After the tale of the past ended, the somber atmosphere in the lab began to shift. The team stepped out into the fading mist of Chaos, feeling a mixture of emotions. The lab, shrouded in remnants of Chaos, resembled ruins more than a place of research. Research bots moved silently through the corridors, their purposeful movements casting glimmers of light amidst the encroaching darkness.
Emerging into a residential zone where they first met Osiris, the faint light of day began to filter through. They were greeted by the ever-enthusiastic Uncle Pong, the jovial, oversized robot, holding cans of fruit soda. He handed them out with a playful grin.
“Morning boost, anyone?” Uncle Pong’s voice boomed cheerfully. “Just a warning: one of these might have a special surprise!”
Draco eyed his can warily, tilting it back and forth. “It’s not gonna explode in my face, is it?” he quipped.
Pong laughed heartily. “You never know! That’s the fun part, isn’t it?”
Laughter rippled through the group, the lighthearted banter dispelling the weight of their earlier conversation. They opened their cans hesitantly but were pleasantly surprised by the refreshing taste. Osiris watched them with quiet pride before explaining, “This soda is crafted from local plants we’ve cultivated here. Though we robots can’t taste it yet, we’re working on sensors to detect flavor. Someday, we might even experience the joy of cooking like humans.”
Yue’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “That’s amazing! I’ve been to so many places with incredible food—especially Undine! You’d love it there!”
Draco chimed in, nodding enthusiastically. “Totally. The seafood in Undine is unbeatable. You should check it out if you get the chance.”
Mirelle chuckled softly. “Undine is always happy to welcome visitors.”
Akira observed the scene, his heart warmed by the camaraderie. It reminded him of his friends back in his own world. The memories lit a spark within him, a comforting glow that eased the burdens he carried. Yue noticed his thoughtful expression and leaned closer.
“Are you okay, big brother?” she asked softly.
Akira blinked, startled, before quickly brushing it off. “I’m fine. Just thinking… if Osiris is like a sister, she and you would make great friends.”
Yue’s face lit up with delight. “You’re right!” She bounced over to Osiris, clinging to her arm. “Can we be friends from now on?”
Osiris hesitated, her usually composed demeanor faltering for a moment. But then, a genuine smile graced her face. “Of course, Yue. Friends.”
The simple word ignited a new light within Osiris. If being called a “sister” had sparked something in her before, then “friend” now filled another void she hadn’t known existed. Yue beamed with joy, bouncing in excitement—until her legs wobbled, and she began to collapse.
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Osiris caught her swiftly, cradling the small girl in her arms.
“Yue!” Akira’s voice was laced with panic as the team rushed over.
Yue’s eyes fluttered open weakly. She managed a faint smile. “Just… low on mana… I just need a little rest…” Her voice was barely above a whisper.
Relief washed over the group as they laughed nervously, but Akira’s expression remained troubled. He looked at Yue, asleep in Osiris’s arms, guilt tightening in his chest. I let her keep protecting us from the Chaos mist all this time… This is my fault.
Akira’s gaze shifted to Mirelle, who also seemed drained. He resolved to address this issue once everyone had rested.
The next morning dawned peacefully, with soft sunlight breaking through the thinning Chaos mist. The residential area, despite its proximity to the corrupted zones, felt oddly serene. Akira found Mirelle preparing her magical equipment and approached her with a determined expression.
“Can I talk to you about mana?” he asked, his tone serious.
Mirelle paused, surprised. “Sure. What about it?”
“I want to figure out how we can make sure you all have enough mana—or at least use it more efficiently.”
Mirelle set down her equipment and replied thoughtfully. “There are basic ways, like getting enough rest, meditating, drinking herbal potions, or receiving blessings from Guardians. But those are just temporary fixes. For long-term efficiency, we’d need something like mana-enhancing artifacts, which are… not exactly affordable.”
Akira nodded, absorbing her words. He let out a quiet sigh and met her gaze with genuine concern. “I know how much you want to help, but it makes me uneasy seeing you and Yue push yourselves to the limit. You’ve both been burning through so much mana on every mission… I’d hate for either of you to get hurt.”
Her expression softened for a moment before she glanced away, a faint blush creeping up her cheeks. Her heart thudded as she processed his concern. He’s worried about me… Not just Yue…
Akira noticed her hesitation and tilted his head, concerned. “Are you okay? You look… uncomfortable.”
“I’m fine,” she replied quickly, her voice barely steady.
“You don’t look fine.” Akira took a step closer, prompting her to back away slightly.
“I said I’m fine,” she insisted, her voice sharper this time, though it betrayed a hint of nervousness.
Before Akira could press further, Draco’s voice called out from a distance. “Mirelle! Breakfast is ready—oh, am I interrupting something?”
Draco’s smirk as he glanced between them was subtle but unmistakable. He quickly retreated before Akira could defend himself.
“It’s not what it looks like!” Akira called after him, but Draco simply waved dismissively, his amused grin lingering.
Turning back to Mirelle, Akira noticed her flushed face as she avoided his gaze. “Uh, I’ll see you at breakfast,” he said awkwardly before leaving her alone. Mirelle stood there, her heart still racing, trying to sort through the emotions swirling within her.
Breakfast was a simple yet comforting affair, with vegetables grown by the robots and preserved foods from various regions they’d visited. Despite the humble spread, the atmosphere was warm and lively. Yue sat beside Osiris, chatting animatedly with Elina. Akira watched from a distance, smiling faintly at the scene, though his thoughts remained preoccupied with the challenges ahead.
Mirelle, seated at the corner of the table, ate quietly, avoiding Akira’s gaze. Her silence didn’t go unnoticed, and Akira’s furrowed brows betrayed his confusion. Across the table, Draco’s knowing smirk only added to Akira’s unease.
The lighthearted atmosphere was abruptly shattered by the blaring sound of an alarm. Plates clattered as everyone sprang to their feet.
Osiris quickly activated a large holographic display in the center of the room, revealing footage from surveillance drones. The team’s collective breath caught at the sight of an advancing force of Cyborg warriors.
At the forefront was a massive Centaur-like robot, its body a seamless fusion of metal and flesh. Each heavy step sent echoes of dread through the air, even through the drone’s transmission.
The Centaur exuded an aura of raw power and menace, its presence radiating the promise of merciless destruction. Though still distant, its overwhelming energy was palpable, chilling everyone to their core.
Osiris stared at the hologram, her face pale. Her voice trembled as she whispered a name that struck fear into the hearts of everyone present.
“Zekhtau… He’s here.”
Her words hung in the air like a death knell, plunging the once-warm breakfast gathering into a tense silence. One by one, the team rose, readying themselves for the battle that loomed closer with every passing second.