Kai reappeared in the white world of the Grimoire.

  Tenebria stood waiting.

  “Welcome back, Kai,” she said softly.

  Her eyes betrayed her; happiness radiated from the dark pupils like sunlight.

  Kai looked at the godly figure and smiled faintly. Then his gaze drifted toward the ranking list. Six entries now glowed with deep golden light, and at the very top stood one name: Nameless.

  He gasped. He and the old man had completely forgotten about the rankings in all the excitement.

  Better to keep my name hidden for now anyway, he thought.

  “Congratulations,” she said. “You’ve claimed the first spot. That was… unexpected. And you chose to remain anonymous. Wise.”

  Kai chuckled nervously

  “You’ve given me something rare. So, in return, I’ll give you something valuable. Ask me anything, and I will answer truthfully.”

  Kai hesitated. There were so many questions about Sacra, her motives, the trials, the world itself. But only one truly mattered right now.

  “Can you tell me what’s happening on Earth?” he asked. “Are my parents okay? Are they… looking for me?”

  Tenebria’s expression hardened. She sighed.

  “When a chosen is taken from their world and brought to Sacra, the world attempts to correct the anomaly. It erases the presence of the missing person.

  She paused.

  “Your parents are living normal lives now. They don’t remember you ever existed.”

  Kai’s breath caught. His chest tightened.

  “I’m sorry. I had my reasons for choosing you. But if you grow strong enough, you may one day return, and when they see you, they will remember everything. Or… you can choose to let them live in peace.”

  Kai’s breath caught. Tears welled in his eyes and spilled down his cheeks. He wiped them away, but they kept falling.

  The silence that followed was suffocating.

  Kai didn’t speak. He couldn’t.

  His world had forgotten him.

  He didn’t always agree with his parents, but he knew they only wanted the best for him. And now… they didn’t even know he existed.

  Then the grief twisted into rage.

  “You call this fair?” he snapped. “You stole everything from me. You threw me into this hell without a single explanation. And now you tell me I might go back someday? That I might be strong enough?”

  His voice cracked.

  “How long does it take to reach Seraph or Archon? Decades? Centuries? And even then, I doubt it’ll be enough. This is all bullshit, Tenebria. Give me one reason why I shouldn’t walk away from your cause and do whatever I want.”

  Tenebria froze.

  She stood still, her expression unreadable.

  Kai stepped forward, fists clenched.

  “You didn’t even help me. You didn’t guide me. You just threw me into the jungle and watched. I nearly died, more than once. And now you want me to trust you?”

  His voice trembled, but his fury was clear.

  “I want a reason. A real one. Not riddles. Not promises. Just one truth.”

  Tenebria remained silent for a long moment.

  Then she spoke, her voice quieter than before.

  “I didn’t expect this,” she admitted. “Most chosen who reach me… they’ve already let go of their old worlds. They ask for power. For knowledge. Not for family.”

  She looked away, as if ashamed.

  “I don’t know how to comfort you. I wasn’t made for that.”

  Kai’s breath slowed, but the pain didn’t fade.

  “I don’t need comfort,” he said. “I need answers.”

  Tenebria hesitated, then raised her hand.

  The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

  “Let me show you something. It’s not an answer, but maybe it will help.”

  A mana screen shimmered into existence.

  Kai saw his street. His building. Inside, his parents sat at the dinner table.

  John and Kimiko Silvers.

  He could hear them.

  “John dear,” Kimiko said, “do you ever feel like we’re missing something? I’ve felt so lonely lately. I regret never having children. We’ve reached the top of our fields… maybe it’s time.”

  John smiled gently. “I feel the same. Maybe we’re meant to have a child. Who knows, maybe we’ll be blessed with a boy, and he’ll take over my firm someday.”

  Kai’s tears flowed freely now.

  He had never seen them like this. So warm. So open.

  He felt a deep sadness but also hope. Maybe, when he returned, he’d have a sibling. Maybe they’d be better to his parents than he ever was.

  He wiped his tears, his expression hardening.

  “Thank you,” he said quietly. “But I’m still angry. One day, I’ll uncover everything. And if you’ve lied to me… I swear, I’ll tear down everything you’ve built."

  Tenebria’s voice softened.

  “I promise… everything I’ve done was for you. Please trust me.”

  She hesitated, then tried to change the subject.

  “How about I give you the rewards I promised? I’ll even give Umbra something extraordinary. Would that help?”

  Kai stared at the fading mana screen.

  “Fine,” he said coldly.

  ***

  Umbra stood guard over Kai’s unconscious body, her senses sharp, her presence unwavering. But then, a sudden wave of agony surged through their soulbond.

  It felt like Kai’s soul was splitting apart.

  She flinched, her claws digging into the stone floor. Her instincts screamed to act, to protect, but before she could move, the pain vanished.

  Kai’s body began to glow, radiating an ancient light, both dark and bright. Umbra felt it immediately.

  He had grown stronger again.

  And with that realization came fear.

  Would he leave her behind now? Would he outgrow her?

  Her pride stung. She felt small. Useless. A shadow trailing behind a rising star.

  But she didn’t move. She stayed by his side. It was the least she could do.

  Then, another wave hit her, this time not pain, but sorrow. Deep, aching sadness. Followed by anger. She didn’t understand what was happening, but she wanted to help.

  Before she could act, the world around her shifted.

  She was pulled into the white realm of the Grimoire.

  ***

  Kai trembled as Umbra appeared beside him.

  She ran to him instantly, her eyes wide with concern. “Are you alright? Who hurt you? Was it this woman?” Her voice was sharp, protective. Darkfire surged around her paws, ready to strike.

  Kai placed a hand on her back, calming her.

  “I’m fine now,” he said gently. “I’ll explain everything later. This is Tenebria. She’s the guardian of the Grimoire… and the one who summoned me to this world.”

  Umbra froze.

  So, this was the one.

  The one who had taken Kai from his home. The one who had thrown him into chaos.

  Kai saw the tension in her eyes and smiled; his cheeks were still wet with tears.

  “I asked her to bring you here. She wants to help you grow stronger. I thought… that’s what you’d want.”

  Umbra looked at him, and something inside her cracked.

  She felt it, his pain. His sadness. His loneliness.

  It echoed through their bond like a distant scream.

  Tenebria stepped forward, her voice cool and composed. “Are you sure you don’t want any rewards for yourself?”

  Kai didn’t hesitate.

  “No. Use everything I’ve earned and give something appropriate to Umbra. I’ve had enough.”

  His voice was cold. Resolute.

  Tenebria nodded. “Very well. Umbra, allow me to scan your core. I’ll find something fitting.”

  Umbra nodded, but her stance remained guarded.

  Tenebria’s eyes glowed faintly as she examined Umbra’s mana.

  “I see… a strong affinity for darkness, and traces of fire mana. Your darkfire ability is rare and potent. I have several inheritances that could elevate you to the Divine level. I’ll let you choose.”

  Umbra’s ears perked up. Her heart raced.

  Finally, a chance to catch up.

  Three dark orbs materialized in front of Tenebria.

  Woosh! Woosh! Woosh!

  “These contain the memories and inheritances of powerful dark beasts across Sacra,” Tenebria explained. “I’ve selected those most fitting for a chosen’s soulbound companion. I have a deep connection to dark mana; it was easy to collect many over the years.”

  “The three I’ve chosen are: the Darkwind Shadowpanther, the Abyssal Thunder Gryphon, and the Chimeric Dark Liger. Choose wisely.”

  Umbra stared at the orbs. Each one pulsed with power. Each one promised strength beyond anything she’d known.

  She wanted them all.

  Kai stepped forward. “Can she take two? Learning multiple inheritances might help her evolve into something more suited to her talents.”

  Tenebria considered this.

  “She could take two. But it’s dangerous. These inheritances are powerful. If she fails to assimilate them, she could lose her mind.”

  She turned to Umbra.

  “It’s your choice.”

  Umbra didn’t hesitate.

  “I’ll risk it. I can’t stay weak. I will take the panther and the gryphon ones.”

  Tenebria nodded. “Very well.”

  She waved her hand, and two orbs, a panther and a gryphon, shot toward Umbra.

  They entered her mind like bolts of lightning.

  Umbra screamed, a sound between a roar and a screech. Her body convulsed. Darkfire exploded outward, engulfing her in a storm of shadow and flame.

  Kai stepped forward, panic rising.

  “She’s losing control!” Tenebria warned. “Help her, now!”

  Kai closed his eyes and connected with her through their soulbond.

  “Umbra!” he shouted. “You’re my first friend in this world. My only family. You will stand by my side until the end of time. You will not perish here. I won’t let you. Come back to me!”

  Umbra’s body trembled. Her eyes snapped open.

  She felt warmth flood her soul. Kai’s mana wrapped around her like a shield, calming the storm.

  The darkfire receded.

  “I’m fine now,” she whispered. “Thank you. My body still needs time to assimilate the memories and mana, but once it’s done… they’ll be mine.”

  Kai smiled. “Good job.”

  Tenebria stepped forward and summoned a glowing page.

  “The first page of the Grimoire,” she said. “You said you didn’t want a reward, but I can’t let you leave with nothing. You are my chosen, after all.”

  She placed the page in Kai’s hand.

  “When you reach a high enough level, it will unlock a special spell. But it has another use. Once you reach Peak Knight level, it will bring you back to me for another trial. Or… you can use it once to teleport to me instantly, in case of danger. Choose wisely.”

  Kai nodded as the page merged with his soul.

  Tenebria turned to them both.

  “Now go. Train in the mana chamber. Absorb as much as you can before you leave. Kai, you must reach Knight level to fully heal your broken body. Umbra, you must reach Tier 7 to complete your assimilation.”

  She paused, her voice softening.

  “I wish you both luck. And may mana guide your way.”

  With a flick of her hand, they vanished.

  Tenebria was left alone.

  She sighed, her gaze distant.

  Kai had a long road ahead. And she didn’t know how long it would be before she saw him again.

  Her thoughts drifted to memories long buried.

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  Origins: A New Beginning

  by Cosmic Aurora

  What You Can Expect

  - Rational Protagonist

  - Some Slice of Life

  - Some Mystery / Psychological Themes

  - Substantial Character Growth, Both for MC and Side Characters

  - A Story that Starts Fast but Slows Down

  - Well Developed World and Magic System

  - 1500-2500 Word Chapters

  - No Instant Overpowered MC