The main tower rose forty-six floors above the ground, surrounded by a wide, open expanse. To its far right stood a smaller annex, blazing with an eerie glow—white, orange, and violet light pulsing in violent harmony.
On the 29th floor, two soldiers sat by the window, coffee in hand, eyes fixed on the radiance outside. Hinari Okamoto leaned back in his chair as Riku Shimizu finally broke the silence.
Riku: "Why don't they just move the crystal somewhere else? You know… somewhere no one lives."
Hinari sighed, shaking his head.
Okamoto: "You really didn't study the reports, did you? That crystal isn't just some rock—it's a sealing core. Inside it are the six god-beasts, their elements locked away to keep the world from tearing itself apart. Even sealed, it leaks massive amounts of energy. That energy doesn't fade—it eventually manifests. It becomes alive. And when it does… it turns into a threat."
He took a slow sip of coffee.
Okamoto: "Besides, it can't be moved. It's bound to the place it was created—the very spot where the beasts were sealed. Try to shift it, and you rip reality apart with it."
Riku frowned, unease tightening his features.
Riku: "Alright… but how does it even become a lifeform?"
Hinari's tone dropped, heavy and deliberate.
Okamoto: "Six elements are sealed inside. And one of them… is Life itself. That's what breathes existence into the energy. And if those beings ever awaken completely—" he looked back at the glow, eyes hard, "—they could wipe an entire country off the map."
Riku set his jaw.
Riku: "Anyway… we're the ones who have to protect the city from this."
Okamoto: "Don't get ahead of yourself. You're just getting started—and you're carrying the legacy of Hashuri Okamoto, my brother. He died protecting this city from these forces. The beast he wielded… it's now sealed inside your Directional Eye. Don't think for a second that you can handle them easily. Even with that master beast… you can still die."
Riku: "I know, man."
Suddenly, the siren blared, cutting through the tension.
Control Room Officer Karuya (over comms): "Emergency alert! Another energy form has taken life—it's growing fast and heading toward the city. All units, prepare for immediate engagement!"
Within moments, soldiers—twenty-two strong—and the four Directional Eye holders mobilized.
The four holders were:
1. Riku Shimizu
2. Yuuma Kanzaki, the vice-captain
3. Hinari Okamoto
4. Nozomi Arai
They advanced quickly, moving to intercept the emerging threat.
As they neared the source, the team realized something chilling—there were three of them. At first glance, they appeared to be pure lightning, crackling and sparking with raw energy. But as they drew closer, it became clear—they were alive. These forces weren't just energy… they had consciousness, purpose, and intent.
The forces struck suddenly, lightning crackling wildly. Bullets and blades collided with them, but it quickly became obvious—they had no effect.
Riku fired his advanced laser machine gun, teeth gritted.
Riku: "These things are resistant to guns… what do we do now?"
Okamoto's gaze was steady, unflinching.
Okamoto: "Do whatever the vice-captain says. And don't release your beast unless it comes down to a life-or-death fight."
Riku grabbed his radio.
Riku: "Sir… what's the plan? It's moving forward, and there are already three casualties—burned by the lightning."
Yuuma's voice came through, calm but firm.
Yuuma: "Keep firing. Hold the line… until the captain arrives."
Suddenly, a figure in a high-tech soldier suit leapt from a nearby building, landing beside Okamoto. She didn't speak a word.
In the blink of an eye, she vanished—reappearing behind the first lightning force. With a swift motion of her hand, she absorbed all the crackling energy. In seconds, she moved to the second and third, neutralizing them effortlessly. Her speed was beyond comprehension.
Riku's jaw dropped.
Riku: "Wow… so this is how the captain fights. First time I've actually seen her."
Okamoto allowed a small, knowing smile.
Okamoto: "She's the only one among all nine of us who can wield her beast's powers directly—without releasing the beast. She's the strongest. Honestly… I think she might be humanity's strongest."
Yuuma gave a faint smile before speaking into the radio.
Yuuma: "You're late, Captain Hina Okabe. We've already lost four citizens and one soldier."
Hina bowed her head slightly, silent, before vanishing once more into the chaos.
Yuuma's voice rang sharply over the radios.
Yuuma: "Everyone! Fall back! Get to the base, now!"
Soldiers moved immediately, weaving through debris and dodging residual lightning strikes. Hina led the retreat, her presence a calm but powerful anchor amid the chaos. Even in motion, she scanned the battlefield, ready to intercept any threat that tried to break through.
Riku sprinted beside Okamoto, eyes flicking toward Hina.
Riku: "We can't let this thing reach the civilians… not after what just happened."
Okamoto's jaw tightened, watching Hina move with precision.
Okamoto: "Exactly. Move fast, stay sharp, and follow her lead. With the captain here, we at least have a chance."
Finally, after the immediate threat was neutralized, Hina's voice cut through, calm and authoritative.
Hina: "It's over. Everyone, fall back to the base and rest."
Yuuma: "Roger."
One by one, responses came over the radios, crisp and synchronized.
All other soldiers: "Roger."
The battlefield fell into a tense silence, broken only by the faint crackle of dissipating energy. Soldiers began regrouping, exhaustion and relief mingling on their faces. Hina led them back toward the base.
As the glow of the crystal receded in the distance, the scene shifted.
A new setting emerged—quiet, tense, and charged with anticipation. The city's skyline stretched before them, scarred but still standing. The calm after the storm offered only a brief respite; something told them the fight was far from over.
---
The three of them sat in the bath, the water steaming around their tired bodies. The battle behind them felt distant, replaced by the quiet hum of exhaustion and camaraderie.
Riku broke the silence, glancing at Yuuma.
Riku: "Vice-captain… do you have… any feelings for the captain?"
Yuuma raised an eyebrow, clearly not expecting the question.
Yuuma: "Huh… I didn't expect that from you. Love? No. Admiration? Definitely yes. She's… precise, calm, and unshakable. Everything we've trained for, she embodies it."
Okamoto snorted, leaning back with a teasing grin.
Okamoto: "Looks like someone's got first-eye love."
Riku blinked, caught off guard, before nodding sheepishly.
Riku: "Y-yeah… I mean… she's perfect, man."
Okamoto chuckled, splashing a little water toward Riku.
Okamoto: "Perfection doesn't mean easy, rookie. Keep dreaming."
Yuuma smirked quietly, leaning back against the warm tiles.
Yuuma: "But he's right in one sense. Seeing her fight… it inspires you. Makes you want to push harder, survive, and get stronger. That's why we follow her."
Riku let the warmth of the bath and the honesty of his comrades settle in, feeling a strange mix of relief and determination.
Riku: "Yeah… I get that. I'll keep up. I have to."
Okamoto snorted again, letting the water ripple around him.
Okamoto: "Good. Now, stop gushing over the captain and just enjoy the bath before we get thrown back into hell tomorrow."
---
The scene shifted to the dining area, warm light spilling across the long tables. Two girls were already seated, quietly eating and tending to themselves: Nozomi Arai, ever-alert Directional Eye holder, and Yuna Kamizuki, recovering from recent injuries.
The three boys entered, scanning the table as they approached, checking the dishes.
Okamoto leaned slightly toward Yuna, a teasing but concerned tone in his voice.
Okamoto: "Feeling good now, Kamizuki?"
Yuna: "Yes… now I can fight again."
Yuuma shook his head gently, his tone calm and measured.
Yuuma: "Don't rush yourself. Take care of your wounds properly first."
Riku, peering at the spread of food, frowned slightly.
Riku: "Hey… where's the salad dish?"
Okamoto snorted, glancing at him.
Okamoto: "You worry about the greens more than your own stamina, huh?"
Nozomi and Yuna exchanged amused glances as the boys continued inspecting the table, the atmosphere lightening after the tension of the battlefield.
Moments later, the scene shifted again. The camaraderie of the dining hall faded behind them, replaced by a new setting, charged with anticipation. Whatever lay ahead, the team knew they would face it together—rested, alert, and ready.
---
The street was cloaked in darkness, bathed only in the cold silver light of the moon. A lone figure moved silently along the cobblestones—a man shrouded in a green hooded cloak, his black hair peeking out, eyes hidden behind white bandages.
After a measured walk, he pushed open the door of an old, dimly lit bar. Only three candles flickered on the worn wooden tables, casting long, trembling shadows across the room.
An old man behind the counter glanced up, a hint of recognition in his tired eyes.
Old Man: "It's been a while, young man… looks like you forgot your money."
The cloaked figure's voice was low, measured.
Cloaked Man: "It sure has… but I never forget what is mine."
The old man reached under the counter, producing a small bag, and slid it across the worn surface. The cloaked man picked it up, nodding slightly.
At the door, he paused, voice cold and deliberate.
Cloaked Man: "The vessel of Krovanthis is no longer alive. What was his name… Ah, Hetaya Kuno. He is dead."
The old man froze, eyes wide.
Old Man: "Who… who are you?"
The cloaked figure's words were like a shadow itself, sharp and final.
Cloaked Man: "Death."
Without another word, he vanished into the night, leaving the old man with a chill creeping down his spine. Something told him that the world had just shifted in a way he could not yet comprehend.