today. I don't usually get attached to girls… but she's different."
Their conversation shifted to light teasing and jokes, but Johnny's mind lingered on Cassy. He had noticed her before—confident yet kind, always surrounded by her friends but never fully part of them. There was something about her, something magnetic.
As lunch ended, the two walked through the sunlit corridor.
"I swear, I'm just going home to crash," Johnny mumbled, stretching.
James nudged him. "Forget that. Look ahead. The ladies' group. Cassy's there. Go talk to her."
Johnny hesitated. "Come with me."
James laughed. "Dude, you like her, not me. Get lost, I'll meet you in class."
Johnny gathered his nerve and took a step forward—
Suddenly, two hands grabbed his shoulders and yanked him back. He stumbled.
Two seniors stood behind him, grinning maliciously. "You're lucky, Johnny. You're about to have a personal meeting with Calex Sir. Let's go."
They dragged him through the corridor, ignoring his protests.
At the Boxing Club
Calex stood in the center of the ring, wrapping his hands with tape. He was built like a tank, known around campus for his power and cruelty. His presence made the air heavier.
Johnny was shoved inside the ring. The gate clanged shut behind him.
"So, you're Johnny," Calex said with a fake smile.
"Yes, boss. He's the one from Cassy's batch," one of the goons said.
Calex pointed to a younger student being pushed around by two seniors nearby. "You like playing hero? Let's see you act like one."
Johnny's eyes narrowed as one of the seniors slapped the younger guy.
"Leave him alone," Johnny growled.
The room paused. Calex raised an eyebrow.
"Oh, brave boy," Calex muttered.
Johnny stepped forward and punched the nearest senior, knocking him down. He helped the kid escape through the ropes.
That was the trigger.
Without warning, fists came at him from all directions. Calex led the charge. A brutal hook to the ribs. A jab to the face. Kicks to his stomach. The others joined in. Johnny tried to defend, even landed a few solid punches—but he was outnumbered, and they were merciless.
Blood smeared his shirt. His lip split. His knees buckled.
Then—the air shifted.
A chilling silence filled the room.
From the doorway stepped Simon.
Everyone stopped. Even Calex moved aside as Simon entered the ring. He didn't say a word.
He raised one hand. Johnny lifted his head, barely conscious.
A pulse of dark energy hit Johnny's chest, slamming him against the corner post. Simon stepped forward and unleashed another wave, lifting Johnny off the ground and crashing him to the mat.
Blood trickled from Johnny's mouth. He didn't move.
Simon looked around coldly, then turned and walked away.
James had never walked home alone. But today, something felt wrong. A gnawing worry pushed him to check the basketball court.
The gates creaked as he stepped in.
His heart dropped. "Johnny?! What the hell happened?! Who did this?!"
Johnny lay barely conscious, face bruised and bloodied.
James rushed to him, lifting his broken friend gently, whispering reassurances, rage boiling in his chest.
Midnight — Johnny's Room
The pain was unbearable. Every breath burned. Johnny lay on his bed, eyes unfocused, body broken.
He stared at the ceiling, flashes of the fight still playing in his mind. Rage, shame, and confusion swirled within.
Suddenly, a light caught his eye.
From his window, something glowed in the sky—a burning streak, falling fast.
A comet?
No. It was glowing… blue.
The object hurtled downwards, crashing into the woods near the city's outskirts.
A strange hum filled the night, and Johnny, broken as he was, felt something stir within him.
There was something else.
TO BE CONTINUED...