Hoshizora stood in the heart of the city, bathed in the bright lights of the daytime. The bustling energy of the streets surrounded him, a stark contrast to the quiet moments of introspection he had experienced the night before. As he walked through the crowded thoroughfares, the memory of the family he had encountered lingered in his mind like a haunting melody. Their expressions of gratitude and admiration had left an indelible mark on him, stirring a mixture of emotions within him.
Lost in thought, he hardly noticed the approach of a familiar voice. "Kid! There you are, here for more supplies?" Hoshizora glanced up, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips as he recognized the voice of the shopkeeper from the bustling marketplace. "Ah, good to see you again," he replied warmly, nodding in greeting. "Actually, I'm just passing through today."
The shopkeeper, a middle-aged woman with a kind smile, arched an eyebrow inquisitively. "Oh? No need for anything today? You sure you don't want to stock up on some essentials?"
Hoshizora shook his head, his expression thoughtful. "Not today, thank you," he said, his gaze drifting to the array of goods displayed on the shelves. "But I appreciate the offer. I actually wanted to ask you something, if you don't mind."
The shopkeeper's curiosity was piqued, and she leaned in slightly, her expression attentive. "Of course, anything. What can I help you with?"
Hoshizora hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to broach the topic that weighed heavily on his mind. But he knew that the shopkeeper was a trusted member of the community, someone who might have insights that could prove valuable. "I met a family last night," he began, his voice low. "They mentioned seeing me around the city, and... well, they called me a hero."
The shopkeeper's eyes widened in surprise, and she nodded in understanding. "Ah, yes, I heard about that. The family you saved from that Neighbor attack, right?" Hoshizora nodded, relieved that she seemed to know what he was talking about. "That's the one," he confirmed. "I was just wondering... what do people in the city think of me? I mean, Border has its own perspective, but... I'm curious about how the residents see me."
The shopkeeper paused for a moment, her expression thoughtful as she considered his question. "Well, I can't speak for everyone, but I think most people see you as a guardian," she replied, her voice soft but earnest. "Someone who's always there when they need help, someone they can rely on to keep them safe before Border acts."
Hoshizora felt a swell of emotion at her words, a mixture of gratitude and humility. "I see," he murmured, his gaze drifting to the bustling street outside. "Thank you for sharing that with me. It means a lot." The shopkeeper smiled warmly, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "Anytime, kid. You're a part of this community, after all. And we look out for our own."
As Hoshizora bid the shopkeeper farewell and continued on his way, her words echoed in his mind. He may be an enigma to some, a shadowy figure lurking in the darkness, but to others, he was a beacon of hope, a protector in a city plagued by uncertainty.
As Hoshizora made his way through the bustling streets, his thoughts still lingering on the conversation with the shopkeeper, a sudden change in the atmosphere caught his attention. The usual hum of the city was replaced by an eerie silence, broken only by the distant wail of a siren.
"Attention all citizens, Attention all citizens," it announced, "This is an emergency. Gate activity has been detected in the city. All citizens, move to safety! I repeat, this is an emergency! This is an emergency! Gate activity within the city!"
His senses sharpened, Hoshizora scanned his surroundings, his instincts kicking into high gear. The familiar sound of the emergency alarm sent a shiver down his spine. As the urgent message echoed through the streets, Hoshizora's heart skipped a beat. The gravity of the situation dawned on him like a heavy weight pressing down on his chest. Gate activity within the city was always cause for concern, but the absence of any prior detection by his Side Effect set off alarm bells in his mind.
With the urgency of the situation weighing heavily on him, Hoshizora wasted no time springing into action. He swiftly approached a group of citizens who appeared confused and frightened by the sudden announcement. "Everyone, follow me," he called out, his voice projecting authority and reassurance. "We need to move to a safe location away from the gate activity. Stay calm and stick together."
As the citizens began to heed his instructions, some of them cast curious glances at Hoshizora, recognition dawning in their eyes. "Isn't that...?" one whispered to another, but Hoshizora paid no mind to the recognition. His focus was solely on ensuring the safety of those around him. With practiced efficiency, he guided the group through the maze of streets, his instincts leading him to the nearest designated evacuation zone. Along the way, he offered words of encouragement and support, providing a steady presence amid the chaos.
As they reached the safety of the evacuation zone, Hoshizora turned to address the group once more. "You're all safe here," he reassured them, his tone firm yet gentle. "Stay together, and Border will ensure your protection until the threat has been neutralized." The citizens murmured their thanks, their expressions filled with gratitude and relief. Some of them approached Hoshizora, offering heartfelt words of appreciation for his assistance.
The citizens murmured their thanks, their expressions filled with gratitude and relief. But amidst the expressions of gratitude, one voice spoke out with a tone of unwavering trust. "We trust you, Brimstone Shogun," a middle-aged man declared, his voice carrying a sense of conviction that resonated with those around him. "You've always been there for us, even when Border couldn't."
The sentiment was echoed by others in the group, their voices blending into a chorus of support. "Yeah, we trust you!" another chimed in, followed by nods of agreement from the crowd. "You're the one who really protects this city." Hoshizora's expression softened at their words, a sense of humility washing over him. Despite his usual preference for anonymity, he couldn't help but feel a swell of pride at the trust and faith the citizens placed in him.
With a grateful nod to the group, Hoshizora watched as they began to organize themselves, rounding up more confused citizens and guiding them to safety. Their actions spoke volumes, reinforcing the sense of community and solidarity that existed within the city.
As the citizens took charge of aiding their fellow residents, Hoshizora knew that he had to focus on the task at hand. With a determined resolve, he turned his gaze towards the source of the gate activity, his mind already formulating a plan of action. With a furrowed brow, he focused his senses, reaching out in search of the telltale signature of a Neighbor's gate. But try as he might, there was nothing—no faint ripple of distortion in the fabric of space, no subtle energy signature to alert him to the presence of the gate.
"Something's not right," he thought, his mind racing with possibilities. His Side Effect, a reliable indicator of Neighbor presence, had failed to pick up any hint of the impending gate. It was a troubling sign, suggesting that whatever lay on the other side was beyond his usual scope of detection.
Could it be a new type of Neighbor, one with capabilities beyond his understanding? Or perhaps something even more sinister? This wasn't just any ordinary gate; it was something far more insidious, far more dangerous than anything he had encountered before. The implications sent a chill down his spine, his mind racing with the possibilities of what could lie on the other side.
With a sense of urgency, Hoshizora quickened his pace, his footsteps echoing against the pavement as he moved towards where the gate was located. His red eyes narrowed as he focused on the source of the disturbance, his hand instinctively moving to his trigger.
His boots pounded against the pavement; his pace unwavering. As he raced toward the site of the gate, his thoughts raced even faster. The city depended on him, a figure hidden in plain sight. "Border has no idea," he murmured under his breath, his voice carried away by the wind. "I won't let this city fall," he vowed, determination gleaming in his eyes. "Not on my watch."
His swift movements carried him through Mikado City's labyrinth of obstacles, effortlessly transitioning from one rooftop to another with the fluidity of a seasoned acrobat.
He leaped across wide gaps, scaled walls, and used the urban landscape to his advantage, making his way to the location of the Gate with breathtaking agility. As he landed on a rooftop near the Gate site, he scanned the area, assessing the situation. But nothing could have prepared him for what he saw next.
The gate opened, and figures emerged from the swirling Trion particles. The figure that emerged from the gate was shrouded in shadows; their features obscured by a dark hood. A flash of recognition coursed through him as he locked onto a defining detail—the glint of an unusual insignia on the figure's attire.
His pulse quickened, and his hand instinctively tightened on his self-modified trigger. This was someone from his past, a connection he thought was lost forever. As the figure stepped further into the light, their identity remained a closely guarded secret. He didn't shout or give himself away. Instead, he crouched in the shadows, his cloak hiding his eyes as they never left the figure.
Meanwhile, Osamu stared at the blaring alarm, a sense of confusion washing over him. The signal indicated the appearance of a new gate, and as a Border agent, his duty was clear.
"Yuma," he called to his partner, who was already at his side. "We need to move. The city's under attack."
Yuma nodded, his expression resolute. They had to put their search for Hoshizora on hold, at least temporarily, to address the imminent Neighbor incursion. Osamu quickly contacted their operator, Shiori Usami, to receive mission details and tactical support.
"Osamu, Yuma, I've just received the latest information about the Neighbor incursion. The gate has appeared near you two, and it seems to be a small group. Your primary objective is to keep the people safe."
With a nod of understanding, Osamu and Yuma sprang into action. As they navigated through the bustling streets, their priority was to ensure the safety of the citizens. Amidst the chaos, they stumbled upon large groups of people already organizing themselves to assist in herding others to safety.
Curious, Osamu approached one of the groups. "Excuse me," he said, his tone both authoritative and inquisitive. "Who coordinated this effort to help evacuate the citizens?"
A middle-aged man, sweat beading on his forehead from exertion, turned to face Osamu. "It was the Brimstone Shogun," he replied, his voice filled with admiration and gratitude. "He instructed us on an efficient way to get people to safety."
Osamu's brows furrowed in surprise. The mention of the Brimstone Shogun caught him off guard. "The Brimstone Shogun?" he echoed, his mind racing to make sense of the revelation. Beside him, Yuma listened intently, his curiosity piqued by the unexpected turn of events. "Is he here now?" Yuma asked, scanning the crowd in search of any sign of the mysterious figure.
The man turned to face them, wiping sweat from his brow as he caught his breath. He gestured to the group gathered around him, "He isn't here. We told the Brimstone Shogun to handle the situation since he's the only one we trust to deal with this."
Osamu and Yuma exchanged surprised glances at the mention of the Brimstone Shogun's involvement. Before they could respond, Shiori Usami's voice crackled over their communicators. "Osamu, Yuma," she said urgently, "Commander-in-Chief Kido has an urgent mission for you two. You need to investigate the gate that just appeared. If the Brimstone Shogun is responsible, eliminate him. If not, Chief Kido would consider the offer of recruiting him as an agent."
The weight of Usami's words hung heavy in the air as Osamu and Yuma processed the implications. If the Brimstone Shogun was indeed behind the gate, they were tasked with neutralizing him. But if he was innocent, they had an opportunity to extend an offer to join Border.
"Thank you for your cooperation," Osamu said to the man, his voice tinged with urgency. "Other agents are on their way here to protect you. Chief Kido tasked us with taking care of the Neighbors." The man's expression hardened, a hint of annoyance flickering in his eyes. "We'll manage from here," he said curtly, his tone betraying his frustration with Border's presence.
As they moved away, Yuma cast a sidelong glance back at the group, sensing the tension in the air. "They're not exactly thrilled to see us," he remarked quietly to Osamu, noting the wary glances directed their way. Osamu nodded in acknowledgment, a furrow forming between his brows.
"Osamu, Yuma," Usami's voice echoed through their earpieces. "I trust that the Brimstone Shogun is innocent. HQ will bear the brunt of any negative outlook due to its past antagonism. Commander-in-Chief Kido will not be happy. Anyway, your new objective is to contain the threat, and minimize damage to the city. I'll provide real-time updates and support from here in the Tamakoma branch. I'll send out Hyuse just in case, Good luck out there!"
"Copy that, Usami," Osamu replied. He turned to Yuma, and both agents shared a brief, determined nod before setting off toward the gate area. As they raced through the city streets to the Gate's location, the blaring alarm continued to echo, a stark reminder of the imminent threat. The mission to confront the invading Neighbors had taken precedence over finding Hoshizora.
Usami's reports had been coming in consistently, detailing the peculiar nature of the gate's appearance and the newfound humanoid Neighbor.
"Osamu, Yuma, we have a situation," Usami's voice crackled over the communicator. "The gate's characteristics are unlike anything we've encountered before. It's emitting unusually high levels of Trion energy, and the Neighbor emerging from it is of a humanoid nature."
Osamu glanced at Yuma, his brows furrowed in concern. "A humanoid Neighbor? That's not something we're prepared for," he murmured.
Yuma nodded grimly, his grip tightening on his trigger. "We'll need to proceed with caution. We can't afford to underestimate it."
Usami's voice came through again, her tone urgent. "Be on high alert. We don't know what capabilities this new Neighbor possesses. Neutralize the threat, but prioritize minimizing collateral damage. I'll notify HQ that you two are on the move and what we have found."
With Usami's warnings echoing in their minds, Osamu and Yuma steeled themselves for the confrontation ahead. As they approached the massive gate, Osamu noticed a humanoid Neighbor standing near it. "Humanoid Neighbor spotted," Osamu muttered, his hand instinctively activating his Raygust in shield mode.
Yuma nodded, his expression tense while creating two Scorpions. "Yeah, and it doesn't look friendly. Be ready for anything." Usami's voice crackled over their communicators, her tone urgent. "Osamu, Yuma, proceed with caution. We don't know what this humanoid Neighbor is capable of. Stay on guard and prioritize keeping yourselves safe."
Osamu and Yuma exchanged another glance, their resolve firm. "Understood, Usami," Osamu replied, his voice steady. "We'll handle it." As Osamu and Yuma stood ready to confront the humanoid Neighbor, a sudden arrival caught their attention. Hyuse, their fellow agent, approached with determined strides, his expression focused and alert.
"Hyuse," Osamu greeted him, relieved to see their reinforcements arriving. "Glad you could join us. We've got a situation here." Hyuse nodded curtly, his gaze flicking towards the looming gate and the enigmatic figure standing beside it. "Usami filled me in," he replied, his voice calm but edged with urgency. "Let's deal with this threat swiftly and efficiently."
The humanoid Neighbor took a step forward, her posture strangely calm. She spoke in a voice that resonated with an eerie, alien quality, but her words were clear. "I am not your enemy. I seek a peaceful resolution." Osamu exchanged a glance with Yuma and Hyuse, his caution evident. "What do you want? Why are you here?"
The humanoid Neighbor extended her hand, a gesture of goodwill. "I come on behalf of my people. We wish to coexist peacefully with humans. We need your help to convince Border to consider negotiations instead of confrontation."