Deep within the forest, as Arav and Niya's breaths grew heavy, a gentle yet deadly shadow slowly appeared before them. That shadow, now fully visible, was a sixteen-year-old girl. In her eyes burned the spark of mistrust toward strangers. Standing behind her were twenty small children—trembling with fear and uncertainty, yet feeling completely protected in the girl's presence.
Her name was Kaaya. Long, tangled black hair clung to her sweat-soaked forehead. She wore old but neatly mended clothes. In her hands, she held a blade of electricity—its edges glowing faintly blue.
As soon as she saw Arav and Niya, Kaaya spoke in a sharp voice,
"Stay right there! One more step and I'll finish you both, right here!"
Arav was taken aback. "Is she… afraid of us?" he thought.
Niya stepped back, but Arav moved forward.
"Listen, we're not your enemies," he said in a calm voice.
But to Kaaya, these words sounded like a trap.
She swung her sword through the air; static sparks spread out with the swing.
"You tracked them all the way here… but I won't let you take a single child! Aren't you the ones who are hunting the few survivors?!"
For a moment, Arav was speechless. He understood—this was a deep misunderstanding.
He remembered reports of drone attacks, armed with high technology, news of hidden survivors being killed, and… that many now trusted no one but themselves for survival.
"You're mistaken!" Arav shouted. "I'm Arav, from Nyura-7. My mission is to save you and the people in this world."
But Kaaya gave no reply.
She pointed her blade straight at Arav. A blue wave of electricity surged toward him.
Arav quickly pulled a shock-dispersion shield from his bag—a small energy field that glowed around him. The electric wave struck it, scattering everywhere.
"Don't force me!" Arav warned.
"I'm here to protect the children, not to hurt anyone!"
Kaaya attacked again. They had no real swords, but Arav had a high-frequency pulse stick. A brief, intense clash began between the two.
Every move of Kaaya was filled with anger—the passion of an older sister defending her family. Arav fought with restraint—he didn't want to hurt her.
Suddenly, Kaaya slashed sharply, grazing Arav's arm—drawing a little blood.
Niya screamed,
"Arav!"
Still, Arav did not retaliate.
He gently clutched his wounded arm.
"Do you love these children?" he asked softly.
Kaaya was startled.
"What kind of question is that?! I would give my life for them!"
Then Arav took out his laptop and pressed a button.
A hologram appeared—his mission statement, the path of his journey, and a list of survivors on Nyura-7.
Kaaya hesitated. Her sword's light slowly faded.
"This… This is the same list…"
Her eyes were still hesitant, but for the first time—a faint line of trust appeared.
Arav stepped closer.
"I didn't hurt you. I only defended myself… because I know you're just protecting these children—the same as what I'm trying to do."
Kaaya fell silent. Her sword dropped from her hand.
The children slowly emerged from behind her. One little girl—perhaps six years old—said,
"Didi… these people don't seem bad…"
Kaaya knelt, picking up her blade, and laid it before Arav.
"Forgive me… I made a mistake in judging you."
Arav smiled gently.
"We all make mistakes… but what matters is to fix them in time."
Just then, a beep rang from Arav's watch-link communicator.
Niya leaned over to check the screen,
"Arav… We've just received more signals of people nearby. There might be more survivors hiding in this area."
Arav looked at Kaaya.
"Will you come with us? To Nyura-7? Where there's a safe life… where these children can smile again?"
Kaaya met Arav's gaze—
Here was a boy, not fighting a war but on a mission of hope and trust.
She smiled,
"Yes… but on one condition. As long as these children live, I will protect them. And… maybe you too."
Niya looked at Kaaya—a hint of challenge in her smile.
And thus began—
A new journey, a new companionship… and, for Arav, a new dilemma.