The dark chamber hummed with low energy pulses as William tapped through holographic projections. Ancient star maps, encrypted portals, and forbidden coordinates flickered in the air before him. His expression was grim, and every keystroke carried the weight of worlds.
Daniel stood nearby, armored in sleek silver plates laced with pulsing blue threads—a design exclusive to Feracluster leaders. His sword rested at his side, glowing faintly with heat.
William finally looked up. "Daniel, I've pinpointed the Warcluster's location."
Daniel took a sharp step forward, eyes narrowing. "Where is it?"
William hesitated, then turned the central hologram toward Daniel. A slowly rotating planet came into view. Earth.
Daniel's jaw clenched. "Then it's time to prepare for departure."
A low hum echoed behind them. Gline, arms folded behind his back, stepped out from the shadows. His presence was magnetic—his long cape flowed like liquid shadow, and his eyes held galaxies of experience.
"Bring him along," Gline said calmly. "He must have donned the ring by now."
Mr. Wong, silent until now, removed his glasses and whispered, "Finally… someone who can save us."
William swiped across the panel again, revealing a twisted interdimensional tunnel.
"The Neither Portal offers the fastest route," he said. "But Simon's forces guard every edge. You won't make it through unchallenged."
Daniel stared at the diagram for a long moment. "I'll use the Bright Portal. I'll return with both the ring and Johnny."
Outside, their ship—a streamlined beast of light and crystal—revved to life. With a blast of light and dimensional energy, it tore through space-time, heading toward a blue-green world unaware of what approached.
The night was still, almost unnaturally so. Stars twinkled softly in the sky above Johnny's suburban neighborhood. Streetlights cast golden halos on the cracked sidewalks. Somewhere in the distance, a dog barked.
Johnny limped along the pavement, hoodie drawn tight, bruises darkening under his skin. Every step sent spikes of pain through his bones, each reminder of Calex's fury etched into his body.
Suddenly, the air trembled. A low, electric hum filled the atmosphere.
A glowing streak blazed across the sky, turning night into day for a moment. It ripped through the clouds and plummeted into a wooded area nearby with a deafening crash.
Johnny flinched, heart thudding.
"What the hell was that...?" he muttered. "Should I even go near it? Could be dangerous. Could be... military."
But something inside tugged at him—a force, a curiosity far beyond normal fear. Compelled, he turned off the street and into the trees.
Leaves crunched underfoot as he approached the crater. In the center, resting in a bed of scorched earth, was a small, glowing case.
Johnny hesitated, sweat beading on his brow. Then he reached forward, hand trembling, and opened it.
Inside was a ring. Silver with a swirling blue gem at its core, it pulsed like it was alive.
"A ring...? Whose... what is this...?" he whispered.
The moment his fingers brushed it, the ring sprang to life. Light coiled around his arm, energy sank into his veins. Before he could resist, the ring slipped onto his finger and locked into place.
"GAAHH!" he shouted as blue auras burst around him. His wounds sealed instantly, bruises vanishing, bones cracking back into place.
Breathing hard, he looked at his hand. The ring wouldn't come off. It pulsed like a second heartbeat.
Johnny stared at the glowing crater for a moment, then stumbled back home with the strange case tucked under his arm. The night air seemed quieter now, like the world was watching.
He collapsed into bed, eyes wide open.
Sunlight streamed through the curtains, soft and golden. Johnny blinked against the light, expecting pain—but felt none.
He jumped out of bed, raced to the mirror.
"What the…"
His face looked untouched. No cuts. No bruises. He pulled up his shirt—nothing but smooth skin where once were purple splotches and broken ribs.
"What is happening to me...?"
The ring still glowed faintly on his finger.
Before he could process more, the doorbell rang.
Expecting the milkman or his landlord, he shuffled to the door and opened it.
It was Cassy.
She stood there, holding a fruit basket and a small bouquet of white lilies.
"Hi," she said gently. "I heard what Calex did… I just wanted to check on you."
Johnny blinked, flustered. "Oh... that's... really nice of you. Come in."
She stepped inside, eyes scanning his face. "You look... better. Way better than anyone expected."
He nodded slowly, unsure how to explain.
They sat on the couch. The silence between them wasn't awkward—just heavy.
"I really hate Calex," she said, her voice bitter. "He's a thug. Acts like he owns everyone. I told the Dean... but nothing changes."
Johnny shook his head. "Yeah, but what can we even do? He's got connections everywhere. Even staff are afraid of him."
She looked at him seriously. "If someone doesn't stand up, he's going to keep hurting people."
Their eyes locked for a second too long.
Johnny coughed awkwardly. "I was... actually planning to go to college today."
She blinked. "You sure?"
He smiled faintly. "Yeah. I feel... different."
They decided to leave together.
The cafeteria was alive with the usual chaos—shouts, laughter, clinking trays, and buzzing phones. Students moved in lazy waves, grabbing food and gossiping.
Johnny grabbed a sandwich and looked around.
James spotted him instantly.
"BRO!" James nearly tackled him in a hug. "How the hell are you here?! After yesterday, I thought you'd be in a coma for a month!"
Johnny gave a half-smile. "We need to talk. Something... happened last night."
James raised an eyebrow. "Define 'something'—"
"WELL WELL WELL." A mocking voice rang out across the canteen.
Calex.
He strolled in like a king, flanked by his goons. The crowd fell silent.
Calex's eyes locked on Johnny. "Didn't get enough yesterday, huh? I thought we made it clear."
James stepped forward, eyes blazing. "Back off, Calex. She doesn't like you. Everyone knows you're a psycho."
Calex didn't hesitate. He slapped James across the face, loud and sharp.
That's when Johnny snapped.
A fist flew through the air.
Calex's body launched backward, crashing into a table. Plates shattered. Gasps echoed across the canteen.
Silence.
Johnny's eyes were glowing faintly. Blue energy still rippled through his arm.
He grabbed James. "We need to go. Now."
They ran out, leaving behind a stunned crowd.
On a cold, metallic throne surrounded by screens and projections, Simon watched it all.
His fingers flexed slowly as the image of the glowing ring on Johnny's hand replayed before him.
Wizard, his son, stood behind him, breathing lightly.
"We've located the ring," Wizard said.
Simon's lips curled.
"Then bring it to me."
He stood slowly, black energy swirling at his feet.
"Gline… you've lost."
Lightning cracked above Reapers Planet.
War had begun.
To be continued...