《Cherry A Blossom Anew VOL.1》


 A Dream That鈥檚 Not Yours

    Cruel, rotten voices ripped through me, shattering every fragile cell. This wasn''t the life I had signed up for, but with nothing better to do, I embraced the chaos. "Come on! Come and get me!" I taunted, facing demons, androids, and gods, all hungry for the power I possessed.


    It could have been a mere myth, but the mere possibility sent shockwaves across every star system and realm, plunging them into disarray. Amidst the chaos, two boys raced away from hordes of invaders, lasers grazing dangerously close to their heads.


    Taking refuge inside a crashed airplane, the boys gasped for breath while invaders closed in, threatening their every move


    "There''s an exit out back, go for it," the young boy tells him, but the older boy disagrees with the plan suggesting that he stay behind.


    Before they could act, an arm tore through the airplane''s steel, snatching one boy and yanking him away. In horror, he rushed out to find his sibling lying dead, a fiery, smoking hole through his chest.


    Rain fell relentlessly, but the boy remained unfazed, his teary eyes reflecting his own image in the pool of blood seeping from his brother. Rage filled his vision, and he screamed, "BURN, BURN YOU DIRTY BASTARDS!"


    Terrified, he ran in the opposite direction, his muscles gripped by fear. His wounded legs struggled to keep him moving, but he was dragged back to witness his brother''s tragic demise.


    ¡°Die! You dirty fucks! I¡¯ll kill you all. How could you? What did we do? Answer me!¡± Burning flesh smokes out his wound into the bleeding moonlight. The rotten smell doesn¡¯t bother these monsters; they bathe in this chaos.


    He¡¯s dropped on his bleak stale brother''s body, peeking up to dark skies to find a full moon upon him. Shadows swarm the boy; invaders rule his city. ¡°Murderers!!¡± The child spits among the multiple times afterward with a gun, forced? into the mouth. BANG!!!


    In this world, there was no good or bad, only an insatiable greed for true power. Would this power fill the endless, empty void within us all? Would one forsake everything and everyone to escape discomfort, or would they choose the path with allies and mourn together?


    Essence is the lifeblood of ninety percent of all beings in the seven-star system. It embodies natural elements and strength, as remarkable clans shared the essence chain. Was this Nova''s doing? A chance to bring about change?


    A heavy newspaper roll smacks off pink and hazel hair. "Ouch, what the hell, Taro? Why are you hitting me with damn newspapers?" Pai complained, as Taro playfully swung a newspaper at him.


    Taro Zullivan, the elder brother, was sixteen with black hair and a smug smile. Pai Zullivan, the younger brother, sported pink rose hair and had a habit of picking under his warm beige nose.


    Taro scolded Pai, "Well, because I''m older than you! And you''re an idiot. How many times am I going to be late because of you? Hurry up, before dad notices we¡¯re still here.¡±


    "We''re born on the same day; you only got a couple of seconds on me. I was enjoying my sleep, asshole.¡±


    "If we¡¯re gonna be late for our first day, Dad will be mad as hell, Pai, so get the hell up!¡± Pai launched into the bathroom. Locking the front door, they''re off to school. ¡°School is such a drag. Hey Taro, do you think any girls got hotter over summer break?¡±


    "I don¡¯t care. I have a girlfriend. Today''s? our first year together.¡±


    "Ugh, you don¡¯t even see Ashley a lot. What the hell? "Why can''t I get a girlfriend?" He rolled his eyes and sighed dramatically.


    "Well, because you''re weird and stupid. Also, I''m better than you,¡± his brother stuck his tongue out, slapping his back.


    "Screw you! I¡¯ll have somebody one day.¡±


    CHERRY VOL.1


    The brothers attend Blossom High Located in Cherry City, a modern advanced society, highly known? for its beautiful cherry blossom trees, yet one cherry tree stays up through all seasons, never losing its strength. Brick and metal railing secure the front entrance of Cherry High. Autumn leaves and cherry blossoms shatter around the building. The sports complex behind the school holds a giant soccer field, Mix martial arts gym and a gigantic courtyard to refuel the students between classes.


    "Wow! Hot, Hot, Hot...Girls! This school year, I''m gonna get a girlfriend," rambled Pai, looking at the female students. Taro smacked down his pink haired, as he walked ahead. A cleaning bot rolls over Pai¡¯s foot, bumping into his brother. ¡°Damn, robot watch where you¡¯re cleaning!¡±


    ¡°You watch where you¡¯re walking, dumbass.¡±


    ¡°Who the hell programmed you,¡± Pai screams.


    "You did this last year, just give up," Taro replied.


    "You,¡± someone screams. A heavy kick knocked the pink haired student down. Pai rubbed his bruised butt, but at that moment a girl walked up to him and before he knew it, she had asked him, "What¡¯s your homeroom?"


    "Um, it''s room one sixteen, god damn, my back." answers Pai.


    "Great, I''m stuck with you again," sighed the girl.


    ¡°It¡¯s not like, I have control over this bullshit,¡± uttered the boy


    Pai gazed up, relieved to find out it''s his good friend, Kel Glendale, smiling. Kel¡¯s red-blazed short hair rested comfortably on her pale white ears.


    The salty ocean spins in her eyes. She had a crush on Pai, probably the only girl in this predicament. Before he could reply, the bell rang, and all the students headed to their seats. "Hey, look, even Taro is in the class," Pai yelled.A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know you.¡± Taro covered his head. The students heard a loud voice storm outside the classroom. ¡°I¡¯ll make sure you know me, once I get called out myself,¡± prosimed Pai.


    Their hearts pounded in unison as they looked at each other. Together, their ears straining to decipher the source of the ominous voice that stormed through the school corridors. The air grew tense, and a hushed silence enveloped the classroom as the voice drew closer and closer.


    Footsteps echoed, heavy and purposeful, causing the floorboards to creak under the weight of an unknown presence. The murmurs of uncertainty spread like wildfire among the students, each eye darting to their classmates, seeking solace and reassurance in this moment of impending danger.


    Then, with a loud creak, the classroom door slowly swung open. The figure standing in the doorway sent a chill down the brothers'' spines. It was a tall, imposing man, his features obscured by the shadows that danced across his face. Pai and Taro remained silent, their hearts filling with fear.


    A tall man walked to the teacher¡¯s desk, both eyes already viewed towards the window. Mr. Z, the ex-Marine and father of Pai and Taro, stood at the threshold, his eyes a piercing black-blue, betraying a fierce resolve.


    His presence filled the room with a mixture of relief and trepidation. He was a man of strength, but even he seemed apprehensive in the face of the unknown threat that loomed outside.


    "Good morning, Dad," Pai and Taro stammered, trying to maintain composure despite the fear gnawing at his insides.


    Mr. Z''s stern expression softened ever so slightly at the sight of his sons, but the weight of his responsibility weighed heavily on his shoulders. "Alright, let¡¯s begin today¡¯s lesson," he announced, attempting to maintain some semblance of normalcy even as chaos erupted beyond their sanctuary.


    "Why does this happen to us every year, Taro?¡±


    ¡°Is that really a hard answer to think of,¡± mocked Kel.


    "Well, maybe he has to watch you. Why am I getting hit with collateral damage?" Taro sighed and turned to the board where Mr Z had already reached out for a marker.


    CHERRY VOL.1


    During the school''s lunch break, the boys and Pai decided to hold a friendly soccer match. Energy powered rails block off everyone from stepping on the pitch. It was a tradition for them, and Pai was always eager to participate as the captain of one of the teams. However, that day, they faced an issue¡ªthe teams were uneven.


    ¡°Come on guys, one more person is needed on the other side!¡± a student called out, trying to balance the teams. Pai noticed a girl sitting alone, and an idea struck him.


    "Taro! Let''s play!" Pai suggested, hoping to entice his older brother into joining the match.


    Taro smirked playfully. "No."


    "Oh, come on! Don''t be such a party pooper," Pai teased, giving his best puppy-dog eyes.


    Taro, pretending to be indifferent, he jumps over the pulsing energy onto the field. "Fine, I''m on the opposite team from that idiot."


    Taro''s team held the ball first, and he wasted no time in making a mad dash towards the goal. With quick speed, he maneuvered past all the players on the opposing team, leaving them stunned in his blitz. It seemed like he was about to secure the first goal of the match effortlessly.


    But just as Taro was about to take the final shot, Pai, displaying an unexpected burst of agility, cut off Taro''s path and managed to intercept the ball. With a swift and skillful move, Pai snatched the ball away from his older brother, surprising everyone, including Taro himself.


    Pai quickly took control of the situation, darting towards the goal with determination shining in his hazel eyes. His teammates cheered him on, realizing that he had a chance to turn the tables and secure the first point for their team.


    "Good job, Taro," laughs Pai. Taro brings his team together, planning a counterattack. "Let¡¯s do it again,¡± he giggles. Taro brought his team together, planning a counterattack. Kicking the opposite way, the ball almost rolled in their goal. "Taro, wrong way, you damn fool," screamed Pai.


    Taro''s whole team spirited down the field forward. "Try to defend this!" Spitting grass down the field, denting the goal post, Pai went to receive it yet Taro''s presence loomed over him. Almost catching the ball, Taro smashed it into the goal. That wasn¡¯t the plan, he told us? thought his teammates.


    Match point, next goal would win it all. "I never thought Taro would get this worked up about a football game.¡± Pai scratched his pink hair. Taro, points at Pai across the field. You''re going to use the same strategy again; I''ll be damned if you do that again, he thought to himself smirking,


    Firing like a cannon, the ball zoomed towards the top left corner of the goal. Pai''s heart pounded as he jumped, using every muscle fiber to reach it. But just as he thought he had a chance, the ball curved right into his face, and both he and the ball rolled inside the goal. Taro''s team emerged victorious.


    As Blossom High students headed to class, Pai felt a faint energy pass over him. He looked up, only to find himself standing alone on the field. "Taro really has one hell of a kick. I must be seeing things," Pai uttered, rubbing his sore face.


    "Damn, we didn''t even get to play in the game. I swear Taro and Pai end up like this every time," complained their classmates


    "Those brothers are crazy. No wonder no other high school wants any trouble," one of the students remarked, laughing.


    "Yeah, no kidding," another added with a chuckle.


    CHERRY VOL 1


    After school, Pai found himself alone at home, doing some cleaning. "Where are those damn yellow cleaning gloves?" he grumbled, searching through the cluttered cabinet. "Ouch! Damn, the water''s too hot."


    Leaves flow down the street in dirty milky water, as Pai continued his cleaning spree. Suddenly, gunshots rang out, startling him. He quickly ducked under the cabinets, his heart racing.


    Squinting inside the kitchen, he tried to find the source of the commotion, only to come across a pair of yellow cleaning gloves. Confused and on edge, he cautiously put them on.


    But everything went eerily quiet, and Pai could only hear the echo of his own breath. He peered out the kitchen window, trying to make sense of the strange events. Still, there was nothing to be seen except the fading daylight.


    "I must be imagining things again," Pai whispered to himself, trying to calm his nerves. But the uneasy feeling lingered, and he couldn''t shake the sense that something was amiss.


    Two shadowy figures tore the wall and side door to a massive hole. "You chose the wrong house to screw around in. I''m the only one who''s gonna clean this shit up...Me¡­You bastards!"


    Energy effortlessly slashed over Pai. Blood splattered across the wooden floor, and cloth and fluid swarmed into dusty creaks. Pai stumbled and fell, losing consciousness, yet in those final moments, he caught a quick glare of bright golden eyes. Eyes he had never seen before. Eyes that promised his end.


    He woke up on fresh, comforting bed sheets. "Thank God, it was just a dream after all." Pai walked inside the kitchen to find Taro and Mr. Z already there, devouring twenty pancakes each.


    "About time you woke up, Pai," Taro greeted him.


    "Well, I''m up now. I don''t wanna hear your mouth," Pai retorted, trying to shake off the eerie remnants of his dream.


    "Why are you wearing cleaning gloves?" Mr. Z asked, noticing Pai''s strange choice of attire.


    "Huh?" Pai looked down, realizing the yellow gloves were dripping with sweat down both wrists. His hands shook, and so did his lips as he tried to make sense of the unsettling dream.


    "What''s wrong, son?" Mr. Z inquired, concerned.


    "Nothing, Dad, just hungry," Pai replied absent-mindedly, not wanting to burden his father with the details of his disturbing dream.

 The boy and a star

    The rest of the morning passed by with Pai trying to distract his mind and think about anything else but that dream.


    "Open your textbooks to page one twenty-seven. Today''s lesson is the biome of..." Mr. Z began, but a loud noise suddenly echoed outside.


    CRACK!


    The deafening noise reverberates from outside the classroom. Startled, a student creeped over, pressing against the glass to see what''s happening. In an instant, the boy''s scream pierced the air, and his soul seemed to leave his body. "What''s wrong?"


    CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! The sound of successive gunshots filled the air, sending waves of fear rippling through the school.


    "Everyone, get under your desks now!" Mr. Z urgently commanded, and students scrambled to find cover, sticking like gum under their desks in nervous reflex. Cracking bones stopped, and Pai''s eyes cautiously peered from under the desk. Mr. Z stood posted at the window, trying to assess the situation.


    "Dad, are you okay? What the hell''s going on?" Pai asked softly, feeling the tension rise in the room. Each step felt like wading through thick glue, but Pai was determined to see what''s happening. As he tried to move, an eerie sensation passed through him.


    Pai''s mind raced as he realized the horrifying truth: "I was...No, we were never at the top of the food chain." His nervous smile slowly faded, and he found himself frozen with fear, unable to move. The entire class rushed to the windows, eager to see what was happening, only to share the same dreadful fate.


    "Back to your seats now!" Mr. Z''s scream pierced through the panic once more, commanding everyone to retreat from the windows and find safety at their desks.


    "No one goes near the windows, stay put at your desk. Don''t move at all!"


    "Dad,¡± Taro screamed out, and Mr. Z hurried down the hall, checking every classroom against their windows.


    ¡°Were those bodies?"


    "Bodies just don''t fall out of the sky."


    "What? Don''t try to deny what we all saw!"


    "Can you dumbasses shut up? This isn''t the time to be doing this. Think about your classmates," said Taro, his voice tense with urgency.


    "I need a better look. What if Dad gets in trouble?" Pai''s curiosity pushed him to want to see more, but his fear held him back.


    The students gazed at Pai, approaching him with worry evident in their eyes. One more body dropped before Pai, launching every boy and girl up, except the brothers. A creature stood over the corpses, and green light glowed from both eyes of the clothed gray-skinned being.


    Pai and the being stared into each other''s eyes. Its burnt yellow teeth smiled at Pai, sending chills down his spine. Taro pulled Pai away from the window, feeling his brother''s sweaty arms. "I could feel...Something wasn''t right about it. Pai, did you see that thing too?"


    "Yeah, but this isn''t the first time."


    "What do you mean, nightmares?"


    "You heard me in my nightmares, and I don''t wanna keep repeating myself."


    Mr. Z ran out both front doors, but only to find nothing. Every corpse had disappeared. Only heavy dark blood remained. Fresh grass rotten by the fluids, smokes some into the air.


    "It couldn''t be," Mr. Z argued, his voice trembling. A dainty red girl floated behind Mr. Z, her pearly eyes shining crystal honey orange.


    "He shall rule over all." The girl''s voice was haunting as she spoke. Mr. Z quickly turned around, but there was nothing to be found. He looked above, under the clouds. "So it finally begins, the race for power."


    CHERRY VOL.1


    "This is your local news. Cherry City will be canceling all schools plus a list of workplaces following today," the new channel announced across Cherry City. School bells rang, and sunset faded upon Blossom High students.


    "Pai, you don''t have to walk me home," Kel mumbled quietly as the sun began to set, casting a chill over the evening.


    "It''s alright, and you don''t live too far from me; today''s been creepy. I just want to make sure you get home safe." Kel blushed, her cheeks turning a faint shade of pink. "Thanks, Pai."


    On his way back, Pai couldn''t shake the feeling that someone was following them. "You think I wouldn''t notice you following? Yeah, keep following me," he muttered to himself. He decided to cut through a nearby park, its vast expanse illuminated by the moonlight.


    "Alright, asshole, listen up. It''s been a long day, and I''ve seen some weird shit today...If you''re a girl who has a crush on me, please don''t run away!" Pai called out defiantly, trying to sound more confident than he felt.


    Alone in the park, the cool breeze swept past Pai as he did a complete three-sixty, but he saw nothing out of the ordinary. However, he sensed a strange pressure from above him. "Oh, a shooting star, why not make a wish?" He said to himself, almost mockingly. This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    "I want a girlfriend and wish good fortune for my family¡­Maybe get rid of this headache that''s been plaguing me my whole life as well. You know, those should be nice."


    The golden star seemed to grow larger as it hurtled toward Pai. "Yo, that''s getting close; is that even a star? This thing''s gonna hit me if I don''t move...Damn it!" As the energy landed, it peeled away the grass, causing small explosions that sparked across the field, raining destruction to most of the park.


    Pai found refuge hugging the roots of a nearby tree, his pink hair covered in dirt. "What the hell is happening? I can''t catch a break today," he laughed nervously.


    "HAHAHA!" Laughter echoed from the darkness, and a figure emerged, wrapped in a thick trench coat. "Who would''ve thought I''d track you down from some loud, stupid crying brats? Come out of there, you waste!"


    "AGH," another voice cried out in pain. A young girl with blood running down her forehead reached out for Pai from inside the crater. "Help," she mumbled weakly.


    "That is a person? It''s only a girl; she came crashing down...From what the fuck?!" Pai''s mind raced with confusion and fear. "Hey!" He pointed out to Pai with long gray fingers. "I don''t know who you are, buddy, and I don''t care, but that''s my prey. Thanks for making this catch so trouble-free! Get lost before you make me angry."


    The girl slumped to the ground, her body emitting a strange golden energy. Pai felt torn, unsure of what to do. "I''m not a hero, I''m just one guy. I''m nobody special, so why is this happening to me? This has nothing to do with me.¡±


    The unknown man moved swiftly to the girl''s side, and Pai couldn''t fathom how he got there so fast. "What else can he do? What even is he? This guy''s a half robot, covered in gray skin¡­Aliens?"


    "Time to end your species'' existence for good!" the strange figure declared with malice in his voice.


    "No! It''s okay, you didn''t know her. It doesn¡¯t matter if she¡¯s blown across the park, it was just her fate...No! No! No! No! I won''t! Is that how you wanna think forever? How is that even right?" Pai''s anguished thoughts fought to make sense of the tragedy before him.


    A fiery charge of energy surfaced from the palm, exploding on the helpless girl. The impact sent dirt and dust flying, mixing with gruesome body parts and splatters of blood that painted the scene.


    "HAHA, I''ve achieved my mission on to the next phase; got to update Dante about this. I''ll be with you in no time soon now." Dust and red rays pushed near the crater. Pai closed their distance.


    "Hey, shithead!" A sudden burst of growth seemed to have given Pai the strength he needed. He threw a perfect punch that caught the killer off guard, sending his head snapping backward.


    Pai landed a perfect punch, putting his entire body into it.


    Kneeing the man against his torso, soon after following right with an uppercut. Going for another strike to the nose, although, this time, it''s caught.


    With a splitting grin, it spat fresh blood, seemingly unfazed. "Hey, kid, let me introduce myself; the name''s Rook." Pai''s torso was forced back by Rook''s powerful blows, causing a cloud of dust to rise with each impact. The force of the punches even caused Pai to vomit.


    How is he this fast? Rook''s speed and strength were astounding, nearly overwhelming Pai. Rook jabbed his nose and landed an uppercut that lifted him off the grass, before delivering a powerful punch to Pai''s liver.


    Spinning beams erupted from Rook, creating a violent whirlwind of blood and spit in the frigid air. "That should handle him for good," Rook declared confidently, pressing down dirt on the ground. But to his surprise, Pai¡¯s nowhere to be found.


    "Hey...shithead! I¡¯m still here!" Pai''s voice rang out from behind, catching Rook off guard as he turned around to face Pai. "You don''t get to do that and think you¡¯ll live in my existence." The air crackled with tension as the two adversaries faced off.


    From Rook''s perspective, Pai trembled, swaying unsteadily as blood and spit mixed and dribbled down his chin. Rook squinted at Pai, noticing the flickers of brown, pink, and red in his eyes, and felt the air around them grow scorching hot, making nearby plants catch fire.


    "What the hell is this heat? Who the hell is this person with all this fucking essence?" Rook wondered, bewildered by Pai''s newfound power. The girl he had torn apart earlier reappeared near Pai. ¡°I can handle this, my friend.¡±


    With a snap of her fingers, she cast a sleeping spell on Pai, causing him to slump onto her chest, and she gently held him up as a star appeared, gently placing Pai down.


    "Now...what species did you say you were ending again?" Her lifeless golden eyes bore into Rook as she pushed her long emerald-green hair back, sparks dancing over her purple eyebrows and down her brown skin.


    A royal gold essence enveloped her, and a beam of light descended from the sky, striking Rook and knocking him to the ground. Though he rose slowly, rage stabbed at his eyes.


    "No! You should be dead. I know I killed you!" Rook screamed, but the girl launched herself at him, each punch denting his chest, followed by a powerful sidekick to his neck.


    Rook''s vision blurred as he struggled to stay on his feet. "I''ll kill you, dammit! I won''t fail this mission. So just drop dead, you fuck!" he yelled, but the girl appeared before him, placing both hands on him.


    "You first. Star style explosion!" she declared, and a giant golden explosion engulfed Rook''s entire body. He was blasted across the field and into the forest, his flesh searing from the impact.


    Despite his injuries, Rook stood up, only to find multiple rays of light hurtling toward him at incredible speed. He tried to dodge them, but one struck him in the back without warning.


    ¡°AHHHHGHH!¡± Rook''s screams filled the air, but they soon faded as more beams pummeled him, coalescing into a giant star that crashed upon him from space. The attack ceased, leaving nothing behind except for a piece of gray skin, ensuring his death.


    "Serves you right,¡± the girl stated coldly as she and Pai soared away, leaving behind traces of golden essence. Cold clouds cool down the warm golden star.


    ¡°It looks like we¡¯re the same, but when will your seeker reveal themselves, so we can join this race for Nova? I hope there¡¯s more to you kid. I want a shot at this. There¡¯s no way I can do this without you. Please be the boy to make my dream come true.¡±


    As they flew over Cherry''s City, its night lights cloaking them, they observed people gathering for the closing day, drinking and sharing laughs with friends. The neon lights were too weak to reach the massive cherry tree blossoms.


    Fashionable people walked under essence powered light bulbs, while street performers collected their daily hard earned money. Group of kids swarm an overwhelmed police officer begging for ice cream, however the owner gave them a tube instead. Stars twinkle upon tall glassy cold metal skyscrapers covered with the cherry blossom vines.


    When I first saw her she looked so powerless, begging for help, but as she came back, I knew that I was wrong all along. I thought someone with that strength doesn¡¯t need any saving.


    His faded hazel eyes locked onto the city¡¯s starry night, away from any light pollution. I couldn¡¯t help it, still for some reason... Something felt wrong. That''s why I wanted to help someone so powerful. It had to be me.