The sun was still a pinkish hue, casting long, early-morning shadows on the remnants of Manhattan's Lower East Side. Buildings that once stood tall and proud now wore scars of age and battle, their facades crumbling and peppered with dark spots where flames once danced.

From our vantage point in the townhouse, the city's destruction seemed almost artistic in a haunting sort of way. Like the universe had painted a picture of how fragile our existence could be.

For the past month, I had been exploring this shattered city with my family. It was once a bustling metropolis, now reduced to eerie silence with only remnants of its past lingering in the air. Every brick, street, and burnt-out car held a story, a glimpse into the life that used to thrive here.

Despite the decay, nature refused to give up its hold on the land. The city was being reclaimed by plant life; vines entwined themselves around buildings and colorful flowers sprouted up through cracks in the pavement. Our group was among the first to resettle in a wave of approximately fifty thousand people, and more had gradually joined us in the past month.

The townhouse my family had claimed for our own was one of the few buildings on the block that had escaped significant damage. Despite its aging exterior and grayed walls, it remained a sturdy structure that provided us with a place to call home. From there, we could earn money through odd jobs that came our way, and it didn't hurt to have first pick of any salvageable items during our city surveys.

The three of us approached my father's truck, a battered old hunk I spent far too much time fixing. It was a rusty Ford with peeling paint and squeaky brakes, but it was reliable and got us where we needed to be.

The sound of another vehicle approached as we settled outside. It was a rugged-looking jeep fitted with large tires and reinforced steel plates on its sides. As it pulled up beside my dad's truck, the door opened, revealing two more men who would join us for our scouting mission.

The first was a tall man with broad shoulders named Blake. His skin was a rich dark brown, contrasting sharply with the white streaks that ran through his buzzed salt and pepper black hair. He wore a leather jacket over a faded metal band tee and metal dog tags, and his jeans were ripped at the knee. Though etched with lines of age and stress, his face had a softness to it, especially when he smiled. And he always had this serene demeanor about him, even in the face of danger.

"Morning, all," he greeted, his deep voice resonating with a calm assurance. "Ready to roll?"

"Ready as ever," Dad replied, patting Blake on the back. "Let's get this show on the road."

Blake simply grunted and smirked at us with a glint in his eyes.

Behind him, another figure emerged, a sharp contrast to Blake. He was slightly shorter, with onyx, shoulder-length greasy hair that fell messily onto his forehead, often causing him to push it back with an irritated swipe. He was roughly in his mid-twenties and had a medium athletic build.

This was Alex, a man I had quickly learned to admire for his actions rather than words. His deep eyes were often focused and intense, seeming to take in every detail. He donned a worn brown duster that swayed with each step, and his combat boots showed signs of wear and tear. Hanging around his neck were a pair of battered aviator sunglasses.

"Good morning," he grumbled, giving us a curt nod.

There was always a sense of seriousness about him, but beneath that stoic exterior, I knew there was a kind heart. He may not be the best at showing it, but he always placed the community and the people around him first.

"Glad you could both join us," Dad said, shaking hands with them.

Blake grinned, "Wouldn't miss it for the world, fellas.."

Alex merely raised an eyebrow, giving a nonchalant shrug. "Eh. It's just another reclamation survey."

We all laughed at that, knowing full well that it wasn't just another run-of-the-mill survey.

"Alright, team," Dad said, clapping his hands, "let's go over the game plan one last time. We'll split into two groups. Jae and I will take the east side over at Hunt's Point with Ikki, while Blake and Alex will cover the west."

Jae winked at me, "Looks like you're stuck with us today."

I grinned back, trying to mask the jitters starting to set in.

"Eheh," I laughed nervously. "Just keep me out of trouble, alright guys?"

Alex smirked, "I'm certain it won't be an issue."

My father nodded in agreement. "Remember. There's a big haul of Chaos cores waiting out there, but remember that's secondary to getting info on the food processing facilities and docks. We want to get produce flowing in as soon as we can."

That was the ultimate goal, after all. It wasn't just about reclaiming territory but about rebuilding a home, a community, and perhaps, in time, a society fractured by the sudden collapse. My dad was involved with a bunch of diplomatic types, and one particular family friend always rattled off the most random things to me about science and politics before leaving me with a new book to finish in a given month the month. Dad always been a bit of a dreamer, and instilled the importance of trying to do better in both my sister and me.

I remembered the stories Dad always told me about how it all began. The swift, crippling fall of global trade rippled like a domino effect, touching every part of the world. While there were no grand explosions or an immediate descent into chaos and bedlam, the slow crumble of society's infrastructure was even more terrifying.

Goods stopped moving, essential services ceased, and trust in any form of governance dwindled to historic lows. And then came the local power vacuums, the infighting, the desperate struggle for resources as paramilitary groups set up small fiefdoms and separatist states. Fortunately for Izumi and me, the United States was relatively prepared for the collapse of a globalized economy due to its overwhelming native resources.

The rest of the world? Not so much.

I'd been shocked as anyone to learn about just how much of the world depended on diplomatic exports from American initiatives to maintain their populations. Izumi and I were both raised and educated in Philadelphia, which fortunately remained largely intact after the disaster.

Despite the chaos, the national public schools managed to stay operational during our formative years. We were also lucky to have well-patrolled trucking routes within the city limits, providing some sense of normalcy.

Surrounding the city and countryside were Neg-entropy field stations from Terra, strategically placed as protective barriers against dangerous creatures they called Aberrations. However, their reach wasn't always far enough, leaving fringe areas between safety and the wilderness risky territories to navigate.

Beyond the boundaries of the city, a landscape of towering concrete buildings gave way to sprawling forests and farmland. Out there, Chaos Beasts roamed in dangerous packs, disrupting once reliable highways and train routes. And yet, these monsters were not always the greatest threat. Instead, it was the volatile paramilitary groups and separatists who posed a constant danger.

With frequent outages in phone, internet, and electricity due to sporadic Aberration attacks, communication was unreliable at best. This made organizing any large-scale recovery efforts nearly impossible.

People sought safety in whatever towns or cities could maintain some semblance of order. For many, this became their new reality. A whole generation grew up in this fragmented world, with chaos as their normal state of being - including us.

A tarp was pulled tightly over the bed of my dad's semi-truck trailer, concealing its contents. As I approached, I could see the shapes of barrels and containers, most likely holding fuel and water, as well as crates stacked with our weapons, food, and other necessities.

I climbed onto the back of the truck and settled on one of the crates. Alex and Blake joined me soon after, taking a seat on either side.

The low groans of the truck and the quiet chatter between my father and Jae about our route provided a peaceful background noise. The smell of the chilly morning air mixed with the faint scent of diesel fuel, creating a unique aroma that was strangely comforting.

Then, with a powerful rumble from the engine, we began our journey.

The drive to North End was quiet and strangely peaceful. Roads were lined with abandoned cars, like metal ghosts of the world that was. These cars had been witnesses to panic, to flight, to the last-ditch efforts of people trying to find a way out.

Nature's relentless march had reclaimed many of these, vines curling around axles and dandelions sprouting from the open sunroofs. It was honestly shocking to me how much civilization could recede from an area in a decade.

Blake took a deep breath as we passed a rusted playground, reminiscing wistfully with a rumbling baritone.

"I loved this place, ya know. New York. I was planning to come back and visit for the first time since college right as the Chaos War broke out. I wanted to see the sights, enjoy some new jazz clubs that'd popped up. Funny how things turned out."

I nodded, my eyes following the path of destruction that marked the once-booming skyline. Twisted rebar and shattered windows resembled open mouths, mute witnesses to the devastation. "I don't remember it clearly, but my dad used to talk about it all the time. He said it was a city unlike any other - full of vibrant lights, endless activity, and a melting pot of cultures. He always described it as... the pulse of the world?"

"It still is," Blake murmured. "Just... different. I imagine it's still like that across the portal in Shoreline City."

The slight creaking of the truck beneath us and the soft murmurs of my father and Jae discussing our route formed a gentle backdrop. Blake leaned back, fishing an acoustic guitar from one of our supplies.

"You kids mind?" he asked, holding it up and looking between me and Alex.

I shook my head, smiling as Alex gave a curt nod. "Go ahead."

With a nod, Blake began to play a simple, steady blues melody. The melancholic notes flowed smoothly, echoing the bittersweet beauty of the world around us. It was a simple tune, yet it captured the essence of our journey – a mix of hope and sorrow, nostalgia and anticipation.

As the guitar's tune wafted through the air, I closed my eyes and let the melody wash over me. The gentle breeze rustled my hair, and for a moment, amidst the ruins of a once great city, there was a brief respite from what loomed ahead.

We passed through dilapidated neighborhoods, where brownstone buildings leaned against each other like old friends sharing stories. Once vibrant and alive, murals had faded over time, but they still told stories of resistance, love, and unity. Many structures had windows shattered and doors broken, but they still stood defiantly.

"What do you think life was like here?" I asked Alex, curiosity burning in me as Blake strummed away. "I… I was honestly too young when it all happened."

Alex answered with a shrug, "Busy. Noisy. Crowded. I suppose."

Blake, however, had a faraway look in his eyes as soon as I asked my question. "Kids, I'm going to be real for a minute. It was a city of dreams. Every corner held a secret, every street had a tale. People came here with hope in their eyes, looking for opportunities, for love, for a fresh start. This city was alive, twenty-four seven."

I listened intently, soaking in their words, imagining a world filled with life and energy. It was such a baffling contrast to the messy, fractured landscape before me.

Recently settled children played in makeshift playgrounds, their laughter piercing the otherwise quiet landscape. At the same time, older adults sat on steps, watching over them, their faces etched with lines of wisdom and hardship.

We passed a large faded street mural depicting a group of Magical Girls, their sharp features and vibrant hair colors standing out against the comparatively dull and ashen backdrop. The depiction was haunting and inspiring, a reminder of their incredible sacrifices to protect our world.

After what felt like hours, the urban landscape began to shift, signaling our approach to the North End. Here, the damage was more profound, a chilling reminder of the battles that had taken place during the fall.

The guitar's tune faded, replaced by the deep rumble of the truck's engine and the soft murmur of conversation from the front.

Blake set the guitar down, giving me a nod of appreciation. "Music's got a way of healing, don't it kid?" he murmured.

I nodded, "It definitely does. Yeah. "

Blake grinned, "Listen, kid. Whatever happens, we gotta keep holding onto that hope. You've gotta keep fighting for all the beauty that's still left in this world. You hear?"

Before I could respond, a sudden flurry of movement caught my eye.

On the rooftops above, I glimpsed a silhouette, the glint of bright eyes that glowed red and orange briefly reflecting the sunlight. It was a girl perched gracefully on top of an abandoned supermarket. Her long, raven-black hair billowed like dark clouds against the sky.

She was draped in black and red, with a red scarf and a long, flowing dark cloak billowing behind her. A black half-mask concealing the lower half of her face left only her piercing eyes visible. Clutched in her hand was a Buddhist pewter staff, of all things.

At first, I thought she was a mirage, but she stared down at me in surprise. She clutched the staff tightly, almost as if she was using it to anchor herself from the winds that threatened to whisk her away.

For a brief moment, our eyes locked, and I saw it twisted in concern.

But as quickly as she appeared, she vanished from my sight, disappearing behind the rooftop.

"Did you see that, guys?" I asked in a hushed tone.

Blake and Alex exchanged glances. "See what?" Alex questioned.

"A girl, on the rooftops. She had a mask and... and bright orange eyes. Almost red," I tried explaining. “I think she was Terran.”

Blake frowned, casting a concerned look in my direction. "Could have been a lookout, or maybe a scavenger. There are folks who are moving in here, remember? Plenty of Terrans like Jae helping out here."

Alex shrugged, though his eyes remained watchful. "Keep an eye out, but don't let it distract you. We've got a job to do."

The truck rumbled on, the silhouette's image etched into my mind. There was something familiar about her that tugged at the edges of my memory. Still, the feeling was fleeting, and before long, the ruins of the North End captured our full attention.

Once a bustling borough filled with life, it was now a skeletal remnant of its former self. Buildings, stripped of their vibrancy, stood as silent monuments to the world that was lost. Nature had begun its process of reclaiming the land, with vines snaking through the broken windows and streets cracked open to reveal sprouts of green. But amidst the desolation, there were also signs of life and resurgence. Small groups were at work, clearing out debris or tending to makeshift gardens.

As we approached the center of the North End, I could sense the anticipation and tension building. This was uncharted territory for us, a potential goldmine of resources and a place fraught with danger.

Dad parked the truck near an old subway entrance, its sign barely readable beneath layers of grime and graffiti. Jae began unloading the gear while Blake continued to scan the area, his eyes sharp and vigilant.

A creaking sign caught my attention. Faded letters spelled out "Hunts Point Food Distribution Center."

Seeing my interest, Blake ambled over, eyes squinting at the facility. "You know, this place has quite a colorful history. Even before the Chaos Beasts ravaged the city."

"How so?" I asked, genuine curiosity evident in my tone.

Blake began, his voice carrying a hint of nostalgia. "Before the war, Hunts Point was a major hub for food distribution, taking in most of the city's food from shipments upstate and over the water. If we're gonna have any hope of repatriating folks to the city in the numbers we want, this is the kind of place we'd need to get up and running again."

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

I looked around, trying to imagine trucks filled with fresh produce rolling in and out of the once-bustling facilities. "So, this place was essential for the city's survival."

"Essential is an understatement," Blake corrected. "A major city is like a living organism, always hungry, always active. The city depended on river distribution hubs like this to keep its heartbeat going."

"But what happened?" I asked, gesturing at the destruction surrounding us.

Blake leaned against a metal barrier near the truck, his gaze drifting to the horizon. "Well, when the first signs of trouble broke out, places like this were hit hard. Hunts Point is close to Soundview Park. You know about the battle there?"

I nodded slowly, remembering the stories. "Tons of Chaos Beasts were killed there and along the highway during the evac, right?"

"Yeah," Blake sighed, his voice thick with emotion. "It was one of the biggest standoffs recorded in the Fall. The military and a few early responders from Terra tried to hold them off. A lot of people gave their lives there, trying to save the city and protect vital supply routes. They managed to rout the Aberrations, but the area became too dangerous to hold on to."

The wind howled through the fractured buildings, causing a chilling whistle to echo through the silent streets. Blake paused, taking a moment to collect himself before continuing, "Their bodies... the bodies of the Chaos Beasts, they don’t really decompose. Not in the way you'd expect. Their biology... it's strange, all metalloid-based and magic-infused. Sometimes, taking enough of a hit makes them disintegrate. In other cases, they stay as they fall, for years, and probably longer. Then when you yank out or smash the cores, they just melt away."

I stared at him, trying to grasp the enormity of what he described. "So, you're saying they're still out there?"

Blake nodded, gesturing towards the distant Soundview Park. "Yes, their remains are scattered throughout the park. And with them, their Chaos cores, creating those bizarre distortions in the air. It's like a permanent mark on the city, a memorial to the battles that were waged and the lives that were lost."

The realization hit me hard. We were essentially walking into a graveyard filled with the remains of monsters from another world.

Feeling a little uneasy, I began to scan our surroundings more closely. An oppressive weight was in the air, a silence that felt deeper than usual. The sense of being watched, which I had felt earlier, now felt even more pronounced.

Blake, catching on to my unease, leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Hey, it's natural to be on edge. Especially given where we are. But remember, we're here for a reason."

I swallowed hard, nodding in agreement. "I just… It just kinda feels like we're not alone here."

Blake's gaze darted around, a sharp, predatory look taking over as he scanned the horizons.

"At ease, gentlemen," Jae chimed in. "A squad of volunteer Magical Girls has already taken a first pass. It's only been a week, but they cleaned out any roaming Chaos Beasts they could find a couple of li out from the outskirts. However, Blake is right. That doesn't mean all the possible threats here are gone. Stay focused and alert."

My dad nodded. "Agreed. We'll meet back here in two hours. If you find a facility in a salvageable state, mark it on your map. If not, move on. And remember," he said, locking eyes with each of us, "if you find any low-hanging fruit in Chaos Cores, bring them back. We need them."

"Got it," I replied, feeling excitement and apprehension. I began to load up, checking over a Glock and slipping it into its holster before strapping on a machete by my side. The Swiss army knife, a gift from my dad on my tenth birthday, was in my left shoe.

Call it a strange habit, but it always made me feel a little more prepared for whatever came my way. It couldn't hurt to have that handy just in case, after all.

After locking up the truck, my dad, Jae, and I started our descent towards the east, weaving through narrow alleys and main roads, noting buildings that could be useful. The air was thick with the scent of rotting wood and decay, but there were also underlying notes of earth and moss.

The ruined facades of buildings cast long, eerie shadows that played tricks on the mind. Every rustle of wind and every distant noise was a potential threat. I could feel my heart racing with each step, the silence occasionally broken by a distant bird call.

Jae took point, moving with a practiced ease. Even amid this desolate landscape, his posture was relaxed, each movement precise. It was evident he'd been in these situations before, and his confidence was reassuring. On the other hand, my father had a calculating look on his face, his eyes darting around, absorbing every detail.

As we progressed, I couldn't shake the feeling that something here was a little… off.

Shadows seemed too dark, and the few rays of sunlight piercing through the cloudy sky gave the ruins an almost dreamlike quality, casting patches of light that seemed too bright, too otherworldly.

The further we ventured, the more I felt the weight of something pressing in on me. A strange sense of unease began to build in my chest, and I glanced over my shoulder more frequently, half-expecting to see something lurking in the shadows.

It was during one of these moments that I saw her.

As I turned around, entertaining my paranoia, a flicker of movement nagging suspicions, I caught a brief glimpse of a mysterious woman. She stood a considerable distance away, hidden in the shadow of a crumbling brick wall. Her outfit seemed out of place amidst the devastation. It was a yukata of some sort, with vibrant colors and intricate patterns stark against the gray backdrop.

But as I tried to focus on her, she seemed to vanish, fading away as if she was never there. I blinked a few times, rubbing my eyes, trying to process what I had seen.

I frowned, trying to reconcile what I had seen. It wasn't like me to imagine things, especially not in high-stress situations. Pushing the thought aside, I decided to stay vigilant, closely watching our surroundings.

Our journey led us to a large, somewhat intact food processing facility. It stood out from the surrounding ruins, its walls less marred by time and destruction. Rusted from years of neglect, an old sign read "Eden Fresh Produce and Garden."

Jae approached cautiously, pushing the entrance door gently. It creaked open, revealing a vast space filled with conveyor belts, packing machines, and shelves lined with canned goods.

The sight was unexpected, to say the least. Though some parts of the facility had succumbed to nature, much remained intact.

Dad's eyes widened in surprise. "This... this is one hell of a find."

Jae nodded in agreement. "Yeah, if we can get this place operational again, it could serve as a primary food processing and storage unit for the reclaimers."

My attention, however, was drawn to a corner where a stack of crates and drums lay covered in dust. Moving closer, I brushed off the layers, revealing a branded logo on one of the canisters. I had a funny feeling in my gut and gingerly took the lid off the jar.

"Guys!" I exclaimed, excitement clear in my voice. "These drums are filled with preserved seed packs."

Jae and Dad rushed over, examining the crates and drums with wide-eyed wonder.

Lost in thought, I almost didn't notice her. I blinked in surprise as I caught sight of another flicker of movement, turning to my side as Dad came over.

Standing a little distance away was a shimmering woman in a kimono. Though I couldn't make out much detail from my vantage point, her kimono was beautifully adorned with intricate patterns that rippled with a blur even in the dim light.

But it was her eyes that captured my attention. They were a piercing blue, and for a brief moment, they locked onto mine from the shadows, filled with an unspoken emotion that I couldn't quite place.

Was it sadness? Curiosity? Or perhaps… familiarity?

"Who are you?!" I shouted as I pointed toward her, causing Jae and Dad to spin around. I briefly looked toward my dad in a panic.

But when we turned to look, she was gone. There was no sign of her, as if she had vanished into thin air.

Both looked at me, concern plastered across their expressions.

"Ikki," Dad began, a hint of worry in his tone, "Hey, take it easy. There's nobody there."

"I know," I replied, feeling a pang of frustration. "But someone was there, just a second ago!"

Jae chimed in, "There have been reports. Rumors really, about spirits or ghosts in these ruins. Echoes of people who once lived here. I've never seen one myself, but…"

He trailed off, letting the implication hang in the air. "Echoes of past events and mirages have been known to crop up with enough chaos energy accumulated in the area. With multiple clusters of kill zones nearby, I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s manifesting phenomena."

I frowned, trying to reconcile what I had seen. It wasn't like me to imagine things, so Jae’s explanation made sense. Pushing the thought aside, I decided to stay vigilant, closely watching our surroundings.

But as we celebrated our find, I noticed something – footprints in the dust. Recent ones. It was clear that someone else had been here not too long ago. I was instantly on alert.

"Ikki, what is it?" Dad asked, noting my sudden change in demeanor.

"There's someone else here," I whispered, pointing at the footprints. "These are fresh."

Jae crouched down to inspect them. "Looks like multiple people. And they are carrying equipment gear."

Dad immediately took on a protective stance as he drew his pistol, his eyes scanning the dark corners of the facility. "Careful everyone. Be on your guard - We have no idea who these people are or what they want. For all we know, Ikki wasn't hallucinating back there and we were scouted by a sentry."

I nodded, my senses heightened. As we continued our exploration, I couldn't help but keep an eye out for any signs of movement or figures lurking in the shadows.

As we carefully navigated the winding hallways of the facility, I felt a sudden chill creep up my spine. Every creak, every distant echo seemed amplified, making me jump at the slightest sound. The dim lighting did little to ease my nerves, casting grotesque shadows that played tricks on my eyes.

Dad's voice cut through my thoughts. "Stay close, son. And keep your ears open."

Jae motioned for us to halt as we approached a large open space, which looked like the facility's main packing area. He pointed to the ground, where more fresh footprints could be seen, along with a few discarded items – a water bottle, a frayed piece of rope, and what looked like a half-eaten can of food.

"Looks like they camped out here," I whispered, trying to piece together the story from the remnants. "Do you think they're still around?"

Dad replied, his voice grim. "I'd bet on it."

Suddenly, a loud clang echoed through the cavernous space, followed by hushed voices. We instinctively took cover behind a large piece of machinery, peeking out to see a group of people emerging from one of the corridors. They looked ragged and worn, their clothes stained and torn, but their demeanor spoke of an underlying aggression. There were about nine of them in total, and two of them looked visibly scuffed.

"Fucking coons," a young boy muttered, clutching a fresh bruise.

"Heh, looks like that old nigger gave you a thrashing, huh?" a woman’s voice rang out.

Jae whispered, "They don't look like any reclamation team I've seen."

Dad's hand went to his sidearm, keeping it out of sight but ready to draw if necessary. "Whoever they are, they're armed. Stay quiet and observe. We may be drastically outnumbered."

We watched in silence as the group moved around the facility. They communicated with a series of hushed tones and hand signals, but what struck me was their cold efficiency. Each move seemed planned and deliberate. It was clear they were searching for something – or someone.

One of them, a burly man with a shaved head, electronic implants all over his body, and tattoos covering his chest, raised his head, sniffing the air like a predator catching the scent of its prey.

He was massive, and calling those 'electronic implants' was the mother of all understatements.

His arms were made of pure metal, with wires and an eerie red plasma floating through one side.

He wore a large military-style bomber jacket with a nasty scar on his left cheek. The scar went up through his left eye, which beeped softly along with the implants adorning his body as if scanning for targets.

"I… smell filth," he snarled as I quickly took cover.

In a heartbeat, the rest of the group were on high alert, weapons drawn.

"Come out, come out, wherever you are ♪," the man taunted, his voice dripping with menace.

The man with the shaved head took a few steps forward, eyes scanning the shadows. His cybernetic eye rotated, and his gaze landed momentarily on the spot where Jae, Dad, and I were hiding. I held my breath, praying he wouldn't spot us. I felt my heart sink as his left eye briefly flashed red.

"Busted!" he sang with a sadistic grin, causing almost every person in their group to raise their guns at our corner. "Now, what have we here?"

Jae slowly stepped out behind cover with his hands raised, and the man pointed at Jae. "Oh, what have we here? A filthy little toonhead gook?" The leader sneered at Jae, his eyes filled with contempt. The rest of the group closed in, guns at the ready.

Dad stepped forward as well, his hands raised placatingly. "Easy there, friend. We're not looking for trouble."

The group of scavengers laughed, the sound echoing through the empty facility.

"Well, lookie here. Too bad. Turns out you're in the wrong place at the wrong time," the man with the tattoos spat.

One of the group's members, a woman with gaunt cheeks and hair matted with dirt, sneered at Jae. "What's a precious little Terran like you doing in a place like this?" she spat, her voice dripping with disdain.

Jae maintained his composure, speaking in his usual formal tone. "We are just here for a reclamation survey. To ensure this area is safe."

Another member, a pasty boy around my age with a cruel smirk, sunglasses, and a 100% tattoo on his shoulder, sneered at the sight of Jae. "Fucking piece of shit Terrans… You think you can waltz into our city and claim it as your own?! We know your kind brought the monsters here in the first place!"

Dad's voice remained calm, but I could see the tension in his eyes. "Look, we just want to leave. We don't want any trouble."

"Oh, you'll leave alright," the man with the tattoos and cybernetics said with a malicious grin, "But not all in one piece. And we're going to make it niiice and slow for the toonhead here. We've gotta send a message to all you little shits coming who think you can set up shop."

Another, an athletic woman with a long scar across her cheek, took a step closer, her cold eyes taking in my father, then moving on to me. "Who's the kid?" She gestured at me with a mocking tilt of her head.

"None of your business," Dad retorted, his voice filled with a protective edge.

A muscular man with a Celtic cross tank top glanced over to Jae, his eyes narrowing with disgust. "Look at this one," he snarled, the veins on his neck bulging as he chuckled.

"You know what we think of you Terrans? Especially the little faggots that look like you," he hissed, pointing at Jae's silver hair and violet eyes. "You filthy bastards unleashed your monsters on our world. Then you fucking drain us of all the resources and technology we have left to call our own and leave us with scraps."

Jae raised an eyebrow but kept his face neutral, seemingly unperturbed by the man's aggression. "The Fourth Chaos War was a tragedy for both our worlds. We are here to help and mend, not to harm."

The man's lip curled into a sneer. "Help? You call that help?! We know you and your kind's plans, how you want to enslave us and replace us, mold Earth into your little paradise."

Just as tensions were about to boil over, the facility doors slammed open.

Blake and Alex, bound and beaten, were roughly pushed into the room. Their once-pristine clothing was torn and stained with blood, evidence of a violent encounter.

"And look at what we found outside," a wiry woman covered in Nordic rune tattoos sneered as she walked in, drawing her finger across Alex's bruised cheek in a twisted display of mock affection. "Friends of yours, I take it?"

The woman was in her twenties, and she had a short, blonde pixie cut. She wore a black robe, which parted into a corset, leggings, and combat boots that left very little to the imagination up front. Alex's eyes glinted with pain and defiance as he glared up to her.

Blake, despite his injuries, managed a small smile. "Heh. Hey fellas, looks like we walked into the wrong party this time, huh?"

The tattooed man with the implants circled Alex and Blake like a vulture, drinking in their misery. "Now, now," he drawled, "looks like we've got ourselves a full house here. Chinks, niggers, and even a freaky little Terran toonhead."

I felt my pulse quicken, my anger rising at how Blake and Alex were treated. I tried to stand, to face these monsters head-on, but Dad's firm hand on my shoulder held me back.

I took a deep breath and settled in nervously. The atmosphere in the room was thick with tension, each of us aware that the slightest misstep could lead to violence. As ready as I was to fight, I knew we were outnumbered and outgunned. Any direct confrontation would be suicidal.

"I will provide you one final warning," Jae said, his voice cold, the calm cadence contrasting starkly with the charged atmosphere. "Leave us be. Now. You have already gone too far."

The tattooed cyborg man's laughter filled the room. "Oh, and who the fuck are you to tell us what to do?"

Jae said nothing, merely stared at the man with cold detachment.

The man stepped closer until their faces were mere inches apart. "I said, who the fuck are you?" he snarled.

"I am Jae-hee Sung. Former Captain of the Terran Northern Alliance Council Security Unit. And you…" Jae's eyes burned with anger as he pointed at the man, "…are in violation of multiple treaties agreed upon between relief forces and the people of Earth."

The leader laughed, a deep and hollow sound.

"As if we give a damn about pesky agreements and treaties," he said, his voice dripping with disdain. Then, without warning, he grasped Jae's neck and slammed him against the wall. "We can do whatever we want. This is our world now."

I could feel Dad tense beside me, his fingers twitching in anticipation, but he said nothing. Jae, however, remained unruffled, his face emotionless and unwavering as he stared into the thug's eyes.

"Then I am afraid," Jae said quietly but firmly, "that you will find that I am at the edge of my patience."

The thug's grip on Jae's neck tightened, his lips curling into a cruel smile. "What? You think you can stop us?"

Before the taunt could fully settle in the air, Jae's eyes began to shine a radiant violet, and a gust of wind, seemingly from nowhere, whirled around the room. The thug was thrown back across the room and into a wall with a surprised gasp, and the other scavengers stumbled back in shock.

Objects levitated, papers fluttered, and a force pressed down on all present. A shimmering field of pure energy enveloped Jae, crackling with intensity. Wisps of silver energy spiraled around him, forming a protective barrier that shimmered like a translucent veil.

Without another word, Jae extended his hand, fingers splayed, and the atmosphere around us shifted. The very air shimmered with an ethereal blue glow. Whispers of an ancient language that sounded vaguely like Chinese escaped his lips, and, in response, the translucent blue and silver apparition of an ancient eastern dragon began to spiral around him.

The room was caught in an entranced hush for a brief moment, even the hostile group pausing to take in the mesmerizing spectacle before them. The magic was breathtaking, but what happened next was even more unexpected.

The wiry woman took a step forward with a smirk on her face.

"Seems like we have a showoff," she taunted.

She also began to chant, her fingers moving in sharp, swift patterns. The ground beneath her feet darkened as she did, forming a rune. It was angular and rigid and pulsed with a deep crimson hue.

"What?!" Jae exclaimed in genuine shock, his violet eyes widening.

The woman glanced at her comrades with a triumphant grin.

"Your little show won't be enough," she sneered.

Dark tendrils of energy shot up from the rune, snaking their way toward Jae's dragon. The tendrils were like nothing I'd ever seen, shimmering with a cold, eerie light, reminding me of arctic auroras.

The dragon roared in fury, attempting to fend off the assault, but the tendrils were relentless. They wrapped themselves around the ethereal beast, pulling it toward the rune, effectively neutralizing the creature's immense power.

The blue and silver glow of the dragon clashed violently with the crimson tendrils, producing sparks and flashes that lit up the dim room. A cacophony of roars and hisses filled the air; the dragon's fury met with the cold, methodical aggression of the tendrils.

Jae strained against the woman's magic, his face contorted with effort. On the other hand, the wiry woman looked almost serene, her eyes shining with a cold determination.

Around them, the room seemed to distort, the very fabric of reality bending and warping under the sheer force of their magical clash. The temperature dropped sharply, and a cold, biting wind swept through the facility.

But as suddenly as it began, the battle took a dramatic turn. The dragon's form dissipated into an explosion of blue energy, rippling down the woman’s tendrils. The woman jerked back, before collapsing on the floor and panting heavily while Jae looked at her with cold fury and wariness.

After a few moments of silence, the woman stepped back, giving a short bow that seemed almost reluctant.

"I am afraid our fight has to end here," she said, her gaze wandering to Jae's face as she reached into a pouch by her waist. "You are a skilled mage. Perhaps too skilled. I could not best you in a fair fight."

Jae tensed, but the woman fished an object from her pouch and tossed it to the ground before he could respond. It was a small red glass shard, glowing softly in the dim light right before it shattered and filled the air with red light.

"But I needn’t fight a fair fight, do I?" she said with a smirk.

The woman waved her hands in a circular gesture, speaking an incantation in a strange, musical language. As she finished, a wave of malevolent red light spread through the room. I watched as it passed over everyone present before a silver and red rune appeared in the middle of the air.

The effect was instantaneous. A wave of drowsiness washed over me, my eyelids growing heavy and my limbs feeling like lead. I fought against the sudden lethargy, but it was overwhelming.

Through the haze, I could make out Jae staggering.

His barrier shimmered and faltered, and the dragon dissipated into wisps of blue and silver smoke. Dad, Blake, and Alex were also affected. Their postures slackened as they struggled to remain conscious.

The last thing I saw before darkness claimed me was a vague figure that looked eerily similar to the Japanese woman I'd seen earlier briefly flash into my vision.

Her outstretched hand seemed to reach me, concern etched on her ethereal, blurry face, but she was nothing more than a fleeting vision.

The world around me faded, and I succumbed to the profound pull of unconsciousness.