Chapter One Part One: The Flame of Hope

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In the realm of infinite possibilities within infinite timelines, a woman named Kitsuki Mizu, known to her friends as Mizu, often found herself ensnared in a recurring fantasy. She was the Fire Queen, a figure of unparalleled power, her dominion over flames unmatched across the multiverse. Her ambition, however, did not stop there; she yearned to transcend even this lofty title, to become something more. But as with all dreams, the harsh light of reality eventually intruded, and Mizu found herself back in her bed, the vivid images of her nocturnal escapades fading into the ether.

Undeterred by the abrupt end to her fantasy, Mizu rose from her slumber, ready to face another day in Zero City. As she made her way through the bustling streets, she couldn't help but notice the Zero Soldiers, their presence a constant reminder of the world she lived in. Zero, a planet teeming with life, was home to a diverse array of creatures, animals, and races. Yet, beneath its vibrant surface, the planet harbored a complex history. Over 1,000 years ago, four gods—Aqua, Flame, Earth, and Ariel—had descended upon Zero, imbuing it with life and granting its inhabitants unique abilities. Everyone born on Zero possessed an ability, a fact that made Mizu, a Demi-human Fox without any discernible powers, feel like an outlier.

As she walked, Mizu pondered the life of a Zero Soldier, wondering what it would be like to wield power, especially the fire abilities that had captivated her imagination. Her musings were interrupted by a familiar figure waving at her from a small shop. Rory Hella, her best friend, greeted her with a playful smile. Mizu, however, was less than enthusiastic, her cold tone a stark contrast to Rory's warmth. "What do you want, Rory? I thought today was my day off?" she asked, her eyes narrowing slightly behind her glasses.

Rory, unfazed by Mizu's demeanor, replied with a hint of sarcasm, "You should be honored that I came here, Mizu. Your best friend in the entire whole wide world has come home from an important mission dealing with hell, and you can't welcome me back properly?" Mizu's expression softened, and she apologized with a head bow, acknowledging Rory's jest. Rory, pleased with the response, quoted, "Thank you very much," her voice dripping with amusement.

As Rory sat down at the table, her expression turned serious, and she asked, "Hey, are you okay? I heard about the breakup with your last boyfriend." Mizu's gaze drifted off, and a flashback played out in her mind. She and her ex-boyfriend were arguing, their voices raised in a heated exchange. But Mizu's emotions were a rare sight, and she remained stoic, her face a mask of indifference. With a swift motion, she ended the relationship, leaving him behind as she walked away. In her mind, she vowed that only fire brought her joy, and the guy she was with didn't ignite that spark within her.

Rory's voice snapped Mizu back to reality, "Hello, down to earth, my bestie! So, how was it?" Mizu's response was calm and collected, "It was alright. I wasn't a good match for him anyway." Rory's eyes narrowed, and she suddenly snapped her fingers, causing Mizu to look up in surprise. "What's wrong?" Mizu asked, but Rory brushed it off, "Nothing, just a bug I had to swat. Besides, that's so... anyway, any news from Zero Point Academy?"

Mizu adjusted her glasses, her eyes focusing on Rory as she replied, "I applied, but they sent me a letter back saying I was 200,000 on the list for having no powers." Rory's face fell, and she laid her head on the table, a look of sadness washing over her. "Will we ever go to college together?" she asked, her voice laced with disappointment.

Just then, Rory's phone rang, and as she picked it up, the entire planet seemed to rumble. Rory placed her hand over the phone, her eyes locking onto Mizu's, and Mizu couldn't help but smirk. "Your dad, Lucifer, is gonna kill you," she said, her voice dripping with amusement. Rory shot up from her seat, her expression a mix of annoyance and embarrassment. "Okay, okay, very funny, next time, next week, bitch?" Mizu nodded, a small smile playing on her lips.

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