It had been ten years since the night that turned his world to ash. Since that day, the dreams had never stopped—but they’d quieted, buried beneath the routines of normal life. Or at least, as normal as life could be when you carried fire in your blood.
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Tyron Taiōji stood in front of the mirror, buttoning up his uniform shirt. The early morning sun bled through his window, painting orange lines across the floor. His eyes—deep crimson—stared back at him. Calm. Focused. But behind them was the flicker of something untamed.
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He ran a hand through his messy hair, then grabbed his bag and stepped out of his room.
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The smell of breakfast met him first. The sound of the kettle whistling followed close behind.
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And then—he saw her.
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His mother.
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Avira Taiōji.
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Her long, tightly coiled dreadlocks were pulled back into neat wraps, golden thread weaving between the bundles like a crown. An elegant eyepatch framed the left side of her face, gleaming with a faint metallic sheen. The other eye—vibrant green—locked onto him with that warm but sharp gaze she was known for. Her mocha skin was flawless, though he knew well what it covered. And her right hand—still flesh—held a cup of tea. Her left, a beautifully crafted prosthetic, moved gracefully as she stirred the drink.
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She looked like she hadn’t aged a day, despite the weight she carried.
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Tyron stopped for a moment and simply stared.
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Her smile. That calm. That grace… she still carries herself like a warrior. But I know.
His gaze fell.
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That eye. That arm. Those hidden scars… they’re all because of me.
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Guilt crept in, tightening his chest. He clenched his jaw.
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Just as his thoughts began to spiral—flick—a sharp pop met his forehead.
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“Don’t start with the brooding,” Avira said with a smirk, lowering her cup. “I see that little guilty pout forming already.”
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Tyron flinched, rubbing the spot. “Ow—jeez, Ma. Can’t a guy reflect in peace?”
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“You want peace, become a monk,” she teased. “Now sit your scrawny ass down and eat something.”
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She set a plate of toast and eggs in front of him, then reached into her apron.
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“Oh—and this came for you.” She slid a white envelope with gold trim across the table. The seal of Virtuoso Academy glinted in the light.
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Tyron blinked. “Wait. That Virtuoso?”
She nodded. “They’re offering you a slot to take the entrance exam. Four months from now.”
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He picked it up slowly, turning it over in his hands. The seal was real.
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“I’ll look into it later.”
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Avira’s smile dropped just a bit. “Tyron…”
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“I know. I know.” He stood, grabbing his bag. “Just… not today.”
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She let him go, but her eyes followed him all the way to the door.
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“Later becomes never if you wait too long.”
He paused briefly. “I’ll think about it.”
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And with that, he stepped outside, the morning sun spilling across his face.
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The streets were already alive—bustling with students, street vendors, and the usual chaos of city life. Tyron kept to himself, slipping between crowds with his hands in his pockets.
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That was, until—
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“Tyyyron!”
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Before he could turn, someone jumped on his back.
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“Gah—Luka!”
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Luka Toshibura, bright-eyed and energetic, clung to him like a child on a jungle gym.
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“And me too~!” chimed a second voice—Kimiko Kitsune—as she leapt on as well, causing Tyron to stumble forward and nearly lose his balance.
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He caught himself just in time.
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“Okay—okay! One of you is fine, both of you? That’s just sabotage.”
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Luka laughed, hopping off. “Bro, did you get it?! The envelope!”
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Tyron raised a brow. “I assume you’re talking about Virtuoso?”
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Luka hopped down, now walking in front. “Duh! They sent the crest envelopes this morning! Kyron got one, Kimiko got one—even Fredrick got one!”
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Fredrick raised an eyebrow, looking at Luka. “What do you mean by ‘even Fredrick?’ I’ll have you know I’ve been expecting a letter like this since birth.”
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Kyron patted Fredrick on the back. “We know, pal. We know.”
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Kimiko’s legs dangled as she clung to Tyron’s back a moment longer before finally sliding down, still grinning wide. “Ain’t it amazin’?! The most pre… preje… pray…”
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“Prestigious?” Tyron asked, raising an eyebrow.
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“Yeah, that! The most prestigious academy in the nation! Don’t act like that ain’t the biggest news we done got all year!”
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Her Southern-tinged drawl softened her words, but her tail flicked with excitement. “I was so dang excited, I almost burned my breakfast!”
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Tyron smirked despite himself. “You? Excited? No way. I couldn’t tell.”
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A few paces behind came Kyron Namakazo, ever composed, eyes half-lidded like he was perpetually unimpressed. “Only if we pass the exam,” he said flatly. “Excitement’s nice, but let’s not act like it’s guaranteed.”
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“Well, unlike most, I don’t need luck.”
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The group turned to see Fredrick Von Fitzgerald, arms crossed, chin raised, sunglasses glinting like he was standing under a spotlight.
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“They’ll see me walk in and shower me with compliments. They might even toss everyone else’s exams in the trash.”
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Tyron gave him a blank look. “You still have to pass, dumbass.”
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Fredrick clicked his tongue. “Details. You’ll see.”
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As they continued walking and talking, Luka glanced at Tyron—who was lagging behind, lost in thought. Luka slowed his pace to match him and bumped his shoulder. “You’re awfully quiet.”
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Tyron raised an eyebrow. “I’m always quiet.”
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Luka chuckled. “Yeah, well… you’re extra quiet today. More than usual. Did you not get the invite too?”
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Tyron nodded slowly. “Yeah, I did. Got it this morning.”
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“Well? You gonna take it?”
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“…I don’t know,” he said. “Honestly, I’m scared. Of my Ark. Of what it can do if I lose control.”
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Kimiko’s ears flicked as she turned her head to look at them. “Aw, Ty… don’t go sayin’ stuff like that. You’ve come a long way, y’know?”
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Kyron nodded. “You’re not the only one with dangerous power. That’s why we train.”
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Luka gave a thumbs-up. “And you’ve got us. If you ever slip, we’ll be there.”
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Fredrick groaned. “Oh my God, enough with the sappy warm fuzzy stuff.” He shouted, exasperated. “You can’t teach a baby to run if they haven’t learned how to crawl. If he wants to be a dumb baby, let him be.”
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Tyron’s eyes narrowed.
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“C’mon, Fred. Chill out,” Kyron muttered.
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Kimiko followed up by punching Fredrick’s shoulder. “Stop bein’ an ass!”
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“Ow! I’m just sayin’—y’all are tryin’ to coddle him, but he doesn’t need to be coddled. He needs someone to tell it straight.”
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He turned, pointing directly at Tyron.
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“Quit bein’ a drama queen and get a grip! I’d be damned if someone who hangs around someone as glorious as me is actin’ like a chump!”
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Tyron continued to glare, but still said nothing.
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Fredrick’s expression shifted—less smug now, more serious. “Look. Unlike these fools, I ain’t gonna sugarcoat shit just to spare your feelings. That school is built to help people like us control our Arks. That’s the whole damn point. So what’s it gonna be, Ty? You gonna be scared of yourself forever? Or you gonna grow some damn backbone and figure it out?”
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The silence hit harder this time.
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Tyron didn’t respond—but he didn’t argue either.
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The academy bell rang overhead, echoing across the district as students flooded through the gates.
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“Crap. We’re gonna be late!” Kyron said, dashing across the street.
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“Oh crap! Double time, everybody!” Luka added, sprinting after him.
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Fredrick walked past Tyron and Kimiko, glancing over his shoulder. “Four months, bro. Clock’s ticking. Time to lock in.”
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He turned forward and headed through the school gates.
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Tyron stood still, deep in thought.
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Kimiko nudged him with a grin. “He’s an ass sometimes, but he’s got a point. Time waits for no one, Ty. I hope you make up your mind before time runs out.”
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She walked ahead, leaving Tyron trailing behind.
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He looked up at the sky briefly.
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Four months.
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One exam.
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Maybe I am holding myself back… he thought.
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And with that, he stepped through the school doors.
ble time everyone!” Luka said running with Kyron.
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Fredrick walked past Tyron and Kimiko, looking over his shoulder. “Four months, bro. Clocks ticking, and it’s time to lock in.” He turned and walked towards the school gates.
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Tyron stood there thinking for a moment. Kimiko nudged Tyron with a grin. “He’s an ass sometimes but he does have a point, time waits for no one Ty, I hope you make up your mind before time runs out”
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She walks ahead, Tyron trailing behind.
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Tyron looked up at the sky briefly.
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Four months.
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One exam.
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He thinks to himself “Maybe, I am holding myself back…” He says before entering the school building.
