ARCANE DRIFTERS – Volume 1
Chapter 1: A Big Promise
The deafening roar of aircraft engines echoed across the sky.
Inside the transport aircraft, dozens of children stood gathered together.
Some looked excited.
Some looked nervous.
And some looked ready to fight.
At the center stood a black-haired boy.
Shen Karguro.
Despite being only sixteen years old, his bright blue eyes were filled with confidence.
"Alright everyone!" Shen shouted over the noise.
"Operation Drifting Force No.0 is a go! Let's move!"
Cheers erupted from the group.
But before they could continue...
A loud argument broke out nearby.
---
"Hey! If we keep fighting each other, we'll never defeat the Arcanes!"
One boy yelled.
Another immediately laughed.
"Those Arcanes are tiny!"
"We can squash them like bugs!"
The group quickly split into two sides.
Arguments turned into shouting.
Shen frowned.
"What are you guys doing?"
His voice became serious.
"Those things may be small, but they're still dangerous."
A boy crossed his arms.
"That's our problem, not yours."
Suddenly—
A red-haired boy stepped forward.
Ruke Meldives.
A grin appeared on his face.
"If you're so strong..."
"Why don't you fight me?"
The surrounding children immediately became excited.
"A fight!"
"They're really doing it!"
Shen sighed.
Then smiled.
"Fine."
"Let's do this."
---
The two stepped forward.
Everyone moved back.
Creating a small arena.
The atmosphere immediately became tense.
Then—
BOOM!
Ruke moved first.
His speed shocked everyone.
Shen's eyes widened.
"Whoa!"
"He's fast!"
Ruke grinned.
"You're finished!"
His fist rushed forward.
The air itself seemed to tremble.
But Shen reacted instantly.
He stepped aside.
Dodged.
And counterattacked.
BAM!
Ruke's eyes widened.
The punch nearly hit him.
He quickly jumped backward.
Surprised.
How did he react that quickly?
---
The fight was about to continue.
Then—
"STOP!"
A loud voice interrupted them.
Kenya.
A brown-haired boy with sharp eyes stepped between them.
"What's wrong with you two?!"
"Are you trying to hurt each other?"
He pointed at Shen.
"If I tell your mother about this, you won't be safe."
Shen immediately froze.
"S-Sorry!"
"Please don't tell her."
The others burst into laughter.
Kenya shook his head.
"Good."
"Now let's go."
Behind him, Ruke looked disappointed.
"But I wanted to keep fighting."
Kenya shot him a warning glance.
Ruke immediately became quiet.
---
Suddenly—
A strange sound filled the air.
EEEEEEEEEEEEE—
A distorted high-pitched noise.
Everyone froze.
Shen's smile vanished.
His face turned pale.
"That sound..."
"No..."
His eyes widened.
Because he recognized it.
---
Far below...
On Earth...
Arcane energy exploded.
Massive blasts of blue and crimson light covered the city.
Buildings collapsed.
Roads shattered.
People screamed.
Smoke filled the sky.
The attack had begun.
---
"No!"
Shen screamed.
"My family!"
"My friends!"
Blue energy flashed inside his eyes.
Without thinking...
He started running.
---
"Shen!"
Eliz grabbed his arm.
"You can't go there!"
Shen's voice trembled.
"My mom..."
"My dad..."
"My grandpa..."
"My grandma..."
"They're all there!"
His thoughts became chaotic.
His body moved before his mind could think.
He ran.
As fast as he could.
---
Kenya immediately followed.
"Shen!"
"Wait!"
The city around them was burning.
People were running everywhere.
The screams felt endless.
Then...
Shen saw it.
His house.
Or rather...
What remained of it.
---
Everything was gone.
Destroyed.
Burned.
Collapsed.
His legs stopped moving.
His body froze.
His breathing stopped.
The world became silent.
---
Then—
BOOM!
A powerful wave of Arcane energy struck him from behind.
His vision blurred.
His body fell forward.
The last thing he saw...
Was a familiar face.
---
"Rin..."
His voice barely escaped.
A young girl smiled weakly.
"Goodbye..."
"Brother..."
The light around her slowly faded.
And darkness swallowed everything.
---
Several Hours Later
A helicopter descended from the sky.
Military vehicles entered the ruined city.
Soldiers quickly searched the area.
One of them stopped.
"Captain!"
The commander looked over.
"What is it?"
"There are survivors!"
The soldier pointed forward.
"They're children!"
The commander's eyes widened.
"Bring them here immediately."
---
The survivors were transported away from the destroyed city.
Hours later...
The vehicles arrived at a heavily protected village.
Massive walls surrounded the area.
Armed guards stood everywhere.
The gates slowly opened.
The convoy entered.
Then the gates closed behind them.
---
Kenya looked around.
"This place is heavily guarded."
"No one's getting in."
Eliz nodded.
"I think they're using this village as a military base."
Ruke crossed his arms.
"Yeah."
"I think so too."
Then he glanced toward Shen.
The black-haired boy sat silently.
Not speaking.
Not moving.
Simply staring at the ground.
---
Ruke frowned.
"Why is he sitting like that?"
Eliz looked down.
"His whole family died."
Silence.
Ruke's eyes widened.
"What?"
"All of them?"
Eliz slowly nodded.
Ruke immediately looked away.
For once...
He had nothing to say.
---
At that moment—
Footsteps echoed.
Everyone stood.
"The Commander!"
"The Commander is here!"
A tall man approached.
His sharp gaze scanned the room.
---
"How many survivors?"
"A few children, sir."
The Commander nodded.
Then his eyes stopped on Shen.
"Who is that boy?"
A soldier answered.
"Sir, his name is Shen."
The Commander glared.
"I didn't ask you."
The soldier immediately straightened.
"Sorry, sir!"
---
The Commander stepped closer.
His expression softened slightly.
"What is your name, boy?"
Silence.
Several seconds passed.
A soldier whispered.
"The Commander asked your name."
Finally...
The boy spoke.
"Shen."
"Shen Karguro."
---
The Commander nodded.
"Good."
Then he smiled.
A rare sight.
"Tell me, Shen."
"Would you like to join the Arcane Drifting Force?"
Shen blinked.
"What?"
"For real?"
The Commander laughed.
"I'm asking all of you."
---
Kenya immediately stood.
"Yes sir."
"We gladly accept."
Eliz nodded.
"So do I."
Ruke grinned.
"Count me in."
The Commander smiled.
"Excellent."
"Then tomorrow we'll begin."
"Until then, you're dismissed."
---
The children entered their temporary residence.
A massive mansion-like building.
Eliz stared in amazement.
"This place is huge."
"I think a thousand people could live here."
Shen looked around.
His eyes widened.
"Wow..."
"What a big house..."
Suddenly—
A memory appeared.
---
"Shen."
A younger Shen turned around.
"What is it, Dad?"
His father laughed.
"If you join the Arcane Drifting Force one day..."
"You'll live in a big house."
Shen tilted his head.
"A big house?"
"Really?"
His father nodded.
"Really."
---
The memory disappeared.
Shen lowered his head.
His fists tightened.
Then—
He smiled.
---
"I'm sorry."
The others looked confused.
Ruke blinked.
"Why are you apologizing?"
Shen looked at them.
"For making all of you worry."
A warm smile appeared on Eliz's face.
"No problem."
"We're friends."
Kenya laughed.
"Friends."
"And rivals."
Ruke grinned.
"Mostly rivals."
Everyone laughed.
For the first time since the tragedy...
Shen smiled genuinely.
---
He extended his hand.
"Then let's make a promise."
Everyone looked at him.
Shen's eyes burned with determination.
"We'll join the Arcane Drifting Force."
"We'll become stronger."
"And one day..."
"We'll destroy every Arcane threatening humanity."
Kenya placed his hand on top.
"I'm in."
Eliz followed.
"So am I."
Ruke smirked.
"Obviously."
Shen smiled.
"Good."
"Then let's drift."
---
And so...
A promise was made.
A promise that would change the future.
A promise that would one day shake the world.
And thus...
The journey of the Arcane Drifters began.
End of Chapter 1