BEGINNING OF SOMETHING NEW

Kane glanced around the shadowy square, nerves making his heart pound in his chest. He swallowed hard, catching his breath as Merylene tapped his arm lightly. Her eyes sparkled with a mixture of excitement and anxiety. “Let’s get going,” she urged, her voice filled with determination.

He nodded, stealing one last look at their mother, Ritsu. She stood a few steps away, her face softened by a gentle, encouraging smile. “Write me letters,” she said, her voice trembling slightly. “Take care of yourselves and don’t fight there, okay?”

“Yes, Mother,” they chorused, each feeling the weight of this new journey settle heavily on their shoulders.

With a deep breath, Kane flipped the bronze coin in his hand, and once more, the warped space unraveled before them, the vibrant, swirling colors spinning into a vortex. Omato stood off to the side, waving at them. “Atrocies is a beautiful place. You won’t regret this,” he called out, his voice filled with the optimism of someone who had seen wonders beyond the ordinary.

Kane and Merylene bowed to their mother and Omato, before stepping into the swirling portal. The sensation of being pulled through the air at lightning speed returned, but this time they were prepared for the rush of disorienting force that wrapped around them like an invisible current.

“Whoa!! This place is beyond my wildest dreams!” Kane exclaimed as they stumbled into a new, breathtaking world. Before them stretched a vast, glittering landscape filled with lush greenery and dazzling, sparkling structures that seemed to float midair.

Merylene’s eyes widened as she took in their surroundings, the air around them shimmering with an ethereal glow. “Huh? Oh, yeah. Don’t you feel a sense of belonging… here?” she asked, her voice laced with wonder.

Kane nodded, his gaze sweeping over the strange and beautiful terrain. Everything felt oddly familiar, as if some deep, forgotten part of him had always known this place. “Yeah… But what are we supposed to do now?” he sighed, scratching his head in confusion. “They told us everything but… NEVER TOLD US WHAT WE ARE TO DO ONCE WE REACH HERE!” His voice echoed through the stillness as he frantically ran in circles, throwing his hands up in exaggerated frustration.

Merylene shook her head, a small smile tugging at her lips. Before she could say anything, a woman approached them, drawn by Kane’s outburst. She was petite, with a kind face framed by graying curls, an apron tied around her waist and a watering can clutched in her hand. She looked every bit like a cheerful neighborhood grandmother.

“What’s with all the noise pollution?” she asked, raising an eyebrow. “Who are you children?”

Merylene stepped aside, rolling her eyes dramatically. “Heh… I don’t know this guy. We just happened to cross paths…”

“HEY! YOU CAN’T CUT TIES WITH ME! WE ARE FAMILY!” Kane cried out, lunging forward to hug his sister. Merylene dodged him deftly, wrinkling her nose in mock disgust. “Ugh! You’re gross. Go away. Shoo.”

The lady chuckled, watching their antics with amusement. “Are you both new to this place?”

They nodded.

“Hmm. Spell book?”

Kane and Merylene quickly pulled out their temporary spell books, holding them up for her to see. She nodded approvingly. “Well then, you see that tree over there?” She pointed toward a colossal, golden tree that stood at the heart of the surrounding greenery, its branches shimmering like strands of sunlight.

Kane and Merylene followed her gaze and then looked back at her in confusion. “The tree?” Kane repeated.

“Yes, the tree,” she said, nodding. “Walk up to it and show your spell books. A warp gate should open, and then you can enter the magic land.”

“Show… the tree?” Kane asked, bewildered.

The lady shrugged, her expression nonchalant. “Yes, the tree.”

Merylene exchanged a bemused look with Kane, her lips twitching in a suppressed smile. Kane glanced back at the tree, then at his sister. “This can’t get any weirder,” he muttered, half to himself.

They made their way to the majestic tree, the air around them growing warmer as they approached. Its towering branches seemed to hum with an ancient, powerful energy. They hesitated for a moment before holding up their spell books, feeling a bit foolish.

The branches of the tree swayed as if acknowledging their presence, and suddenly, a shimmering warp gate materialized before them. A hollow, echoing voice resonated from within the gate, its tone both soothing and commanding. “Welcome to the land of magic, children of the saviors.”

Startled, Kane and Merylene exchanged glances, then bowed awkwardly toward the unseen speaker. Taking a deep breath, they stepped through the portal together.

Behind them, the woman with the watering can watched them disappear, a knowing smile playing on her lips. “I think we’ll finally have some change around here,” she murmured, her eyes gleaming with hope.

The moment they crossed into the other side, Merylene’s eyes widened in astonishment. “Wow. This is a whole different dimension,” she whispered.

Kane grinned, nudging her playfully. “It is a different dimension, sister.”

She blinked, looking a bit sheepish. “Right. So, what now?”

Kane looked around, taking in the bustling scene. The space was vast and filled with people of all shapes and sizes, each carrying grimoires and items that glowed with magical energy. He sighed, his shoulders slumping. “They told us everything but never told us what we’re supposed to do once we got here.”

A boy standing nearby overheard them and turned with a curious look. “Hey, are you both novices?” he asked, his voice polite but direct.

Kane and Merylene exchanged uncertain glances. “Yes…?”

The boy’s face lit up with understanding. “Ah, I see. You’re standing at the entrance right now. If you move forward, there’s a reception area. They’ll give you your permanent grimoires and a bag to carry them in. You’ll also get your Sciro cards there.”

“Sciro cards?” Kane asked, frowning.

“Yes,” the boy explained, his tone patient. “It’s a card that contains a magical creature that will help you in battles.”

“But… we have magic. Why do we need magical creatures?” Kane pressed, his confusion deepening.

The boy shrugged. “I don’t know. It’s a newly discovered thing.”

Kane gave him a grateful smile. “Thanks for telling us all this.”

The boy returned the smile. “It’s alright. I’m Uzui. Shinto Uzui. And you?”

“Kane. Kane Matthews. This is my sister, Merylene Matthews. Nice to meet you.” Kane introduced them with a polite bow, which Merylene mirrored.

Uzui nodded, his eyes flicking over them with interest. “You have an accent. Where are you from?”

“The States,” Kane said, a touch of pride in his voice. “Our parents are Japanese-American.”

Uzui’s eyes widened. “Huh… so you’re from Earth too?”

Kane looked puzzled. “Uh… yes. Why?”

Uzui laughed softly. “I’ve heard that there were more mages on Earth, but apparently, most of them died. My father was a mage, so I am too. I thought I was the only one from Earth.”

Kane smiled, feeling a sense of camaraderie. “We’re from Earth too.”

“That’s why I’m glad to meet you,” Uzui said with a warm smile.

“Likewise,” Kane agreed.

The crowd around them began to shift, organizing into a long, seemingly endless line that snaked toward the reception area. Kane, Merylene, and Uzui found themselves at the very end, their anticipation growing with each step forward. Despite the line’s daunting length, the receptionist worked quickly, and before long, they found themselves standing at the front.

“Please keep your hands in front of you,” the receptionist instructed. Kane did as he was told, holding his hands out expectantly. A moment later, a grimoire flew from the shelves behind the receptionist, landing gently in his palms.

“This is…?”

“This is your permanent grimoire,” the receptionist said calmly. “Please leave the temporary one you brought with you here.”

Kane hesitated, glancing down at the book in his hands. With a deep breath, he pulled out his temporary grimoire and placed it on the counter. It disintegrated into a fine dust, disappearing before his eyes.

“Wha-” he began, but the receptionist cut him off.

“Please proceed to the Forest of Glowing Light.”

Kane stepped aside, waiting for his sister. Merylene soon joined him, clutching her new grimoire, a look of awe on her face. They stood together, examining their books with a mix of curiosity and reverence.

“So… what do you want to be?” Kane asked, glancing at the yellow sheet of paper they had both received, which listed various ‘career options’ for mages.

Merylene frowned, staring at the sheet. “There are so many options, brother…”

“You guys haven’t decided yet?” Uzui’s voice interrupted their thoughts.

Merylene turned to Uzui, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. “Ah. Uzui-sama, what do you want to be?” she asked, her voice carrying a note of genuine interest.

Uzui chuckled softly, a warm, almost shy sound that belied the ambition behind his words. “Haha… well, I want to be a Sciro leader,” he said, a small, hopeful smile lighting up his face. His gaze turned distant for a moment, as if he could already see the future he was striving for.

Merylene’s eyes widened with admiration. “Wow. That’s so cool too. I wanted to do that as well, but…” Her voice trailed off, the excitement in her tone dimming as doubt crept in.

Kane, always attuned to his sister’s moods, immediately noticed the change. He leaned closer, his brow furrowed with concern. “What’s wrong, sister?” he asked softly, his tone urging her to share whatever was on her mind.

Merylene hesitated, glancing down at her feet before meeting his gaze. “Well, you know, Kane… This is all so surreal. And… I don’t think I can pull it off,” she admitted, her voice barely more than a whisper. She bit her lip, her usual confidence wavering in the face of the unknown.

Uzui, standing beside them, offered her a kind smile, his voice steady and reassuring. “Yes, you can, Mathews-san,” he said firmly, using the honorific to show his respect for her.

Merylene looked up at him, hope flickering in her eyes. “Really?” she asked, a tentative smile beginning to form on her lips.

Uzui nodded. “Why don’t we walk in as partners? That makes it easier, right? Having a team is important to move on anyway,” he suggested, his offer sincere and welcoming.

Merylene’s face lit up with relief and gratitude. “A team… I’d like that,” she said, nodding happily. The idea of having someone she could rely on, someone who believed in her, made the daunting task ahead seem a little less intimidating.

Kane, however, was not as quick to feel reassured. He frowned, his thoughts clouded with uncertainty. “Team? But I have no one…,” he murmured, his shoulders slumping slightly.

Merylene exchanged a look with Uzui, who stepped forward, his expression gentle and understanding. “Don’t worry, Kane. If you don’t have a pre-decided team, you will meet someone along the way. I could have asked you to join me but it looks like you don't want to chose to be a Sciro leader,” he said confidently.

Kane’s confusion deepened. “Yes..but what do you mean?” he asked, his eyes searching Uzui’s face for answers.

Uzui smiled, the calm certainty in his demeanor like a beacon of hope. “Well, at least two people end up in a part of the Forest of Glowing Light. Only then can you go to the city,” he explained. His tone was patient, as if he’d anticipated this question and had already prepared his response.

Kane’s eyes widened in realization. “So, there’s a need to be a pair, right?” he asked, wanting to confirm his understanding.

Uzui nodded. “Yes, that’s right. It’s one of the rules here. A team helps you stay grounded and navigate the challenges that lie ahead,” he said, his voice steady and encouraging.

Merylene, sensing her brother’s lingering uncertainty, stepped forward and ruffled his hair affectionately. “I’ll be off then, sweet little brother. Take care of yourself, okay? I hope we cross paths during our journey,” she said, her voice softening with a rare tenderness.

Kane, surprised by her sudden display of affection, managed a small smile. “You’re sweet sometimes, I guess,” he muttered, pulling her into a brief, heartfelt hug.

Uzui watched their interaction, his heart warming at the sight of their bond. He couldn’t help but think, Hah… how touching… but I don’t get it… I didn’t study English very well back in school…and I talked to them in Japanese all this while... Despite his thoughts, he smiled, glad to have witnessed such a sincere moment between siblings.

After their farewell, Merylene took a deep breath and waved goodbye to Kane, her heart feeling a little lighter. She turned and walked away with Uzui, her steps filled with newfound determination.

Kane stood there for a few moments, watching her retreating figure until she disappeared from view. He felt a pang of loneliness but shook it off, reminding himself that they each had their own paths to follow. With a final, resolute nod, he squared his shoulders and took a step forward.

Minutes later, he found himself standing at the entrance of the Forest of Glowing Light. The air around him seemed to shimmer, the trees bathed in an ethereal glow that gave the place an otherworldly beauty. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for what lay ahead.

He knew that somewhere beyond this forest, his journey would truly begin. And despite the uncertainties that lay before him, he felt a spark of excitement, the thrill of adventure thrumming in his veins.

With one last glance over his shoulder, he stepped into the forest, the soft, glowing light wrapping around him like a welcoming embrace. He didn’t know what awaited him, but he was ready to face it head-on, confident that, in the end, he would find his own path—and perhaps, new allies to walk it with him.