“Listen to my story. This... could be our last chance.”—Sora's Tale The group sits around a fire in complete silence. Beyond the horizon is a ruined city, covered in fireflies. Sora begins to tell the story of how he got to this place. Sora's story begins in the metropolis of Tropium where he signs memorabilia for followers, thinking it's a normal day as the star player of his Airsphere team, the Tropium Kings. During the opening match of the Ikki Empire Cup (organized to honor Sora's father, Ikki, who passed away ten years ago), a gigantic beast enters the city, destroying everything in its path. The only person undisturbed by this is Kabuto, a man who has acted as Sora's mentor since Ikki's disappearance. Sora meets Kabuto outside the Airsphere Stadium, but time stops and a boy dressed in dark blue appears before him and says, "When it starts, please don't cry." After the boy disappears, Sora continues after Kabuto who reveals the force destroying the city is called "Gragas" and gives Sora "a gift from Ikki", a long sword. The two fight their way through the invading creatures and when they reach Sin, Kabuto allows himself and Sora to be sucked into its "maws". Sora loses consciousness, but not before having a brief vision of his father. When Sora wakes up he finds himself in the ruins of a temple where he sets up a shelter. When a creature attacks him, a group of strange people break through the wall and the leader helps Sora in the battle. Sora tries to thank the people who helped him, but they speak a language he doesn't know. They take him hostage and bring him into their story arc where the leader of the group, a girl named Kassadin, says that they are a faction of people who use forbidden machina technology. For...... middle of paper...... first Demon, Lebonia. Later, Ashe wishes to hear more of Sora's stories and Sora hears Ryze berate Aster for his interest in Sora, since he believes that Aster only cares for him because of memories of his late brother, Saritorious, whose appearance resembles to Sora's. The Guardians go out with Ashe on her journey, a sacred journey through the spiral to defeat Gragas. Aster takes Sora with him in hopes that someone will recognize him at the Ironclad Air Tournament. They venture on a ship to Traverse Town, and Sora and Ashe have a chance to talk. Ashe believes Sora's story, especially because about ten years ago a man named Ikki worked as her mother's guardian. Ashe is the daughter of High Summoner Katarina, the last person to destroy Gragas. During the journey Gragas shows up and the group fights him, but is unable to stop him from destroying Traverse Town.