ZEN : RISE OF THE GUARDIAN
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Volume 1: The Awakening
Arken City was no stranger to chaos. Beneath its glowing skyscrapers and buzzing streets lived shadows — of crime, corruption, and forgotten secrets. Among the millions was Zen, a quiet, observant teenager who always felt like he didn't belong. Living in a small apartment with his best friend Sam — a tech-savvy, talkative genius — Zen spent his days blending in and his nights questioning why he was different.
One night, everything changed. A blinding flash lit up the sky as a meteor crashed into the hills near the city. Curious and excited, Zen and Sam rushed to the site. Amid the smoke and scorched earth, they found a glowing shard, pulsing like a heartbeat. When Zen touched it, the shard burned into his skin, sending a wave of energy through his body. He collapsed — eyes glowing, mind flooded with visions of ancient warriors and a voice repeating, "You are chosen."
The next day, Zen woke up feeling strange. He could sense movement before it happened, lift things he shouldn't be able to, and even slow time for a split second. Sam, always fascinated by the unknown, ran tests and tracked Zen's new abilities. They both knew this wasn't normal — and that it wasn't random.
Soon, they learned they were being hunted. A mysterious organization called the Null Circle arrived in Arken, searching for the shard. Ruthless and relentless, they quickly learned Zen had bonded with it. Sam and Zen went into hiding, evading drones, agents, and traps across the city. Every escape made Zen stronger, and every encounter brought more questions about who he really was.
When Sam was captured by the Null Circle to lure Zen out, Zen had no choice. Driven by loyalty and rage, he broke into their underground base. There, he faced the Null Circle's leader — a cold, powerful figure who hinted at Zen's true origins, claiming the shard was only a fraction of a larger power. The battle pushed Zen to his limit. Just when defeat seemed certain, Zen unlocked a deeper strength within himself, unleashing a blast of energy that shook the entire facility and saved Sam.
With the Null Circle in retreat, Zen and Sam returned to the city. People whispered about a shadowy figure saving innocents, taking down criminals. Zen didn't want fame — only purpose. And now he had one.
He wasn't just different.
He was chosen.
And his journey was only beginning.
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