Arc I: “Apocalypse”
Chapter I: “The Generals”
Episode IV: “The Trial!”
[Six months later]
The dream came again.
A massive wolf — its shadowy form rippling like smoke, its crimson eyes burning holes in the dark — stared into Akira’s soul.
The only sound was static, like an old transmission, until the red of the wolf’s eyes bled outward, drowning everything in its color.
Then the wolf was gone.
And in its place stood the shadow of a man.
At first, Akira thought it was Felix — but no. This one was… reaching for him. A desperate hand extended toward him as if begging for help.
Akira jolted awake, his body drenched in sweat.
[The next morning]
“Wait… I’m going where???” Akira’s voice cracked so loud that a few passing students turned their heads.
“To the Giant Forest Island northeast of here,” Master Kai said lazily, sipping from a cup that definitely wasn’t water.
“A small village there has been reporting… let’s call it persistent ominous energy readings. Your Trial of Merit is to investigate the source and neutralize it.”
Energy readings again… “neutralize? As in…”
Kai smirked. “If they’re hostile? Capture them if you can. If not—” Kai shrugged, “—make sure they don’t come back. Dead or alive, it’s your call.”
Akira gulped. “Right. And I’m doing this alone?”
“Not exactly,” Kai smirked. “Sikira and Darc will be there. And at least two others.”
“Others?”
“They aren’t in your class. They’re special case students who joined a bit before you did. They have extraordinary ability.”
He leaned closer.
“Also, you won’t necessarily be working with anyone. They’ll be… competition. Let’s see who solves this problem first.”
“Competition?”
“Exactly. Oh, and they’re likely as strong — maybe stronger — than you.” He grinned. “Maybe even stronger than me. Think of it as… motivation.”
Akira’s stomach flipped. Stronger than Master Kai?
His jaw tightened, but then it relaxed. Akira grinned, rolling his shoulders.
“Doesn’t matter. I’ll beat them. I’ll win this Trial.”
Kai chuckled. “That’s the spirit. Now go. The village elder’s expecting you.”
[A few hours later]
Akira descended onto the island. It’s so much easier being able to fly, he sighed in relief.
He took a look around, observing his new surroundings.
The Giant Forest wasn’t just large. It was ancient.
Towering trees blotted out the sun, their roots clawing into the earth like skeletal hands. A faint mist curled through the air, carrying the smell of wet soil and pine.
Nestled at the center sat the village — a wooden fortress surrounded by walls thirty feet high.
“Hello there, stranger~”
Akira spun, fists raised. “Who’s—”
“Up here!”
A girl dropped from a lookout post, landing gracefully like an alley cat.
Long, silky brown hair framed a face lit by bright orange eyes. Her furs were stitched with bones, the trophies of beasts she’d probably hunted herself.
I didn’t even sense any aether from her.
“My name’s Fevee,” she said with a grin. “But my friends call me Fee. You are?”
“Akira,” he said cautiously. “You live here?”
“Mhm. Welcome to Woodberry. She tilted her head, studying him like a new species. “Lemme guess — UFA student?”
“Yeah. I’m here for the Trial.”
“Figures. You’re the fourth one of you academy kids to wander in.”
“Wait—fourth? Who—”
“Fevee, what the hell are you doing?”
Another figure dropped from above; this one was a boy.
His brown hair was cropped short, his arms muscular and scarred from years of combat. His orange eyes glared fiercely at Akira.
“Rackon,” she groaned, “this is Akira. He’s from the UFA. I’m taking him to the elder.”
“You can’t just bring outsiders to the elder!”
“Relax. He’s harmless.”
“You can’t know that.”
“Actually, I can,” Fevee smirked.
“I’m really good at reading aether, remember? Akira’s aether…” she said, looking him up and down, “might just be purer than yours, Rackon.”
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Rackon scowled. “Hmph. Fine. But only if he introduces himself at tonight’s feast. That’s the custom.”
“Food? I’m in,” Akira said immediately.
[Later that night]
The long hall glowed with firelight and laughter.
At its head sat the elder, draped in fine furs, his ceremonial jewelry clinking as he studied Akira with ancient eyes.
“So, you’re another one from the UFA,” he said, his voice slow and deliberate. “Show me your ID.”
Akira handed it over.
“Hmm.” The elder turned it over in his gnarled hands before returning it. “You may stay. But understand — this is a peaceful village. I intend to keep it that way.”
“Thank you, Elder.” Akira bowed, then hesitated. “Uh… is it alright if I ask a question?”
“Yes, you may… I’ll try to answer it to the best of my ability.”
“Do you know about the strange energy readings around here?”
The hall fell silent.
“Yes,” the elder said at last. “East of here, deep in the forest, lies a cave. Our scouts have reported seeing strange wolves guarding it.”
Akira’s blood ran cold. “Silver-gray wolves? Red eyes? Purple aura?”
The elder’s brows shot up. “Yes! How did you—”
Akira’s fists trembled. “Then it’s him. Felix.”
The elder’s cup stopped halfway to his lips. “Felix?”
“The First General of Apocalypse’s army,” Akira said darkly.
Gasps rippled through the room.
“Apocalypse is a myth,” Rackon scoffed.
“Then I guess your myth killed my grandfather,” Akira snapped.
His voice shook, but not from fear.
“I’ve… seen them before. And if they’re what I think they are, then forget my Trial, this village may be in trouble.
You should gather all your strongest fighters and keep everyone else indoors. I’m going to go check out this cave to see if it’s what I think it is.”
Fevee paled. “You can’t go alone.”
“She’s right,” the elder said. “Rackon, go with him.”
“What? I should stay here and protect you, elder!”
“No… Tomorrow morning, the two of you will go and investigate the cave. If this boy is right, the entire world may be at risk.”
[After the feast]
Akira sat at the edge of the campfire, staring at the flames. His fists were clenched so tightly his nails dug into his palms.
“This isn’t like fighting Rayon,” he muttered under his breath. “This is a General… the same one who killed Haru.”
Rackon glanced up from sharpening his blade. “You’re trembling.”
“I’m not afraid,” Akira said quickly, almost convincing himself.
“Then prove it tomorrow.” Rackon’s voice was even, but his eyes softened for a moment. “And if you can’t… stay alive anyway.”
Akira didn’t reply. He just stared deeper into the fire, silently promising himself: I will not lose.
[A few moments later]
Fevee led Akira to her and Rackon’s small home.
“You can sleep here,” she said brightly. “Take my bed. You’ll need the rest.”
“No, I can’t—”
“No, no. I insist.”
“Then where will you sleep?”
She grinned. “We can share.”
Akira’s face turned red. “Huh? Rackon would kill me!”
“Are you saying you don’t want to? You don’t like me?” she pouted.
“N-no… you’re… fine. I guess.”
Her grin returned. “Then it’s settled.”
Forget Felix, Akira thought as he collapsed into bed. I might not survive the night.
[Early the next morning]
Before the sun could rise, Rackon was waiting at the village gate, spear in hand.
“Took you long enough,” he said.
“Yeah, yeah,” Akira muttered.
Hours later, they crouched behind a thicket near the cave.
“You see that?” Akira pointed.
“Three in front. One behind that tree. And another at two o’clock.”
Akira arched a brow. “Not bad for someone so uptight.”
Rackon ignored him. “I’ll take the big one. You handle the rest.”
“Wow. Bossy and cocky. No wonder Fevee’s so sweet. She has to balance you out.”
Rackon scowled. “Let’s just do this.”
[Intermission – Start]
[Yield Levels]:
Akira: 2,000
- Aether Resurgence: Surge (First mission): 2,500
- Post Training (Six months): 8000
- Suppressed: 2,000
Fevee: 2
Rackon: ???
- Suppressed: 3,200
Village Elder: 50
Village Guards: 750 - 3,000
Lesser Demon Wolves: 1,000
Demon Wolves: 3,500
[Intermission – End]
Akira was first to move, charging at the pack of wolves.
“Rahhh!”
“Hey! What are you doing? I said I would take those!” Rackon barked, running after him.
Akira Aether-Skipped behind a wolf and kicked it skyward. Then he reappeared above it and clasped his hands together.
“Take this!”
He swung his arms overhead, then quickly slammed the wolf straight into the ground with a thunderous impact.
Rackon froze mid-stride.
W-what? Where did he get all that strength from? The aether I sensed from him before was less than the yield of even one of these wolves.
Akira blitzed two more before Rackon even reached his target.
Just who is this kid? He might be as good as the guards back at the village! Maybe he didn’t need my help after all.
A wolf jumped at Rackon from behind. “Huh!?”
“Ha!” Akira fired a blast of aether past Rackon and vaporized the wolf in an instant.
“T-thanks… but I don’t need your help,” Rackon muttered.
“Cocky much?” Akira grinned.
Then the forest quaked as a larger pack emerged from the cave.
Bigger.
Faster.
Deadlier.
“I guess this is no time to be arguing with each other,” Akira smirked as sweat ran down his face.
Rackon steadied his spear. “That big one’s mine.”
“Huh!? No fair!”
“Just trust me, there’s something off about that one. You just take the others.
You should be happy. Facing all those wolves on your own is a challenge in and of itself.”
“Hmph. Fine. But don’t lose too quickly. I’ll need some time to finish off all those wolves before I can save you.”
“Yeah, yeah…”
The two of them dashed off in opposite directions.
Akira fired three aether blasts and took out a wolf with each one. Then he ran behind two others and entered a close-range exchange with them.
“I won’t let you outdo me!” Rackon shouted.
He went after the bigger wolf.
“Ha!” He tried to stab it with his spear; the wolf didn’t budge. “Damn… looks like this won’t be easy.”
They didn’t stand a chance.
The massive wolf swatted Rackon aside with its tail. Akira found himself cornered by coordinated strikes.
“Damn it—” Akira grunted.
Then the forest erupted in light.
A girl in a gray cloak fired a silver-blue wave that obliterated the large wolf in one shot.
A black-cloaked figure followed, unleashing a storm of aether blasts that carved through the pack.
“Are you two alright?” the girl asked warmly.
“Pathetic,” the black-cloaked warrior said flatly. “Go back to your village. You’re out of your depth.”
Akira growled. “You wanna say that again?”
“Boys,” the girl sighed. “Look, we’ve got company.”
The air curdled as a figure stepped from the cave.
“My, my. Is that who I think it is?”
His smile was too wide, his words too smooth.
“The boy from back then… yes. The Vessel has come to me of his own accord. How lucky for me.”
Akira’s heart seized.
Felix.
Felix’s power was oozing out from within him. Akira and Rackon began to tremble as they felt his strength.
“You’re the one we’re after,” the black-cloaked warrior said, tossing aside his hood.
He was just a boy — not much older than Akira — but his presence was intimidating. His jet-black hair swayed in the wind, in suit with his black and crimson gi.
“Asuka,” he said to the girl. “Stay back. I’ll handle this.”
The girl nodded, “Be careful, Rikito.”
“Rikito?” Felix tilted his head. “Where have I heard that name before—”
He didn’t get to finish.
Rikito was gone — then instantly in front of Felix, throwing a strike that would’ve killed a lesser man.
Felix blocked, laughing. “Feisty.”
“Then let’s get serious.”
Rikito’s aura exploded — black and violet, violent enough to shake the ground.
Akira staggered back. “He’s… even stronger than Rayon.”
“You haven’t seen anything yet,” Asuka said softly, removing her cloak.
She had black hair and eyes as well — an appearance that was similar to Rikito’s.
Rikito blurred — then the forest erupted in a storm of kicks, punches, and beams, faster than Akira could follow. Felix tanked them all, laughing through the onslaught.
But then, Felix caught Rikito’s fist. The earth groaned beneath their feet.
“Not bad for a brat,” Felix sneered. “But your rhythm’s sloppy. Your rage makes you predictable.”
Rikito’s eyes narrowed. “Predict this.”
He twisted, driving a knee into Felix’s ribs with such force that the shockwave leveled trees in every direction. Felix slid back, coughing once before smirking again.
“Good! Good! You’ll make breaking you delicious.”
Before Rikito could react, Felix Aether-Skipped behind him, claw swiping for his spine.
Rikito spun, parrying with his forearm — flesh tearing under the impact. He gritted his teeth, countering with a point-blank blast of shadow that detonated between them, blowing both fighters across the clearing.
Akira shielded his eyes as splinters of stone and bark rained down. “What the hell kind of monsters are these two…?”
Every time Felix laughed, it echoed the moment Haru’s body fell. Akira’s fists shook—not from fear, but fury.
Felix emerged from the smoke, laughing with blood trickling down his lip. “Finally, a warm-up worth my time.”
Rikito’s aura flared hotter, dark lightning cracking in the air. “Warm-up? I’ll show you despair.”
He vanished — no, he folded through the air — striking Felix once in the gut, then the chest, and finally uppercutting him skyward.
Felix flew into the clouds—only for Rikito to appear above him, raining down a barrage of kicks and shadow-coated fists. Each strike cracked like thunder.
Felix fell like a meteor, carving a crater into the ground. For a moment, silence.
Rackon whispered, “Did… he kill him?”
The crater glowed.
Felix stood up, his coat tattered, his skin smoldering from the onslaught. He brushed ash from his shoulder, smiling wide, teeth sharp. His eyes gleamed with hunger.
“Damn. All that work for not even a scratch on this guy.” Rikito flicked his hair as he wiped his forehead.
“Now it’s fun.” Felix sneered as he licked his lips.
“This is intriguing… I think I may know who you are… but the vessel comes first. That’s more important than anything.
Let’s wrap this up now, shall we? I can always play with you later.”
He lifted a single finger. A crimson orb swelled at the tip, pulsing like a beating heart. With a flick, he fired — the beam carved through the forest, vaporizing everything in its path.
Rikito barely reacted, crossing his arms and absorbing the impact. Blood spattered from his lips as he skidded back, carving trenches into the dirt.
Akira trembled. That beam… if it hit me, I’d be dust.
“Rikito!” Asuka shouted.
“I’m fine!” he snarled, though his arms shook violently. “This bastard’s tougher than I thought.”
Felix chuckled, stalking closer. “Oh, I’m just playing. If I wanted you dead, you’d be a smear already. But breaking you slowly… letting you feel the gap… that’s art.”
Rikito wiped the blood from his mouth, his grin feral. “Then choke on your own arrogance.”
Rikito closed his eyes for a moment and focused his aether.
I hear it… “Oblivion Break: Dirge of Ruin,” he whispered.
He jumped into the air, pointing his hands downwards towards Felix.
“Dark Demolition Cannon!”
Rikito roared, firing a massive black beam of aether that swallowed Felix whole.
Is that… a shadow affinity? Akira thought.
The cave collapsed under the impact.
Rikito landed lightly, exhaling. “That’s that.”
But as the dust settled…
Felix was gone.
Is it really… over? Felix is dead? Akira’s lip quivered as he squeezed his hands.
“Damn,” Rikito muttered. “There are no remains to bring back. Whatever. Let’s move, Asuka.”
“Alrighty.” She said as she skipped away.
Before leaving, Rikito glanced at Akira. “Why did he call you the vessel? Who are you?”
“I don’t… I’m not sure,” Akira said honestly.
“Pathetic,” Rikito said. “If you survive long enough to matter, maybe we’ll meet again.”
“Bye, Akira~” Asuka waved as the two of them left for the forest.
How’d… she know my name? But damn, those guys were strong.
They must be the students with the “special” case that Master Kai was talking about.
I wonder if my new technique would be enough to match that guy's yield…
Akira stared at the ruins of the cave. Rikito, huh…
“So… what now?” asked Rackon.
[Next Time on Lyte of Utopia]: “Questions”
[Yield Levels]:
Akira: 8,000
- Suppressed (Idle): 2,000
- Suppressed (vs wolves): 6,000
Rackon: 9,500
- Suppressed: 3,200
Demon Wolf: 3,500
Large Demon Wolf: 12,000
Asuka: 10,000
- Suppressed: 5,000
- Crystal Wave: x2
Rikito: 15,000
- Dark Demolition Cannon: x1.5
Felix: ???
- Suppressed: 20,000