"You cannot change the past, but you can change the future depending on your own actions. Face your fear, nothing will be done if you stand still!"
Sometimes, adults say such obvious things that they make me roll my eyes.
That's exactly how I felt at that moment. It seemed like one of those internet coaches had appeared in my mind and thrown some generic words at me.
But, however simple they were, deep down, they seemed to make sense. A strange, but real, sense.
I was there, standing still, looking at my hands. But… they weren't my hands anymore.
At least, not as I knew them. They were… dark.
Not like dirt or paint, but something that resembled space matter — like those strange things from science fiction movies.
Or maybe they were like the glitches in the video games I played after class.
Whatever it was, it was strange and scary.
All around, everything was white. There was no floor, walls, or sky. Just infinite white, swallowing me up. Just me.
Me and nothing. The loneliness was so great that I could hear my own breathing echoing in the void.
"What's happening?" I murmured, but no one answered.
If this was a dream, it was the worst one I've ever had.
Or maybe it was something worse, but I didn't even want to think about that.
Suddenly, something changed. I can't explain what it was.
It was as if the void around me had given a slight shake, an almost imperceptible distortion.
I started walking, my feet moving on their own, as if they were in a hurry to find something, anything.
That's when I saw it.
Two silhouettes appeared in the distance. People? At least, I think they were.
I approached slowly, my heart beating so fast it felt like it wanted to jump out.
The first figure looked like a man. His face was almost completely covered by shadows, but his clothes resembled those factory workers I see in movies, working in factories full of smoke and fire.
He was motionless, almost like a statue.
The second figure was… different. Very different. I hesitated, feeling a shiver run up my spine.
She looked like a woman, but at the same time, there was something horrible about her.
Her body was made almost entirely of shadows, but parts of her face and bust… looked like exposed flesh. Raw. Red.
My throat tightened. I wanted to throw up, scream, run. But my feet wouldn't obey.
All I could do was open my mouth, while the sound of whispers — faint, confused — filled the air.
They were talking, but I couldn't understand a thing.
"Um, excuse me… can someone tell me what's going on?"
My voice came out shaky, almost a whisper.
Nothing. No reaction.
"Hello?… Can you… hear me?"
The silence was unbearable, but something told me this was just the beginning.
In the end, nothing I did worked.
They did hear me, but as soon as their distorted faces turned in my direction, everything went wrong.
A bright flash, like a thousand flashlights pointed directly into my eyes, blinded me.
My first reaction was to scream, and try to protect my face with my hands.
When I finally managed to open my eyes, I realized I wasn't there anymore. Everything had changed.
Now I was in a completely different place. The colors seemed more vivid, like a cartoon, but the scenery… was in ruins.
Fallen buildings, crushed cars, twisted lampposts. Everything around me screamed destruction.
It was as if I was in a ruined version of my city.
Or maybe… it was the city after some terrible cataclysm?
The sound of heavy footsteps and gunfire echoed in the distance, coming from somewhere to the southwest.
I looked in the direction of the sound, but before I could understand what was happening, I felt the ground shake.
"What?!"
A gigantic creature emerged from the ground, right in front of me.
Its scales shimmered under the sunlight, reflecting a mixture of blue and gold. It was a kaiju.
Yes, like those monsters that appear in movies! Except this wasn't a movie. It was real.
My heart raced, my mind screaming questions: Where did this come from? Why is it destroying everything?
And what do I do now?!
Without thinking, I threw myself against the enormous body of that aberration, clinging to its scales. It was either that or be crushed.
My hands were slipping, but I managed to hold on.
From up there, the view was terrifying. I could see everything: destroyed buildings, the distant horizon and, closer than I wanted to admit, the blue ocean.
"Is this… the beach?"
The golden sand was stained with dried blood, pieces of wreckage scattered everywhere.
In the middle of everything, bodies… Lots of bodies. They didn't look like store mannequins. No, they were real. Real people.
The smell of decomposition rose with the wind.
"Is this a horror movie or what?" I whispered, feeling my stomach churn.
My aunt always told me to stop watching horror movies with her. Maybe I should have listened.
With difficulty, I started to climb the kaiju's body. With every movement, it thrashed, making me almost lose my balance.
But I had to keep going. I needed to know what was happening.
That's when I saw them.
Two people, each standing on a different part of the monster.
One was on the top of it's neck, and the other closer to it's back.
Both seemed to be fighting, firing weapons or dealing blows, while the monster roared in pain.
But what really left me paralyzed was what I heard.
"You're really a lost cause…"
That voice… It was familiar. More than familiar.
"Wait…" My eyes widened. "Is that me?!"
I was there, on top of the kaiju, wearing a shiny technological armor, with a strange cannon attached to my right arm.
It was me, but it wasn't.
And the other one? He looked like a ninja, but his suit was futuristic, like a cyborg straight out of a cartoon.
I tried to remember the name of that movie I loved, but my mind was a mess.
Everything seemed to be heading towards a final battle. I didn't know why, but I felt it.
As the kaiju roared and tried to shake the two of them off, I held on with all my strength, trying to understand what was happening.
The surface of that creature was chaotic. Between the scales, I saw what looked like bodies. Real bodies.
"This… isn't a dream, is it?"
With my heart racing, I started running across the monster's body, trying to get closer to the two of them. I needed answers.
Even if they were even more terrifying than all that.
"Hey! You two!"
My voice came out desperate, cutting through the sound of the Kaiju's roars.
"STOP! PLEASE, STOP!"
I didn't know what was happening, but one thing was for sure: they needed to stop.
I begged, screaming with all the strength my lungs would allow.
I didn't want anyone to get hurt, not them, not that monster.
The boy with my voice — or rather, myself — was up high, seeming to have the advantage in the fight.
He seemed confident, almost provocative, which only made the situation worse. His opponent, the cyborg-ninja, didn't think twice.
In an impressive leap, he advanced with everything, long before I could reach them.
"NO!"
Everything happened too fast. A thunderous shot came from my other self's cannon, cutting through the air like thunder.
And then… darkness.
When I opened my eyes again, everything was different. There was no kaiju, no fight, no ruins. Just me and the void.
My hands… were normal again. They weren't those dark, distorted hands anymore.
"Did I… die?" I whispered, my voice trembling.
The thought hit me like a punch. I had died?
I didn't even get a chance to say goodbye to my parents…
But before I could drown in this despair, I felt something. A soft, almost imperceptible touch on the skin of my shoulder.
And that's when I saw it.
A pair of bright red eyes, like burning embers, stared at me in the dark. That look froze me.
"Where… Where am I? Who are you?" My voice barely came out. "This… This is worse than a nightmare!"
No answer came. The eyes just watched me, cold, cautious, until they slowly closed.
Even without seeing them anymore, I could still feel the strange touch on my shoulder.
It was as if each finger was slowly letting go, leaving a void behind.
Then, a voice echoed around me.
It was soft, but powerful, like the sound of the wind blowing through a forest. Feminine.
Too familiar to be ignored, but impossible to identify. Who was she? How did I know her?
"Wake up, young Kurusu."
The voice was firm, but gentle, like a mother trying to calm her child after a nightmare.
The sound filled the void around me, bringing a strange feeling of comfort, even though I still didn't understand anything.
"Who… Who are you?"
Everything around me started to change again, as if the voice was pulling something out of me.
Was this going in the right direction? I didn't know, but I needed to find out.
Suddenly, I woke up. My heart was racing, and before I knew it, a scream escaped my throat.
It wasn't a long scream, maybe about three seconds, but it was enough to scare me even more.
My body was soaked in sweat. Instinctively, I put my hand to my face, trying to calm down and confirm that everything was okay.
I looked around. I was in my room. My cozy room, my safe haven.
The walls were decorated with posters of my favorite games and cartoons, and the small lamp next to the bed illuminated the room with a faint, yellowish light.
The moon outside cast silvery rays through the window, creating soft shadows on the floor.
"It was just a dream…" I murmured to myself, like some kind of reassurance.
My breathing was still heavy, but I could already feel my heart slowing down.
My parents, thanks to the very thick walls, probably didn't hear anything.
Lucky for me, because I didn't want to explain why I was screaming in the middle of the night.
It was always the same strange, confusing dream that seemed to last an eternity.
They were flashes, pieces of something I didn't understand. Each time with different details, but always carrying that suffocating feeling.
No matter how much I racked my brain, I couldn't understand the meaning of this dream.
"Should I… tell Mom?" I asked myself, as I felt my body relax.
I was calmer now, but something felt wrong. An uncomfortable feeling.
That's when I noticed.
That discomfort, that strange dampness in the blankets. My eyes slowly went down, and there it was.
A dark stain, right in the middle of the bed. I held the pillow tightly, trying not to freak out.
That had happened again.
Yes. I had wet myself out of fear. And it wasn't the first time.
I threw myself back on the bed, covering my face with my hands, frustrated to the core, feeling like I really had no luck.
With all the shame in the world, I knew I would have to deal with it.
But first, I just wanted to go back to sleep… or at least try.
The night continued silently, until footsteps echoed down the hallway, very softly.
It wasn't difficult to hear the sounds outside my room, and, to be honest, I already knew who was coming.
The door opened slowly, creaking just a little, and there she was: my mother.
Even with a tired face from the late night, she still had that gentle look, typical of her, as if nothing was more important than taking care of me.
She hesitated for a moment before opening the door completely, and with a soft voice, she asked:
"Did something happen, honey…? I heard a sound coming from your room. Were you scared?"
She came in slowly, approaching the bed. Even without saying anything, she noticed the puddle under the blankets, but she didn't show any concern.
"Mom… I had that dream again…" I started talking, trying not to cry.
"Everything was destroyed… as if my life had been turned upside down. It always starts with a void… a strange, dark place, and then I see two people… talking about destiny…"
My words came out in sobs, as fragmented scenes from that horrible dream came back to my mind.
Everything seemed so real: those two mysterious figures and, especially, the one with the exposed flesh.
It was too scary for a child like me. I paused, trying to breathe, but the tears started to fall.
At that moment, I felt fear. A deep, genuine fear of dying.
Before I could say anything else, I felt her arms wrap around me.
That hug was all I needed. It was warm, protective, as if she was saying that no harm could reach me as long as she was there.
"Shhh… it's okay, my dear… I'm here. You don't have to be afraid." She stroked my hair, murmuring soft words that helped me calm down.
The tears slowly stopped, and the sound of her heart, so close, made everything seem safer.
"As long as I'm here, you'll be safe. Are you listening?"
I nodded, still a little shaky. She smiled in that way that only mothers can, gently wiping the tears from my face.
Soon, she got up, took the wet blankets and went to the closet, bringing new, clean ones for me.
"Come on, dear. Get up just a little. I'll turn the mattress over, and you can go back to sleep. I'll dry it as soon as you're taking the exam, so don't worry."
I did what she asked, a little awkwardly, still trying to process everything.
After making the bed, she covered me with the new blankets and gave me a gentle pat on the shoulder.
"This is the fourth time I've taken this exam, Mom…" I murmured, looking at the ceiling. "I don't even know why I still try…"
She knelt beside the bed, holding my hand.
"It's not the first time, my dear. But this time, I know you'll pass. I'm sure of it."
Her tone was so confident that it even gave me a glimmer of hope.
She was always like that, my biggest supporter. I knew that everything she did was to help me have a bright future, and I really wanted to repay her for that one day.
Before leaving the room, she leaned in, gave me a soft kiss on the forehead and a farewell stroke.
"Sleep well, honey…"
She yawned, smiling, and left with the wet blankets in her arm.
The door closed with a slight click, and the room was silent again.
This time, I managed to sleep. A calm sleep, without nightmares. Just a peace that I hadn't felt in weeks.
And, even though those distorted memories still lingered in my mind, that night, at least, I felt safe.
"♪ It's good to live here in Natal, for me you're the best city of all! I love your sunshine, your ocean's blue… And your river sailing through! It's good to live here in Natal, you're the most beautiful city I know! I want to keep the song of the sea, and make a better future for me! It's good to live your everyday! It's good to see your people smile! It's good to live all this joy today! It's good! That's what my heart will say… ♪"
Every weekend, that jingle plays on the city radio.
It's always the same thing, well before the morning programming starts.
I've heard it so many times that memorizing the lyrics has become easier than getting candy on Halloween… and I'm good at that.
The clock showed nine o'clock. Perfect time to have a hearty breakfast and prepare for… that damned exam.
Yes, at the Positive science lab. I've already failed three times trying to get into this school.
Yes, three! But I guess fourth time's the charm, right?
They say the Positive campus is huge, so big it looks like a university, according to my dad.
He gets really proud when he talks about it. It's near the heart of Natal, the capital of Mauritz.
Here, people like to say it's like a futuristic New York. It even sounds fancy, doesn't it?
The city was founded by a count, who fell in love with these lands at first sight.
I must say I like living here, but the weather is… weird. Some days it snows, some days a fog appears that looks straight from a horror movie, and other days it's so hot it feels like a hug from Satan himself.
Today is one of those foggy days. Everything around seems a bit faded, as if the beaches on the coast had disappeared in a flash of magic.
Meanwhile, the local radio station, 98FM, was updating the city's news.
It seems there was another incident last night. Lately, strange things have been happening around here, all mysterious and unexplained.
The police are investigating, but they're getting nowhere.
The whole city is talking about a mysterious guy who "uses an unknown force" to destroy people, always in different places.
And the worst part? They say he can disguise himself as someone close to the victims.
Seriously, who is this guy? I hope I never, ever, run into him.
As I listened to this, the smell of pancakes invaded the room.
My parents were in the kitchen, making pancakes with chocolate syrup — my favorite!
They looked calm, until the radio mentioned the inauguration of the new science lab in the west zone.
"That's where the exam will take place…" I murmured to myself, already feeling a pit in my stomach.
Honestly? I don't feel ready at all. This exam feels like the final boss of a game, one of those you face with a single hit point.
But this time, I promise I'll try to get a decent grade… Well, at least better than in previous years.
Meanwhile, the fog outside remained heavy, and for some reason, I couldn't stop thinking about the "mysterious trickster".
The morning arrived too quickly. I got out of bed with that weird feeling after a night full of strange dreams.
Of course, the bottom part of my pajamas was soaked, which was to be expected after last night's "incident."
I sighed, not wanting to waste time, and ran to change piece by piece before anyone noticed.
Everything went straight to the laundry, but, even so, it was impossible not to feel that twinge of shame.
First the black shirt with white sleeves, then the dark jeans, and, finally, my favorite pair of Chuck Taylor-style sneakers.
Yes, I know the name because it's written on the side. I'm not one of those shoe-obsessed guys.
When I finished, I went straight to the mirror to finish getting ready.
First, I combed my brown hair, a color I inherited from my dad, leaving it in my favorite style: combed to the sides with a fringe in the middle.
Then, I looked directly at the reflection of my blue eyes like the sea on a sunny day, which I inherited from my mother.
I do this every day, waiting to see if something in me has changed.
If in my own eyes, I have become someone better than I was yesterday.
"I'm still small…" I murmured, looking at my own image with a pout.
Being tall like my dad must be cool. He always seems so confident when he walks around the house.
Leaving that thought aside, I straightened my posture and looked at my reflection again, with a straight face.
"Okay, take a deep breath… Today is the day. The damned exam. You're not going to fail again, Yagami Kurusu!"
I said to myself, pointing my finger at my reflection as if I were reprimanding my own face.
That was it. I needed to pressure myself not to make the same mistakes.
But something inside me said that today would be different. I don't know exactly why, but I just felt it.
I adjusted the collar of my shirt, pulled on the hem of my pants and stared at my reflection with the most determined look I could make.
"This time, everything will change."
With this promise, I grabbed my backpack and left the room, ready to face the day.
Or, at least, that's what I wanted to believe. After all, even with all the confidence in the world, that exam still seemed like an invincible monster.
But, who knows? Maybe today is the day I finally defeat that monster.
I went down the stairs with the dirty clothes in my hands, going straight to the bathroom where the washing machine was.
I placed the wet pajamas on top of the lid. My mother would definitely take care of it later, as always.
It's a good thing I have other pajamas, so it wasn't a big loss.
From there, I walked to the kitchen. Our house was exactly what you would expect from a middle-class mauritzer family: comfortable, simple and full of life.
We're not rich, but we have everything we need to live well.
And there they were, my parents, each busy with their morning tasks.
The food was already on the table, perfuming the room with the smell of warm pancakes.
"Good morning!" I greeted, hurrying to the table.
I picked up the cutlery and started cutting the pancakes carefully, trying to seem as polite as possible.
"Good morning, boy!" my dad replied, without taking his ears off the radio.
As always, he was tuned in to the morning news. That annoying jingle was already part of the routine, and my dad never failed to listen to it while having coffee.
"Ready for today?"
I sighed, putting the cutlery aside for a moment.
"If I agree, my nose will grow like Pinocchio's. You know how I feel? Like the City of Nassau when they lost three consecutive finals in 2X10… a total disaster."
Yes, I was a fanatic for soccer. Maybe even a little too much.
I have several official jerseys of my team in the closet and I know the lineup of all the finals they've played by heart.
My dad laughed for a few moments, but soon his expression became more serious, as if he was about to say something important.
"I know it's not your first time trying for this spot at Positive, but tell me one thing: are you going to pass up the opportunity to join your friends and secure a bright future?"
I looked at him, a little confused, as he continued.
"That place is important for the country, more than you can imagine."
"And now tell me, little Yagami… What do you want the most in your life?"
The question caught me by surprise. It wasn't the kind of thing he asked every day.
Even so, there was only one answer that made sense at that moment, an answer that came straight from my heart.
"I… I want to stay close to my friends."
My dad smiled, satisfied with the answer.
"Great. Now, let me ask you one more thing: if everything goes wrong, are you going to give up on them? Are you going to abandon your friends just because you failed? 'cause if so, you really are a lost cause…"
These words hit me like a punch. Immediately, memories of that nightmare began to torment me again.
What was that trying to tell me? I remembered the strange images, my hands bruised and stained with blood, as if I had put them in something very hot.
I blinked a few times, trying to shake off the thoughts.
"I don't want to abandon anyone…" I murmured, my eyes fixed on the plate in front of me. "Only a coward would do that."
My dad clapped once, calling my attention back to him.
"Very good. You have a promising future, my boy."
He gave a wide smile, a smile I knew very well.
"Now, you can be sure of one thing: you're going to do your best on this test. 'cause you are not a coward! Not at all, do you hear me?"
These words were the push I needed. As much as my dad liked to be tough sometimes, he knew exactly how to motivate me.
I smiled, determined, and went back to savoring that morning's pancakes.
"I'm going to do my best!"
And with that, that morning became a little lighter.
Although the exam still made me nervous, something told me that I wouldn't be facing this alone.
"♪ It's good to live here in Natal! I sing with joy from my soul! Natal's improved! Natal's on a roll! Long live Natal! ♪"
The camouflaged sun was already high when my dad and I left our house.
It was about an hour until noon, and there we were, crossing the city on his motorcycle.
With the route saved on the GPS, the trip was quick, not taking more than fifteen minutes.
When we stopped in front of the entrance of that modern laboratory, I felt a little uncomfortable.
It didn't fit to see such an advanced building in the middle of a low-income area.
It was the kind of contrast that made your head spin, but that was Positive's way — they were always where you least expected them.
As soon as the motorcycle stopped, my dad turned off the engine to save gas and turned to me.
"This is it. Looking at this place reminds me of the past" He sighed, looking at the imposing building. "Listen, boy, it's okay if you encounter obstacles. Failure can be the most effective teacher there is."
I blinked, confused. Was this supposed to be a lesson?
"Oh… okay…" I replied, not really knowing how to react.
"Now, listen carefully: if you do well, I'll take you for ice cream afterwards. I've got my pockets ready for that."
Ice cream?! My antennas went up immediately.
"Really? I promise to do my best!"
"That's what I want to hear. I'll see you later, son!"
I quickly got off the motorcycle, tightening the strap of my backpack on my shoulders. My dad waved before leaving for work.
It was no surprise that he couldn't stay; the deliveries wouldn't wait. But that was okay.
If I did well, the ice cream would be guaranteed. And, frankly, I needed that reward.
As I went through the gate, I spotted a group of children waiting at the main entrance.
Next to the door, there he was: the professor who always seemed to be in charge of the exams.
His name was Ma'el, and he had also been in charge of the previous editions.
I always found it curious that he was so young and yet in charge of something so important. In elementary school, the teachers used to be much older.
When I approached, he looked at his watch, as if to confirm that I was on time.
"Kurusu?" he called, raising his eyebrows. "Arriving earlier than expected? That's a first!"
I laughed, a little awkwardly.
"Professor Ma'el!" I greeted, trying to maintain my composure. "The year was great, but I got nervous when the exam day approached… I don't want to fail again…"
My head lowered almost automatically. It was still hard to face Ma'el after having failed so many times.
But he was one of those adults who knew exactly what to do.
With a smile, he placed a hand on my shoulder and gave me a light tap.
"Don't worry about that... Everyone feels scared before something important."
He paused, seeming to get lost in some distant memory.
"Did you know that I also went through this? When it was my turn, I thought I'd never be able to do it. But do you know what changed my perspective? An old friend taught me something I carry with me to this day: Believe in yourself. If you don't believe, no one else will."
I looked at him, surprised. The words seemed so simple, but they carried a different weight coming from him.
"I believe you can do it, Kurusu. I'm sure you can be a prodigy, just like your friends, if you believe in yourself."
His words carried a strength capable of motivating even the entire City of Nassau team before a classic against Solaris Football Club.
Well, he's an avid Solaris fan, so this would never happen, but you get the deal.
"And if you prove your potential, I can even show you a little more about the projects we're developing in the lab. I have a meeting with an assistant this afternoon and I can take you to have a look."
I didn't know what to say. It was hard to imagine that he really thought I had something special.
But, deep down, I felt like I wanted to believe him… And in myself.
"I…" I murmured, taking a moment to think. Then, I raised my head and smiled, determined. "I believe in myself! If it means I can continue with my friends, I'll try with everything I have!"
"That's it!" Ma'el smiled, closing his eyes in satisfaction. "Now get inside. We still have a little time before the test starts. Take the opportunity to review what you've learned in recent years. Everything will be alright."
I took a deep breath and took a step forward, crossing the door.
I still didn't know what the day held for me, but one thing was for sure: I was going to try harder than ever before.
My future — and my ice cream — depended on it.
As soon as I entered the room, I noticed that it was packed, as it always was.
Even so, there was an empty seat in the back, leaning against the wall, as if it were waiting for me.
I sighed and walked over, trying to ignore the pit in my stomach that seemed to grow with every step.
But the truth is, I couldn't calm down.
For some reason, my head was full of suspicion, as if something very wrong was about to happen.
When the test started, I tried to concentrate. I had four hours to complete everything — more than enough time to face those multiple-choice questions that covered every possible subject.
It was like those school olympiads, you know? Only much, much worse.
I looked at the blank sheet of paper in front of me and felt my brain freeze.
Even the simplest questions seemed impossible. The first question was about my own first and last name.
Yes, that's right. But, even so, my mind became a black hole.
"I… what was it again? How do you spell it?"
I held the pen so tightly that it felt like my life depended on it.
Time passed too quickly, as if it were being carried away by a gust of wind, and all I could do was sweat.
That's right, sweat! Despite the cold that the air conditioning left in the room, my body seemed to have decided to completely ignore logic.
Meanwhile, the other participants were already starting to turn in their tests, one after the other.
The professor analyzed everything right there, with a speed and patience that bordered on the supernatural.
Little by little, the room emptied, and I was still there, motionless, staring at that basic question and feeling my brain boil.
Inside my head, chaos was established.
"Where is it?! Where is the file?!"
"I don't know! Someone help us!"
It was a complete pandemonium. Small versions of me were screaming, crying and tripping over each other in the imaginary office that represented my mind.
Papers were flying everywhere and everything was starting to catch fire.
"Help!"
"It's happening again!"
"We forgot his name!"
The confusion was at its peak when, suddenly, something broke the frantic rhythm of my mind.
A dry noise echoed, and a pile of books fell on my desk, bringing me back to reality.
I blinked, still a little lost, and looked around. It was only then that I noticed the professor watching me with that look of someone who already knew exactly what was happening.
"Don't do that again, young man…" he said, in a tone more tired than surprised.
"S-Sorry…" I stammered, embarrassed.
"I needed to pull you back. You were daydreaming, as always."
He sighed, picked up the books he had left on my desk, and started putting them back in place.
As I looked at the cover of one of them, I saw that it was about space technology.
That interested me, but it wasn't the time for daydreams.
The professor came back to me and pointed to the chairs further ahead.
"Come on. Sit in the second row. That will help you stay focused."
I accepted the suggestion, still a little shaken by the internal confusion I had experienced.
I walked to the indicated row and sat down. There was still a lot to do, but now, at least, I had managed to remember how to spell my own name.
A small step for the test, but a big step for my sanity!
"Unleash your potential, boy."
Professor Ma'el's words echoed in my mind. He had this simple way of speaking, but it made everyone stop and think.
"Don't let your future be nebulous and full of doubts. You still have a lot to learn, but, with the right support, you can go further than anyone else!"
That was it. He knew how to motivate us, even when everything seemed impossible.
Of course, it seemed a little obvious coming from a professor, but there was something more.
A way to turn even the most common words into something that warmed the heart, as if to say: "I believe in you."
I needed to believe it too.
Those dozens of questions in front of me seemed scary, but not impossible. After all, I had studied. A lot.
I couldn't make the same mistakes as before. Even so, as I answered, a question came back to haunt me: What do I want to be when I grow up?
A hero? A scientist? Maybe just someone who had a quiet life?
I had no answer. Not yet.
But one thing was clear: that place was special. Positive wasn't just a school.
It was the place where ordinary children were transformed into something greater.
Men and women with a sense of purpose, ready to make a difference.
And I wanted that, even if I didn't know exactly why yet.
After four hours of tension, the test finally ended.
My heart was beating so fast it felt like it wanted to jump out of my chest.
Professor Ma'el took my test and started correcting it. He was fast, but every second felt like an eternity.
Did I pass this time?
My mind was full of doubts. If I failed again, it would be the fourth time.
Maybe it was time to give up. Live an ordinary life, forget this dream. But… something seemed different this time.
The professor looked at me with that enigmatic smile, his eyes half-closed like a Pandora's box about to be opened.
"We have some news here…"
My heart froze.
"What does that mean?!" I asked, my voice coming out louder than I intended.
Ma'el didn't answer immediately. He calmly stood up, straightened his wrinkled jacket and organized the tests in alphabetical order before finally looking at me.
"Kurusu…" he paused, probably just to increase my anxiety. "You just passed! Your final grade is an A-. Much higher than the average. Congratulations, boy! You did a good job."
I blinked, trying to process those words. My body froze. My mouth fell open, my jaw dropped, and I just stood there, looking like a cartoon character after a shock.
"No way! An A-!?" I finally exploded, unable to contain the emotion.
I jumped out of my chair, completely ignored the professor and ran to the desk to check with my own eyes.
"Let me see this!"
I held the test like a trophy and reviewed each question. It was true. I had gotten almost everything right.
Only the math part had given me a little trouble, but, honestly, that was to be expected.
Exact sciences are my nightmare…
But, at that moment, none of that mattered. I was in.
"Finally!" I screamed, throwing my arms up, celebrating as if the City of Nassau had scored the winning goal in the last minute. "I did it! I finally did it!"
The professor laughed softly, probably used to my exaggerated way.
"Kurusu, control yourself."
Despite the scolding, he wasn't angry. He even seemed proud of me.
After putting all the tests away and organizing the folders, Ma'el opened the door, ready to leave.
"We're late." he said, sighing. "But, as promised, I'll take you to meet my assistant. I think you'll get along well. He's around your age."
"Really!? I can't wait!"
I ran to the door, full of energy. Outside, the future awaited me.
Whatever the next step was, I was ready.
The laboratory was gigantic. Even with my curious gaze, it was easy to get lost there.
It was divided into two main sectors: one dedicated to studies in various important scientific areas and another that dealt with mysterious materials and biological tests.
This last one was the most intriguing. They said that only a few people were allowed to enter, and the rumors about a mysterious fragment stored there only increased my curiosity.
What was it about? Not even Professor Ma'el told me.
It was my first time in this place, and I already knew it would be difficult to remember every corner.
As we walked through the cold, well lit corridors, we reached the transition between the sectors. That's when I saw him.
On the roof of the building, a boy in a lab coat with slightly tanned skin was typing something on his cell phone.
He had his back to us, but as soon as he heard our footsteps, he turned his head slightly.
"You're late, professor…" he said, with a tone that seemed to mix lament and irritation. "What happened this time? Did you bring another useless assistant?"
What?! My mind froze. Useless assistant?! What kind of jerk says that to someone they just met?
My blood boiled instantly.
"Cobalteze, control yourself." The professor replied, remaining calm. "This is Yagami Kurusu, your future classmate. He has potential, and you will learn to recognize it. Come on, boy, introduce yourself."
Ma'el gave me a light push forward, encouraging me to get out of his shadow and face that stranger.
I swallowed hard.
"Hi…" my voice came out hesitant, more shy than I wanted. "Are you also from Positive?"
He gave a light, arrogant laugh, as if my question was unnecessary.
"Am I?"
Finally, he turned his face completely. His tired and serious gaze analyzed me as if he were judging every fiber of my being.
His eyes were a deep blue, almost the same as mine, but his messy hair gave the impression that he didn't care much about his appearance.
He wore a lab coat like the professor, but his bootlaces were tied in such a confusing way that it made me wonder if he didn't trip all the time.
He looked like a character out of a fantasy game with a holy war and secret agencies.
Before I could think more, he made an acrobatic leap from the roof.
He did a pirouette in the air and landed with the precision of an Olympic gymnast.
Who is this guy?
"Yellow Patent."
He showed a black bracelet with yellow details on his left arm, while puffing out his chest.
"Only those with extreme potential get here. Dario Cobalteze, at your service. And, apparently, being a high-ranking patent means I now have to babysit talentless idiots. Professor, are you serious?"
Babysit? Talentless? This guy is asking for a beating.
"Have more respect, Cobalteze!" the professor reprimanded him, with a firmer tone of voice. "Kurusu will be your colleague and has a lot to learn. Just like you."
Dario scoffed, looking away.
"Okay, okay… let's get to the point."
He looked me up and down again, as if evaluating my worth.
"You're lucky, rookie. I can't promise you anything, but I'll give you a chance. Just one. Come with me and the professor to the research room. There's something important for us to see."
Something in his tone intrigued me. "Something important"? He spoke with such familiarity that it seemed natural.
But I was completely lost.
"What's so special about this room?" I asked, trying to follow the conversation.
"Something that will surprise you."
Dario replied as he stretched, as if it were the most tedious thing in the world.
"A material with unique properties. It's not something anyone can study. A rare ore. Something that may take years for us to have concrete answers."
"I just hope the government doesn't interfere this time…" the professor said, sighing and closing his eyes briefly.
Those words made me uneasy. What kind of research were they conducting?
And why had the government interfered before?
"This resource has very specific functions, but we are still far from understanding everything about it."
The professor's tone seemed more serious and frustrated, as if he had already dealt with obstacles before.
Dario laughed humorlessly.
"If it's fun, I'm in."
"I don't think you'll find it fun, it's just a nucleus." the professor retorted. "But, if you have a sense of humor, you might find something interesting."
I sighed, putting my hand on my forehead. All this seemed like a big mess.
"What did I get myself into…" I murmured to myself. "Can we go now? I'm feeling like a background character here…"
Dario just laughed, while the professor motioned for me to follow him.
"Welcome to the real world, Kurusu."
From that moment on, I knew I was getting into something much bigger than I could understand.
The tension in the air subsided for a moment, and even Dario seemed more relaxed.
He and Professor Ma'el shared a few laughs before we finally resumed our walk.
The next stop was the mysterious room, which was in the second area of that huge building.
As we walked, something caught my attention: the sky began to darken.
The distant sound of the wind whistling through the windows announced that a heavy rain was on its way.
I felt safe inside, but I imagined my dad outside, working and facing that imminent storm.
"He'll catch a cold again…"
The corridor seemed endless, illuminated by cold lights, while the air conditioning made everything even colder.
But, for me, the cold was the least of my problems.
I had something more urgent to process: what was so special about the room we were going to?
But my thoughts were interrupted abruptly. I stopped. I couldn't take another step.
"What's wrong now, rookie?" Dario asked, but I couldn't answer.
In the hallway ahead, there was a glass room. And inside…
A thin man, with deep dark circles and an expression of pure despair, was punching the transparent walls hard.
He was bald, with red eyes that looked as bright as blood.
But the worst part was his gaze: it was as if he was looking directly at me, threatening to swallow me whole.
He was screaming, but the sound was muffled by the thick walls.
I instinctively approached Professor Ma'el, pulling on his lab coat like a scared child.
"Professor…" my voice was almost a whisper. "What is that?"
Ma'el followed my trembling finger, pointing to the man.
"That?" he repeated, as if the word wasn't enough to describe what he was seeing.
"That's Merak. A volunteer who participated in an experiment… with the material we are about to analyze."
"Volunteer?" I asked, confused and incredulous.
The professor sighed, looking at Merak with a mixture of pity and guilt.
"According to the legends of ancient peoples, this material has healing properties when used correctly. We decided to test this theory and implanted the ore in his body."
Dario scoffed when he heard this, crossing his arms impatiently.
"You think the government is behind this, rookie? Don't be naive. It's all Positive's doing."
"Dario, let me explain."
Ma'el interrupted, with a warning tone and a serious gaze.
"Although this building is far from the main campus, it belongs to Positive. Here, we conduct studies related to pathology and other special cases."
I looked at Merak again, who continued to punch the walls with fury.
"But… why did he volunteer?" I asked, still trying to understand the situation.
Dario gave a sarcastic smile.
"It's quite simple, sewer mouse. He was already on death bed because of some terminal illness. It was a shot in the dark."
My face heated up with anger. This Dario… one day I'm gonna punch him right in the face.
"Unfortunately, he's right. Merak was in a terminal stage, with no options. The ore, it seems, completely healed his body, but… it caused an irreversible mental transformation."
The professor's words were like knives cutting through the air.
"He's not the same anymore. His mind was consumed, leaving only aggressiveness and irrationality. We don't know if it's reversible."
My eyes turned again to that man, trapped in his glass cage.
He was physically healed, but at what cost?
"This… is terrifying. And at the same time… very sad."
"For now, I recommend you ignore him." Ma'el said, turning to me and Dario. "Merak is unstable. He doesn't react well to the presence of strangers."
I looked at the professor, hoping he would take the lead and get us out of there. I didn't want to die yet.
"Okay, okay…" I sighed, trying to ward off the fear.
Dario, on the other hand, already seemed bored.
"I'm already used to this kind of nutjob. Let's go, professor. Just looking at this guy sends a shiver down my spine."
Ma'el nodded and resumed walking, guiding us through the seemingly endless corridors.
Behind us, Merak gave one last punch against the wall, so hard that I could feel the vibration in the air.
I hope this thing holds…
After a few minutes, we arrived at the mysterious room. When the door opened, my jaw almost dropped.
Inside, under a faint light, there were tables covered with books, scientific notes and… shiny crystals.
They emanated a bluish light and seemed to pulsate, as if they had a life of their own. It was something as strange as it was fascinating.
"Wow…" I murmured, as I slowly approached.
Dario, of course, had the same reaction. His eyes were shining, and he seemed about to run and touch the crystals.
"Don't even think about it!" The professor's voice echoed through the room, cutting through the moment.
Dario and I froze in place, like children caught doing something wrong.
"These materials are highly unstable. Observe, but avoid touching them."
I didn't know what was worse: the hypnotizing glow of the crystals or the professor's severe gaze.
I walked to the table where the glowing crystals rested, unable to look away.
The intense blue of the glowing crystal seemed to pull me in, as if it were alive. It was strange, but fascinating.
"Unstable? Why?" I asked, curious.
Dario was the first to answer, for the first time without sarcasm:
"From what I could analyze, this is basically an energy source. It is constantly being tested by students of my level or by authorized people. In short, it's like a self-defense weapon…"
For the first time, Dario seemed like a normal person. Despite this, something told me that there was still a lot he wasn't telling me.
"Almost." Professor Ma'el interrupted. "In fact, what you are seeing is a nucleus, but it's not that simple. The ore form it takes is no coincidence. We believe it stores a type of energy capable of replacing conventional energy sources, such as hydroelectric plants."
Ma'el placed his hand on the crystal and asked us both to analyze it.
The light that emanated was hypnotizing, but his next words made me frown.
"However… there are other functionalities that make us uneasy."
"You also forgot the basics, professor." Dario said, with a smirk, ready to steal the spotlight.
"Well… And what's the name of this?" I asked, feeling a shiver as I looked at that gleaming stone.
Ma'el gave a soft laugh before answering.
"Vyra'i, Kurusu. In the ancient pre-Mauritz languages, it is known as the 'Divine Stone'. It is believed to have a connection to the history of our country."
"'Divine Stone'…" I murmured.
"Unfortunately, we have few in our hands." the professor continued. "Positive was only able to start the studies with the encouragement of the former chancellor. We have five of them. Three are in this room."
"And how many exist in the world?"
"It's hard to say." Ma'el seemed to weigh his words. "These ores were found mainly in our territory, but I believe there are thousands scattered around the world."
My gaze returned to the crystal. Every detail seemed to call me, as if I were part of something much bigger.
"Is it possible to use the Vyra'i for good?" I asked.
"It is." Dario replied, dryly. "But it requires mastery. Not just any rookie can handle something so powerful."
I tried to ignore his provocative tone, but my hands clenched slightly. One day, this guy will see…
To demonstrate the power of the Vyra'i, Ma'el took one of the crystals from the table.
He pressed it gently, and what happened next left me with my mouth open.
The blue light of the crystal shone intensely, and, in a few seconds, it transformed into a rapier.
Ma'el twirled the blade with dexterity, cutting through the air as if he were in a duel.
His movements were precise, almost like a dance.
"The Vyra'i can take any form useful to its wielder. Observe this rapier, for example. It is a weapon that exudes elegance for a more civilized world." he explained, as he made the last movements before handing the weapon to Dario.
Dario held the rapier with curiosity, but something strange happened.
The blade flickered, as if it were unstable, alternating between the original form of the Vyra'i and the weapon.
"What's that?" I asked, intrigued.
"This instability is normal." Ma'el said, observing. "The Vyra'i only works perfectly when it is in tune with the wielder."
Dario returned the crystal to the professor, but my gaze remained fixed on the crystal to the left of the table.
It seemed to shine even more intensely.
Without thinking, I picked it up carefully. It was light, but it seemed to pulsate in my hands, as if it were alive.
A strange sensation ran through my body, like a comforting heat.
"Kurusu, be careful with that." Ma'el warned, but I couldn't take my eyes off the Vyra'i.
"This glow…" I murmured. It was as if it were calling me.
The professor, noticing my curiosity, picked up a large, old book from the corner of the table.
He opened it to a page full of notes and diagrams. Without saying a word, he pointed to three crucial pieces of information:
Healing Purposes. Creation of Objects. Origin of the Universe and Sentience.
"Sentience?" I asked, confused.
Dario was quick to answer:
"It means it has feelings. According to legends, the Vyra'i can choose its wielder. It glows when it finds someone compatible."
My heart skipped a beat. Could it be…?
Before I could formulate my question, a bang shook the room.
The sound of something heavy breaking echoed through the lab, followed by a tremor.
We all froze.
"What was that?!" I screamed, clutching the Vyra'i in my hands.
The professor and Dario looked at each other, Ma'el's serious expression indicating that something was very, very wrong.
"Sign of the times… we'd better be ready for the worst." Dario murmured, staring at the door.
His raised eyebrow and wide-eyed look showed his apprehension. A drop of sweat ran down his face.
"I have a bad feeling…" Professor Ma'el said.
He put the nucleus in the pocket of his lab coat carefully, as if he wanted to protect it from something only he could feel.
"Stay behind me. No matter what happens, don't move without my order. Understood?"
"Right!" I replied quickly, putting the Vyra'i in my pocket.
As I did so, a soft light shone for an instant, almost like a reflection of my anxiety.
"I can defend myself, but go ahead, professor." Dario said, as if he didn't want to miss the chance to show his air of superiority.
He seemed too confident. Was everyone with a yellow patent like this? Or was it just Dario?
Ma'el silenced us with a gesture. He put his index finger to his lips, asking us to be absolutely silent.
Then, he walked to the door. He opened it slowly, just enough to peek at what was beyond.
Outside, the laboratory seemed to have been swallowed by absolute chaos.
Parts of the ceiling and walls were destroyed, scattering debris everywhere.
Shortcuts that should have led us to a quick exit were blocked.
Some corridors were shrouded in total darkness, while glass walls had been broken, leaving shards scattered on the floor.
I swallowed hard. The scene looked like something out of a nightmare.
That's when I saw him.
Further ahead, in the center of the chaos, was Merak. His hands were injured, but they seemed to be healing slowly.
He had destroyed his mirrored prison with brutal blows. His aura was powerful, suffocating, and completely different from the comforting blue light of the Vyra'i.
Red like the embers of an uncontrolled fire, that energy seemed to vibrate with hatred and a thirst for revenge.
His eyes met mine, and in that instant, I felt as if he was seeing my soul, examining every corner of it.
A shiver ran down my spine. He was quiet, but his nails were slowly growing, sharp as blades.
"There he is…" the professor said, taking the nucleus from his pocket and holding it firmly.
I looked at the wreckage around us, trying to calculate an escape route.
The broken glass walls could be an exit, but a huge wall blocked any attempt at freedom.
"What do we do?" I asked, my voice trembling with fear.
"Calm down…" Dario replied, his eyes fixed on Merak. "That look… he's preparing for something."
"Stay alert!"
Merak took a step forward, his presence swelling like a wave about to break.
Suddenly, he let out a deafening scream. The sound was so powerful it felt like an earthquake.
The ground trembled under our feet, and I almost fell.
"Protect your ears, now!" Ma'el shouted, his voice full of urgency, as he put his hands to his ears.
I obeyed without a second thought, but Merak's roar seemed to cut through any barrier.
The floor trembled, and the lab seemed on the verge of collapsing.
"What is he doing?!" I screamed, but I couldn't even hear my own voice.
My heart felt like a speaker at maximum volume, beating desperately.
"I feel my eardrums bleeding!" Dario replied, as loud as he could, trying to overcome the infernal sound.
That creature was like nothing I had ever seen before. It was pure chaos, and we were trapped with it.
Merak's scream finally stopped, but the silence that came after was even worse.
It was at that instant that he advanced like a projectile. Seriously, he looked like a human cannonball from the circus coming straight at us!
Before I could react, I felt the blow. His hand hit my face as if I were made of paper.
It was brutal. The pain exploded instantly, and I swear I felt my teeth crack.
My body was thrown like a doll, crossing the lab until it collided with a dividing wall.
The wall didn't resist, and a crater formed on impact.
I screamed. Of course I screamed! It hurt a lot! It wasn't like the stupid fights at school. This was something else.
What kind of monster is Merak?
When I finally managed to get up, I saw that I wasn't the only one in trouble. Dario had been the next target.
A scratch ran across his belly, tearing his clothes and revealing a deep wound.
But what really made him scream was the blow that came right after.
Well, let's just say it wasn't something I'd like to experience… He was thrown against the ceiling, his head going through the PVC like it was cardboard.
It was a miracle we were still alive.
"Kurusu! Cobalteze!" the professor shouted, looking around as if trying to predict the next move.
He didn't have time. Merak came with another bizarre acrobatic move, landing a punch straight on the professor's head.
But, unlike the two of us, Ma'el wasn't thrown away. He didn't budge an inch.
Merak's eyes widened in surprise as the professor grabbed his arm and looked at him with such intense anger that it seemed like time stood still.
"Is that all you've got? Mama would hit harder!"
I didn't know if it was courage or madness, but the professor was challenging that thing.
With his left hand, he pressed the Vyra'i he was holding.
An intense glow took over the environment, molding the nucleus into something new. It was… brass knuckles? Seriously?
It didn't seem like much, but the blow he delivered right after was.
The impact was so strong that I almost felt the pain for Merak.
Teeth flew out of his mouth as he was thrown like a meteor against the wreckage.
Everything seemed to be in slow motion until Merak's body hit an already destroyed wall.
"Is it over…?" I murmured, approaching the professor, who sighed with relief upon seeing me.
"Thank God…" he said. "What about the other one?"
"I'm alive!" Dario screamed, forcing himself out of the ceiling.
He fell face down on the floor with a thud, and I decided to have a little pity.
I held out my hand to help him up in an act of mercy.
It was at that moment that the professor smiled, a strange, almost animated smile.
"What do you think about learning in practice how to use a Vyra'i in combat?"
My attention turned to Merak. He was getting up.
His reddish aura shone even brighter, despite the blood running from his mouth.
Stumbling, but clearly furious, he stared at us like a cornered predator.
"Let's do it… it's time to beat him up…" Dario replied with a challenging tone, showing his middle fingers to Merak.
He put his hand on his waist, as if he were holding something.
"You're speaking my language…" I commented, although I wasn't willing to use the Vyra'i yet.
Three against one, we had the advantage. It made no sense to rely on such a precious resource if we could win without it.
Merak's aura burned like a bonfire being fed by pure hatred.
He spat on the ground, a clear sign that the professor's blow had had an effect.
But the way he moved… something was wrong.
He took a position that seemed both offensive and defensive, like a nervous cat facing an enemy.
Or maybe like an athlete about to run a marathon.
The atmosphere became heavy, and the silence that took over the place was almost unbearable.
"I don't like this…" I murmured.
"Wait for my signal…" the professor warned, clutching the brass knuckles in his hand.
He had something in mind. I could see the determination in his eyes, but also a trace of hesitation.
Merak was planning something. And whatever it was, it wasn't going to be good.
As soon as Merak took the first steps, something sinister happened.
He opened his mouth and an energy sphere began to form.
It was small, the size of a tennis ball, but there was something about it that made me uneasy.
When it was launched in our direction, it seemed absurdly slow, as if Merak were playing with us.
"What is he plotting?" I thought, my body paralyzed as I watched the sphere approach.
"This is not a common attack…" the professor said, his expression filled with concern.
The sphere approached, and the silence around seemed to get worse with every second. Then it happened.
A colossal bang reverberated down the corridor, followed by a light so intense that my eyes burned.
It was as if the world had been torn from under my feet.
We were thrown against the nearest wall, our bodies unable to resist the absurd force.
Before completely losing my balance, I saw a reddish fog envelop everything around me.
"What kind of a monster is he?!" Dario screamed, his voice full of panic.
I could barely move, but there was Merak, advancing towards us with insane speed.
He moved like an animal, using his hands and feet on the ground. It was grotesque, terrifying.
"We're going to fight back right now!" the professor declared, getting out of the crater that had formed in the wall and advancing against Merak.
As soon as Merak got close to kill us with those huge, pointed nails in a jump, the professor dodged the first attacks, using the maximum force he had in his right hand to deliver a strong punch to the chin of that monster.
This was enough to make Merak's teeth crack, despite his healing factor.
Then, Dario and I managed to stand up and run towards that guy, who was trying to deliver fierce and fast blows against everyone, while we tried to break his balance.
They were movements that bordered on a dance, hitting sensitive points with kicks and punches on Merak's body, which strangely recovered at an incredible speed.
Until suddenly, he performed a powerful push with the gust of wind, pushing Ma'el away and leaving us alone against that being.
"Shit!" the professor shouted, as he was thrown out of the room by the gust of wind.
It was the first time since I met him that I heard a swear word come out of his mouth.
Having left us defenseless, like two mere rookies, Merak grabbed my neck and Dario's with an oppressive, painful force, to the point where we felt his nails penetrating the flesh of our necks.
"Hey! Let go of me, dammit!" I screamed when the creature grabbed me by the neck, its nails digging into my skin like blades.
"Professor… help us…" Dario begged, his voice trembling.
Merak didn't seem to hear anything. He pulled our heads, colliding them with so much force that my vision became blurred.
Before I could understand, he brought his face close to my neck, showing sharp teeth like a snake's, while a slight electric shock danced between them.
"No way in hell!" The professor's voice echoed down the corridor, and in an instant he appeared, delivering a precise kick to Merak's face.
The impact was like a penalty kick, pushing the monster away.
The professor didn't stop. He advanced again, delivering a series of rapid punches, trying to prevent Merak's regeneration.
With a surprising movement, Ma'el grabbed the monster's leg, twirling it in the air before throwing it against a wooden door.
The collision cracked the door, but Ma'el was visibly exhausted.
"Come on, professor! You have to win!" I shouted, trying to motivate him, even knowing that our situation was critical.
"Get out of here! There's an exit in the southwest corridor!" he ordered, his voice full of authority.
Without thinking twice, Dario and I started running.
But before leaving, I turned back and saw something horrible.
Merak had recovered and was on top of Ma'el, ready to attack again.
"Go now, Kurusu!" the professor shouted, trying to hold Merak's neck with both hands.
But it was useless. The monster dug its teeth into Ma'el, and an electric shock ran through his body.
The scream of pain he let out made me tremble.
I ran as fast as I could, following Dario. We arrived at the southwest corridor, where there was an emergency door.
But it was locked.
"Damn it!" I shouted, punching the door until my hands started to hurt.
"Calm down, rookie. I have an idea…" Dario said, panting, as he checked something on his belt.
"Be quick… He's coming." I could hear Merak's footsteps echoing down the corridor.
"On three. One… Two… Three!"
Running together, we threw ourselves against the door. It gave way, falling to the ground with a bang.
Without wasting time, we ran to the greenhouse. The darkness inside was almost total, but the Vyra'i in my pocket emitted a faint glow, enough to illuminate our surroundings.
"You're really screwed if the professor finds out about this…" Dario said, pointing to the Vyra'i.
He was right, but we didn't have time to argue.
"Damn… at least we're alive…" I murmured, hesitating for a moment before verbalizing my next sentence. "Hey, Cobalteze… what kind of weapon would be useful now?"
"I don't know… maybe something you like? Something that works for you."
I thought for a moment. Something I liked… something useful… And then, I had an idea.
Something that could turn our situation upside down.
Eventually, Merak found us. It was inevitable. That monster seemed to sense our presence even amidst that dark and wide corridor.
The sound of the door being knocked down probably attracted him here. As for Professor Ma'el… I wanted to believe he was still alive.
Just the thought of losing him, or one of the three of us dying, made my whole body tremble.
I took a deep breath, trying not to succumb to fear. Merak's scarlet aura shone intensely as he approached, his claws illuminated by the faint light of the greenhouse.
Dario came to my side, sweat running down his face.
Even with all the fear we felt, he remained firm, while Merak crawled like a beast, his ferocious eyes looking for his prey.
"Please, go away… Go away…"
All I could do at the moment was crouch down and be silent, crossing my fingers while hoping for the best.
But of course it wouldn't be that easy. He opened his mouth again, forming another energy sphere.
It floated to us and exploded with a deafening bang. The impact separated us, throwing us to opposite sides of the greenhouse.
The windows burst, releasing shards and beams of light that cut through the darkness.
I was on the floor, my head spinning, when I noticed Merak approaching me, his claws ready to attack.
I was going to die. I was going to die at that exact moment.
"Hey!" A loud voice echoed through the greenhouse.
I turned my face and saw Dario standing, panting, holding something that was glowing in the gloom.
"Are you compensating for something with these claws? Fight someone your size!" he provoked, pointing a gun at Merak.
"You had a gun in your pocket!?"
I didn't get what he meant by "compensating for something," but this wasn't the time for that.
Dario fired a series of shots. Merak tried to dodge, but some hit his feet, slowing down his movements.
It was our chance.
Dario reloaded quickly and advanced, knocking Merak down with a sweep. He came to me and held out his hand.
"It was about time for me to shine a bit, don't you think?" he said with an arrogant smile.
"Better late than never!" I replied, laughing as I got up with his help.
"If we get out of this alive, let's ask the professor to get us a Brutal Burger on the way home."
"Definitely!" I agreed, trying to ignore the fact that Merak was already starting to get up again.
Merak gave no truce. His presence dominated the greenhouse, and he was preparing to attack again.
"Alright, let's attack together. I'll go right and you go…-"
"No!" I shouted, interrupting Dario. "I'm going for it right now!"
Before he could stop me, I ran towards the monster.
"Kurusu, no!" he shouted, but it was too late.
I went straight, trying to land a punch on Merak's face. But, suddenly, I felt an impact on my belly.
Merak had punched me with great force, enough to make me taste breakfast again.
Before I knew it, he had thrown me at high speed against Dario, who was distracted.
We both fell to the ground, wounded and exhausted.
"Good job, idiot…" Dario muttered, trying to get up while looking at something near the greenhouse entrance.
His eyes lit up with an idea.
Merak, now a threatening shadow, jumped towards us.
"Choose a god and start praying." Dario said, with a terrifying calm.
He pushed me with a kick and, before Merak could reach him, Dario aimed and fired at… a gas cylinder?
The explosion was instantaneous. The flash took over the greenhouse, and the heat that came after was as if we were inside a volcano.
I was thrown outside by the force of the impact, falling on the outside of the lab.
Even injured, I managed to crawl to get a better view of Dario. He was standing, but could barely breathe.
His back was glowing with something strange.
"Is that… cobalt?" I whispered to myself, shocked.
Dario, with a tired smile, looked at me.
"It's over… I think…" he said, crouching down as sweat ran down his face, the intense heat still emanating from the explosion.
Did we make it? Or was this just the beginning?
The orange light of the flames illuminated everything around me as I felt the suffocating heat emanating from the ruins of the greenhouse.
My vision was blurred, but I could see a figure coming towards us, which made my heart skip a beat.
It was Professor Ma'el. He looked exhausted, but he was alive, although clearly confused by the destruction.
"I'm so sorry…" he murmured, kneeling to help me up.
The Vyra'i in his hand returned to its original form, glowing softly as he looked at the visible cuts and bruises on our bodies.
His eyes were filled with concern.
The pain was unbearable, but then I felt something cold and comforting when Ma'el passed the crystal over my wounds.
It was as if a mysterious energy was starting to regenerate my body.
I didn't completely understand what that "Divine Stone" was, but, at that moment, it really seemed like a divine gift.
Slowly, my skin returned to normal. The pain subsided, although it didn't disappear completely.
"What a relief…" I sighed, checking my body for any scars, unable to find any.
It was as if I had never been injured.
"Everything will be okay, kid…" the professor said, standing up with a determined look.
The professor started walking towards the flames, with the intention of using the Vyra'i to treat Dario's injuries.
But fate had other plans.
The silence was interrupted by a muffled noise, coming from the middle of the flaming wreckage.
I looked in that direction and saw, to my horror, a hand slowly emerging.
First the fingers, then the arm, until the whole body emerged from the flames.
It was Merak.
The monster was unrecognizable. The explosion had destroyed part of his face, leaving raw flesh exposed and melting.
His left arm had visible bones, while his right leg was bent at an impossible angle.
But he wasn't dead.
"That bastard…" Dario muttered, stumbling next to the professor.
"How… How is he still alive!?" I screamed, feeling the panic grow inside me.
Merak advanced with a surreal speed. Even mutilated, he seemed to ignore the pain, using grotesquely expanded muscles to leap towards Dario.
"Let go of me… now!" Dario screamed, as he was lifted into the air like a toy.
The monster brutally hit him, several times, as if he were unleashing all his fury.
Dario's screams of pain echoed, and my mind froze as I watched the scene.
With a final blow, Merak threw him like a projectile against Ma'el, who managed to hold him, but fell with the impact.
The professor stood up furiously, activating the Vyra'i again. With the brass knuckles in his hands, he advanced against Merak.
"How dare you!?" Ma'el roared, repeatedly hitting the monster's face, giving him no time to react.
I approached Dario, who was lying on the ground, almost unconscious.
"Help me… Kurusu…" he whispered, his voice as faint as a thread of life.
I looked at him, then at the professor, who was starting to be dominated by Merak's strength.
I closed my eyes tightly, clutching the crystal in my pocket.
"Please… grant me a little power… even if just for a minute!"
An intense light began to emanate from the crystal. My hand was enveloped by an energy I had never felt before.
When I opened my eyes, there was a renewed determination in my heart.
Ma'el was about to be crushed when a blast of energy cut through the air, hitting Merak and throwing him back.
The explosion threw him against the flaming wreckage.
I looked down and saw my hand. Or rather, what it had transformed into: a cannon… or rather… a buster!
It was an impressive design. The most part was white, with bright blue details around the base.
"This… is… so cool!" I murmured, enchanted, even in that chaotic scenario.
But the happiness wouldn't last long. I knew that weapon wasn't just an incredible toy.
It was our only chance to defeat Merak.
With one last look at the professor and Dario, I took a deep breath and prepared to face the monster again.
The final battle was about to begin.
When the smoke began to dissipate, I could finally see the result of my attack.
Merak's flesh was exposed, and parts of his internal organs were visible.
My stomach churned at that grotesque sight, but something gave me hope: his regeneration had stopped.
He wouldn't be able to heal himself as before.
Still, I knew that wasn't enough. I needed to finish him off once and for all.
"Cobalteze, can you hear me?" I asked, helping the boy up.
"I'm alive… but this is definitely the worst day of my life…" he murmured, stumbling to his feet. "Why did I ever come here?"
"I need you to hold him… now!" I insisted, my voice full of urgency. "Get your pistol and shoot!"
"H-huh? O-okay…" Dario stammered, apparently surprised at himself for obeying a rookie.
He pulled out his weapon, despite the extreme heat emanating from it, and slowly approached, while Merak advanced at high speed.
"Burn in hell, now!" Dario shouted, firing cobalt shots at the monster.
The shots hit Merak's chest and leg, immobilizing him temporarily.
Taking advantage of the moment, Dario delivered a rapid sequence of shots as if he were returning every attack he had suffered before.
However, Merak was fast, even injured. Without his legs, he used his arms as weapons, but it wasn't enough to prevent another shot from hitting his entrails.
"Just die, you piece of garbage!!" Dario roared, retreating as he noticed that the monster was starting to regenerate again.
This bastard never gave up.
Suddenly, Merak gathered an absurd force in his hands, launching gusts of wind that hit Dario like invisible punches.
He tried to protect himself, but ended up being thrown into the flames. I saw his body falling into the fire, almost motionless.
"Just a little more…!" I murmured, as the Buster on my arm accumulated energy. The charge was almost complete.
That had to work.
Before Merak could launch another attack, Ma'el intervened. With a precise kick, he hit the side of the monster's head, throwing him away.
Without giving Merak time to react, the professor delivered quick blows to his face and lower parts.
Merak tried to fight back, but Ma'el held his arms and raised them high.
"Finish him, Kurusu!" Ma'el shouted. "Come on! Unleash your potential!"
Ma'el's head was hit by a brutal headbutt from Merak, who took advantage of the opening to deliver a sequence of punches to the professor, throwing him to the ground and stomping on him.
The charge was complete. It was my turn.
"I will put you out of your misery!" I screamed, running towards the location of the exploded cylinder to avoid injuring my allies.
Merak chased me like a hungry animal. It was now or never.
When he opened his mouth to fire a beam of energy, I screamed with all my strength and fired my attack.
An intense blue ray came out of the Buster, colliding with the monster's red beam.
The energy pulsed, and I felt my right arm burn as I fought to keep the shot active.
"Now it's my turn to prove my worth, do you hear me!?"
Suddenly, a precise shot hit Merak's neck and stopped his attack for a fraction of a second.
Behind him was Ma'el, with Cobalteze's weapon in his hands.
The professor was exhausted, but his attack was enough to create the opening I needed.
"Rest forever, Merak!" I roared, allowing the Buster to completely overload.
The energy explosion swallowed Merak whole. His grotesque figure slowly disintegrated as the blue light dominated the environment, going through the floor and disappearing in the distance.
When everything was over, my Buster returned to the form of the glowing crystal I held at the beginning.
The rain began to fall, putting out the flames around us. Finally, the fire subsided.
My right arm was burned and throbbing with pain, but that didn't matter.
I looked at the cloudy sky, feeling the relief of the cold water on my body.
"Kurusu…" Ma'el murmured, kneeling beside me, clearly exhausted.
"That was unbelievable…" Dario sighed, stumbling. "Did we… win?"
"Please… don't tell my mom anything…" I asked, panting.
She would kill me if she knew I got into this.
Ma'el laughed weakly, but his eyes were filled with disbelief.
"This… was insane…" he murmured.
"It's a good thing it's over… for good…" after these words, the other boy falls to the ground completely unconscious.
Before my body collapsed from exhaustion in the same way as Dario's, I saw something in the rain.
A figure that seemed… familiar. Fragments of a dream came back to my mind. Could it be her?
But before I could understand, my eyes closed and everything went dark.