The air crackled with tension, the remnants of Axka's reckless power still echoing in the charred remains of the corridor. He felt the weight of his choices pressing down on him, a reminder of the destruction he had unleashed.
He glanced back at the devastation he had caused—a trail of cracked walls, smoldering fires flickering from the friction of his speed, and parts of the ceiling that had collapsed. He had caused so much destruction along the way.
Takoda, who was just starting to process everything, stood up shakily. “W-what the—What—” he stammered, still trying to wrap his head around what had happened.
“I know, it was too fast for you to catch up,” Axka said, sensing the urgency of the situation. “We gotta get out of here before that thing catches up with us, bro.”
“Axka! Takoda!” a voice called out from the other side of the corridor. That sounded like them, Axka thought.
Axka saw Aime and Smitty come into view, sprinting toward them. He waved at them, signaling that he noticed them and was glad to see them.
As they got closer, they looked down the other corridor, which had been destroyed by Axka’s Anomalies. “Godking, what the fuck just happened here?!” Aime asked, clearly shocked. Axka glanced at Takoda, who was still trying to recover from the chaotic motion he had dragged him through.
Axka shifted his weight, scanning the chaos around them before finally locking eyes with Aime. “I don’t know, man. I think something just came through here,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper, a hint of disbelief lacing his words as he gestured to the destruction.
“And it looks like it left a trail of flames… Does the Rogue do this?” Smitty wondered aloud, rubbing his chin as he stared at the ruined corridor.
Takoda finally straightened up. “No, man, we just ran into a damn ghost. Everything was so chaotic,” he said, his voice steadier now.
“Ghost?!” Aime’s face showed a mix of fear and excitement, while Smitty’s curiosity was clearly piqued. They spoke at the same time. “That thing… caused all this chaos? I thought it was a Rogue or Renegade.” Smitty glanced them both, curiosity piqued. “I can’t believe a ghost can cause such things.”
The dust from Axka’s destruction had barely settled when a fast-moving shadow figure dashed toward their position.
“Hey, I think there’s another one left out,” Smitty called out, spotting it from afar. Axka furrowed his brow and stepped away from the group to get a better look at the approaching figure. As it passed him, it leaped over them and landed right in the middle of the group.
He spun around, ready to fight, clenching his fists. But before he could react, the figure was already in the center, unsheathing a sword toward Aime. His reaction, a startled “Whoa—!” was cut off as the blade swung past him, another sword that looked the same emerged from the wall. The sword then hovered in the air, pointing menacingly at both Takoda, who raised his hands near his chest in surrender, and Smitty, who stood frozen, unsure of what to do.
It was Ayame.
“What the—You’re the girl from the shed outside!” Axka stepped closer, his heart racing as recognition hit him.
“Okay, hey, calm down,” Takoda muttered, his eyes darting nervously to the hovering blade that lingered dangerously near him.
Ayame’s cold glare betrayed a flicker of impatience. I didn’t have time for this. “This is not a game. Leave, now.” Her sharp eyes swept across the group, unreadable yet burdened with something deeper.
With a practiced motion, she sheathed her sword, though her conjured blade remained hovering, protective yet cold. Beneath that exterior, a flicker of impatience flashed—I had no time for their questions, no time for distractions. The weakened Elemental was close, and if I didn’t finish this soon... But that wasn’t the only thing pressing on her mind. I couldn’t fail my Trial of Pilgrimage.
Smitty tilted his head, curiosity sparking in his eyes. “You know her, Axka?”
“Yeah, Hyun Miya—uh, I don’t know, I forgot. I found her on my courage test earlier,” Axka replied, his voice steady but his thoughts swirling.
Aime’s grin was wide and full of excitement. “How did you even meet someone like her?!” His voice was laced with disbelief.
Axka shrugged, his brow furrowing. “How should I know? She just came out of nowhere.”
The silence of the corridor shattered, exploding into a whirlwind of voices as Axka’s friends all chimed in at once. The once still air now buzzed with energy, every word bouncing off the charred walls, amplifying the chaotic noise.
“Do people always call you cute?” Aime teased, flashing a grin.
Before Ayame could react, Takoda jumped in, his voice brimming with curiosity. “Seriously, though, how did that sword fly?”
Smitty’s eyes widened in awe, as he stared at the floating sword. “That sword… it’s unreal.” he nodded, grinning like a kid in a candy store, completely captivated by the weapon.
Ayame stood apart, her sharp eyes scanning the surroundings with an intensity that suggested she was hunting for something hidden, Fulmen.
Her eyes darted from corner to corner, searching the corrupted Elemental on the shadows as if something elusive lurked just out of sight. Axka caught sight of her, curiosity sparking within him; he wondered what had captured her attention while the others spiraled into their chaotic chatter.
“So, if this thing is around, that means the ghost is visible, right?” Smitty posed the question, and before he could finish, Takoda jumped in, “Yeah, dude, we just saw the electric ghost and ran.”
Amid the banter, Aime tugged at Axka’s shirt, his jealousy flaring since Ayame approached. “What kind of luck did you get into?” Aime’s grip tightened as he shook Axka, a mix of frustration and envy etched across his face. “Let go!” Axka tried to loosen his grips.
The noise and chaotic chatter began to wear on Ayame’s focus. Annoyance flickered across her features, and she turned sharply to the group.
“Silence! Walk out of this building now!”
Her voice, a chilling blend of scream and whisper, reverberated with an unnatural authority, sliding like ice into their minds.
Unbeknownst to them, Ayame unleashed one of her abilities—Whisper of the Mu, It was a force not to be resisted. There was no fighting it; it was designed to control the Mind of those who heard it, almost like a lullaby to their senses.
But to Axka, her command felt more like a harsh scream.
He clenched his fists, irritation boiling over. The sound of her voice—the way it screamed through his mind. It felt like claws scraping at his thoughts, pulling him into submission—had set his nerves on edge, provoking him.
“You think I’ll just obey?!” he shot back, his voice sharp with defiance.
Ayame turned, surprise flashing across her face for the first time—he shouldn’t have been able to resist. Yet, her control over the others didn’t break.
How… how is my Whisper not affecting him?! Who is this boy…?
Axka glanced at his friends, now walking silently toward the exit, their movements robotic, eerie. “Guys! Where are you guys going?!” He called out, his voice grew desperate as confusion crossed his features as, but they continued to move away, unresponsive to his calls.
He rushed after them, shouting, but they moved like ghosts, their steps silent, unresponsive. His heart pounded as their retreat felt wrong—unnatural. What the fuck is happening?!
Frustration mounted for Ayame as she resumed her search for the corrupted Elemental, the weakened state making it increasingly elusive. The tension hung thick between her and Axka, each grappling with their own confusion, driven by purposes the other couldn’t grasp.
Outside, unaware of what was unfolding within, the scene was just as chaotic, Auxilliarion Forces and medics already tending to the wounded. The chaos inside the building had yet to reach them.
Caden, urgency coursing through him, prepared to rush back inside to find the remaining groups. Just as he was about to move, he spotted groups of girls from the Mavericks emerging, some with blood from minor cuts staining their clothes.
Caden hurried over, concern etched on his face. “You girls okay?” he asked, his voice rough as he coughed lightly.
One of the girls replied, “We’re fine, Mr. Caden. The wounds are just from debris that fell during the quake inside.”
He let out a sigh of relief. “It’s just your group left, and no one’s badly hurt.”
Then one of the girls added quickly, “Oh, and we were told by Aime and Smitty earlier inside. Without them, we’d still be waiting in the room.”
Caden's heart dropped at her words. He glanced toward the spot where he’d told Takoda to wait, but neither Takoda nor the others were anywhere to be seen.
Without wasting another second, Caden sprinted toward the entrance. Officer Mendoza, who had been standing nearby, stepped forward. “Wait, I’ll tag along. It was my fault to—” But Caden cut him off, urgency overtaking him. “It wasn’t anyone's fault. Come on, before they get hurt!” Mendoza nodded in agreement, and they both broke into a run, heading inside.
Just a few feet from the entrance, shadows emerged, slowly and silently moving toward them. Caden’s eyes locked onto the approaching figures. “Hey! You guys alright?!” Caden shouted, but there was no response. The figures kept moving, like they were sleepwalking, their movements stiff and unnatural.
He and Mendoza exchanged worried glances. “What’s going on with them?” Mendoza muttered
Only when they drew closer did recognition hit Caden—it was Takoda, Smitty, and Aime. But something was wrong.
“Takoda! Smitty! Aime! Can you hear me?!” Caden called again, anxiety threading through his voice. Still, there was no response. Growing more concerned, he rushed to Takoda and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Hey, what’s going on?” he whispered urgently, but Takoda walked on, oblivious.
“Something is wrong with them,” Officer Mendoza exclaimed, but Caden pressed on, calling their names as he walked alongside them. Just as they reached the entrance and stepped outside, the three suddenly blinked as if waking from a dream.
“Huh?!” Takoda exclaimed, confusion etched on his face. “Wait, where are we?!” Aime asked, bewildered. “Isn’t this the entrance?” Smitty added, equally disoriented.
Caden’s concern deepened. “What’s going on with all of you?! I kept calling, but none of you answered.”
“I don’t know, Mr. Caden. We were just inside, talking, and then poof! We’re here?” Takoda replied, still dazed.
Caden’s eyes sharpened as he noticed something was off. “Takoda, where is Axka?” he asked urgently.
“Wait, he’s not with us?” Aime said, suddenly realizing the absence. Caden pressed, worry clawing at him. “Where was the last place you remember seeing him?!”
Takoda frowned, struggling to piece together his scattered thoughts. “We go to that path, I think?” He pointed in the direction, uncertainty hanging in the air.
“Officer, please escort them to safety. There’s one more student I need to find,” Caden instructed, his voice firm.
Officer Mendoza nodded, his expression serious. “I’ll come inside after I’ve checked on these students.” Caden nodded back and rushed deeper into the building, following the same path the boys had taken.
As Mendoza led the others away, his tone shifted, a cold edge creeping into his voice. “I can’t wait to treat you boys,” he said, his words laced with a subtle threat that sent a chill down Takoda and the others’ spines.
“I felt chills in my balls, dude,” Takoda whispered jokingly, attempting to lighten the mood, but the unease lingered in the air.
Meanwhile, inside the building, Axka had already stopped following his friends a few minutes ago. His face was etched with a mix of confusion and frustration. “What the fuck is going on?!” They were far ahead now, moving in eerie silence.
His mind raced back to Ayame. What exactly did she do to them?! And why not me? The loss of control gnawed at him, the buried powerlessness resurfacing.
Standing some distance behind her, he clenched his fists. He turned sharply on his heel and started walking back toward Ayame, his steps heavy as anger bubbled up inside him. She remained focused on scanning her surroundings, completely absorbed in her task.
Frustration boiled over within him, and before he realized it, his hand gripped her shirt, yanking her toward him. The rage in his chest burned hot, demanding—demanding some sense of control in the chaos.
“What the fuck did you do to my friends?!”
Axka’s voice was raw with fury, tearing through the silence. Ayame’s eyes flickered—just for a second, a trace of surprise, but her expression quickly hardened. The conjured sword pointed to him, poised to strike.
He didn’t care, and she didn’t move—he wasn’t letting go until she answered, they stood frozen in that moment. Just then, a sharp voice cut through the silence.
“Axka!”
He turned to see Caden rushing toward him. He let go of the girl’s shirt as her sword lowered but remained vigilant, a tension still hanging in the air. Axka’s chest rose and fell heavily, his eyes locking briefly with hers, before the voice of Caden broke the intensity.
“Axka, are you alright? Are you hurt?” Caden’s voice cut through the lingering tension, his hand firm on Axka’s shoulder, pulling him back to the present moment.
“I’m fine, but this girl just did something to my friends,” Axka replied, anger simmering beneath the surface.
“They’re fine, Axka. I just found them outside.” Caden reassured him.
“I don’t know what Ms. Hyun did, but I think she just saved them, isn’t that right, Ms. Hyun?” Caden asked, turning to the girl. She responded coldly with a simple, “Yes,” not even glancing in their direction.
“I don’t know, Caden, but this bitch just pissed me off,” Axka muttered, unable to shake the irritation.
“Axka…” Caden’s tone turned serious as he added, “Apologize to her now, little brother.”
Axka had no choice but to follow his advice. He let out an annoyed “Tck,” pushing his mouth to the side as he reluctantly muttered, “Sorry” to her, feeling anything but genuine, but he wasn’t in the mood to argue. Caden just scoffed softly at his behavior, clearly amused.
“Leave.” Ayame said sharply, her eyes scanning the shadows. “I need to finish it off. The Elemental is in a weakened state, its Guin—something I can see—nearly invisible to my vision now.”
Her words confused Axka, and he blurted out, “Guin? What’s th—” but Caden cut him off, “Let’s ask her later after everything’s done.”
As Axka stood there, he remembered the creature she was fighting—the same one they had encountered earlier. The memory of the lightning and the deafening thunder sent a shiver down his spine, pulling him back to something from his past.
“Yeah, good luck.” Axka shifted his weight to the path where Caden came from. “That thing scared the shit out of me.”
Caden then apologized on Axka’s behalf. “I’m sorry for troubling you, Ms. Hyun, with my little brother and everything going on in this situation, but please take care of that thing for us. If you can’t fight it, just get out. We’ll figure something else out.”
Ayame nodded, her focus shifting elsewhere. Caden turned to Axka. “Let’s go.”
As they walked away, Axka caught a glimpse of Ayame dashing down another path, her form disappearing into the shadows. He let out a slow breath, feeling a surge of relief. His Anomalies—the very power that could have betrayed him—had gone unnoticed.
But the corrupted Elemental, it wasn’t catching up to them—at least not yet.
Caden and Axka walked briskly toward the exit, Caden’s words of advice still echoing in Axka’s ears. “You still need to learn to talk with people,” Caden said, his tone patient but firm.
“I just can’t be around someone like her,” Axka replied, frustration creeping into his voice. “I tried my best to talk to her, but the way she acts just keeps provoking me.”
“Some people have their own personalities, Axka, but their actions aren’t malicious. You’ve got to have tolerance,” Caden responded as they neared the exit. Axka pushed his mouth to the side, mulling over Caden’s words. He sighed, accepting the advice, even though it wasn’t the first time he’d heard it. “Yeah, I hear you. I’ll try again.”
Caden didn’t mention that this was the sixth time he had given the same advice. He just kept reminding Axka, knowing that sometimes, despite his best efforts, Axka failed to follow it.
As they exited the building, the scene before them was a mix of chaos and order. Paramedics evacuate the students to the vehicles, while officers and Auxilliarion Forces moved swiftly through the crowd, preparing the area for the worse outcome.
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An officer approached them. “Mr. Caden Stoddard?” he asked. “I need to know the exact situation happening in the building. Please follow me for questioning.”
“And this kid?” Caden asked, glancing at Axka.
“I’ll take the kid from here. He’ll be reunited with his friends—away from all this.” The officer’s tone was clipped and authoritative. His eyes briefly locked with Caden’s, a silent statement that there was no room for negotiation. It was protocol, and nothing Caden could say would change it.
“Okay, go along, Axka. I need to explain the situation to the officers,” Caden said, and Axka nodded in understanding.
Axka lowered his eyes, not out of exhaustion, but with a quiet, simmering annoyance. It was his way of accepting the situation without making a scene. “Yeah, I’m going,” he muttered under his breath, irritation creeping into his tone.
As they approached to his friends, Axka could hear Officer Mendoza’s booming voice cutting through the air like a drill sergeant.
“DO YOU WANT TO GO TO PRISON FOR INTERFERING WITH A POLICE INVESTIGATION SCENE?!”
Takoda and Smitty looked down, taking the brunt of the reprimand, while Aime was sweating profusely.
“LOOK AT ME WHEN I’M TALKING TO YOU, KID! DON’T LOOK AT THEM, LOOK AT ME!” Officer Mendoza yelled, trying to force Aime to make eye contact. Aime’s face was slick with sweat, causing his glasses to repeatedly slide down his nose. Each time, he pushed them back up, only for them to slip again.
Axka bit his lip, trying to suppress a laugh, but he couldn’t hold it in. A snort escaped, and the officer escorting him noticed. “What are you laughing about?” he asked, his tone sharp. Axka quickly straightened his face and replied, “Nothing, officer.”
“Go, join your friends. Enjoy your scolding.” The officer pointing to where Axka should stand. Mendoza barely glanced at him before barking orders. “Fall in with the others, kid, and don’t make me repeat myself.”
He walked over and took his place next to Aime, who was still sweating and struggling with his glasses. Axka lowered his head, just like Takoda and Smitty, trying to blend in. He had a good idea why they were doing the same.
Without warning, a thunderous sound erupted from inside the building, followed by a flash of lightning, making Axka’s heart skip a beat.
Ayame already dashed forward the moment she glimpsed the Fulmen’s Aura. “Keep it in the path,” she commanded, and her conjured sword obeyed, phasing through the wall to engage the Elemental. Ayame kept running down another path, removing the seals she had already placed.
She arrived in a large storage room filled with wooden shelves and equipment. With a flick of her wrist, she set a deactivated seal by the door. Sword in hand, Ayame’s mind synced with her conjured blade, reading its movements as if it were her own eyes.
The corrupted Elemental kept dodging and fighting the sword while in motion, a signal for Ayame to called off the pursuit to make the Fulmen run along the path she’d already made to the storage room.
“Appear, Yurei No Ken!”
Instantly, her conjured sword disappeared mid-air, only to rematerialize beside her, floating and spinning in precise, fluid motions.
Her plan had already begun. The seals she had stripped and replaced were designed to confuse the Fulmen, trapping it within the building like a rat in a maze. However, her earlier pursuit had been hindered by Takoda and Axka, forcing her to make a new plan on the fly. The storage room, she realized, offered a tactical advantage.
“The path leading here is set. We must prepare,” she muttered to herself, shifting into a ready stance. The conjured sword hovered beside her, poised for defense.
In almost the blink of an eye, the weakened Fulmen burst into the room, crackling with lightning, thunder booming in its wake.
Ayame wasted no time. She activated the seal, trapping the elemental inside the storage room with no escape.
The Fulmen’s lightning bolt struck, but Ayame’s conjured sword intercepted it in a blur. The blade neutralized the energy, deflecting it with a bright, resounding clash. Sparks flew harmlessly into the walls.
The Elemental flickered, its unstable form sputtering electricity as it darted unpredictably. Ayame tightened her grip on her blade, her eyes narrowing as she braced for close combat.
As the Fulmen unleashed another lightning burst, Yurei No Ken intercepted with fluid precision, the blade absorbing and deflecting the energy in a brilliant arc.
Yurei No Ken moved in perfect sync, guarding her and striking with precision. Each motion flowed seamlessly, shifting between offense and defense as if it were an extension of Ayame’s will. In every clash, she weakened its form further with each precise blow, forcing it into a corner.
As the Elemental’s strikes became more erratic, Ayame pressed her advantage. The conjured sword sliced through its unstable form, while her handheld blade countered any openings that emerged.
Yet, despite its weakened state, the Lightning Elemental flickered with speed, darting unpredictably through the room. One moment it was in front of her, and the next, it flickered to the ceiling in a snap of lightning.
Yurei No Ken swung, but the Elemental vanished, reappearing behind Ayame in a flash. She spun, locking eyes with the crackling form, her sword missing the target. For a brief moment, the Elemental paused, its energy gathering, before it unleashed another powerful strike of lightning aimed directly at her.
Ayame immediately shouted a spell, “Technique: Etherea Absorption!”
A barrier summoned, deflected the Elemental’s lightning. “Side!” she commanded, and her conjured sword teleported instantly to her side, then striking while its energy wavered.
The weakened Lightning Elemental attempted another burst of speed, but something critical was missing—the room lack conductive materials to help its energy flow. Without these to amplify its electricity, its movements faltered. For the first time, the elemental hesitated, its once erratic bursts of speed reduced to scattered flickers.
Seizing the opportunity, Ayame directed her conjured sword with precision. The blade sliced through the air, severing the elemental’s connection to its electricity. The strike left the creature vulnerable, its electric power dissipating rapidly, the crackling energy dying down.
The Elemental flickered, its energy sputtering. Ayame advanced, her eyes locked on her target. She had held back earlier, knowing the being’s defensice surge could putting her at risk of shock. But now, its power was almost gone—its defenses stripped away.
She raised her sword, the edge glinting in the dim light, and in one swift, fluid motion, she brought it down.
The blade met the Elemental with a crackling burst of light, and in an instant, its energy exploded into nothingness. Silence filled the room. It was over, and Ayame stood victorious.
Breathing deeply, Ayame lowered her swords, both conjured and steel. She stood still for a moment, her body tense with the remnants of the battle, before slowly exhaling.
“Rest, Yurei No Ken,” she murmured, her voice a soft whisper in the empty room. With a fluid motion, the spirit of her sword shimmered and rejoined the sheath on her back. The weight of victory hung heavy on her shoulders, but there was no time to relish it.
Ayame walked through the corridor, her movements deliberate, as the weight of the battle clung to her. The Abyssors that lurked in the shadows scurried away at her approach, their fear palpable. She ignored the faint whispers of the Etherea beings who watched from the corners, their hushed voices recounting her victory over the corrupted Elemental.
But Ayame paid no mind to their words. Her focus was singular now—reaching the exit.
Ayame stepped into the cold night air, her senses still heightened from the battle, but the sound of distant voices soon pulled her back to reality.
The chaos outside was just as palpable as the storm she had just subdued. A line of police officers and Auxilliarion Forces rushed forward, their sharp movements slicing through the crowd, positioning themselves in defensive stances. Flanked by the ominous presence of a few NCCS. The scene bristled with tension, as if another battle was about to begin.
“PUT YOUR HANDS IN THE AIR!” one officer shouted, his voice taut with tension. Ayame stood still, remained unmoved.
She could take them all down in almost an instant if needed. But she remained frozen, scanning the officers, weighing her options—violence or compliance.
“DO IT, OR WE WILL USE FORCE!” came the escalating threat from another officer.
Before the moment could spiral out of control, Caden calmly stepped forward, cigarette dangling loosely from his lips, his figure sliding closely in front Hyun to the line of officers. He stood like a barrier, unyielding.
“Herr! Step away from her!” another officer demanded, urgency in his voice.
“This girl just saved us, and y’all gonna shoot her?!” Caden’s voice was sharp, low, and dangerous. His eyes dared the officers to explain themselves.
“Step away, or we’ll shoot!” the officer snapped.
Caden’s face darkened. “There are still bullets in this skin. Yours won’t make a difference.” He stared down the barrels aimed at them. The officers hesitated, their hands twitching toward their weapons.
Before anyone could make a move, Ms. Lyra dashed forward, placing herself between the officers and Ayame. “Please stop! Everyone, stop! This girl is not a criminal!” she pleaded desperately.
“Frau, we don’t know if she’s a Rogue or Renegade.” One officer said, his voice betraying a flicker of doubt as his hand wavered on the trigger. He glanced at his comrades, searching for confirmation. “She might use her Anomaly, wipe us all here and escape!” His eyes flickered to the sword at Ayame’s back, then back to her calm, unflinching eyes. Sweat beaded on his brow.
Ms. Lyra responded, her voice filled with urgency and desperation. “She’s not! Please, you have to verify this before a mistake is made!”
The officers exchanged glances, uncertainty etched on their faces. “We hear you, Frau, but we still need her weapon down before we question her,” one officer insisted.
Caden leaned in slightly, his voice low but steady. “Will you follow this crappy rule for a while?” His tone was casual, almost nonchalant, he’d been through this kind of situation a hundred times before. His words carried the calm of someone who knew exactly how to handle the heat without breaking a sweat.
“Yes.” Her voice calm despite the tension thickening the air. Caden nodded, acknowledging her compliance.
Ayame’s fingers hovered over her sword, she could feel the pulse of her conjured blade, urging her to strike, to eliminate the threat before it escalated. But she hesitated. Slowly, with deliberate restraint, she unstrapped her sword, the metal clinking softly as she laid it at her feet—a reluctant act of surrender.
With that, the officers moved in, The cold metal of the cuffs bit into Ayame’s wrists, the finality of their click echoing in her ears. Her eyes remained cold. but inside, a storm brewed—humiliation beneath her composed exterior.
Caden, on the other hand, smirked at the officers as they fastened the cuffs around his wrists. Cuffed, chased, fought, confronted—he’d been through it all, this was just another routine encounter with the law. “You boys are getting quicker with these,” he muttered, not even bothering to hide his disdain.
Ms. Lyra rushed forward, her voice trembling with desperation. “No, no, please—why are you taking him too?” Her eyes darted between Caden and the officers, fear widening in her stares. “He didn’t do anything wrong. You can’t just take him!” She reached out, but the officers blocked her path. “Please,” she begged, her voice breaking. “He’s not involved in this.”
“Frau—” an officer began, but Caden cut him off smoothly. “Don’t worry about me, honeypie. They’re just questioning me about the whole situation. Nothing serious.” His smile was meant to reassure her, though the tension in the air remained palpable.
The officer handling Caden stepped forward, adding, “It’s going to be alright, Frau. If he’s not involved in the crime, he’ll be released soon.”
“Okay…” Ms. Lyra’s voice wavered with concern. “Just… don’t hurt him, please,” she pleaded, her worry evident.
“Don’t worry about it, Frau,” the officer assured her.
As Ayame was led to the waiting NCCS specialized, armored van—built specifically to handle any potential threats from unknown Anomaly users. The cold metal of the cuffs bit into her wrists, but she remained composed. Inside the specialized van, the doors slammed shut with a metallic thud, the vehicle pulling away into the night.
Caden, meanwhile, was escorted to a separate police car, his hands cuffed behind his back. He shot a final glance toward Ayame’s van before being pushed into the back seat. His familiar smirk returned as the engine roared to life, but the weight of the situation hung heavy. “You boys better treat me right this time,” he muttered to the officer, but his mind was elsewhere—thinking about Axka and the others still in this area.
***
Further away, The Slingers were making their way toward the camp area, still reeling from the intensity of the earlier events. Officer Mendoza’s scolding echoed in their minds as they trudged in silence. “Go along now!”
The camp area came into their view, where autobuses was waiting at the drop-off point. News reporters swarmed the area, firing questions at the students from every angle.
“Gather with the rest of your group. You’ll be going back to your houses in the autobus. We’ve already programmed it with each of your addresses,” Officer Mendoza instructed.
They walked to join their group, who the officers referred to as the ‘Maggots.’
“Tonight was wild,” Aime muttered. Smitty grinned, unable to resist a jab. “Yeah, dude. You almost shit your pants—again—when Mendoza laid into you.” The remark sent them into fits of laughter though Aime could only grumble, “Shut up, Negus.”
Despite the banter, Axka couldn’t shake the unease lingering from their earlier encounter. The memories flashed in his mind, unsettling him. On top of that, he still felt bad about how he’d spoken to Ayame, especially after Caden advised him. He barely registered the chaotic scene around him until Takoda’s voice broke through the fog.
“Look! They’re filming us for the news!” Takoda pointed toward the assembly of reporters with cameras capturing the scene.
Axka blinked and turned his head, trying to refocus on the present. “Oh shit, where!?” his voice still a little dazed, stopping in his tracks.
“There, bro!” Takoda pointed again, this time more excitedly. A cameraman was sweeping the area, filming the gathering students.
With a chuckle, Axka snapped out of his thoughts amd dashed toward the assembly, with his friends following behind.
As they approached, the cameraman turned his focus on them. They started posing like models, throwing up exaggerated peace signs for every shot. Their antics drew laughter from those around them, some even copying their poses, though with less enthusiasm.
For a moment, the tension from earlier seemed to dissipate as the camera shifted to focus on a news reporter covering the Achievers group from a different angle. Axka allowed himself to relax, feeling the weight on his shoulders lighten, if only slightly. But the moment was short-lived.
Axka's attention was drawn to something else.
As the vehicles rolled by, Axka glanced to each of them, until he noticed something that made his heart sink— Caden was sitting in the back of one of the police cars, his face partially obscured by shadows. It was hard to tell if Caden noticed him.
“Caden!” Axka’s voice cut through the crowd as he ran toward the car. The rest of the group followed, their faces full of concern.
“Where’s he being taken?!” Axka demanded, turning to the nearest officer. His voice was sharp, his hands clenched in fists at his sides.
The officer remained calm, but his words did nothing to soothe Axka’s worry. “He might be one of the suspects connected to the unknown Anomaly user in the building. It could be for further questioning.”
They all watched the police vehicles pull away, disappearing into the distance. Axka’s concern growing with every second.
“I hope he’s not getting arrested,” Smitty muttered under his breath. Axka shot him an annoyed glance before focusing back on the departing convoy.
Moments later, Ms. Lyra and a few other teachers stepped out of the police vehicles that had arrived a few minutes earlier. Axka rushed toward her, his voice urgent. “Miss, what happened to Caden?! I thought everything was sorted with the police and just go home.”
“Everything’s going to be alright, Axka.” Ms. Lyra gave him a tight, reassuring smile, but her eyes held a trace of concern. “We’ll wait for news about him.”
Axka didn’t feel reassured, but before he could ask more questions, a voice boomed over the camp’s PA system, calling for everyone’s attention. “Attention here!”
It was Mr. Lawson, standing at the podium, microphone in hand.
“I apologize for tonight’s mess. We’ve arranged for the auto-buses to take you all home. Each bus is assigned to the nearest location for each of you, so you’ll get home quickly.”
Axka, still focused on the police cars that had disappeared moments ago, couldn’t hold back. His voice cut through the crowd, interrupting Mr. Lawson’s speech. “Sir! What about Mr. Caden?”
The crowd murmured at Axka’s outburst, and Mr. Lawson hesitated, unsure how to respond, until Officer Schmidt stepped forward and whispered something in his ear. With a nod, Mr. Lawson handed the microphone to him.
“Everyone, listen carefully,” Officer Schmidt said, his tone firm. “Tonight, there was an unknown occurrence in the building. We believe it was related to either Rogue or Renegade, and we’ve already apprehended the suspects. Your teacher, Mr. Caden, is being questioned to assist with the investigation.”
Axka’s stomach twisted as Schmidt’s words hung in the air. Students around him sighed in relief, while others whispered their concerns. Axka wasn’t sure whether to feel better or worse.
“For now,” Schmidt continued, “please board the autobuses assigned to you. Your teachers will guide you to the right one.” Schmidt passed the microphone back to Mr. Lawson, who gave a reassuring smile.
“Again, I apologize for the disruption tonight. Tomorrow will be a day off due to the incident, but I expect everyone back in school the day after tomorrow. Please gather your belongings and head to your assigned buses.”
The crowd began to disperse, the usual chatter of students returning as they headed towards their tents. As Axka walked with his friends toward their tents, his mind was still on Caden “Seriously, Negus? Just one day off?” Takodamuttered, more to himself than anyone else.
“Yeah dude,” Aime replied with a shrug, overhearing him. “I thought we’d at least get a week off after this mess.”
“Typical Mr. Lawson,” Smitty added with a chuckle, his mood lightening now that the immediate danger had passed. But Axka remained quiet, only half-listening as they continued to walk. His mind was full of unanswered questions about what would happen next, especially with Caden’s situation.
As they neared the tents, Smitty turned to the group. “Looks like we’re splitting up now. Only you and Takoda live nearby. Aime and I are farther out, so we’ll be heading in different directions.”
“Yeah, we’ll meet again,” Axka said briefly. Takoda added, “School’s not gonna believe us after hearing about this.”
Axka gave a faint smile but said nothing. Anomaly users, Etherea events—these things were hardly everyday occurrences. Axka tried not to show too much concern, worried that if he did, he might end up surrounded by police and locked in an armored vehicle, just like Caden.
was he really safe? Axka felt the unresolved tension tightening in his chest, the same frustration that gnawed at him when Ayame had brushed him aside so easily.
Smitty’s voice broke through Axka’s thoughts once again. Without realizing it, they had already packed their belongings. “The thing is, I really wanted to see the Lightning Ghost—except for that girl’s sword,” Smitty said, as if trying to lighten the mood.
“Bro, her sword is cool, dog.” Aime quickly jumped in.
Smitty agreed with a nod. “Yeah, I hope we meet her again.”
“Yeah,” Takoda came out of the tent, his voice sounded tired. “But right now, I’m beat from today. The punishment, the ghost—I can’t wait to crash at home.”
Aime nodded, yawning. “Yeah, me too.”
Smitty then turned to Axka. “How about you, Axka? Aren’t you sleepy and tired from today?”
“Tired? Yeah, but sleepy, not really,” Axka replied.
Aime teased, “So you’re not sleeping? What are you, a vampire?”
“What, fuck no,” Axka chuckled, shaking his head. “Sure, I need sleep, but I only need about three or less before I’m up again. I’m used to it.”
“Hard labor days really got you, huh?” Cole joked sarcastically.
Axka scoffed, shaking his head with a faint smile, accepting the teasing as usual. But Takoda wasn’t in the mood. His voice tightened as he snapped, “Shut up, Smitty!” The edge in his tone made it clear—he didn’t appreciate the reminder of their hard past.
“It’s fine, Takoda,” Axka said, trying to diffuse the tension.
“Just kidding, man, chill,” Smitty replied quickly.
Then, a sudden voice called from one of the autobuses. “Smitty Cole, please move to your assigned bus!” Ms. Keegan’s voice echoed through her megaphone.
Smitty strapped his backpack to his shoulders. “See you guys later.” He stood up, heading off toward the bus.
“Well, I gotta get going too. Just chat in the group or something,” Aime headed toward the crowd, preparing to hear his name to assigned autobus.
They exchanged their waved goodbyes before Takoda said, “We better get going to ours.”
“Yeah,” Axka replied curtly. Not long after that, they were called to an assigned autobus. They boarded, taking their seats next to each other.
“Hey, I’m going to take a nap. Wake me up when we arrive, alright?” But Takoda, still irritated by Smitty’s earlier teasing, didn’t respond. He stared out the window, seemingly lost in his own thoughts.
The bus started to move, the hum of the engine blending with the soft sound of Takoda’s breathing. Axka sat back, eyes half-closed, but sleep wouldn’t come. His mind kept drifting back to the events of the night—the encounter with Ayame, the Elemental, the moment he saw Caden being driven away.
Axka sighed and leaned back in his seat, the weight of the night pressing down on him. Exhaustion settled in. Despite everything, he hoped that Caden would be alright and that this strange night would finally be over.
Takoda glanced over at him, who had finally drifted off. Part of him wanted to wake him up, to talk through everything that was swirling in his head, but he held back. Instead, he turned his stares back out the window, watching the dark forest to the quiet streets pass by in a blur.
***
The rhythmic sound of a knife against the cutting board, paired with the gentle sizzle of food cooking on the stove, broke through the silence of the early morning. The first light of dawn streamed through the window, casting soft golden hues across the kitchen.
Mika stirred in his bed, rubbing his eyes as the familiar sounds of breakfast being prepared reached his ears. It had been days since Axka had been home, and the quiet mornings without his older brother had left a noticeable void in Mika’s routine.
He shuffled out of bed, still half-asleep, and made his way to the door. The hinges creaked softly as he pushed it open, and the morning light from the hallway flooded into his room.
Standing there, with a broad smile on his face, was Axka.
“Hey, sleepyhead,” Axka said, His voice broke the quiet morning, just like it always was in every morning. A sense of normalcy Mika hadn’t realized he missed.
Mika's face brightened at the sight of his brother. The absence of Axka over the past few days and missing out on his breakfast had left a noticeable gap in his morning routine. Excitement bubbled up inside him.
“Axka!”