The sun rose behind the towers of the Hero Academy, painting the sky in shades of gold.Ryan woke up before his alarm.His body still ached from yesterday's training — but his mind... was burning.
He took a deep breath, clenching his fists.— Today's going to be different.
Sweat streamed down his face as he did push-ups, punches, and kicks in perfect sequence.Every movement had purpose. Every breath carried power.The Reversal Aura flowed through him — steady, precise, alive.
Across the field, Ryu was stretching while watching him.— Ethan, is it just me... or is Ryan way too fired up today? — he asked with a grin.Ethan crossed his arms, studying the bluish energy radiating from Ryan.— It's not your imagination. His Reversal Aura flow has improved a lot since last time.Ryu whistled, impressed. — That guy never stops...
Ryan finished the set and walked to the corner, grabbing his water flask.As he drank, a genuine smile appeared on his face.Ray's words still echoed inside him — from the Astral Plane:
"Remember that we'll be there.Remember that the flame never dies, from the old ones to those yet to come.Keep going and break your limits.Not for what you lost, but for what you can still protect."
He lowered the flask and exhaled slowly, feeling a strange calm mixed with the will to fight.The sweat-soaked clothes on his body weren't just proof of effort... but of determination — the mark of a hero rising.
— What's with that smile, Yan? — teased a voice behind him.
Ryan turned quickly.— Ah! Annie... it's you. — he chuckled awkwardly. — What's up?
She crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow.— What's up is you. Spill it.
Ryan scratched the back of his neck.— You won't believe this.
— Try me. — Annie tilted her head, intrigued.
— I... met Ray and Inavy.
Her eyes widened. — What? They're dead!
Ryan looked down, then back at her.— These legacy passages... they're not just words, Annie. It's something spiritual.It sounds crazy, I know, but... please, just listen.
Annie took a deep breath and smiled softly.— I believe you, Yan. You've never lied to me.— Go on, tell me everything.
Ryan nodded.— I woke up in the Astral Plane. In front of me stood a man with black hair streaked in white, bronze skin, and crimson eyes. I said, "Sir Inavy?"He smiled like always and replied, "Hey, young Ryan."But on the other side... there he was — Ray.The air felt light. Almost peaceful.
Annie's eyes locked on his, mesmerized.— What did you talk about?
Ryan hesitated, then smiled faintly.— I told them I was confused about all this — about being the new Pillar.I was scared... scared to fail, scared that the world might end.But Ray said:
"Not every hero is born ready to carry the world.Not everyone wakes up immune to pain.I had doubts too.What kept me going was a flame that never goes out.It's not the title, nor the aura, nor the name that matters...It's the choice to stand back up when everything drags you down."
Annie bit her lip, holding back tears.
Ryan continued, voice firm now:— Then Inavy spoke:
"I too felt unworthy. For seventeen years, I doubted myself.I cried in the dark. I thought about giving up.But there were faces that believed in me — and that's what pulled me back.Being a hero isn't about being invincible. It's about falling... and still choosing to rise.You're not the new Pillar because of a title inherited.You're the new Pillar because your heart proved itself worthy.The flame is yours now, Ryan.Not to burn you... but to light the way for those who'll come after."
Annie wiped a tear before it fell.— They really were the greatest...
Ryan smiled, eyes determined.— They were.But now I understand, Annie.I won't just be another hero.I'll be the new Pillar.Not for glory... but to protect every soul living on this planet.
Annie smiled proudly.— And you won't get there alone.You've got Lorien, Darius-sensei, Kelvin-sensei, Abby, Ryu, Dante, Kane — who used to hate you but now respects you — Ethan, Zen... and me.We'll help you walk that path. You can bet on it.
She looked deep into his eyes.Ryan stepped forward and hugged her tightly.— Thank you, Annie. Really.
— Aww... what a cute couple moment! — Ryu interrupted, appearing with Ethan beside him.Both were in their blue training uniforms, katanas on their backs.
Ryan laughed, pulling away. — We were just talking, okay?
— Talking, huh? About what, you lovebirds? — Ryu teased.Ryan hesitated, then said,— I... met Ray and Inavy.
Both froze.Ethan stepped closer. — What do you mean? What did they say?
Ryan told them everything.When he finished, Ryu murmured,— Dude... that's insane.Ethan looked up at the sky, eyes gleaming. — Damn... I wish I could've met my grandfather.
From afar, Lorien watched the group with a gentle smile.— These kids...
Hours later, the garden was quiet.Ryan sat on a bench, watching flowers sway in the wind.The last rays of sunlight touched the training field.
Lorien approached slowly.— Hey, young Ryan. How are you feeling?
Ryan looked up and smiled.— Mr. Lorien. I'm great. And you?
— Eh... still breathing — the veteran chuckled. — So, enjoying the new base?
— It's a bit strange, with all the new people... but I'm getting used to it.
— That's what matters — Lorien said, folding his arms.
The wind blew softly, and silence settled — louder than words.Ryan took a deep breath.
— Can I ask you something, sir?
— Of course, kid. Go ahead.
Ryan hesitated.— This war... it's against your friend Kai.I just want to understand — why did he become a villain?
Lorien's expression darkened.For a moment, his eyes seemed older, burdened with memories.
— You know... I didn't even know he was still alive — he said quietly. — I thought he'd died years ago. But it seems... he's back.
— What do you mean?
Lorien looked toward the horizon.— In the early days of the guilds, there was the Guild of a Thousand Lights.Diana, Kai, and I... we were inseparable.But one day, Herocity was attacked by one of Kairon's heralds.Diana was gravely injured... and I was the only one left standing.I fought with everything I had, but it wasn't enough.Then... Kai sacrificed himself to save me.
Lorien's voice faltered.— The Kai I knew died that day. My best friend.
Ryan clenched his fists. — So... this one who returned is a fake?
Lorien shook his head.— No. It's him.But... people change.Kairon must've done something terrible to him — brainwashing, maybe.Even so, I believe... the real Kai is still in there somewhere.And I'll bring him back. — He smiled faintly. — Even if it's by punching some sense into him.
Ryan smiled too. — I hope so, Mr. Lorien.
Lorien looked up at the starry sky and sighed.— I hope so too...
In his eyes reflected a memory —Four young heroes smiling in an old photograph: Ray Stormbreak, Diana Flamesoul, Kai Hayashi, and himself — Lorien Valtier.The Heroes of the First Light.
The wind blew once more, carrying the scent of the past.Because the end of one cycle... always marks the beginning of another.