10/09/4098

  *The early morning of what should be just another day begins in the worst possible way. Tyler falls to the ground, his body limp and pale, while a pool of blood slowly forms beneath him. The heroes don't move; none of them dare to.*

  Kazuki: Well, I must admit that I overdid it with my strength and speed. Ever since I woke up, I feel like my ánima isn't responding as it should.

  *Kazuki removes his hood and enjoys the soft rain falling on him. The group finally reacts and gets into a defensive position.*

  Tarnok: Kazuki Takeda? This sucks, and he's just a kid. The books said he had a lot of experience.

  Cryo: Keep in mind that he was raised for war. We can't get distracted. No one break their position.

  Kazuki: Are you planning to attack me? I only killed him because I disliked him. Besides, he attacked me first.

  Phoenix: Is that how you justify yourself?

  Kazuki: Yes. By the way, you have some very strange and interesting things around here. Something tells me I've been in that damn frozen cage for a long time.

  *Kazuki blinks, but notices the increase in ánima and instinctively dodges the spikes of ice and earth that chase him and force him back. Cryo creates a dome of ice around the heroes.*

  Cryo: You heard him, he seems to have no idea about the current world, we have to take advantage of that and create an element of surprise.

  Tarnok: We can't give him any clues, so we'll have to fight to take advantage of any slight distraction. Thalior must know everything and is surely working on something.

  *The four instinctively jump back. Kazuki falls from above, breaking the dome effortlessly.*

  Kazuki: I don't like secret meetings.

  *Tarnok activates his element, but a chill runs down his spine. He miraculously manages to predict Kazuki's blow and covers his stomach in time, but the force still sends him crashing into a nearby mountain.*

  Kazuki: This lake brings back memories. Neither good nor bad, just memories. *He stretches a little and stares at the moon, completely ignoring the heroes.* I thought I'd never see a Blue Moon again. I can feel my ánima flowing naturally.

  *Cryo and Phoenix attack, but Kazuki easily dodges their attacks thanks to the huge difference in their speeds.*

  Kazuki: My ánima has been acting strange for days, but it's not because of the moon. Any ideas? *Kicking Phoenix in the face and punching Cryo in the stomach.*

  *Vexa finally reacts and aims at Kazuki, who prepares to deflect the attack. Vexa launches a wave of vibrations, and Kazuki doesn't seem to perceive the attack as he takes it head-on and looks bewildered.*

  Kazuki: What was that? *Looking at his hands, which, having been unprotected, have tensed up for a few seconds.*

  *Kazuki looks at Vexa and jumps back to dodge more spikes of earth, but in doing so, he loses his footing, and Tarnok takes advantage of this to reinforce his body with ánima and hit Kazuki in the head with a rock bat, sending him flying.*

  Tarnok: Get together, I have an idea.

  *Phoenix launches a huge burst of fire that pushes Kazuki back, who sees them whispering and preparing for what looks like a joint attack.*

  Kazuki: Looks like you have a plan, but I can't keep playing, my body feels weird. I hope you're ready.

  *Kazuki stands still and takes a breath. For a second, the rain seems to calm down, the wind carries only silence, and the cold of the night conveys a cozy tranquility. In the next second, Kazuki opens his eyes and releases all his ánima, enveloping the heroes and everything around them.*

  Tarnok: You underestimate us too much.

  *The heroes also release their ánima, which manages to match Kazuki's.*

  Kazuki: Not bad. How about we pick up the pace? *His body begins to emit electricity.*

  Cryo: Don't complain later.

  *Kazuki lunges at them, his speed far superior to that of his rivals. He attacks again and again, escaping their sight and giving them no time to react. However, when he hits Phoenix, he burns his hand and recoils, slipping on the suddenly icy ground. Without wasting any time, Vexa and Tarnok attack him at the same time, making use of their elements.*

  Kazuki: Not bad! *Blocking Tarnok's punch, but in doing so, he feels a sudden vibration throughout his body.*

  Tarnok: Now you're at a disadvantage *ducking to allow Vexa to shoot another wave of vibrations at him.*

  *Cryo creates ice daggers and throws them at Kazuki. Phoenix, taking advantage of the fact that Kazuki must defend himself, decides to engulf the entire area in flames, forcing the young man to take damage one way or another.*

  Phoenix: I don't like hitting young people, but I won't let you kill anyone else *closing the distance between himself and Kazuki to begin attacking him.*

  Kazuki: Trying to beat me in hand-to-hand combat? *Throwing a flurry of punches at Phoenix's body.*

  *However, when Phoenix manages to graze his arm, Kazuki feels his ánima begin to burn intensely, draining rapidly.*

  Kazuki: What the hell?! *Sending a lot of ánima to his arm to stop the effect.* That's new.

  *Another direct blow to the head from Cryo forces him to turn around to defend himself. With his back unprotected, Tarnok takes advantage and delivers a series of consecutive blows to his sides. Kazuki breaks free from both of them, but as he throws them away, a wave of vibrations from the sky hits him hard and causes his muscles to tense up again, allowing Phoenix to punch him in the stomach.*

  Tarnok: Don't let him rest *creating walls of earth around Kazuki to limit his movements.*

  *Phoenix grabs his arm, causing the same effect as before, while Cryo freezes Tarnok's walls to create daggers that strike Kazuki. Vexa is not far behind and launches another attack from the ceiling. In a single instant, Kazuki grabs Phoenix by the face and slams him into Vexa with all his might. He breaks the walls and stands still.*

  Kazuki: Wow, this is what I get for being overconfident. I guess there's no other choice *using his ánima to heal himself from the burns and cuts caused by Cryo's daggers* I'm going to have to kill you.

  *Kazuki begins to emit much more electricity than before. In a single instant, he strikes Vexa and Phoenix simultaneously.*

  Tarnok: Listen! That's the technique Tyler used, electrification. Don't attack, just focus on surviving.

  *Kazuki turns and instantly closes the distance between himself and Tarnok.*

  Kazuki: I see, I guess you'll have to be first *beginning to strike him over and over.*

  *In Lightown, Thalior tries to wake up the employees, who have fainted after Kazuki released his ánima.*

  Thalior: Damn, this isn't good. Alpha Team, prepare the portals in case we have to evacuate people. Omega Team, go see if the scientists are still awake, and if they are, activate Project Z.

  Kaelion: Boss, what's going on? *Speaking through the headset.* From here, I can feel that enormous ánima. Are the heroes okay?

  Thalior: Kaelion, stay there. Don't even think about coming. You're not up to it, and we can't let the North feel even more threatened.

  Kaelion: But boss...

  Soldier: Thalior, the heroes are losing. We have to act.

  Thalior: Damn it.

  *Thalior turns off his microphone while continuing to give instructions. Kaelion remains circling the ruins. He thinks about the soldier's last words and begins to worry. He leaves the ruins to make a decision. Back on the battlefield, Cryo and Tarnok create shields and armor of earth and ice to protect their companions.*

  Kazuki: You're very resilient, especially you *hitting Tarnok in the stomach, who resists the blow and tries to attack him, failing.*

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  Tarnok: How is this possible? You're not supposed to be free. You should be frozen.

  Kazuki: I wonder the same thing *dodging an attack from Phoenix.*

  Vexa: We won't let you escape. We'll stop you here and now.

  Kazuki: You seem very fragile.

  *Kazuki attacks Vexa, confident that she won't be able to defend herself. However, Vexa grabs Kazuki's arm and locks it, slamming him to the ground.*

  Vexa: Don't underestimate me! *Pointing both hands at him.*

  *Kazuki kicks her hands to avoid the attack and then kicks her low, causing Vexa to fall. But Tarnok uses his element again, this time causing a spike of earth to pierce Kazuki's left hand.*

  Kazuki: Wow, you really are a problem *using his ánima to heal his hand.* You've made me use up a lot of energy, I can't afford to keep taking attacks.

  *Kazuki's eyes begin to glow and he starts to predict each of the heroes' attacks, landing a perfect strike. The only one who can hold out longer is Tarnok due to his high resistance to Kazuki's electricity.*

  Cryo: Damn, how does he do that?

  Vexa: I think...

  *Kazuki knocks her out with a single attack, and not only that, he moves so fast that the only thing the other three heroes can do is hear the whistle of the wind every time he moves. Phoenix, noticing this, increases his flames just as Kazuki attacks him, allowing Tarnok and Cryo to see Kazuki's location for a fraction of a second.*

  Tarnok: Vexa! *Trying to reach her but getting hit over and over again.*

  Cryo: Damn it! *Pointing her hand at Kazuki, causing the cold from the daggers he stabbed him with earlier to spread throughout his body.*

  Kazuki: How annoying! *Kicking her in the gut.*

  *Phoenix approaches to help Cryo but to no avail. Still, he doesn't give up and keeps trying, knowing that even if he gets hit, Kazuki won't come out unscathed. Tarnok finally understands Kazuki's ability.*

  Tarnok: The ánima! He can see the ánima's behavior!

  *Kazuki is annoyed by Tarnok's observation, draws his katana, and prepares to cut him down. At that moment, he sees Kaelion, who puts his hands together and prepares an attack. Kazuki tries to dodge it, but Cryo's ice takes effect and prevents him from moving his legs. A huge amount of pressurized lava shoots out right under Kazuki's feet. Kaelion maintains the attack for several seconds. Finally, the attack stops.*

  Kazuki: *with his ánima very low and several burns* That hurt.

  *Kaelion tries to protect himself, but in an instant he is already receiving attacks left and right from Kazuki, who is already very weak. He lifts Kaelion up, and just in time, Cryo and Phoenix manage to give him some of their ánima so he can protect himself from Kazuki's devastating kick, creating a shockwave that throws everyone back.*

  Tarnok: Kaelion!

  *In Lightown, Thalior and those who remain awake barely manage to react, and the teleporters are activated, taking the families to safety. Barely a second later, Kaelion crashes into all kinds of buildings, forcing the drones and soldiers to hold them up in any way possible to prevent total collapse.*

  Thalior: Bring doctors and activate all the drones we can, quick!

  *Back on the battlefield, Kazuki spits blood and realizes he's on his last legs. When he turns around, a huge figure of earth, with several hands forming a kind of spiral, points directly at him.*

  Kazuki: Shit.

  *A huge wave of vibrations hits him full force, further destroying the terrain. The heroes take advantage of this and escape. Kazuki, meanwhile, remains standing, apparently unharmed.*

  Kazuki: I guess I'll let you go for today *leaving with what little strength he has left.*

  *With Kazuki's departure, the battle ends. In Lightown, the heroes are quickly treated. Thalior stays behind to watch for any suspicious movements. Kazuki, meanwhile, reaches a cave and collapses. His wounds don't hurt as much as the terrible fever he is beginning to feel, along with the discomfort in his body.*

  Kazuki: What the hell is this? *He heals his wounds with what little ánima he has left and receives in return a heat that seems to melt him from within.*

  *Hours later, he gets up, completely dizzy. He knows that something is wrong, very wrong. He decides to take a risk and walks towards Lightown, falling several times along the way. His head is spinning and the heat only gets more intense with every second. He barely realizes that he has reached the city, where he leans on everything he can to keep walking. People look at him strangely, but Kazuki doesn't notice. And there, he sees a red cross, a pharmacy.*

  Kazuki: Doctor, a doctor *He walks toward the pharmacy, believing it to be the same symbol used by doctors in the war.*

  *When he leans his entire weight on a lamppost, it falls over and makes a huge noise that attracts the attention of everyone walking by. Kazuki panics and changes direction, entering an alley. He leans against a wall for a moment, then collapses because he is at his limit. At that moment, he sees a girl with grayish-white hair and eyes approaching him.*

  13/09/4098

  *Back in the present.*

  Kazuki: I must say you were very helpful *wiping the blood off himself and sitting down on a nearby chair.* I thought I was going to die, and then you arrived with those... What were they called? Vaccines? What strange things you have nowadays.

  Skye: How is that possible? *Shaking, but unable to move.*

  Kazuki: You're the third person to ask me that. First that “hero” from Earth, then that wolf and that wizard, and now you. Are you all going to ask the same thing? By the way, I wanted to ask you something. What are credits? I've been to many places and they always ask for the same thing to take something with me.

  Skye: Are you kidding? Don't you care that you're being so sadistic?

  Kazuki: Sadistic... Hmm, I wouldn't classify myself as one, I don't really do it for pleasure. I already told you I owed you.

  Skye: That's your justification?

  Kazuki: Yes. Listen, I don't have much time, your vaccines are still working but they're taking a while. My ánima isn't responding quite right yet. Are you going to answer?

  *Skye is incredulous. She can't believe someone would cause such a terrifying scene and then act like nothing happened. She slowly gets up to confront Kazuki, but then she notices the masks made of electrical wires that the girls are wearing, covering their eyes.*

  Skye: What are those?

  Kazuki: Strings.

  Skye: I mean, why did you do it?

  Kazuki: I don't know, honestly.

  Skye: Why didn't you kill them?

  Kazuki: Stop asking weird questions. I just didn't want to.

  Skye: You... You prevented them from seeing all this. What do you gain by doing that?

  Kazuki: Stop questioning me. I just felt like it.

  *Skye stares at him, trying to understand. Finally, she decides to respond.*

  Skye: Credits are equivalent to money.

  Kazuki: Isn't it easier to just call it money?

  Skye: I didn't make the system.

  Kazuki: Now that I think about it... What year is it?

  Skye: It's the year 4098.

  *Kazuki stands still. Then he starts laughing.*

  Kazuki: Come on, there's no need to lie.

  Skye: I'm not lying, it's the year 4098.

  Kazuki: Don't mess with me, I've been frozen for 3,000 years!? Well, it makes sense, nothing is the same as it used to be. *He takes a deep breath and calms down.* Well, whatever, I guess some things don't change. I guess everything is different now. There are so many things to learn and I don't know where to start.

  Skye: Maybe you should start by being human.

  Kazuki: Maybe, but I've never been one, so it's no use to me at this point.

  *They both fall silent and stare at each other. Kazuki seems bored and starts to analyze the room.*

  Kazuki: Well, are you going to talk about something or what?

  Skye: You're crazy, completely crazy.

  Kazuki: I've heard that many times before, tell me something new.

  Skye: What are your plans? Now that you're free, what do you plan to do?

  Kazuki: I'm not sure yet. I might destroy this whole world, or I might not. But I'm starting to get bored, so maybe I will.

  Skye: What do you gain from that?

  Kazuki: Purpose.

  Skye: Purpose? Don't you have any aspirations?

  Kazuki: Aspirations? No, I don't have any. I never have, and I've learned that even if I did, they wouldn't matter. So I stick with the only thing I know how to do. In fact... *He stands up and takes a breath to make a decision. Once he has made up his mind, he draws his katana once more.* Maybe it's time to start, before my doubts get the better of me.

  *Kazuki begins to walk toward the girls with his katana at the ready. One of the customers, who is still alive, tries to crawl into a room, but Kazuki electrocutes him to death with a simple lightning bolt. Skye now knows that Kazuki is not lying; he is serious.*

  Skye: Wait, you said you were interested in this era.

  Kazuki: Yes, I did.

  Skye: How about we talk about it?

  Kazuki: No, because I tend to make a lot of mistakes. *He raises his katana to cut Skye, although it takes longer than expected.*

  *Skye begins to have a panic attack, but she knows that not acting will only lead to one outcome. In a last-ditch effort, she comes up with an idea.*

  Skye: Wait! I have a proposal. You said you're bored, right? I don't know this city very well, I just moved here recently. But I can show you everything new, down to the smallest detail. It'll be fun, it'll satisfy your curiosity, and it'll end your boredom.

  Kazuki: You think that's going to work on me? I've heard similar things many times before.

  Skye: I mean it. Anyway, you're strong enough to destroy everything. Think about it, you have nothing to lose.

  Kazuki: Something tells me you're trying to trick me. But you're right *sheathing his katana* I have nothing to lose.

  *Police sirens can be heard nearby and drones are flying over the area.*

  Kazuki: That's our signal.

  *Kazuki stretches and, in the blink of an eye, takes them both to a nearby alley.*

  Kazuki: Okay, where do we start?

  *At the scene, the police arrive and see the gruesome scene. The officers waste no time and take the girls to a safe place. Police Captain Vender investigates the entire premises with his squad. Among the files, he finds a list of all the customers.*

  Vender: No way. Call any available heroes, they need to see this.

  *Within minutes, Tarnok arrives on the scene and is briefed on every detail.*

  Tarnok: This place is huge. How is it possible that it was never discovered?

  Vneder: Tarnok, you have to see this *handing him the list of customers.*

  *The moment Tarnok reads the first customer's name, he feels nauseous. Without hesitation, he apologizes to everyone and heads for the FCG. Once inside, he goes to Thalior's office.*

  Thalior: Tarnok, I told you to rest. You've had a lot of battles in a few days.

  Tarnok: Thalior, does the FCG monitor every credit card payment?

  Thalior: Um... Yes? I don't understand what you're getting at. Is something wrong?

  *Tarnok leaves the customer list on the table. Customer number one, with the largest financial contribution and most visits, has their name framed with a small decoration. As the list indicates, “Tyler Farrel.” Elsewhere, Skye swings next to Kazuki, who finds this children's game wonderful.*

  Kazuki: This is interesting. It's very basic but also a lot of fun. Do you have more things like this?

  Skye: Yes, there's a lot more. But we should get off, these seats are old and meant for small children.

  Kazuki: It's the same here, isn't it? This neighborhood is poor, and the one I saw a while ago was rich. Some things never change.

  Skye: Yes, my mother and I don't have much money. We live as best we can.

  Kazuki: I was poor too. They promised me good pay after molding me to their liking. A few years later, the kingdom fell, and I didn't see a single coin.

  Skye: How are you still alive? I mean, you were frozen. Shouldn't that have killed you?

  Kazuki: I'll tell you someday. Now let me enjoy this *swinging higher.* Hey, I scare you, don't I?

  Skye: Yes, a lot. I feel nauseous every time I'm around you.

  *Kazuki continues swinging in silence, observing the view in front of him. An old, worn, vandalized bench that remains standing.*

  Kazuki: Well, it's not the first time I've been told that. It's getting late *getting up and walking away slowly.* Goodbye.

  *Skye sits there for a long time. Finally, she gets up and goes home. When she arrives, her mother welcomes her with dinner ready. Skye hugs her tightly and finally lets the tears she's been holding back all day fall. Luna doesn't understand why her daughter is reacting this way, but instead of asking, she decides to comfort her and make sure her little girl is okay.*