I jolted awake, gasping. My eyes were swollen, itching, forcing me to scratch them. My throat was dry, my body stiff.
I'd dreamed of countless ways Rinn might despise me. Rejecting me, climbing into Mr. Yerner's limousine.
For hours, I'd mentally retraced every possibility, every path my sister could've taken, but none led to a concrete answer.
I sighed, my body begging to collapse again, hoping all of this was just another nightmare. I rubbed my eyes and grabbed the remote from the nightstand. I turned on the TV, clinging to the faint hope of news about my little sister.
The screen bathed the room in a blue flash as a grave voice filled the air:
—Breaking news! The dreaded villain Eggface continues to wreak havoc. Authorities have failed to contain him, and our great hero, Ergos, seems to have abandoned us. The city needs him now more than ever. Ergos, if you're listening… please return!
I watched until the end, but there was no mention of Rinn.
—Shit…— I muttered, slamming my fist on the table. The impact rattled my phone onto the floor.
Helplessness coiled in my chest as I picked it up. The screen lit up, showing unread messages—but one seized my attention.
From Mian:
"Marl, when you asked us to search for Rinn yesterday, Lee and I split up. I found him… but he's not okay. He's in critical condition. Please come."
A chill shot down my spine. My heart pounded, and without a second thought, I threw a sweater over yesterday's wrinkled shirt and yanked open the apartment door—only to freeze.
The city was in ruins.
Buildings were charred, streets littered with rubble and overturned cars. Gunfire echoed in the distance; screams for help rose from crumbling structures. It was as if every villain had crawled out of hiding after Ergos vanished.
Instinctively, I slipped into the shadows. One wrong move could draw the wrong attention.
At a corner, I spotted looters smashing a store window. I couldn't risk crossing, so I ducked into an alley.
I'd barely taken five steps when a noise made me whirl. A man with a rag over his face emerged from the trash, brandishing a knife.
—Hand over everything, kid— he snarled, lips twisted in a grin.
My stomach knotted, but I couldn't waste time. In one motion, I kicked a trash can into his face—bone cracked—and bolted. I didn't stop running until I reached the hospital.
Inside was worse than I'd imagined. The lobby overflowed with wounded, some writhing on the floor as doctors sprinted between them. Supplies were scarce; gurneys doubled as beds. A doctor, her scrubs bloodstained, led me down a hall to a room. I swallowed hard before entering.
The stench of blood and antiseptic hit me like a punch. On the gurney lay Lee.
—Hey, Lee…— My voice was a thread. The tension was suffocating.
Lee turned his head and smiled weakly.
—Hey, Marl…— His voice was a ghost of what it used to be—the same voice that had whooped beside me after we'd kicked a beehive. Memories flashed—bright, then gone. —Glad you came, buddy.
The fragility in his tone gutted me.
—How… how are you feeling?
—Honestly?— His gaze drifted to the window. —I don't think I'll make it.
—Don't say that. The doctors will— I forced optimism, but my voice shook.
Lee shifted painfully and pulled back the sheet. The air left my lungs.
A hole pierced his chest, gaping and blackened at the edges. Flesh decayed purple. I clapped a hand over my mouth to keep from vomiting.
—Lee, that's— The room spun. My knees buckled; I gripped the gurney to stay upright.
Lee looked down. His lips trembled before he spoke, but his voice was steady—desperate.
—Calm down, Marl!— Tears streaked his face. —Just… do one thing for me.— His hands twitched like he regretted the words. My throat closed; I could only listen. —Go to God Mountain and scream with everything you've got: "Edgar, I'm here."
I frowned.
—But Lee, what—?
A shrill beep cut me off.
The heart monitor's flatline.
I turned slowly. The screen showed a single, unbroken streak.
Everything froze. Memories of Lee flashed—a burst of light, then nothing. Tears burned. I clenched my fists, my jaw, my whole body—but it was useless.
—No… no, no, NO— My control shattered. I lunged at his body, shaking him. —Lee, wake up! WAKE UP!
I didn't understand my own reaction. I was impulsive, refusing to let go, disrespecting his corpse.
Hope drained as I released him. My friend was gone.
The air thickened, the world muted. A knot of rage and despair twisted inside me—another void.
I watched numbly as a doctor zipped him into a bag and wheeled him out, replaced by another patient.
Then I understood.
I had to go to God Mountain.
I had to find Edgar.
I had to fulfill his last request.
—I promise, Lee. I'll find Edgar.
With that, I left. Every step crunched under my worn boots. The path was jagged, roots and loose rocks waiting to trip me. No one else was on the mountain. Just me, the damp earth, and the wind hissing through dry grass.
The air grew heavier as I climbed. My legs burned, but fatigue wasn't the only weight. I bit my lip and pushed forward, never looking back.
I didn't know what awaited me at the summit. But I trusted Lee. Trusted there'd be an answer. His last words propelled me.
Branches snapped underfoot. The slope forced me to crawl, fingers raw from cold stone. I couldn't stop—not now.
The sky darkened—from altitude or gathering clouds, I couldn't tell. Dread prickled my chest.
Twice, stones rolled beneath me, scraping my knees bloody.
At the summit, I found a silent clearing open to the void. Lee had told me the city looked beautiful at night, but now, bathed in chaos, only flickering lights remained amidst the devastation.
I stepped forward, icy wind slapping my face. Closed my eyes. Filled my lungs. And screamed:
—EDGAR! I'M HERE!
I stared at the black sky, waiting.
Nothing.
Just my own echo. A sob wracked my chest; my body shook. Helplessness consumed me. I fell to my knees, pounding the ground.
—EDGAR! EDGAR! I'm… I'm here— My voice frayed, hope leaching away.
Then—footsteps behind me.
I turned. A small boy with green hair watched me, serene.
—What are you doing here, kid?— I wiped my tears, standing.
The boy smiled—not sweet or innocent, but amused.
—I came because I heard you shouting.
I scratched my neck, embarrassed.
—Sorry. Didn't mean to bother you. It's just— My eyes widened. —How… how'd you climb this mountain?
He giggled.
—Heh, that doesn't matter. I know you called for Edgar.— He waved a hand over my knees—the scrapes vanished. —But instead, you got me.
I staggered back. This couldn't be real.
—Is… is this a dream? Am I insane?
The boy smiled.
—Of course it's real.
He offered his hand, pulling me up.
—I'm Histor. And I'm a god.
A shiver ran down my spine.
—Histor! Like the third god of Threedial!
—Glad you know me.— He stepped closer, eyes piercing. —I've been watching you.
I dropped to my knees.
—Please, help me. My sister's missing. My friend's dead. I'm not devout, but I'm begging you.
Histor patted my head, soothing.
—I'd love to help, but I can't solve your problems.— Hope slapped me again—another illusion shattered. I looked down, broken. —But I can give you the power to solve them yourself.
A glint flashed in my eyes. I stared, wary, but his gaze never wavered.
—This power isn't free, Marl Stimson Tial. From now on, you're my champion. The Champion of Histor.
His hand on my head glowed a second time.
Suddenly, my body blazed with unknown energy. My hair lifted, darkening. My pink eyes deepened to sapphire.
—This is the Ego Body, the power I grant you.— Histor pointed to my necklace. —This will be its vessel. Say "Goodbye, Ego Body," and the power will leave you.
His tone was calm. A wave of peace washed over me, pulling me into sleep. My thoughts dissolved into darkness.
Histor watched me, smiling softly.
—So much stress…— He ruffled my hair like I was a dog. —Too much for now. Rest. Tomorrow, you'll get another chance.
Back in my room.
The alarm's shriek died under my fist—shattered like sand. I hadn't even realized my strength. Still groggy, I stumbled to the bathroom, flipped the light on, and froze.
—What the—? —I tugged my eyelid, staring at my irises—now vivid blue. —My hair! It's BLACK?
I touched it, stunned, then noticed the necklace. A memory struck like lightning: Histor's words. Terrified it might vanish forever, I whispered:
—Goodbye, Ego Body.
Instantly, my body shrank. Features softened; hair and eyes returned to pastel pink. I gaped at my reflection, then grinned.
—Hello, Ego Body.
The transformation reversed. Blue eyes, dark hair. This time, an idea sparked. I gripped the bathroom door—and ripped it off its hinges like paper.
—This is… incredible.— I deactivated the power, staring at the necklace. —So this is what you meant, god…
Then—an explosion rocked the apartment. I spun to the window: a pillar of smoke stained the horizon.
—Guess this is what you meant by champion— I muttered, clutching the necklace. —The Champion of Histor… a hero.