A thin veil of mist drifted through the streets of Yohei Village as Ryusei Ryugu continued his investigation.
The village felt unnaturally quiet.
Even during the early hours of the morning, there should have been merchants opening their stalls, children playing near the lake, and farmers preparing for the day's work. Instead, an uneasy silence hung over the settlement like a dark cloud.
The frozen lake at the center of the village only added to the unsettling atmosphere.
Its surface remained encased in thick ice from the battle against the Sea Witch several days earlier. Jagged cracks stretched across the frozen water like scars, reflecting the pale morning sunlight. The villagers had explained that strange events began shortly after the lake froze.
People heard whispers during the night.
Shadows moved across the ice when no one was there.
And worst of all, Elementalists had begun disappearing without a trace.
Ryusei had spent the last several hours examining the village and the surrounding area, searching for clues. The more he investigated, the more convinced he became that something dangerous was hiding nearby.
Whatever was responsible for the disappearances had not acted randomly.
There was purpose behind it.
A pattern.
And Ryusei intended to uncover it.
As he approached the village hall, his boots crunched softly against the frost-covered stone path. The building stood near the center of Yohei Village, larger than the surrounding houses and decorated with banners bearing the crest of the village leadership.
Standing near the entrance was a young girl.
She couldn't have been much younger than Ryusei.
Scarlet hair flowed down to her shoulders, and her violet eyes watched him curiously as he approached. Around her neck hung a silver necklace engraved with a star-shaped emblem—the symbol of the village warden's family.
The girl tilted her head.
"Um... hello."
Ryusei stopped and offered a polite bow.
"Hello. My name is Ryusei Ryugu. I'm an Elementalist from the Kingdom of Ryugu."
The girl's eyes widened slightly.
"Oh!"
A small smile appeared on her face.
"You must be the Ryugu my father mentioned."
She placed a hand on her chest.
"My name is Meisai Kakusu."
Ryusei nodded politely.
"It's nice to meet you."
Meisai pointed toward the village hall.
"My father is currently attending a meeting inside. He'll probably be busy for a little while."
Then she smiled apologetically.
"If you'd like, you can wait here until he's finished."
"That's fine."
Ryusei glanced toward a nearby wooden bench.
"I'll just rest for a bit."
Meisai nodded.
Ryusei walked over to the bench and sat down.
The morning breeze drifted through the village, carrying with it the scent of pine trees and frozen water.
Slowly, he closed his eyes.
Meditation had become a habit over the years.
Whenever his thoughts became cluttered, he found peace by sitting quietly and focusing on his breathing.
Inhale.
Exhale.
Inhale.
Exhale.
Gradually, the sounds of the village faded away.
The wind disappeared.
The cold vanished.
Even the sensation of the bench beneath him seemed to dissolve.
Then something changed.
A strange warmth spread through his surroundings.
Ryusei slowly opened his eyes.
The village was gone.
The frozen lake was gone.
Everything around him had vanished.
In its place stretched an endless white world.
There was no sky.
No ground.
Only a vast expanse of pure white extending endlessly in every direction.
Tiny rainbow-colored particles drifted through the air like floating stars.
Ryusei immediately stood up.
His heart raced.
"W-What is this place?"
The moment he spoke, a voice echoed through the empty world.
"Ryusei."
The voice was calm.
Gentle.
And completely unfamiliar.
Ryusei spun around.
Standing several meters away was a young man.
He appeared to be only a few years older than Ryusei.
Brown hair framed a calm face, while a pair of striking red eyes observed him with quiet warmth.
The young man smiled.
"Good. It seems the connection worked."
Ryusei instinctively stepped back.
"Who are you?"
His eyes narrowed.
"And where am I?"
The mysterious boy raised both hands harmlessly.
"Relax."
His smile remained calm.
"I created this space so we could speak privately."
Ryusei frowned.
"A private space?"
"Something similar to that."
The boy chuckled softly.
"Don't worry. I'm not your enemy."
Ryusei remained cautious.
"You say that, but I don't even know who you are."
The young man nodded.
"Fair point."
He placed a hand over his chest.
"Allow me to introduce myself properly."
A brief pause followed.
"My name is Ryushi Ryugu."
For several seconds, Ryusei simply stared.
Then his eyes widened.
His jaw nearly hit the floor.
"R-Ryushi Ryugu?!"
He stumbled backward.
"The Crowned Dragon of Creation?!"
Losing his balance, he fell directly onto the white floor.
Ryushi couldn't help laughing.
"Yes."
He extended a hand.
"That Ryushi Ryugu."
Still stunned, Ryusei grabbed the offered hand and allowed himself to be pulled upright.
His heart was racing.
Every child in the kingdom knew the name Ryushi Ryugu.
The Crowned Dragon of Creation.
One of the legendary Dragon Kings whose stories had been passed down through countless generations.
And now that same legendary figure was standing right in front of him.
"W-Why are you here?"
Ryusei swallowed nervously.
"And why did you bring me here?"
The smile faded from Ryushi's face.
Immediately, the atmosphere changed.
The warmth that filled the white world seemed to dim.
"There is something important you need to know."
Ryusei straightened.
His instincts told him this wasn't a casual conversation anymore.
Ryushi looked toward the endless horizon.
"The era of peace is ending."
His voice echoed through the empty space.
"The Seal of the Dragon King is weakening."
Ryusei's eyes widened.
"The seal?"
Ryushi nodded.
"The prison that has contained Quintella Shiori for centuries."
The name alone sent chills down Ryusei's spine.
The Empress of Death.
The woman responsible for the War of Demons and Elementalists.
The greatest threat in recorded history.
"When the seal finally breaks," Ryushi continued, "Quintella will return."
The words felt like a hammer striking Ryusei's chest.
For a moment, he couldn't speak.
Finally, he managed to force the question out.
"But... you're one of the Crowned Dragons."
His voice trembled slightly.
"You and the others are the strongest beings in existence."
Hope appeared in his eyes.
"You can stop her, right?"
Ryushi's expression darkened.
"No."
The answer came immediately.
Without hesitation.
Without uncertainty.
Ryusei froze.
Ryushi lowered his gaze.
"A thousand years ago, Akashino Shitetsu fought her."
His voice grew quieter.
"He gave everything."
"The Dragon King gave everything."
"The Elementalist Kingdom gave everything."
A shadow crossed his face.
"And even then, she survived."
Ryusei clenched his fists.
Ryushi continued.
"We tried countless times."
"Dragon Arts."
"Ancient seals."
"Divine weapons."
"The power of the Crowned Dragons themselves."
His crimson eyes slowly closed.
"No matter what we used..."
A heavy silence filled the white world.
"...Quintella could not die."
The weight of those words crushed Ryusei's hope.
If even the Crowned Dragons couldn't defeat her...
Then what chance did anyone have?
"The world has no hope then..."
Ryushi shook his head.
"There is hope."
Immediately, Ryusei looked up.
"There is one possibility."
Ryushi stepped forward.
"The Twilight Faith."
The unfamiliar term echoed in Ryusei's mind.
"The Twilight Faith?"
Ryushi nodded.
"It is a bond created by destiny itself."
He placed a hand over his chest.
"Two souls."
"Two lights."
"Two paths."
His voice became powerful.
"When those lights unite as one, their strength surpasses anything an individual can achieve alone."
Realization slowly dawned on Ryusei.
"A Chima..."
"Yes."
Ryushi smiled.
"But far greater than an ordinary Chima partnership."
"The Twilight Faith is the world's final hope."
"The power capable of purifying chaos itself."
Ryusei's throat tightened.
"And... I'm involved in this?"
"You are."
Ryushi's answer came without hesitation.
"Why?"
The question escaped before Ryusei could stop it.
"I'm only F-Rank."
His voice grew smaller.
"I can't even control my powers."
"I don't understand my Elemental Art."
"I'm not special."
For the first time since arriving in the white world, sadness appeared in Ryushi's eyes.
He stepped forward and placed a hand on Ryusei's shoulder.
"You remind me of someone."
Ryusei blinked.
"Who?"
"Akashino Shitetsu."
The answer left him speechless.
Ryushi smiled gently.
"He was once exactly like you."
"Mocked."
"Underestimated."
"Unable to understand his own power."
His grip tightened slightly.
"And yet he became the first Grand Elementalist."
Ryusei stared silently.
"The same spark exists within you."
Ryushi's crimson eyes shone brightly.
"You carry the potential that Akashino once carried."
The words sent a shiver through Ryusei's body.
"But..."
His voice trembled.
"If Akashino couldn't defeat Quintella..."
His fists clenched.
"...how can I?"
For a moment, Ryushi simply looked at him.
Then he smiled.
A smile filled with trust.
"Because you are not Akashino."
Ryusei blinked.
"You are Ryusei Ryugu."
The white world seemed to glow brighter.
"Your strength will not come from power alone."
"It will come from your courage."
"Your choices."
"The people you protect."
"And one day..."
A gentle smile appeared on Ryushi's face.
"...the Chima fate has prepared for you."
Ryusei's heart pounded.
Somewhere in the future, a person awaited him.
The one destined to stand beside him.
The one who would complete the Twilight Faith.
"The day you meet that person..."
Ryushi's voice echoed through the white world.
"...the fate of the world will begin to change."
Tears slowly gathered in Ryusei's eyes.
The responsibility felt overwhelming.
Terrifying.
Yet at the same time...
For the first time, someone truly believed in him.
Not because of his rank.
Not because of his family.
But because of who he was.
Ryusei wiped his eyes.
Then he looked directly at Ryushi.
Determination burned within his gaze.
"I'll do it."
Ryushi smiled.
"I know."
"I'll become stronger."
The words came naturally.
"I'll master my Elemental Art."
His fists tightened.
"I'll find my Chima."
The fear in his heart slowly transformed into resolve.
"And when Quintella returns..."
A powerful light appeared in his eyes.
"I'll fight her."
"I'll protect this world."
Ryushi's smile widened.
The Crowned Dragon of Creation looked genuinely proud.
"I know you will."
Then he placed a firm hand on Ryusei's shoulder.
"Your journey has only begun."
A powerful warmth spread through Ryusei's body.
"The first step is understanding your true Elemental Art."
Ryusei nodded.
"The Meteor Dragon."
Ryushi smiled.
"Exactly."
The white world slowly began to fade.
Rainbow particles drifted through the air.
The scenery dissolved into light.
And as the vision disappeared, Ryushi's final words echoed through the endless white space.
"Train hard, Ryusei."
"Grow stronger."
"One day, the Twilight Faith will awaken."
"And when it does..."
His voice faded into the wind.
"...hope will shine upon the world once more."
When Ryusei finally opened his eyes again, he found himself sitting on the same bench outside the village hall.
The morning breeze brushed against his face.
The frozen lake stood in the distance.
And yet...
Everything felt different now.
For the first time since awakening his mysterious power, Ryusei understood that his journey was about far more than proving himself.
The future of the world was moving toward him.
And somewhere beyond the horizon, destiny was already guiding him toward the person who would one day stand beside him.
His Chima.
The other half of the Twilight Faith.