The Next Morning
Anya's eyes fluttered open.
Her body felt light. Her arm... it was back.
She sat up slowly, her fingers flexing, her tattoos reappearing on the newly regenerated skin.
Her hospital clothes felt strange, far too soft compared to her usual battle suit.
A figure stood beside her bed.
Father Ben.
He offered a small smile. "Was wondering when you'd wake up."
His tone was lighthearted, but he wasn't blind.
Anya's expression was heavy.
She stared down at her hand—her fingers clenched into a fist.
"I couldn't save him."
Her voice was small. Pained.
Father Ben sighed. "I know how you feel, but it wasn't your fault. Not yours, nor the Anti-Hazard soldier's."
Anya's head snapped up. "Don't say that!"
Her voice shook with anger.
"You know us. We're not heartless monsters that kill!"
Father Ben held his ground. "Some of us aren't. But a lot are."
He exhaled. "Listen, Anya... people become what they fear. And when they can't understand what they fear, they fear it even more. So let this be the last time you blame humans."
Anya gritted her teeth.
"How can you say that?!" Her hands trembled. "They killed your parents like their lives would end the world!"
Father Ben's eyes darkened.
"Listen..." His voice was calm, steady. "I might not have a reason to hate them because I am the creator of my own burden. But you... you have every reason to." replied anya in rage
Anya turned away, curling into the bed.
She didn't want to hear it anymore.
The room fell silent.
Then—the door opened.
Glitch walked in first, carrying a tray of snacks.
Kai and Rin followed behind, though Rin seemed distant, lost in thought.
Kai, however, grinned. "So, what's the agenda today?"
Father Ben folded his arms, trying to shake off Anya's words.
"I've reviewed your ratings from the mission."
Kai perked up. "And?"
Father Ben's expression softened. "Good job securing your classmates, both of you."
Rin and Kai exchanged a small look of relief.
"But."
Father Ben's tone shifted.
"Your power control was reckless Kai."
Kai and Rin blinked. "So... what does that mean?" Rin asked.
Glitch let out a dramatic yawn. "It means weapon training."
Kai groaned. "Of course it does."
Sanctum Meditation Grounds
The gentle rustling of Sakura petals filled the air as Sultan swept beneath the pink-blossomed trees.
His movements were calm, methodical. This was his space—his peace.
Then, that peace was shattered.
"OH SULTAN!!!!"
The obnoxious shout echoed through the grounds.
Sultan's jaw clenched. His grip tightened on the broom.
That voice.
He turned sharply toward the source, his eyes narrowing.
Glitch stood there, grinning like an imp.
Beside him were Father Ben, Kai, and Rin.
"Glitch," Sultan growled, "didn't Father Ben ban your short ass from coming here?"
Glitch rolled his eyes. "Relax. I'm here with friends, so chill. And for the record, I'm 5'8."
Sultan scowled but turned to Father Ben, who spoke before he could complain further.
"We need your help—oh, silly me! I forgot introductions." Father Ben gestured toward the two newcomers.
"Sultan, this is Rin. She's a Hazard with two powers... and a healing factor."
Sultan's eyes widened. "Two powers?!"
Father Ben nodded. "And this is Kai, a fire user."
The three exchanged firm handshakes.
Then, Ben's expression turned serious. "Now, back to business. We need weapons for training. And I thought—who better than you?"
Sultan sighed, rubbing his temples. "I don't think I can. I've got a busy schedule."
Rin, meanwhile, glanced around.
She noticed two things:
Glitch was rubbing dirt from his shoes onto the freshly swept ground... and Sultan hadn't noticed yet.Despite how isolated this place felt, the Sanctum wasn't empty. Buildings lined the area, resembling a mini-city, and shadows moved behind the windows. There were people here.
Then, she saw Glitch lean close to Sultan's ear.
"If you do it, I'll talk to Anya for you."
Sultan's face flushed instantly.
"I-I'll do it."
Glitch smirked. "Thought so."
At the Anti Hazard Head quaters Medical department
Takuya sat beside Halley's bed, watching as she slowly stirred awake.
Her eyes fluttered open, but instead of relief, there was sadness.
"I'm sorry for missing our date," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "I was lucky no one asked questions."
Takuya smiled, shaking his head. Like it didn't hurt. Like he hadn't been sitting there, waiting.
"I'm just glad you're okay." He leaned back, trying to sound casual. "Echo's venom bullet really packs a punch."
Halley let out a soft laugh, and for a moment, the weight of everything disappeared.
Then, as they held each other's gaze, she leaned in—slowly.
Takuya's breath hitched.
And then... she kissed him.
He froze.
Takuya's POV:
She kissed me. She actually kissed me.
Why does it feel like my insides just melted? I don't care—this is real. But... what do I do now?
Does this mean we're dating? Or was it just—
His thoughts were cut off by her soft chuckle.
She pulled back, looking at him with an almost amused expression.
Takuya blinked. Why is she laughing? Was it a joke?
Then she spoke.
"I actually never imagined myself falling in love with you..."
A simple sentence. But it felt like a dagger to his chest.
What?
The words hit him wrong. Did she mean she never saw him that way before? Did she only develop feelings because he liked her first?
Takuya stared at her, his mind spiraling, but his body refusing to move. He wanted to say something—anything.
But he didn't.
And Halley noticed.
Her expression shifted.
The warmth faded.
"I'm sorry... I thought you liked me."
Then she turned.
And walked out.
Tears in her eyes.
Takuya snapped out of his daze.
"Shit!" he muttered under his breath, running a hand through his hair.
What the hell was that?!
He had waited for this moment—dreamed about it. And when it finally happened... he froze.
Now she was gone.
Takuya clenched his fists. He had to fix this. Now.
Without thinking, he jumped up from his seat and ran after her.
Back at the Sanctum
Sultan sat cross-legged beneath the swaying sakura trees, his breath steady as he meditated. The air around him shimmered slightly, a faint golden glow tracing the edges of his fingertips.
Kai, Rin, Father Ben, and Glitch stood nearby, watching in silence.
Then, with a sharp exhale, Sultan's nose began to bleed—a sign of strain, but also success. Before him, blades began to take shape, forming out of nothingness. Metal gleamed under the soft glow of the sanctum's lanterns, newly forged swords appearing one by one in midair before gently lowering to the ground.
Rin's eyes widened. "That's... incredible."
Kai stepped forward, picking one up and giving it a few test swings. "These feel real."
Sultan wiped the blood from his nose, his expression unreadable. "They are real. Every piece exists because I willed it to."
Glitch, as usual, couldn't resist the urge to mess with him. He leaned close to Sultan's ear and whispered, "Boo. Stop meditating. Kill yourself." Then he made obnoxious gagging noises.
Father Ben shot him a glare. "Stop that."
Glitch immediately straightened up, his usual grin fading as he fell back into line beside the others.
Father Ben stepped forward, examining the swords. "The power of creation is rare. Wield it wisely, Sultan."
Sultan let out a slow breath. "Yeah... I know." His voice was steady, but there was a distant weight in his gaze.
Kai smirked, gripping his new sword tightly as small flames flickered in his other hand. "So, when do we start training?"
Father Ben's expression remained unreadable. He folded his arms.
"Right now."
TO BE CONTINUED...