As night fell, Hotaro and Yukino found themselves resting on a quiet mountain peak, the stars above scattered like glittering dust. They had set up a small campfire, and Zero was curled nearby, his wings folded neatly as he slept in silence.
Yukino Tsuyuki:
"Onii-chan, the view from here is amazing..."
Hotaro Tsuyuki:
"Yeah... let's rest. Tomorrow, we'll reach the capital."
Not long after, Yukino fell asleep, her breathing soft and calm. Hotaro sat beside the fire, staring into the flames. His eyes slowly grew heavy, and without realizing it... darkness swallowed his mind.
He opened his eyes—and found himself standing in a place he didn't recognize.
A dark corridor. Cold stone floors. The scent of time long forgotten.
Hotaro Tsuyuki:
"..bruh where am I...?"
He looked around. The walls were ancient, cracked, and covered in glowing inscriptions. A chill ran down his spine.
Hotaro Tsuyuki:
"This… this is a dungeon..."
He clenched his fists and tried to wake himself.
Hotaro Tsuyuki:
"This has to be a dream. Wake up, Hotaro. Wake up!"
But no matter how many times he shouted or slapped himself—he remained there.
Realizing escape was futile, he pressed forward, walking through the corridor of runes. His eyes scanned the walls. Symbols and texts he couldn't read, yet felt strangely drawn to.
The deeper he went, the more intense the atmosphere became.
Then suddenly… the corridor opened into a vast, empty chamber.
At the far end stood a massive throne carved of obsidian. It towered over everything in the room.
And above it… floated a jet-black chest, surrounded by swirling auras of black and white.
Hotaro Tsuyuki:
"...What is this place…?"
He stepped toward the throne, unable to resist the pull of the chest. It was as if something was calling him. Whispering.
He reached out slowly with his left hand—
Click.
The chest opened by itself.
From within, a scroll slowly rose—black as void, glowing with a piercing white aura that lit the room in flashes.
Before Hotaro could react, the aura surged forward and shot directly into his chest.
Hotaro Tsuyuki:
"Urgh—!"
A blinding pain rushed through his body.
His vision blurred.
His legs gave out.
And everything faded to black.
Hotaro's world remained black for a long moment… until a gentle warmth brushed across his cheek.
"Onii-chan… Onii-chan, wake up…"
He felt a soft hand shaking him. Eyes fluttering open, he saw Yukino's concerned face framed by moonlight. They were back at their camp on the mountain—Zero curled beside the dying embers of their fire.
Hotaro Tsuyuki (hoarsely):
"Yuki…?"
Yukino Tsuyuki (relieved):
"Thank goodness… You were calling out in your sleep. You looked so pale!"
He sat up slowly, clutching his chest where an odd tingling still pulsed beneath his skin. The silver ring on his finger glowed faintly in the darkness.
Hotaro Tsuyuki (whispering):
"I… I dreamt of the Ancient Dungeon. I saw a throne, a black chest, a scroll…"
Yukino knelt beside him, eyes wide.
Yukino Tsuyuki:
"A… a dream? You think it was just a dream?"
Hotaro flexed his fingers, feeling power thrum through his veins—strange, yet undeniably real.
Hotaro Tsuyuki:
"I don't know. It felt too… vivid."
He reached out and touched the ring.
"This ring… it pulsed even more when I woke."
Hotaro traced the glowing runes etched along its band.
Yukino Tsuyuki:
"Hotaro‑nii, whatever happened in your dream… it's changed something inside you."
He closed his eyes and took a steadying breath, letting the mountain air fill his lungs.
Hotaro Tsuyuki:
"Maybe it's a warning… or a gift."
He opened his eyes, resolve burning.
"Whatever it is, I'll learn its secret."
Yukino smiled gently, helping him to his feet.
Yukino Tsuyuki:
"Then let's rest now. Tomorrow is the real beginning—heading to the capital."
Hotaro nodded, slinging his cloak over his shoulders. As he glanced at the star-filled sky, he felt the promise of destiny unfolding—and the quiet echo of ancient power stirring within him.
As morning light painted the sky in soft gold, Hotaro and Yukino readied themselves on Zero's back.
Yukino Tsuyuki:
"Are you sure we should land so close?"
She brushed a loose strand of hair from her face as they glided over a rolling meadow.
Hotaro Tsuyuki:
"We don't want every villager gawking at a dragon in the plaza."
He pointed to a stand of low hills just outside the city walls.
"We'll land behind those ridges—out of sight but still a short walk from the gate."
Zero banked smoothly and descended into the shadow of the hills. The siblings slid off his back and crouched beside him as the dragon tucked his wings and settled.
Yukino Tsuyuki:
"It feels strange… seeing the capital from here."
Hotaro Tsuyuki:
"Take a moment."
He reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Once we pass through the gate, there's no turning back."
They gave Zero a gentle pat, then stood and faced the towering white stone walls of the Royal Capital, its red-tiled roofs and fluttering banners just beyond a short stretch of dawn-lit grass.
Yukino Tsuyuki (whispering):
"Heart pounding…"
Hotaro Tsuyuki:
"Good. I feel it too."
He offered her a reassuring smile.
"Let's go."
Stepping lightly, they made their way along a hidden path that wound through tufts of wildflowers and low scrub. In minutes, they reached the foot of the main gate's outer road—a wide, cobbled avenue still quiet before the morning rush.
Hotaro paused at a discreet distance, scanning for guards. Satisfied, he signaled Yukino to follow. Together, they approached on foot, leaving Zero to rest in the meadow.
City Guard (calling down):
"Halt! State your business."
Hotaro Tsuyuki (bowing):
"Apprentice applicants—here to register at the Magic Academy."
The guard eyed their plain traveling cloaks and untethered dragon only faintly rumbling behind the hills. Deciding they posed no threat, he gestured forward.
City Guard:
"Very well. Proceed through the gate, but leave no strange creatures inside the walls."
Hotaro exchanged a look with Yukino—no lies, but a silent promise: Zero would wait until their studies began.
With that, they crossed the threshold into the bustling city: scholars in flowing robes, merchants setting out stalls of glittering potions, and children racing through the streets. Every face turned curiously toward them—two young adventurers stepping toward their destiny.
Yukino Tsuyuki (softly):
"Here we go…"
Hotaro Tsuyuki:
"For the Academy—and for everything we've become."
They walked on, hearts alight with hope and purpose, as the gates of the capital closed silently behind them...