Miguel Zup had always dreamed of becoming a knight—the one who would not only be the protector of the universe but also its ruler. The knight was the supreme, most powerful being, both mentally and physically, capable of ensuring the universe's survival. The knight's primary responsibility was to defend the universe from the threats that lurked in the multiverse and to endure the dangers that came with it. One of the knight's greatest challenges was managing the instability that occurred when the multiversal energy began to dwindle, causing universes to collide, putting both at risk of destruction. Only a knight was capable of facing such threats and ensuring survival, which was the ultimate goal: survival at any cost.
One quiet evening, Zup found himself at home, sitting and staring at the television. He wiped his sweaty face with a towel, having just finished his workout. It was his time to rest and relax. Zup's life was filled with work, both as a photographer and as an aspiring hero. His studio in the town provided most of his livelihood, and he was known for his talent. He had a steady flow of clients throughout the day, but photography was more than just a source of income—it was his second love, second only to his desire to become a knight. He had always believed that becoming a hero was his true calling.
In his home, the walls were lined with his best photographs. On the left side were pictures of various animals, and on the right side were stunning shots of nature. Above all of them, however, was the most important photo of all: a picture of his wife and son, framed prominently above the others. This photo held great significance for him; they were his reason for everything.
Zup grew bored of flipping through TV channels. Nothing seemed interesting. He switched between shows for a while, but the choices left him unsatisfied. Frustrated, he turned off the TV and headed to his bedroom. His wife had gone to her family's house, so he was alone. He thought for a moment about what to do next. After some consideration, he decided to take a shower, hoping it would help clear his mind and bring him some relaxation.
The cool water of the shower refreshed him, washing away the fatigue of the day and leaving him feeling energized. It was the perfect way to soothe his body and mind. When he finished, he changed into a loose, comfortable outfit. The fabric of the clothes felt smooth and relaxing against his skin, making him feel at ease. He returned to the living room and sat down on the sofa, unsure of how to pass the time. He considered his options for a while, before grabbing the TV remote and returning to his search for something to watch.
However, once again, Zup found nothing appealing. Everything seemed dull and uninteresting. If his son had been there, they would have found ways to have fun together, but without him, the house felt empty. Zup wasn't someone who enjoyed being alone. He was an extrovert, always preferring the company of others, whether at festivals or in crowded places. But now, in the quiet of his home, he was stuck in the dream world of an introvert. He longed for social interaction and activity, but at that moment, he had nothing to occupy his mind.
As he sat there, the TV continued to play in the background, but Zup's thoughts wandered to moments with his family. Those memories always filled him with warmth. His mind briefly wandered as he got up from the sofa and began searching around for something else to do. He noticed the scattered toys of his son, lying around the house. But nothing else caught his attention. Just as he was about to give up, he spotted something under the bed.
It was then that he remembered—his PlayStation 4! He cursed himself for forgetting about it earlier. A sense of relief washed over him as he quickly retrieved the console, still in its original box, covered with a layer of dust. He wiped it off with a cloth and opened the box. He had a collection of games waiting to be played, and in that moment, he decided to indulge in his favorite pastime. The next several hours passed in a blur, as he lost himself in the world of gaming, completely unaware of the time. It was only when he finally fell asleep that he realized how late it had gotten.
The next morning, Zup woke up earlier than usual, but the fatigue from his late-night gaming session left his eyes heavy and dull. He lay in bed for a while, trying to get himself together, and only managed to get up after the sun had already risen. Needing some fresh air, he stepped outside and wandered into his small garden. As he opened the door, his gaze fell on a letter lying on the doorstep. He bent down to pick it up, glancing at the subject on the envelope.
"Wow," he said involuntarily, the words nearly escaping his lips in excitement. The letter was from the Betasphere, the organization responsible for selecting candidates to become knights. He had passed the preliminary test to join their ranks. Zup could hardly contain his joy. He was ecstatic, unable to hold back the overwhelming happiness that surged within him. For a moment, he even felt like dancing in celebration.
His mind raced as he thought about how to share this news. He couldn't wait to tell his wife, and without a second thought, he decided to head over to her house to share the good news. He rushed back into the house and quickly took a short, refreshing bath that only took about ten minutes. Afterward, he made up his mind to take public transport instead of driving. He was too tired to make the long journey by car, and he knew there was a bus to the town that would get him there in about 30 minutes.
Zup hurried out the door and made his way to the bus stop. When he arrived, he noticed the bus stop was already crowded, with everyone else eagerly waiting for the bus. He sighed, realizing that he wouldn't get a seat. It would be a standing ride all the way to town. Fortunately, the town was only about 20 minutes away, so it wouldn't be too uncomfortable. The area around him was bustling, the sounds of the crowd filling the air. It was noisy, but Zup found some comfort in the vibrant activity of the place. He noticed the beauty of the nature surrounding him, the greenery, and the peacefulness that still managed to shine through amidst the chaos.
In the distance, he could hear the familiar sound of the bus's engine groaning as it approached. The bus was old, and its creaks and groans were part of its character. As the bus neared, the crowd became more eager, pushing and shoving to be the first to board. Zup remained calm and patient, choosing not to engage in the chaos. He waited until the others had rushed onto the bus and entered last. The moment he stepped aboard, the bus's horn blared, and the vehicle began its journey, marking the start of Zup's day.