Chapter II

Where am I?

“What the? Where am I?” Ren looked around confused. He knew he wasn’t at the school entrance anymore and nothing made that more clear, than the sky. With a bright white spot covering a major part of it, tendrils of light escaping in every direction from the lightsource. “What happened to the sky?” Ren’s legs started shaking as fear overtook him. Suddenly being at an unknown location with an alien sky at night disturbed the young boy. Calm down Ren! You can see the three mountains, that means you are still in Younen. Wait... they are in the wrong order. I'm on the other side of the mountains! I'm going to get in so much trouble for this!

As he was getting hold of himself, he suddenly heard trampling footsteps getting closer and closer. A human-like shape stumbled through the intersection in front of Ren.

“Something was weird about them. It’s almost like I saw a tail. Anyway, they are my only chance to find answers. But why did they run…”

Shortly after the human-like shape disappeared into the dark, a gigantic monster followed from the right. Ren immediately went pale white as his heart sunk to his stomach.

“What was that… That was too big to be anything…” If that human ran away from it, then it’s definitely not friendly. I need to get home! As he started running away, he heard the monster’s roar which was followed by an explosion-like rumble. From the monster’s direction a huge dust cloud rose.

That person… I shouldn’t go… I’m just gonna check what’s up with them. And then I’ll head home. Ren took a deep breath and ran towards the dust cloud.

When he got closer he saw something he couldn’t believe. The monster was a giant turtle with spikes on its back and the person it was chasing was a girl with catlike features.

Just as Ren arrived the girl was on her back leaning on a telephone pole. She grabbed her knife and swigged towards the creature’s leg. But the knife’s blade broke on the turtle’s hard skin. The monster was ready to stomp on the girl, and the excruciating pain of her injured leg made it impossible for her to dodge. Before the attack landed Ren threw a stone at the turtle. As the turtle turned around to look, Ren already regretted his decision a thousand times.

“Y-y-you! Leave her alone! You ugly tortoise!”

The girl looked at Ren with relief. “Hey kid! What’s your power? Help me and we can defeat him together!”

“What are you saying? What power? Look, I am just distracting it, until you run.” Said the boy as he already was walking backwards.

“I’m not gonna run! And you need to have a power or you can’t be here.”

“I don’t know what you talking about! I’m just a kid!” Why the hell am I in this situation? I just want to go home.

“I don’t have time for this! If you can’t help, just run away!” The girl screamed at him, sending him away.

Afraid of dying, Ren couldn’t do anything but run. He hid behind a house. But the sounds of battle kept him uneasy. He peeked from the corner of a house and saw the girl pressed against a wall by the turtle’s tail.

Why didn’t she run when she had a chance? And why am I still here?

By the time these thoughts crossed his mind he was already pulling the turtle’s tail with all his might. He could barely wrap his arms around the thick appendage. The beast tossed Ren away with its tail like he was nothing. But this small window of time was enough for the girl to escape into the shadows. Furious by the disappearance of the girl, the turtle turned in the direction of Ren, but the boy was nowhere to be found. The girl dragged Ren into a dark alley. His body was frozen from fear and his clothes were torn from the attack. Her limping got worse as she sacrificed the health of her foot to get Ren to safety.

“Listen, if you don’t have any power, then what were you trying to do? Are you suicidal or something?” Asked the cat-girl angrily while keeping her voice down.

“Are you serious? I only wanted to save you. Now that it lost us, we can get the hell out of here. He goes one way we go the other. And then you can explain where the hell I am.” Please just agree with me and let’s get out of here!

“I can’t go!” Said the determined girl.

“Why?” Ren cried out.

“This is my job. I get rid of people like him. If I don’t do it now, who knows how many people will die.”

“But look at yourself! Your ankle is hurt, and you are clearly tired. And I am only thirteen with arms like noodles! We have no chance of winning, or you want to hug it out with him or something?”

“His back.” Said the girl, pointing at the creature.

“What?”

“His weakness is on his back. A roughly twelve-inch diameter hole in the middle of his shell. But I can’t get close because my ankle is hurt. Now that you know his weakness are you going to help me, or will you just watch how I run to my own death?” Seeing how Ren’s gaze was still uncertain, the girl looked him in the eyes.

“What is your name?”

“Ren.”

“I’m Julia” Julia took Ren’s hand and shook it. “Ren. Do you love someone.”

“Y-yes.”

“If that guy won’t get behind bars today, I can guarantee you, someone will get hurt. It might be a stranger, or someone you hate. But it could also be someone you love. Do you know how that feels? Because I do. And I don’t want anyone else to feel that pain. So it doesn’t matter if you help me or not, I’ll try my best to stop him today. The only thing that might change is the outcome.”

“I…” Dad, mom, Lendo, Niel… Rosa. “Alright.”

“Thanks Ren. You are brave.”

“I wouldn’t go that far but your chances will definitely improve. If I get his attention, you can finish him off.” Ren stood up and looked the girl in the eye.

“That won’t do.”

“What do you mean?”

“I cannot get up on him with this leg. But I can take more blows than you so I will keep him busy while you get on top of him somehow.”

“This is seriously suicide.” Said Ren looking at the beast. “But if you could lead him to that house, I could maybe get up to the roof and jump on his back.”

“Good idea. You are a sharp kid.”

The two youngsters stood up and walked out to the middle of the street, cat still dragging her wounded feet.

Ren ran to some bushes while Julia got the turtles attention stumbling out of the shadows.

“Hey fatso! I’m back for more. Your hit weaker than a mouse.”

The turtle turned and immediately attacked. Julia dodged and smirked at the monster.

“You are slow as hell too.”

Meanwhile Ren ran to the house but as he was about to enter he stopped for a second. He suddenly started running away from the fight, leaving Julia alone with the beast.

“What is he doing? Ah crap don’t tell me he got scared!” Julia got carried away and did not see the stomping foot descending on her. She was stuck under the massive beast’s foot. “Shit this is bad. But I cannot blame him, he is just a scared kid. I didn’t want to end like this.” And I sure as hell won’t go down without a fight. “Steel Claw!” Julia dug her claws into the bottom of the turtle’s foot and started clawing.

The beast screeched and stepped back from the girl.

“Come on Turtle! Me and you to the death!” Panted Julia after being released from under the turtle.

The battle continued. Julia dodged attacks than clawed some skin out of the beast. After that she got hit, she forced herself on her heathly foot, knowing she couldn’t afford staying down. The next time she went for an attack her claws barely let any mark on the beast’s skin. Stunned by the lack of wound she took a step back.

“Am I getting weaker, or he’s getting stronger?” Speculated Julia. The answer came on the form of a deep rumbling voice.

“Don’t worry it’s not what you think... But you know well I wouldn’t have my rank if I didn’t have some tricks up my sleeve. After you are dead, I’ll look for the kid. He needs to die. Slow Breath.” The monster’s special attack slowed the girl’s movements down, thus making her defenseless against any oncoming attacks. The turtle swigged its tail to finish off Cat. When she felt death’s cold grasp around her, she finally saw Ren standing on the roof. Blood was dripping from his hand as he held on to the shattered blade of Julia’s knife. The look on his face was never this determined. But he still had to convince himself to jump. Come on! Why am I afraid of jumping now? You cannot fear getting hurt, nor the monster, nor death. Just this once, be brave! I will do it! I will do it!

“I will do it!” Jumping off the roof he jammed the blade into the beast’s weak point with all his might. Turtle’s body whirled around on the ground tossing Ren away. After a long howl, it slowly turned back to its ordinary human form.

But the street was still not silent as Ren screamed in pain from cutting open his hands.

“Ow! I thought I’d look cool, but this definitely wasn’t worth it. It hurts like hell!”

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

“You are lucky, that you are in one piece after that jump. Would’ve been a pain in the ass doing all the paperwork for a dead kid. The girl gave Ren bandages. “Hold it there for a bit. First, I have to deal with that guy.” Then she pulled out two small devices from her pocket and put them into the ears of the beaten man. After that she handcuffed him.

“Paperwork? So you’re following someone's orders?” Deduced Ren.

“Yes. I’m a cleaner.” She started to bandage up Ren’s wounds.

“Cleaner?”

“Yes. A cleaner is an overhuman, who dedicates their lives protecting people from other overhumans.”

“So you’re like the police. And overhumans are…”

“Like him and I.” The girl looked at the passed-out man. “People with superhuman abilities.”

“Agh!” Scratched Ren his head furiously. “This place, overhumans, cleaners? This is too much information all at once. But how could I have never heard of you? Are you like a super-secret organization?

"Are you from Younen?"

"Yes. Why do you ask?"

“You are currently in Youren. A village with a similar name, but with none of the benefits of your village. Younen is a special village. It is one of the most peaceful places in the planet when it comes to overhumans. Honestly, we only know of a few of them in the region.” Julia finished bandaging up Ren.

„And who are you? How did you get here?” Ren felt a bit awkward after all these questions.

“I am knight of the Cleaner Organisation. There has been some increase in overhuman activity around your village. Turns out this small fish from a massive criminal empire, the Ever-family, has been smuggling weapons trough your village.” She pointed at the man, who was still lying unconscious. "I caught him red handed, but it was a trap. A comrade of mine helped out, but we were separated, this guy has been chasing me throug Youren's streets since.” As Julia finished her explanation she noticed Ren laying on the ground holding his head.

” I’m sorry, but all of this is a bit too much.” A mixture of feelings rushed through Ren’s mind. After a long and worrisome day he wanted one thing; to go home.

“If you want to cry you can. This place must be maddening to a human.”

“W-why would I cry?” Stuttered the boy, blushing with rosy cheeks. “It’s only that I had a very long day anyway, I almost got hit by a car, and then I find myself in a different dimension with a catgirl and a turtle guy, and I am still mortified by the fact that this time I actually jumped.” Ren was babbling until Julia hit him on the head, stopping the boys from vomiting any more words.

“Please just cry already, at least than you’d shut up. Younen is on the other side of those mountains. And the other side of this reality.”

“And how do get back to my side?”

“No idea.”

“You can’t be serious.”

“Listen, this is not an ordinary phenomenon. You should not be here.”

Ren looked up and gazed at the bright object in the sky. “Maybe this is where I belong.”

“What are you talking about.”

“No worries, no tide pulling me. A new start…”

Julia looked at Ren with worry in her eyes. “Come.”

Ren just looked at her confused. “Where?”

“When an overhuman enters the second reality they open a gate. Maybe I can take you back through there. It’s a 30 minute walk from here.”

“What about the guy?”

“I put a tracker on him, my colleague will be here soon and he’ll take him to jail.

“Let’s hope he won’t get away.”

“He’s knocked out cold, tied up and can’t use his powers. He won’t get far. I can’t carry him with my ankle being in this condition, and you don’t look like you could carry fifty kilos let alone a hundred and fifty.”

Ren’s gaze shifted down after her comments.

“Hey! Don’t be ashamed of your weakness. You are you!”

“What do you mean?”

“I listened to you moan and groan for what feels like an eternity, and I just want you to know one thing.” Julia grabbed Ren by the shoulders and leaned down to be at eye level. “I don’t care.”Ren was taken aback as he was expecting something motivational. “Huh?”

“You don’t believe in yourself; you think being weak makes you a burden. But you are just as worthy of saving as anyone else. You think that you just go with the tides, but you took control tonight.”

That’s right. I think. I went against the tide. I challenged an unimaginable foe and won!

“So, think of this as the first step forward and take many more!"

Ren nodded with tears in his eyes. But as the tears rolled off they were sucked away by the force of a massive gust of wind. As Julia was holding Ren by his shoulders the boy was suddenly picked up by the storm. Julia grabbed his hand as Ren was helplessly thrown around.

“What is happening?” Screamed the young boy.

“It finally realized you should not be here. You’re going back to your reality.”

“It?!” Asked Ren as he held onto Cat as hard as he could.

“I’m sorry! You’re going to forget everything that happened here. But I hope that you will keep this much from today: Take more steps!” Julia let go of Ren. The boy was taken by the current and disappeared into the mesmerizing night sky.

Ren suddenly woke up at the side of the road. He looked at his phone and saw he had multiple messages and phone calls from his mother, and Niel.

“What is this?” Ren did not understand why they were looking for him until he saw the time. That car! It almost hit me. Did I hit my head and passed out?

Ren jumped up and started running home.

Meanwhile in the Second reality Cat took out her phone. “C.O. station? I’m Julia Gatto. Rank, Knight. Codename, Cat.”

“Julia, how can I help you?” A mature feminine voice was muffled by the crunching of potato chips.

“Mission accomplished, but there were some… complications.

“Elaborate.” The crunching continued.

“First stop munching on snacks I cannot hear my own thoughts.”

“Sorry.”

“First of all, I need medical assistance. Send a healing unit to the coordinates of my gate. I also left a Tracking device on my target, send someone to pick him up.”

“Roger that. What else.”

“The second complication is classified. Codeword: Fire without light.

“Hmm. I don’t remember that code.” Through the phone Julia heard paper rustling. “Let’s see… Feel no remorse, Find high ground… Fire without light! WHAT!?” The dispatcher’s snacks fell off her lap as she jumped out of her chair. “But this would mean…”

“Do not say anything. Anybody could be listening.”

“I understand. I will send the healer to your gate.”

“Cat out.”

Ren... I am sorry. Your fate was sealed the second you stepped foot into the second reality. As it stands, every single person with a similar situation has died within a month of becoming an overhuman.

Ren finally arrived at home. Her mother was standing in the door with a simultaneously angry and relieved expression.

“Where were you, young man? I called the school, I called Niel. I was about to call the police.” She shouted but Ren just hugged her.

“I’m sorry I was almost hit by a car and I passed out.”

Maria pulled Ren away to look at him. “Oh my god. Are you alright?” Maria started looking for wounds. “Your hand! What happened?”

“I don’t know, maybe I fell on a glass shard. It’s all so hazy. The last thing I remember are the headlights blinding me.”

“Were you the one who bandaged up that wound?”

“No, I woke up with it already on. ”

“This doesn’t add up. We’ll go to the hospital right now. You might have a concussion.”

Later in the night Julia reached the nearest building the Cleaner Organisation has.

In a dank, blue hallway she took a left turn to her private office, where she closed the door before opening her laptop and making a video call. An old man appeared on screen. He was sweating and panting as he answered the call. The man had a similar uniform as Cat, but on his shoulders black and yellow pieces of cloth were dangling as decoration. Decoration, that was covered by dirt and mud. On the left side of his chest lighter shades of different shapes and sizes indicated the place were numerous awards and badges used to hang. But now only a glittery cat sticker was shining proudly. His grey hair and wrinkly skin around his green eyes showed decades of experience. His right coat sleeve was empty, or rather not filled with a complete arm, and on the right side of his neck, the dark red color of healed wounds creeped up to his ear.

A man of many wars.

“Atla! We need to talk about the Turtle case.” Said Julia trying to talk over the screaming and roaring coming from the background from Atla.

“Julia! How is my best student?” Atla’s face lit up as he saw Julia in front of him, like he didn’t even hear the screams.

“But wait! Where the hell are your badges? I told you to put them on!” Julia scolded her superior like a mischievous kid.

The room echoed by the man’s loud laughter. “Come on! Those pieces of metal don’t mean anything. The only one I wear proudly is the one you gave me!” The man pointed at the cat sticker proudly. “But tell me, how did the Turtle situation go? Couldn’t be too hard for you!”

Cat’s sigh silenced the man’s laughter.

“The place was a trap. I was caught off guard and they captured me. My ankle was injured so I had a hard time fighting.”

“Injured!” The man suddenly tried to turn his phone a way he could see Julia’s leg. Even though that’s not how it worked. “Are you alright? Should I call a medic? How many fingers am I holding up?”

“Stop trying to tun my camera! My leg is fine! I got healed already.”

“Oh thank heavens! You cannot play with an old man’s heart like that! I could get a heart attack!” Atla said as a burly warrior ran towards him. He easily evaded his attack then threw him out of sight.

“Stop the drama! You’ll be fine. Trap helped me escape and I delt with Turtle later.”

“That’s my girl! You are a fierce fighter like me! No matter the odds you defeated your opponent alone!”

“That’s the most important part. I had help from a kid.”

“A kid?”

“He popped up out of nowhere. He did not have any power and no knowledge of the second reality.”

“That can only mean one thing.”

“Yeah I reported the codeword, but I wanted to tell you more details first.”

“Why is that?”

“You never talk about your family. And I always respected that you kept them out of this world, but the boy was from Younene and his name… was Ren.”

Atla was stunned. He could not say a word.

“I did not want to believe but your face tells me I’m right.”

Atla suddenly snapped out of it and his face changed to a sort of serious that Julia seldom saw.

“I… cannot be there! You have to tell Maria. She can handle this alone.”

“Why can’t you come home!”

“My mission. I couldn’t tell you before but there is no use in hiding it now.” Atla turned the camera towards the sky. But instead of it being blue, it was blood-soaked red.

“You are in Valhal-Al!” Julia voice shook in disbelief.

“Yes I am.”

“The country of endless war! You may never see you family again!”

“Do not worry for me Julia. You know me!”

“I trust you Atla, but Ren is another situation. He is in danger; within a month he might die!”

“No he won’t. For he is my son!!!”