As the boys moved closer to the mountain, the atmosphere around them slowly began to change. Dark clouds gathered above the sea, and the once calm water started moving violently. Thunder roared across the sky while flashes of lightning illuminated the waves below. The wind grew stronger, carrying the scent of rain and something else—something ancient.
The boat rocked heavily as the storm intensified, but eventually the boys reached the base of the mountain. Without hesitation, they stepped onto the rocky shore and left the boat behind. The towering mountain stood before them like a silent guardian, its peak hidden within the dark clouds.
Homura looked up at the enormous structure and narrowed his eyes.
"It's time… or this mountain might actually be alive."
Thierry crossed his arms thoughtfully as lightning flashed in the distance.
"Hmmm… you mean because of the sudden change in the weather?"
Brian looked uneasy as he watched the storm.
"I think we should go back," he said quietly. "I have a bad feeling about this."
Homura laughed and shook his head.
"Come on, Brian. You're too weak for this. I hope your future girl finds a better guy."
Brian immediately turned toward him.
"What did you say?"
For a brief moment tension filled the air between them. Then Brian sighed and clenched his fists.
"…Fine. Let's go. We continue. I'm ready."
Homura smirked slightly.
"Finally. Our backup disappeared, so now we're all in."
Thierry laughed.
"Well then… let's climb."
The climb was difficult, but the three boys pushed forward without stopping. Sharp rocks, narrow paths, and strong winds tried to slow them down, yet they refused to give up. After a long climb, they finally reached the top of the mountain.
What they saw there made them stop in their tracks.
Floating before them was a gigantic blue sphere glowing faintly in the darkness. Rings of water circled around it slowly, moving like the orbit of a planet. In front of it stood two enormous stone doors carved into the mountain itself.
Between them, glowing words were written on the wall:
"Only a true Marine Protector will feel the right path.
One chance. One opportunity."
Thierry scratched his head as he read the message.
"Okay… this is actually new. Any idea how we're supposed to pass this?"
Homura shrugged casually.
"Simple. We choose one door."
Brian stepped forward slowly and closed his eyes. For a few seconds he remained completely still, concentrating deeply. Inside his mind, two different sensations appeared. From the right door he felt calmness and peace, almost as if something was welcoming him. But from the left door he felt something completely different—destruction, danger, and chaos.
Brian opened his eyes.
"We go to the right door."
Thierry raised an eyebrow.
"Huh… what makes you think that?"
Homura crossed his arms.
"Yeah. Maybe we should think twice before trusting you."
Brian's expression suddenly became serious.
"Trust me."
After a moment of hesitation, Thierry grabbed Homura's arm and pulled him toward the right door.
"Homura… if we're going to die, it's better if we die together."
Homura rolled his eyes.
"Hmmm. Do whatever you want."
The three boys stepped through the right door.
The moment they entered, the door slammed shut behind them.
A second later—
BOOOOM!
A violent explosion erupted from the left door. The entire mountain shook as the massive blast echoed through the cavern. Dust filled the air and pieces of stone fell from the ceiling.
Homura stared in disbelief.
"…Wow. That's unexpected."
Thierry turned toward Brian.
"Incredible. How did you know that was the correct door?"
Brian scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"I sensed peace on the right… and destruction on the left. But honestly… I'd just call it luck."
Homura laughed.
"Obviously luck. But well… good job."
Thierry smiled slightly.
"Alright then. Let's continue and see where this leads."
After passing the first trial, the boys continued deeper into the mountain. The path ahead was filled with traps—hidden spikes, collapsing stones, and sudden obstacles that appeared out of nowhere. Yet somehow they managed to avoid them all.
Eventually they reached another chamber.
This place felt different. The air was heavier, and the silence inside the chamber was almost unsettling.
Three large stone doors stood before them.
Glowing words appeared on the wall above.
∆•∆Only a true Marine Protector will know what is best for the connection.
Because only true power saves real survivors and brings peace.∆•∆
Above each door was a single word.
On the right door, glowing faintly in blue light, was the word:
"I."
On the middle door, shining brightly, was the word:
"YOU."
On the left door, surrounded by a soft aura, was the word:
"WE."
The three boys stared at the strange trial in confusion.
Thierry looked up at the words again, trying to understand their meaning.
"So… this time there are three doors."
Brian nodded slowly.
"And it looks like this time… we can't go together."
For a moment none of them spoke.
Then Homura suddenly smiled with confidence.
"Well… if that's the case, I'll go first."
Without hesitation, he stepped toward the right door marked "I."
Thierry watched him carefully.
"You're really choosing that one?"
Homura shrugged.
"Of course. Someone has to."
Then he pushed the door open and walked inside without looking back.
The door closed behind him.
Now only Thierry and Brian remained.
Thierry looked at the two remaining doors.
The middle door said "YOU."
The left door said "WE."
Brian took a deep breath.
"I guess this is where we separate."
Thierry nodded slowly.
"Looks like it."
After a moment of silence, Thierry stepped forward and placed his hand on the middle door marked "YOU."
"Well… good luck, Brian."
Brian smiled slightly.
"You too."
Thierry opened the door and disappeared inside.
Now Brian stood alone in the chamber.
He looked at the final door.
The word "WE" glowed softly above it.
Brian stared at it for a moment before taking a deep breath.
"Well… here goes nothing."
Then he pushed the door open and walked inside.
The trial of separation had begun.
Thierry sighed and scratched the back of his head.
"Well… I guess that leaves me with this one."
He stepped toward the middle door marked "You."
For a brief moment, the three friends looked at each other.
Brian spoke first.
"I choose 'We.' I understand it… and I hope we all meet again after this."
The doors slowly opened.
Without another word, they each stepped inside.
The doors closed behind them.
Homura's Path — "I"
Homura walked forward through a long corridor.
The deeper he went, the heavier the air felt. Suddenly, the hallway behind him closed completely, sealing his path back.
Then lights began appearing around him.
A bright red light glowed on one side, while a dark blue light shimmered on the other. Strange symbols floated in the air between them.
Inside the path, the red light suddenly intensified.
Then a powerful voice echoed throughout the corridor.
"I think you can control my power."
Homura frowned slightly, looking around calmly.
"Hmm… a voice like this? A giant voice claiming I can control its power… Why should I choose that? Because I'm capable of such power?"
The voice responded again.
"You have courage… but not the spirit of a true marine protector."
Homura crossed his arms.
"Huh… what does that even mean?"
The voice remained silent for a moment before speaking again.
"Only the worthy can receive such power."
Homura scoffed lightly.
"Well, I didn't come here for power anyway."
Suddenly, a door appeared behind him.
Before he could react, a massive wind burst out, violently pulling him backward. The force pushed Homura out of the mountain, throwing him into the air.
Moments later, he landed on the beach beside the sea, near their boat.
Homura slowly stood up, dusting sand off his clothes.
"What the heck? These stupid games keep getting worse."
He looked toward the mountain.
"I hope Thierry and Brian have better luck than I did. That voice… maybe destroying it would've made it shut up."
He began walking along the coast, waiting for the others.
Thierry's Path — "You"
Meanwhile, Thierry walked down his corridor.
As he moved forward, the path began glowing yellow, then slowly shifted into a dark blue light.
Suddenly, a deep voice echoed around him.
"What made you choose this row? Are you capable of controlling my power?"
Thierry scratched his head awkwardly.
"Hmm… actually, I didn't really have any option. I'm just here investigating with my friends."
He paused before continuing.
"And about controlling your power… I don't know. But choosing the row 'You' probably means you're the one who decides who deserves it."
The voice was silent for a moment.
Then it spoke again.
"I feel a good light within you… but you are not the one I am looking for to earn my power."
Thierry shrugged casually.
"Well, that's fine with me. But I do have a few questions."
"No questions are allowed," the voice answered coldly. "Only the chosen marine protector will receive the answers."
Thierry sighed.
"Oh… that's bad. But it's fine."
Suddenly, a door appeared behind him.
A violent gust of wind exploded outward and launched Thierry out of the mountain.
Seconds later, he landed safely on the shore beside Homura.
Homura looked at him.
"Where did you come from?"
Thierry stretched his arms.
"That voice kicked me out too."
Homura looked back at the mountain.
"But where's Brian?"
Thierry frowned.
"I don't know… maybe he's still inside."
Homura shrugged.
"Maybe he's already dead… or maybe he got thrown out somewhere else."
Thierry shook his head.
"I don't think so."
At that moment, the sea began to rage violently.
Massive waves rose up around the mountain, forming a terrifying storm.
Thierry looked toward the boat.
"It might be better if we go back home and return prepared."
Homura nodded slightly.
"Yeah… let's go."
They ran to the boat and tried to leave.
But the waves kept pushing them back toward the coast.
Brian's Path — "We"
Inside the mountain, Brian walked quietly through the corridor of the "We" path.
Water suddenly appeared around him.
Strange rings formed across the floor, glowing with mysterious designs.
Brian looked around.
"Hello? Anyone here?"
A deep voice echoed through the chamber.
"Brian… what made you choose this row? Are you capable of controlling my power?"
Brian froze for a moment.
"He knows my name…"
He took a deep breath.
"I don't really know. I just felt like it was the right path. I believed in my heart."
He looked around calmly.
"I don't know anything about controlling powers. What I want is simple. I want my friends and me to go home safely. I want them alive… not powers."
The voice responded again.
"You have chosen the correct path."
Brian remained silent.
"But what if your friends are dead?" the voice continued. "Would you still care?"
Brian shook his head immediately.
"That can't happen. They're strong and brave. They can't die."
He clenched his fists.
"And even if they did… I would still look for them. Because they're my family."
He looked forward.
"So tell me… how do I get out of here?"
The voice suddenly burst into laughter.
"Hahahaha!"
"You are the one who can fill my soul."
"You are the one who should guide until the end."
"Because you chose the correct path."
"You… are the true Marine Protector."
Brian's eyes widened.
"Huh? What? That can't be!"
Suddenly, a massive light exploded around him, surrounding his body.
The energy surged into him, granting him incredible strength and enormous power.
Outside the Mountain
Meanwhile, Thierry and Homura were struggling against the violent sea.
A gigantic fish monster rose from the ocean, surrounded by destructive waves.
Thierry shouted.
"Let's fight until death!"
Homura nodded.
"Yeah… let's go!"
Just as the creature lunged toward them—
A bright blue beam of light shot out from beneath the sea, striking the monster.
The waves instantly calmed.
Thierry stared in shock.
"What was that?!"
A figure slowly descended from the sky.
It was Brian.
He was now covered in shining armor.
Brian laughed confidently.
"Hehehe… miss me, guys? I'll deal with this fish."
Homura's eyes widened.
"That's impossible… how did he…?"
Thierry grinned.
"Incredible! Go, Brian!"
Brian charged forward and struck the gigantic fish with overwhelming power, destroying it completely.
Then he lifted the boat and carried his friends back to their island.
Mildret and Mukong were waiting for them when they arrived.
Brian shouted excitedly.
"This is amazing! Now I'm stronger than both of you!"
Homura smirked.
"Just luck with powers."
Thierry laughed loudly.
The storm clouds slowly disappeared, leaving behind a peaceful sky.
And as their journey continued, even greater adventures awaited them.
Soon…
Even the galaxy itself would appear before them.