The chapter begins in the peaceful village of Iriya, nestled in the valley between towering mountains. The villagers lead simple lives, farming, fishing, and celebrating traditional festivals. Among them is Hiro, a quiet and introverted teenager with a mysterious past. Raised by his grandmother after his parents disappeared when he was a child, Hiro has always felt like an outsider, unaware of his true potential.
One evening, during a full moon, Hiro is out in the fields gathering herbs for his grandmother. The air is thick with the scent of wildflowers, and the distant sound of the river lulls the village into a peaceful slumber. However, Hiro feels a strange pull—an inexplicable force tugging at his heart. Suddenly, a surge of energy erupts within him, knocking him off his feet. He struggles to comprehend what's happening as a glowing symbol appears on his chest.
Hiro stumbles to his feet, heart pounding as he watches the symbol pulse with energy. Confused and afraid, he touches it, and the energy swirls around him, filling the air with crackling power. He tries to call out, but the words get stuck in his throat. Just as quickly as it started, the energy dissipates, leaving him breathless and trembling.
Shaken, Hiro rushes home, but the symbol remains faintly glowing under his shirt. His grandmother, an elderly woman with silver hair and wise eyes, notices the change in him. When Hiro tries to explain what happened, his grandmother goes silent, her expression clouded with worry.
"Hiro," she says softly, "there is much about your past that I have kept from you. The powers you feel awakening inside you are not just your own. They are part of something far greater."
Hiro, desperate for answers, asks her to explain. She hesitates but eventually reveals that Hiro's parents were once protectors of the village, members of a secret order known as the Guardians. They were entrusted with guarding an ancient power—one that could either save or destroy the world.
The next day, Hiro seeks out the elder of the village, an ancient man named Kaito, who has knowledge of the Guardians. Kaito reveals that Hiro's powers are part of an ancient prophecy. He is the last of the Guardians, destined to either unite the fractured world or plunge it into chaos. However, there is a dark force—an enemy faction of rogue Guardians—who have been searching for him, hoping to use his powers for their own gain.
As Hiro struggles to come to terms with this revelation, he begins to feel an ominous presence watching him. That night, the village is attacked by mysterious shadows, creatures that seem to be searching for Hiro. The villagers scramble to defend their homes, but the creatures are too powerful. Hiro, overwhelmed by fear, accidentally unleashes a burst of energy, knocking the creatures back but destroying much of the village in the process.
The villagers stare at him, frightened and confused. Hiro feels the weight of his powers and the responsibility they bring, realizing that he can no longer hide from the truth about his heritage. His destiny is tied to the survival of the world—and now, he must make a choice: embrace his role as a Guardian or run from the truth.
With the village in ruins and the creatures retreating, Hiro stands amidst the wreckage, his body still humming with the power he can't control. He looks around at the faces of his people—the ones he has always protected—and realizes he can no longer deny his calling.
"Your parents fought for this world," Kaito says, placing a hand on Hiro's shoulder. "It's time for you to do the same."
Hiro nods, determined to uncover the truth about his past and stop the rogue Guardians before it's too late. He knows the journey ahead will be dangerous, but he's ready to face it. The first step in his journey to awaken his true powers has just begun.