The sky of Cryverra was no longer blue.
It had been repainted by smoke, dust, and fading streaks of purple light.
The remnants of explosions still burned—like open wounds on the body of a world that never had the chance to scream.
The once-sacred ground had been torn apart.
The aftermath of battle spread out in unnamed shadows: rubble, dried blood, and small footprints fleeing for their lives.
In the middle of that destruction, eight young souls stood—wounded, scattered, but not yet broken.
They dragged an unconscious body… and another that had already gone cold.
And from the darkness they had just escaped, no one could be certain if they had truly gotten away…
Or if they were simply granted a pause before the next storm.
From this place, everything began.
And it is here… that secrets buried for thousands of years began to rise to the surface.
A reality long hidden.
An identity long falsified.
And a destiny… that has come to collect its due.
⸻
One day had passed since the great war at the mountain's base.
S and the others kept moving, carrying the still-unconscious Astaross—though he was still breathing.
They didn't return home, because they knew Central Cryverran's goal was no longer to bring peace to the world… but to capture the heir of teleportation power.
⸻
Chloe: Astaross still isn't awake?
S: Not yet, but I've given him food and water so his stomach won't be empty.
Emrik: We've been running nonstop for a whole day. We even got separated from the Rebel troops.
Lucien: Hey Chloe… where exactly are we right now on that map your brother gave you?
Chloe: Hmm… we're at the western foot of the mountain—around 60 kilometers from the heart of District 4.
Tiber (waking up from exhaustion): Ughh… my whole body aches.
Siro: Finally, you're awake too.
Tiber: Is Astaross awake yet?
S: Unfortunately, no.
Cashew: S, are you sure Astaross is being targeted by Central?
S: I used to be sure… but after hearing Lucien explain the history of teleportation heirs, I realized something.
S: Their goal isn't peace anymore. It's to take the teleportation power—by kidnapping Astaross, maybe.
Lucien: I'll explain. From what I've gathered through old books…
The government has always hunted for the heir of teleportation powers, since it only appears once per generation.
They even call it "Veylarin Pure Power."
Lucien: But for the past eight generations, they've lost track of the heir every time.
Either the person hid, or never even realized they had the power… until they died.
Dario: How much further to the northern mines?
Chloe: Looks like… a full day's journey. Maybe.
Cashew: Siro, do you still have your grandfather's coordinates?
Siro: I keep them on me all the time. They're still in my shirt pocket right now.
Cashew: What if… we use teleportation to go there?
Dario: But Astaross is still unconscious. What if he faints again if we use his power?
Lucien: No—this is just the beginning. Every Veylarin goes through harsh side effects when their power first awakens.
Lucien: And Astaross… he activated his on a massive scale the very first time.
S: But can Astaross even control where he teleports?
I thought teleportation only works with places the user has visited or can clearly imagine?
Lucien: That's technically true. And honestly, I don't know how to work around that.
Chloe: Have you ever read the book on the Veylarin power system?
Lucien: Why are you suddenly bringing that up?
Chloe: I read it once. The power of Veylarin can be extracted… or even transferred.
Chloe: I'll get to the point—we can create a device to act as a new vessel for Astaross's teleportation power.
Siro: That sounds completely impossible…
Dario: What about Astaross? Wouldn't he have to agree to that? That's the biggest question.
Chloe: I'm just giving you an idea.
Besides, aren't you all dying to know where those mysterious coordinates lead?
S: I've already pictured how that device would work.
We could build a crystal-powered navigation tool, where we input coordinates.
Dario: Ohh, I know those!
The military back in our village uses something like that to reach places far from the central zone without getting lost.
Chloe: And we wouldn't need 100% of Astaross's power.
We could leave him a small portion so he's not completely drained.
Cashew: But how exactly do we divide Veylarin power? I've never seen anything like that in my life.
Emrik: And again… will Astaross be okay with that?
Lucien: We'll ask him once he wakes up.
Cashew: You still haven't answered my question!
How do you divide Veylarin power?
Chloe: Honestly… I forgot. But the book is still at my house.
S: Then we split up.
Tiber: What do you mean?
S: Two of us continue to the northern mines carrying Astaross.
Two others go with Chloe to her house on the outskirts of District 2.
Each group will be three people.
Lucien: And the remaining two?
S: They'll come with me. We'll search for materials to build the device Chloe talked about.
Cashew: That name is way too long… we need something simple.
Siro: Hmm… what about "Cryport"?
Cryverra + Teleportation = Cryport.
Cashew: That's actually a great name.
S: Alright, time to pick your teams.
Lucien: I'll lead the group heading north. I'll carry Astaross.
Tiber: I'll go with Lucien.
S: Who's with me?
Cashew: I think you'll need me. Count me in.
Dario: I'm coming with S too.
Chloe: That means the rest come with me.
Emrik: When are we moving?
S: Right now.
Dario: Lucky for us, it's still early morning. Let's head out.
S: Lucien… we're counting on you.
Protect Astaross until he wakes up.
Lucien: You have my word.
S: Cashew, Dario—let's move.
Chloe: Give us at least a day… we'll head to the city, then move toward the northern mine.
⸻
And so, they set off… in three different directions—
But all with the same destination: the crystal mines of the North.
⸻
Lucien: Hey, Tiber… how about we make a deal?
Tiber: What kind of deal?
Lucien: We take turns carrying Astaross every 5 kilometers.
Tiber: You already tired?
Lucien: Not yet… but I will be eventually.
Tiber: Fair enough.
But do you really think splitting up like this is safe?
Tiber: Especially since we don't know where the Central troops teleported to yesterday…
Lucien: I really hope the group with Chloe makes it to the city safely.
Even if the Rebel troops protect them, it's still dangerous.
Tiber: Let's hope they make it…
Anyway, how far are we from the northern forest?
Lucien: Judging by this map… I'd say about three more hours of walking.
Tiber: That's way too far…
(Looks around)
Tiber: Hey… what's that building over there?
Lucien: Looks like… a farm?
⸻
Lucien and Tiber head toward the structure, still carrying Astaross.
⸻
Tiber: It's abandoned. Not a single animal left.
Lucien: Look over there. (points inside)
Lucien: We just found something useful.
Change of plans—we're going back to get S and Chloe!
-Meanwhile, Chloe and her team…
Emrik: Huff… is your house still far? We're already in the city, you know.
Chloe: We're almost there. Less than a kilometer left till we reach my place.
Siro: It's 4 PM now, almost evening… why don't we just sleep at your house first?
Emrik: We promised S we'd meet in the northern forest within a day.
Emrik: If we sleep, we'll definitely take too long.
Chloe: There it is. My house. (pointing ahead)
Emrik: We'll wait here.
Siro: Hey Emrik, look over there… there's a weird guy watching us. (quiet tone)
Emrik: Just ignore him. He's probably a local. He'll leave.
Emrik: Besides, this is District 2. Way far from where we live in District 5…
Maybe they just think we're strangers.
Siro: Chloe, hurry up.
-The strange man keeps getting closer to the two of them
Siro: (quiet tone) He's getting closer.
Emrik: But we're right in front of Chloe's house… what does he want?
-The strange man finally stops in front of them
Just call me Tav.
Siro: Y-yeah? What is it, Mr. Tav?
Tav: Were you involved in the mountain war yesterday?
Siro: N-no… (nervously shaking)
Emrik: Calm down, Siro.
Chloe: Hey, what's going on? I found the book!
Tav: What book is that… let me see.
Chloe: Uhh… a cookbook. (face slightly panicked)
Tav: Then… our friends got one too.
Tav: They were also involved in the mountain war.
Emrik: HEY, WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?!
Tav: Give me the book. I want to see what you really took. (pressuring her)
Chloe: Let go… it's just a cookbook –Ahh! (book slips out)
Tav: This book is titled "The Veylarin Power System."
Tav: What are you planning with this book? Chloe, Emrik, Siro.
Siro: (eyes widen in shock) H-how do you know our names?!
Tav: You and a few of your friends—who aren't here right now—are on Cryverra's most wanted list,
for your involvement in the mountain war.
Tav: Guards. Take them.
Guard: Yes, sir.
Chloe: Hey! Let go of me! What are these ropes for?! (struggling)
Chloe: Emrik, Siro… just run!
Siro: But what about you?! (hesitant)
-Toor… a gunshot echoes from afar, followed by the sound of hooves tearing through the dusty road
Emrik: Two horses… and a steel-wheeled carriage?! Who's that? (pointing at the carriage)
Tav: Are those backup guards?
Guard: Maybe… I don't know either.
Chloe: They're getting closer—and faster.
-A hooded figure riding the carriage keeps their head down while firing shots into the air…
Siro: What is this…? (eyes wide)
-Someone from inside the carriage grabs Siro and Emrik and pulls them in…
Hey! Turn the carriage around—there's one more left behind!
Siro: Y-you guys???…
Tiber: No time for questions—we don't have long!
Tiber: Help me grab Chloe and the book!
-Lucien, do it!… the carriage circles back toward Chloe, kicking up a cloud of dust that blinds Tav and his men
Tiber: Hey old man… this book belongs to us. (snatching it from Tav's hands)
Lucien: Chloe's in?
Tiber: SHE'S IN. LET'S MOVE!!
-The carriage blasts off north at high speed, leaving Tav and his troops behind
Lucien: Parting shots… Toor Toor Toorrr! (Lucien fires into the sky)
Farewell, old man… next stop: Team S.
Chloe: What's going on? Why are you–
Tiber: Shhh, I told you—no questions. Just hold on tight.
-Meanwhile, Team S had already started moving toward the northern mountains,
thinking the others were on their way too…
Cashew: It's getting late, we should just sleep here for now.
Dario: No, that'll just make us take longer to reach our destination.
Dario: By the way, where exactly are we now?
S: Northern rainforest… and the northern mountains aren't far from here either.
Cashew: I heard there are tons of wild animals in this forest.
Dario: The sky's getting dark. (points to the clouds)
Cashew: -Summon object- Don't worry, I've got a torch.
S: That's just a waste of stamina.
Dario: S, are you sure we shouldn't stop for a while?
S: Relax. What are you even afraid of in this place?
-Kroarrkk
Cashew: (eyes wide) WHAT WAS THAT
S: Light up your surroundings with the torch!
Dario: We better run. (very quietly)
-Kroakrrkk… a pack of mountain wolves appears from both directions
Cashew: W-wolves!
S: Stay calm… we'll run on the count of three.
Dario: Are you crazy? You say stay calm and then you want us to run?!
S: One, two, three… RUN!!
Dario: WAIT FOR ME, DAMN IT!
Cashew: I'm tired… huff huff (while running)
-Kroarrkk Kroakrr… the wolf pack keeps chasing the three of them
Dario: Cashew, don't look back!… just keep running!
Cashew: Bai–… arghh –thud!
Dario: CASHEW!… S, stop! Cashew fell!
Cashew: I'm so unlucky… (looks up) HAHH
Cashew: I-I'm surrounded by these beasts…
S: Throw rocks at the wolves!!
Dario: Heahh! (throws rock)
-Kroarkk tssss… S gets scratched by one of the wolves
Cashew: S!!
Dario: This is getting worse… what do I do? Cashew's leg is injured and S just got clawed…
S: Leave me here… I can't take the pain any longer…
Dario: B-but… I can't just leave you…
S: JUST GO! TAKE CASHEW AND GET OUT OF HERE!
S: Losing one Caldavarn isn't a big deal.
-Toor toor torrr… No one has to be sacrificed. Everyone will make it out alive.
Cashew: Whose voice was that?
Dario: And that light—someone's coming this way!
S: It's a horse carriage… (in pain)
Cashew: It's getting closer… really close.
-A hand reaches out from inside the carriage and pulls all three of them in
-Toorrr toor torr… the wolf pack starts running away in fear from the gunshots
Dario: What is this?
Cashew: It hurts so bad… HAH! (shocked)
Cashew: Y-you guys… all six of you are here?!
Chloe: Don't ask anything yet… that's what Tiber told us when he first picked up me, Emrik, and Siro.
Lucien: S, is your wound getting worse?
S: How did you know we were being attacked by wolves?
Lucien: Your screams were super loud—no way I wouldn't hear that.
Tiber: Now that we're all here, I'll explain. So, during our journey, Lucien and I found an old farm building.
Tiber: Inside, there was a metal-wheeled carriage and two horses.
Cashew: And whose idea was it to come pick us up?
Lucien: Mine. Even the idea to rescue Chloe's team was also mine.
Lucien: Chloe, is that crystal mine still far from here?
Chloe: Seems like it's still quite far… but with horses, we should get there faster.
Emrik: I think we need to find a safe place—we also need to rest the horses.
Cashew: S, use this bandage.
S: Is this the same bandage from the mountain war incident?
Cashew: Exactly. Use it to wrap your wound.
Tiber: Can't believe you still kept that.
—Where is this…
Siro: WAIT A SECOND!
Chloe & Siro: THAT'S ASTAROSS'S VOICE!!
S: Give him some water!
Lucien: Looks like our hero's finally awake. I'll go find a place for us to spend the night ASAP.
Astaross: Uhhkk… huhh… where are we? (slowly opens eyes)
Astaross: Is the war over…? (weak tone)
Tiber: You finally woke up… after being unconscious for two whole days.
Astaross: Two days?… I didn't expect I'd been out that long.
Cashew: Drink this.
S: Astaross, there's a lot we need to tell you.
Astaross: What is it?
Lucien: It's better if we talk later. There's a small hill up ahead, I think it's safe enough for us to rest.
S: Alright then.
—At the rest area
Astaross: (falls while trying to walk) Ahkkhh damn it, I feel like a baby now…
Cashew: Chill, man—you were out for two whole days.
Dario: I'll start a fire for light.
Lucien: Tiber, give me water for the two horses.
Tiber: Here, take it. (hands over water)
Astaross: S, what is it you wanted to talk to me about?
S: Everyone, sit here.
Siro: Just tell him already.
S: Astaross, do you still remember the coordinate paper that Siro had?
Astaross: Yeah, I remember. Why?
S: Are you still curious about what that coordinate actually leads to?
Astaross: I think… I still am.
S: I'll just tell you straight—Chloe had an idea to split half of your teleportation power so we could insert it into the coordinate navigation device.
Astaross: (shocked) W-what is this? Why so sudden?
Astaross: And how can a power even be split?
Chloe: Here's the solution. (holds up the Veylarin power system book)
S: Astaross, would you be okay if your power gets divided in half?
Astaross: Honestly, I wouldn't mind… I never really wanted it to begin with.
Astaross: But explain to me first—how does the power-splitting process actually work?
Chloe: I've read about this before. On page 188, it explains how to divide or release Veylarin power.
Chloe: The user must be calm and clear-minded—not thinking of anything. The user also needs to touch the object or person that's receiving the power.
Chloe: And lastly, the user must be fully conscious and willing to release or divide their power.
Emrik: That sounds complicated as hell.
Astaross: (pauses, thinking)
Astaross: You guys only need half, right?
Chloe: Yes, we don't need the full amount.
Astaross: We'll start tomorrow. Just get the device ready.
Lucien: Are you absolutely sure?
Astaross: I am.
S: I'm heading to sleep. This pain is seriously annoying.
Lucien: We'll get some rest too.
⸻
After an exhausting night…
Dario: Wake up, everyone.
Astaross: (opens eyes) What's going on? What time is it?
Cashew: Dario, how long have you been up?
Chloe: Good morning, everyone.
S: Lucien, Dario, and I finished building the Cryport. We didn't sleep.
Astaross: What's a Cryport?
Siro: That's the name of the device we mentioned yesterday. I gave it that name.
Astaross: You guys built it so fast… I'm impressed.
Dario: Emrik, wake up…
S: Astaross, did you rethink everything from yesterday?
Astaross: If it'll help us achieve our dream, then I'm in… Besides, I'll still have half my power left anyway.
Lucien: Chloe, you'll be responsible during the power division process.
Chloe: A-alright… I'll handle it.
Emrik: Are you sure the Cryport actually works?
S: I tried entering the coordinates to District 5—our home—and the device worked fine.
Chloe: Give me the device. Astaross, we don't have much time—Central is already hunting us.
Chloe: If you still want to leave this place, we need to start the division process now.
Astaross: Then… let's do it now.
Cashew: Let's hope everything goes smoothly.
⸻
The process begins…
Chloe: Everyone, no talking. Astaross, you need to focus and stay calm… also, you must touch the device.
Astaross: Alright, I'll try. (touches the Cryport)
Astaross: What now?
Chloe: You have to consciously think about splitting your teleportation power in half… and willingly agree to it while focusing.
S: This is nerve-wracking. (whispers)
Lucien: Shut up, idiot. (whispers back)
Astaross: (closes his eyes)
Astaross: (in his mind) I want to divide half of my power right now, and I'm okay with it.
—Syyyyinggg… a bright light shoots from Astaross's hand and enters the Cryport.
Emrik: That's so blinding!
Astaross: (in his mind) Even if I lose this power entirely… I'm okay with it.
—Syinggg… the light grows even brighter and the noise gets louder.
And then… BOOFFF!
S: What the—Arghhh! (gets blasted away)
Emrik: Hold on tight!
—Everyone gets blown back by the blast—even Astaross.
Chloe: W-WE DID IT!!
Astaross: Seriously?
S: The device's aura… it's radiating teleportation power!
Lucien: Astaross, try using your teleportation now. I'm worried all your power went into the device.
Astaross: I'll try teleporting to the top of that hill. (points up)
Astaross: (closes eyes, teleports) Cysingg…
Astaross: HEY, IT WORKED!! (teleports again) Cysingg…
Lucien: Perfect.
Astaross: I can control it now—unlike before.
Chloe: Guys… my job is done. I'm heading back to the city. The crystal mine isn't far from here either.
Tiber: Chloe, you're not coming with us?
Chloe: I told you from the start—I was only here to help, not join.
Chloe: I'll head back using the carriage.
Astaross: Hey, what for? I'll teleport you back myself.
Chloe: Save your stamina. You all need to leave fast before Central finds you.
Chloe: (climbs into the carriage) Goodbye, everyone. Until we meet again… take care of yourselves out there.
—Chloe rides off in the horse-drawn carriage…
S: CHLOE, THANK YOU SO MUCH…
Chloe: You're welcome… see you again. (waves from a distance)
Astaross: S, now what? Do we head to the mysterious coordinates, or use the Cryport to go home?
S: We don't have a home anymore…
S: Cashew, give me the crystals we collected yesterday.
S: Siro, bring out the coordinates from your grandfather.
Tiber: S, are you sure? Right now?
Cashew: Here, S. (hands over the crystals)
S: (inserts the crystals into the Cryport)
Siro, tell me the coordinates!
Siro: A-alright… "47.02488° N, 15.60458° E"
S: Done. Everyone, hold hands. I'm activating the device!
Astaross: S, are you for real right now?
S: DO IT, NOW!
—They all grab each other's hands as S powers up the Cryport for the very first time.
S: (presses the Cryport button)
—Tsstttt… Syinggssgg…
Cashew: (trembling) I really hope this works…
S: This is what we've been risking everything for.
—Tsyingggss…. BOOFFF!!
A massive explosion of light bursts from the hilltop where they stand, marking a successful teleportation.
—From a distance…
Chloe: Farewell, my friends… (gazing at the bright light in the sky)
-The next arc is coming soon-