Bound by Power;
Two Best Friends in Another World
Prologue: Chosen by Fate
Some destinies are written in the stars. Others are carved by blood, war, and time.
And then… there are those shaped by a moment—a single choice, a single spark—unseen by the world, yet powerful enough to change it forever.
Two boys.
Two hearts bound not by birth, but by unbreakable friendship.
One burned like fire.
The other flowed like water.
They did not know that a mundane day in the city—filled with snacks and laughter—would become the origin of something extraordinary. That beyond the veil of their world, a new realm had been waiting… watching… calling.
Not heroes.
Not warriors.
Just two ordinary boys who dared to be kind.
When the sky cracked open and fate came crashing down…
They disappeared.
Not gone.
But transported.
To a world of swords and sorcery, beasts and empires—where power had a price, and the hearts of men were tested in the crucible of destiny.
This is where their story begins.
Chapter 1
The golden afternoon sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm glow over the streets of Tokyo. Cicadas buzzed lazily in the trees. School was out, and summer's breath filled the air.
From a small corner store, two high school students stepped out, still arguing about what snack was best.
Rey Sawada, with his wild red hair and gleaming orange eyes, laughed with his mouth full of chips. He had the energy of a storm and the soul of a dreamer—always chasing adventure, even when there wasn't any to be found.
Beside him walked Zane Yamamoto, blue-haired, calm-eyed, and quiet in nature. His aqua eyes were clear like polished crystal. A top student, Zane was the kind who always had a book in his bag, an answer in his pocket, and logic in his voice.
They'd known each other since diapers. Their families were close. Their paths always crossed. And though they were opposites in every way, their bond was unshakable.
Rey stretched and yawned as they strolled along the sidewalk, munching on spicy chips.
"Man," Rey said with a grin, "this is the life."
"You mean skipping study group and buying junk food?" Zane raised an eyebrow.
"Exactly."
Zane rolled his eyes. "The others actually went home to be responsible. Homework. Chores. Dinner prep. You know—normal stuff."
Rey smirked. "Boring stuff, you mean."
Then he stopped.
Across the street, an old woman in a wheelchair was trying to cross. Her hands shook as she glanced nervously at the road.
Without a word, Rey handed his backpack to Zane.
"Hold this."
"Huh? What for—"
Rey was already crossing.
He knelt beside the old woman and smiled kindly. "Do you need some help, ma'am?"
The woman blinked in surprise. "Y-Yes. Thank you, young man…"
"No problem at all." Rey gently gripped the wheelchair handles and began to push her forward.
Zane followed behind, still carrying both bags.
"You're really too kind to people, Rey," Zane said.
Rey chuckled. "My parents taught me being kind is the best gift you can give someone."
Zane tilted his head. "Is that really true?"
Rey nodded. "I believe it is."
Then—
BOOM.
A loud, sudden bang echoed through the air. People looked up.
There were no cars nearby. But the sound didn't come from the road.
It came from above.
From a nearby construction site, a crane began to collapse.
A horrifying crack rang out as a slab of cement snapped loose, crashing toward the street like a falling meteor. More chunks followed—metal, debris, chaos.
"REY!" Zane screamed.
But Rey had already acted.
With a shout, he kicked the woman's wheelchair, sending it flying to the sidewalk—safe.
Zane threw their backpacks aside and lunged toward Rey.
There was no time to scream.
The cement hit.
The impact shook the street. People screamed. Cars skidded to a halt. Dust and smoke filled the air.
Emergency sirens began to wail.
But when the dust cleared… there were only two backpacks on the road.
No blood.
No bodies.
Just silence.
As if they had never existed.
A soft wind rustled golden grass. A strange sky stretched above—lavender clouds, two suns burning in silence.
The air smelled of wildflowers, earth, and magic.
Two boys lay unconscious on a dirt path.
Rey stirred first. He opened his eyes—
Crimson red, glowing faintly in the light.
Zane sat up next. His aqua eyes now shimmered like pools of living energy.
They looked around, stunned. No buildings. No roads. Just trees. Grass. A path.
Rey rubbed his head. "Where… are we?"
Zane blinked slowly. "I… don't know."
"Punch me," Rey said.
"What?"
"Just do it. If this is a dream, I'll wake up."
Zane shrugged and slugged him in the shoulder.
Thwack.
"Ow! Okay, okay—definitely not a dream!"
Zane stood up, brushing dirt off his pants. "We're somewhere else."
"Like… another world?" Rey whispered.
Then his eyes widened. "Wait—our backpacks!"
Zane sighed. "I threw them out of the way, remember?"
"You've got to be kidding me!" Rey groaned. "No food, no gear, no phone… We're gonna die out here!"
"We'll survive," Zane said. "Let's figure out where to go."
He bent down and plucked a leaf from a bush.
"What are you doing?" Rey asked.
"Letting fate decide," Zane replied. He tossed the leaf into the air.
It floated slowly, then fell, pointing to the right.
Zane stood and pointed. "Then we go right."
Rey grinned. "Classic."
They began walking together, their footsteps the only sound on the path.
Suddenly, the clatter of wooden wheels echoed nearby.
A carriage rolled past them—pulled by a large, reptilian beast with fur. The driver wore a robe and a wide-brimmed hat, and barely glanced at them as he passed.
Zane stared. "Okay. Definitely not Earth."
Rey laughed. "We're in another world, Zane! This is awesome!"
Zane shook his head. "Only you would call this awesome."
As they walked side by side under two suns, they didn't yet realize—
Symbols were glowing faintly on the backs of their hands.
Marks of power.
Marks of fate.
And far in the trees, something ancient was watching.
Waiting.
The journey had just begun.