Down on the bustling train platform, hurried movements blurred around Markus. The metallic hiss of an approaching train echoed in the air, but his focus was elsewhere, his thoughts drifting to his family.
A familiar chime interrupted his thoughts, snapping him back to the present. His phone buzzed in his pocket, and he pulled it out, surprised to see his mother's name on the screen.
Markus answered with a faint smile.
"Big brother!" His sister Koari's voice rang out, bright and full of energy.
Markus sighed, half-amused. "Koari, why are you calling me on Mom's phone?"
Before she could respond, another voice broke in—a warm, familiar tone with a touch of exasperation. "Koari! How many times have I told you not to take my phone without asking?"
"I did ask!" Koari protested, clearly indignant. "You just didn't hear me because you were busy!"
Markus shook his head, chuckling. "Sounds about right. So, what's this urgent call about?"
Koari's tone shifted, playful but coy. "I just wanted to say hi first! You don't mind, do you?"
A muffled laugh came from their mother in the background. "Sorry, Markus. She's been bouncing off the walls all morning. She wouldn't settle until she got to call you."
"It's fine, Mom," Markus said, leaning against a nearby post. "How's little Ichigo?"
From somewhere in the background, a loud voice protested. "Don't call me that!"
Markus grinned. "Why not? It suits you. The day you beat me at arm wrestling, maybe I'll stop."
His brother Ichigo groaned. "So, never then."
Koari giggled, her tone light and teasing. "Little Ichigo, little Ichigo!"
"Look who's talking, tiny ears!" Ichigo shot back. "Don't forget who saved your tail last week."
The sounds of a scuffle followed, with Koari's indignant voice chiming in. "Take that back!"
"Both of you, knock it off!" their mother raised her voice, somewhat amused by their antics. Markus couldn't help but smile as he listened to the chaos. "It sounds like everything's normal over there."
Their mother's tone softened, though a faint edge of worry crept in. "Markus, your father…"
"What about dad?" Markus asked with a hint of worry in his voice.
His mother's voice trembled with worry. "He's caught up in something serious. He thinks we might have to move soon. To Mercury."
The smile faded from Markus's face. "Mercury? What's going on?"
She hesitated before finally speaking. "We'll talk when you get home. Just… be careful, okay?"
The line went dead, leaving Markus staring at the blank screen. The train's whistle jolted him, and he stepped aboard, unease settling in his chest like a stone.
Back at Arnik's place, the group was gathered around the chabudai, enjoying the fresh takoyaki that Arnik had just cooked. Steam wafted from the golden spheres, filling the room with their savory aroma.
Rose was the first to dive in, grabbing one and popping it into her mouth. "Hot! Hot! Hot!" she yelped, waving her hand frantically in front of her face.
Kai raised an eyebrow, smirking as he placed his chopsticks down. "Maybe wait a few seconds before committing to third-degree burns next time."
Rose managed to swallow, glaring at him. "What are you, my mom? Besides, if I wait, you'll probably eat them all."
Kai adjusted his glasses with an exaggerated flourish. "No, I'm afraid you'll get fat."
The room went silent. Arnik froze mid-flip, and Aika dropped her takoyaki back onto her plate, her eyes wide. Rose's tail stiffened, and her ears twitched ominously as she slowly turned toward Kai. "What. Did. You. Just. Say?"
Kai's confident smirk faltered instantly. He raised his hands in surrender, stammering, "Wait! I didn't mean it like that! I was joking!"
"Joking?" Rose's voice dropped to a dangerous low. "Oh, I've got a joke for you."
With a sudden burst of speed, she leaped across the chabudai, tackling Kai to the tatami floor. "Say it again, four-eyes!" she yelled, shaking him violently as his glasses flew off.
"Rose, stop!" Kai croaked, flailing in her grip. "I'm sorry! You're not fat! You're terrifying! Please let me go!"
Aika calmly took another bite of takoyaki, watching the chaos unfold. "Poor Kai. He really brought this on himself."
Arnik sighed, shaking his head. "RIP, Kai. Gone too soon."
Kai groaned from beneath Rose's grip. "Stop narrating my death and help me!"
After a few more shakes, Rose finally let him go, brushing off her hands as if nothing had happened. She returned to her cushion by the chabudai and grabbed another takoyaki. "That's what I thought."
Kai, sprawled on the tatami, reached for his plate and froze. "Wait… where's my takoyaki? Did you seriously eat mine too?!"
Rose gave him a toothy grin and belched unapologetically. "Oops."
"You're impossible," Kai muttered, fumbling for his glasses.
Before the banter could escalate, the house suddenly shook. A low rumble reverberated through the walls, causing the plates on the chabudai to clatter.
Arnik steadied himself against the counter. "What the hell was that?"
"Is it an earthquake?" Aika asked, her tail twitching nervously as she glanced at the ceiling.
The group of friends rushed to the window, their hearts stopping at the sight that greeted them. Hovering above the city was a warship, colossal in size—spanning over five hundred meters.
The sheer magnitude of it blocked out the sky, casting a chilling shadow over everything below.
The danger was palpable, creeping ever closer.
"What the hell is that?" Arnik muttered, his voice filled with confusion and dread.
Rose, her voice shaky, said, "That… that's no ordinary warship…"
Kai adjusted his glasses, skepticism clear in his voice. "That's a warship alright, but why is it here? There's a logical explanation for this."
Aika, with nervous tension, looked up at the ship, her voice uncertain. "Maybe it's some kind of announcement, it must be important"
The group fell silent, dread seeping into their bones, as the enormity of the warship pressed down on them. The stillness of the air was broken only by the distant hum of the ship's engines.
As everyone's phones buzzed, a sudden message flashed across their screens. The voice of the President, Lionel, echoed through the speakers, chilling and foreboding.
"Good day, fine people of Earth. Doing good?" Lionel's voice rang out across the broadcast, eerily calm, masking the fury simmering beneath. "Sorry for the sudden startle. Just have a quick announcement for you all."
He slicked back his hair, the motion almost nervous. "Ugh, man, this has been so hard…"
He placed his hand on his nose, trying to compose himself, but it was clear his patience was wearing thin.
"Uh… screw it," he muttered, and his tone shifted, turning venomous. "I hate every single one of you fools. Flesh bags. Scum. Dirt. You're nothing but garbage…"
His words became sharper, each syllable laced with disgust. "Man, I've kept this in for so long. I hate all humans."
He raised his arms dramatically, his anger now fully unleashed. "Release me from this fleshy form!"
His body trembled, distorting as if struggling to contain his true self. The transformation was monstrous—his skin cracked and stretched, revealing the demon beneath. His eyes twisted into something unrecognizable, his clothes shredded apart, revealing wings and horns as his true form emerged.
"Day after day, I waited," Lionel growled, his voice dripping with contempt. "I suffered, tolerating every single one of you pathetic, worthless creatures! Each of you walking around like you matter, as if you're more than just a pile of rotting meat and bone!"
He clenched his fists, the air crackling with the intensity of his rage. "I've seen enough of your ignorance, your stupidity, your self-righteousness! You're nothing but insects, crawling around in your filth, pretending you're kings of this world. I've had enough of your pathetic existence!"
Lionel's voice roared, filled with venom and madness.
"Let the Second Coming of demons start now!"
The warships hummed with a terrifying screech, their engines roaring to life as the sound echoed across the city. The air vibrated with the sheer power of the ships as they began their assault.
"DESTROY everything, my brothers!" Lionel's voice became an unholy bellow, commanding his forces to ravage the world below.
Markus, drawn by an inexplicable feeling, stepped closer to the train window. He squinted through the glass, eyes widening as his gaze locked onto the warship.
The once-familiar cityscape now felt distant, surreal, as if the reality he knew was crumbling before his eyes. A cold shiver ran down his spine, and the bustling noise of the train platform faded into nothing. All that remained was the massive warship, hovering like a silent omen in the sky.
Markus gripped the edge of his seat, his breath quickening as his mind raced. "I need to get back…" he muttered under his breath, his eyes flickering with panic. He thought back to his conversation with his mother.
Is this what she meant about Dad being wrapped up in something big?
His chest tightened with the weight of the situation. The realization hit him like a punch.
This was no ordinary crisis—this was the beginning of something far darker.
Before he could process any more, the ground beneath him shook violently. The city outside erupted in chaos. Pods slammed into towering skyscrapers with explosive force, shattering glass and crumbling entire structures.
People screamed in panic as the buildings around them collapsed, sending debris raining down onto the streets below.
Markus's heart dropped as he saw the destruction unfold. Three-meter-tall humanoid Machines, glowing with a terrifying magical aura, stormed across the streets, their movements relentless and destructive. They tore through anything in their path—cars, buildings, and people—all crushed beneath their feet. The air was thick with the sound of screams, the sounds of destruction, and the acrid scent of smoke.
People rushed through the streets, trying to escape, their faces twisted in fear.
Markus's eyes widened as a mother tried to shield her children from the destruction, only to be impaled by one of the demonic Machines' long, jagged arms. The sight made his stomach churn.
Demonic figures, glowing with dark magic, emerged from the wreckage, casting spells that sent waves of destruction over the city. Fires spread, engulfing entire blocks in an inferno of flames.
The once-vibrant city was now nothing more than a hellscape, consumed by the brutal forces descending from the sky. Markus's hand clenched into a fist, his eyes burning with determination. He had to get back to his family, to ensure they were safe.
As the train careened off the tracks, his thoughts only intensified. There was no time to waste.
"Get down!" A man's voice pierced through the chaos.
Markus whipped his head toward the shout, seeing a man pull out a magic gauntlet and raise his hand. "Barrier!" the man commanded, and a shimmering magic wall appeared just in time to intercept the pod that hurtled toward the train.
The force of the impact sent the train careening off its tracks, slamming into the ground with a deafening crash.
Markus's heart pounded as chaos erupted around him, his thoughts racing. I have to get back to them…
He needed to find his family, to make sure they were safe. His body tensed, his instincts screaming for him to move.
Then—everything went black
***
At Arnik's residence, the group sat in stunned silence, still processing everything that had just happened.
The air was tense, thick with disbelief. The weight of the revelation hung over them like a storm cloud, pressing down on their chests.
Kai finally broke the silence, his voice laced with both sarcasm and unease. "Lionel is the last demon?"
Arnik paced, his brow furrowed. "From the legends? But… that's just a myth, isn't it?"
Kai gestured toward the ruined skyline. "Well, based on what we just saw? Hardly."
Before anyone could say more, Arnik's attention snapped upward. A shadow moved across the sky. His eyes widened as five pods descended rapidly toward them, their metallic hulls gleaming ominously.
"We're going to die," Kai muttered hopelessly.
"Everyone, get close to me!" Arnik shouted, urgency cutting through their panic.
The group huddled around him. Fear pulsed in the air like static electricity.
Arnik thrust his arm into the air, blue energy crackling to life. "Plasma Mutation—Plasma Barrier!"
A shimmering shield expanded around them just in time. The pods slammed into the ground with deafening force, detonating on impact. The blast sent shockwaves through the neighborhood, obliterating Arnik's house and everything around it.
As the dust settled, only rubble remained. Smoke curled into the air, mingling with the acrid scent of burning debris. The plasma barrier flickered a few times before vanishing, leaving behind a faint hum of dissipating energy.
Arnik exhaled sharply, his shoulders slumping as he braced himself against a jagged piece of debris. Sweat trickled down his face. His breaths were unsteady.
"I've… never had to use it like that before," he admitted, his voice strained.
Kai's voice cut through the destruction. "You're a mutant, Arnik?!"
Arnik's expression hardened, though his tone remained even. "That's for later. Right now, we need to move."
Aika clutched her arms tightly, shaking. "Where the hell are we supposed to go? There's no escape!"
"Stay calm!" Rose snapped.
"Stay calm?!" Aika's voice broke. "How do you expect me to stay calm?! My mom… my mom must be in danger!" Tears streamed down her face, her sobs wracking her body.
Without hesitation, Arnik pulled her into a firm hug.
"Please," he whispered, his voice low but steady. "Just leave it to me."
Aika's breath hitched. Her trembling slowed, but the weight of exhaustion crashed over her all at once. Her body slumped forward.
She had fainted.
Arnik turned to Rose, his voice decisive. "Carry her. We need to move. Now."
Rose nodded, hoisting Aika into her arms with ease. "I've got her."
Kai's gaze flicked toward the impact craters, where the red glow of approaching Machines pierced through the smoke. Their movements were slow, calculated. Hunting.
"Where are we even going?" Kai asked.
"Anywhere but here," Arnik said, his eyes narrowing. "Stay close and don't stop moving."
They darted into the streets, weaving through smoke and rubble. The air was thick with the stench of ash and blood. The further they went, the clearer the devastation became—bodies littered the ground, charred remains and broken limbs scattered across the ruins.
Somewhere in the distance, a child screamed. The sound was sharp, raw, cutting through the destruction like a dagger.
Rose bit her lip, her grip on Aika tightening.
Arnik kept moving forward, jaw clenched, scanning for any safe point to regroup. "Don't look. Just keep running."
Kai glanced around frantically. "Where are we even going?"
Arnik didn't answer at first. Then, his eyes locked onto a standing structure ahead. "No—this way!"
Kai frowned. "No?"
Arnik pointed quickly. "Hurry! Get behind that building!"
They sprinted, diving behind the charred remains of a structure. They slumped against the cracked walls, catching their breath.
Kai exhaled shakily. "I'm going to be honest… I don't see a way out of this. Lionel controls everything—every city, every inch of Earth. The only way we get out of this is if we leave the planet entirely."
Rose, still trying to steady herself, shook her head. "We just need to find a sh—"
A thunderous crash interrupted her.
The wall beside them exploded inward as a seven-meter demon machine tore through the structure, its glowing red eyes locking onto them.
The force sent rubble flying in all directions. They barely managed to throw themselves out of the way.
"Move!" Arnik shouted, dragging Kai and Rose to their feet.
Arnik squared his stance, energy crackling around his palms. "Stay behind me!"
The robot lunged, swinging its massive sword. Shhck!!
Arnik dodged just in time, the blade carving into the ground where he had stood seconds before. Without hesitation, he retaliated, launching forward with a plasma-infused kick to its core. BOOM!
The impact sent the machine skidding backward.
But it wasn't done.
It charged again, the two exchanging furious blows.
CLANG! CLANG! Sparks erupted with each impact, the sheer force shattering what little remained of the pavement beneath them.
Arnik gritted his teeth. His muscles screamed from exertion, his breath coming in sharp gasps. He could barely keep up.
Then, an opening.
The machine overextended, its blade crashing down in a wild, powerful arc—but too slow.
Arnik's eyes flashed.
He countered.
Plasma energy surged around his fist as he drove it forward with everything he had.
His punch connected—hard. ZIP-BOOM
The shockwave ripped through the machine's armor, tearing through its core in a blinding explosion of light and debris. The massive demon machine collapsed in a heap of smoldering parts.
Arnik stumbled back, panting, his hands still flickering with residual energy. He wiped sweat from his brow. "It's done."
Kai peeked out from the rubble, eyes wide. "You… actually took that thing down."
Rose exhaled shakily. "Arnik… are you okay?"
Arnik forced himself to stand. "I'll be fine. But we need to keep moving. That wasn't the last of them."
Before they could regroup, a low, mechanical hum filled the air.
From the craters where the pods had landed, six more Machines emerged.
Arnik clenched his fists, plasma crackling around him again. Too many.
Then, a sudden voice rang out—strong, commanding.
"Chain Magic—Chain Barrage!"CHRRR-THWANG-KRAKOOM!
The ground trembled as glowing chains erupted from below, striking with pinpoint accuracy.
The Machines never stood a chance.
Each one collapsed, cores pierced through in an instant.
From the shadows, a figure stepped forward—his armor battle-worn, pulsing faintly with energy. His mask obscured his face, but his presence radiated authority.
"Are you kids alright?" he asked, tone firm but edged with concern.
Arnik froze.
His heart pounded as the figure removed his mask, revealing a face that was older, hardened by war—but familiar.
Arnik's breath caught. His voice came out barely above a whisper. "…Dad"
Andrew Handerfall met his gaze, his own expression unreadable.
"No time for questions. All of you get in the damn ship. Now."
The roar of engines thundered above them as a massive evac ship descended.
For now, survival was all that mattered.
The ship's rear hatch opened with a loud hiss, revealing a cavernous interior large enough to hold them all. The urgency in Andrew's voice left no room for hesitation.
"Hurry—get inside!"
But Arnik didn't move.
He clenched his fists, stepping forward. "Andrew… I can't. There's still someone I need to find. He lives in Sector 4, house—"
Andrew cut him off, his gaze sharp. "House 30. The Sentryon family. I know who you're talking about—I'm going there now. You get in the damn ship so I can go!"
The urgency in his father's voice jolted Arnik into action. He swallowed hard, hesitating only for a second before turning and rushing into the ship. The others followed without question, their breaths heavy with exhaustion and fear.
The hatch sealed shut behind them with a metallic clang.
Engines flared to life, the ship rising sharply as its thrusters roared against the chaos below. From the observation window, Arnik looked out one last time.
The city was burning.
Flames devoured entire buildings. Smoke choked the sky. The streets were littered with bodies—civilians, soldiers, even children—all left behind in the wake of Lionel's attack.
Arnik clenched his jaw, his fists trembling at his sides.
He should have been stronger.
He should have done more.
Somewhere down there, Andrew's smaller craft streaked across the sky, weaving between collapsing structures as it headed toward its destination.
Andrew's hands were steady on the controls, his face grim. Every second counted.
"Hold on, kid," he muttered under his breath. "I'm coming."
***
Back on the evac ship, silence filled the cabin. The reality of what had happened—what they had lost—weighed down on them like an anchor.
Aika was still unconscious, resting in Rose's lap. Rose, normally composed, sat stiffly, her ears twitching slightly, her tail motionless—a sign of how shaken she truly was.
Kai sat apart from them, staring blankly at the floor, his hand gripping his shirt tightly over his heart. He wasn't crying. He wasn't even speaking.
Arnik hated it. He hated the silence, hated the loss, and most of all—he hated the feeling of helplessness that clawed at his chest.
He closed his eyes and took a slow breath.
This wasn't over.