Millenium : The Awakening of Heroes

"What are you doing, Ikku?!" Kenny shouted, concerned.

"Watch closely," Ikku replied with a determined tone.

"Here we go," he thought, feeling the adrenaline surge through his veins. "No room for mistakes, no second chances. It either works, or it all falls apart. I need to stay focused."

He closed his eyes, trying to sink into a state of complete concentration.

"I can feel it coming," he thought as the water swirled around him.

The moment the dolphin was about to collide with him, Ikku swiftly spun, almost flipping onto his back. The dolphin, unable to slow its momentum, was thrown several meters above the water.

"You can't defend yourself now," Ikku whispered with a sly grin, eagerly awaiting the dolphin's fall.

Just before the animal dove back into the water, Ikku seized the opportunity and landed a heavy punch. The impact knocked the dolphin out for a few seconds, causing it to flee when it regained consciousness.

"Got it, guys?!" Ikku yelled at his friends. "Wait for the last moment, then pivot just before it hits you. The momentum will launch them out of the water, and from there, they'll be at your mercy!"

"Well done, Ikku!" Kenny exclaimed, visibly pumped up.

The other participants, inspired by Ikku's success, were preparing to apply the same strategy, determined to overcome this dangerous challenge.

Kenny and Yumé, watching Ikku, decided to follow his lead to defeat the dolphins. Both waited patiently for the last moment before dodging and striking them mid-air. Gradually, the number of dolphins started to dwindle.

Suddenly, an idea flashed through Kenny's mind.

"I've got an idea!" he shouted, hitting another dolphin, this time with less force to avoid knocking it out. As the animal tried to flee, Kenny grabbed it firmly.

"What are you doing, Kenny?" Yumé asked, confused. "These dolphins have already delayed us enough!"

"Exactly," Kenny replied with a mischievous smile. "Now they're going to help us."

While holding on tightly to the panicking dolphin, he skillfully steered it toward the island. The animal, now in full panic mode, sped up and shot off toward the horizon at breakneck speed.

"We'll meet over there, ahahaha! Do it like me, heeehaaa!" Kenny shouted, getting further and further away.

Yumé and Ikku stood frozen for a moment, stunned to see him take off like that.

"This guy's not afraid of anything," Ikku said with an amused smile.

"We might as well do the same," Yumé suggested.

Ikku scanned the ocean around them.

"Impossible. All the dolphins have fled. We've got no choice but to keep swimming. The island isn't far now."

"Yeah, let's go!" Yumé replied, continuing his path alongside Ikku.

As they kept swimming toward the island, Ikku turned slightly toward Yumé, swimming next to him. He remembered the earlier scene when he had seen Yumé focus that strange energy in his hand.

"What was that earlier?" Ikku asked between breaths.

Yumé glanced quickly at Ikku before answering in a calm voice, almost drowned out by the sound of the waves.

"I have special powers... I can concentrate energy in my hand."

Ikku listened intently. This world never stopped surprising him.

"I'm an orphan," Yumé continued. "I've never known my parents, but someone told me I come from a special clan. I don't know much more... But by joining Nexus, I hope to learn more about who I really am."

Ikku nodded silently. He remembered the first time he had met Yumé. His golden eyes had glowed almost unnaturally, but now they were just ordinary brown.

"Your eyes... they were golden earlier, right?" Ikku asked, curious. "Now they're brown. Does it change when you use your powers?"

Yumé nodded.

"Yes. It happens when I use my powers... or when I feel a strong emotion."

Ikku thought back to the first time he had seen Yumé. His golden eyes were breathtaking, but they carried an indescribable sadness, a deep melancholy.

"This boy must have been through a lot," he thought.

The world they lived in was truly full of mysteries and fascinating people. And this was only the beginning of their adventure.