I was chilling in my room, contemplating, "What can I do next?" It had been a week since the incident, and I had finally recovered. The Valorant headquarters felt dull and lifeless. I believed it was time for me to make some traction. Just as I was getting ready to move, the door opened after a brief knock.
"Minwoo, glad to see you're awake. We need to talk."
Minwoo sat up slowly, with Jett assisting him. "What's up, Brim?"
Brimstone's gaze was serious. "Your rift manipulation saved us, but it's clear you need better control over your powers. Sage mentioned the strain it puts on you, and we can't have you burning out in the middle of a fight."
Minwoo nodded, understanding. "So, what's the plan?"
"We have someone who can help you: Yoru. Yoru, with his experience in dimensional travel, could potentially guide you in effectively managing your abilities."
Jett perked up. "Yoru?" Isn't he a bit… unpredictable?"
Brimstone's lips twitched into a half-smile. "He's the best we've got for this. And he owes me a favor. He'll train you, Minwoo."
I felt a mix of excitement and apprehension. Yoru was known for his elusive nature and powerful abilities. With his dimensional drift, he can travel between dimensions. Currently, he becomes invulnerable. If anyone could help him master his rift manipulation, it was Yoru.
"When do we start?" Minwoo asked.
"Tomorrow morning." Get some rest; you'll need it."
Minwoo met Yoru the next day in a special training room made for dimensional exercises. It was a big room with walls that moved and shimmered, creating different environments and rift conditions with the help of radianite conduits.
Yoru stood in the center, arms crossed, a cocky grin on his face. "So, you're the one who closed that big rift. Impressive, but let's see if you can handle the small stuff."
Minwoo raised an eyebrow. "Small stuff?"
Yoru gestured around the room. "Rifts aren't just big portals; there are micro-rifts everywhere, tiny tears in reality. If you can sense and control those, you can prevent bigger ones from forming, like the one that nearly swallowed HQ."
He extended his hand, and a small rift appeared, no larger than a coin, its edges shimmering with chaotic energy. "Use your wind to try to close it."
Minwoo concentrated and used all of his senses. He sensed the slight shift in the air, as subtle as a whisper. He called up his wind and tried to direct it precisely. He finally stabilized the micro-rift and closed it with a soft pop after a few tries. You gave a nod of approval. "Great." That being said, you need to be faster and more alert. "Rifts can occur unexpectedly."
They practiced for hours, and Yoru pushed Minwoo to quickly find and close micro-rifts. Although it was difficult, Minwoo felt that he was improving and gaining better control. Yoru's dimensional drift gave him ideas by showing him how wind could affect rifts. Minwoo then started to copy this method.
You eventually requested a break. "Now you get it. But let's give you a real test and see how you do." He activated the simulation in the room, and suddenly they found themselves in a virtual battlefield with gaps separating them. "Shut down as many as you can before they crash."
Minwoo quickly acted, smashing out his window to seal the gaps. Despite the chaos, his gaming instincts quickly established a rhythm. He knew where the next rift would appear and moved quickly. Yoru watched him and sometimes gave him advice, his cocky grin changing to one of respect.
Yoru looked impressed when the simulation was over. "You have potential, kid," but remember that rifts can happen at any time. Anything could happen. He wiped the sweat off his forehead. "I will be."
Later that day, the team gathered in the command center for a mission briefing. Brimstone stood at the head of the table, a holographic map displaying a location in the outskirts of Seoul. "We've received intel about a group of rogue agents attempting to steal a radianite cache," he explained. "They're not affiliated with Omega Earth, but they're dangerous nonetheless. Our job is to secure the cache before they do."
Minwoo listened attentively, eager to apply his training in a real mission. This was different from the Omega conflicts; it was a standard operation, but still important, aligning with the Protocol's role in securing radianite.
"Minwoo, you'll be on point with Jett," Brimstone continued. "Use your rift sense to detect any anomalies. Yoru will be with you for support if needed."
Yoru nodded, his expression unreadable, but Minwoo felt a spark of confidence. His training had paid off, and he was ready to prove himself.
As the team prepared to depart, Jett pulled Minwoo aside. "Are you ready for this?"
Minwoo smiled. "Yeah. Thanks to Yoru's training, I think I can handle it."
She punched his arm lightly. "Just don't get cocky, Wonder Twin."
He laughed. "It would never happen."
The mission site was an empty warehouse district, and there was a lot of tension in the air. Minwoo was in charge, and he was on the lookout for any rift activity or shady agents. Jett stood on either side of him with her knives drawn, and Yoru moved like a ghost, his dimensional drift ready to strike.
All of a sudden, his rift sense picked up on a small disturbance nearby. He told Yoru in a whisper, 'There's a micro-rift here.'
You replied with a nod, 'Shut it up before it gets bigger.'
Minwoo concentrated and quickly closed the small tear with his wind. "Done."
Yoru's approval was not overt, but it was clear. "All right. Do not stop moving."
Slowly, they made their way to the warehouse housing the radianite cache. Secret agents were trying to enter the warehouse while the team was inside. 'Engage,' Brimstone told them over the radio.
The team immediately set to work. Jett rushed forward, pulling herself into the fight with her wind. Phoenix's flames shone in the dark, and Sage's orb healed any wounds. Minwoo used his wind to break up the enemy formations, and Yoru's training helped him hit with pinpoint accuracy with his Gale Fist. As the battle intensified, Minwoo sensed a larger crack forming. 'You, there's a crack opening!'
Yoru was right there with him in an instant. 'Get it stable right now!'
Minwoo focused, weaving his wind through the energy of the rift to close it before it could fully appear. He was worn out from working so hard, but he managed to close the gap, demonstrating that his training had paid off.
After the team sealed the rift and eliminated the enemies, they ensured the radianite cache was secure. Brimstone's voice resonated over the radio, "Well done, team." Return to the base.
Minwoo felt he had performed well when he arrived back at headquarters. He was beginning to improve his abilities, thanks to his training with Yoru. However, he was aware that Omega Earth remained a threat and that he still had much to learn.
As he stood on the observation deck, gazing out over Seoul, Jett joined him. "You did great today," she said. "Thanks. I couldn't have done it without Yoru's help." She smiled. "You're getting stronger every day. I'm proud of you, brother."
Minwoo felt a warmth in his chest. With Jett by his side and the team supporting him, he was ready for whatever challenges lay ahead. But in the distance, a faint hum, a rift's echo, reminded him that Omega Earth was still out there, plotting their next move. The war was far from over, but for now, Alpha Earth was safe.
A faint radianite hum could be heard in the training room at the headquarters of the VALORANT Protocol in Seoul. The walls shimmered as if they were alive with dimensional energy. As I stood in the middle of it, sweat was dripping from my forehead, and my wind powers wrapped around me like an uneasy friend. Across from me, Yoru leaned against a console, arms crossed, his cocky grin a challenge. "You're getting better, kid," he said, his voice low but sharp. "But better isn't enough. Let's see if you can keep up."
The memory of the radianite cache mission, my first real test under Yoru's mentorship, still echoed in my chest as I sealed micro-rifts with unprecedented precision. My confidence was higher after that win, but Yoru's training remained relentless, always pushing me to enhance my rift manipulation skills.
"What will happen next?" I asked as I wiped the sweat from my forehead. My gaming instincts were craving a challenge.
Yoru's smile widened. "Level 2: rift walking." You've already crossed micro-rifts, so now you'll learn to connect them. Navigate through numerous rifts simultaneously, akin to maneuvering through a needle."
My eyes narrowed as I recalled Yoru's dimensional drift, a fluid teleport that effortlessly bent space. I had barely mastered single-rift steps, each one a disorienting plunge through reality. Chaining them felt like a clutch play in a Valorant match—high risk, high reward.
"Show me," I said, my voice steady.
Yoru activated the room's simulation, and three micro-rifts flickered into existence, their edges shimmering with chaotic energy. In a blur of motion, he stepped through the first rift, emerged from the second, and then flowed seamlessly into the third. "Your turn," he called, throwing me a smirk.
I focused, feeling the wind wrap around me like a cloak. I sensed the rifts' energies—faint whispers in the air, reminiscent of the micro-rifts I had closed before. Taking a breath, I stepped into the first rift, weightlessness swallowing me. I emerged disoriented but pushed forward, my wind guiding me to the second rift. The third was a stumble; my footing was off, and I landed with a grunt.
Yoru clapped slowly. "Not bad for a rookie. Again, faster, smoother."
We trained for hours, and my movements became increasingly fluid, my wind adapting to the rifts' pull. Each chain felt like a flick shot in a match, precision honed from my past life as Alex Han. Yoru's critiques were sharp but fair, his dimensional expertise serving as a guiding light.
"You're thinking too much," Yoru said during a break. "Let the wind lead; it's part of you."
I nodded, catching my breath. "Like a game. Instinct over strategy."
"Exactly." Yoru's grin softened. "You're starting to get it."
The command center buzzed with activity, its holographic screens displaying a map of Tokyo's neon-lit sprawl. Brimstone stood at the head of the table, his weathered face set in determination. "We've got a rogue Radiant in Tokyo causing dimensional disturbances," he announced, his voice gravelly. "Uncontrolled rifts are popping up across the city, threatening civilians. Our job is to neutralize the threat and secure the area."
I listened, my sixth sense tingling faintly, a reflex from training. The assignment marked my second mission unrelated to my parents' legacy, a shift from the Omega Earth conflicts. Although the rogue Radiant had no connection to Han Jisoo or Yasmine Belkacem's work, the rifts posed a familiar challenge, testing my training with Yoru.
Jett leaned back, spinning one of her knives idly, its glint catching the light. "Sounds like a party. Who's this Radiant?"
Cypher's masked lenses reflected the screen as he pulled up data. "Codename: Vortex. Vortex, a former Protocol trainee gone rogue, possesses unstable rift powers. They're not Omega, but they're dangerous; consider them to be uncontrolled versions of my abilities."
The comparison twisted my stomach, resonating deeply. My rift manipulation remained volatile, just as Sage had warned me.
"What's the plan?" I asked, locking eyes with Brimstone.
"You're on point with Jett and Yoru," Brimstone replied. "Your rift sense is our advantage—detect and close any rifts Vortex opens." Cypher will monitor the situation from here, while Sage and Phoenix will assist.
Sage's orb floated next to her, her face showing a mix of trust and caution, different from the last time we had fought. "Minwoo, you're getting better at controlling, but this mission will test you."
I nodded, feeling the weight of her words.
Phoenix smashed his fists together, setting fire to his chest. "Don't worry, Wonder Twin."
Jett pushed me playfully, her smile fierce. "Are you ready to show Tokyo what we have?"
I felt a gust of wind, which made me tougher. "Let's do this."
The jet took off in the dark and landed on a Tokyo rooftop, where it was possible to see a neighborhood full of neon signs and busy streets. It was humid, and I could just hear the hum of radianite. My rift sense picked up on disturbances like static. Omega Earth was very empty, but the city was full of life. However, the chaos of the rifts threatened the city's very core.
Yoru maneuvered with the agility of a shadow, his dimensional drift poised and ready. "Stay sharp, kid. Vortex's rifts are unstable; expect anything."
Jett's knives gleamed as she took the lead, her wind whispering around her. "Got it." Minwoo, do you sense anything?"
I closed my eyes and extended my rift sense. There was a cluster of micro-rifts near a central plaza, their energies erratic. "Plaza, two blocks east," I said, my voice low. "They're growing."
The team moved swiftly, weaving through Tokyo's crowded streets, with civilians unaware of the looming danger. Upon reaching the plaza, a larger rift flickered ominously, its jagged edges distorting the air like a heatwave.
Vortex stood at its center, cloaked in dark gear, hands crackling with uncontrolled radianite energy. "Protocol!" Vortex snarled, their voice distorted. "You can't stop this!"
Jett dashed forward, her Tailwind propelling her into Vortex's path, knives flashing. "Want to bet?"
The fight erupted. Phoenix's flames roared to life, creating a fiery perimeter to contain Vortex's rifts. Sage's orb pulsed, healing grazes, while her barrier blocked stray energy. Yoru drifted through a micro-rift, striking from behind, but Vortex's rifts countered, opening unpredictably.
I focused on the rifts, my wind weaving through their chaotic energies, sealing micro-rifts as they formed. But Vortex's power was overwhelming, each rift larger than the last. My arms trembled, the strain from the colossal rift echoing in my muscles.
"Yoru, they're too fast!" I shouted.
Yoru appeared beside me, his voice calm but urgent. "Chain your rift-walking move through them, disrupt their flow."
I nodded, recalling my training. I stepped through a micro-rift, emerging near a larger one, my wind lashing out to stabilize it. The maneuver was disorienting, but I chained another, then another, with my Gale Fist striking Vortex's rifts with precision. My gaming instincts guided me through the chaos as each closure felt like a clutch play.
Vortex staggered, their rifts faltering. "You can't control this!"
They roared, creating a massive hole in the sky above the plaza. The energy from the rift threatened to consume the city.
My heart raced due to my stress. I recalled Yoru's words: "Let the wind lead."
Closing my eyes, I allowed my mind to flow through the rift, blocking out reality. I was working hard; my vision was blurring, but Jett's voice cut through the haze: 'You've got this, brother!'
With one final push, I closed the rift. When it collapsed, it triggered an earthquake that devastated the plaza. Sage's orb drained their energy, forcing them to their knees. The team secured the area, ensuring everyone's safety. The neon lights in Tokyo flickered back to life.
Back at headquarters, the command center buzzed with a mix of happiness and concern. Brimstone's voice was steady. "Good job, team. We are holding the Vortex, and Tokyo remains safe. Minwoo, your control of the rift was critical.
I nodded, still taking deep breaths. "Because Yoru trained us."
Yoru smiled and leaned against a console. "Kid, don't be so proud. You know some things, but there's still more for you to learn.
When Sage approached me, it was evident that she was concerned. "Minwoo, you seem to be taking on more stress. We must closely monitor that situation.
Jett smiled and tapped me on the shoulder. "Wonder Twin, you were a bit harsh there. So proud of you."
When I smiled, I felt warmth spread through me. Despite the difficulties of the mission, I emerged stronger and better equipped to manage rifts. I also enjoyed spending time with my team more. As new information flashed across the screens, Cypher's voice disrupted the silence. "Omega's signals are going off again."
I know they're watching us. Brimstone's jaw tightened. As I stood on the observation deck, gazing over Seoul, the city's skyline was a captivating painting of light and dark. Jett joined me, and the wind brushed against me as she asked softly, "Are you okay?"
I replied, "Yeah," while feeling a gentle breeze pass by me. I'm getting stronger, but there's still a lot to do.
Jett leaned against the railing, looking up at the sky. "Hey Minwoo, you're not by yourself. We've got your back."
Meeting her gaze, I felt grateful and said, "Thank you, Sunwoo." She laughed and playfully nudged me, responding, "Always, Wonder Twins."
In the background, a faint rift echo hummed, reminding us of Omega's threat. I felt the Gale Fist power surge in my fists, determined to stick to my plan. Yoru had taught me Jett was there for me, and the team trusted me. I was ready for the next challenge, regardless of what it was.
The group had just come back from a mission in Tokyo. As I got off the jet, I could feel my wind powers humming faintly through my veins. I felt worn out and happy at the same time. My muscles hurt from all the intense rift manipulation I had done, but stopping a dangerous rogue Radiant was still a victory in my mind.
Jett walked next to me. She wasn't as energetic as usual because she was exhausted. She smiled and nudged my shoulder. Minewoo, you did exceptionally well out there. "The rift-walking trick was really cool."
I forced a worn-out smile. "Thank you, Jett." The training has been useful.
As we walked into the command center, Brimstone was already there, his stern look softened by a nod of approval. "Well done, team." We have successfully captured the target and resolved the dimension-related issues. But we now have new worries. "Cypher has found something."
With his back to the screen, Cypher looked up, his voice a low rasp. The signals from Omega Earth are blazing with intensity. They are not giving up.
When I heard the name Omega Earth, the mirror world that always cast a shadow over our work, my stomach clenched. Brimstone's voice broke the tension. "We need to keep our minds sharp." Minwoo, how you control the rift is crucial. Stay in shape with Yoru; we can't afford to fall behind.
I nodded, my resolve growing stronger. "I'm ready to do anything."
Later, in the training room, I saw a sea of simulated rift energies. The air was charged with possibility. Yoru leaned against a console and watched with his sharp eyes. He said, "You're getting better," with a rare hint of respect in his voice. "But we need to step it up. Feel the cracks before they appear.
Minwoo wiped the sweat off of his forehead. His determination was stronger than his tiredness. "Show me."
When you started the simulation, the room shook with disturbances that you couldn't see. He told them to "feel them." "Seal them up before they tear."
Minwoo concentrated, and as he reached out with his senses, his wind powers moved. The air moved softly, like a whisper, and he focused his energy on sealing the gaps more and more precisely. It was challenging, but each win made him better at controlling himself.
Yoru smiled back, but what he said wasn't what it seemed. "All right. But when the stakes are high, that's when the real test comes in. Omega Earth won't let you try it out first.
Minwoo didn't move as she met his eyes. "I'm going to be ready."
Back in the command center, the team gathered around Brimstone's holographic map, which showed Omega Earth's movements with red spikes. The noise of the machines was drowned out by Cypher's voice. "They are making their industrial sector stronger." There's a big thing coming.
Sage's calm presence made the room feel more stable. "We need to get ready." Minwoo's skills are very important, but everyone has a part to play.
Phoenix shook his fists, and flames appeared at his fingertips. "Then we really hit them, right?"
Brimstone's face stayed serious. "On time." Our first steps are to rest and train. Minwoo, your main goal should be to master those riffs.
It felt like they were putting their trust in him, and he was glad for it. Jett caught his eye as the meeting ended. Her voice was soft. "Brave brother, you're doing great. Don't get too tired.
He laughed, and her support was like a rock. "No, Sunwoo. I won't." Promise.
That night, he stood on the observation deck and looked down at the cityscape of Seoul. It made him think of the things he had fought for. His chin moved slightly, a sign of how happy he was, as he thought about the break Jett had mentioned—a chance to relax. With Omega Earth's threat still looming, he wasn't sure if he could calm down, but maybe a moment of peace would help him get back on track.
A rift's faraway hum echoed in his mind as a quiet warning. He made a fist and wrapped the wind around them like a vow. He was ready to face whatever was coming his way, not just for his team but for the sake of the world.
He didn't know that he was about to meet someone who would change his path in ways he couldn't see yet.
In the distance, the neon lights of Seoul's skyline sparkled, but Han Minwoo's attention was on something else tonight. In a huge open-air arena full of excited fans, he stood in the middle of a sea of them. The concert was a rare break from his normal schedule. It gave him a chance to forget about the constant threat that was his life at the VALORANT Protocol headquarters and let the music take his mind off of things.
A friend made him go even though he didn't want to because he said he needed a break. As the crowd got more lively, he could feel the knot in his chest start to loosen up. The place was lively; lights danced across the stage, music hummed through the floor, and everyone in the crowd moved together, their faces beaming with unbridled happiness. He immersed himself completely in this world, a stark contrast to the perilous missions he was accustomed to.
As the lights went out, the crowd fell silent. A single spotlight illuminated a figure in the middle of the stage. She was beautiful, with long, dark hair that framed a calm but strong face. Minwoo felt like the world changed when she started to sing. Not only was her voice beautiful, but it was also alive. Each note moved through the air like a wave of light, making him feel something deep down.
He had met Radiants before; their powers were wonderful and puzzling, but this time was different. It seemed like her song had an emotional weight that touched everyone in the arena, especially him. He stood still, and the melody wrapped around him like a warm hug that he couldn't describe. While everyone else in the crowd swayed and seemed to be lost in the moment, Minwoo's eyes stayed on her, fascinated.
Applause broke him out of his trance when the song was over. But the sound of her voice kept coming back to him, and he couldn't let go of it.
After the show, fewer and fewer people were there, but Minwoo stayed behind, his mind a mess. Even though it was late at night and the stage was quiet, her presence could still be felt. Unable to pinpoint the reason, he drifted towards the stage exit.
A friend pushed him, waking him up from his thoughts. "You're not talking tonight." What's on your mind?"
He gave a small smile. "Just the music." It was good.
As they walked around a dark corner, he saw her: the singer taking off her hat to hide her hair so no one would see her. They looked at each other for a split second, and Minwoo felt the same soft but strong pull that he had felt during her performance. He walked on while he thought for a moment about what to do. The moment vanished like a dream.
Minwoo went to a PC bang the next day. It was a gaming café where keyboards were clanging and screens were on. And it was another attempt to get back to normal. He could get lost in the rhythm of the games there. He sat down in a booth and let his fingers move naturally on the controls. The digital world helped me forget about things.
He was focused when he heard a voice. "Do you mind if I join?"
He looked up because he was scared. It was the singer. She was dressed more casually, with her dark hair down and a big smile on her face. She blended in with the other people in the café, but it was clear that she was there.
He told her to sit down next to him and said, "Okay." My name is Minwoo.
She said, "Hana," and her voice had the same sweet lilt to it. She had already slid into the chair and was dancing on the keyboard when she joined his game.
They played together, and the competition made it easy for them to connect. Hana was skilled, and her moves were quick and smart. Minwoo couldn't help but smile when she showed up out of the blue. "You're good," he said with a tone that was a little sly.
She laughed, her face bright and open. "You're not bad either."
When they looked at each other, the noise of the café seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them. There was a spark—it was slow and quiet, but real.
They talked about games, the city, and her job as a performer as the hours went by. Hana's stories were vivid, and her passion was contagious. Minwoo was drawn to her warmth as she listened. He didn't push her to talk about her Radiant gift, and she didn't. He was happy to let the moment happen naturally.
He could feel something, though, beneath their light conversation. It was a faint hum, like the energy he needed for his job. It was soft, like a whisper of power that matched his own, but he couldn't quite put his finger on why.
When they finally parted ways, her smile stayed with him like a tune in his mind. He felt a flicker of hope as he walked back through Seoul's sparkling streets. He hoped that they would meet again.
After that, Minwoo looked out at the city while standing alone on an observation deck. The faraway hum of life was mixed with a faint, familiar echo that reminded him of the invisible forces he had to deal with every day. But tonight there was something new: a calm note and a memory of a voice that had moved him.
A singer named Hana hummed to herself somewhere out there, not realizing the wave she had caused.