Fire. Everywhere.

The world was a canvas painted in deep oranges and fierce reds, where shadows danced like mischievous demons, playing tricks on the eyes and mind. Smoke veiled the environment, rendering the familiar setting of our apartment an ethereal, and unwelcoming place.

I huddled against my mother’s leg as we crept down the staircase, smoke billowing around us in dark plumes. Each step felt as though we were descending deeper into some ancient and forbidden realm. The walls, previously painted in a calming shade of blue, were now marred with soot and ash. I didn’t remember much about this time, but I always remembered that my mother kept inked scrolls that recountied tales of gods and spirits in our humble home.

My mother’s hand was both warm and firm, a safety anchor in this bewildering sea of chaos. I could barely see past my tiny fingers, but her presence was an undeniable comfort. She had always been like that, big and safe, and my younger self always thought that she’d talked with words that sometimes seemed like they were borrowed from a storybook.

Through the haze, a window came into view. I peeped out, my wide eyes drinking in the scene. The tall buildings, which I'd always seen reaching up to the sky, were now spewing out angry clouds. And there, amidst the turmoil, floated strange creatures with glowing blue eyes. They moved gracefully, much like the dragons in the bedtime stories she read to me.

The streets below were filled with shambling men and women, their faces pale and distorted, moving in a manner unlike any people I'd seen before. It was as if they were being pulled by invisible strings, in a dance they couldn’t control. Some of their eyes held a vacant blue glow similar to the flying monsters.

"These ones are lost," Mommy whispered when she saw me staring. "We mustn't let them see us, okay?"

I nodded, gripping her tighter. I didn’t understand who these 'lost ones' were, but the urgency in my mother’s voice told me enough. There was a strange feeling in the pit of my stomach, like the unease I felt when I misplaced my favorite toy, but magnified a hundredfold.

There was an odd stillness outside, punctuated by the flapping of the creatures' wings, and the distant screams and rumbles. Screams, that I could recall, made me feel all wobbly. I noticed the strange spirals and swirls that the smoke formed, reminding me of our family's special papers that had big swirls and fancy paintings.

"Why are the birdies so angry, Mommy?" I asked, my voice quivering. I'd never seen anything quite like this outside of the colorful illustrations in my picture books.

She paused for a brief moment, searching for words. "They are not our regular birdies, sweet one. We must move quickly and stay away from them."

Her voice had a gravity to it, like when she tells me not to touch the hot stove or run with scissors. I nodded, pressing my face into the fabric of her jeans.

We continued our descent, my little shoes padding softly against the steps. The weight of the air grew heavier, and the world seemed to shimmer around the edges. Each flicker and glint made me think of the twinkling stars in the night sky and the tales of celestial realms where gods played and rested. I distinctly remembered thinking - Would the lady who makes the night, the one in Mommy's stories, come to help us?

My mother’s whispered words broke my reverie. "Stay close, love. We'll find safety soon."

That shimmer around everything was becoming more pronounced, making everything look wavy, as if I was viewing it from underwater.

The distant noise of shattering glass and muffled roars grew louder, each one sending tremors through my little frame. Still, I tried to keep pace with my mother, my small hand enveloped in her unyielding grip.

She pulled out her phone, briefly, scowling as she looked down on it, before tucking it away with a sigh.

Then, the surreal quality of our surroundings intensified. The ground beneath us seemed to shift, elongating the hallway we stood in. It felt as if reality itself was being twisted and pulled, reshaped by unseen hands.

Suddenly, everything changed.

We were no longer in our burning apartment building but in another structure entirely, distinctly different yet eerily familiar. The weight of the air lifted slightly, replaced by the sterile scent of hidden metal walls. The change was jarring, as if we'd been plucked from one nightmare and thrust into another.

My mother's appearance had changed too. The casual purple sweatshirt she wore was stained, not by the ash from the fires but by deep, dark splotches of blood, a haunting contrast against her smooth, pale skin. She had a wakizashi drawn, its blade gleaming malevolently in the dim light. The short sword, usually displayed ceremoniously at home, looked out of place in her grasp, and yet she held it as if it was an extension of herself.

We found ourselves in a vast lobby, with tall marbled pillars that echoed memories of grandeur, now marred with soot and ash. . But what made my heart race faster than ever were the shambling figures ahead, their grotesque forms illuminated by the occasional spark of shattered electric fixtures. The vacant blue glow in their eyes gave away their intentions.

Mommy pulled me close, her eyes never leaving the encroaching horde. "Ikazuchi, my beautiful, precocious child," she whispered in her formal tone, "I will love you. Always."

Her stance solidified, each muscle coiled and ready. She looked like a statue, a guardian from ancient tales, standing between the evil of the world and her beloved child.

The distance closed rapidly. The stench of rot and decay became overpowering. It was clear she wouldn't be able to fend them all off. Still, she charged forward with a fury I'd never seen, the wakizashi slicing through the air with an eerie grace, cutting down the first of the creatures.

But there were too many.

My heartbeat echoed in my ears, a relentless drum growing louder and faster. The grotesque faces of the horde loomed closer, their hands grasping hungrily. I saw them overcome her, pulling her down, tearing at her. My scream was trapped in my throat, a raw, primal fear overtaking me as I watched the unspeakable horror unfold.

"No!" I shrieked, extending my arm as tears blurred my vision.

Or rather, the bloody remains of it.

----------------------------------------

Suddenly, a jolt.

"Ikki! Yo, wake up!" A voice cut through the horrifying scene, shattering it into a million pieces. The world around me blurred and shifted, fading away as I was dragged back into the present. The feeling of cool sheets under my fingers, the muted colors of a dim room, and the familiar scent of old books grounded me.

My heart was still racing, the phantom screams and growls echoing in my ears. I blinked rapidly, trying to shake off the lingering shadows of the dream. It took a moment to recognize the face looming above mine, her wide, shimmering, concerned eyes searching mine as she stood over me, hands against the wall behind me.

"Jeez, you were hollerin' in your sleep again. Nightmare?" Her tone was gruff, but her touch was gentle as she pushed a damp strand of hair from my face.

"Yeah," I managed, my voice shaky, "the same one." The remnants of the dream clung to me like cobwebs, making my skin crawl.

My twelve year old sister gave me an exasperated look, her straight, chest length black hair framing a face with a mix of maturity and childlike innocence.

Izumi had cute features, with cheeks that puffed out slightly when she was annoyed, and right now, they were very puffed. Her almond-shaped eyes had a fierce gleam in them, a steely resolve that belied her age. Her freckles, a light sprinkle across her nose, made her look somewhat mischievous, and a faded Buffy the Vampire Slayer tee, one she had scavenged and become particularly attached to, clung to her small frame.

"You’ve gotta stop eatin' those canned beans before bed," she teased, her voice dripping with that unique twang she'd picked up during our time on the move.

I groaned, rubbing my temples. "It's not the beans, Izumi. It's... everything." My fingers traced the scarred and stained wallpaper of our new makeshift home, the textures grounding me further.

She crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow, her way of silently telling me she wasn't buying it. But before she could launch into one of her pep talks, her gaze shifted to the window, the dappled morning light casting a glow on her face.

"Look," she said softly, "it ain't easy for any of us, but we got a new start here, alright? This place ain't too shabby for a crib in the reclamation." She smirked, nudging me with her elbow.

I glanced out, taking in the ruins of Manhattan, the once-bustling city now eerily silent, with nature reclaiming most of its territories. Vines crept up the sides of buildings, and distant sounds of water splashing hinted at the East River's ebb and flow.

"Besides," Izumi continued, her voice taking on a more serious tone as she snuggled in close, "we've got each other, right? So, no more of these freaky dreams, okay?"

“It’s not like I have a choice,” I retorted weakly, pushing myself up into a sitting position. “It’s… just randomly happened since we got back here.”

She smirked, a hint of her usual bravado peeking through. “Well, you need to snap out of it. Big day today. Dad’s taking you and his boys to scout out the North End, remember?”

"Yeah, I remember," I replied, rubbing the sleep from my eyes.

“Good,” she said, straightening up. “'Cause if you want to sleep in, I’m not carrying your butt downstairs.”

“Thanks for the wake-up call, Izumi,” I said, trying to inject some levity into the conversation, patting her head as she leaned in next to me.

She shot me a smirk, her lips curling up just a bit. She was bad about skirting around the issue, but I knew she worried about me. These nightmares had become frequent ever since we arrived in New York, and she was always the one to wake me up, even if her methods were a bit unorthodox.

She rolled her eyes but grinned, “Yeah, yeah. Now get dressed and c’mon downstairs. Dad’s waiting!”

As she turned to leave the room, I noticed the way she paused at the door, giving me a worried once-over, ensuring I was okay. Izumi had always been like that, putting on a tough front but deep down, she was fiercely protective, especially of me.

I pulled the thin blanket off and swung my legs over the side of the mattress. The cold wooden floor sent a shock up through my feet, jolting me further awake. Scanning the room, I found my clothes neatly folded on a chair by the window. As I began to dress, I caught sight of the envelope on the corner of the old wooden desk. The creamy paper, now slightly crinkled, bore the insignia of St. Antonia's Preparatory Academy. I traced the embossed logo with my fingers, the memory of my acceptance filling me with a mix of pride and uncertainty.

Stuffing the letter back into its envelope, I quickly finished dressing and headed downstairs. The scents wafting from the makeshift kitchen made my stomach grumble in anticipation. The combination of canned vegetables and meats was a familiar one by now.

As I reached the bottom of the stairs, I spotted my dad by the stove, a large skillet in hand. He flipped a piece of canned ham, making it sizzle as it hit the hot metal. Tall and powerfully built with a fade haircut he shaped with his own hands, he had the kind of frame that spoke of years of hard labor and manual work. His face was a map of experiences; every line and scar told a story. Though his exterior was gruff, there was a softness in his eyes, especially when he was looking after us.

He glanced up, a smile playing on his lips. "Morning, Ikki. Sleep well?"

I shrugged, trying to play it off, but his observant eyes saw right through me. "Nightmare again?"

"Same one," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. "It'll pass."

His brow furrowed with concern, but he nodded. "Yeah… shit. Sorry to hear that. But remember, those are just memories, son. We've got a brighter day ahead of us."

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

I nodded and sighed, taking in the smell of sizzling meat. Izumi slid in next to me, grabbing a piece of ham and taking a big bite. She shot me a wink, clearly trying to lighten the mood.

Dad quietly stirred the pot before turning his attention back to our conversation. "You know, when I signed us up for this reclamation project, I didn't think it'd be this... peaceful. Pay ain’t half bad either."

"It's only been a month, Dad," I pointed out. "We can’t get complacent - I mean you kinda expected it and warned us, but we have a gang problem brewing up here already.”

Dad let out a deep chuckle, his mustache twitching. "Always the realist, aren't ya? But you're right. There are always challenges in building something new." He paused, moving the pan off the burner and onto a metal trivet. "It's not just about taking back our city. It's about creating a home, and laying down a foundation for once."

Izumi grunted in agreement, her mouth full of food. "This is home now. And we're gonna make it work. Right, Ikki?"

"I hope so," I said softly, thinking about the academy and the world across the portal. "But I’m not gonna be on this side for much longer, remember?"

Dad's gaze turned soft, almost wistful. "Right… the reason we’re here in the first place."

I sat down, poking at the food. My thoughts wandered back to the portal, the shimmering gateway to Terra sitting on Washington Square park.

"I've been thinking about Shoreline City a lot," I mused, "about what it'd be like there. It’s New York’s cultural counterpart, but... untouched. They have advanced tech, floating markets, buildings that touch the clouds, and even holographic streets. And the people there... they’re like Jae-hee, right? Hair and eye colors that span the entire rainbow. Magical Girls patrolling the streets, even."

Jae; he was a guy in his late 30s, slightly taller than my father, with a shock of silver hair that always seemed to defy gravity. His Terran heritage was evident in his vibrant violet eyes, which contrasted starkly against his tanned skin. Jae was one of the salvage experts that had come out here to help, and he'd been working closely with my dad to map out potential zones for salvage in the city. I knew I’d be working with him later today.

Dad shook his head, smiling. "You've always been the dreamer, Ikki. It's good to have hope, especially now. But remember, they might have saved us with their Magical Girls and magitech, but they're different from us. Their culture, their ways... it's not going to be easy to fit in."

"I don't need to fit in," I replied, determination in my voice. "I just need to make it. For us. I could get visas for both of you and get us out of this hole."

Izumi’s fork clattered against her plate. “Hey! This ‘hole’ is our home. And we don’t run from a fight, especially when it’s to make our home better. Don't forget that."

I glanced at her, guilt gnawing at my insides. She was right. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that we’d be better off away from all this danger. "I'm not forgetting, Izumi," I said quietly. "But if I can give us a better life, shouldn't I?"

Dad leaned back, taking a sip of his water. "Ikki, we're proud of you. Always have been. Getting chosen to represent our world over there is no small feat. But your sister's right. This is our home, and while Terra may seem like a dream compared to what you two had to grow up in, it has its own challenges."

I frowned, my thoughts tumbling over each other. "I've heard rumors, Dad. About the tension there. Jae mentioned something about… having trouble with Earth refugees?”

Dad's expression turned somber. "Every society has its issues. Terra might have their Magic and advanced magitech that comes from it, but they've got problems, same as us. The Terrans by and large see us as downtrodden refugees, survivors of a fallen world. Sure, we’ve provided them with a ton of what we see as ‘conventional’ tech that they’d never developed on their own. However, a lot of people over there see us as inferior due to our lack of magical traditions. There are some like Jae who'd welcome us with open arms, but others... not so much."

Izumi chimed in, her tone hardened as she reached over and gave me a half-hearted noogie, "And that's exactly why you need to be careful, nii-nii. You think it's all fun and rainbows over there? Just 'cause they got cool buildings and funky hair colors? We’ve heard plenty of stories of Earth folk getting put through the meat grinder there."

It’d only been twenty years since monsters suddenly began to emerge from portals all around the world. The Chaos Events, as they’d be dubbed by our Terran saviors, had started small at first. Then, it escalated, with gargantuan creatures emerging that brought entire cities to their knees. The fall of New York was a blur to my young mind, but the sight of staring out the window as a three-year-old seeing the city burn would never leave me. The skies had been blotted out with monstrosities, and the echoing screams of terror filled every corner of the city.

Terra’s Magical Girls had arrived before that, of course. Initially, they were just a couple of representatives, curiously investigating portals that had persisted in their world after driving off a Chaos Event. Communications and embassies were quickly established, and technology and goods alike began to move across the portals.

However, something occurred when I was about two or three years old, causing a massive onslaught that ramped up the threat exponentially. The monsters that came out of the portals multiplied, their sizes grew, and the cityscape was laid to waste in a matter of weeks. Earth's combined military might was not enough to counter the massive onslaught. But just when all seemed lost, a massive force of Magical Girls poured out from the portals, turning the tide of the battle.

The full might of Terra was unleashed in defense of our world in a matter of days. Colorful, radiant beams of energy, powerful spells that mended and destroyed, and above all, the unwavering strength and unity of the Magical Girls had turned the tide of the battle. But their arrival was not just about heroics; it was a bridge between two worlds. The emergence of the portals was an omen, a tear in the very fabric of reality.

The solution that was unanimously settled on? To unilaterally remove all barriers, and join forces.

While Terra offered magic and the revolutions that would bring, Earth shared its advanced technological knowledge in fields ranging from metallurgy and agriculture, to budding AI research and superconductors. We became their bridge to conventional tech and science, while they provided us with magical support and knowledge. Most of the world was still intact here, and the developed world came out largely intact, but Earth was undeniably a shadow of its former self.

Now, Terra was seen as a beacon of hope for us, a world untouched by the chaos that had ravaged Earth. But as Dad and Izumi pointed out, every paradise has its shadows.

I took a deep breath, pushing away the memories. "I know it's not going to be easy," I said, my voice steady. "But I want to give it a shot. Not just for me, but for both of you too."

Dad nodded, his face softened. "We just want you to be careful, son. We've lost enough. And we don’t want to lose you to misunderstandings or politics."

"Or snooty Terrans," Izumi added with a smirk.

I chuckled, shaking my head. "Trust me, if I've dealt with snooty Izumi all these years, I think I can handle a few Terrans."

Izumi stuck out her tongue, and we all laughed.

Dad sighed, resting a hand on my shoulder. "Look, son. You've got a golden opportunity at St. Antonia's. Use it. Learn. Grow. But always remember where you come from. And if things get tough over there, if you ever feel out of place, remember your roots. Remember us. We’ll always be here for you."

I gulped down a piece of ham, the weight of the conversation settling on my shoulders. "I'll remember, Dad. But it's an opportunity. For knowledge, for growth. If I can secure visas for both of you, then we could..."

Dad raised a hand, cutting me off. "We appreciate it, son. But your goal should be to learn, to adapt, and bring that knowledge back here. We have a mission here in this city."

A silence descended upon the room, only interrupted by the distant hum of machinery and the sporadic chirping of birds outside.

Izumi cleared her throat, trying to ease the tension. "Well, for what it's worth, I think it's cool. Just... promise me you'll write and bring back some of that fancy magitech stuff? Oh, and if you meet a hot anime-looking guy, introduce him to your sister, okay? But seriously. Imagine what Dad could do with some magitech in his workshop."

Both Dad and I couldn't help but laugh, the tension melting away. Dad ruffled Izumi's hair, making her grumble and swat his hand away. "Always the bright spark, aren't you, kiddo?"

She shot a defiant look in his direction but grinned nonetheless. "Someone's got to keep you old farts on your toes."

As I looked down and really began to dig into my breakfast, there was a knock on our front door. Dad straightened up, setting the skillet down. "Ah, that must be Jae-hee," he said.

Izumi and I exchanged glances. Her gaze was filled with worry, while mine was tinged with anticipation. While I had heard stories of the North End and its potential for salvaging, I was also aware of the dangers that lay within.

Opening the door, my dad greeted Jae with a firm handshake. "Ready for the trip?"

Jae nodded, his sharp eyes scanning the room briefly before they settled on me. "Young Ikki's coming too, huh?" he asked with a hint of amusement.

"I thought it would be good for him," Dad replied, his voice filled with a mix of pride and concern. "Besides, he's got a keen eye for finding things."

Jae chuckled, his demeanor easing slightly. "Well, let's hope those eyes stay sharp today. North End isn't a walk in the park."

I swallowed hard, trying to dispel the lump in my throat.

North End - formerly known as The South Bronx, was the location of a notorious last stand during the Fall of New York. I’d been three years old at the time, and thankfully, I didn’t remember much about it, save for the blurry whirlwind of events that led to my mother’s death. The east side of North End was filled with abandoned junkyards and warehouses, and unclaimed carcasses of Chaos Beasts that had been slain. Their cores were valuable, and powered much of the magitech devices that made our current way of life possible. The salvage trip to North End wasn't just about collecting trinkets and tools, but also about finding and securing these cores.

In theory, it wasn’t too dangerous. Babylon’s Neg-entropy fields had been set up all around the island and North End, and their Magical Girls had cleared out most of the remaining Chaos Beasts. But there were still reports of scouts and reclaimers disappearing without a trace out here. We were two weeks into the reclamation project of the North End, and already there were murmurs of the North End being cursed or haunted. Though no one had found any evidence to back up such claims, and there were outings virtually every week, there was no denying the unease that settled in the pit of most people's stomachs when it came to scouting that part of the city.

Izumi put a hand on my arm, gripping me firmly as she leaned in. "Hey, promise me you'll stay close to Dad and Jae," she whispered, her voice trembling just slightly.

I met her gaze, nodding. "I promise. Besides, it’s not just us. There are six of us in total, remember?"

She squeezed my arm once before letting go. "Just... be careful, okay?"

"Always am," I assured her, ruffling her hair and trying to sound braver than I felt.

Her hand moved down to grip the locket around her neck. It was identical to the one around my neck, and I clicked mine with a smile. The locket opened up to reveal a family picture we’d taken when we had moved to Philadelphia a few years ago.

It was one of the few mementos we had left from our time there, before everything changed again and we found ourselves being part of the reclamation mission. Seeing that picture always filled me with warmth. It was a reminder that no matter where we went, family would always have my back.

Izumi's grip on her locket tightened for a moment, then she gave me a fierce grin. "You better come back in one piece, or I’ll come and drag you out myself." Her tone was playful, but there was a depth of seriousness behind her words.

Dad and Jae were now deep in conversation, poring over a salvaging map spread on the table. I took a moment to study it, noting the red circles and crossed-out areas which indicated spots either already picked over or deemed too dangerous.

Jae caught my gaze, "It's a lot to take in, isn't it?"

I nodded, "Feels like every week, there's a new zone we're trying to reclaim. The city's big, but it's surprising how much we've managed to cover in just a month."

"That's the spirit of humanity for you," he said with a smirk. "You guys never give up here on Earth, no matter the odds."

A chuckle escaped my lips, "Sounds like something out of an old movie."

"Life is stranger than fiction, kid." Jae winked, flipping the map and pointing at the North End, the zone they'd be exploring today.

"Today, we're focusing on this quadrant," Jae said, tapping a finger against a section of the map. "There are several Chaos Beast kill zones in this area, abandoned by Babylon High Command when the city fell. If the intel we received is accurate, we might still have salvageable cores right next to a food processing plant. It's a gold mine of resources if we play our cards right."

I leaned in, trying to absorb as much information as possible. Each marked location, every scribbled note, it all held vital information for our journey. As I studied the map, I could feel Izumi's gaze lingering on me. It warmed me to know she cared so much, but I also sensed something else – an unspoken worry, an apprehension. Perhaps she felt the same about this mission as I did. After all, the North End was notorious for weird activity from the Chaos Beasts that had long since been defeated.

Jae’s voice broke through my thoughts, "Remember, Ikki, we'll be in and out. The main goal is to identify potential locations and then send in a larger team to do the heavy lifting. It's a recon mission. Stick close, and if you see anything unusual, don’t try to be a hero. Report it."

I nodded, processing his words.

"Alright, let's get moving," Dad said, folding up the map and stuffing it into his bag. He looked over at me, a proud but concerned expression on his face. "You ready?"

"Always," I replied, trying to exude a confidence I wasn't entirely sure I felt.

As we headed towards the door, Izumi moved quickly, catching up with me. She slipped something into my hand – a small metal charm that looked like a lily of some sort. "Found this in one of the rooms upstairs when we moved in. Thought it might bring you luck."

I squeezed the charm, feeling its cool, metal surface. "Thanks, Izumi," I whispered, pocketing it.

She winked at me, "Remember, come back in one piece, or you’ll have to deal with me."

I chuckled, "Wouldn’t dream of crossing you."

I headed towards the door, pulling on my leather jacket. But before I could step out, Izumi grabbed my wrist, pulling me into a tight hug. I could feel her heartbeat against my chest, rapid and nervous.

"I'm serious, big bro," she whispered into my ear. "Come back safe."

I turned around and hugged her back, rubbing her back up and down as I took in the familiar scent of jasmine she favored. "I will," I promised, giving her one last squeeze before letting go.

Dad shot me a reassuring smile, clapping me on the back as we stepped outside. The sun was bright, its rays casting a golden glow over the desolate streets. It was hard to imagine that, once upon a time, this place was bustling with life.

I took one last look at Izumi, memorizing the pout her face had twisted into as she gripped her locket with one hand. It always amazed me how such a twelve year old girl could be so fierce. Then again, she had to grow up fast in the world we lived in.

As I headed for the door, I thought about the city around us, the monsters that still lurked in the shadows, and our attempt to reclaim what was once ours. And while I was filled with a mix of excitement and trepidation, I was reassured by the knowledge that I had my family by my side. I stepped out of the townhouse, and the morning sun hit my face, casting a golden hue over the ruined skyline of Manhattan as we made our way to dad’s truck.

A short journey to the edge of the city awaited, and with it, the next chapter in our fight to take back our home.