Year: 2009 AD
"Good morning!!"
I screamed, standing in the centre of our Apprentice Class A Grade sector.
I smirked.
For the past four years, I had been training under Master Krishna and had been away from Earth.
It felt great to finally return.
I was soon going to turn 21.
Mala and the others had apparently given their ISFC four years ago. After passing the exams, they immediately became members of the Standard Class Spy/Cop Branch.
They earn more than twice as much as I do, though.
I couldn't give the ISFC that year because I was training on another planet.
Unfortunately, I am still an Apprentice Class A Grader.
Something came flying towards me.
A bouquet, perhaps?
I closed my eyes like a gentleman and leaned forward, trying to strike a great pose.
Reality crashed into me.
It was a shoe.
It hit me straight in the face.
I fell down.
Back on Earth.
[Pratik]: Oops.
There were four people standing in front of me.
Mala, Grimori, Kel and Lila.
They looked almost exactly the same as they had four years ago.
Well, nothing seemed to have changed.
Except—
Mala's appearance looked slightly different.
Her chest grew?
Does that mean she gained weight?
Nah.
Must be my imagination.
I stood up and dusted off my clothes.
[Grimori]: Someone's grown up to be a fine man.
He said with a smile.
Yeah.
My body had changed a little.
I was still as skinny as I used to be, but my height had increased slightly.
And, not to mention, I now had long hair and a small beard.
I was no longer a hot-headed teenage boy.
I had matured.
[Kel]: You surely have changed.
He said with a smile.
[Pratik]: Yeah, but you're still as small as ever.
I sensed murderous intent coming from him for a moment.
I should choose my words carefully.
I looked at Mala.
She seemed genuinely happy.
It had been four years since all of us had met.
So I proposed that we spend some time together and catch up.
Everyone agreed, and we left together.
Who would have thought that the Dark Age was about to begin?
*
Immortalus Society
Krishna was sitting in his office, going through and formatting several documents.
Arun suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
His expression was serious.
[Arun]: There's bad news.
Krishna raised his head and met Arun's eyes.
As Arun placed the bundle of papers before him, Krishna immediately realised the seriousness of the situation.
Many Leader-Class and General-Rank Sorcerers had disappeared over the past three days.
Letters were already being circulated among the various Sorcery Societies by their advisors.
Krishna quickly scanned through the reports.
There was a common factor.
All of the missing sorcerers possessed Transformations.
Even Nayaka, the Leader of the Indian Sorcery Society, and Shang, the Leader of the Japanese Society, had disappeared.
Two major powerhouses from the East.
Stephen Cyrus from the West was missing as well.
And there were many more.
The only major exception?
Gomo Taka.
The Legendary General of the Immortalus Society.
He had recently been reported to have sent himself away to spy on several communities across other galaxies.
He was currently flirting with some random humanoid alien, though.
Never mind that.
The situation was serious.
The disappearance of so many powerful sorcerers had put enormous pressure on the remaining Leaders.
Those without Transformations were seemingly safe.
That included Krishna himself.
He possessed no Transformation.
Krishna calmly placed the papers down.
[Krishna]: In that case, we shall begin our search immediately.
He said with a straight face.
This world could not stand without its most powerful defenders.
*
Greto Empire,
Greto Planet,
Royal Palace.
Chandrika was walking back from the balcony when she suddenly stopped.
[Chandrika]: It has been such a long time since we last met.
At her words, a man appeared.
He was almost as tall as her, perhaps even taller.
He wore black clothes that completely covered his body and face.
Only his black eyes were visible.
[C.H]: Indeed. However, you are still as beautiful as ever.
Chandrika slightly blushed.
Yes.
He was the husband of Chandrika.
[Chandrika]: Well... hmm... You'll stay for a longer time, right?
She smiled faintly.
[Chandrika]: You should see Yash too. He has grown into a good and powerful boy with great potential.
There was a hint of pride in her voice.
[C.H]: No need. This might cause some friction. I trust you. You must have raised him properly in my absence.
He paused.
[C.H]: This meeting shall be brief.
Chandrika's expression became confused.
She listened silently as he continued.
By the time he finished, her eyes had widened.
She looked genuinely frightened.
[Chandrika]: Does that mean the Asura Community is trying to start a battle against us?
She asked.
[C.H]: No.
His voice remained calm.
[C.H]: They are trying to start a war against the Sorcery World of Earth.
Chandrika's expression hardened.
[C.H]: They have already played their first move. It seems the Sorcery World is at a great disadvantage.
[Chandrika]: Does that mean y—
[C.H]: No. I have changed my plans.
He interrupted her.
[C.H]: I don't want to attract the attention of any Asura Ruler towards Greto.
Before Chandrika could respond, the door opened.
Green hair.
A blue jacket.
A black shirt.
Brown pants.
Standing before them was fourteen-year-old Yash.
His eyes narrowed.
[Yash]: Seems like we finally met...
He paused.
[Yash]: Father.
Yash slowly walked towards C.H.
[Yash]: You can't teleport. I've arranged traps in case you try.
He continued approaching.
[Yash]: And if you try to outspeed me, I can still cast a spell to bring you down.
Yash stopped directly in front of C.H.
[Yash]: Now, let me see what's behind that mask.
Chandrika watched calmly.
She already knew how this would end.
[Yash]: Seems like I can finally have a look at your face.
[C.H]: Nuhu.
C.H suddenly burst into countless particles and scattered into the air.
[Yash]: What?!
Chandrika sighed.
[Chandrika]: That was merely a clone.
She smiled slightly.
[Chandrika]: However, the way you tried to corner him was certainly impressive.
Yash clenched his fists.
[Yash]: I'll catch him for sure.
[Chandrika]: At least you met him, right?
She called Yash closer.
When he walked towards her, she placed her hands on his shoulders.
[Chandrika]: You will soon learn his identity.
She smiled.
[Chandrika]: Because I know that one day, you will discover it yourself.
She was clearly trying to motivate him.
Yash smiled.
[Yash]: Come on, I'm not a small kid anymore, Mother. I don't need those words from you.
He turned around.
[Yash]: Save them for your husband. He's the one who needs them.
Yash ran away while smiling.
Chandrika simply watched him leave.
The world outside was already beginning to change.
And none of them knew just how dark the coming year would become.
To be continued...