As Luna fled the burning skies of Thronax, the screams faded behind her. Through the roar of cosmic winds, flashes of her past tore across her mind—memories of fighting the Masups alongside her master, blades clashing beneath shattered stars.
But far from the chaos, in the calm emerald skies of the Green Dimension, another story unfolded—one of quiet days and fragile peace.
---
Marine's life had begun to settle again.
Just ordinary mornings. Ordinary laughter.
Ordinary school days.
Isaka and Marine were searching for a new home, helped by Akira, Reva, Eva, Misty, and Tengi—Rex's surviving sisters, each carrying their own scars.
Eva, two years older than Rex, had chosen work over school.
Reva and Misty, both seventeen, labored in border cities but visited whenever they could.
Tengi, bound to a wheelchair after a tragic accident, preferred the solitude of her room—yet her heart was the warmest of them all.
For weeks, they scoured towns and valleys in search of the perfect home. None felt right.
Finally, Isaka decided, "We'll go to Acurda Valley. It's quiet… peaceful. Close to nature. Marine can attend school without trouble."
She was packing to leave when Akira stopped her.
"Isaka… can I ask you something?"
"Yes, Akira," Isaka replied, turning back with her usual serene smile.
Akira hesitated. "You… look different than when we first met."
Isaka paused, eyes softening. "You're right. I don't know exactly why, but… I don't think I'm a machine anymore. I can feel things—like you do. Maybe it was always meant to happen."
"Well, I haven't seen you recharge in days," Akira said, brow furrowed.
"Maybe… I don't need to anymore," Isaka answered quietly, opening the door. "Tell Marine I'll be back soon."
Akira watched her leave, sunlight glinting off her blue hair as she walked down the street—half girl, half miracle.
---
By noon, Marine and Hiro were on their way home from school.
"Hiro, I wonder where those two are," she said, gazing at the sky.
"They're fine," Hiro replied, his voice steady as always.
"You're such a weirdo," Marine teased. Then, smiling faintly, she added, "But you're my friend… right?"
"Yes. Always," he said softly, looking down.
Marine's tone grew thoughtful. "You know… that day, I was broken. But now I realize—we have to become stronger. Strong enough to bring Mom and Big Bro back."
"So, what's the plan?" Hiro asked.
"I've asked Isaka to train me," she said proudly. "She knows every martial art in the world—even Rega Mox, the deadliest one."
"Shouldn't you find a home first?" Hiro pointed out.
"Akira offered, but Isaka refused. She said I need isolation… for training," Marine said, folding her arms with mock authority.
Hiro chuckled. " Here's my house. See you tomorrow, Marine."
"See ya!" she waved. Her crimson eyes glimmered like twin suns—burning with hope.
As Hiro went inside and Marine started walking further , she smiled to herself. "I wonder when I'll see that stupid brat again…"
But her smile faded when she felt it—
the weight of eyes watching her.
Someone was following.
She didn't turn. Didn't panic. Just walked faster, pretending not to notice.
When she reached Akira's house, she hesitated. If her stalker was connected to her mother's disappearance, Akira's family could be in danger.
So she kept walking.
Minutes later, she found herself before the ruins of her old home.
The land was still blackened, the soil dead, yet something shimmered in the ash.
Marine knelt down and brushed away the dust.
A red diary.
"What's this…?" she whispered, turning it over carefully. "Looks old… maybe I should ask Mr. Kazuya."
As she rose, she froze.
A boy stood by the lamppost—watching her.
Their eyes met for a split second. Then he bolted.
"That's him!" she hissed, sprinting after him through the narrow streets. But he was fast—too fast. Within moments, he vanished into the maze of alleys.
Panting, Marine gave up the chase and turned back home, clutching the diary to her chest.
---
"I'm home!" she called, stepping inside.
"Welcome back!" Akira's voice chimed from the kitchen. "Snacks are ready! Go change and come down."
Marine climbed the stairs, her voice drifting back. "Sister Akira, I was followed today… by a strange boy."
"What?!" Akira exclaimed, dropping the tray in shock.
"Yes. He looked about my age. When he noticed I'd seen him, he ran." Marine's tone was calm, almost too calm.
"Don't do such reckless things again!" Akira scolded, rushing upstairs and throwing open Marine's door—only to freeze.
Marine was halfway through changing.
"I know, I made a mistake," she said with a faint blush. "I won't repeat it. Now, could you please step out?"
Akira's face turned crimson. "R-right!" she stammered, retreating, shutting the door behind her.
As she leaned against the wall, her heart thudded with unease.
Marine might have brushed it off…
But something in the air was changing again.
The calm before the next storm.
------------
The next morning, as Marine woke up, she found Isaka sitting beside her, quietly packing their belongings.
"What are you doing, Isu?" Marine mumbled sleepily, rubbing her eyes.
"Nothing much—just getting ready. We're leaving today," Isaka replied softly. "Akira told me about what happened yesterday. I don't want to put her family in danger."
"Today's a holiday, right? I just want to sleep more…" Marine groaned, sinking back under the blanket.
"Wake up. We have to leave now," Isaka said, tugging the bedsheet off her.
"Ugh… fine! But let me take a bath first, Isu," Marine complained, stumbling toward the bathroom.
By noon, the two had finished packing and began their journey to Acurda Valley.
The valley lay downhill from the ancient city of Acurda—a place built centuries ago, filled with timeless architecture, from lush gardens to majestic castles. The valley itself housed a few villages, though most were now empty after the famine that struck the region years ago. Many villagers had moved to Mala, the golden capital—a city wrapped in myth and legend.
As evening settled, Isaka led Marine to a quiet cottage she had already rented in one of the lowest villages.
That night, a warm aroma filled the air.
"Wow! Isn't this the festive dish—Acarsa?" Marine gasped in surprise.
"Yes," Isaka smiled gently, setting the plates on the table. "I made it just for you."
Marine's eyes softened. "You know, Isu… I wish Mom and Bro were here with us right now. We'd all be so happy."
"I know," Isaka said quietly, sitting across from her.
"Wait—are you going to eat too?" Marine asked curiously.
"Yes. Ever since that night in our old house… I've been eating." She took a small bite of Acarsa.
Marine blinked. "You mean, after that explosion of light?"
Isaka nodded. "Yes. That light—it changed something inside me. I started to heal. I could feel something flowing through me… not electricity, but blood. Since then, I realized—I'm no longer just a machine. I think I've become something else… something in between human and machine."
Marine paused, eyes wide. "That's… incredible." Then, with a grin, "Can I get more?"
"Of course," Isaka said, refilling her plate.
"I've been thinking," Marine said between bites. "Maybe, like Gara, I have powers too. Just a theory, but still…"
Isaka smiled softly. "Maybe you do."
After dinner, Marine stretched and yawned. "Good night, Isu. See you in the morning."
"Good night, Marine," Isaka replied, watching her head upstairs.
As she washed the dishes, she murmured to herself, "It's been a long day… maybe I should check on her."
When she climbed the stairs, a sudden unease gripped her chest. The air felt heavier—colder.
She hurried to Marine's room and threw the door open—
—and froze.
Marine stood stiff, her eyes wide with terror. From the window, a monstrous shadow loomed, staring directly at her. Its form rippled like smoke, eyes glowing faintly red.
"Marine!" Isaka rushed forward, pulling her close. "What's going on?!"
"When I came up to change, I saw a shadow on the window," Marine whispered, her voice trembling. "Then I opened the curtains—and that thing was there."
"Let's get out of here."
"I… can't."
"What do you mean you can't?"
"My body—It's frozen. I can't move."
"Then I'll move you."
Isaka lifted Marine into her arms and hurried downstairs. The atmosphere felt cursed—like the air itself was watching them.
Hours passed in silence until, near midnight, the doorbell rang.
"W-what's that sound?" Marine asked weakly, her body beginning to thaw.
"Maybe it's that same creature," Isaka said, eyes narrowing. "It's after us… maybe after our whole family."
She steadied herself, ready to fight, and approached the door. But just as she reached for the handle, a familiar voice called out—
"Isaka! Marine! Are you home?"
She flung the door open—and there stood Kazuya, sword drawn, its blade glowing blue with a strange liquid dripping down its edge.
He rushed inside, heading straight for Marine.
"Marine! Are you alright?"
Isaka followed him, relief and confusion mixing in her eyes.
"I… I think so," Marine said softly, moving her arms again.
"I killed that thing," Kazuya said firmly. "The Eyehound."
"What?" Marine gasped.
"Stay still, Marine," Isaka urged.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine now, Isu," Marine muttered, forcing a smile.
"That shadow you saw," Kazuya said, turning to face them both, "was an Eyehound—a pure-blood shadow hollow. One of the oldest breeds."
"And what's that supposed to mean?" Isaka asked sharply.
"I'll tell you when the time's right," Kazuya said, sheathing his blade. "For now, rest."
With that, he stepped outside—and vanished in a flash of lightning.
That night, neither Marine nor Isaka slept easily. The Eyehound's image lingered in their minds, its gaze still haunting their dreams.
But the days that followed passed quietly. Both Marine and Isaka trained hard—archery, swordsmanship, endurance—pushing their bodies and minds to their limits.
Little did they know… the calm would not last.
---