### Monologue
In the wake of the invasion, Metropolia stood as a battleground where heroism and villainy clashed. Valorsoul, alongside his brother Inferno and his partner Glory, fought valiantly against Wrendal and his formidable forces. Despite their courage, the battle claimed the lives of Inferno and Glory. In a desperate move, Valorsoul lured Wrendal into space to protect Earth, sacrificing himself in a final, explosive confrontation. His last act was to send his power back to Earth, entrusting it to a new successor.
### Prologue
The sky began to clear, the oppressive clouds of evil fading as beams of light pierced through, bringing hope to the ravaged city below. Metropolia, now half-destroyed, was littered with the remains of Wrendal's defeated forces. Amidst the rubble and ruins, the people waited with bated breath for Valorsoul's return. But there was no sign of their hero.
Days turned into weeks, and as hope waned, the resilient citizens began the arduous task of rebuilding their shattered city. Amidst the efforts, a scouting team was dispatched into space to search for any trace of Valorsoul. Their journey took them to the site of the final, cataclysmic battle between Valorsoul and Wrendal. There, amidst the debris of a fierce clash, they found no sign of their hero, only the remnants of a sacrifice made to protect their world.
Returning to Earth, the scouts relayed the heartbreaking news. Valorsoul, their savior, had given his life to ensure their safety. A wave of grief swept through the city as the reality of his sacrifice sank in. Tears were shed for the fallen hero, and stories of his bravery spread, uniting the people in their sorrow.
In honor of Valorsoul's ultimate sacrifice, Metropolia was renamed Valoria, the City of Brave Souls. The name served as a testament to his courage and as a beacon of hope and resilience for future generations. Valoria became a symbol of strength, where the memory of Valorsoul's heroism would inspire its inhabitants to stand against any darkness that might threaten their world.
As the light of hope poured over the recovering city, the legacy of Valorsoul lived on in the hearts of its people, a reminder that even in the darkest times, the brave souls among them would always rise to protect and defend.
Meanwhile, in the cold, dark reaches of space, Wrendal's dark soul and brain fragments reached the regeneration chamber of his damaged ship. The chamber hummed to life, slowly reconstructing Wrendal's form. His essence seethed with anger and a burning desire for revenge. "Valorsoul may be gone," he growled, "but I will return, stronger than ever. This world will be mine."
On the other hand, the ball of Valorsoul's energy, disrupted by the shockwave of his explosion, split into two distinct parts. One half dispersed across the globe, raining down as tiny, shimmering particles. These particles settled onto people, enhancing the abilities of those already possessing powers and bestowing new, extraordinary abilities on the previously powerless. It was as if the essence of Valorsoul had woven itself into the very fabric of humanity, igniting sparks of potential everywhere it touched.
The other half of the energy ball plummeted toward a hospital in Valoria. There, in a quiet, dimly lit room, a newborn boy had just taken his first breath. The energy seemed to sense the purity and potential of the child, homing in on him with unwavering precision. As the glowing mass descended, it enveloped the infant in a radiant cocoon of light. The boy's tiny body absorbed the entire half of the energy ball, causing an ethereal glow to pulse through him.
The newborn, cradled in light, seemed almost otherworldly, his future now intricately tied to the legacy of Valorsoul. This child, unbeknownst to those around him, had become the vessel for Valorsoul's power, destined to rise as a beacon of hope in a world forever changed by the battle between light and darkness.
Years passed, and Valoria transformed into a modern marvel, bustling with life and innovation.
### IN THE PRESENT
"This is Valoria, the city of brave souls, and I am Ryuuka, a high school student, but not an ordinary one. Since childhood, I was a very cheerful growing child loved by everyone. I had many friends. However, none were as close to me as my best friend, Andy. Despite coming from different families, Andy and I shared a bond that was as strong as that of brothers. Our families were also close-knit, often spending time together and fostering a sense of community. We were inseparable, exploring the city and discovering new adventures at every turn. Our favorite spot was a serene hill at the edge of the city, offering a breathtaking view of Valoria. From this vantage point, we could see the entire city spread out before us, a glittering panorama that felt like heaven on earth. This place had an open space like a park and it became our sanctuary, a place where we could escape the hustle and bustle of daily life and lose ourselves in the beauty of the setting sun. The hill was not just a retreat for us but a gathering spot for our friends as well. We would often bring others along, sharing the magical experience of watching the sun dip below the horizon, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink. Laughter and playful shouts echoed across the hill as we played games, climbed trees, and let our imaginations run wild. The moments we spent there were filled with joy and a sense of wonder, each sunset etching unforgettable memories into our hearts."
(Ryuuka took a deep breath.)
"But then my life took a thrilling turn. One fateful night, I experienced a dream that felt all too real. I saw broken fragments of our greatest hero, Valorsoul's battle with some kind of monster in space, the hero's voice resonating deeply within me. 'You inherit my divine power. Y-you have to train it, make it your own, ascend it, and use it to protect your people from evil,' Valorsoul's voice urged before a blinding explosion ended the vision. I awoke in a cold sweat, the words echoing in my mind. Initially, I dismissed the dream as a figment of my imagination since I was just a five-year-old kid. But over the following days, subtle changes began to manifest in me.
One day, I was alone with my older cousins at home while our parents went out shopping. Bored and seeking amusement, I decided to take a bath. In the bathtub, I played, pretending to swim, when suddenly I noticed glowing bubbles of water levitating around me. When I touched one, it fell on my face, and as I swung my hand, the bubbles followed my movements. That was when I realized the dream was not just a dream. Then I was enrolled in elementary school. I kept my powers secret, even though a few of my friends had unique abilities. I harnessed my newfound abilities in secret. My strength and speed increased exponentially.
Two years later, when I was seven, I noticed another change. One day, some seniors tried to bully me. Out of annoyance and anger, I pushed them, and suddenly a whirlpool of wind enhanced my push, throwing them away. That was when I discovered this new power."
(Ryuuka paused for a while.)
"But then started the real deal, the worst nightmare of my life.
By the time I turned ten, I had mastered the elements of wind, water, and even fire. Yet, with this mastery came an unforeseen power – my body began attracting lightning, the sky's fury drawn to me like a magnet, since I hadn't mastered that new power yet. One fateful evening, while returning home from the market with my father, Daniel, our lives took a tragic turn. A gang of robbers ambushed us on an empty street, brandishing weapons and demanding our valuables. They held me captive. Although I could have easily defeated them, my father, unaware of his son's powers, stepped forward and started to negotiate in order to save me. In a flash of chaos, one of the robbers fired a power gun, striking Dad in the hand. I felt like my world shattered. Out of pure rage and desperation, I screamed, 'Dad, no!' In that instant, a bolt of lightning struck down from the clear sky, enveloping the street in a blinding flash. When the dust and smoke cleared, the sight before me was devastating. Burned bodies lay scattered, and amidst them, I frantically searched for my father. 'Dad! Where are you? Please, answer me!' Stumbling over something, I fell to the ground. As I turned to look, my heart froze, a wave of panic surging through my small body. There, lying before me, was my father, charred and lifeless. His body was a grim sight—his clothes were singed and tattered, his skin burned black from the lightning's wrath. His eyes, once full of life, were now closed, his face twisted in the final moments of agony. With a trembling voice, I whispered, trying to wake him up, 'D-d-dad! Wake up, Dad! Let's go home. Please wake up... this can't be happening! What have I done?' My body felt numb, tears streaming uncontrollably down my cheeks. I didn't know what was going on. The sound of lightning in a clear sky drew a crowd, and soon, concerned citizens arrived, rescuing the grief-stricken boy and rushing me to the hospital. My mother, Siya, arrived in a state of terror, but seeing her son unharmed brought her a fleeting moment of relief.
However, this relief was short-lived. The doctor entered the room, his expression grave. 'I am very sorry, ma'am. But your husband didn't make it.' The words struck like a dagger, leaving us enveloped in a suffocating blanket of grief.
Two days later, a funeral was held. The sky wept in unison with the mourners, a steady, dismal rain casting a somber veil over the proceedings. The raindrops created a melancholic symphony, the gentle patter on the ground mirroring the tears of those gathered. I stood beside the coffin, my small face trembling with sorrow. I wiped away my tears, my gaze fixed on my father's lifeless form. The ritual and burial proceeded with a solemn grace, each moment heavy with grief. As the ceremony concluded, friends and family departed one by one, their eyes red and swollen from weeping, leaving behind a heavy silence. My mother and I remained long after the others had left. She had some final arrangements to discuss with the funeral director, leaving me to my own devices. He suggested I take a walk, hoping the fresh air might provide some semblance of comfort.
The weather had cleared, but the storm inside me had not. My mind was a cyclone of emotions, the trauma of recent events casting a dark shadow over my every thought. Walking past my favourite hill spot, my steps were slow and heavy. The spot was in full bloom, vibrant flowers swaying gently in the breeze, a stark contrast to my inner turmoil. Despite the picturesque surroundings, my face was vacant, my eyes reflecting the abyss of my grief. Each step felt like a journey through my memories, the past blending with the present in a haunting dance. I remembered the laughter and joy I once shared with my father in this very place, now replaced by a suffocating silence."
After a few days, Ryuuka was discharged from the hospital and returned home, the weight of guilt heavy on his young shoulders. He felt solely responsible for the tragedy and made a solemn vow: "Whatever power I have inherited, I don't care about it anymore. I'll never use this power again, or it will only bring harm to those I love."
"When we reached home, the dam inside me broke. I burst out crying, my sobs echoing through the empty house. My mother wrapped her arms around me, trying to soothe my anguish. 'It's okay, Ryuu,' she whispered, her voice trembling yet steady. 'What's done is done. I am here with you. Aren't you a strong boy? Now stop crying and be brave.'
Her words washed over me, but the pain was too deep, too raw. I clung to her, my small hands gripping her shirt as if letting go would mean falling into an abyss. My tears soaked her shoulder, and I felt her own silent tears mingle with mine. The house, once filled with warmth and laughter, now felt like a hollow shell, every corner echoing with memories that seemed to mock our current despair.
'I... I did this,' I choked out between sobs. 'It's all my fault. If I hadn't...'
She pulled back slightly, cupping my face in her hands, her eyes searching mine with a fierce intensity. 'No, Ryuu. You can't blame yourself. It was an accident. Your father loved you, and he wouldn't want you to carry this burden. You have to be strong, for him, for me, and for yourself.'
Her words offered a glimmer of comfort, but the guilt gnawed at me. I felt a crushing weight settle over my heart, the realization that my powers, once a source of wonder, had brought only pain and loss. In that moment, I made a silent vow. I would bury my abilities, lock them away deep inside me. 'Whatever power I have inherited,' I promised myself, 'I don't care about it anymore. I'll never use this power again, or it will only bring harm to those I love.'
As I lay in bed that night, staring at the ceiling, the events of the day replayed in my mind. The shock, the horror, the helplessness. I felt a hollow ache in my chest where my father's presence used to be. The room was dark, but the darkness inside me was even more profound. Tears slipped silently down my cheeks, soaking into my pillow. I knew life would never be the same, and the boy who once marveled at his powers now fe
ared them. But I have to move on with my life."
To be continued