[ Memory ]

Dune and Ned raced through the crowded streets of Fein City, their eyes darting in every direction. They were looking for Atlas, but he was nowhere to be found.

Atlas was always alone, it was how they had met him in the first place. Years ago, Dune and Ned had stumbled upon him as he fled from the city guards. Like Ned, Atlas was a Zeten, marked by the forbidden power coursing through his blood.

But Dune and Ned didn't care about that. To them, Atlas was a friend, one who had been welcomed into their lives despite the odds.

He was an orphan with no home to call his own, but Dune's family had helped him find a place to stay. Daniel, their big brother, often arranged temporary housing for Atlas and kept the authorities off his trail. Dune's mother, Sally, had even used her yellow Neba to conceal the glowing Zeten mark on Atlas's chest. Over the years, they had become inseparable.

Atlas might have been an outcast, but to Dune, he was one of the strongest people he had ever known, and the one he trusted most.

"Dune, what do we do?" Ned asked, his voice tense. "At this point, we've searched everywhere he could be and still nothing..."

Dune didn't answer. He was lost in thought when a wave of shouts broke through the air, pulling him back. People were running, screaming, as chaos erupted around them.

"What's going on?" Ned muttered, alarmed.

Dune's heart sank as he turned toward the source of the commotion. The city wall in front of them exploded, sending stone and debris flying in every direction. From the dust, a colossal head emerged, its monstrous form breaking through the remains of the hundred-meter barrier like paper.

The creature was enormous, its pitch-black body towering over the skyline. It had thick black skin with veins all over it. Countless glowing red eyes flickered across its face, and flames of orange Neba danced around its form.

It let out a guttural scream that shook the ground beneath them. The sound alone was enough to send Dune stumbling backward. Then, suddenly, the force came.

"It's pulling us in!" Ned shouted.

Dune felt it too. The air itself seemed to warp, dragging everything, people, buildings, even the rubble, toward the monster as though it were a black hole. Civilians screamed as they were swept off their feet, helpless against the pull. The creature devoured them with ease, swallowing everything in its path like a whale feeding on fish.

Dune gritted his teeth, planting his feet firmly on the ground. Beside him, Ned began to glow, his body surrounded by the ominous red light of Zeten Neba. His cross-shaped mark burned brightly on his chest, visible to all.

"Look!" someone yelled from the crowd. "He's a Zeten!"

Fear rippled through the onlookers, their panic intensifying at the sight of Ned's power. He ignored them, his teeth clenched as he analyzed the situation.

"Dune," he said sharply, "the creature's power isn't as strong this far out. It's pulling us in, but it's weaker here. If I use my Zeten, I can hurt it."

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Dune's heart sank. He knew what that meant. Ned might injure the creature, but using Zeten at such a level could destroy him in the process.

"Ned, no. There has to be another way," Dune pleaded. "Let's just run!"

Ned froze, staring at his brother in disbelief. "Run? And leave these people to die?"

"They'll kill you the moment this is over!" Dune snapped. "They saw your mark, Ned. You think they'll thank you for saving them? They'll turn on you the second they get the chance!"

Ned shook his head, disappointment written across his face. "Look around you, Dune. There are kids here. Families. Innocent people. How can you just stand there and say that?"

"You can go and save yourself, but I'm staying here."

Dune clenched his fists, frustration boiling inside him. Why couldn't Ned understand?

These people didn't care about them, they never had. The moment this disaster was over, they would betray them without a second thought. And yet, as much as he hated to admit it, he couldn't abandon his brother.

"Fine," Dune muttered through gritted teeth. "Do it."

Ned's expression softened. "All right."

He stepped forward, his red Neba flaring brighter than ever. The ground beneath him cracked as he gathered his strength, his hands glowing with raw energy. "Get back!" he shouted to the crowd. "If you don't want to die, move!"

Some people ran. Others stood frozen, too stunned to react. Dune backed away, "hey idiots step back!" herding as many as he could to safety.

Ned's power surged, the glow from his body intensifying as blood dripped from his nose and eyes. His skin burned under the force of his energy, but he didn't falter.

"Sky Serpent's Breath," he growled. "Thirty-five percent!"

"No! Ned that's too much.." Dune gritted his teeth.

With a scream of pain, Ned unleashed the attack. A massive burst of red Neba from his Zeten tore through the air, its speed breaking windows and tearing roofs from buildings as it surged toward the monster. The impact was devastating. The explosion ripped through the forest and shattered what remained of the city wall. Sky turned red and A shockwave followed, strong enough to shake the entire city.

Dune's eyes widened in awe. "He did it... He actually did it!"

But his relief was short-lived. He turned to Ned and froze.

Ned was kneeling on the ground, his arms burned away to nothing. Blood pooled beneath him, and yet, he was smiling.

"You idiot!" Dune yelled, running to his side. "What the hell were you thinking? Look at you!"

Ned looked up at him, his grin unwavering. "I killed it, didn't I? That's what matters."

Dune swallowed hard, his chest tight with a mix of anger and guilt. "You didn't have to do this..."

But Ned only closed his eyes, the faintest trace of peace on his battered face.

"Let's find Cadogan," Dune said, his voice firm but edged with worry. "He can heal you, Ned. Come on."

Ned struggled to his feet, swaying but managing a faint grin. "Alright… and thanks for staying."

"Shut up and walk," Dune snapped, his anger barely masking his concern.

Ned chuckled softly, but Dune ignored him, his focus on getting them both to safety.

"Dune, is that you?"

He turned at the sound of a familiar voice and saw his teacher, Amanda, hurrying toward them. She looked battered, her clothes torn and blood staining her side.

"What happened?" she demanded as she knelt beside Ned. Without waiting for a response, she began to heal his wounds, her hands glowing faintly with yellow Neba.

Even as she worked, Dune noticed her hands shaking, her face pale from exhaustion.

"You look rough," he said.

"Dune, listen to me. Head to the west exit of the city wall. There's an evacuation point there. If you see any other survivors, tell them to head there too. I'll use my Neba to transport everyone to Rendely. We don't have much time."

Dune nodded sharply and stood. "Got it."

He hefted Ned onto his back. Ned groaned weakly but managed a faint, "Thanks, ma'am."

Amanda nodded, her expression unreadable as she turned to face the oncoming chaos.

Dune didn't look back as he ran. The streets of Fein were in shambles, rubble and bodies littering the ground. As he approached the west exit, he passed hundreds of soldiers charging in the opposite direction. Their faces were grim, weapons raised as they ran toward Amanda's position.

"Idiots," Dune muttered under his breath.

Ahead, he saw more of the monstrous creatures spilling through the gap in the wall. Their twisted forms loomed like nightmares, their glowing red eyes scanning for prey. Dune clenched his teeth and kept running.

When he finally reached the west exit, his steps faltered.

Tens of Thousands of people were gathered on the open plain beyond the city. Families huddled together, children crying as more and more refugees streamed out of the city gates. The sight was overwhelming. There were too many.

"This is insane," Dune muttered as he lowered Ned to the ground.

He crouched beside his brother, who was pale but conscious.

"Ah, look at yourself," Dune said bitterly. "If you'd just listened to me, we wouldn't even be in this mess."

Ned chuckled weakly, the sound strained but genuine. "Dune, you're so cold-hearted."

"No, I'm just smarter than you," Dune shot back, his frustration spilling over. "I'm not stupid enough to throw my life away for people who don't even care about us. The most important thing in this world is survival, Ned, and you're not even trying to keep yourself alive."

Ned closed his eyes, his voice soft but steady. "Maybe… but if I hadn't done what I did, they'd all be dead by now. I don't want to repeat same mistakes… i don't want to make any more decisions that i will regret.

Dune shook his head, his jaw tight. "We'll survive here. And you're not using that power again, you hear me? I'll stop you myself if I have to."

Ned's lips curved into a faint smile, despite the pain. "Alright, boss."

Dune sighed and leaned back, glancing out at the growing crowd. The weight of everything pressed on his chest, but he refused to let it crush him. They'd made it this far. Now, he just had to figure out how to make it through the rest.