One

One

“Damn, another day of drudgery awaits me.” I sighed, a long breath escaping from my mouth as I stared at the email on my monitor, scanning the contents.

“Another coding job. How dull. Still, the pay is adequate... damn, how I wish for a job that pays well, or even better, great!” Shaking my head I ran my hand through my short-cropped black hair, grimacing as sweat drops scattered all around me. It was baking hot, but running the air conditioner was a luxury I couldn’t afford right now. The window in my small apartment was open, but the day was cloudless with barely a breeze, so that was hardly helping.

“Oh well, the sooner I finish this, the quicker I can relax.” I muttered to myself, getting to work quickly. Taking out a notepad I quickly sketched out a few ideas, and after a few minutes I was satisfied I understood how to go about meeting the client's needs.

For several hours the only sounds that could be heard in the small room were the clicking sounds of keys being pressed and the faint hum of the computer as I worked. By the time I was finished it was early afternoon, the sun beating down, turning the air hot and oppressive.

“Damn, that was harder than I thought it would be.” Sending the finished work back to the client, I stretched my arms above my head, trying to work my tired muscles. Standing, I glanced around the room, catching sight of myself in the mirror that was hanging in the bathroom through the half-open door.

I was tall for a Japanese man, getting on for five foot nine inches in height, though that probably had something to do with my mixed blood, no doubt, not that it was easy to tell at a glance that I was half British. The clearest giveaway was the eyes, which were an unusual steel-grey colour, and shaped a little differently from the normal. Still, I thought I wasn’t too bad looking, even if not everyone agreed.

As if mirroring my thoughts an email pinged up on my screen, from Oshiro Sapphire Aiko, my sister. Glancing to the side of my workspace I looked briefly at the framed photograph that sat there, a few years old, of me in the middle, looking younger and shorter, while on one of my sides was my sister, with her striking and rare blue eyes and hair so black it was almost glowing blue, while on the other was a smaller girl, looking more classically Japanese, with her hair tied up into adorable pigtails. Cracking a wry smile I sat down again, clicking open the email. No doubt it would just be more complaints, but she was certainly adorable... in her own way. There was another photo next to it, of some old university friends too, but I didn’t spare it a glance.

Spoiler

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Hey big bro moonstone, how’s things? The first line read. I couldn’t help but scowl. Man I hated that name. Oshiro Moonstone Akio, bright hero of the moon. I wasn’t an idiot, I knew my mother gave us middle names as a tribute to her nationality based on the colour of our eyes, but when I got to middle school I had done a search on the internet and realised no-one in Britain ever did that anyway. Besides... Sapphire I can see, but Moonstone?

Shaking my head, I realised I was getting distracted by stupid stuff again. I continued to read, trying to rein in my irritation. Are you going to be coming home for summer break this year, I haven’t seen you in forever? Eri-chan is missing you as always, not that I can understand why. At that my eyes flickered over to the photograph again. The smaller girl was Eri-chan, childhood friend of me and my sister. We went everywhere together when we were young, my role to look out for them both, Eri-chan especially, as she was alarmingly timid and did not take to people easily. Still, she was cute even back then.

Anyway, this year is my last year here, so I’ve really got to start studying. It’s just so hard, the weather here is perfect, summer's already in full swing. I've been thinking I might want to try for a Tokyo university like you did, bro, but I’m not really sure... I’ve never been away from home longer than a few days before, and we don’t really have the money so... Well, in any case, want to try being a useful big bro moonstone and give me some advice? If I did come to Tokyo I could stay with you, right? It’d be a bit of a commute, but I’d save loads of money on lodgings...

That would be all I needed. I pinched my nose, feeling a headache coming on. It wasn’t like I wouldn’t be able to squeeze her in here if I had to, although charitably the apartment could be called cosy (and if I was being honest, cramped would be a better word), and as a plus it didn’t allow pets, so no dogs, but living together with my sister would definitely have more minuses than plusses. Yes, she is pretty damn cute, and her eyes and hair really stand out, the blessing of being a half, I guess, but I’m definitely not a siscon, so that’s hardly an actual benefit. Besides, I worked from home most of the time, and having the space filled up with her crap... I mean her possessions would make it harder for me.

“I must be hearing things...”

The Time Is Now. Your World Is About To Change. With Chaos And Danger Comes Opportunity. Will You Grasp It Or Let It Go Forever?

Once more a voice came from behind me. Now I couldn’t tell whether the beads of sweat sliding down my face were from the heat or this sudden fear that was prickling at me.

“Who’s there?” I asked, turning around slowly.

Opportunity.

The half-drunk bottle of tea fell from my hand, spilling across the floor. In front of me was a glowing figure, light shining a cold silver, washing everything in pale shadow, shrouding all detail except a vague shape. I staggered backwards, my feet soaked by the spilled tea and let out a hoarse gasp of alarm. As I was preparing to run, mind reeling, the ‘figure’ spoke once more.

This World Stands At A Crossroads. Soon Great Change Will Befall It, And If Not Protected Only Ruin Awaits. Will You Refuse Fate’s Hand And Allow Your World’s Fate To Rest On Other Shoulders, Or Will You Reach Out And Take The Offered Hand And Protect That Which You Hold Dear?

I was frozen mid-flight, gazing at the glowing figure, which was strange in itself being a light so bright it should have hurt my eyes, yet it had seemingly no effect, almost as if it was an illusion. As it stretched out a glowing arm towards me I was unable to move, mind racing.

This World Is Now Open To A Higher Realm. But Fear Not, The Gods Are Not Cruel. We Have Been Sent By The Heavens To Open The Way For Those Who Have The Power Within To Defend This World. You Are One Such.

I still wasn’t sure I hadn’t fallen asleep at my desk and was dreaming this whole thing, but to be honest with myself I’d read enough Light Novels about other worlds and mysterious beings to at least give a little thought to the possibility this was all true. And if it was... could I forgive myself for passing up the chance to be someone who mattered, someone able to make a difference, strong enough to defend those I held dear? No, to be a hero?

“So... just what is this crossroads? How can I protect Earth?” I asked nervously, heart racing.

It Is A Battle For The Astral Realm Above Through Which All Worlds Are Connected. You Must Gather Ether, Which All Covet, Until You Stand Above All Others With Enough Power To Repel Those That Would Take Your Planet For Their Own, Until You Stand Alone As An Astral Emperor...