A week had now passed sihe first gate appeared iral Tokyo. In that short time, hundreds of gates had materialized around the world. In response, govers quickly anized military forces to secure and study them.

  Many feared what y beyond the mysterious gates. Unsure if the words of this ‘Prophet’ were to be trusted.

  Whilst others waited on the 'Prophet' as he was currently t around the try. Ready to hear the message straight from the horse’s mouth. Rumour has it that he was giving out superpowers for free.

  On a small uy campus in the middle of Tokyo, Endo Toyotomi stood at a podium before a crowd of students. He spoke with a passionate voice, "Ladies alemen, we are gathered here today to witness a moal moment in human history; today, humanity will embark on a great journey, expl the unknown, quering our fears, and ushering in a new era of prosperity."

  As he spoke, the entire campus listened in silence. Endo tinued, “Today, I e bearing gifts.” The crowd started murmuring.

  Agent Mori leaned closer, whispering, "Prophet, are you certain we should be giving out the gift so freely?"

  Endo gave a fident nod, "This gift belongs to all, who are we to withhold these great powers? Trust me, Agent Mori."

  Endo addresses the crowd once more, "Ladies alemen, your attention please! My gift is not one for the faint of heart; to receive this gift, you must be ceous and strong of will." He paused for a moment before tinuing, "And if you do not wish to receive my gift, there is no shame in walking away now. It shall remain, waiting for you when you are ready." Endo beed forth a rge white orb, covered by a thin veil of red.

  “This orb tains the gift. Those who wish to accept the gift line up to the front, those still unsure are wele to leave. Your new future will always be waiting,” Endo finished his speech as hundreds of students and faculty flood the front.

  The faculty stood at the back, whispering amongst themselves.

  "Is it true? Is the 'Prophet' us superpowers?" One asks. Another responded, "I don't know. It's all so sudden; I don't know if I should trust him." A third spoke, "He seems to know what he's talking about. If it is true, we could use that power to help people."

  Endo stood o the ball and motions for people to e up and touch it. The first person in the line walked forward. A small etite and frail, her messy bck hair c half of her face. Timidly, she reached out her hand, toug the orb. Suddenly, a bright light fshes illuminating everyone behind her; as quick as the light appeared, it dissipated.

  Endo approached the young woman, “gratutions, my child, you’ve received the gift of fire, an A-Rank Pyromancer.” Endo spoke gently as if talking to a child.

  The girl stared at her hands in fusion. "I feel no different.” Endo nodded, "Don't worry, my child; your powers will reveal themselves in time." He smiled reassuringly. "Now move to the table and speak to the officials. We have many people to get through."

  "But-"

  Ota stepped in and moved her along, "Please, miss, you're holding up the lihe girl looked at him in shock before bowing and moving along.

  "!"

  ---------

  Ere waited patiently in the line for this so-called gift; his friends and fellow uy students, Haruto, Kyo, and Rika, are o him.

  The four of them stand in line, watg as the orb provides powers to the students before them. "You think it's legit?" Haruto whispered to Eren. Eren shrugs, "I don't know, but if Endo is free powers, we might as well try it out."

  Rika turowards the two, "The news has beeing portals appearing and weird things happening in Amerid Russia. If what Endo is saying is true, this could be our ce to bee super-powered badasses!" She beamed with excitement.

  Kyo frowned, "I don't know, Rika; Maybe this gift bullshit is a scam, and they're trying to get people to do some dodgy shit for them. If it’s the start of some cult, I swear." He crosses his arms.

  "You guys are idiots; it's obviously a gover plot to trol us," Haruto added mog his best friend’s about the cult like behaviour that has beeed about.

  Eren, a young man, only having turned 20 a few months ago. With raven bck hair that reached the nape of his neck, usually tied ba a ponytail and striking amber eyes that belong on a deli. His friends always tell him he has sharp and defined features. Other people tell him he looks like a thug or someoh a shady past.

  “Have you heard how they’re doing it.” Kyo asked. Eren and Haruto shook their heads.

  “It’s a ranking system. It starts at F-rank which is human and goes all the to SSS+ rank." Kyo added.

  Eren frowned, "Wait, like a manga or manhwa? that’s fug stupid.”

  Kyed, "Apparently, it’s been made into a ranking, so it’s easier to interpret. Also, rumour has it that Endo was some big nerd before being all mystical and wise.”

  "Yeah, but SSS+ sounds stupid as hell; what does that even mean? You’re a god. And who decides what the ranks mean? What determi? Ahing-"

  "Babe, don't worry about it." Rika interrupted, hugging Eren’s arm tightly.

  "We figure it out whe our powers. You be my knight in shining armour." She smiled sweetly.

  Eren looked down and saw Rika's low-cut top. Her chest pressed against his arm, “Uh yeah, maybe,” Eren said, blushing, averting his eyes from the low-cut top.

  Haruto elbowed Kyo, "That was smooth as hell." He chuckled. "Man, what's her secret? I ever get him to shut up once he gets going on somethies." Kyo whispered.

  “Try two big fun bags currently squished against him.”

  Rika looked at the boys with a ptuous side-eye, "Are you two idiots whispering about my breasts?" Haruto and Kyo looked at each other with a smirk before turning back to Rika, "Maybe they will have a special DD rank for Rika." They both chuckled.

  Eren scoffed, "DD my ass, you barely B-rank." He added.

  "Oi! If you keep talking shit, I'll tell your mum you were staring at my tits." She gred. Ere silent and stared back to the front as if nothing had happened.

  Eventually, the line dwindled and the group reached the front of the lianding before Endo and the giant white orb. Endo gave his empty smile, "Greetings, students; are you ready to receive my gift?"

  "Yes, please!" Rika said excitedly, stepping forward. The ball illuminated a bright white apanied by a soft humming sound. It enveloped Rika's body before dissipating. Rika stood in awe, her eyes glistening with excitement.

  Endo spoke, "gratutions water-kin, you have received a B-rank. A water Elementalist.” Endo stated. Rika smiled, jumping up and down iement, "I 't believe it! This is so cool!" She turowards Eren and the others,

  "Guys, I have superpowers!" She jumped up and down with vigour. Trying to use her powers, but nothing happened.

  Kyo chuckled, "Yeah, I see that." He gestured to her chest. "Fug hell Kyo, yoing to get me in trouble." Eren sighed.

  Haruto and Kyo stood in line. "Go ahead, you go first,” Haruto said to Kyo. Kyo shook his head, “No, you go first.” The two tinued arguing until Agent Ota intervened,

  "That's enough! One of you go, now!"

  Kyo stepped fingerly reag out towards the orb. It illuminated a bright white apanied by a soft humming sound. "gratutions, k, warrior.” Endo said, smiling.

  Kyo hank you."

  up was Eren, looking at the ball ily. Cautiously, moving towards the orb; his mind raced from excitement, fear, and doubt. Finally, his hand touched the orb. Nothing happened.

  “e on, man, don’t break it,” Haruto chuckled.

  Endo frow the iive orb, toug the ball again, still nothing.

  "I guess I'm not meant to be a hero." He joked. Endo ied the orb, "Odd, it should've worked." Endo touched the ball again. "Ah, I see. It needs more time to read you. Try again my child.”

  Eren touched the ball once more. After a brief pause, the white orb turned a pitch bd a ling spread through the courtyard.

  Time seemed to have stopped, and everyoood frozen ihe once-white light became a sinister bck as it illuminated Eren's face.

  Through the orb, a robbed figure approached Eren, its eyeless hood stared into Eren's soul. A bck skeletal hand reached out towards him; face veiled in shadow. Then suddenly, the figure disappears, and time resumed.

  Endo paused for a moment. “Um...”

  Endo paused again, at a loss for words. “B-Rank, Crusader,” Endo said tersely, pushing himself away. The others appeared ued by what had transpired.

  "Move along." Agent Mestured. As Eren moved over to the bench, he gnced bad saw Endo staring daggers into him. It made his skin crawl; those empty eyes with a hidden agenda behind them.

  At the table, two women with lists spread out all over the table, One woman with long flowing red hair and the other a short bruhe redhead spoke first, “Rank and css, please.”

  "Crusader css, B-Rank," Eren replied, his barely above a whisper.

  The woman checked her list, "Crusader; your power es from your sense of justice, the strength of your vis. It is not just about upholding moral values but embodying them in every aspect of your life." The redhead finished.

  "Um... Cool," Eren responded bnkly, not really a cise expnation on anything really.

  "And my powers? “You will have abilities suited towards melee bat, Sword skills, and on enhas.” Eren nodded, "Got it, I guess."

  “Your skills and abilities will be unlocked iime; now, download ‘The Gates’ into your pho will allow you to see your status page and gain access to the store pages.” Eren reached into his pocket slowly and took out his phone, sceptical of this ne. He Snapped out of his daze; annoyance rises to the surface.

  "Do I really have to get an app for this? It feels like I'm downloading malware." Eren muttered to himself, adding it to his phone.

  The app opened, revealing a bck s with the title "Gates". A simple UI showing his the top left er, rank, css, level, and basic stats such as health and status.

  Taken straight from an RPG. Impressive it had been made in only a couple days.

  “Wele, Crusader Ere.” A robotic voice rang out from his phone, a series of text appeared that the voice read from.

  Eren sighed with exasperation. “I've already had enough of this." Eren grumbled to himself.

  The brue who had been quietly spoke up, "Now, young man." Her pure white eyes watg Eren intensely. "Would you like to join the-"

  "No." Eren interjected.

  The brue frowned, "I haven't even finished asking my questio." Eren turned and walked away, "Excuse me!” The brue called out, but Eren didn’t turn around; his instincts told him something is up with that dy, and he wanted no part of it. The brue's white eyes pierced through his back as he left.

  Reuniting with his friends, Rika hugged Eren tightly, "I 't believe we have superpowers! This is so cool!" Eren patted her back awkwardly. "Yeah, cool..." Rika looked up at Eren, ed. "Are you okay? You don't seem excited about this."

  Eren smiled, trying to hide his fusion and frustration. "It's fine, I'm just a little overwhelmed." Their versations were interrupted with the litering loudly. Something of i was going on. They approached the lio see what was happening.

  Haruto stood with Endo, shaking his hand with excitement.

  Looking over at his friends. "You guys, you guys. I got and S-Rank. I'm a healer! I'm a healer!" He excimed, the pride in his achievement lighting up his face with a glow that rivals the luminesce of the mysterious orb.

  "gratutions!" Eren calls out, raising a hand. Rika beams with excitement, rushing forward to hug Haruto, "I knew you would get something amazing! That's so cool! We be a badass super team together."

  Eren looked over to Endo, and for a fleeting moment, their gazes locked. The chagrin in Endo's eyes was unmistakable; he knew something, but what? Endo turned away, moving on to the student.

  Kyo high-fives him, “Nice bro, you heal our asses after we kick asses.” Kyo smirked. Haruto chuckled, "Well, I guess we're a team now. We'll o learn how to use our powers if we want to gh those gates. Who knows what kind of dangerous stuff is inside."

  Rika nodded enthusiastically, "That sounds like fun! It'll be an adventure!" Eren remained silent, watg Endo tio work his way down the line, only a few students remained.

  Ota stepped forward, clearing his throat. "If you have downloaded the gates please leave. We thank you for your time." The group exited the courtyard, heading dowreet.

  Haruto spoke first, “ you believe this shit? I’m going home to tell my parents.” Kyo agreed, “Same bro, I’m going home now to tell them.” His excitement barely tained as he rushed off, a spring in his step.

  Haruto walked off waving, “I’ll catch up with you tomorrow."

  Rika turo Eren, "I’m so happy; it feels like a dream.” Eren patted her head, “How about we go back to your pce? You show me how you uphold justid moral values.” She said, biting her lip.

  Eren nodded, ign her flirting, as usual.

  ---

  Arriving back at Eren's house, his parents were yet to return home from work. The interior dimly lit by the pale e light of the setting sun.

  A modest apartment, suffit for a family of four with a small kit, dining area, and living room. A short staircase leading to three bedrooms and a bathroom. Despite its paature, it seemed bigger than it let on, well-kept too, giving off an air of tranquillity. It was home.

  “No one is home yet,” Eren mumbled.

  Rika gave a predatory smile, "Well that just means we have the pce to ourselves." She licked her lips, walking towards Eren.

  Eren flicked the light on, breaking the intimate atmosphere. "Let's just rex for a bit first," Eren replied, moving into the living room, and plopping down onto the couch. Rika followed him, sitting beside him. Snuggling up close, she leaned her head against his shoulder.

  “What’s wrong,” Rika asked softly, notig the look of disfort and ck of colour on his face.

  Eren paused, pting whether to tell her what had happened. "I'm just... fused. It doesn't make any sense." He finally admitted.

  "Thinking?" "About what?" She asked, pying with his hair absentmindedly.

  “Nothing much, just thinking about what’s .” Rika watched him closely, frowning slightly.

  "Ere, I have known you since high school, you have the lying capability of a rock. What is b you?" Eren smiled weakly.

  “Holy, its nothing. I am just thinking about this power ranking system and how everything will ge now." Eren answered vaguely. Rika remained unvinced, but she decided not to push any further.

  "How about I do that thing that you like?" She said seductively, ing her arms around his neck. Eren blushed, "Oh, uh... I guess..." He trailed off as she climbed onto his p, straddling him.

  "Is my Eren a good boy?" Rika whispered, nibbling on his earlobe. Eren blushed even more, averting his eyes away from hers. Rika chuckled, kissing his ear gently. "You're so cute when you're embarrassed."

  “Good boys get rewarded." She purred, trailing her lips along his ear, gently biting and lig the ear lobe. "You're the worst." Eren grumbled. His ears had always been a weakness of his. Rika kly what buttons to push.

  "Are you ready?" She asked teasingly, pressing herself against him. Eren could feel his heart rag. He nodded slowly. Rika smiled and leaned forward, however, just as their lips were about to touch, the front dan to open. Rika quickly climbed off his p and moved away with inhuman haste, as if nothing had happened.

  Eren's mother ehrough the front door with bags of groceries in her arms, followed by Eren's younger sister, Emi.

  "Oh, Eren, you're home early." Eren's mother smiled at them, setting the bags down on the ter.

  Mrs. Heart; a beautiful woman ie thirty's, with long brown hair arouble-maker blue eyes. Eren had ied his deli features from her, and based on what Mr. Heart would say about past her, she had the attitude of ooo.

  “Oh, hello, Rika. I didn’t know you were ing over today.” Mrs. Heart greeted her, her gaze shifting to the two of them sitting together on the couch. She knew what they were up too.

  “Hi, Mrs. Heart; sorry it was a st-minute decision."

  "Onii-!" Emi shouted as she jumped into his p. "Hi Emi, how was school?" Eren asked as she giggled, climbing all over him.

  "Great! I got an A on my spelli!" She beamed proudly. Eren chuckled, patting her head. "That's awesome, little sister. Yetting so smart." Emi smiled widely, showing the missih in her smile. "I know!" She chirped happily.

  Emi was incredible smart for a 7-year-old. She a cute kid with short raven bck hair and blue eyes, so she never had trouble making frieher. Iing most of her features from Mr. Heart except for her ing and mischievous nature, which she got from their mother.

  Rika looked on with envy, she always loved how close the siblings were. When it didn't detract from her and Eren's retionship. Rika wao be part of that, even if it was just a little bit.

  “Eren, TV.” Emi ordered. "You watuch TV." Eren ruffled her hair befrabbing the remote and switg it on. Emi quickly made herself fortable, leaning against him as they watched aogether.

  Emi looked at Rika, curiously painting her face. “Rika-nee-, why are you so red?” Eren’s eyes shifted to Rika. Who in turned covered her face with a pillow; Mrs. Heart looked on ed, “Rika, are you ok? Do you have a fever?” Although she already khe answer.

  "Oh, no, I'm fine, Mrs. Heart. Just a bit tired, that's all." Rika replied sheepishly, avoiding eye tact. Eren wi Rika. She sent a death gre back.

  "That's good then. How was your day? Did you get to see that man?" Mrs. Heart asked curiously.

  Rika nodded, "Yeah, we got our ranks and stuff. I got Rank B, Water Elementalist."

  Mrs. Heart cpped her hands together, “Wonderful, You twrowing up so fast.” Mrs. Heart ehe kit and started to prepare dinner.

  Emi Looked up to her brother. "Onii-, what's your super power?" Eren smiled softly, "A crusader, I seek Justid uphold morals." The expnation is lost on the girl, staring bnkly back at him.

  "Or um... I’m going to be super strong.” Emi jumped up and down with glee, "Strohan Daddy?” Eren chuckled, "Strong enough, so you ’t escape my... tickle attacks!" Eren excimed as he began tig her stomach.

  Emi fell into a fit of giggles as she tried to escape his grasp. “Mommy save meeee! Mommyyyy" Mrs. Heart shook her head, smiling at the two of them pyfully wrestling on the couch.

  Eventually the 7-year escaped her brother's clutches and ran away, on his hands a, Eren chased after her, around and around the coutil the door opens.

  Mr. Heart walked through the front door, setting down his briefcase and taking off his shoes. "I'm home." He annouiredly.

  "Daddy!" Emi jumped up from behind the couch, ing her arms around her father's leg., “Daddy, tickle monster Onii-, chase me.” Hugging her farther from behind.

  Mr. Heart, a tall man with a stern expression and pierg amber eyes, a dominant and anding presence behind him, yet there was a warmth to his voice.

  Eren stands and greets his father. "Hey dad." Mr. Heart ruffled his hair, "gratutions my son." Rika waves to him from the couch, "Hello, Mr. Heart."

  "Rika, Hello, you staying for dinner?" Mr. Heart asked. Rika nodded, "Yes, if that's alright." Mr. Heart nodded, "Sure, of course. What rank did you get?"

  "A B-Rank, Water Elementalist," Rika replied proudly. Mr. Heart smiled, "That's good, gd to see my daughter-in-w got a respectable rank."

  Eren blushed and coughed loudly, gring at his father. Mr. Heart chuckles as Rika frowns, muttering under her breath, "And you Eren? What rank did you get?"

  Eren rubbed the back of his neck, looking away from everyone. "Um... I'm a B-Rank crusader..." Eren trailed off, sounding unsure of himself.

  Mr. Heart slumped his bzer o the door, returning his gaze to Emi. "Now," He paused for dramatic effect.

  "Emi, your dad and brother didn’t e home today." Emi smiled, looking up at her father ily. "Where is Daddy and Onii-? “Mr. Heart chuckles; he leans in and whispers, “Only the tickle monsters have e home." Emi screamed with delight, running away as Mr. Heart chased after her.

  Eren joins ba and chases after his sister with his father. Emi is trapped in a er by the two men, and she pleads with them, “No tickle monster, no! Pleaseeee." She begged, trying to escape their clutches. However, it was too te; Eren and Mr. Heart desded upoig her mercilessly until she couldn't breathe from ughing so hard.

  *Pop*

  "Ow!” Mr. Heart yelped, standing back up and grabbing his lower back. Mrs. Heart rushed towards her husband, “Dear, are you alright? What happened?"

  Mr. Heart winced, rubbing his lower back. "I'm fine dear; Just my body getting older." Mr. Heart pined.

  Mrs. Heart gred at him with a disgruntled expression, "Hmph, if you would just do the exercises I told you too, you wouldn't have this problem. e sit dinner will be ready soon."

  Leading her husband to the table; Mrs. Heart tio prepare a delieal of salmon, rice, aables.

  [Later that night]

  Long after everyone had goo bed, Eren lied awake in his bed, staring at the ceiling. His mind repying what happened earlier today. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was terribly, terribly wrong.

  Endo's eyes haunted him; those white orbs, full of malice, hatred, and pt.

  Gng down at Rika sleepio him. She looked so peaceful, her breaths even, starkly trasting Eren's curreal state.

  At that moment, with her lying so close, he found a sembnce of peace. He closed his eyes, letting her presenchor him to the present, away from the shadows of uainty.