Arc 1, Epilogue : Chapter 1, Distant Sky

In our world, there are people who carry strange powers. The powers vary in form and purpose and nature, but those who carry them are collectively called Braves. Braves are the only ones capable of fighting the Chimeras. They appeared some hundred or so years ago and while we have no idea what their purpose is, only the Braves have the power to fight them. The Chimeras brought us the knowledge of foreign worlds and of the beings that exist in them.

Now, a war between the Chimeras and Braves has begun. While we are students, we have been given the task of fighting the Chimeras. Braves are humanities last hope against the Chimeras.

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I was running, running away from the Chimeras that were chasing me. Eventually I was cornered. The pack of Chimera Gemini to my front, the sheer drop into the water to my back. Cornered, nowhere to run. I fell off the cliff and into the river below.

The next time I woke up I was in a room. A young man stood beside me, dressed in a dark blue yukata, he was holding a bowl of rice porridge. He had long black hair that was tied in a tail down his back. He had sharp black eyes and white skin. He saved me from drowning in the river. Now, seven years later, he is with me, taking care of me for some unknown reason to me. His family took me in. We are brothers now.

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"Arata, time to head to school." William called out from downstairs.

"Coming." I answered.

My name is Arata Akatsuki. I don't have any memories of my past. William's mother gave me my name. She is my adoptive mother and she has treated me like her own son so I treat her with respect and love.

I have messy golden hair with scarlet eyes and white skin. I'm fifteen this year and I'm living with William in Wings City. I can't help but be reliant on him a bit but when I get a job I'll definitely help him though I have no idea how I can help him. He has everything after all.

We sit down for breakfast and I can't but help feel like I'm relying on him too much. William is actually the son of the Akatsuki Conglomerate. A very rich and powerful family. His family took me in saying they couldn't let a young child like me wander the streets with no idea of who I am, who I was and where I came from.

"Arata, do you want me to send you to school personally?" He asked gently.

"No thank you." I answered. "I'm going to feel a little nervous if the King of the Business world himself will send me to school."

"Then do you want Kai to send you?" He asked.

"No thanks." I answered. "I already ask you to so much for me I can't trouble you that much."

"It's fine." He said and patted my head and smiled.

"Then I'll have to trouble you." I answered.

While William is busy with paper work I wait for Mom before leaving. The thought of leaving the estate excites me but it can't hide how nervous I am and I soon find myself messing with my nails.

Just then, a crystal butterfly flies to my side and I can't help but smile. Even though he is busy he still sneaks me something like this.

William is the Brave of Guns and he can make any gun appear. This crystal butterfly is called a Contractor. It offers a person the chance to be a Brave. Each Brave can pass down their title to anyone, besides that there are those that Awaken. We've tried multiple times but no matter how much I try, I can't awaken or inherit a title.

"Young Master William, I'm sorry to say Lady Mai can't see Young Master Arata off. She is dealing with a bothersome problem." A maid said and I nodded and got off my seat.

"Arata?" Williams looked at me.

"I'll be leaving then." I smiled and hugged him before leaving.

The ride only takes fifteen minutes but I still take the chance to admire the outside of the window. The school was personally chosen by Mom. Wings Academy. A school with that specializes in raising young Braves and people who wish to be Braves. Many famous Braves have graduated from this school . I open the door of the car and step down, I fix the blue necktie on my neck and fix my navy blue pants then walk to the gate, it's cold but thankfully besides the long-sleeved white dress shirt I'm also wearing a blazer.

As I'm walking to our classroom, I feel like everyone is looking at me for some reason. I ignore it and just walk to our classroom. The teacher, a woman who looks like she was in her early thirties, with black hair and white skin. Her brown eyes were gentle but stern. She opened the door and after a few words told me to enter.

"Hello. My name is Arata Akatsuki." I said and bowed my head.

"Akatsuki? As in the Akatsuki Conglomerate?" A voice asked.

"Nah. Can't be. The Akatsuki Family only has one heir. You know, the King of the Business World." Another said.

"Oh! The Brave of Guns!!" Another added.

More whispers spread throughout the room but I ignored them and waited till Ms. Luña ordered them to quiet down and send me to my seat.

As I sat down, I noticed the some people in the room were throwing me nasty glares and that's when I realized that the person beside me must be someone well known. But he was absent or so it seems.

During lunch, someone actually bothers to come to my seat and pick a fight. It's a girl of all the people. I don't bother to fight her but for whatever reason she has, she raises me from the ground.

"How does it feel hmm? The power of the Brave of the Sky?" She asked. "Listen closely. Here in our school, you have to know your place. If you don't even have a title, then you don't deserve to sit anywhere special! Like sitting beside our Zhen!!"

She raises her hand and was about to send me flying when her power was disrupted.

"Ms. Karin using your ability to bully others is forbidden. Please report to the Disciplinary Committee's office." A man said from the door. He had straight black hair and with olive eyes and white skin.

"Mr. Liam, Please stay out of this." She answered with a smile.

"As a member of the Disciplinary Committee I can't let this pass." He said as he fixed his glasses. He wore a white dress shirt with the mandatory blazer and navy blue pants. On his shoulder was a shoulderband with the symbol of a shield. "Transfer student, come with me. I've been assigned to show you around."

"Y-yes! Coming!" I said and followed him.

The fall hurt and when I stand up I realize that I may have damaged my tail bone. I can endure it though.

As he shows me around, he seems different from what I expected. Earlier in the classroom he seemed to be stern but now that we were alone he seemed gentle and actually happy with showing me around. Before we return to the classroom, he places his hand on my shoulder and gives it a reaffirming squeeze.

"My name is Liam Galestorm. You can just call me Liam. I'm the Brave of Scales. If anyone bullies you, come to me and I'll deal with it." He said and smiled and I nodded as we walked back.

As we were walking past the corridors the girls were whispering a lot about him. Eventually I realized this man was famous and well liked for his cold personality. When I was about to sit down I saw that my seat was covered in extremely sticky adhesive. I heard that this teacher has a rather horrible personality. What should I do?

"Something wrong? Why aren't you sitting down?" A guy asked. He had light brown hair and white skin with captivating golden eyes. "Oh? Someone did this to your chair? Wait a sec."

He took a picture and then placed his hand on my seat. I immediately became worried and told him he shouldn't do it but he still did.

"Don't worry. I'm the Brave of Justice. My name is Alistar Aster." He smiled. "What's your name?"

"Arata Akatsuki." I answered. "I'm not a Brave, and I don't think I have the qualifications to be one."

"You never know. Anyways, I'm looking forward to getting to know you." He smiled and I noticed the adhesive on my chair was gone. "Hurry and sit down. Professor Mason doesn't like an unruly class."

"Okay. Thanks." I answered and sat down.

As we talked about the topic of the class we got to know each other more. He apparently has a twin brother in another class. His name is Alexis, Alexis is the Brave of Protection. After class he waves me goodbye and I head out.

I'm just about to walk out the front gate when I'm pulled back at the last second and I see why, a car was rushing straight for me. Thank goodness someone pulled me back immediately. I turned to see the person who saved me. It was a man with chestnut brown hair, white skin and gentle brown eyes. He has the same shoulder band as Liam.

"Are you alright." He offered me a hand.

"Yes. Thank you." I said and took his hand.

"Quickly, check the driver and if there are any passengers. Somebody take a picture. I'll help this young man." He said.

The other members of the Disciplinary Committee helped out while this man helped me. Aside from a few scratches nothing feels wrong.

"Thanks again for helping me. My name is Arata Akatsuki." I said as I got up.

"Don't mention it. I just happen to see the car. My name is Reinhardt Valiant. You can just call me Reinhardt." He smiled.

I got up and immediately realized my tailbone was objecting. Just then, Liam arrived and he helped me up. With him, was my driver, Mr. Kai.

"Young Master, First Master has asked me to fetch you." He said.

"Okay. Liam, Reinhardt, I'll see you tomorrow." I smiled at them.

"Okay, take care." They answered.

As I walked back into the sky, I felt an ominous wind blow and I turned to the distant sky. Why do I feel this way? What is happening?