"I opened my eyes. Everything around me was on fire. I stood there, surrounded by chaos. Screams echoed off burning walls as I watched people burn alive.
My hands... they were soaked in blood. Did I... do this?"
The air was thick with smoke and the stench of scorched flesh. Itoshi's breath trembled as he looked down at his trembling hands. His heart raced in his chest like a war drum, the ground cracking under his feet as if the earth itself was ready to collapse.
"Where am I...? This isn't real. It can't be real..."
He staggered back, his boots crunching glass and bone. To his left, rows of scorched bodies stood eerily still — unmoving, yet staring straight at him. Their hollow eyes, empty sockets melted by heat, all fixed on him.
"W-What is this place..."
He thought to himself.
He turned. Behind him was a silhouette — a man cloaked in shadow, his face obscured, his presence heavy like a curse. The shadow raised a hand and pointed directly at him.
Suddenly, the burnt corpses stirred. Then charged.
"W-What the hell?! I can't move—"
He hushed as he panicked.
He tried to run, to lift his legs, but they were rooted to the ground. Fear gripped him like chains, weighing his body down as the tide of corpses rushed toward him.
"No—NO! Move, damn it! MOVE!"
The first one reached him — a charred man with half his face melted, but the other half twisted in rage. His eyes were unnatural — glowing red and blue, like a cursed fire frozen mid-burn. The corpse's hands lunged for his neck.
"Ahhhhh!!!"
As he shouted in fear, a voice echoed in his ears, calling out to him.
"KOYA!!!"
~~~Cape Hedo~~~
[April 14, 2169 - 10pm]
Itoshi's eyes shot open. Sweat clung to his forehead, and his chest rose and fell rapidly.
"You were moaning in your sleep. Are you ok?"
He blinked a few times, disoriented. The burning city, the corpse with two-toned eyes — all gone now. Replaced by the faint scent of disinfectant and the dim interior of the café-turned-clinic.
"W-What?"
"You were making noises..."
Kara sat beside his bed, her arms still wrapped in fresh bandages. Her blue hair was a little frizzy, probably from the pillow, and her eyes were full of quiet concern.
"She should be resting... What's she doing up here?"
Itoshi thought to himself.
"I'm ok. Sorry about that. That said, why are you here? Shouldn't you be resting?"
"I got bored, so yeah..."
He raised a brow at her. Her left arm was free, but her right was still tightly bound.
"Your left arm healed quite fast, didn't it?"
"Yeah... My right arm will be free in five days or so."
Itoshi raised a brow.
"And your ribs?"
Kara chuckled.
"Ah—um... I guess I was saved from getting pneumonia."
"That's good."
They both paused for a moment. The silence wasn't heavy—it was just long enough to let the weight of everything settle between them.
"You fought well back there, Kara. That was amazing."
Kara blushed, surprised to hear such a rare compliment from her sibling.
"W-What? I just helped Ryujin-sama though..."
"You moved with your intent to save him. That still counts as a fight,"
Itoshi countered, his voice steady.
She looked down at her lap, her fingers tracing the fabric of her sleeve, unsure how to respond.
"Ok... I guess."
"How are the others? How are they doing?"
Itoshi asked, his eyes scanning the room.
"Ah... Ryujin-sama is outside right now. The others are still sleeping though. Especially Kirashi-san."
Itoshi exhaled a long breath of relief, the tension finally leaving his shoulders.
"Ok, thank god."
"How are your lungs?"
Kara asked softly, her eyes filled with concern.
"No more puking blood?"
"I guess the doctors really looked after us well,"
Itoshi replied, smiling faintly.
"I know, right?"
They shared a short smile. For once, the chaos felt distant, replaced by the quiet hum of the recovery ward. Then she looked at him again, her expression growing a little more serious. "Um..."
"Yeah?"
"Koya... What were you dreaming about?"
He smiled—not in joy, but as a shield to keep her out.
"It was nothing."
"No way I'm telling her that I saw corpses crawling toward me... That I felt responsible... That I was too slow again."
"Just some leftover fire in my head..."
He muttered to himself. Kara didn't push. She just nodded and sat with him a little longer, the two of them anchored together in the quiet.
[12:00pm]
More supplies arrived from the U.W.D.S. to aid the squad's recovery from the recent carnage.
Fresh bandages, potent medicine, and high-calorie rations were dropped off at the café-turned-clinic, where the five recovering members were being looked after with meticulous care.
Ryujin stood by the front door as he always did—unmoving and silent. Half of his face was buried under layers of white bandages, the gauze wrapping diagonally across his forehead and temple like a mask of war.
He barely flinched as the thundering roar of a U.W.D.S. chopper filled the clearing.
"Ryujin-sama! You should stay inside and rest!"
The doctor shouted from within.
Ryujin didn't respond. He kept his eyes locked on the heavy machinery, his coat fluttering violently against the salt-heavy ocean breeze.
His fist, which had been clenched white around the bandage at his side, finally loosened as the craft touched down.
"Bring the supplies inside."
The doctor let out a heavy sigh behind him, giving up for the hundredth time that day.
"I can't rest. Not yet. Not when I'm the one who let it happen..."
Ryujin thought, his gaze hardening.
"These are enough, right?"
Ryujin asked, stepping toward the pilot as the crates were unloaded.
"Yes, sir. Oh—heads up—the higher-ups are expecting you all to be back in action by the end of the month,"
The pilot shouted over the engine whine.
Ryujin squinted against the dust.
"End of the month? Have they even seen Kirashi's condition?"
"Hey, I'm just here to deliver the report, not write it,"
The pilot shrugged, turning back to his cockpit.
"Tch. Fine, fine. I get it,"
Ryujin muttered.
As the pilot stepped into the helicopter, he paused and looked back over his shoulder, his voice dropping into a low mutter that barely carried over the blades.
"I'd still recommend you guys rest longer. The demon is within you."
Ryujin's eyes narrowed slightly, the words hitting him like a physical blow.
"Demon?.."
The pilot didn't answer. The helicopter blades spun back to life with a deafening whistle, kicking up a blinding cloud of sand as the craft rose and vanished into the blue expanse above.
"See? Even the heads want you to take a break before returning next week..."
The doctor noted, coming to stand beside him.
Ryujin didn't speak. He just stood still, watching the surf crash violently into the jagged rocks below.
"That said, your squad's recovering freakishly fast,"
The doctor continued, trying to lighten the mood.
"The two blue-hairs are already in the clear from lung bleeding, the shadowy one's been wandering around for hours now... and Kirashi?"
He let out a short, tired laugh.
"Kirashi's been yelling about how hot the room is. He's a handful, huh? You've got a lively bunch, Ryujin."
Ryujin looked out over the sea once more and gave a slow, somber nod.
"They're alive. That's all that matters."
A bright voice suddenly cut through the heavy air from inside the café. It was Kara.
"Lunch time!!"
Ryujin turned back toward the building with a weary, heavy step. Just before he crossed the threshold, the doctor said something that made him freeze in his tracks.
"Don't burn your hands,"
The doctor said, grinning.
"Huh?"
Ryujin turned, confused.
The doctor didn't explain. He simply walked toward the beach, lazily waving a hand over his shoulder as he retreated.
Ryujin stared after him for a long second, his brow furrowed in a puzzle he couldn't solve. Finally, he shook his head and stepped back into the warmth of the café.
"What's up with the lazy foreshadowings.."
[12:10pm]
The five of them gathered around one table for lunch, the light of noon slipping through the café's windows and catching the steam rising from their bowls.
The soft clink of spoons against ceramic filled the air—the first time the entire squad had sat together since the bloodbath at Hedo Cape.
"Kirashi-san? Are you sure you're okay eating here?"
Kara asked, leaning in.
Kirashi, wrapped in so many thick layers of bandages he looked like a half-rolled carpet, gave a silent but stubborn nod.
"He needs to be fed, right?"
Itoshi asked, a mischievous grin stretching across his face.
"Baby mummy."
Kirashi turned slowly, giving Itoshi a lethal death glare from within the gauze.
His eyes twitched with fury, and he began wriggling in his seat like a frantic, angry worm, struggling to raise even a single pinned arm.
"HAHAHAHAHA!!"
Itoshi roared.
A nurse walked over calmly and peeled back a section of the bandages covering Kirashi's mouth. "Damn you, Itoshi!!!"
He barked the moment he was free.
"HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!"
The laughter was cut short as Kirashi's personal nurse arrived, a tray held firmly in her hands.
"Here you go, master," she said softly. She scooped a spoonful of soup and held it up to Kirashi's lips.
Itoshi's laughter died instantly. Pure, unadulterated envy burned in his eyes as he watched the specialized treatment.
Kirashi caught the look and offered a smug, muffled hum, staring Itoshi down as he let the soup settle.
"Hmhmhm."
"Jealous? Break your whole body,"
Ayro muttered, not looking up from his own plate.
"Uhh... tempting,"
Itoshi admitted.
"You want me to feed you, Koya?"
Kara offered.
Itoshi shut her down instantly, his tone turning cold as he looked away.
"Nah, I'm good."
Kara's face turned bright red as she pouted.
"Unfair!"
"Kara, take care of yourself first. Your right arm's still healing, isn't it?"
Itoshi hushed, his back still turned toward her.
"Yeah..."
She replied, her voice barely a whisper.
Itoshi softened, turning back to her with a gentle smile.
"I'll feed you, then."
Kara's mood did a complete 180, her eyes brightening instantly.
"Ok!"
Ayro and Ryujin exchanged soft, knowing smiles as they watched the siblings, a rare quietness settling over the veteran duo as they ate.
The peace lasted until Kirashi tried to speak with a mouthful of broth.
"Beh thure wsaduh kfas."
"Swallow first, you disaster,"
Ayro muttered, sipping his tea.
Kirashi gulped, taking a needed breath.
"By the way, Kara?"
"Yeah?"
"How did you know about the letter?"
Kara tilted her head, her expression shifting into one of genuine confusion.
"Letter?"
"The letter!"
Kirashi called out, waving his bandaged hands beneath the table.
"Kirashi-san, I really don't know what you're talking about..."
She replied in a jolly, baffled tone.
"Windgott's letter!"
"Windgott?.."
She asked, her brow furrowing.
"Who's that?"
Kirashi froze. The smugness from earlier evaporated, replaced by a cold dread.
"What... you don't remember?.." He stuttered, his eyes wide. "Y-Your eyes!"
"My eyes...?"
The table grew still. Everyone was puzzled, watching Kirashi try to piece together a reality no one else seemed to share.
"They were glowing red that time! You called out to me—you said the letter came from him!"
Kirashi insisted, leaning forward.
But Kara remained clueless.
"I really don't remember that... The last thing I remember is waking up in Koya's arms.."
"Yeah,"
Itoshi supported her, nodding firmly.
"She woke up just as I pulled her away from the Seele."
Kirashi's brows furrowed as he fixed his gaze on Itoshi.
"Were her eyes glowing red when you saw her?"
Itoshi shrugged, closing his eyes as he shook his head.
"Nope.. Looked pretty normal to me."
"What the hell..."
Kirashi silently muttered to himself.
Kara leaned toward him slightly, her voice filled with apology.
"Kirashi-san, I'm sorry. I just can't recall anything like that..."
Kirashi let out a long, shaky sigh.
"It's not your fault..."
He leaned back, his mind spinning.
"What exactly happened back there?"
Itoshi asked, sensing the weight of Kirashi's confusion.
"I remember lying by the tree. I couldn't move much,"
Kirashi began, his voice dropping an octave.
"Then Kara called out to me—said she had Windgott-sama's letter."
He paused, the memory vivid in his mind.
"She was held by the Seele... her eyes glowing red. I didn't realize it at the time, but now that I think about it—where did that letter even come from?"
Itoshi turned to Kara.
"Wait... Kara, where did you get it?"
"Like I said... I don't know.. All I can recall was.. I..."
She hesitated, her hands moving to hug her belly tightly as the phantom sensation of the beast's grip returned.
"I.. I passed out because of how hard the beast gripped my body.. I'm sorry.."
Itoshi couldn't find the words. He watched her tremble, the guilt of not being fast enough to save her from that trauma resurfacing. A beat of heavy silence passed.
"She can't recall, huh..."
Ryujin hushed before taking a slow sip of his coffee.
"Wait—do you know something about this?"
Itoshi asked, insistent.
Ryujin took a deep breath, then shook his head slowly.
"No. I think I was out cold when it happened."
"I meant why she forgot!"
Itoshi pressed.
"Still no idea."
The table grew quiet again. Five heads lowered slightly in thought, each caught in the tangle of Kirashi's strange recollection.
The mood wasn't heavy anymore, just uncertain—like a page in a book that refused to turn.
"Something's not right,"
Kirashi thought, his gaze drifting to the window.
"That wasn't just a dream. Kara... what did you become in that moment?"
[5:00pm]
Ryujin sat near the open café window, letting the late afternoon breeze wash over him. The sound of waves rolled in the background, steady and calm—too calm for the weight currently resting on his shoulders.
His comms buzzed to life with a familiar static. It was Hachi.
"Ryujin?"
"Yeah?"
"How's your squad?"
"More lively now,"
Ryujin replied, his voice gruff. There was a pause on the other end. Ryujin already knew what was coming next.
"New assignment."
"Thought so. Let's hear it,"
Ryujin prompted.
"Before that... congratulations—to you and your squad."
Ryujin blinked, leaning his head back against the window frame.
"Huh? For what?"
"We've confirmed it. No Seele signals left in Okinawa. You cleared them all."
Ryujin looked out toward the ocean, where the black silhouettes of helicopters moved in the distance against the horizon.
Behind the café glass, his squad was eating, laughing, and recovering in a way that seemed impossible just days ago.
"Not just me. It was with my squad."
"Yeah, yeah, I know!"
Hachi chuckled.
"We rank up?"
"From 341... to 300."
Ryujin went quiet.
"...I see."
He let a small, genuine smile slip for just a second, a rare break in his stoic mask, before Hachi continued.
"That flame boy... He's caught the attention of the Skulls."
Ryujin's smile vanished.
"Those bastards, huh."
"Calm down, Ryujin. This is a step closer to your dream."
"Yeah, yeah I know."
"That boy might help you reach it. So help him reach his, too."
"Yeah,"
Ryujin agreed, his gaze drifting back inside the room. Ayro was currently teasing Kirashi about something, while Kara and Itoshi were still chatting over their empty bowls.
"Do they know your dream?"
"Only Kirashi and Ayro. That's all."
"You're joking, right?"
Hachi asked, his tone skeptical.
"No."
"At least tell them how U.W.D.S. works?"
Ryujin went silent for a beat.
"...I forgot."
"Ryujin!!"
Ryujin rubbed his forehead and sighed, the gauze on his temple crinkling.
"Alright, alright. I'll tell them later."
"Good. Now—about the assignment."
"Spit it out already."
"After your win in Okinawa, the Skulls expect your squad to do the same... on the mainland."
"Mainland Japan?"
Ryujin asked, his posture straightening.
"Yes. Don't panic. Other squads will be there too."
Ryujin didn't respond right away. His grip tightened slightly on the comms device.
"Concerned?"
Hachi asked softly.
"...Nah."
"You're their leader, Ryujin. They trust you. You should trust yourself. And relax—a little. There are little to no Flame-type Seele in the mainland."
"Still... how can I relax when I can't beat any Seele myself?"
Ryujin muttered, the bitterness of his own limitations seeping through.
"Don't worry. Most of them are Earth-types over there. Besides... you've got Windgott's "son". "
Ryujin exhaled long and slow, the salt air filling his lungs.
"You still wanna reach the top?"
Hachi asked.
"I do."
"Then go do it."
The comms clicked off, leaving only the sound of the wind. Ryujin tucked the small device back into the inner lining of his coat.
The wind moved softly across his bandaged face, stinging the exposed skin just enough to remind him he was alive. He stood there quietly, watching the sun sink into the ocean, the sky bleeding orange and red like the eyes he'd heard Kirashi describe.
One step closer to everything he wanted.
~~~To be Continued~~~