Chapter 1
The Moonlight in the Sky
"Darkness is such a quotable word, it meaning can be relative and only proportional to the mind that is using it.
it can mean, even from the most daring action, to a fragile small feeling of a relationship, is subtle like the
resonance of silence, also bizarre as the grotesque idea of love. but, beyond anything, it simply means, unknown.
so general, yet critical. that is why, I stand alone, in the darkness, not because I want a solitary reminisce, nor the
idea of the protection within it; I just do it with the simple reason that its danger is only known to those who has
seen the light."
Yet, I remain Calmed -"Aeon".
Whether is an idea, or just my imagination, I recall something marvelous within it, a small fragment of a
crystal on the top of the antenna who has no color yet is noticeable and shiny, soaked with not only the
tears of lament but the sweat of glory; it's roof is called The Winning Road, a simple name if you ask
me. I remembered the idea of the end of the world on this tower, as the day falls its power grows, for all the
lights that covers it. It has colossal windows that could be seen through even at many kilometers of distance,
maybe I am just exaggerating but is just so impressive that there is no words that can express the
importance of this place, although is not a luxurious building, it is a huge spectacular pinnacle of ideas, shiny
as the morning sun, its light covers the streets of the Central Plaza in the Netsphere, with nothing as tall to
be compared, is the place that many people wish to stand and yet they can't, not for political or prejudicial
reasons, but for the meaning that is within it, to win.
Yes, I do remember, there was a full moon, huge and round, big enough to eat the sky. under the moonlight,
a tower shines with all of its capacity, like it's planning to prove to the moon that its light is not the only one
that can mantle the planet. on top of tower, a flying artifact that resembles the shape of a smiling face. On it,
a crowd of people who is about to explode out of the euphoria that has been shown by this solemn event,
on top of the flying machine there is a letter and a number, "S4", that looked like it was floating above it,
moving and stretching. Below of this machine, stands the roof of the massive tower, on it, there was a green
plaza covered by flowers, which is considered a deluxe object these days, I mean, that is a Real Flower
Garden
after all, which is quite difficult to have these days, since everything in the Netsphere is Digital of
course, like not real. Surrounding this sea of colors there is the lights of the fireworks and the confetti raining
above this celebration event. the sound was disoriented by the many voices of the people only muted by
sounds of cannons and the fireworks, beneath of this mantle of waves there is a speaker that is rising the
multitude around the Netsphere, one shout gave the world a minute of silence, spreading like the wind, there
was an announce that even make the world stop.
- And, For today and beyond, here are, the winners of the S4 League Tournament-
And just like that, a mist appeared on the top of tower, a platform elevating, within it, a group of six
Silhouettes, each one of those is unique on size and texture, there are 3 people who stands on the Front,
each one of them using a different pose. however, on the backside, 3 whose stance is just common and not
fashionable, are the ones which names sounds louder, each one of them has it's unique token that gives
them their unreachable background.
-Here they are! not only winners of this tournament, but the figures of the S4 history, winning a second time!? Is only possible for them!
Along with the words, the crowd goes wild, and not even the fireworks stand a chance with the force of this
announce, as loud as the sound itself, the ground shakes, and the moon atop shines even brighter. Below it,
a stairway rises, and smoothly goes higher and higher. Each second is recorded for history, each breath is
remembered, the tourney is about to finish with the most anticipated scenario, the crown of S4 being divided
into 6 small portions, the proud head accessory is about to have its users. within seconds the stairway stops.
and a pedestal with six unique items are being shown to the world. not even life itself can be as eternal as
this moment. a curved figure start to walk, along the other 5 entities. each one of them start to climb the
stairway, followed by the sound of glory, is their time. A massive hammer goes with a buffed man, a plain
blue sword is carried by the curved woman, a purple dress is being showed by other girl, a bright armor is
fixed by a thin man, a thunder-like pole is carried by the other figure, and lastly a hood, dark as coal, covers
the face of this last silhouette. until they reached in a mere seconds that lasted a couple hours for me.
Already on the top, they proceed to carry their own crowns, and finally giving end to this event, they shout
the S4 motto. As unique as powerful, their words stumble any living being across the Netsphere. On the other
side of the town, there was the show in my old home TV, in front of it, there was my sister crying of
happiness since her special one finally completed her goal, a simply smile was given by my mother, and me,
speechless, was in front of this mirage, for me, there was not a second that was forgiven, yet if I were to
recalled with all the details, I couldn't; so close yet so far of reality, the screen shuts down, and my dream
is reborn anew, I will, someday, stand on the top of that dreamy tower, and rise my glory.
Then I woke up, Reality hits hard, it was morning already and the day has started without me, oblivious
about my self, I remembered there was something special about today, yet I couldn't reach that idea.
not long enough I realized that today is not a regular date, it was the day that I must come forward and
follow my ideas. Not even after I raised my head, I heard a bang on the door, and within seconds the
shadow of my childhood enters.
-Wake up!
-I just did- I explained myself.
-It matters not, hurry the heck up-he says, along with him there was this other figure that comes forward and touched my soul.
- Come on, we have no time, the bus is just outside and if we miss it, we will have to wait a couple...
- Okay, okay, I will.
Took me no more than a minute to reach my bag and my headband, and rushed towards the door, there was no time to waste.
- We are going downstairs, hurry the heck up, will ya?
I nodded and went for my doorstep, on the side of it, the night table was sitting in silence, on top of it, the was the picture that always welcomes me and wishes me goodnight, I explained to it.
-Wish me luck, - I chuckled - as always you do.
On the picture, the maternal figure that stands on the background gave me a divine smile, and warms up my
travel spirit. my mother whose luck has been always protecting me, is for the first time, wishing me a
goodbye and a safe journey. Not long enough I rushed my goodbye and welcomed the stairs, memories of
the small wall that protected me all my life are being left behind as I closed the door of my small house.
Shown by the house itself, there is no though that money hasn't been my forte, but its dimensions are
always calmed and welcoming, it takes a lot of time to remorse the feeling of what I am leaving behind, the
sole feeling of going out is not compared to this moment.
-Be right back and wait for me- and just like that I left the house that have all my childhood.
I put my thumb below my chin (old habit of mine) and rushed toward the running bus. on the doors there are
my two friends that has been the most closed feelings of a family as of today.
-Hurry or we leaving you behind-He said.
-I'm coming!~- I shouted.
The bus started to move and just like that, I ran to it, climbed on the door and left for a journey that will not
only prove my purpose, it will also change my way of life. As I reach my spot, I Salute the smile of my friend
-Here we go. - I said.
-Barely, if it weren't for us, you would have missed the bus pal.
- Calm down Serets.-Rose said.
I chuckled.
-Not my problem, we are in the bus anyway.-I concluded.
Serets, is just rude, that is how he is, but is not like he means it anyway, is just his habit. Though it must be
tough for people to meet him and swallow his way of talking, me?, I don't really care how he express himself,
is just his way, rude perhaps, but well, there is no point trying to change people out of their ways of living.
he has been a long time friend since our first fight, oddly enough it was the day before my mother died, I
recall that he brought me an ice-cream the next day, and weirdly enough he told me not to cry over a lost life.
Normally those words would have made angry to anyone, in my case, it made me realized about moving on.
Since then, I have been always listening to his methods of treating people and laughing about the failed
attempts of friendship of him. He is just a normal guy, I think, with problems as any other human being. he
has a spiky short hair, dark blue with little to none length. his clothes are a little baggy and for no reasons
he hangs a head protector on his right shoulder, I remember he says that someday it's going to be
fashionable. good luck with that, his pants are less fashionable with a black color, is weird for me or anyone
that knows him to see him wearing other pants color. his jacket looks like a leather armor, with (normally) a
black and white striped shirt. Along with us there is Rose. Shy? nope. She is pretty straightforward and cares
for us so much, just like a mother would do, she flips if anything is done wrongly, and will always try to do
things like they are supposed to be done. She has this princess-like aura, and it's shocking not to see her in
a good mood, other than that, she is just like another normal girl, I think. She has been my friend since I
have memory, lived next to me, then moved near the Netsphere and moving back and forth for her studies.
She is smart, not too much, not too little. Quite the gun fetish she has, weird. she can recall any guns
measures, force, power, accuracy, ANYTHING, really. She is just about my size, a little taller. her chest, well is
quite big. I can't count how many times guys has asked her out, and all of them were rejected, I don't
know the cause of this, and it has never been my interest in keeping notes of it. there was a time that she
has been picked by the size of hers, I remember that I had to fight some guys that were being rude to her,
since then, our relationship has been a nice friendship. There is no more to say about her, is just hard to pick
up any details of her since she has never had any openings. Something that does get me is that she does
not believe in our goddess, Mezame, even after always fighting for peace and justice, just like any Follower
would do, in my case I wasn't raise in any religion really, though I would always look to the sky and pray for
anything that I may ever need. NEVER, ask Serets about god, he would just go on and on talking about
Mezame. The road started to look bigger and repetitive and after some long hours the sun started to fall
down, weakening as the time runs. My mind was doped and cramped, all the thoughts and plans have been
discussed and soon enough
the Katras Sector, our destination, would be right in front of us.
- I wonder how much time are we going to spend on Katras Sector.
I whispered.
- If we are lucky, a month or two- Rose Implies
-Hey Serets, what are you hoping about this, I mean, I know about you wanting to become an eSper, but besides that...-I questioned.
- I wanna meet somebody...
somebody? I replied.
-yeah, you know Faller?
If I recall correctly, Faller is one of the last S4 League Tournament winners, is the buffed guy with the huge
hammer, in the games, his strength is said to be unmatched, 1 hit off that hammer and you are done. quite
fearful.
-Yeah I know him...
-well, I am gonna beat him, and make a name for myself as the strongest hammer user...
-silly dream... Just kidding.- his is easy to mess up with, I think I am a masochist since he will normally will annoy you about his ideals and stuff.
-not silly, but Grandiose...- He shouts.
Everyone has his dreams, I respect that more than anything. whenever I see people, I try to image what
things have happened to them, and from that, I learned how to respect the others, no matter what choices
they took. Is my way of respecting people, one will never know when this "Respect" will save our very lives.
And just talking about respect, there this little scene that has been bugging me for a while. Not too far from
us, there was another group laughing about this little girl. not cool, but is not my problem. well, at least not
now, knowing Rose, if she gets a hold off...
-crap here we go again...-I talked to myself.
Not too far from my thoughts, Rose was hearing all the commotion and by reflexes she stood up and went
right for trouble.
-Hey, cut the crap, don't you all have shame? -Rose yelled to them.
As soon as I was standing up, one of the guys, took a chance to stand up.
-Missy, wanna learn how not to get into other people problems? back off.
-Hey douchebag-Rose replies want to shut the hell up? can't you respect a girl? or is it that in your tiny head of yours can't understand, such a simple command?
The guy shocked by the response of her, simply grim a little smile.
-I tried- He said-you gotta learn from it the hard way.
As that been said, the guy rises his arm and was just about to launch a punch to Rose's belly. launching his
body to a low-profile stand, dropping his stance into a crouched one. Mostly this will get anyone caught off
guard since is very difficult to expect a low stance in a close distance fight, however in this occasion.
-Take this! -he yelled.
I normally would have interfere in the situation but, experience has told me, that is not a good idea to make
Rose angry, they will learn this lesson quite fast. just before the punch reaches its destination, Rose makes
a small movement but pretty quick and dodge to the side of the huge halfway, and as soon as the punch
misses its target, Rose's leg rises up the stomach of the guy, hitting without any resistance and
destroying the little strength of the guy. Just don't mess with Rose, I learned that the bad way. the body of
the guy falls to the ground out of breath and quickly try to overcome it to protect the little shame that he has.
-What?, did it hurt?- she says.
-quite the kick but nope, it did not hurt you Bitc..-.
Oh god, that guy would have left with just that kick, but noooo! he had an ego to maintain, truly sorry
about him. It's not so far from getting his ass kicked by Rose. they came after her and she welcomed them
with a series of kicks, it was pathetic, it ended as fast as it started. After a quick, yet painful beating, that
group had to drop in the next station, and by drop, I mean getting throw out of the bus by Rose.
-Don't you ever show your faces again, you hear me!-
That group ran away after the shameful act, is funny to see how people can't restrain themselves to such a
trivial matter as is the ego. Soon the doors close, and we get back to the girl. A plain girl, some round
glasses, not taller than my shoulders and quickly proceeded to give Rose a thankful bow. just as expected,
Rose is just strong as weak. whenever she gets emotional, is a very painful scene to see. The day her
brother died because she was unstable for weeks, I would visit and stay with her many days, but those
memories are saddening since is a side of rose that I would never like to see again.
-Worry not, they will never mess with you again, and if they do just call me and I show them good.-
Is simple for Rose to say that since she has been practicing some martial arts since she was young. The
young girl affirmed that she is reaching for the Katras Sector, as us, she wants to join the greatS4-League.
Before the Fourth S4 Tournament the Katras Sector was a part of the Netsphere, but since it's a troublesome
part of the city it was decided to become an Area of Selection. A place for people to play some matcheshoping
to get chosen by any clan, and become an eSper. the only way to become an eSper is to be chosen as one,
and to do that, one must impress any clan in the Netsphere, how? simple, one must play in a public "game"
and get the attention of any clan member in the Netsphere. so basically, if you do well in the games of the
Katras Sector, you will most likely to be drafted as a member of a clan,and this was our first very goal,
everyone has their mission in the Netsphere.Serets was getting his baggage ready and then a little smile can
be seen on his face, the driver was announcing the next stop, while the girls were talking about what they
will do once they reached there, to me, it matters me not what to do. I just have my goal in my mind, reach
the Netsphere.
The bus is stopping meaning that we reached the Katras Sector
-Is time to move.- Serets said.
As we go out of the bus and dismissing the glasses girl, we start to plan our next course of action. It was
pass five and it was getting late, whether we stay and search for a way or not, we were tired, and hungry, it
was logical to go and seek some shelter and a place to eat yet the sudden realization of how big this was cut
in our minds.
The City, is quite beautiful and scary, tall building which dozens of ads shining all over the places, giving us a
feeling of being in a dream, the people walking and moving without stopping and making the world seen
unstable. Since this city was inside the Netsphere area it was logical to start seeing eSpers, though not a
single one has appeared in a noticeable way. the crowd waves were huge and the sounds were coming from
all the ways, as someone who lived all my life in my town which has a low population, this was inspiring and
new. The streets were big enough to hold a battalion and it was easy to be lost in the vast area. Looking for
some ideas we stopped in a huge bar, we decided to eat something here and of course looking for some
ideas. The Fallen Star, is the name of the big building, intrigued by the looks of it we entered and became one
with the crowd. The place had this weird theme, mostly wood-carved statues were inside and around its
pillars there were some machines with bright lights, a sea of people were moving all over the place and for
us, it was confusing, we reached for a table along the place and sat down. Not a couple of seconds later, a
boy with a... Maid costume? oh Serets must be laughing so hard at this moment.
-May I help you guys with anything-the boy said in an audible yet fragile voice.
-We just reached here, so we were wondering about how to enter to a public group.-Rose explained to the boy
about our situation, it was easy to see that the boy was accustomed to this kind of thing, since his reactions
were cold and direct. -I get that all the time, is very easy actually. what you guys must do is reaching to the
main desk
and ask about the public matches pending recruits list. you guys can add yourselves in the list.- pretty
easy, but I get that a lot of people must be using that way to be selected, and of course, we were eager to
start our journey and practice for the upcoming events. -is there another way to get selected- Serets Asked.
He, even being so different from me, we do think alike. and the expression in the boy got us a good feeling.
he pointed out that, we can try reaching any group leaders and sending them our petition to join. is a
different way, but a more direct one. the boy left our food on the table and moved along to tend to another
customers, in today community, money can be quite easy to earned and use, is all pure digital, and it's stored
in our digital core, basically is our wallet and ID provider. Is a small chip that is installed the day we are born,
we can simple access it by thinking about it. Funny, a thousand years ago, this method was highly unlikely to
be put in use since many manifestations. At the present time is a common and legally forced measure, I don't
get why some people are trying to avoid any digital object, me?, I love it. This method was put in run when
The Data Era Started, around the year 160X, it was around this day that the Netsphere finally opened and
gave us the gift of being an eSper or as many used to call them, "A data User" it was only the beginning of
this futuristic live.
Next to us, there was this TV Screen, showing many news of the Netsphere, Fights, Games, anything related
to the Netsphere and/or eSpers, and that is where I would watch for the first time since we arrived, a Public
Match.
This what we came for, this is the only way that will get us into the Netsphere, once I am in there,
there is no limit, I think. Deep in my mind a memory is being recalled as soon its starts, my world will fall
apart, just like a dream, broken images are coming to me and so, I felt victim of myself. A subtle mystery is the
only think that I can recall, a warm welcome into the abyss. There is only darkness beyond, and that is the reason
why I am
afraid of jumping, because once I spread my wings, there will be no more.
Knos?~ as my eyes draw some light, I recover myself. when my vision arrives, there was just this figure, with a questioning smile.
-Are you okay?
-Yes... Rose. - I Replied.
Is a bad habit of mine, I will always have those dreams, yet I don't know why, is like another mind thinking it,
and me just a mere spectator of it.
-I guess we should call it a day, and go and find some place to rest. What about...-Serets was trying to give us
a final touch for the day yet, not even a second after it, a
Flash went by, and just like that, the sound of a familiar voice raises up behind us. A Fragile reminisce that
even our eyes doesn't cover up with our expectations. at this very moment, my head is trying to turn to,
what is to believed, was a blank spot in the space, yet a single silhouette is using such area... and there he
was, The maid boy.
-May I Suggest the Floating Paradise?
The expression on Rose and Serets face was, just like mine. A pale reaction covered with fear, wondering
what just happened, as if, this tiny looking boy that we thought to be fragile and weak, was, actually,
someone with a secret power, or was just a digital illusion of some sort, but none of those thoughts were
actually spot on.
-Is anything amiss misters? miss?-
Just about my brain went blank for such an unexpected situation I recalled, what is to believe at this very
point of my life, the most awkward situation that I have ever encountered.
-Are you...- I haven't finished my thoughts when a familiar statement was heard. - He is an eSper guys-Serets
told the first time, an eSper, was right in front of me. While our group was just getting the idea of the
situation, a bang was heard across the room, the maid boy just as he appeared, he left, a warning reminder
to get our heads straight, this is not my simple town anymore, I am in the very place that I wanted to be,
and here things could get rough easily and faster than any other place. As our Eyes met with the direction
were we heard the loud sound, a table is resting in our vision, a big guys is grabbing the waiter, shouting
some gibberish. - Here we go again. I think.As I was expecting Rose is just about to repeat the same act as
we seen before, but I feared that this time we weren't going to be so lucky, I grabbed Rose's hand without
hesitation, a fight in this place wouldn't be so smart if we don't really know our opponent strength, maybe is
just my idea, maybe is only the fear that we are not in a safe area, as I recalled the small fragile boy that
went right through us without sweating at all. Rose's eyes met with me and, of course, she doesn't
understand my actions. quickly she escapes from my grip, and with a disappointed look on her face, she
faded away, my reach was not long enough to catch with here and as fast as I could, I search for Serets, as
we nodded, we rush with no time to lose.
-May I know why today is filled with Douchebags like you? eh mister? let him go.
Rose imposed herself in front of
the set of guys, right in front of the huge monster of a man. a quick punch was about to land on Rose's face,
however she was fast enough to dive and dodge that missile, but this time there is not enough momentum
for a counter-attack from Rose, the man throws the gentleman over the bar, landing on the stack of alcoholic
beverage. just at the next second a punch is launched, this time, is faster and is not possible for Rose to
dodge, time seems slower when the adrenaline takes your body, giving me enough speed to throw myself
against Rose, pushing her out of the giant reach. at this time a quick kick landed on the big man face, Serets
got a nice landing on his head, but soon a fearful thought was inside of me, Not enough. the big guy is
unaffected, not a simple knock-back, not even a painful reaction has been noticed, a cold shock on my spine
is telling me that things are going to get ugly, Serets's leg has become the next victim from the giant hand,
his body being grabbed by the man, while his kick is yet in that man's head, desperation is all over us, as a
team we had never got this kind of opponent, time froze, the clock wasn't ticking, that second, contained all
kind of emotions. Time I perspective, is the first "law" that seems to be broken in the daily life, that moment
was an eternity for us, but just a flash for the rest of the day, a hammer was in the giant belly. a Shady-
Brown mallet is resting on his body and soon it pushes the big guy into the wall, breaking some tables in the
process and painting a crack on the cement. As we recover from the panic a woman in a suit walks slowly to
the thug, a badge flashes around with a shiny light, a golden shield is the representation of herself. a pale
green hair flows around in front of us. She quietly grab her long, heavy weapon on her back. The crowd was
silent, the smell of alcohol start to share the room it's scent. and then the woman raise her voice with ease.
-You again? when will you learn? poor Brutus doesn't know when to stop eh?. Well sorry buddy, a little jail time for you again.
Her voice, was respected, and everybody went back to normal, like if this was a common situation. I looked
at Rose, she was, speechless, Serets was just the same as her, we couldn't do nothing, and yet here he was
unconscious on the floor. The woman turns her back on him, and promptly came to us. with a heavy gesture,
her voice tumbles in our ears.
Not even a day in here and already causing trouble? look guys this is not a theme park, so no funny business, just let us take the problems, there is no need for an intervention from a group of wannabes.she spoke.
we are quite sorry, miss.I responded.
No need. She replies. just let me do my job and everything will be fine. just don't cause trouble.-
with no effort she carries the thug and throws him outside, were the other "cops" are. and then they left
without any traces. Just like that, my mind, my goals, everything little thing that I had in planned, were in
doubt. Is this what I was looking for... yes, yes it is.-as we picked up what we thought to be the end of our
day, our frustration was clearly seen.
Is ok guys. It is our first fight, not our last, we are going to get to the top.
-Serets, with the back hurt, gave me a positive reply, just as Rose...
ok, now we are off to a hotel, is time for us to rest. tomorrow we will start our search. Again this feeling, a voice
rise behind us, -oh, going already? and here I hoped to have a little talk,- just as a needle penetrating the skin,
this voice echoes in my head. I turned and see this guy. a pale-brown coat with a black shirt underneath it, a
small dagger is on his waist, a grim smile is on his face, scary, the feeling of knowing nothing always take on
us. what do you want?I Replied.just as I prepare my stance and backing off a little to give myself some
breathing room.-Nothing much, I just want you guys in my group.
What?-
Destiny can be such an ass sometimes.
Chapter 1 The End.
