Chapter 1 The Tiger's last Roar
The clouds above New York had never felt this heavy.
A soft wind brushed against the Mayor’s coat as she stepped out of the towering government building, her high heels clicking steadily on the cold marble floor. Cameras flashed, people whispered, but none of it reached her. Today wasn’t about the city. It was about something far beyond it—something not many believed in, and even fewer dared speak of:
The Universal Messenger.
Inside the confidential underground chamber, the lights dimmed, and an unnatural silence took over. A tall figure stood by the window, his cloak flowing as if caught in wind that didn’t exist.
“You are the chosen leader,” the Messenger said, his voice carrying no breath, only presence. “As tradition demands… every new leader of Earth must meet the voice of the stars.”
The Mayor stood tall, hands clasped behind her. “And what message do the stars bring this time?”
The Messenger tilted his head slowly.
“Humankind has once again declared independence. You choose to lead yourselves... without universal involvement. And so the universe watches. It accepts. But let me remind you... humankind is the only kind that does not love itself. It does not unite. It only chases its own greed and desires.”
The words pierced deeper than any political debate ever had. She wanted to defend humanity… but couldn’t.
She nodded slowly. “We’ll prove ourselves wrong.”
“We’ve heard that before.”
The Messenger vanished, leaving behind a breeze of stars that dissolved into ash.
The mayor’s voice echoed through the square outside as she stood before a crowd of thousands, speaking with elegance and hidden sorrow. Her speech was one of unity, courage, and unspoken truths. But behind that strength was a mother, holding back tears for a boy waiting at home.
Later that evening...
Mike, a five-year-old with eyes too brave for his age, sat cross-legged beside his best friend —Dicken, grandson of the former U.S. president.
Their laughter filled the sunset-colored hallway. Mike held up a drawing of a tiger.
“Look, Mom! This is you. You’re strong. And you always say we are tigers, right?”
She knelt beside him, smiling. “That’s right, my boy. Tigers don’t cry.”
The night drive home was quiet... until it wasn’t.
A sudden explosion of light. Screams. A crash.
Fighters clashed above the highway — dark silhouettes slicing through the air, red sparks flying from their weapons.White Assassins— merciless agents from beyond the Earth — were here... for reasons unknown.
The car flipped. The mayor’s body shielded her son.
Silence.
When Mike opened his eyes, he was the only one breathing. Blood dripped down his forehead. His hands trembled as he reached for his mother.
“Mom… wake up… You always tell me we are tigers... right? I drew this for you, remember? I… I have a gift for you...”
She didn’t answer.
“I... I’m cold, mom… can you feel me?”
Tears fell. But tigers don’t cry — so he wiped them away and screamed into the night sky.
From the shadows, a dying man crawled toward him — an old warrior, body torn, but spirit burning bright.
“Take… my power,” he whispered. “This is aHeal Stone. From the… Doomed Clan... protect it… protect your truth.”
The stone glowed as it merged with Mike’s chest.
Before the man could vanish into the night, a blade struck through his back. He didn’t even see his killer — only felt the cold.
Yotamastood above the body, one eye glowing white.
“No one escapes,” he whispered.
He vanished into the darkness.
