The moment we separated from Zein, a deep unease settled in my chest. We left him alone, facing an enemy beyond what any of us could imagine. With every step I took with the group, the weight of that decision followed me like a shadow.
But there was no time for regrets. We had a mission: to take these people to a safe place. With determination, we formed a caravan, surrounding the survivors like a human shield. Alexander covered the rear, Miguel secured the right flank, Kiomi protected the left, and I... I was at the front. Why me? I’m not a leader, I’ve never been one. But at that moment, my doubts had to wait; the only thing that mattered was fulfilling my duty.
As we advanced, the landscape that unfolded before us was desolate: collapsed buildings, deserted streets, and a deadly silence broken only by the distant echoes of gunfire and explosions. Everything was broken. Every step took us closer to chaos, but also, I hoped, closer to the military’s containment zone. We had to get there; it was our only hope.
I couldn’t push my thoughts of Zein... or of my grandmother aside. Would she be okay? That question hammered in my mind, relentless. I wanted to believe she was. I wanted to believe she had found shelter, and that Zein... Zein would never give up.
Miguel, on his part, did everything possible to calm those trembling with fear or beginning to lose hope. His voice was like a balm in the midst of the storm, and thanks to him, the caravan moved forward with a tense but steady calm. Meanwhile, I kept my eyes wide open, searching for any sign of danger, especially as we neared the café and my home. I had to find a sign... something that would tell me she was okay.
Along the way, confrontations were inevitable. Each battle was a brutal reminder of the fragility of our situation. We had to fight while protecting the civilians, avoiding at all costs that they got caught in the crossfire. Each strike, each shot, was a desperate gamble for survival.
The most unsettling thing of all was what we knew... and what we didn’t. An unregistered nation, arisen from the shadows, had launched a massive invasion against the planet. In just a few hours, they had taken the northern part of the globe. On a radio I found among the rubble, the news confirmed what we feared: the world’s armies were being torn apart, unable to face an enemy of this magnitude. We knew who they were. The EDI. They had found us, and now... now they were coming for everything.
I looked around, at the panorama of devastation that had once been our city. This was a land that had borne years of wars and their scars, but always found a way to rise again. Now, it seemed that strength was fading. Was this the last time our city would see the light? I didn’t know. But I had to believe... I had to believe that one day, somehow, this city would shine again.
As we approached my house, I saw it. What I had feared the most, what I didn’t want to face. The building was partially destroyed. Not completely, but enough to fill my chest with an indescribable emptiness.
I ran. I didn’t care about anything else. My legs moved faster than my mind could process, and as I crossed the threshold, I slipped in my haste.
Please, no.
—Naoko! —they shouted from behind, but I didn’t stop.
Each step I took felt heavier, as if fear was trying to stop me. I hurried up the stairs, stumbling with every step. My hands were shaking. My breath was a knot in my throat.
Please, no.
When I finally reached the door, it was jammed. I hit it desperately, but it wouldn’t give. Over and over, I slammed my shoulder against it, ignoring the pain, until it finally fell with a crash.
As I crossed, my eyes frantically scanned the room. My heart was pounding.
"Where are you? Where are you?"
My hands shook as I lifted the rubble, and then... then I saw it.
What I never wanted to see.
There, under the remains of what had once been our home, lay she. My grandmother. Her body still, fragile... lifeless.
No, it can’t be. This isn’t happening.
I felt the world crumble around me. Everything else turned into a distant noise. I could only look, paralyzed, as the weight of my guilt crushed me.
She had always been there for me, even in her darkest days, even when she didn’t have the strength to keep going. She had always supported me, always been my refuge. And now, when I needed her more than ever, I wasn’t there.
A sob escaped my lips, and with it, the certainty that I had failed.
—Naoko... —Kiomi’s voice reached me from behind, soft, almost fearful.
—It’s... it’s my fault, you know? —I murmured, my voice broken, barely a choked whisper. Tears began to slide down my face uncontrollably.
—I... wasn’t there for her. This is my fault. All my fault.
I kneeled in front of my grandmother, at the body that had once been full of life and warmth. I didn’t want to accept it. I couldn’t.
—Come on, Grandma, you’re just sleeping, right?... Right? —I said, my voice cracking, the tears choking each word as I gently moved her body, hoping for an answer that would never come.
Kiomi came closer and knelt beside me. Her warm hand rested on my shoulder.
—It’s not your fault —she said in a whisper, her voice full of compassion.
I looked at her, my hope wavering.
—She’ll be okay, won’t she? —I insisted, clinging to a lie that I knew wasn’t true.
Kiomi only looked at me in silence. Her silence was more devastating than any words.
I couldn’t take it anymore. The weight of the loss, the guilt, my helplessness, fell on me like an unrelenting storm. I screamed, a heartbreaking cry that echoed in the shattered walls, a resonance of all the pain I couldn’t contain. Tears fell uncontrollably, and my chest shook with every sob.
Kiomi didn’t say anything, she just held me. Her presence was the only thing keeping me standing in the middle of that abyss of darkness. I stayed there, holding her, crying until I ran out of strength.
Forgive me, Grandma. Forgive me for everything.
When I finally calmed down, I made a decision. I wasn’t going to leave her there. Carefully, I wrapped her body in a sheet. Though the pain still stabbed at my heart, I knew I had to keep going. I descended the stairs with her in my arms, feeling how light she was. Miguel saw me and, with a solemn expression, offered his condolences.
—I'll take care of the front of the caravan —he said firmly, giving me a moment to breathe.
I walked behind the group, my eyes fixed on the body wrapped in my arms. Every step was a reminder of what I had lost. The world seemed grayer, emptier.
As we moved forward, we checked the surroundings for survivors. We passed by destroyed stores, deserted streets filled with rubble... and bodies. Bodies of civilians, soldiers... lives that would never return.
Finally, we reached the café. We decided to take a break while Miguel stayed behind, keeping watch over the caravan. Upon entering, the place was as destroyed as everything else. Broken furniture, shattered windows... it was a reflection of the city itself.
In a corner, there was Kio, asleep in her animal form, oblivious to the devastation around her.
—Kio, how can you be asleep with everything that’s going on? —Kiomi asked, surprised by the creature's indifference.
Kio slowly opened her eyes and stretched lazily, as if nothing was different.
—Where are Mei and Aiko? —asked Alexander, his voice full of concern.
Kio yawned and replied nonchalantly:
—I don’t know.
Alexander clenched his fists.
—What do you mean you don’t know? —he asked with frustration.
—Can’t you see? I was asleep —she replied in a calm tone, as if the chaos around them wasn’t her problem.
—Are they still here? —Alexander insisted, his voice heavy with frustration.
—I told you, I don’t know —Kio responded indifferently, stretching as if the situation didn’t matter.
Alexander didn’t waste any time and began searching everywhere. He checked every corner, moving debris and opening doors in search of any clue.
—Mei! —he shouted from the second floor, his voice reverberating with desperation.
We all ran after him, fearing the worst. When we reached the top, we saw something that froze us in place: Mei and Aiko were locked in a room. Mei was standing in front of Aiko, clearly protecting her. The scene was heartbreaking.
When our eyes met Mei’s, we noticed how badly she was. She was as pale as snow, and blood soaked her clothes. She had been gravely wounded.
—I’m glad you’re here, dear... —Mei whispered, a faint smile on her face as her body started to stagger.
Alexander ran to her, holding her up before she fell.
—Don’t sleep. Stay with me, Mei —he said desperately, his face filled with worry.
—They... they got to the store. I had to protect our little one. Sorry I couldn’t do more... —her voice was barely a whisper, breaking with every word.
—No, don’t say that —Alexander replied, shaking his head forcefully—. I’m just so happy I found you both. That’s the only thing that matters.
Aiko, with tears in her eyes, ran to me and took my hand. Her fear was palpable, she was shaking from head to toe. I picked her up and hugged her tightly, trying to offer her some comfort.
Meanwhile, Mei kept trying to speak. Her voice grew weaker with every passing moment.
—Take care of our daughter, okay? —she said with a warm smile, looking at Alexander.
—Don’t talk like that. You’re going to be okay, Mei. Just hang in there a little longer. Please! —Alexander leaned toward her, as if his willpower could keep her alive.
—I don’t think I can hang on much longer... —she whispered, closing her eyes for a moment—. Forgive me.
—No, Mei! Hold on for Aiko, hold on for me... I need you! —his voice cracked, tears beginning to fall down his face.
Mei raised her hand with effort and gently caressed Alexander’s cheek.
—I love you... —she whispered, her voice barely audible.
—I love you too... —Alexander responded, his voice choked with emotion.
The two shared a kiss, one that would clearly be their last. Mei let out a sigh and closed her eyes with a serene smile, her body losing all strength in Alexander’s arms.
The silence that followed was deafening. No one dared to speak, trapped in the weight of what had just happened.
Until Kio’s carefree yawn broke the tension.
—You... —Alexander said, standing up with tears in his eyes, but now filled with anger.
He approached Kio and lifted her to eye level, holding her tightly.
—How could you leave them alone? Where were you when they needed you? —he shouted, his voice filled with rage and pain.
—What the hell were you doing while this was happening?! —Alexander exploded, his voice full of rage and pain.
In that instant, Kio returned to her human form, something Alexander had never seen before. Her figure was as imposing as her animal nature, but she was still suspended in the air, held by Alexander’s shirt.
—For your information, I have a contract with Zein, and that contract doesn’t allow me to transform into my human form while he’s fighting, so I couldn’t do much —Kio replied, her voice tense and sharp. Immediately, she returned to her animal form, shrugging as if the situation wasn’t so serious for her.
—That’s not an excuse! —shouted Alexander, frustration overflowing in his tone.
—THAT’S NOT AN EXCUSE! —Kio retorted, raising her voice too. Her gaze became fierce, but her tone revealed an unexpected vulnerability. —Do you think it didn’t hurt to see and hear everything they were doing to them? Feeling powerless and not being able to move? It affected me too! I tried to move as much as I could!
Alexander, overwhelmed by guilt, knelt down, his face crumbling.
—I’m sorry, I... —he murmured, but his words got lost in the air, drowned out by the weight of his regret.
—Don’t apologize —Kio responded, her tone softer, though still marked by tension.
—But how could you transform if Zein is supposed to be fighting right now? —Alexander asked, frowning, trying to find logic in all of this.
—You should hurry back —Kio said urgently—. He’s probably losing.
The gravity of her words hit everyone like a direct blow to the conscience. Without wasting any more time, we got moving. We improvised a cart to carry the bodies and exhausted people, moving quickly toward the containment zone.
As we got closer, something in the air changed. There were more enemies than usual, forcing us to push through with speed and determination. We fought for every meter, but we finally managed to reach the other side. Military personnel and tanks greeted us, barely holding back the enemy attacks.
When they saw us, the soldiers cheered, and among them was Paul, who also showed a smile of relief upon seeing us arrive.
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We managed to get everyone to safety, but the peace didn’t last long.
—We need to go back —I said to Kiomi while quickly bandaging some wounds I had sustained along the way.
—Alexander, can you…? —I started, but he interrupted me before I could finish.
—Don’t worry, I’ll stay here and help. You three go ahead. —Alexander paused, then added—. But before you leave, Kiomi, I need to teach you something.
…
The battle was becoming more and more exhausting and difficult. Sora was a formidable opponent, showing no signs of letting up.
—You really don’t know when to give up, do you, Zein? —Her voice rang out, filled with contempt.
—You’ll never see me give up —I replied, my jaw clenched.
Suddenly, the air was filled with a penetrating smell, something that seemed to corrode even my thoughts. The atmosphere grew oppressive, as if each breath was harder than the last. I felt dizzy, my eyes burned, and the pressure in my lungs increased, as if the air itself was trying to crush me.
Instinctively, I covered my mouth and nose with my arm, trying to protect myself from the suffocating sensation.
—Do you feel how the air is starting to betray you, Zein? —Sora’s voice was getting closer slowly, filled with that arrogance that only those who dominate the terrain can have. She moved around me like a hawk, waiting for her moment to strike. —This forest is mine, and even the very oxygen obeys me.
It was then that I noticed it. With effort, I managed to distinguish a faint mist in the air, almost imperceptible. Maybe it was gas. My mind began processing it quickly: if the gas was flammable, I could get out of here, but if it wasn’t... I was in trouble.
I needed to think fast.
I had to come up with a strategy, and soon. The air was against me, but the battle wasn’t lost yet.
—Hey... —Sora’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
—What’s wrong? Are you finally about to give up? —Her mocking tone made me grit my teeth.
—Hahaha, no —I replied with a smile full of determination. As I spoke, I formed an energy ball in my hand, a bright glow that lit up the thick air. —What do you think I’m going to do?
Sora paused for a moment, watching the energy sphere forming in my hands. Her face hardened, but she didn’t hesitate.
—You wouldn’t be crazy enough —she said, and with that, my suspicions were confirmed: the gas was flammable.
—Want to test it? —I retorted, throwing the energy ball as fast as I could.
Immediately, I saw how Sora reinforced herself, preparing to withstand the explosion. I did the same, covering myself with an energy layer to withstand the shockwave.
The impact was immediate. The sound of the explosion resonated like a roar, and the air was filled with a blinding light. The entire place erupted, like a hell unleashed in a single second.
When the mist finally cleared, I could see the sunlight piercing through the chaos. Despite the devastation, the sun shone brightly at its highest point, and the sky was completely clear, as if the world had decided to move on, indifferent to the destruction.
However, the calm didn’t last long.
As I fell, I hit some debris hard, the pain immediately coursing through my body. I was exhausted, my body wasn’t responding as I expected. I could barely move, and an unbearable pain settled in my arm. Looking at it, I realized it was broken, and I felt the weight of the fractures in my ribs steal my breath away.
The battle had taken a higher toll than I had thought.
—I must say, that was truly reckless —said the voice, dripping with sarcasm. I turned to see her, and to my surprise, it was Sora, not a scratch on her, as if the explosion hadn’t affected her in the slightest. —I didn’t expect to find two such admirable people on this planet. Maybe you really have some worth.
I felt the fatigue invade me completely, but I couldn’t give up. I couldn’t. If I did now, everything I had fought to build, everything I loved, would shatter.
I stood up, using the little strength I had left. Every muscle in my body screamed for rest, but the determination inside me pushed me to keep going.
—Give up already, won’t you? —Sora was getting closer and closer, her presence so dominant that I felt the weight of her power crushing me.
It was true that I no longer had the strength to fight, but I wasn’t going to let it all end like this.
At that moment, Sora launched a direct attack towards me, and although I tried to dodge it, my legs didn’t respond. I closed my eyes, prepared for the impact, but… I didn’t feel it. When I opened them, I saw Miguel, standing in front of me, blocking the blow with his own body.
—Don’t give up, my friend! There’s still a battle to win! —he shouted, his voice filled with energy and hope.
—And who said I had given up? —I replied with a smile, pushing myself up with effort.
—Zein! —Kiomi’s voice reached me from afar. I looked and saw Naoko and Kiomi approaching quickly, it seemed like they had taken the civilians to a safe place.
Naoko reached my side, helping me walk.
—Come on, let’s get to a safer place.
—I can still fight, you know? —I said, coughing from the effort.
—Of course not, don’t you see how you are? Come on, quickly. —Naoko helped me move, but something in her attitude surprised me. She was different, more determined, stronger. —Kiomi, Miguel, can you distract him for a while?
—Sure —they replied in unison.
—Now it’s my turn to fight —Miguel said, a challenging smile on his face as he approached Sora.
—I’ve been waiting for you, bald monkey —Sora replied with a cold, mocking smile.
—Time for round 2, bitch —Miguel retorted, his tone full of confidence and energy.
Meanwhile, Naoko led me to a more secluded spot, away from the direct battle.
—Let me heal you —she said, beginning to examine my wounds.
—I’m glad to see you’re okay —I commented, forcing a smile.
—I should be saying that —she replied with a smile, but it was faint, as if the situation was still deeply affecting her. —Now let me focus.
She placed her hands over my injured body and closed her eyes in concentration. Moments passed in silence until a soft light began to emanate from her palms. I recognized what was happening; it was healing magic, something that, although familiar, still amazed me.
When the light faded, I felt better, but not fully healed. I still had several visible cuts and some painful wounds, but undoubtedly, I felt much stronger.
—Let’s go back —I said, standing up with determination. But just as I was about to take a step, Naoko stopped me by taking my hand, her gaze filled with concern.
—Zein —she said softly, —promise me you won’t do anything stupid.
I smiled at her, even though I knew the situation was more serious than I was letting on.
—I promise —I replied.
We looked at each other for a moment, exchanging brief smiles before heading back to the battlefield.
When we arrived, I saw that Kiomi and Miguel were fighting alongside Sora, or at least that’s what it seemed. However, the scale quickly tilted towards Sora, who began to dominate once again.
—Sora! —I shouted, trying to stop the fight.
Sora looked at me, her expression now serious, a hint of surprise appearing in her eyes.
—You’ve come back, and you look much better —she commented, before becoming even more serious. —What do you want? What’s on your mind?
—Is it that obvious? —I walked closer to her, my gaze fixed and challenging. —Prove to me that you’re as strong as you say.
Sora frowned, clearly confused by my attitude.
—Excuse me?
—If you’re as strong as you say, and we’re so weak, then prove it —I responded without hesitation.
—And how do you want me to do that? —the arrogance in her tone was evident.
—Take my most powerful attack —I challenged, raising my hand. —Head-on, without dodging it.
Sora let out a low laugh, and for the first time, her arms, which were ready to attack, fell to her sides in a sign of relaxation.
—Well, how interesting —she said, with an arrogant smile. —Fine, I accept. I’ll show you how weak you really are.
—Zein, what are you going to do? —Kiomi asked, visibly worried.
—Just stay away from here and watch —I replied, positioning myself in front of Sora.
We moved to a safe distance, away from the main battlefield. Sora had climbed onto some ruins that gave her a slight height advantage, but that wouldn’t be enough. I knew her confidence would be her downfall.
—Alright, I’m ready! —Sora shouted, crossing her arms arrogantly, completely calm.
I prepared my attack, aiming my hand at her as if it were a gun. Sora mocked me, but I decided to ignore it.
I imagined the attack, visualizing it in my mind just as I had done in the tournament, but this time, I wasn’t going to hold back. I knew exactly what I was about to unleash, what power I was about to summon.
This attack wasn’t just about power; it also depended on imagination. The power is represented by you, but imagination carries an essential part of that energy. No matter how strong you are, if you don’t know how to redirect that power, it’s useless.
I visualized the creation of a bright sphere, like a miniature sun. It was radiant, and its heat and light began to envelop me. I could feel it, pulsing around me. Suddenly, the sphere began to contract violently, losing its brightness little by little. The light faded in a blink, and the sphere turned dark, as if it were absorbing everything around it. Waves of energy began to form, distorting the space. A black hole started to form at its center.
The edge of the sphere shone like a distorted halo, as if the light were trapped, bending around it, while the center remained completely dark, not emitting a spark.
I opened my eyes. There it was, right at the tip of my fingers.
—Ready? —I asked, my voice low but firm.
—Whenever you want —Sora replied, her tone confident, almost arrogant.
Everything fell silent. The air seemed to hold its breath as I prepared to release the contained energy. I knew I couldn’t maintain that mass of energy for long, so I let it collapse, but I managed to control that collapse. I dissipated all the energy toward Sora, like a ray of pure destruction aimed at her.
In that moment, I unleashed everything I had inside, without holding back. It didn’t matter what price I had to pay. This was the end. I had to finish Sora now, once and for all.
Sora realized too late. The attack was too powerful for her. She tried to resist, but it was useless. The impact of my attack hit her directly, sweeping everything in its path. The sound of the explosion was deafening, and when the energy dissipated, all that remained was a massive hole in the buildings, which began to collapse shortly after.
The sky seemed to have torn in two, as if everything around me had shattered under the force of my attack. Everything in front of me disappeared in an instant, even Sora, who was no longer there. I had evaporated her.
I couldn’t hold on any longer. I had expended all my energy in that attack, and my body no longer responded. I was about to collapse when I felt a hand grasp mine, lifting it into the air. I looked at the owner of the hand and saw Miguel, who, with a smile, raised my arm in victory.
—Don’t pass out yet, they’re watching —he said, his voice filled with an encouraging tone.
When I looked up, I saw a news helicopter hovering above us. Despite the great danger, it was clear they were recording the whole fight and broadcasting it live.
We had won. We had finally done it. It was a formidable enemy, but we had defeated him. If I hadn’t accepted my proposal, we probably never would have come out victorious.
Miguel helped me walk, and we all approached the spot where Sora had been. What we saw left me speechless: there she was, or at least, what was left of her.
—How did…? —Naoko asked, visibly surprised.
—Just at the last second, I managed to separate a finger from my body, which allowed me to survive, even though my body was completely vaporized. Still, I’m too weak to keep fighting —she said, closing her eyes as if accepting her fate. —I admit it, you won, bald monkeys.
—You were a great opponent —I replied, sincerely.
—What are you talking about, Zein? —she seemed embarrassed. —I had the victory secured. If I hadn’t accepted your proposal, I would have won. My pride condemned me.
—Still, you were pretty strong —I told her.
—Come on, I’m just another general. There are much stronger people than me. I’m just somewhere in the middle; I’m neither the strongest nor the weakest. I’m just there, like a nobody.
—Even so, you’re an admirable warrior. You survived my attack because of your will to live. You’re someone incredible.
She smiled, though she seemed to have surrendered in some way. Despite everything, that smile conveyed respect to me.
—Ha… really, Zein, you’re something incredible. Alright, finish this once and for all.
—Kiomi, would you do me the honor? —I asked.
—With pleasure —she replied.
Kiomi positioned herself in front of her, and with a movement of her hand, she launched an energy attack so powerful that it pulverized her completely, this time, for real.
Finally, we had won. Although, without a doubt, this would leave a deep scar in society.