Rai sat quietly in the black government vehicle, shoulder to shoulder with Nadin. The hum of the engine was low, almost soothing.
He had only made a brief call to his parents, telling them he might join Project Vanguard. Not that it would worry them—his parents were probably off-world, battling aliens themselves.
Rai was used to being alone. Growing up, he had learned to cook, clean, and take care of himself. Self-reliance wasn't just a skill—it was survival.
After a long drive, they finally arrived at a massive compound. The building loomed like a fortress.
"Rai," Nadin began as they walked through security checkpoints, "normally, schools guide students to increase synchronization with their khodams first. Skills unlock as synchro rises, and only after acquiring enough do they venture to their connected planets."
She looked at him seriously. "But you're different. Humanity is on the brink. Mars, Venus, even Ceres—aliens have built strongholds across our solar system. The faster you arrive on Mars, the better our chances."
"But I don't have skills yet," Rai said.
"That's why we'll equip your khodam with weapons. Your level and synchronization can grow together through battle."
Rai frowned. "So... how exactly do I level up and synchronize?"
"It's simple," Nadin explained. "Synchronization increases the more you use your khodam. Schools push students to stay in khodam form as long as possible. But leveling up? That requires killing aliens with your khodam. The XP is split between your real body and the khodam that lands the killing blow."
"Ah… so both things happen at once?"
"Exactly. But without synchronization, your khodam lacks abilities. That's why we're giving you weapons—to compensate for that early weakness."
Rai paused. "Why were you in such a rush to recruit me?"
"You'll see."
Nadin led him into a large chamber filled with glowing screens. Rai's eyes widened.
Dozens of displays showed space—some focused on the atmosphere, others zoomed in on the moon.
Countless khodams were in combat, intercepting wave after wave of alien threats.
"If the alien dies, its body is stored inside a dimensional ring," Nadin said, gesturing. "But if a khodam falls, it reverts to a blue ethereal form and respawns back to Earth… or, if possible, into another khodam."
Rai stepped closer to one of the screens. What he saw wasn't war—it was desperation.
Hundreds of alien creatures, grotesque and violent, clawed their way toward Earth.
"This is what's happening above our skies right now," Nadin said softly. "They're not just visitors. They're here to consume humanity. Those under seventeen stand no chance—they haven't even awakened their khodam."
She turned to him.
"That's why you, Rai, are vital. By destroying the alien population on Mars, you won't just be fighting—you'll be protecting Earth before the threat ever reaches us."
Seeing the destruction above Earth's atmosphere, something inside Rai stirred—a protective instinct that refused to remain idle.
"Alright," Rai said firmly, his voice steady with resolve.
Nadine smiled and nodded. "Then follow me to the next room."
A metallic door slid open, revealing a massive chamber filled with high-tech weaponry and advanced armor suits. Soft bluish lights illuminated the equipment arranged in perfect order. In one corner, a suit of armor hung inside a transparent case.
"Look at this," said an older professor who accompanied them. "This armor was specially designed for winged Khodams. It's lightweight but highly durable—perfect for aerial combat."
The armor shimmered, made from translucent material and sleek metal. Elegant yet powerful.
"And this..." the professor handed Rai a sleek, futuristic ring. "A dimensional ring. It's extremely expensive, but you're getting it for free—because you're now Earth's defense priority."
The ring glowed faintly as Rai slipped it onto his finger, as if responding to the light element within his Khodam.
"Next," the professor continued, pointing to the table, "are dual light-energy pistols. They recharge using your own energy, since your Khodam wields light."
The pistols were slender, crafted for someone with grace and speed—an angelic warrior.
"This large one here," he said, gesturing to a heavy shoulder-mounted cannon, "is a light-and-wind energy bazooka. Compressed to form a powerful blast—perfect for blowing through alien structures."
"And lastly, this machine gun is mounted on your wings," he added, pointing to the wing setup. "It connects to an energy core on the back of your armor. Small holes along the wings release energy rounds through specialized cables."
"Now, would you like to try them on? We'll help with the installation."
Rai nodded. "Yes."
He closed his eyes, and in a blink, his body dissolved into radiant blue particles. From that light, a beautiful, winged angel emerged—his Khodam form. Her long silver hair flowed like liquid moonlight, and her eyes gleamed like twin stars.
Everyone in the room went silent. Some staff members stood frozen. A young technician dropped his tool, his jaw hanging open, drool slipping from his mouth without him noticing. Rai's beauty was overwhelming—so mesmerizing that even Nadine, one of the most admired women in the defense corps, felt a sting of jealousy.
Feeling embarrassed by their intense stares, Rai gently folded his large white wings to cover her face.
Only then did the room return to reality.
"Ahem—let's move on," Nadine said with an awkward chuckle.
Robotic arms began equipping Rai with the armor, locking each piece into place with precision. The wing-mounted machine guns connected smoothly, and the dual pistols were stored inside the dimensional ring.
Once everything was in place, Rai moved effortlessly—light as air, the armor fitting like a second skin.
"Alright," said the professor. "If you're feeling comfortable, we'll move on to the training room. Just before your mission to Mars begins."
Rai looked ahead, her gaze unwavering.
Rai was then taken into a room surrounded by glass walls—clean, bright, and built for observation.
Inside her Khodam form, Rai felt... different.
Though the body was humanoid, it was clearly not the same as his original. Every movement, every sensation, was foreign—yet strangely natural. The shape made synchronization easier, but the physical reality was hard to ignore.
She could feel the weight of the wings on her back—majestic, powerful, but unfamiliar.
There was also something heavy on her chest, and something missing between her legs.
Of course, it made sense—her Khodam was female.
Still, it was a bizarre experience. From trillions of people, the number of individuals who awakened a Khodam of the opposite gender could be counted on one hand.
And Rai had become one of them.