After a few days, Paul came to get us and took us to what appeared to be a military base.

The plane was massive and spacious, clearly designed more for transporting weapons and equipment than people. In fact, we were the only passengers besides Paul. The trip was long, about a full day, and sleeping on the plane was uncomfortable. We had left at dawn, so we arrived in Siberia around midday. As soon as we stepped off the plane, we were assigned the task of training the troops about the enemy soldiers.

Truth be told, we hadn’t faced them much, only a couple of times, but we shared what little we knew. We assisted in hand-to-hand combat training, explaining basic strategies for dealing with larger and stronger opponents.

—Hey, — Paul approached us with a curious expression.

—What’s up, Paul? — I replied.

—Do you guys know how to handle firearms? —

—Why do you ask? — I said, intrigued.

—I noticed the drills they’re putting the troops through,” he responded, gesturing toward the ongoing training.

—And? — Kiomi chimed in.

—They’ve only been working on hand-to-hand combat, nothing involving long-range weapons. —

—Well... to be honest, we don’t, — I admitted, speaking for all three of us.

—Alright, no problem. I’ll get someone to teach you, — Paul said confidently.

—Paul... — Naoko interrupted him with a concerned tone. —Isn’t it an issue for civilians to handle firearms? —

—Don’t worry, — Paul reassured her. —Legally, you, Zein, and Kiomi are registered as if you’re on active military duty. —

—Wow... — Naoko murmured, still processing the information.

—Here, take these, — Paul said as he handed us a package containing papers and IDs. —Now you won’t have any legal issues with registration. Officially, you’re part of the population of the New Republic. —

—Wow, thanks. —

Paul led us to what seemed to be a testing range. There were several people firing weapons and practicing. Among them, a burly, stern-looking man approached us with a determined stride.

—Attention! — he barked in a commanding voice. —From today on, I’ll be your instructor! I’m not your friend or your buddy! You will address me as ‘Instructor Sir’ or ‘Sergeant Instructor,’ nothing else! Is that clear? —

—Y-Yes, sir, — we responded, somewhat uncertain.

—I can’t hear you! Is that clear?! —

—Yes, Instructor Sir! — we shouted in unison, louder this time.

The instructor was intimidating, but there was no denying he knew his stuff. He also had a natural talent for explaining things clearly and concisely.

—Now, I’ll go over a few key points! — he continued, his tone firm. —Never point your weapon at anything you don’t intend to destroy! Always assume your weapon is loaded! And lastly, keep your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to fire! Is that clear? —

—Yes, Instructor Sir! —

The instructor picked up a pistol to begin the lesson.

—Since we have very little time to train you, I’ll only teach you how to properly handle a handgun! —

He explained each step thoroughly. I watched closely as he positioned his feet shoulder-width apart, slightly staggered, balancing his weight to absorb the recoil. Naoko, Kiomi, and I did our best to mimic his stance.

I glanced at Kiomi from the corner of my eye. She focused intently, gripping the pistol firmly with both hands, ensuring her thumbs pointed forward as the instructor had directed. Her concentration was impressive.

On the other hand, Naoko seemed to be struggling more. I felt a bit worried watching her, but the instructor quickly turned his focus to her, showing a surprisingly patient side.

—Through the gun’s sight, fix your eyes on the target at the end of the range, — he said, his tone calmer than the one he used with us. —Your focus should be on the center point while keeping the weapon steady. —

Naoko nodded nervously.

—Inhale... exhale…— the instructor continued, guiding her with precision. “Fire at the end of your exhale. Each shot should be deliberate and precise. —

I watched as Naoko took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves while following his instructions. Her first shot wasn’t perfect, but at least she hit the target.

The three of us followed the instructor’s guidance. When I pulled the trigger for the first time, the gun’s recoil caught me off guard. My shoulder absorbed the impact, but I managed to keep the sight more or less aligned.

With each shot, we started getting used to handling the weapon. However, Naoko experienced a misfire. The instructor, in stark contrast to the way he treated us, patiently explained how to resolve the issue. That difference in treatment made my blood boil a little. While he handled her gently, he barked orders at us as if we were mere recruits.

After an entire day of training, we were finally given the green light to enter the battlefield. But first, we were allowed to rest.

The next day, around noon, we headed to the trenches. The cold was biting, but thanks to the sun, it wasn’t unbearable. According to our briefing, there would be a snowstorm that night, making any enemy attack unlikely. Our mission was simple: if the enemy attacked, we were to retaliate and split the defense of the area among the three of us.

—Naoko, — I called out before we parted ways.

—What is it, Zein? —

—We’ll be apart for a while. I want you to take care of yourself, okay? Be careful. —

—What are you, my dad? — she replied with a teasing tone, but there was a smile on her face.

—I still worry about you, — I said.

She simply responded with a smile, one of those full of warmth and appreciation.

—The same goes for you, Kiomi. I don’t want anything to happen to you. —

—Don’t worry, I know how to take care of myself, — Kiomi replied with her usual confidence.

We said our goodbyes, and each of us took our positions.

…

When I parted ways with the others, they led me to a remote area of the trench, slightly elevated. The cold was brutal, far more intense than anything I had felt before. This was my first “assignment,” and I couldn’t shake off the mix of anxiety and fear. Although I wasn’t technically alone, there were soldiers with me, I couldn’t help but feel isolated without Zein and Kiomi by my side.

That night, the storm hit as predicted. A fierce blizzard swept through the area, forcing us to take shelter in a small roofed structure. The soldiers and I huddled together for warmth while others remained at their posts outside.

I felt bad for them, exposed to the relentless cold. I tried asking why they stayed out there under such conditions, but the answer was always the same: “It’s our duty.”

I couldn’t help but wonder what the coming days would bring. I only wanted to be helpful to Zein and Kiomi. However, I still didn’t trust my ability with the pistol; every time I held it, my hands trembled, and I couldn’t get a firm grip. I would have to rely on hand-to-hand combat and my speed.

Time passed slowly, and boredom began to creep in. To distract myself, I started practicing with the anima. Although I never liked calling it that, I preferred to call it “mana,” like in fantasy series and movies. It helped me believe I was in a different world, far from this harsh reality.

I shaped figures with the mana, letting my imagination run wild. The possibilities seemed endless. After all, mana is a part of everything that exists. It was a small way to escape the present, even if just for a moment.

The frigid environment made it difficult to rest, but just as I was trying to sleep, a deafening whistle made me jump.

—We’re under attack! We’re under attack! — voices shouted from outside.

I got up immediately and ran out. From the trench, I could barely make out a black mass in the distance. However, when the area was illuminated, I saw it clearly: a wave of soldiers clad in black armor, just as Zein had described.

“Remember, the moment they attack, charge forward. They shouldn’t have firearms to hurt you, but if that’s the case, retreat to the trench. In close combat, you have the advantage.”

I repeated his words in my mind and decided to follow his instructions.

I reinforced my legs with mana and charged at full speed. The first soldiers I faced fell easily; their bodies shattered with every precise blow. My movements were quick and fluid, dodging and striking relentlessly.

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The rest of the soldiers, seeing that things were going well for us, began counterattacking with artillery support. The battlefield descended into chaos. Zein was right: the enemies didn’t use firearms. They only carried swords, spears, and shields. This gave us the upper hand, and we slowly pushed them back.

Suddenly, the storm intensified. Snow fell furiously, and visibility dropped to nearly zero. I was completely blinded. I halted my advance to avoid accidentally injuring an ally.

Then, without warning, I felt a powerful blow that disarmed me. Before I could retrieve my sword, an enemy soldier lunged at me, knocking me to the ground.

His hands closed around my neck, squeezing tightly. My vision blurred as I struggled to breathe.

I couldn’t breathe. The pain radiated from my neck to my chest and head, a suffocating pressure that made each attempt to inhale a futile spasm. My vision blurred further, with points of light and shadows dancing on the edge of unconsciousness. I fought desperately to break free. My hands clawed aimlessly, trying to push away the one strangling me, but it was useless.

My movements became slow, weak, as panic and lack of oxygen consumed me. I tried to scream, “Zein! Kiomi! Help!” but nothing came out. It was as if my throat was sealed. My heart pounded in my ears, a wild rhythm that felt like it was about to tear me apart from the inside.

Lying in the snow, unable to move, I felt my body begin to give out. I don’t want to die. Do something. Do it for them. With the little strength I had left, I desperately moved my legs, searching for my pistol. I felt it there, right against my thigh.

My clumsy fingers managed to grip the weapon, but my hands were trembling so much that disengaging the safety felt impossible. Time seemed to slow as my mind screamed in desperation. Am I going to die here? Is this how it ends? After everything, after finding a glimpse of happiness, will it all end like this?

With one final effort, I clenched my teeth and tried again. My fingers found the safety. Please, please, let it work.

And then I felt it: a sliver of hope.

With my last ounce of strength, I raised the pistol to his chin. My hands were shaking, but I managed to pull the trigger.

A ringing sound flooded my ears, and for a moment, everything stopped. I felt his body collapse on top of me, heavy and lifeless. I couldn’t move. I needed air.

I clumsily pushed him to the side and collapsed face down, coughing as the cold snow burned my skin. I took deep breaths, feeling the sharp pain in my throat.

Damn it.

Even as I tried to recover, my body trembled. I could still feel the phantom imprint of his hands around my neck, as if they were still trying to strangle me. My hands were numb, weak.

Then I saw it. The soldier’s body lay next to me, his crimson blood stark against the white snow. I moved closer, still shaking. I don’t know why I did it, but I removed his helmet.

And I saw him.

He was human. A person. Someone like me.

I just killed someone.

My breathing, which I had just barely regained, became erratic. My mind spun. How is this possible? Weren’t they supposed to be from another planet?

I stayed there, kneeling in the snow, staring at the lifeless face of the soldier. Why the hell are they human?

So many thoughts swirled in my mind, making my head spin uncontrollably. My chest rose and fell rapidly, as if trying to anchor me to reality. But it wasn’t enough. I doubled over and vomited into the snow, feeling a bitter burn in my throat.

I sat beside the body, hugging my knees as my mind struggled to make sense of what I had just done.

I killed someone. I’m a murderer.

I repeated those words over and over, trying to justify what had happened. But I had no choice, right? RIGHT?! He wanted to kill me. I defended myself. That’s what I did, isn’t it? It wasn’t my fault.

Damn it.

My thoughts were a whirlwind, filled with guilt, fear, and doubt. It felt like something inside me had shattered.

Why the hell did I come here? Oh, right... for them. They brought light into my life when everything was dark. I owe them so much... but here, I’m just a burden. Now, what am I supposed to do? How am I supposed to move forward?

I can’t. I can’t kill them knowing they’re human. I just can’t.

The persistent ringing in my ears was deafening. My vision remained blurry, and though my body screamed for rest, I knew I was on a battlefield. There’s no place for rest here.

I stood up shakily and started walking through the thick snow. There was nothing. No one. The landscape was desolate, stained red with the corpses of those “monsters.”

But then I saw it. Beneath a lifeless body, someone was hiding, trembling like a leaf in the wind.

—Get up. —

Their head slowly peeked out, and I could hear their broken voice.

—P... Please, don’t hurt me! I’ll do anything, please! —

—Take off your helmet and don’t say a word. —

—Y... Yes. —

Grabbing him by his unarmed arm, I pulled him up and forced him to walk with me. Maybe, just maybe, saving his life could make me feel better. I could redeem myself, even if just a little.

Maybe.

As I dragged him along, I came across another soldier. This one looked more defiant, but he was injured, limping with blood dripping from his leg. He couldn’t do much.

—Carry him. —

—Y... Yes, of course. —

And so, with two prisoners, I made my way back to the trenches. I don’t know how I managed it; I could barely feel my legs. But they were still alive, and so was I.

I knew Zein and Kiomi wouldn’t leave anyone alive. They would do whatever it took to protect us from any threat. But I thought keeping them as prisoners might be useful. Maybe they could provide valuable information. Maybe...

When I arrived, I handed them over to the other soldiers without a word. My body felt as heavy as lead. I headed to my makeshift bed and collapsed onto it.

For the first time that night, I closed my eyes, but the ringing in my head wouldn’t let me rest.

It was strange. I couldn’t cry, even though my soul felt shattered, as if something inside me had broken beyond repair.

The following days passed in an endless cycle of fighting. No rest.

We fought them constantly. I tried to knock out most of the ones I faced, avoiding killing them... but in the end, the soldiers would finish them off mercilessly. In cold blood.

When the last battle ended, I joined Kiomi and Zein. They were busy interrogating the prisoners, extracting information by any means necessary.

—Hey! — someone suddenly shouted at me.

—What you did was incredible! I didn’t think you had it in you to pull off something like that. Hahaha! —

Some soldiers congratulated me with laughter, saying that I had made their job easier. But all I could do was stare at the ground, my gaze empty, lost in my own thoughts.

Incredible? I didn’t feel that way. I didn’t feel incredible. I felt broken.

Of the captured prisoners, three were taken to the facility to be interrogated. Zein wanted to handle it personally.

There were the two I had saved, and another one who had survived by a miracle. However, his condition was deplorable, as if he were already on the brink of death.

The third one didn’t last long in that place. He died without saying a word.

The second, the defiant one I had saved, also ended up dead. Zein killed him without hesitation when he refused to speak.

There was one left. The last one.

He seemed to be my age, trembling from fear and cold, with dried blood on his face and a look in his eyes that reflected despair. I didn’t want the same to happen to him.

—Zein, let me handle him, — I said calmly.

I approached the prisoner slowly, taking a cloth to wipe the sweat and blood from his face.

—Look, do you remember me? —

—Y... yes. You saved me. Thank you. —

—Listen, I need you to tell us everything you know. Zein won’t hesitate to kill you if you don’t speak. He wouldn’t care about your life... but I do. Please. —

My words seemed to reach him. I saw him swallow, his gaze shifting from pure terror to a faint glimmer of hope.

Finally, he began to speak.

He told us they were troops from the EDI, the organization known as the Imperial Democratic State, also nicknamed “Black Sun” for the symbol that identified them.

The EDI had set its sights on Earth. Our world was the last stronghold of the rebellion in this region of the universe. For them, it was time for Earth to fall, consolidating their power and absolute control over the star systems.

The war we were fighting wasn’t just ours. It was something much bigger.

—There’s no one else, — the prisoner said in a barely audible voice. —There’s no one else but you. Everything out there belongs to the EDI, or as some call it, the Black Sun Empire. —

He looked at us with a mix of resignation and terror, warning us with a trembling voice:

—It’s better to surrender without fighting. I’ve seen things... In the last places they conquered, they wiped out the population completely. Those who resisted died. All of them. —

A heavy silence fell, broken only by his labored breathing.

—He’s coming, — he finally said, his eyes wide open, reflecting a deep fear.

Zein frowned, moving closer.

—Who’s coming? —

The prisoner swallowed hard, his words barely audible.

—Our boss. —

—And who is that?” Zein pressed, his tone harsh.

—The most powerful being I’ve ever known... and the most feared. An invincible one.—

His words hung in the air like an intangible threat. A chill ran through my body, though I tried to hide it. Invincible. How do you fight something you can’t defeat?

After gathering the information, they decided to transfer him to the North American sector of the New Republic for further interrogation. Meanwhile, we would stay here, awaiting new orders.

Kiomi noticed my condition; she was always perceptive with me. She approached, with that mix of sweetness and concern that she knew how to convey.

—Naoko, are you okay? — she asked, glancing at me.

—Yes... I’m fine. I just need to rest a bit, — I answered with a weak smile, trying to reassure her.

The truth was, I desperately needed rest. The past few days had been a constant hell. I could barely stay on my feet, and the lack of sleep, combined with the physical and emotional exhaustion, was taking its toll on me.

I sat down next to Kiomi, letting myself succumb to the exhaustion. I closed my eyes and rested my head on her shoulder. It was an instinctive gesture, as if in that small act of closeness, I could find some comfort.

She said nothing. She simply stayed there, letting me rest. And for the first time in days, I felt like I could relax, even if just a little.