The instant Kaze's glove flared with that strange, glowing circuit pattern, the Level Screen went nuts as if it was being burned. A loud, messed-up shriek blasted from it – Riko felt the noise vibrate through his bones.
**WARNING. WARNING. DANGER!** The words flashed like crazy, turning into a blur of static.
Sparks sprayed out from where Kaze's fingers were digging into the screen. Blue sparks scattered on the floor like tiny bits of lightning. Riko screamed as a wave of heat shot up his arm. It felt like someone was messing with his nerves, an electric pain that was both real and unreal.
K-Kaze—STOP IT! Riko yelled, stumbling backward. But Kaze wouldn't let go.
His voice remained calm and steady. If it's reacting like this, then I'm on the right track.
Fear shot through Riko. He struggled to breathe. The screen's glow got brighter, sending shivers up his arm. His skin buzzed with wild energy. It was like the device was fighting Kaze, resisting his grip.
The hallway shook. Lights exploded. Parts of the ceiling fell down in blocky pieces.
Luna screamed from behind them, Riko, MOVE! It's going to blow up!
But Riko was stuck. Kaze had him pinned. The older boy's grip didn't loosen, even as the screen shot out more sparks. The glow from his glove battled with the screen's frantic flashes.
Let—GO! Riko shouted.
He twisted with all his might, a surge of desperation giving him strength. The messed-up energy flared again, like something about to blow under the screen.
The screen screamed.
**CRITICAL ERROR. GET AWAY. GET AWAY.**
Riko barely registered what was happening.
Then everything went boom.
A powerful shockwave of glitch energy blasted outward.
The wave slammed right into Kaze's chest, sending sparks and wind down the whole hallway. Lockers nearby shattered. Papers swirled like crazy.
Riko was thrown off his feet. He crashed to the ground, sliding until he hit a broken vending machine. His ears were ringing, his arm was throbbing, and the screen felt like it was burning him.
Luna ran to him. Riko! Are you okay?! Can you hear me?!
He tried to speak, but only a gasp came out.
The device flickered, lines crawling like cracks on the surface. It looked hurt – like the shockwave got to the screen as much as it got to Kaze.
Riko slowly raised his arm. It… it defended itself.
Luna's eyes widened. It went after Kaze.
Riko shook his head. No. It protected me.
Another rumble went through the school as the tear in the sky grew larger, with pixel dust falling down like snow. The hallway lights flickered, trying to stay on but failing. Everything felt unstable.
Luna grabbed Riko's shoulders. We have to RUN. Kaze is crazy—he tried to destroy—
Riko didn't hear clearly.
Kaze was still standing.
Not even bending.
Not even out of breath.
Just standing there in the middle of the wrecked hallway, his black jacket moving with the static, his face unchanged. There was a scorch mark on his chest, and a few sparks crawled on his glove, but he didn't seem injured.
He looked… pleased.
The shockwave didn't even knock him down.
Riko felt his blood run cold.
Kaze… he whispered.
Kaze brushed off pixel dust from his shoulder like removing lint. His calm eyes locked on Riko, like before, but more intense.
Interesting, Kaze said calmly. It protects you without thinking.
Luna stepped in front of Riko, protecting him. Stay away from him!
Kaze ignored her. He walked forward, stepping on broken tiles. His presence made the air heavy.
Riko struggled to stand, clutching his wrist. Kaze… why are you doing this?
Because I needed to see how strong its defense is. He stopped a few steps away, tilting his head. Now I know.
More glitch lightning crackled, making harsh shadows across his face. Somehow, even with everything destroyed, he seemed in total control.
Riko felt anger build up. You almost ripped my arm off! This thing is connected to me!
That's the problem, Kaze replied.
The tear in the sky boomed.
Anything that screen touches becomes a target. The creatures. The tears. If you keep depending on it, you'll destroy the world faster.
Luna glared. You don't get to decide the solution! By deleting the system? By yanking it off Riko's arm?!
I wasn't trying to destroy it, Kaze said. I was testing it.
Riko stared at him, shaking. Testing… what?!
Kaze raised his glowing glove. If it would fight back.
Luna cursed. He's lost his mind.
But Riko understood something then, something unsettling.
Kaze wasn't just acting without thinking.
He wasn't making things up as he went along.
He had come here with a reason, a plan, and complete certainty.
Why? Riko asked quietly. Why do you care so much about destroying it?
Kaze showed a bit of emotion.
Something old and heavy flashed in his eyes.
Because I've seen what systems like yours do when they fully wake up.
The answer scared Riko.
Before Riko could say more, the screen on his arm flickered, weak but still going.
**DANGER!**
**BE READY—**
Kaze looked at the screen.
The screen shorted out.
Riko gasped as pain shot up his arm. Stop! Don't make it—
Kaze stepped closer.
Riko tensed up.
Kaze didn't touch him – he just stared with patience.
Good, he said.
Riko froze. What?
The glitch wind swirled, but Kaze's voice was clear.
Good. Defend yourself.