[Redwoods, Darrilyn, Piasu, Ryomania, May 6th, Tuesday, 11:13 PM, 2025]
Normand's transformation began reversing on itself, his body shrinking, his wounds becoming more apparent.
He became a battered boy in the middle of a battlefield.
I slowly regained consciousness as he shrunk, rolling off of him and onto the cracked ground beneath us.
The forest around us was a wasteland—trees reduced to splinters, craters gouged into the earth, and the air thick with the stench of ozone and decay.
Only a few stubborn trees remained, their burnt and dead branches resembling skeletal hands.
I glanced back toward what was once my home.
The house was obliterated, pieces of it strewn all across the forest but the backyard somehow remained untouched, Keito's grave standing unharmed amid the chaos.
James Karawei: "What have we done...?" I asked as I struggled to stand.
I staggered to my feet, my vision blurry and unfocused, I felt weak from my earlier attack and utterly exhausted.
My pants were torn, my arms littered with cuts that throbbed in time with my heartbeat.
The zombie disease did not affect me, even after an hour.
The silence was deafening.
No zombie groans, no squelching of blood—just the occasional crackle of dying green embers.
James Karawei: "It's... over?"
My voice sounded foreign, hollow.
Cathy hovered down into the crater, alongside a sliding Jack.
Her gaze darted from me to Normand's limp form, her violet aura shining in the night.
Raijin ran down into the crater, appearing behind us, his eyes were tense and he looked uneasy.
Still ready to fight despite his injured leg. He had not realized it at the time, but Flow had kept him running, quite literally.
Raijin Hogo: "Get up, Normie. Boss doesn't pay us to nap. We can still win..." He locked eyes with me, walking up to Normand's body.
He shook Normand roughly by his shoulders, but the boy didn't stir.
Cathy's forcefield flared, repelling Raijin's hand with a crackle of energy.
Cathy Ariston: "Don't. Touch. Him."
Her voice was like ice.
Raijin sneered but backed away, his gaze darting to and fro.
I stepped forward, my boots crunching on debris.
James Karawei: "The battle's over, Cathy. No need to fight anymore."
She didn't look at me. Her eyes were locked on Normand's face, his green and rotten skin streaked with blood and tears.
For a moment, I thought she'd lash out—her aura pulsed violently—but then she sagged, floating down to kneel beside him.
Jack nudged my shoulder with his left arm.
Jack Daniels: "Yo, bro. What's the play here? Do we... bury him? Call the cops? Order pizza? Too soon?"
Cathy shot him a glance that could freeze blood.
Jack Daniels: "Just trying to lighten the mood..." He said, shrinking back.
He stood a few paces behind me, his usual swagger muted.
The leather jacket was singed, one of his three ponytails unraveled. He tied it back up quickly, realizing it had unraveled as he looked at Raijin who turned away from us.
James Karawei: "We don't bury him. We honor him."
Raijin snorted, crossing his arms.
Raijin Hogo: "Sentimental trash. I'm not letting you bury one of our elementals."
He stepped forward, his arms dropping to his sides.
Cathy Ariston: "Shut up."
Cathy raised her right hand and flicked her wrist, slamming him down into the ground with gravity, the earth collapsing under Raijin's feet.
Cathy Ariston: "You don't get to speak after what you've done. Not here. Not now. Not ever."
Normand stirred, a weak cough rattling his chest as he sensed the vibrations of gravity. His eyes fluttered open, landing on Cathy.
Normand Ariston: "S-Sis...? I'm... I'm sorry. They... I had to... had to—"
His voice broke, tears cutting tracks through the grime and blood on his face.
Cathy reached for him, her forcefield flickering as her fingers tried brushing his cheek.
Cathy Ariston: "I'm the one who's sorry. I should've been there. Should've protected you..."
Raijin quickly got up, clutching his injured leg and muttering curses under his breath.
Normand Ariston: "It's okay, it's too late for any of that now. Promise me... stop Dad. Find Yoshio. Don't let The Boss win. Don't let him control you or anyone else... Promise...?"
His hand trembled, reaching for hers. She grabbed it with her gravity, squeezing as tightly as she could. He didn't mind the pain.
Cathy Ariston: "I promise. I'll bring Yoshio home. Dad will pay."
Normand's lips twitched—a ghost of a smile.
Normand Ariston: "Ha... ha... It's so ironic. In the end... I was The King of Nothing... because I can't even have you anymore, Cathy... I love—"
Normand raised a trembling hand to touch her in a final, loving gesture.
Then, his body went limp, his eyes closing as he slipped into the eternal slumber of death.
Cathy froze, staring down at him as her tears began to fall faster. Then, in an instant, her grief exploded into raw fury. The ground trembled as nearby gravity flipped. Trees, rocks, and debris began floating into the air, drawn upwards.
I stepped forward again, placing a hand on her shoulder. Her aura began flickering.
James Karawei: "It's okay... What's important is that you had closure. It doesn't matter what happened before, what is happening or will happen. What matters is you two reached out together. And he loved you."
The words registered in her mind, echoing.
My hand went through her aura, touching her shoulder.
Cathy Ariston: "WHY?!" She yelled in frustration.
The chaos around us fell back to the ground as her forcefield flickered out.
She turned toward me, her tear-streaked face full of anguish, before burying her head in her hands and breaking down completely.
Raijin watched silently, his gaze heavy.
Raijin Hogo: "Goodbye, Zombie..."
Suddenly, Normand's body stiffened, a sickly green light erupting from his chest—his Divinity—seeped out of his corpse.
It was disgusting to watch, the glowing orb of his soul visibly dripping with a green glowing substance. Worthy indeed of being called 'Zombie'.
Jack Daniels: "Whoa... is that a holiness? More like an un-holiness, ba-dum-tss... T-too soon? Sorry..."
Raijin Hogo: "It's not a holiness, it's a Divinity! I forgot about this... This isn't safe..." Raijin looked around frantically, trying to calculate something.
Veins of green corruption snaking across the orb's surface. Raijin snarled and turned to face us again, getting into a runner's pose.
Raijin Hogo: "Damn it, I forgot! Nobody else alive is currently worthy to be 'Zombie'! So the orb's not going anywhere else—"
He vanished in a blur of white lightning, abandoning Normand's corpse.
James Karawei: "MOVE!" I stretched out my hands, rainbow soap-vines grabbing Jack and Cathy, pulling them close.
I then slammed my palms into the ground, another giant bouncy rose formed, catapulting us backwards into the air.
The orb shuddered, then exploded in a flash of green light, sending trees and other debris our way, along with remnants of the now nonexistent cop car.
Cathy grabbed Jack and me as we flew through the sky, her powers cocooning us, holding the debris that flew at us close and forming a shield.
The shockwave ripped through the forest making the crater in the center even bigger, fully destroying the entire forest.
When the dust settled, a 25² km crater stretched before us, its edges oozing green sludge.
Rotten, sickly green glowing hands clawed at the air from the soil, sprouting up out of it.
Cathy broke our fall with her forcefield as we landed in the remains of my house and in a clearing in the wheat field.
Cathy Ariston: "Damn it! Damn it... Norm... I'll never get to hug you again. We didn't even get to bury him! Or honor him! Fuck this place! Agh!"
She lashed out, raw and broken, throwing back all of the debris towards the forest. The sickly glowing hands swarmed around the pile of rocks, upon touching them, they melted into that same glowing green ooze.
Cathy hovered above us, her aura dimming to a faint purple glow but still active around her skin like a thin layer of armor. Something was happening to her ability.
Jack Daniels: "We gotta bail. My place—west side. Now." Jack whispered into my ear, cautiously looking around, still smirking.
James Karawei: "Your house? Okay... Where is the west side exactly...?"
Jack Daniels: "Ah... well, about that... it's in the western part of the city. You know, where the villas are."
James Karawei: "Right, you're rich huh? Should've figured... Anyway, what's the fastest way to get there?"
Cathy hovered down in front of us, looking defeated.
Cathy Ariston: "Fly. I'll take you both—I don't care if anyone sees anymore."
Before either of us could respond, Cathy raised her hand. I felt the familiar sensation of being wrapped in her hold as we ascended into the sky.
The ground vanished beneath us, and the wind rushed past as we hurtled toward the city.
What would've been a three-hour drive in Dad's old sedan took less than ten minutes with Cathy.
We quickly passed the countryside and entered Havok.
Cathy's gravity grip was relentless, the city below a blur of lights and shadows. Wind screamed in my ears, and my stomach lurched as we banked sharply around skyscrapers. Jack whooped, his fear drowned by adrenaline.
Jack Daniels: "Woo! Faster, Cathy! I wanna break the sound barrier!"
I felt her grip slipping from around Jack, I reached over to grab a hold of his arm.
James Karawei: "You're pushing it!"
He looked up at us, rubbing his neck, smiling sheepishly.
Jack Daniels: "Right. Sorry."
We landed on the rooftop of a corporate building.
Jack and I were gasping for air. Cathy slowly curled up into a ball, resting her head against the parapet.
Jack Daniels: "Look over yonder! That's the one—the big white mansion with the huge lawn!"
I peered down the edge of the building.
The city stretched out before us, glittering with lights. It was beautiful.
Ahead, where Jack was pointing I saw the mansion alongside all the other villas.
James Karawei: "Hey... I've been meaning to ask, but, how large is this city anyway?"
Jack looked back at me and stepped closer.
Jack Daniels: "Well, Havok is split into three sectors, the suburbs to the west, where all the rich, snobby people live, like me! The suburbs are on that large hill there, it snakes down into Havok, my mansion being the third from the top of it. See?" He once again pointed towards it.
James Karawei: "I see... So what about the city?"
Jack Daniels: "Yeah, the commonplace, the city itself, where people live in apartment buildings and such, Cathy lives in an apartment on the slightly... tough-side of town? I don't want to call it a ghetto but y'know. It leads into the next district." Cathy shot him a glance but didn't say anything.
James Karawei: "You should cut the jokes out... You do realize what we just went through, for the whole night, right?"
Jack Daniels: "Sorry, force of habit... There's the industrial district, which is where our school was and usually a bunch of factories, stores and other companies and buildings are. That's where the Ariston Industries center sits. Actually I think we're on it."
He peered down the edge of the building again, motioning for me to look.
I also looked down, indeed the giant 'A' of their logo was on the side of the building.
I then turned to glance at Cathy. Her face was buried in her arms.
James Karawei: "Cathy... can you—Look, we have to at least get to safety first. Then, if you want to talk, we'll talk, okay? Or you can rest. Whatever you want."
She didn't reply, didn't even look at me.
She stood up and grabbed us again and launched into the air, carrying us over to Jack's house.
We hit the front lawn with a dull thud, her forcefield softening the impact. The ground cracked beneath it, though, leaving a noticeable mark. Destroying the lawn grass.
Jack's mansion sprawled ahead—a white marble monstrosity flanked by manicured gardens and a fountain spewing crystalline water.
James Karawei: "You actually live here? How many bathrooms does this place have? Ten? Twenty?"
Jack Daniels: "Dunno. Stopped counting after the third hot tub."
Cathy collapsed suddenly, her knees buckling. Her aura pushed her up against the ground.
James Karawei: "Hey—stay with us. Just a little further."
She didn't respond, her eyes vacant, she just drifted ahead.
Jack Daniels: "My sister's gonna notice this mess you know... Anyway, come on in. I'm sure the maid won't mind."
The front doors swung open, revealing the foyer, it was a temple to excess—gold-leaf ceilings, a chandelier dripping with diamonds, and a staircase wide enough to march an army.
A maid with short brown hair split horizontally, the lower half of her hair was purple, stood by the front door, her uniform crisp, her smile practiced. She also had purple eyes.
Polished marble floors, chandeliers, ornate furniture—it was like stepping into another world.
One I was a stranger in.
???: "Welcome home, Master Jack— Oh! Are these your friends? Why are you floating—never mind that... Should I prepare a bath for you or inform Mistress Erika of your return?"
She asked sweetly as she glanced between us, clearly excited but trying to remain professional.
Jack Daniels: "Guys, meet Amelia. The head maid around here. Uh... yeah guest rooms, and keep Erika off my back, she isn't home, right? Oh, and maybe... burn the security footage from tonight? Pretty please? Or uh... fix the lawn? Pretty please."
Amelia's smile didn't waver.
Amelia Orwell: "Pleasure to make your acquaintance honored guests... I am Amelia Orwell, the head maid of this fine estate. Follow me to your rooms if you will."
I was truly amazed by this place. It was a massive contrast to my little house in the middle of the countryside.
I shook her hand and smiled kindly back at her, despite the bruises and blood stains.
James Karawei: "Nice to meet you, Amelia. I'm James, and this is Cathy. She's... had a rough day and could really use a bubble bath."
Cathy glanced at me, her eyes still clouded with frustration and sadness, but she didn't say a word. Just groaned and flipped over mid-air on her back.
Amelia nodded and led us through the house, it felt like a gilded labyrinth.
James Karawei: "This place is... something."
Jack Daniels: "Dad's a 'collector' apparently. Buys art, cars, islands and whatever else he wants, and he sometimes sends us a lot of stuff. The best part is we have a lot of Coco-Cola! We'll... We'll talk about that one tomorrow."
His tone was light, but his knuckles whitened around the stair rail. He didn't like talking about his family, that's for sure.
After a few more minutes of walking Amelia stopped in the middle of a hallway upstairs. We we're on the second floor.
Amelia Orwell: "Well, these rooms are vacant and will be your new temporary rooms. I hope you enjoy staying here! Goodnight!"
She wandered off, humming to herself without a further word to us.
James Karawei: "Guess that's it then... We finally escaped... I'll take the one on the right."
I said, grabbing the door handle.
Jack Daniels: "I'm going to mine, it's legit just down the hall."
James Karawei: "Really?"
Jack Daniels: "Funny coincidence huh? Tomorrow I'll show ya all my cool figurines! Night bro. Cathy."
Cathy shot him another glance as she leaned against the wall, being pushed back by her aura.
I reached for the bedroom door on the right but stopped, looking at her.
James Karawei: "Cathy... You sure you're okay?"
Cathy glanced away to the other end of the hallway before responding.
Cathy Ariston: "Yeah. I'm fine."
Her voice cracked again, tears welling up in her eyes.
James Karawei: "Goodnight then."
I opened the door to my new room and went in, gently closing it behind me.
My room was a palace in itself—canopied bed, silky white sheets, a balcony overlooking the city. I collapsed onto the mattress, the weight of the day crushing me.
The mattress was so soft it felt like I was sinking into a cloud. For a moment, I just stared at the ceiling, trying to process everything.
The destruction of my memories, my family, my school, my house, my life.
Suddenly though there was a knock at the door.
Cathy hovered in the doorway, arms crossed and her eyes red-rimmed.
Cathy Ariston: "Can't sleep... Actually."
I sat up and scooted over.
She hesitated, then hovered on the bed beside me.
James Karawei: "Talk. Or don't. Up to you."
She stared at her hands, trembling.
Cathy Ariston: "After Mom died, from her illness... Dad changed. Started bringing 'work' home. Men in suits, whispers about 'The Syndicate'. I didn't know that much at the time, but I knew he was up to no good. Normand... he was always fragile. I should've seen it. Should've—"
James Karawei: "Stop. You're not responsible for his choices."
She looked at me, really looked at me, for the first time. Her eyes giving me a quick-once over before turning to look back to the floor.
Cathy Ariston: "And you? Why'd you come back? What... What really happened in Taured? Why here? Why now?"
The question hung in the air. My gaze drifted to the window.
James Karawei: "Because... I was told to come here, I had found a note in pocket that said Jasmine was my friend and to head south. So I did. Ryomania is my home, I guess... I don't know what happened in Taured but I remember my name... Not that it helps. And so I just... walked home. But that doesn't matter now, after all I've seen and experienced— I mean can you believe the fact that I still can't feel... But I still have to fight? Does that make sense?"
Cathy was speechless, her gaze also drifted towards the window.
Everything had changed. And not just the world around me—I had changed, too. I felt more confident now, more sure of myself. Still missing memories and some of my emotions but... I was feeling better. I had to be stronger. There was no other choice. It was either adapt or die.
Tears streamed down my face as the weight of it all crashed down. So many people had died. Teachers. Classmates. Neighbors. All gone. And we got away.
Like criminals.
Cathy immediately turned to me as she heard a sob, she extended a hand towards me to wipe the tears from my face... Instead her aura repelled me, and we locked eyes for a brief moment.
James Karawei: "Sorry... It's just... so many people died because of us... Because of me. They keep saying they want me, why me? I don't know..."
Her breath hitched for a moment, she wrapped her arms around me, trying to hug me despite her aura repelling the both of us.
Cathy Ariston: "Fuck... I'm sorry James, I guess we both have issues... Only mine is purple and annoying."
I wiped the tears from my eyes and smirked.
James Karawei: "It's okay, I'm fine... We'll be okay. Are you feeling any better?"
She hovered closer onto the bed, pushing me into the mattress almost, stretching and gazing into the very luxurious marble tinted mirror in the room.
I met her gaze through it.
Cathy Ariston: "Yeah, I got to see your quiet ass cry, so that's bloody awesome..."
She chuckled wetly and pulled back from the hug, wiping her eyes with her hands.
James Karawei: "Good... I'm happy for you."
We both stood up, almost at the same time and showed her the door.
Cathy Ariston: "Thanks James, you're actually not that much of a dumbass. Compared to Jack at least."
I smiled and leaned against the doorframe.
James Karawei: "Goodnight Cathy, I'll see you tomorrow."
She glanced back at me with a smirk as she hovered down the hallway, arms dropping to her sides as she opened her door with a kick and entered her room— I saw a glance of a frown as she did. I don't think she was okay with all of this either. At least not yet.
James Karawei: "It wasn't our fault, huh...? The Boss had sent those people after us... It was on him. He was the one who deserved to pay for all of this. Not—"
I muttered to myself as I walked back over to the bed and sat down.
James Karawei: "Not Cathy. Not Jack. Not me..."
I laid back onto the bed, hands behind my head on the pillow as I looked up at the ceiling.
James Karawei: "I don't want to ever see Cathy cry again."
The resolution burned in my chest alongside the pain and broken ribs. At least that was something I could hold onto, something I could fight for.
Eventually, exhaustion won out, I shut my eyes.
My thoughts blurred, and I drifted off into restless sleep. One thing was clear, my life had changed forever.
And in the worst way possible, I was happy.
My one goal now was to defeat "The Boss".
[ＥＮＤ ＯＦ ＡＲＣ １: ＲＥＤＷＯＯＤＳ]