[Fun fact: In this dimension, time does not function normally. It behaves unpredictably and randomly. While Kiox has been here for about ten minutes, nearly forty minutes have passed on Earth.]
Kiox stands up and studies the nearby pyramid more closely. After a moment, he realizes it’s a fake. Spotting the real one, he immediately leaps toward it.
OOF—!
Ahh… almost—
He struggles to climb up the sharp edge.
There…! Made it.
Now what…?
…Oh my god.
Ahead of him, three pyramids float silently in the middle of the endless void.
Kiox realizes he might be stuck here for a while.
Meanwhile… back home.
Tina storms downstairs, clearly frustrated.
Tina: KAYI!
she shouts.
Kayi: startled Wha—what!?
Tina: THE WHOLE DAY! HE HASN’T COME BACK!
Kayi: Now that you mention it… that is kind of strange. I can’t feel him either…
Tina’s eyes widen.
Tina: You… can’t feel him? What does that even mean!?
Kayi: I’m going to the palace. Stay here. I need to check something.
Kayi begins to glow, then disappears.
Tina: Ugh! You are useless! I’ll find him myself!
Tina stomps toward the door. The moment she opens it—
Redil: Hello, flashy cat girl.
Tina jumps back in surprise when she sees who’s standing there.
Tina: Huh? What are you doing here? Go away. Kiox already kicked your ass when you tried jumping him.
She walks past him, heading out.
He’s not here right now. I’ll let him know a fan stopped by today.
Redil: laughs He’s missing, isn’t he…?
Tina suddenly stops walking.
She straightens her posture, tilting her head slightly to the left while staring down.
Tina: How… do you know that…?
Redil: sinister laughter Why wouldn’t I?
Put it this way… we were playing hide and seek. I was the seeker. But he went somewhere he wasn’t supposed to.
Tina moves instantly.
In a flash, she dashes behind Redil and stops—her curved knife pressed against his neck.
Tina: You better NOT have done something.
Where… is he?
Redil laughs.
Redil: Killing me would be useless. Unless you want him dead… then go ahead.
Just remember—
I can come back.
He can’t.
Tina: Tch.
Tina’s anger continues rising. Her temper is slipping.
Answer me…
Where is he?
Redil slowly turns around.
For a split second, everything freezes. The world darkens.
Time itself pauses.
Redil finishes speaking.
Tina’s body turns gray, completely unable to move.
Redil: Let’s say he’s… somewhere very dark.
And somewhere… “inverted.”
Tell that to Kayi.
He’ll understand.
And remember this…
“Someone special will arrive in a couple of days.
He will be coming soon.”
Goodbye.
Time suddenly resumes.
The darkness vanishes.
Tina can move again—but now she’s overflowing with rage.
Tina: …Bastard.
Kayi suddenly appears in front of her.
He immediately notices the fury in her expression.
Tina clenches her fists and grinds her teeth.
Without looking up, she forces the words out.
Tina: Somewhere… “dark and inverted”… he is.
Kayi’s expression changes.
He realizes exactly where Kiox has been this entire time.
And he does not like it.
His eyes widen—not in shock, but in deep concern.
Kayi: There’s no way…
Tina slowly lifts her head, still shaking with anger.
Tina: Where… is he…?
Kayi: sighs
He’s in Redil’s dark inverted dimension.
…but I thought I destroyed that place.
Tina: HE’S WHERE!?
Kayi: We need to go to the palace now. If we’re lucky… we might still make it in time.
Kayi teleports himself and Tina to the temple.
Both of them hope they can find a way to rescue Kiox.
********************************************************************
Kiox has fallen nearly forty times by now.
But eventually… he reaches a massive pyramid.
At the top stands a huge house.
Colorless.
Lifeless.
Kiox stares at it.
Kiox: Horror movie type moment.
he laughs lightly
Suddenly—
Everything turns completely dark.
For a split second, lightning flashes through the void…
And someone is standing in front of him.
Then darkness again.
When the faint light returns, the figure is gone.
Now the only illumination comes from beneath Kiox’s feet—each step creating a dim glow that barely reveals his surroundings.
His vision is limited.
Kiox: What the hell…
Kiox slowly walks toward the house and steps inside.
He stops.
Something feels wrong.
This… isn’t just a house.
“This…”
“That…”
“is…”
“was…”
“my old house…”
“…his old house…”
Kiox stares in disbelief.
It’s the house he lived in when he was six years old.
But something about it feels empty.
Emotionless.
Everything is drained of color.
No one is inside.
Kiox begins searching desperately.
He rushes to his old room.
The door bursts open.
Inside—
Nothing.
The room is completely empty.
Kiox drops to his knees.
Tears begin running down his face.
Then—
A creak.
Kiox slowly turns.
Standing in the doorway…
…is his six-year-old self.
But something is horribly wrong.
The child’s eyes are almost entirely black—gray and white surrounding a tiny dot.
And blood runs from them like tears.
Young Kiox: So… you’re older me.
Why?
Old Kiox: You—
Young Kiox: You know they didn’t love me, right?
The young Kiox slowly pulls out a knife.
Without hesitation, he slices his own wrist.
A deep scar forms instantly.
Old Kiox: What are you—
AHHHHHHH!
The same scar suddenly appears on Kiox’s wrist.
Young Kiox: Dad didn’t love me.
Kiox’s memories suddenly twist.
Hatred begins forming inside him.
Old Kiox: Yeah… he didn’t—
(What the hell… I can’t control it…)
Young Kiox suddenly stabs his own arm.
Old Kiox: GUHHH—!
Kiox grabs his arm.
There’s no blood.
But a scar forms exactly where the knife struck.
Kiox realizes something.
This might all be fake.
But whatever this is… it’s hard to break.
Young Kiox: No one loves you.
No one loves you.
No one loves you.
No one loves you.
The words repeat again… and again…
Over twenty times.
Kiox collapses to his knees.
The young version of himself slowly walks closer, knife in hand.
The world becomes silent.
Completely silent.
Young Kiox:
N o o n e
l o v e s
Y O U.
Old Kiox: SHUT UP!!!
Kiox suddenly explodes with power.
For the first time since arriving here, his abilities return.
A massive shockwave bursts outward.
The air trembles from the force of his power.
The illusion around him begins shattering.
The house dissolves.
The child’s form begins changing.
The truth is revealed.
It was Redil.
Redil: YOU BASTARD—WHEN WILL YOU QUIT?!
Kiox stands surrounded by power.
His eyes glow, an aura radiating around him.
Redil: I WILL KILL YOU!
I WILL CLAIM THE THRONE!
I AM STRONGER!
Redil extends his arm.
Thousands of knives appear in the air.
1,320 blades.
They launch toward Kiox all at once.
Kiox moves.
He dodges most of them effortlessly, deflecting several back.
Then—
A beam fires from his hand.
It strikes Redil’s knee.
Redil collapses slightly, weakened.
Redil: THERE IS NO USE…
I…
CANNOT…
DIE!!
He bursts into manic laughter.
Kiox suddenly charges forward.
But Redil begins transforming.
His body expands…
Growing larger…
And larger…
Until a towering 30-foot beast stands in front of Kiox.
Its form resembles something that once served as a prisoner of Tartarus.
Demonic.
Grotesque.
The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
Chains erupt from the ground and wrap around Kiox.
Knives rain down.
Redil attacks relentlessly—trying not just to kill him…
But to make him suffer.
Kiox keeps breaking free.
Over and over.
Then—
Something changes.
Kiox’s aura shifts.
His color changes.
A deep navy-blue aura begins radiating from his eyes and body.
The light around him intensifies.
His speed increases.
His strength rises.
His durability surges.
A limit breaks.
Kiox has entered a new stage of himself.
With this power…
He can finally end Redil.
Redil: YOU ARE SO PERSISTENT!
DIE! DIE!!
Kiox: Redil…
There’s a problem with you.
And that is—
Redil begins hurling massive rocks at insane speeds.
Each throw reaches over Mach 2 speed
Kiox leaps from one rock to the next—
Closing the distance instantly.
In a flash, he appears directly in front of Redil’s face.
BOOM!
Kiox delivers a devastating punch.
Redil is stunned.
Kiox reaches forward and grabs the gem embedded in Redil’s body.
He rips it out.
Kiox flips through the air while falling back down.
He lands safely.
The gem rests in his hand.
Kiox slowly crushes it.
CRACK.
Kiox: Your weakness… is too obvious.
Redil: YOU BASTARD—HOW CAN YOU—?!
Kiox turns his back.
Redil’s massive body begins melting and dissolving.
Redil: I…
CAN’T…
DIE…
He collapses onto the ground.
Kiox: (Good riddance, Redil…)
Suddenly—
The entire dimension begins shaking violently.
The void flashes white.
The ground cracks and collapses.
With its ruler gone…
The dimension itself begins collapsing into nothing.
Then—
A portal suddenly opens.
Tina steps out.
Her eyes immediately lock onto Kiox.
**********************************************************
Tina: Kiox! I think this place is going to colla—!
A chunk of the ground suddenly breaks apart beneath her feet.
Tina begins falling.
Kiox rushes forward to grab her—but before he can reach her, Tina dashes across the falling debris, stepping off the collapsing boulders and flipping back up to the platform.
She lands beside him.
Tina: We gotta go!
Kiox nods.
The two sprint toward the portal together.
Just as the dimension continues collapsing behind them, they dive through.
They land safely on the other side.
Tina immediately gets up and throws her arms around Kiox.
Tina: Kiox!
Kiox stands still.
He doesn’t hug back.
Because while he was in that new state of power, his emotions were neutralized. At the moment, he cannot feel anything.
Kayi approaches them.
Kayi: You did it… Kiox.
Sapphire form.
That’s your second stage.
Kiox looks down at himself, confused.
Kayi: Kiox, you can relax now. Power down.
Kiox slowly releases the energy surrounding him.
The aura fades.
His body relaxes.
Then the exhaustion finally hits.
Kayi turns and walks toward the palace windows, staring outside.
Kayi: Redil…
He’s dead. Isn’t he?
Kiox nods slowly.
Kiox: I think…
Is that bad?
Kayi stays silent for a moment.
Then—
Kayi: …He’s going to come.
Kiox: Who?
Kayi: Kiox… perhaps I underestimated you.
You reached incredible heights in such little time, and you’ve managed to defeat several powerful threats already.
But understand something.
There will be even stronger ones in the future.
Kiox: I know.
Kayi nods.
Kayi: Very well then.
Go rest. You’re exhausted.
And you have training tomorrow.
A portal opens leading back to Kiox’s house.
Tina and Kiox walk through.
Tina: Now that you’re back… I can finally relax.
Kiox: Don’t see why you were overthinking about me, really.
Tina: Because I care about you. You’re a friend, you ungrateful prick.
Kiox: Fair point.
But I’m going to rest on the couch. I’m tired.
Kiox grabs a blanket and immediately lays down on the sofa.
Within seconds, he closes his eyes.
Tina quietly watches him.
She wished they could spend a little more time together.
But she understands his situation.
So she simply sits beside him on the couch, watching TV with the volume low while he sleeps.
Tina: At least say good night…
sigh
Night, dude.
It becomes a peaceful night.
Outside, darkness covers the sky.
The temperature is perfect.
A soft breeze moves gently past the window.
Inside the house, the only light comes from the TV… and the small stove light in the kitchen.
Almost the perfect night.
Somewhere in the universe.
Zamuzenu: So…
He has fallen too.
And in his own dimension.
Zamuzenu slowly stands.
Now I’ll be the one to visit him.
He has taken my two best warriors.
…There is still one left.
But never mind him.
He’s not important anymore.
Only half of Zamuzenu’s face is visible.
He smiles while tightening his fist.
Zamuzenu: Kiox…
You will have a downfall.
And I will be the one to kill you.
I will be visiting soon.
But not in a peaceful manner.
The Earth was about to face danger.
Kiox sleeps peacefully on the couch.
Suddenly, Tina begins shaking him aggressively.
Tina: Kiox! Wake up!
She pushes him repeatedly until he finally wakes up.
Kiox: Ugh…
Tina grabs his shoulders.
Tina: Kiox? Okay good, you’re awake.
You need to look outside.
Kiox stands and walks toward the door.
He opens it.
The sky is green.
Dark clouds swirl violently.
Explosions erupt as houses suddenly blow apart.
Then—
Someone crashes down in front of Kiox.
Zamuzenu.
Without hesitation, Zamuzenu grabs Kiox by the neck and launches him high into the air.
Kiox: Gah— you… damn you!
Kiox fires beam attacks, trying to redirect himself.
It’s useless.
Zamuzenu completely overpowers him.
In an instant, Zamuzenu grabs Kiox’s face and slams him straight into the ground.
BOOM!
A crater forms.
Kiox struggles to speak.
Kiox: Yo… you…
Zamuzenu summons a magical knife.
Then—
More knives appear.
Thousands of them.
Over 12,000 blades.
They rain down toward Kiox.
Just before they hit—
Kiox: shocked—
He suddenly wakes up.
Kiox: AHHH—WHAT THE—?!
He looks around.
Everything is normal.
It was a dream.
*********************************************************
Kiox exhales slowly.
Relieved.
But something bothers him.
He saw the man’s face clearly.
Who was that?
Why did it feel so real?
He decides not to think too much about it.
Still shaken by the fact he just died in a dream.
Suddenly—
Kayi teleports into the living room.
Tina runs in immediately after hearing Kiox scream.
Kayi also sensed the sudden energy spike.
Kayi / Tina: You okay?
Kiox hesitates.
(Lie… tell the truth…)
Kiox: Yeah… I just—
…had a bad dream.
Happens all the time.
Tina: Well anyway, Kiox. There’s something you should see.
Kiox immediately becomes nervous.
Kiox: Wha—what is it?
Tina grabs his arm and pulls him to the door.
Kiox’s mind races.
This feels just like the dream.
Tina opens the door.
Snow falls gently outside.
Tina: Snow!
Kiox exhales in relief.
Kiox: Okay… at least this isn’t something crazy.
Tina instantly grabs a snowball and throws it directly at his face.
Full force.
Kiox falls backward.
Tina: Ungrateful.
The day begins.
Cafeteria
Distant chatter fills the room.
Kiox (thinking): Where’s Tina…?
Hmm.
There she is.
Kiox walks toward her.
Kiox: Yo Tin—
Tina: What do you want, Kiox?
Kiox: Huh? What do—
Tina waves casually.
Tina: Bye.
She turns and walks away.
Kiox (thinking): What made her act like that…?
Why is she—
Someone suddenly places a hand on his shoulder.
Klina: Kiox? You okay?
He looks to the side.
Kiox: Klina. Hey.
Klina: I don’t have anyone to sit with today.
You’re not going to make me sit alone, right?
Kiox: Oh, so when you do have someone, you won’t need me?
Klina: Well… if you want to look at it that way—and since you’re so self-centered—I might just do that.
So… want to sit with me?
Kiox glances in the direction Tina walked.
Kiox (thinking): She probably needs some alone time.
Kiox: Sure. Let’s go.
They walk to an empty table and begin eating.
Klina: So? What classes did you take?
Kiox: Well— (chewing) we— (chewing) hold on—
(chews twice)
I had algebra, science, English… and now I have history next period.
Klina: That means you’ll be with me.
A few seconds of silence pass.
Klina suddenly leans forward across the table.
She crosses her legs and rests her chin on her hand, studying him carefully.
Klina: So… I heard you’re pretty popular with girls here.
Are you aware of that?
Kiox stops chewing.
Kiox: Me? Nah. Not that I know of.
Klina: Well…
She tilts her head.
You are.
So what’s your relationship status right now?
Kiox: Like what do you mean—like—
Klina: Single? Taken?
Kiox: Well—
Klina: Are you talking to someone?
Kiox: Okay I—
Klina: Are you interested in someone?
Kiox: Can I finish?
Klina: What do you look for in a girl?
Kiox takes a sip of water.
Klina: So?
Kiox: Mhm. Wait—can I talk now?
Okay. So right now—
Klina: Tell me, it’s fine—
Kiox: I’m trying to tell you, but you won’t let me.
I’m not taken. And I’m not talking to anyone.
Klina: Lame.
You’re such a cute boy and you’re not even talking to someone?
Kiox: That doesn’t necessarily mean anything.
Klina: Are you a virgin?
she chuckles
Kiox: WHY DO YOU WANT TO KNOW THAT?!
Klina: Just curious.
If you don’t want to answer, that’s fine.
How about this instead—
We probably have a lot of homework.
Want to come over later so we can study together?
Kiox (thinking): Ah… now I see where this is going.
I’ll just play along.
Kiox: Ah yeah, we might.
Sure, I’d loooove to.
(sarcasm)
Klina: Good.
After school, I’ll wait for you outside the gate and we’ll walk home together.
Kiox: Okay. Sure.
Klina stands up.
Before leaving, she smiles at him.
Klina: Don’t be late~
She walks away.
Kiox (thinking): …And now I’m scared to know more about her.
Voice: Yo, Kiox!
Kiox turns.
Zormu.
Kiox: Yo bro. How are you? Sit down.
Zormu: For sure.
sits
Yo bro, I saw you talking with Klina.
That’s the way to go.
Kiox: Not really.
She came up to me and now wants me to come over to her house.
Zormu: Damn.
Is it that easy?
laughs
Kiox: laughing I don’t know, man.
But let me tell you—she’s wild.
Zormu: Yeah, but you got it.
Don’t worry.
Anyway, I’m heading back to the other table.
Zormu stands and pats Kiox on the shoulder.
Zormu: Survive. And good luck.
He walks away.
Kiox sighs.
Kiox: Yeah…
…I’ll try.
*************************
Klina waits near the front gate, exactly where she said she would.
When she spots Kiox approaching, she walks toward him with a smile.
Klina: Ready? Let’s go.
They begin walking home together.
Along the way, they pass through several beautiful streets and open areas. The weather is comfortable—the sun isn’t too hot, and a soft breeze moves gently through the air.
At one point, they stop to buy ice cream.
After finishing, they continue walking until they eventually reach their destination.
They stop in front of a house.
Klina: This is it.
Please, come inside.
Kiox walks in, leaving his belongings near the entrance.
A woman greets him warmly.
Woman: Hey there. You must be a friend of Klina’s. Welcome.
A man follows right after.
Man: Welcome, son. Thanks for coming.
Suddenly, three small children—ages five, seven, and eight—run toward Klina and hug her.
Kids: KLINA!
This is Klina’s family.
Kiox had originally assumed something completely different about this visit, and now he feels both relieved… and a little disappointed in himself for thinking that way.
At least for now.
Klina: Oh—sorry, Kiox. I guess it’s obvious, but this is my family.
That’s my mom and dad, and these little guys are my brothers.
Kiox: Older sister, huh?
Kiox crouches down and gives one of the kids a high five.
Klina: Yep.
Hard job—but a fun one.
Anyway, want to start studying?
Kiox: I mean… I can wait honestly.
chuckles
Klina: Why is tha—
One of the kids has already climbed onto Kiox’s back for a piggyback ride.
Klina: Well… that was quick.
Probably way too quick.
Klina’s room is spacious and comfortable.
A small table sits in the middle of the room.
A queen-sized bed rests in the corner, with a bookshelf near the entrance. Posters decorate the walls.
Everything is neat and organized.
Klina: Okay… tomorrow we have…
Kiox: Mathematics, English, and Chemistry.
Klina: We can’t really do chemistry here, can we?
We don’t have a lab.
Kiox: Nah, but some stuff can be done at home.
Klina: Like what?
Kiox: You probably have hydrogen peroxide, right?
Our task is simple.
Klina: I think we do, yeah. Should we start?
Kiox: Of course.
The studying session becomes strangely quiet.
The silence grows increasingly awkward.
Klina suddenly stands up.
Klina: I’ll be back.
Kiox: Sure. No worries. I’ll be here.
The door closes.
Klina sits on the floor outside the door.
She hasn’t had someone over like this before.
Someone she feels comfortable with.
It means more to her than she expected…
Especially because of her past.
After a moment, she stands and returns.
The door opens.
Kiox: That was quick—what did you—
Before he can finish speaking, Klina suddenly hugs him from behind, wrapping her arms tightly around him.
Kiox’s pencil drops from his hand.
He freezes in surprise.
Kiox remembers all the rumors people say about Klina.
But right now…
She doesn’t seem like that person at all.
She just looks like someone who has been wanting a hug for a very long time.
Klina tightens the hug.
Her face turns bright red, though she tries to hide it.
Klina: …Hey, I’m sorry if thi—
Kiox: It’s okay. Don’t worry.
Do you want to stop studying for now?
I can tell you’ve been wanting this for a while.
Klina nods slowly.
Klina: Mhm.
She releases him and sits beside him.
Kiox: What made you do that?
Klina: I—I just wanted to…
I’ve never had a boy this close to me before… and being nice to me.
Plus… you’re kinda cute.
She covers her face in embarrassment.
Her eyes slowly begin filling with tears.
Kiox: You’ve been through a lot, haven’t you?
I don’t really know the details… but—
Kiox gently wraps an arm around her.
—I’ve been there too, in my own way.
So I understand.
Klina looks up at him.
Tears fall slowly from her eyes.
Then she hugs him again.
Kiox doesn’t pull away.
If she needs this, she needs it.
At school she tries very hard to act differently.
But it’s because of what she went through.
Klina slowly looks up at him again.
Kiox looks down at her.
They’re very close now.
And then…
something happened.
Klina: Thank you for coming over.
I really mean it.
Kiox: No problem. I enjoyed it.
You have my contact information now, so you can message me whenever.
Goodbye.
Kiox begins walking away.
Returning to his normal life.
The door opens.
Kiox: Hey, I’m ba—
Tina stands in the middle of the room.
Staring directly at him.
Her expression filled with anger.
Kiox: Okay… Tina, what’s going on?
You ignored me at school today and now you’re mad?
Tina stays silent.
Electric sparks begin forming around her.
Kiox: Tina. Talk, goddammit.
That was the wrong thing to say.
Tina explodes forward at incredible speed.
Kiox doesn’t even see her move.
BOOM
Kiox is launched outside, crashing into a thick metal street pole.
The pole bends from the impact.
Kiox: Ughhhh…
Hate it when women decide to kill men for no reason.
Kiox stands up slowly.
Listen—think about what you’re about to do. It’s not sma—
Tina is suddenly beside him.
Electric sparks surround her body.
She swings a punch toward Kiox’s ribs.
Kiox blocks.
But Tina immediately pivots around him and delivers a powerful kick.
CRASH
Kiox is sent sliding across the road.
He stands again, scratched but not badly hurt.
Kiox: I didn’t want to do this.
Kiox dashes toward Tina—
But suddenly Kayi teleports between them.
Kayi: Kiox! What the hell are you doing?!
Kiox: She started it!
Kayi: It doesn’t matter.
Kayi looks at Tina.
Kayi: Can you come defend the palace?
It’s under attack.
I figured you might want to blow off some steam.
Tina nods.
She walks beside Kayi, still glaring at Kiox.
Kayi and Tina teleport away.
Kiox stands alone.
Kiox (thinking): Why… is she stronger…
…and why is she mad at me?
Kiox eats breakfast.
Kayi suddenly appears and sits at the table.
Kiox: No more food. Sorry.
Kayi: One, I’m not here for that.
Two, I need to show you something.
Palace. Now.
Kayi teleports away.
Kiox: Can’t even finish breakfast…
Kiox eventually arrives.
The showroom contains displays of powerful fighters and a library detailing the history of their family.
Kayi: Follow me.
They walk down a long hallway filled with portraits and models.
Kayi: Do you realize there will eventually be an end?
Kiox: End of what?
Kayi: The final task.
The final opponent.
The moment when you must be both wise and strong.
And if you fail…
Everything fails.
Kiox: Yeah… but there always has to be a good guy.
Kayi: This isn’t about being the good guy.
It’s about being the one willing to do what no one else can.
One day you’ll think you have no limits.
Trust me.
Kiox: …I don’t really know how to respond to that.
Kayi: You won’t understand now.
But one day you will.
They stop in front of a door.
A sign reads:
[Training Grounds]
Kiox: What’s this?
Kayi: The time is getting close.
You need to learn one more thing.
They enter.
Inside is a massive open field.
Bright sunlight shines down, but there is no greenery anywhere.
Kayi: Listen carefully, Kiox.
When the time comes, I want you to perform a specific action.
Your courage and strength will determine whether it succeeds.
Use it responsibly.
Kiox: Alright. I’ll take responsibility.
So what is it?
Kayi raises his arms, slowly moving them in a circular motion before extending them outward.
Kayi: Perform this movement.
Then say: “Hyperion Rays.”
If successful… you will reach your next stage.
Kiox: You seem extremely serious about this.
Kayi: I am.
Kiox: Alright. I got it.
Also… can we train?
Kayi: That’s surprising.
What do you want to learn?
Kiox: Some cool moves?
Kayi suddenly dashes backward and sideways with incredible smoothness.
Afterimages appear where he moved.
Kayi: Try it.
Kiox: You want me to try that?
Okay.
Kiox begins copying the movement.
It starts well…
But when he tries the side dash, he trips and falls.
Kayi: Let me ask you something.
When we rescued you from that dimension, you were in another form.
How did you feel?
Kiox stands and walks toward him.
Kiox: Lighter.
More focused.
Kayi: That’s because you broke your limit.
You unlocked a new stage.
Kiox: So I’m stronger now?
Kayi: Yes.
When a new stage appears, it means you mastered the previous one enough to move forward.
You also become more efficient using the earlier stages.
Kiox: My ability is manipulation, right?
Kayi: Correct.
You can control enemy attacks and use them to your advantage.
If fully mastered… you could even manipulate time or space itself.
But that takes thousands of years.
You won’t be doing that anytime soon.
Kiox: I see.
Anything else I can do?
Kayi: Watch this.
Kayi jumps into the air and forms a glowing rail beneath his feet.
He rides it, jumping between rails while the previous ones fade behind him.
He lands back in front of Kiox.
Kayi: Rails are simple.
Place your hand near your foot and summon one.
Try it.
Kayi assumes Kiox won’t succeed the first time.
Kiox attempts it.
The rail forms, but it’s unstable.
Kiox: I messed it up.
Let me try again.
Second attempt.
Kiox forms the rail perfectly.
He even starts performing loops.
Kayi stares in shock.
Kayi (thinking): How the hell…?
Kiox: Thanks for the training.
Kayi: No problem.
I’m heading back to my place tonight.
See you tomorrow.
Kayi teleports away.
Kiox: Alright…
So now—
He suddenly remembers something.
Wait…
WHERE DID I PUT IT?!
Kiox rushes to his room, searching everywhere.
He finds it.
Then runs back downstairs.
Tina walks into the house at that moment, still angry.
Kiox: TINA—TINA—HERE!
Tina stops, confused.
She almost forgot she was mad.
Kiox: Happy birthday, Tina.
panting
Here.
He hands her a gift.
Tina’s anger immediately fades.
The reason she was angry all day…
Kiox forgot to wish her a happy birthday.
Now she’s smiling again.
Her mask mirrors her expression.
Tina hugs Kiox.
Kiox (thinking): At least she’s happy.
With that, the tension disappears.
Kiox no longer has to worry about being killed in his sleep.
For now…
Everything is peaceful.
But there is still much more ahead.
