GORUTO

The year was 2027.

Earth had entered an age of rapid advancement. New technologies were being developed almost every day, while scientists and explorers continued to uncover things that had once been thought impossible.

But among all the discoveries made during this period, one in particular had captured the world’s attention.

The stones.

They had been discovered in several locations across the United States. At first, they appeared to be nothing more than ordinary minerals buried deep beneath the earth.

They were anything but ordinary.

Each stone emitted an intense light from within its surface.

The colours varied from stone to stone—some gave off a brilliant blue glow, while others shone red, green, violet, gold, and several colours that scientists had never seen naturally occurring in a mineral before.

The light was so intense that staring directly at one for too long could cause severe damage to the eyes.

Some specimens were even more dangerous.

A direct look at their light could cause temporary blindness almost instantly.

What made the discovery even more mysterious was that scientists could not determine where the energy came from.

The stones did not appear to contain any conventional power source. They produced no noticeable heat, required no fuel, and showed no obvious signs of consuming energy.

Yet they continued to shine.

Because of this, researchers around the world began studying them.

Some scientists believed the stones could eventually replace conventional light sources. If their energy could be understood and controlled, a single stone might provide illumination for an entire city.

Others were more cautious.

There was still too much that remained unknown.

For now, the stones had been placed under strict observation, while archaeologists and scientists continued their investigations into their origins.

And somewhere in the United States, another expedition was about to begin.

A young man had recently been recruited by a company involved in archaeological research.

The company was known as Sotuji Corporation.

The young man’s name was Goruto.

He had recently joined one of the company’s archaeological teams and was still getting used to his new colleagues.

Goruto was fairly tall, with a warm light-brown complexion. His silvery-white hair was slightly messy, and his golden eyes gave him a distinctive appearance.

He lived with his parents and his younger brother, Brandon.

Goruto had inherited his golden eyes and complexion from his mother, while his unusual hair colour came from his father, whose own hair was white.

Despite his unusual appearance, Goruto lived a fairly ordinary life.

At least for now.

The afternoon sky was clear.

Sunlight poured across the streets as Goruto drove his Honda toward a nearby shopping mall.

His mother had given him a long list of groceries to buy.

And this time, he intended to return home with every single item.

After parking his car, Goruto entered the mall and made his way through the crowded hallways.

He checked his mother’s list several times as he moved from one section to another.

Milk.

Vegetables.

Rice.

Seasonings.

Drinks.

And several other items.

By the time he reached the cashier, his basket was completely filled.

The cashier scanned the final item and gave him his total.

Goruto paid, collected his bags, and left the mall.

He placed the groceries inside his car before getting behind the wheel.

“Finally,” he muttered. “I didn’t forget anything this time.”

He started the engine and began driving home.

The journey was uneventful.

Until he noticed someone walking along the roadside.

Goruto narrowed his eyes slightly.

He recognized her.

It was Maya.

She was one of Brandon’s classmates and visited their house from time to time.

Goruto slowed down and pulled over beside her.

He lowered the window.

“MAYA!”

Maya turned toward the car.

Her expression immediately brightened.

“GORUTO!”

They exchanged greetings through the window.

Goruto looked at her.

“ARE YOU HEADING HOME?”

Maya shook her head.

“NOT EXACTLY. I WAS ACTUALLY HEADING TO YOUR HOUSE.”

Goruto raised an eyebrow.

“REALLY?”

She nodded.

“YEAH. I WANTED TO SEE BRANDON.”

Goruto smiled.

“THEN YOU’RE IN LUCK. I’M GOING THERE TOO. COME ON, GET IN.”

Maya opened the passenger door and climbed into the car.

“THANKS.”

Goruto pulled back onto the road.

Maya settled into her seat and looked out the window.

She was seventeen years old, with black hair and purple eyes. She had a fair complexion and a naturally energetic personality. Even when she spoke casually, there was usually a lively tone in her voice.

She was also someone Brandon had grown very close to over the years.

Goruto glanced at her.

“HOW’S SCHOOL GOING?”

“PRETTY GOOD,” Maya replied. “THOUGH THINGS ARE GETTING REALLY SERIOUS.”

“FINAL EXAMS?”

“YEAH.”

She sighed.

“WE’VE BEEN STUDYING LIKE CRAZY. THE FINAL SCHOOL-LEAVING EXAMINATIONS ARE GETTING CLOSER, SO I CAN’T AFFORD TO SLACK OFF.”

Goruto chuckled.

“THAT SOUNDS LIKE A LOT OF WORK.”

“IT IS.”

Maya leaned back against her seat.

“ARE YOUR PARENTS HOME?”

“YEAH. THEY SHOULD BE.”

Goruto paused for a moment.

“THEY’LL PROBABLY BE HAPPY TO SEE YOU. IT’S BEEN A WHILE SINCE YOU’VE ACTUALLY SEEN THEM.”

Maya smiled.

“THAT’S TRUE. EVERY TIME I COME OVER, THEY SEEM TO BE OUT.”

“YOU HAVE TERRIBLE TIMING.”

“HEY!”

Goruto laughed.

Maya then turned toward him.

“WHAT ABOUT YOU? HOW’S YOUR NEW JOB?”

“IT’S FINE.”

Goruto kept his eyes on the road.

“I ONLY STARTED ABOUT THREE MONTHS AGO, SO I’M STILL GETTING USED TO EVERYONE.”

“ARE THEY NICE?”

“FOR THE MOST PART.”

He thought for a moment before continuing.

“BUT THINGS HAVE BEEN GOING WELL. I’VE EVEN BEEN SELECTED AS ONE OF THE MEMBERS OF THE TEAM THAT’LL BE GOING ON AN EXPEDITION.”

Maya’s eyes widened.

“THE STONE EXPEDITION?”

Goruto nodded.

“YEAH.”

“The glowing stones?” she asked.

“THOSE ONES.”

Maya looked genuinely interested.

“THAT’S ACTUALLY REALLY COOL.”

Goruto smiled.

“YEAH. I’VE BEEN WANTING TO SEE ONE UP CLOSE.”

Neither of them knew just how significant that expedition would become.

Meanwhile, back at Goruto’s house, Brandon was sitting comfortably in the living room.

His phone vibrated.

He looked down.

A message from Goruto.

Goruto: MAYA’S COMING OVER.

Brandon’s face immediately lit up.

He smiled and put his phone away.

His parents were nearby.

His mother was preparing something in the kitchen while his father sat on the couch reading a business magazine.

Brandon looked toward them.

“MUM, DAD, ONE OF MY FRIENDS IS COMING OVER.”

His mother looked at him.

“WHO?”

“MAYA.”

She raised an eyebrow.

“WHY DIDN’T YOU TELL US EARLIER?”

His father lowered his magazine.

“YOUR MOTHER HAS A POINT. WHAT IF WE ALREADY HAD SOMETHING PLANNED?”

Brandon immediately became apologetic.

“I’m sorry. I should’ve told you earlier.”

His father thought for a moment.

“DID YOU SAY MAYA?”

“YES.”

His father’s expression softened.

“IT’S BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE I’VE SEEN HER.”

His mother smiled.

“IT SHOULDN’T BE A PROBLEM IF IT’S MAYA. BUT NEXT TIME, REMEMBER TO LET US KNOW WHEN A FRIEND IS COMING OVER.”

Brandon nodded.

“RIGHT!”

He returned to the television.

A few minutes later, the house had settled into its usual afternoon routine.

Goruto’s mother stood in the kitchen, slicing onions.

His father sat comfortably on the couch, still reading his business magazine.

Brandon watched television.

Everything felt completely normal.

Then—

KNOCK. KNOCK.

The sound came from the front door.

Brandon looked toward the hallway.

His father placed the magazine down and stood up.

“I’LL GET IT.”

He walked toward the entrance.

His hand reached for the door handle.

He opened the door.

And—

...I