It was a tragic event. The event that ended everything. The city he once knew, doesn’t even look like it anymore. Bloods everywhere, and the cries of pain were now gone. Only silence remain. The silence kept him company, while he was crying over his mistake. That one mistake that changed everything. The world he was supposed to save, turns out he’s the one who destroyed it.

The dragon looked at the boy with sad eyes. He wished to comfort him but oh, he knows better than that. He knew that by leaving him alone is the most rightful choice than ever. So he watched from afar, trying to comfort his own sad heart too.

All their companions, the boy could see them lying on the ground with their body shred. He wants to turn his eyes away, but doing that will add his guilt more. So he cried, he cried so loud that even clouds ran away; can’t bear to hear his pain. The dragon closed his eyes, respecting the boy’s feelings. He bowed his giant body down to show respects and the sign that he too, is mourning.

It was dark but at least he’s not alone. He got his dragon with him. The most loyal companion he could ever had. Thats the only good thing that he could be grateful for.

Everything felt hopeless—no hopes were left. So he prayed, he prayed so hard that his mouth were hurting because he couldn’t stop muttering words. He was asking for forgiveness, because he knew it was all his fault. That he had commit unforgivable crime, but there were no one to punish him. Not the court, not his teacher or his friends, not anymore. He could only hope that god will punish him mercilessly.

It took a moment, that felt much longer. He heard something and looked up, there she is. Amaria, the goddess of love. It was a wonder what she’s doing here but she came because how could she stand doing nothing and watch her child blames himself? when he needs her the most so now she’s here, she’s here to grant his wish. If only you could see how bright his eyes shone when he sees her. That for a while, there was a spark of hope. That maybe he could do something. Something that may fix everything.

“Please...” he said slowly, eyes full of tears. She looked at him sadly, his body is full with bloods and hurtful wounds yet he doesn’t seem to realize. Maybe the mental pain he’s feeling is too much that he doesn’t even realize his body is hurting.

She asked him for his wish. She cannot revive someone from dead and he knew that. She also cannot turn back time. She’s only the goddess of love, not the god of creation. Even the god does not have that much of power. So what else can she do?

He knew what she was thinking, but he gave her a smile. He explained, how he wants ‘him’ to be created. And for her to help this world revive itself. For every wish, there must be a price. But he already paid for it. For every soul that were sacrificed today and for him to bear this pain forever. That should be enough.

The goddess told him to be ready. In minutes, she grant his wish.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” The dragon asked. He doesn’t want to lose his only friend. They have been together for so long as they shared a soul. He shrugs, he’s not sure what he’s doing but nothing could change it now. “You fool. You’re not sure yet you still want to do this?” The dragon tried to hold them but a tear slipped out, making the boy laugh.

"Hey, why are you crying?" He chuckled. It was funny, though. Seeing his dragon that always act though in front of him break down all because of him. That creature never shows this side of him.

"Because..I will miss you and..and you won't come back!" The dragon begins to cry softly as the thought of losing his human spirit.

He smiles at him softly and run his hand along the dragon’s scales. He will miss this feeling. The warmness of his dragon, and it’s shining blue scales.

"Hey, I might won't come back, but I promise he is a good person. Mayhe I’m not quite sure what I’m doing, but I can’t stand doing nothing either. This may not be the right choice, but it is the only choice. I am scared too, you know. And I will miss you, so please don’t forget about me.” His voice was shaking. He tear his eyes away before tears started to fall down.

"but-" The dragon's words was cut off by her.

"Enough with dramas, I don’t have much time. We have to start now." She said as the light in her hand become more visible. She didn’t mean to interrupt the emotional event, but she really need to hurry before other gods knew about this. Though they will ended up knowing anyway, they are gods afterall. She will be in trouble, but that’s okay. She could stand the punishment.

"Karys, promise me that you will take care of him and love him as much as you love me." His last words before he screams as he begin to feel the pain of the process, and his body slowly fade from their sight.

The Dragon smile sadly before muttering his promise.

"I promise, Daniel.”

It’s his end that starts a new beginning for him.

This is going to be just another day with same things happening. I have always walk myself to school because my parents never give me a ride. It was a 15 minutes walk but I never mind, it helps me to calm my mind before entering the worst hell.

You see, we live in a world where superpowers is normal. I mean, elemental powers. Each person is born with one. After that, it’s up to your talent to develop skills so you can get stronger. The more powerful skills you have, the more stronger you are.

However, there are rare cases, where people are born with no powers. For example, me. Usually people born with no powers will only live during their childhood because their body can’t adapt with the surroundings. The environment is full with elemental energy so if you don’t have powers, the energy will be too much for your body to hold on.

But, I survived. I turned eighteen last month and is still breathing. That’s a wonder. People always say that I’m lucky to be alive so I should be grateful. I don’t think so, I think it would have been better if I die actually. Because if so, I don’t have to live my life like this. I don’t have to feel pain of others stepping on me, just because they are stronger.

Wait, I talked to much. Now I’m late to class!

I fasten my speed, I don’t want to get another detention cause it’s boring as hell. When I arrive, I see that Mrs Holland has already started teaching. I sigh and knocked the door. “Come in.” She says. She doesn’t seems to be suprised, no one is. It’s not my fault that I’m always late because I monologue too much..

“Im sorry Mrs I-“ Before I could even finish, she cuts me off shortly. “I don’t want to hear your reasons, Niel. You have another detention this week. Now go to your seat.” She doesn’t even look at me as she continues her lesson. I rolled my eyes and go to my seat, I really don’t like her since day one. It’s not like I don’t know that she always talks bad about me. Then again, who doesn’t?

The lesson passed in a blur because mostly I stare outside the window. It was too boring, I don’t want to know what she talked about. I gather my things up to hurry to my next class. My favourite class.

Art of swords.

I have always like to use swords since little. Thats why dad has high hopes for me to be a genius but when I didn’t awaken my powers until I’m 13, He gave up. Saying that I’m useless cause I don’t have any power. But still, no one can lie and say I’m not good at using swords because I do. I have been practising since I was 7.

“You’re here.” I grin when the teacher, Mr Lan greets me. He is a middle-aged male with a tough body. Though he looked barely forty. I like him, he’s friendly and he never treats me any different. Well, You could say that I’m his favourite student.

He always says that I have a unique talent, but I never agree. Yeah I’m good at it but that’s just because I practised for years. Anyone can do it if they try hard enough.

“Come on peeps! grab your sword so we can begin!” He said loudly. Others begin to groan but I noticed some were excited like me. Maybe for some people, sword is a burden and boring. But to me, sword is everything.

Like everyone, I also went to the shelf to grab my favourite sword. It’s a brown sword with a carve of tiger. Though it’s not as amazing as the one I have at home, it’s still good enough. But then, all swords here have the same quality even if they looks different.

“Okay, so who wants to go first?” The teacher asks. Everyone look at each other because no one wants to go first. I was about to raise my hand when suddenly Keith raise his hand. What’s up with him? he was never this excited to use sword. “So who do you want to challenge?” I have a bad feeling when I see him smirking at me. “I want to challenge him, Niel.” Does he think he can beat me? yeah sure I always get pushed around but to think that a beginner like him can beat me is really laughable.

I’m not being rude, I’m just stating the facts. I could use some confidence on myself sometimes you know. Yeah I might don’t think that I have a unique talent, but I would like to believe I’m actually good at wielding swords.

“Niel?” All eyes were on me. Some were smirking, some just simply look at me with pity. I don’t need their pity, I can handle myself. “Okay, I accept.” Keith snorts. His friends laugh as they keep whispering to each other. For sure they are talking about how to humiliate me infront of the class.

“Go take your place then.” He’s talking about the ‘arena’ as we called it. It’s nothing big, but it’s the only suitable place if you want to fight using swords. I take my place, which is on the right side while he takes the left side.

“We don’t want to waste time anymore. Let’s get started!” Everyone cheer loudly. They are excited to see who’s gonna win. A person called for a bet, and everyone put their bets on Keith. I’m not sad but I’m sure I’m going to make them regret.

I bring my body to the position so I can hold my sword comfortably. I didn’t realize that I was holding my breath while I wait for him to start attacking. I guess I’m still nervous afterall. Besides, there are too many people watching. I start to count the seconds to calm my nerve, it’s when I hit thirteenth that he starts to move.

Then, we fight.