The world shattered in a blaze of blinding light.
Sol's consciousness flickered like a dying star, swirling through a vortex of chaos and silence. Memories of his past life—the heartbreak, the regrets—faded into darkness as a new existence beckoned.
"This is not your end," a voice echoed—a divine whisper deep within his mind. "You are reborn, destined for greatness."
Suddenly, a searing heat pierced through the void. Sol's eyes snapped open. He was no longer in the city he remembered—this place was unlike anything he'd ever seen. Towering spires of crystal and floating islands shimmered under a swirling, golden sky. Wind howled like a thousand dragons roaring in unison.
He tried to sit up, but pain shot through his body like lightning. His limbs felt heavy—yet, beneath the pain, something else stirred. A strange energy coursed through him, primal and wild.
"What... what is this?" he gasped.
His vision cleared. His body was different—larger, more regal. Silver hair cascaded over his shoulders, and piercing golden eyes stared back at him from a reflection in a nearby pool of water. An aura of divine authority radiated from him.
"I'm alive," he whispered, voice trembling with awe. "This can't be real."
Before he could process further, the ground beneath him trembled violently. A dark shadow loomed overhead, blotting out the sky. From the clouds, a colossal beast descended—its wings spanning the horizon, scales shimmering like molten silver, eyes burning with malevolence.
"A dragon?" Sol's heart pounded. But this was no ordinary dragon. It radiated darkness, a cursed presence that chilled the air.
The beast roared, unleashing a torrent of black fire that seared the earth. Sol's instincts kicked in. He dodged instinctively, pulling a shard of shattered rock for cover.
"This world is alive with power," a voice echoed in his mind—calm, commanding. "You are chosen, Sol. The heavens have granted you a weapon—your destiny."
With a sudden surge of resolve, Sol clenched his fists. In his hand, an invisible force gathered—an intense, divine energy. The sky roared in response, clouds parting as a crack split the heavens.
"Summon, Heaven Splitting Dragon Blade!"
The air tore asunder.
A blinding light erupted, splitting the sky into two halves. Golden lightning crackled, striking down from the heavens like divine serpents. They converged on Sol's outstretched hand, coalescing into a magnificent sword—radiant, colossal, and awe-inspiring.
The blade shimmered with celestial runes, veins of pure energy pulsing along its edge. It pulsed with power—limitless, unstoppable.
"Huh?!" Sol staggered back as the sword materialized in a flash of divine light. The ground trembled beneath him, and the very fabric of the sky seemed to acknowledge his command.
The dragon before him roared again, unleashing a second wave of dark fire. Without hesitation, Sol charged forward, the sword in hand. His instincts took over—raw, primal. The beast swung its massive claw at him, but Sol sidestepped, swinging the Heaven Splitting Dragon Blade in a wide arc.
*Crack!*
The sword cleaved through the shadowy fire and struck the dragon's wing. The beast howled in pain, black blood spilling across the sky.
"This power... it's limitless," Sol muttered, eyes blazing with newfound confidence. "And it's mine to command."
The dragon turned, eyes blazing with fury. It lunged again, jaws wide, aiming to swallow him whole. But Sol was faster. With a roar, he summoned energy into his blade—an attack that lit up the sky.
"Divine Tempest Slash!" he shouted, unleashing a torrent of golden energy. The attack slammed into the dragon, sending shockwaves rippling through the air.
The beast staggered, wounded but still alive. Sol stood his ground, heart pounding, sweat dripping down his brow. The power within him thrummed like a living thing—an endless reservoir.
"This is only the beginning," he whispered, clutching his sword. "I'll forge my path — and nothing can stop me."
The dragon retreated, roaring in fury. Its massive form disappeared into the clouds, but Sol knew better than to let his guard down. This was only the first test.
The sky shimmered, and the divine voice echoed once more:
"Your strength grows with each enemy slain. Kill, and your power will forge the legend of the Heavenly Swordsman."
Sol looked at his sword, the world's sky still torn apart above him. The divine weapon hummed softly, eager for his next battle.
He gripped the hilt tightly, a blazing grin on his face.
"Let's see what you've got," he whispered. "I am Sol Di Ventifuris—the future Heavenly Swordsman."