EPISODE 2 : The Tower and the Fallen Heroes
Date: 19/12/2022
After the disaster that shook the world, many people began to awaken to unimaginable power. These individuals were chosen by the Gods, becoming Saints, each connected directly to one of the seven divine beings who had descended from the heavens. The Gods' names were known far and wide:
1. Ebisu – God of Prosperity
2. Daikokuten – God of Wealth
3. Benzaiten – Goddess of Life
4. Fukurokuju – God of Wisdom
5. Hotei – God of Luck
6. Bishamonten – God of Warriors
7. Jurojin – God of Dreams
These divine powers turned their chosen Saints into legendary figures, worshiped and feared. But amongst all of them, one man stood apart. Hiroshi had not been chosen by any god. His power was not a blessing—it was a result of his will to survive, to protect, and to fight for those he loved. The world had witnessed Hiroshi's strength grow to rival even the mightiest Saints. Yet he remained untouched by divine favor, a rogue force in a world of chosen heroes.
For years, Hiroshi and Nagi had fought together against the monsters that ravaged the Earth. They had become legends in their own right, battling side by side through countless dangers. The world knew of them, but Hiroshi's unique status set him apart. Despite his immense strength, Hiroshi never became a follower of any god. He was a wild card—untamed, unshackled by divine control.
But fate had different plans. The Saints were each assigned territories to protect, and as their roles grew, so did the distance between Hiroshi and his friends. Nagi, still by Hiroshi's side, had also grown stronger, but their paths began to diverge. The Saints were needed elsewhere, and Hiroshi and Nagi were left to face the world on their own.
Three Years Later:
Now twenty years old, Hiroshi and Nagi had both matured into formidable fighters. Their bond had only strengthened, despite the years and the battles that had shaped them. The world, however, had not grown any safer. The Tower, a colossal and mysterious structure, had loomed over humanity since the day of the disaster. It was said to be the greatest danger in the world, a place filled with monsters of unimaginable strength. It was rumored that the Tower appeared on the very day of the catastrophe, its arrival marking the beginning of humanity's darkest hour.
The Saints had long considered the Tower a threat that could not be ignored. So, on December 19, 2022, the Saints and 17 L-Class heroes, including Hiroshi and Nagi, were summoned to assault the Tower and rid the world of its horrors. Hiroshi's name had become synonymous with victory, especially after his countless solo battles against Red-Class monsters. He had defeated them alone, gaining the respect and admiration of even the Saints—who were hesitant to face such creatures without help. Hiroshi's feats were spoken of with awe, but there were whispers of jealousy, particularly among the Saints and the L-Class heroes.
The Reunion:
As the team approached the Tower, Hiroshi and Nagi reunited after two years of separation. Standing in front of each other, their words were heavy with the weight of time.
"I never thought I'd see you again," Nagi said, his voice mixed with a sigh of relief. "It's been too long, Hiroshi. How have you been?"
Hiroshi met Nagi's gaze with a tired smile. "I've been surviving, like always." He paused, glancing down. "I've seen too much... lost too much." His voice faltered slightly, but only for a moment. "But you? I thought you'd be leading the charge by now. The Saints must be proud."
Nagi chuckled lightly. "Not as proud as they should be." His tone was self-deprecating. "But enough about that. You... You've been through hell, Hiroshi. It's not just the battles, is it? It's everything you've lost. I know you're still carrying that pain."