Time stopped at Seiku City Southeast Alley The world around me shifted to a cold, silent gray, as if someone had stolen the color and life from the city. Ziekary was frozen, hanging mid-air as she tried to evade the blade coming down. But something strange had happened, something that left even the blade Fake Charlotte herself suspended in place. It was like she’d been paused in the middle of her strike, as if trapped in some twisted photograph.
Ziekary managed to draw a breath. "Wait… I didn’t stop moving. Why… why is everything else frozen?"
She scanned the empty, still surroundings. The alley was covered in shadows, the city lights above casting muted, ghostly hues on the walls and pavement. It was haunting. But why was she the only one still able to move?
"What’s going on?"
From above Seiku City Rooftops, I saw it all. I watched the alley, Ziekary, and the knife inches from her throat, both hanging in the dead air.
This was bad. No, it was worse than bad. This wasn’t supposed to happen.
The rules here were broken, and the gravity… it was all wrong. I felt it, too heavy one second, barely there the next. I shook my head, resigning myself to an "old-school back to ol Parkour me" approach. Not like I had a choice
I adjusted my stance, focusing on each roof ahead as I jumped. The city below blurred by as I rushed across the rooftops. My breaths came out shallow, sharp, quickening with each leap.
"Hold on, Ziekary," I muttered. "I’m coming."
At Seiku City, Southeast Alley I watched from above, heart pounding as I caught sight of her struggling down below. Ziekary was trying to pull herself out, her breaths coming in jagged gasps as she fought to get away from Fake Charlotte. Her face was pale, her movements shaky, but she kept pushing herself forward, as if sheer will alone could keep her running.
This is her chance, I thought. She just has to keep going.
But even from a distance, I could see the exhaustion weighing her down, like the universe itself was conspiring to keep her trapped. I knew her story all too wellthe past she couldn’t shake, the endless string of setbacks that had left her resigned to a life of bad luck and broken dreams.
I couldn’t forget the glimpses she’d shared with me about her past. The way she’d been knocked down, over and over, by people and by fate itself. I’d watched her struggle under the weight of it all, like some cosmic joke played at her expense. It was cruel, unfair and I hated knowing how close she was to just giving up. She carried scars that ran deep, and in moments like this, those wounds felt fresh again.
Ziekary, you’re stronger than you think. You don’t deserve this.
As I watched, she stumbled and fell to her knees, her body finally giving in. She looked so small, so defeated, lying there on the cold, unforgiving ground. Her lips moved, and even though I couldn’t hear her, I could feel the words echoing up to me.
"Maybe I’m meant to die right here…" Her expression was empty, as if all the fight had drained from her. "Nothing good ever happens to me anyway."
I clenched my fists. No. She didn’t get to give up like this. She wasn’t just a “case of bad luck”not to me. I could feel the rage building up inside, a heat that pushed me forward.
Hold on, Ziekary. Don’t give up now. I’m almost there.
Without another thought, I launched myself off the rooftop, aiming to reach her in time. I wasn’t going to let her end like this. Not if I had any say in it.
Time snapped back into motion. I could feel it, like a rubber band suddenly released, as the world around me returned to its usual hue. The grayness faded, sounds flooded back, and with it came Fake Charlotte’s sharp, startled voice.
“Huh?” Her head whipped around, eyes scanning the alley in confusion. “What just happened? Where’s my target!”
She let out an irritated scream that echoed against the walls, and I used her distraction to close the distance. As I neared, I could see Ziekary lying on the ground, motionless. My pulse hammered as I dropped from the rooftop, landing silently just behind Fake Charlotte.
I looked down, assessing the alley and my position. I was close enough now to hear her breathing a steady, arrogant calm that told me she still believed she was in control. Not for long.
Fake Charlotte turned, catching sight of me at last. Her mouth twisted into a smirk as she sauntered toward the alley’s edge, not yet aware of how trapped she was. She’d looked like a predator before, but now she was a cornered rat.
"How nice of you to finally show up," she sneered, sizing me up. Her gaze fell to my feet, her smirk widening. "So it’s true you don’t have any shadows at all."
I gave her a cold stare, but she wasn’t finished. "So, your body contains a huge percentage of dark matter indeed!" She sounded impressed, like she was admiring some rare, twisted artifact. I felt the irritation build up, but I kept my expression neutral.
"Who are you, exactly?" My voice was calm, but I could feel the tension simmering beneath the surface.
"Are you asking me to show you my real identity?" Her voice dipped, dripping with mockery. "Or just my name?"
I stepped forward, letting my gaze harden. "Doesn’t matter if I pick either one of your options. I’m about to end your life anyway."
She laughed a sharp, twisted sound that scraped against my nerves. "I’d like to see you try!"
At Seiku City, Southeast Alley, fake Charlotte’s eyes narrowed, and in an instant, she launched an attack from afar. I barely had a second to react, feeling a surge of dark energy hurtling my way.
“Never underestimate me!” she hissed, her voice carrying a dangerous edge. Her form blurred, her movements shrouded in a dark, swirling aura. I steadied myself, sensing the weight of her attack building in the air between us.
Meanwhile at Grandeur City, Zemstan Technology back at the lab Rylee sat hunched over a console, tapping through streams of data with an expression of frustration. She exhaled sharply, rubbing her temples. “Alright, so without the full resources of this company, we’re looking at about a 46% chance of finding his exact location.”
Junichi leaned back in his chair, barely glancing up as he sipped his coffee. “This is why I don’t bother wasting energy on restoring significant losses,” he muttered, the edges of his mouth turning up in a dry smile.
Rylee shot him an exasperated look. “The point is cleaning up our mess, Junichi. We can’t live like this, with these filthy outsiders constantly lurking around, messing with things, and screwing around behind Kyrie’s back.”
Junichi shrugged, setting his mug down with a soft clink. “You’re just now realizing they’re all after one thing his black heart organ, the ‘destruct system,’ as we call it.”
Rylee frowned, considering. “True… The organ does contain 58% dark matter, after all. Makes it impossible for just anyone to track him precisely.”
“Exactly,” Junichi said, nodding. “That’s the one upside here, Professor. They might be scouring the universe thinking Kyrie’s right here in Grandeur City, but he’s not.”
He took another slow sip, eyes drifting back to the screens, seeming almost pleased with the layer of mystery that still surrounded me.
Junichi leaned back, his voice lowering as he continued, “Even worse, his other life in Zion… things are different now, unlike before.” He took a sip of his coffee, a hint of concern in his usually calm demeanor. “Kyrie is invulnerable as long as he doesn’t use the destruct system.”
Rylee’s brows knit together, a hint of worry flashing across her face. “I’m worried about that too. What if he decides to use it?”
Junichi set his coffee mug down, his gaze turning serious. “That’s the problem. He’s a powerful hybrid, but if he uses even 85% of that power… well, let’s just say the entire universe might start to come down on him.”
He looked off, as if contemplating the weight of his words. “And from what I can tell, it’s probably worse in the world he’s in right now.”
Rylee nodded slowly, her fingers tapping against her console. “I’m following up with an order to Leeway.”
Unaware of their discussion, I could still feel that tugging sensation deep within, that awareness of the dark power coiled up inside me, waiting. Fake Charlotte’s attacks felt like child’s play compared to what I knew I could unleash if I had to. But there was always that question haunting the edge of my thoughts: What would happen if I actually let it loose?
The destruct system… I knew what it was capable of. Sometimes, I could almost feel the edges of its power, lying dormant, like a beast waiting for a command. And yet, every time I tapped into even a fraction of it, the weight of that decision pressed on me like an invisible hand. Is it worth risking everything to use it?
Fake Charlotte had no idea who she was dealing with, not really. She had the audacity to think she could take me on. But part of me wondered… if I unleashed the full power, would it be more than just her that crumbled?
I shook the thought from my head, refocusing on her as she geared up for her next strike. NoI'd keep my power in check, at least for now. I didn't need the destruct system to handle her. This fight was mine to finish.
At Shintenseiku Six Sense Hospital the ambulance lights flashed across the hospital entrance, illuminating the sterile white building. I moved in closer, slipping from shadow to shadow, trying to keep out of sight. Ziekary had been rushed in, and I couldn’t shake the tightness in my chest. Every instinct told me to stay close, to know exactly how she was doing. She was out of reach for now, but her heartbeat… I strained, trying to sense it from outside, focusing through the walls, the pillars, anything between us.
Finally, I caught the faint rhythm. She was weak, but still there. I let out a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding.
Inside, I could see her lying unconscious on a hospital bed, looking smaller than she ever did when she was on her feet, ready to push back against the world. My fists tightened. I’d made it in time to keep Fake Charlotte from taking her out, but it felt like a hollow victory with Ziekary here, hooked up to machines in a sterile, clinical room.
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A nurse entered, a clipboard in hand. She moved closer to Ziekary, her voice soft, almost routine. “Okay, Ms. Ziekary, time for your check-up.”
The moment the nurse placed her hand on Ziekary’s shoulder, something inside me snapped. I couldn’t stand it anymore I needed to be closer, needed to make sure she was safe.
Without thinking, I launched forward, crashing through the hospital window in a spray of glass. The nurse stumbled back, eyes wide with terror, her scream echoing through the room. I caught my breath, adjusting to the bright, sterile light around me.
Ziekary was right there, inches away. And now, nothing could keep me from her side.
At Shintenseiku Six Sense Hospital the nurse stumbled back, terrified. Her voice was shaky as she stammered, “I-I w-what?!”
I smirked, keeping my tone casual despite the chaos around me. “Hey, what’s up? Can I borrow that syringe for a minute?” Before she could react, I lunged for the syringe. She dropped it, her scream cutting through the air as she bolted out of the room. “Help! There’s an intruder on the loose!”
I shook my head as I picked up the syringe, quickly turning it towards my arm. “This is only gonna hurt for a while.”
The needle slid in, and I drew a small amount of my own blood. It was the only way I could give her a shot literally. Quickly, I injected my blood into the syringe meant for Ziekary, watching the fluid mix with hers. I was hoping this would be enough to pull her out of whatever state she was in.
As soon as I finished, her body stirred. Ziekary sat up, her eyes still heavy, like she was in a trance.
“...”
I stepped closer, relieved. “You’re all better, see? No need for hospital treatment.” But that peace didn’t last long. I heard the approaching footsteps, the sound of frantic voices. the nurse was getting nearer, still calling for help. “He’s over here!”
Damn it, I thought, glancing at the door.
The door swung open just as I turned to face it, but I wasn’t fast enough to escape. The police officer stepped in, looking confused. “Wait, I don’t see anyone, but the patient…” Ziekary blinked, still disoriented as she looked around. “Wait, I’m awake? Where am I?” Her eyes landed on me, and I could feel her confusion mix with something else something familiar.
Then, I saw her look down at herself.
She was wearing my jacket. Ziekary mutters “Wait… is this?”
Before I could respond, The nurse barged back into the room, her frantic eyes searching. “I’m sure he was here. You saw someone, right?”
Her words were distant to me as I focused on Ziekary. She was awake. That was all that mattered now.
Ziekary blinked, still processing the world around her, and then glanced over at the nurse. “Umm, no, I just woke up, so I haven’t seen anyone.” Her voice was steady, but there was something uncertain in her tone. She looked out the window, her eyes searching for something anything to make sense of the situation.
“Did Kyrie save me?”
I stood silently outside, perched atop one of the taller buildings overlooking the hospital. She didn’t know it yet, but I had already put my plan into motion. It was better this way far better for her not to get any more involved in this mess.
"I expect you to go home, don’t get involved further, please."
I hoped my words would reach her, even if I wasn’t there in person to say them. She needed to stay safe, and I wasn’t going to risk her life anymore than I already had.
Down below, in that sterile room, Ziekary lay back in the hospital bed, staring at the ceiling as the confusion faded from her face. She didn’t know it, but the real danger was just outside the walls of that room, lingering.
I glanced at her once more before making my decision.
I jumped from the rooftop, my body gliding through the air as I vanished into the night, leaving the hospital behind me, leaving her behind for now.
At Seiku City Main Street chaos erupted in the streets as Lost Morph began to spread through the crowds, their grotesque forms lingering in the shadows, hunting. Citizens screamed in terror, their voices blending with the pounding of their footsteps as they ran for their lives.
The panic was palpable, the streets becoming a warzone as fear gripped everyone in sight. But in the midst of this chaos, I couldn’t afford to lose focus. I couldn’t let this continue.
Just as the situation seemed to worsen, something… shifted. Time stopped.
And out of nowhere, a dark hole opened in the air, and from it, Kiyon stepped through, looking more bored than concerned.
“So he’s still here… but man, how did I get here again?”
I watched him as he surveyed the scene, his eyes scanning the surroundings, almost as if the Lost Morph weren't even a threat. Typical Kiyon always laid back, even when things got intense.
He smiled, an expression that was somehow both lazy and mischievous. The world around him was frozen, but his movements were fluid, unaffected by the standstill.
I made my presence known, stepping out from the shadows and appearing directly in front of him. I stood there, eyes narrowed as Kiyon appeared in front of me. His presence was never a good omen, especially now, when everything seemed to be falling apart around us.
I muttered “Well, nice of you to finally show up.”
Kiyon gave me one of his usual, half-hearted shrugs, like he couldn't be bothered with the situation at hand.
What brings you here? Don’t tell me you’re the one who’s causing this mess?”
Kiyon stared at me with that infuriatingly relaxed look on his face. His tone was dripping with sarcasm. “Are you really an idiot? Or just pretending to be an idiot? It’s obviousI’m the one causing all the struggles you're facing.”
I took a deep breath, trying to keep my anger in check. The tension between us was always thick, but I couldn’t afford to lose focus on the bigger picture.
“Why? Why are you doing this?”
Kiyon’s smile faded, replaced by something sharper, something that cut deeper than I ever expected. “It’s because I hate you.”
I wasn’t surprised, but I still felt the sting. It was always like this with him, our words clashing like swords, but I could sense there was something deeper driving him.
I smirked, trying to keep my composure even as his words hit harder than he probably realized.“Tsk, come on, this isn't the first time we’ve argued.”
My voice softened a little as I stepped closer, my gaze never leaving his.
“You know, if I were you, I wouldn’t say something so uncaring.”
His eyes narrowed in annoyance, but he didn't back down.
“Because whether you like me or not, I’m still your brother.”
Kiyon’s anger flared, his fists clenched as if he could barely contain himself. tsks “I am sick of you being my brother, you know why? 'Cause this is all your fault! Auntie died because of you!”
My heart sank. The words hit with an intensity I wasn't ready for, the weight of his accusation crushing me. I knew he was angry, but hearing it out loud… it was a different kind of pain.
"Why would she sacrifice herself for you? Why, of all the people, why you?! She wouldn’t be lying down in that grave if you weren’t such a letdown!”
I stood there in silence for a moment, the air thick with emotion, my chest tight with guilt. He was right in a way, but the harshness of his words stung like a thousand needles.
“So this is the reason why you’re upset.”
I could barely meet his gaze, the weight of everything that had happened sinking in. I knew he carried that anger for her our aunt, the one who gave everything for us.
In my peripheral vision, I saw a faint smile appear on Athenaria’s face, an image that almost felt like a flicker of hope amidst all the pain.
“I’m really sorry if you feel this way. And I fully acknowledge that I am indeed a jerk for failing.”
At Seiku City Main Street still, Kiyon’s words echoed in my mind, and for a moment, I felt a weight settle on my chest. He was angry no, beyond angry. He was broken. And I had no one to blame but myself. But I couldn’t let that anger keep me rooted here, not when there were bigger things to deal with. He could keep blaming me, but I wouldn’t let it drag me down.
I met his eyes, my voice steady despite the storm inside me. "And I will gladly accept my punishment. If you want to administer it yourself, go ahead."
He didn’t say anything at first. His eyes welled up, tears spilling down his face as his emotions spilled over. I didn’t blame him, but it didn’t make his pain easier to bear.
I took a step toward him, my words soft but resolute. "But one thing’s for sure: I’ve been honoring her death ever since."
His eyes flickered, something in him shifting. I could see the conflict inside him, but it wasn’t enough to stop the torrent of feelings that followed. His fists clenched at his sides as he glared at me.
"I’ll make sure Auntie didn’t die for nothing," I said, the promise heavy on my tongue.
He looked down, fighting the tears that still threatened to fall. I could see the sorrow in his eyes, and it hurt to know I was the one who had caused it.
"And what?" He spat out the words as if they were venom. "What are you going to prove? You can only demonstrate your value once you're dead for the second time!"
I flinched at that, but I didn’t back down. His anger was sharp, but it was his grief that made it all the more dangerous.
"You have no right to respond to me in that way," I said, my voice cold. This wasn’t about the past anymore. It wasn’t about the things we couldn’t change. It was about the future, and what I had to do to make sure we had one.
"I suppose the only solution to this is to make you aware of reality." I stepped forward, bracing for what was to come.
He attacked without warning.
Meanwhile at Grandeur W.E.F Headquarters Just as Kiyon’s attack came, a loud, shrill alarm cut through the chaos. My thoughts snapped away from him, and instinctively, my focus shifted. There was something bigger at play now something I couldn’t ignore.
The alarm blared as the screens in the W.E.F headquarters flashed to life.
"What’s going on?" Serina’s voice trembled as she stared at the monitor, her eyes wide with disbelief. "This is… This is a different signal!" The team gathered around her, confusion and concern written across their faces. On the tracking device, a number flashed across the screen bold and urgent 113-9026471.
Back at Seiku Main Street, Everything around us slowed for a brief moment, but I didn’t give Kiyon the chance to react. I pushed forward with everything I had left. His movements were quick, but I was faster. He dodged, trying to stay one step ahead, but I wasn’t going to let him escape this time.
I appeared right in front of him, closing the distance between us. My body surged with energy, and I didn’t hesitate to strike. I could feel the weight of this moment pressing on me this last attack had to be everything.
"I’m giving everything in this last attack," I muttered under my breath, my eyes locked on Kiyon’s form. In an instant, I was behind him. There was no room for him to escape. No more dodging, no more running. He had to understand.
"I am not your enemy," I said, my voice steady despite the storm of emotions churning inside me.The pain I was about to inflict on him wasn’t out of malice. It was a lesson, something that might break through the anger clouding his mind.
"And this 28% pain... will be your lesson of this century."
I landed the punch with everything I had. The force was so overwhelming that Kiyon was sent flying. He soared through the air, crashing into a series of buildings. The impact was devastating, and I didn’t flinch as I watched the destruction unfold. The buildings crumbled under the force of my strike, reduced to rubble in an instant.
I stood still, watching as Kiyon slowly struggled to regain his footing.
"I would never wish to harm you in this way, you know that," I said quietly, but my words were lost in the wake of the destruction.
Kiyon sat up, a pained smile creeping across his face as he wiped the blood from his mouth. "Heh, what a load of crap... though that last hit was extremely painful."
I clicked my tongue, frustration lacing my words. "Tsk."
I stood there, watching Kiyon struggle to get back on his feet, my gaze unwavering. "Is that all you’ve got?" I asked, my voice calm, though there was a hint of disbelief beneath it. He grimaced, trying to push himself up, but the effort was futile. "I fought too many morphs on the way here," he grunted, clearly worn out.
"Wait, that’s it?" I raised an eyebrow, surprised.
He attempted to stand again but collapsed back down in defeat. I couldn’t help but smirk at the sight.
"Seriously? Four punches, and you’re already down?"
He let out a sharp breath. "Like I told you, I fought a few morphs before I randomly stumbled here." I crossed my arms, unimpressed. "And that’s suppose to be an excuse?"
Kiyon shot me a glare, still laying there. "Hey, I thought you quit MMA, you're still good as ever man"
I shrugged slightly. "Not entirely."
Kiyon’s brow furrowed. "Then why’d you use it against me?" I stared at him for a moment, contemplating his question. "I thought you wouldn’t go easy on me." My words were blunt, but there was a small flicker of concern in my chest. I needed to push him. I needed him to fight me, to show me something more than the mess I was seeing now.
He groaned in frustration, still lying on the ground, too exhausted to move. "Damn it, Kyrie, you pulled a tough punch."
He winced as the pain hit him, but there was a resigned tone to his voice. "You won. I’m too exhausted to continue."
I looked at him, and something shifted within me. "It’s time you stopped taking those pills," I said, my voice more serious now. "How about it? Good idea?" He let out a bitter laugh. "I’ve already run out of tablets," he muttered. "I’ll be returning to normal in a few minutes."
"Right," I replied, not entirely convinced. "And what about the other power pills? You run out of those too?"
Kiyon let out a dry chuckle. "Nonetheless... I’m done for now." There was a pause, and I could feel the weight of everything hanging between us. The fight was over, but somehow, it didn’t feel like it had ended. Not yet.
I could feel someone’s gaze on me from a distance, and when I turned my head, I saw Ziekary standing there, watching us. My heart skipped a beat, and I couldn’t hide my surprise.
"Ziekary?" I muttered under my breath. How was she here? How could she possibly know where to find us? I glanced over my shoulder, seeing her eyes lock onto me. "Wait, how can you?"
But before I could finish my sentence, I saw her shift her attention to Kiyon, her expression unreadable.
There we were the three of us, positioned like players in a game I wasn’t sure I understood anymore. Kiyon still lay on the ground, clearly exhausted, and I stood there, caught between what had happened and what was coming next.
Ziekary remained in her place, still watching us from afar, as if waiting for something. I couldn’t shake the feeling that this moment wasn’t over yet.