INTRODUCTION

Chapter 2:

At midnight, Yagami and the mysterious person were stealthily making their way towards an undisclosed destination. Yagami's mind buzzed with questions, pondering why he had agreed to accompany someone whose name he didn't even know, and whose trustworthiness remained uncertain. With a mix of apprehension and curiosity, he mustered the courage to break the silence.

"Why did I even agree to this?" Yagami mused inwardly. "I don't even know his name, and I'm still not convinced I can trust him." His curiosity finally got the better of him, prompting him to inquire about the stranger's identity. To his surprise, the man responded with a hint of humor, "My name is Arun Mager, and I have a penchant for good food."

Yagami's eyebrows shot up in disbelief. "Food?" he thought, momentarily taken aback by the unexpected answer. But before he could dwell further on the matter, his attention was drawn to the enigmatic power Arun had displayed during their encounter with the beast.

With a hint of a smile playing on his lips, Arun explained, "That's chi force." Yagami's confusion deepened. "Isn't chi supposed to be the domain of supernatural beings?" he queried. Arun shook his head gently, "Chi is not exclusive to supernatural beings. Humans, too, possess the potential to harness its power."

The revelation left Yagami awestruck. "So, I could wield chi as well?" he asked, his mind racing with possibilities. Arun nodded encouragingly. "Yes, if you have the aptitude for it," he affirmed. Yagami pressed further, "Is it merely a matter of skill, then?" Arun's response was solemn, "No, chi is a cosmic energy, intertwined with the fabric of existence since time immemorial. Its true nature transcends human comprehension."

Intrigued by Arun's words, Yagami expressed his desire to delve deeper into the mysteries of chi. "I want to learn more," he declared with newfound determination.

As they continued their journey under the cloak of darkness, Yagami suddenly recalled something important. "Oh, I forgot to ask," he exclaimed, turning to Arun with a puzzled expression. "What did you forget?" Arun inquired, his gaze fixed on the path ahead. "You never mentioned the three types of supernatural powers one can awaken," Yagami clarified.

Arun paused momentarily, gathering his thoughts before elucidating on the subject. "The first power," he began, "is based on the eye, comprising seven distinct stages of mastery. Each stage unlocks a deeper understanding of chi manipulation, culminating in a state of transcendence beyond mortal comprehension. The second power," he continued, "is rooted in magic, spanning twelve stages of arcane mastery, each shrouded in mystery and untapped potential."

Yagami listened intently, absorbing every word. "And the third power?" he prompted eagerly. Arun's expression grew somber. "The third power," he explained gravely, "is the most formidable of them all, drawing upon the cosmic forces themselves. With this power, one can shape reality itself, albeit within certain limits dictated by the very fabric of the cosmos."

The revelation left Yagami speechless, grappling with the magnitude of what lay beyond the realms of human understanding. "What about you?" Yagami ventured, breaking the silence. "Which power do you possess?" Arun's gaze softened, betraying a hint of melancholy. "I possess the first power," he confessed quietly.

"And what stage have you reached?" Yagami pressed, eager to learn more about his enigmatic companion. Arun offered a cryptic smile. "You'll find out soon enough," he replied, his eyes twinkling with an unspoken promise.

As their journey wore on, fatigue began to weigh heavily on Yagami's shoulders. "Have we reached our destination yet?" he inquired wearily, his voice tinged with exhaustion. Arun shook his head, a note of reproach in his tone. "No, it's your fault," he chided gently. "Who told you and your family to reside atop that treacherous mountain?"

Yagami's expression darkened with regret as he recounted the circumstances that had led his family to seek refuge in the remote mountainous region. "I'm sorry," he murmured, his voice barely audible above the rustle of the wind. "But there was no other choice. In our society, mutants like us are treated as outcasts, condemned to a life of isolation and persecution."

Arun's features softened with understanding, a pang of guilt gnawing at his conscience for his earlier harsh words. "Forgive me," he implored, reaching out a hand in silent apology. Yagami nodded solemnly, accepting the gesture with a sense of resignation.

As they resumed their journey, a sense of foreboding gripped Yagami's heart. Little did he know that their destination held secrets far darker than he could have ever imagined.

….