EX CLASS AWAKENING: THE GOD OF SONGS

The ruined mall looked like a giant had dropped his toy box and walked away, leaving cracked skylights to spill purple evening light over groups of survivors. They clung to bits of old life with tough determination, like weeds growing through concrete cracks. Tony Burbry wiped greasy hands on his torn jeans and grinned wide as the old generator finally coughed awake. It powered up strings of Christmas lights hanging from the ceiling, turning the place into a small, flickering home. Kids ran laughing through shallow water in the hallways, while grown-ups traded cans of food for old clothes and shared quiet stories about the world before everything changed.

Lila Burbry walked in from her latest raid, boots splashing, eyes bright with victory. She spread her arms, and clean water poured from the air into big barrels. "Aqua of the Sea, ready to serve!" she shouted with a big smile and a playful bow. Droplets floated around her like happy little stars, and everyone cheered. Tony watched from the side, tools still in his hand, feeling proud and a tiny bit jealous at the same time. His sister could call rivers, make shields from rain, or turn water into a weapon. He was just the guy who fixed broken things in a world where being normal felt dangerous.

Old memories washed over Tony like sudden waves while he worked on a busted radio. He remembered summer days in their backyard, Lila bossing him during water fights, both of them just regular kids with no powers at all. Now, years after the sky tore open and souls either woke up strong or broke apart, Lila was a legend. She had an S-Class title that made her special. Tony stayed the same old him, untouched by the big change, like a blank page in a book full of colorful drawings. He shook his head with a small laugh, telling himself the universe clearly liked playing favorites.

The elders agreed when Tony said he would scout the old theater across the broken highway. They warned him about wild mutants and falling buildings, but he waved them off with a cocky smile that hid his fast-beating heart. "If Lila can fight oceans, I can handle some dust and seats," he joked. Lila pulled him close before he left, squeezing his arm tight, her eyes full of worry and love. Tony hugged her back hard, promising to bring back something good. As he stepped into the fading light, the little settlement felt like a soap bubble, beautiful but ready to burst any second.

The highway stretched long and empty, covered in vines that wrapped around rusty cars like green fingers. Tony moved carefully, flashlight beam jumping ahead like a scared rabbit. He dreamed about finding something fun—maybe an old guitar or comic books to share around the campfire. Anything to bring a smile to tired faces. The theater rose ahead, its old sign tilted and faded, still promising shows from a time when fun didn't come with danger.

Tony pushed the heavy doors open. The air inside smelled old and dusty, like a hug from the past. Dust floated in his light beam, dancing slowly. The big room opened up with torn seats and ragged curtains, but the magic of the place still whispered quietly. He walked backstage and his eyes grew big at all the forgotten instruments. Brass, wood, strings—everything covered in time. He picked up a beat-up trombone, its metal dented but still shining bravely.

Memories of middle school band class rushed back—Tony had been terrible, making everyone laugh instead of play music. With a cheeky grin, he lifted the trombone to his lips and blew a silly, wrong note that bounced around the empty hall like a lonely echo. The slide got stuck halfway, refusing to move no matter how hard he pulled. His face turned red with effort, sweat on his forehead, as he fought the stubborn metal like it owed him money.

He gave one last big yank, muscles tight, heart racing from the ridiculous battle. Then—crack! The trombone's bell split wide open. A burst of trapped energy exploded out, the same strange power left over from years ago when the world broke. It hit Tony like a truck made of light and sound. Colors flashed everywhere, pain shot through him, and he dropped hard to the stage floor.

When the spinning stopped, golden words floated in front of his eyes, clear and strong: **Soul Force: Exceptional. Title Granted: God of Songs and Music. Class: X. Dominion: All sound, all rhythm, all harmony and discord that ever was or will be. Edge: Reality hums your melody. Creation dances to your chorus. Accept divine duty? [Yes] / [No]** Tony stared, mouth open, then burst out laughing even though it hurt. Of course the universe would give him god powers through a broken trombone. What a joke.

He lifted a shaky finger toward the glowing [Yes], heart thumping with fear, excitement, and wild joy all mixed together. This one silly accident had just turned his boring life upside down and given him power bigger than anyone could imagine. He pressed the word. The theater hummed softly. Dust rose in pretty spirals. The air felt alive. Tony sat up slowly, broken trombone pieces in his lap, a huge grin spreading across his face. He whispered his first real note, and the whole room listened. Outside, Lila's worried voice called his name as beasts started growling in the dark.