Long ago, an ancient conflict between the Sun and the Moon left behind an absolute magical crystal upon the earth. In human form, the Moon became the master of extraordinary power bound by the laws of the universe, while the Sun stood against it as its equal.
When their war reached its climax, the Moon fell, and the Sun vanished without a trace. Only the crystal remained, drifting endlessly along the current of an eternal river until the magic within it fell into slumber. Yet it would awaken once more when someone discovered it, touched it, and became the new master of the Cosmic Magic Crystal.
The rulers of Notchollow, the Northern Lands; Gaelvorn, the Eastern Lands; Ilgnisar, the Southern Lands; Zepharia, the Western Lands; Nimurelle, the Central West; and Solcendria, the Central East gathered within a magnificent council hall.
Towering stone walls were adorned with the emblems of each kingdom, while six grand seats were arranged in a circle around a long table at the center of the chamber.
The two central seats were occupied by the rulers of Nimurelle and Solcendria. The seats reserved for the mages remained empty, represented only by a king who carried their authority.
The meeting proceeded in an atmosphere of restrained tension, for the matter before them concerned not merely politics, but the balance of the world itself.
The discussion began with reports of subtle signs believed to be connected to the crystal's awakening.
Several rulers expressed concern that the crystal could become active again if it were found and touched by someone.
The representative of the mages argued that such overwhelming power must never belong to any individual.
He declared that the world had already paid the price for the destruction of the past and could not afford to repeat the same mistake.
The negotiations continued with a proposal to establish a formal covenant. The rulers agreed that the stability of the world and the peace of its people could only be preserved through absolute control over the crystal.
Yet behind their words of peace lay a shared determination to ensure that such power would never fall into the hands of anyone capable of shaking the long-standing order of the world.
After lengthy debate, every ruler signed a united decree that would be enforced across every nation.
As the meeting came to an end, the representative of the mages rose to his feet and recited the final decree, his firm voice echoing throughout the grand hall.
"Whoever conceals or uses the crystal shall be declared an enemy of the world... and a fugitive throughout every nation."
I spend the entire day at sea, yet my catch is never enough to trade for dinner.
They say I bring bad luck.
They want me dead.
Sometimes, I begin to think they might be right.
I walk toward the river.
Its water is crystal clear, flowing peacefully, yet it brings me no comfort.
My reflection stares back at me from its surface—dull, exhausted, barely resembling a human anymore.
CTAK!
A single tear falls, sending ripples across the water before disappearing.
I cup both hands together—
SWAK!
—scoop up the water, and drink slowly.
GLUK—GLUK—GLUK!
Each swallow eases my thirst... and dulls my hunger.
SWUK!
I move to pour the rest back—
CLANG!
A blinding flash catches my eye.
I squint.
"Ugh..."
I hiss under my breath.
As the sunlight fades, the source of the reflection slowly comes into view.
I furrow my brows.
"Hm?"
I lean closer.
Closer.
Even closer.
"Huh?!"
A necklace is lodged between the rocks at the bottom of the river.
At its center rests a black crystal, shimmering like a night sky filled with countless stars.
I lift it toward the sky and study it for a long moment.
"The light... is strange."
As though it were alive.
I hesitate.
Only for a moment.
Curiosity wins.
My fingers touch it—
"ARRGHHKK—!"
Instantly—
—it feels as though my vision is torn away from my body.
The world spins.
Blinding light races around me.
My entire body convulses violently.
"—EGHHKK!"
I try to pull my hand away, but I cannot break the contact.
I bite my lip until it splits, desperately forcing myself not to scream.
Then—
SLHAAHMNHNH!
—everything stops.
KLANG—CLING—CLANGH!
The crystal falls to the ground.
"Huh... hah... huh... hah..."
I gasp for air.
"Huh... hah... huh..."
Every ounce of strength leaves my body.
"Ekh..."
My hand feels both burned... and numb.
My body trembles uncontrollably.
Magic?
I frown.
A curse?
I stare at my trembling hand.
I don't know.
An antique shop?
Yes.
CLIING—
The bell rings sharply as I step inside and place the necklace on the counter.
A man stands behind it.
A smoking pipe rests in his hand.
SREEP—
His eyes narrow at me.
—HUUUFT!
I lower my head.
My fingers fidget nervously.
"Where did you steal this from, boy?" he asks sternly.
Of course.
That is the very first thing he says.
"I didn't steal it," I answer immediately.
PLAK!
A hard slap crashes across my face.
"EGHK—"
SWIIINGGNHMHH!
My ears ring.
"WHERE DID YOU GET IT?!" he shouts, his voice sounding distant.
His breath reeks.
He wants a different answer.
He only wants an excuse to throw me out.
"I TOLD YOU I FOUND IT!" I yell back.
EEEEURRT!
My stomach growls loudly.
How humiliating.
Of course.
TOK—
He sets his pipe on the counter—
SWAKKK—KRRKKK!
—grabs my collar as though I were a wild animal—
SWAAAHMNH!
—and throws me out of the Relic Shop.
Fine.
I have already started walking away before his final shout—
"GET OUT!"
—completely fades behind me.
I climb the hill overlooking the village.
The same wind.
The same sea.
The same trees.
I sit.
Waiting.
For what...
I don't know.
BAAAAAAAAAHMNHHH!
An explosion tears through the air.
Smoke and flames rise from the village.
From the marketplace.
I sink deeper into silence.
The smoke continues to billow upward.
Then—
"Mm-hm?!"
The antique shop.
DUK—DAK—DUK—DAK—DUK!
I sprint down the hill.
DAK—DUK—DAK!
Faster.
I have to get the crystal back.
DUK—DAK—DUK!
Faster still.
It's mine...
DAK—DUK!
I keep running without stopping.
...I'm taking it back.
DUK—DAK!
I'll sell it.
At last...
I'll finally eat.
DUK—DAK!
A crowd has already gathered.
But I'll get there.
BRUK—BRAK!
My feet skid to a stop.
Both hands brace against the ground as I struggle to breathe.
My chest rises and falls violently.
"Hah... huh... hah... Where... huh..."
My breath catches in my throat.
"Huh... hah... Where is it... huh..."
The place has collapsed within minutes.
Charred wood.
Scorching heat.
Sparks drifting through the air.
I keep searching.
Again.
And again.
My eyes sweep desperately across the ruins.
Among the ashes—
"There!"
—the crystal.
A grin spreads across my face.
Without thinking—
SWUK!
—I snatch it.
SWAK!
I hang it around my neck.
DAK—DUK—DAK!
I run back to the hill.
BRUK—BRAK!
Grab my cloak.
DUK—DAK!
Then leave.
Crossing the forest—
DAK—DUK—DAK!
—toward the next village.
"I'll sell it."
I head for another relic shop.
"I'll sell it.
Finally.
Finally."
I'll sell the magical crystal.
I'll get money.
"I'll eat."
Night falls quickly.
EEEEUUURT!
Hunger comes even faster.
Pain tears through my body once again.
BRUUUKKK!
I collapse instantly.
"No..."
My body goes completely limp.
My vision fades.
"...No—"
Darkness closes in.
Unconsciousness—
"No..."
—claims me.
---
---
SLURP!
Something touches me.
"Hmph?!" I mumble through restrained breath.
SLURP!
Wet.
SLURP!
Soft.
HUF—HUFT!
Sniff... sniff...
"Hmm?!" I mumble again.
I open my eyes.
"Huh?!"
A cat walks to the river, dives in, then returns with a fish.
It eats without paying me the slightest attention.
"Well then..." I murmur with a faint smile.
BRUK—BRAK!
I rise to my feet.
SWUK—SWAK!
I pick up a branch and sharpen one end with my knife—
"There we go."
—A spear rests firmly in my hand.
KRRKK!
...I tighten my grip around it.
DUK—DAK!
I begin walking...
SWUSH—WASH!
...and step into the shallow edge of the river.
"Ekh..."
I hiss softly.
The icy water pierces my skin.
"Aish."
My knees tremble.
The cat continues staring at me in silence.
Its eyes seem to expect me to fail.
I furrow my brows.
"Whatever."
I turn my attention back to the river.
"Just one fish!"
I steady myself and focus completely.
GLUK!
I swallow, forcing down my thirst.
CLAP—CLUP!
I close my eyes for a brief moment before opening them again, fully prepared.
But—
"Hmm?"
I murmur.
—the world falls silent.
With my eyes closed...
I frown.
"Huh?!"
...I cannot open them again.
Then—
"What the—"
—everything changes.
I can see...
...farther...
...through the current.
The silhouettes of fish moving in places I should never have been able to see.
My eyebrows rise.
"What—"
They are getting closer.
I narrow my eyes.
"Wait..."
Suddenly, I grit my teeth.
"Now—"
SCTKHWAAAAHMNHH!
I thrust the spear forward.
"Mm-hm?!"
I freeze.
Speechless.
Unable to believe it.
Was it really that easy?
A fish writhes at the tip of my spear.
A faint smile slowly spreads across my face.
"All right..."
I say quietly, unable to hide my excitement.
I quickly turn around.
"I'll eat this fish... then sleep like a king."
I walk away with steady steps.
But—
"Hmm?"
I glance around...
...searching for the cat.
It is gone.
Gone without a trace.
"Whatever."
I light a fire.
CTUK—CTAK!
Sparks burst into the air like blooming flowers.
"It looked down on me."
The aroma of roasted fish fills the air.
"When that cat comes back..."
"...it'll have proof."
Relief washes over my body.
Strong.
Real.
"Bon appétit."
One bite.
Then another.
Soon, nothing remains but the head and bones.
I finish it in no time.
Yet—
EEEEUUURT!
I'm still hungry.
A faint smile appears on my face.
"Hmhm."
I chuckle quietly.
"Tomorrow..."
I murmur.
Closing my eyes.
"Tomorrow I'll sell the crystal and get whatever money it's worth."
"Huft..."
I let out a light sigh.
"I'll put an end to this hunger."
The fire slowly dies down.
Night passes.
The moon gives way to the sun.
The stars yield to the clouds.
Black fades into blue.
Birds fill the sky.
"Ekhh..."
Morning comes far too soon.
"Hoaaam..."
A long yawn escapes me.
I stretch my body and spread my arms.
I twist from side to side.
"Egh—"
KRUK—KRAK!
My back cracks loudly.
"...Ugh."
I roll my neck from side to side.
WRUK—WRAK!
The joints pop sharply.
"Huft..."
I release a long breath.
I rise with a grimace.
EEEEUUURT!
My stomach still complains.
Not as badly as yesterday.
I take hold of the spear planted in the ground.
DUK—DAK—DUK!
I walk back toward the river.
GRRKK!
My grip tightens.
WUSH—SWASH!
My legs sink into the water up to my knees.
GLUK!
I swallow once.
CLAP—CLUP!
I close my eyes.
I'll try to feel it again...
KRIK—KRIK!
The crickets are still chirping.
...That silence—
KRIK—KRIK!
The crickets continue singing.
"Hmm?!"
I murmur.
Birds chirp overhead.
The river keeps flowing.
...The feeling is gone.
The world has returned to normal.
"...Well. I suppose that's that."
I mutter.
SWUSH—SWASH!
I turn and step out of the river.
"There was no way it would happen so easily twice."
BRUK—BRAK!
My steps come to an abrupt stop.
I watch the river flowing toward the opposite village—
Edevane Village.
I lower my gaze to the black crystal hanging against my chest.
Cold.
Heavy.
"Ukh..."
The flames come back to me.
That explosion.
That old man.
I want to believe...
...none of it was my fault.
"So you're still alive."
The voice comes out of nowhere.
"Ehmph?!"
I freeze.
Close.
Far too close.
The voice comes from ahead, hidden behind a tree blocking my view.
I quickly move closer, pressing my back against the trunk before cautiously peering around it.
Someone stands atop the hill.
His entire body is wrapped in bandages from head to toe.
"I walked all night without resting,"
he says in a dry voice.
He slowly walks downhill.
"...and the first thing I heard was that you touched that object."
My throat tightens.
He stops only a few steps away.
"Is it true..."
"...that you're the one holding it?"
I cannot move.
The suffocating pressure in the air grows heavier, swallowing even his presence.
Then—
"Boy."
—before I realize it—
"Am I mistaken?!"
He is already standing directly in front of me.