Chapter 3
Souta decided not to walk home.
His father still had not answered his calls, and the uneasy feeling in his chest refused to fade. Luckily, Raiden Ryou noticed his hesitation and offered to ride with him.
"Cab?" Ryou asked casually.
Souta nodded. "Yeah. Thanks."
The two climbed into the backseat, the door shutting with a dull thud. As the cab pulled away, the city lights passed by in slow streaks. For the first time since school ended, Souta felt slightly safer.
Ryou leaned back. "You looked tense back there."
Souta sighed. "Just a bad feeling. My dad usually picks up."
They talked about random things. Classes. Games. Theories Souta had been thinking about. Ryou listened with interest, occasionally throwing in strange ideas of his own. The conversation drifted naturally, enough to distract Souta from the growing worry in his mind.
Yet, every time the cab stopped at a red light, Souta felt as if something unseen was watching.
Underground Facility
Far beneath the surface, more than three kilometers underground, Renjiro Ishikawa stood before something that defied logic.
It was not just DNA.
The team had uncovered a new type of periodic element embedded within the structure. It did not match any known classification. Its atomic behavior shifted under observation, as if reacting to the presence of living beings.
Alfred, one of Renjiro's closest colleagues, stared at the data in disbelief. "What is this? I am sure the government will go insane once they hear about it."
Samples were extracted. Many samples. Both from the DNA structure and the massive black mass beneath it.
The Void.
A colossal, pitch black structure buried impossibly deep. Theories flew across the room. Some believed it was constructed. Others argued it fell from space long ago.
"But if it came from space," Alfred muttered, "how is it buried this deep underground?"
No one had an answer.
Renjiro stepped closer to the stone-like surface of the Void. It felt cold, yet alive. As his fingers brushed it, the Void reacted.
Dark smoke erupted violently, filling the chamber. Scientists screamed and covered their heads. Even Doctor Cane stepped back. Victor watched silently from a distance.
The smoke shrank suddenly, condensing into a small, floating object. A glowing red orb pulsed at the center.
When the air cleared, Renjiro took a step forward.
Doctor Cane shouted, "Do not—"
Too late.
For a single split second, Renjiro's body corroded. His skin darkened, cracking like burnt metal. His eyes turned completely white.
Alfred lunged forward and dragged him back.
Renjiro collapsed.
The corrosion vanished instantly, as if it had never happened.
Doctor Cane barked orders. Scientists rushed in every direction. Some secured Renjiro. Others rushed to contain the Void. Victor approached calmly, his gaze fixed on the void orb.
Renjiro was taken to the central chamber.
One Hour Later
Renjiro woke up gasping.
His vision was blurred, his body weak, but he was alive.
Later, alone with Alfred, he spoke in a low voice.
"I saw something," Renjiro said. "A vision. A dark one."
Alfred stiffened. "What kind of vision?"
"Something watching everything. Something that should not be controlled." Renjiro clenched his fist. "Victor cannot be allowed to keep the Void. With that orb in his hands, he will use it for something terrible."
Alfred hesitated. "Then where do we take it?"
Renjiro shook his head. "I do not know yet. But we must remove it from his reach."
Alfred exhaled slowly. "Two people against everyone here is not going to work. We need a plan."
Renjiro nodded. "First, we rest. We stay calm. Then we move."
Above ground, the city continued as usual.
Below it, something ancient had awakened.
Back in the cab, the ride finally came to an end.
Souta and Raiden stepped out onto the sidewalk, the city lights glowing softly around them. The tension from earlier had faded, replaced by the comfort of familiar company.
"Hey," Souta said, adjusting his bag. "Let's play some games later."
Ryou grinned. "Yeah. Definitely."
They bumped fists, a simple gesture that carried years of friendship behind it. After saying their goodbyes, they went their separate ways.
Souta walked the rest of the way home alone.
When he opened the door, the apartment was quiet.
"Welcome home, Souta," his mother called from the kitchen.
"Hello, Mom," he replied, slipping off his shoes.
"I made dinner," Miyu said warmly. "Your father and brother are not home yet. Do you want to eat first?"
Souta hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Sure."
He sat at the table, the warmth of the food comforting, though the unease in his chest refused to leave.
Masaki's Point of View
Masaki stopped when he noticed someone leaning against the fence near the street.
Hikari.
Masaki walked over, arms crossed. "Hey. You are creepy."
Hikari looked at him, amused.
"I know about your family," Masaki continued. "But we are cool. You are making my brother uncomfortable. I just want to talk to you. Stay out of our way and mind your own business."
For a moment, Hikari was silent.
Then he laughed.
It was loud. Too loud. He laughed so hard that Masaki took a step back.
"What?" Masaki asked. "What is so funny?"
Hikari wiped his eyes, still smiling. "As you wish."
His smile lingered longer than it should have. Then he turned and walked away.
Masaki watched him leave. "What a weirdo."
Renjiro's Point of View
Renjiro felt stable again.
He walked down the corridor beside Alfred, their footsteps echoing against the metal floor. Along the walls, massive glass tanks lined the hallway. Inside them were people, suspended in liquid, unmoving.
Children.
They did not look ordinary.
Renjiro forced himself not to stare.
They reached a secured door. Alfred pulled out a key and hesitated for a second. They exchanged a silent nod.
Alfred opened his locker and retrieved a master key.
As they turned, guards stepped into the hallway.
"What are you doing here?" one of them asked.
Renjiro answered calmly. "Just taking a smoke break."
The guard nodded. "Make it quick and get back."
"Yes, sir," Alfred replied.
They waited until the guards disappeared before moving again.
"That was close," Renjiro whispered.
Victor's Point of View
Victor Veil stood alone, overlooking the containment area.
Below him, the captured children floated silently in their chambers. His gaze drifted to the black orb resting nearby.
It pulsed faintly.
"It feels powerful," Victor said softly. "The moment he touched the Void, something changed."
Doctor Cane stood beside him. "Yes, sir."
Victor turned his head slightly. "Inspect that man. Investigate him. What is his name?"
Doctor Cane adjusted his glasses. "One of our most valuable scientists. Ishikawa Renjiro."
Victor smiled faintly. "Ishikawa, huh. I see."
His eyes returned to the orb as it glowed quietly, waiting.
To be continued…