The Fall That Never Came

 The ship was huge. It stood tall above the dock, shining in the sun. Hachi and Toma looked at it, amazed… and nervous.

They were finally leaving the island.

Leaving behind everything they knew.

When they stepped inside, it didn’t feel like a ship at all. The floor was soft, the lights were fancy, and everything looked expensive. It was like walking into a rich person’s house.

There were many other people inside — all going to the same place: Yochi City, the first stop in the outside world.

Then, a calm voice came from a speaker:

 “We’ll reach Yochi City in two days. Until then, rest and prepare. The Maze Pass Test is your first step.”

A man in a black suit stepped in front of the crowd.

 “This is not the real pass,” he said. “It only lets you take the test. If you pass, you’ll be trained by companies. If they like you, they’ll give you the real Maze Pass. That’s when your journey truly begins.”

Someone asked, “So what’s this test really for?”

The man smiled, but it didn’t feel happy.

  “It’s like a promise. But also a warning. Some people leave and never come back — not because they can’t, but because they don’t want to.”

Everyone went quiet.

That night, Hachi stood on the deck, staring at the ocean. The wind blew softly. The moon was bright.

He thought about his friends.

Kai. Ren.

The island.

 Are they looking at this same sky? Do they miss me?

A voice spoke beside him.

 “Nice night, isn’t it?”

Hachi looked. A boy stood next to him — tall, calm, with sharp eyes.

 “First time?” the boy asked.

 “Yeah. You?”

 “Third,” he said. “I’m Tenza.”

 “Third?! You failed the Maze Test before?”

 “Twice,” Tenza said. “But I came back stronger. They only let you try again if you show growth.”

 “What’s the test like?”

Tenza looked serious.

 “It shows who you really are — deep inside.”

Then, suddenly, he pointed at Hachi.

 “Fall.”

Hachi felt heavy, like something inside him was being pushed down. His legs almost gave out. But he stayed standing. He didn’t fall.

Tenza nodded.

 “You’re strong. Most people would have collapsed.”

 “What was that?” Hachi asked.

 “My ability,” Tenza said. “I can make people’s souls feel weak. If the soul falls, the body does too.”

 “That’s… scary.”

 “Don’t worry,” Tenza said. “I don’t use it to hurt. Just to test.”

They stood in silence for a while, staring at the sea.

 “The Maze Pass changes people,” Tenza said softly. “Not just their lives. Their hearts too.”

 “Why do they train us?” Hachi asked.

 “To get us ready. For something big — something most of us don’t understand yet.”

Tenza turned to leave.

 “Rest well. You’ll need your strength. The world outside isn’t a dream anymore. It’s real.”

Hachi watched him disappear into the dark.

 So… there are people with special abilities . The outside world is nothing like the island.

Back on the island…

Kai sat outside his house, drinking tea. The breeze carried the smell of the ocean. He looked calm — but inside, his heart was full of questions.

 Will I get my Maze Pass card today?

Just then, a car stopped nearby. Lucas stepped out.

 “Going to the LZT office?” he asked.

Kai nodded. “Where’s the woman you usually come with?”

  “She’s busy today. I’m here to see Ren. He’s leaving tomorrow.”

 “Tomorrow?!”

 “Yeah. Want a ride?”

They drove quietly through the village, passing places they had seen a thousand times.

 “Do you think I’ll be chosen?” Kai asked.

Lucas smiled.

 “I think you already were.”

At Ren’s house, he was packing his bag when Lucas arrived.

 “So you’re really leaving?” Lucas asked.

 “Not tomorrow,” Ren said. “Tonight.”

 “What about Kai?”

Ren zipped his bag.

 “You asked if he was chosen. The higher-ups already know he is. But they said... the timing has to be right.”

 “So he’ll go later?”

 “Yes. When he’s needed the most.”

Lucas smiled. “That sounds like Kai.”

 “Let’s go,” Ren said.

 “No goodbye to Kai?”

 “He doesn’t need one.”

They got in the car and drove through the island one last time. The road was quiet, the trees waving in the night wind.

Up on the hill, under their favorite tree, Kai was asleep.

He didn’t know that Ren had left already.

But soon, he would.

And when he did…

Something inside him would change.

Above, the stars sparkled gently.

Some stars guide us.

Some test us.

Some call us toward something greater.

And some…

wait for us to follow them.