A thousand years after the outbreak—
A soldier woke up.
The soldier's eyes slowly opened, his vision blurred and unfocused. A dull ringing filled his ears as he stared at the ceiling, unmoving.
For a moment… there was nothing.
No thoughts.
No memories.
Just emptiness.
He slowly sat up, his gaze drifting toward the wall. Something felt wrong.
Why… does everything feel unfamiliar… yet feel like home…?
The door slowly slid open.
A girl walked in.
She froze the moment she saw him awake.
"…Akane?"
Relief flooded her face as she quickly moved toward him and sat beside the bed.
"You're finally awake…" she said, her voice shaking slightly. "I thought… you would never wake up."
Akane stared at her.
Confusion filled his eyes.
"…Huh?"
He studied her face carefully.
There was something there… something he should recognize.
But didn't.
"Who… are you?"
Silence.
The girl's expression froze.
"…You're joking, right?"
Akane didn't respond.
Her hands clenched slightly.
"I-I'm Aira Yohwakimi," she said quietly. "I've been with you… for years."
Akane frowned, holding his head.
"Aira…?"
The name echoed in his mind—but nothing came with it.
"It sounds… so familiar…" he muttered. "But I can't remember… anything."
Aira looked away for a moment.
"…I see."
She forced a small smile.
"I guess that makes sense," she said, letting out a weak laugh. "Heh… you always did push yourself too far…"
Akane tilted his head slightly.
"Push… myself?"
Aira didn't answer.
Instead, she glanced at her watch. Her expression shifted.
"I… have to go soon," she said. "…Hurry to the main plaza before 0900. I'll send you the coordinates."
She stood up and walked to the side, picking up a set of armor.
"This is yours," she said, handing it to him. "You'll… need it."
Akane took it slowly.
It felt… familiar.
His hands moved over it instinctively.
"…Why does this feel like I've used it before…?" he murmured.
Aira froze for a split second.
"…Because you have," she said softly.
A brief silence followed.
She walked toward the door.
Then paused.
She looked back at him.
"…Akane," she said quietly.
She looked down.
For a moment, it seemed like she wanted to say something more.
Something important.
But she didn't.
And then she left.
Akane sat there in silence.
"…What is going on…?"
He stood up and slowly put on the armor.
His body moved naturally—like it had done this countless times before.
That feeling again.
Familiar.
But empty.
As Akane stepped into the hallway, he paused.
Soldiers walked past him.
Some glanced at him… then quickly looked away.
Others whispered quietly.
"…That's him, right?"
"…He finally woke up…"
"…No way… he's alive…?"
Akane frowned.
What are they talking about…?
A sudden vibration interrupted his thoughts.
He looked down at his wrist.
A watch.
"…I didn't even notice this before."
A message appeared.
From Aira.
"Hurry. Don't be late."
Coordinates followed.
Akane stared at it for a moment… then started rushing through the halls.
His breathing grew heavier as he ran.
He turned the corner—
The main plaza was already filled when he arrived.
Dozens of soldiers stood in perfect formation.
The atmosphere was tense.
Heavy.
Akane stared, confused.
"…What is this…?"
Before he could react, two soldiers grabbed him and pulled him into position.
"Stay in line," one of them said.
Akane didn't resist.
He just stood there… watching.
A commander stepped forward.
"All units, listen up!"
His voice echoed across the plaza.
"The planet Stellar is under attack by an unknown virus. Civilian loss is increasing rapidly."
A screen lit up behind him.
Distorted images.
Creatures.
Chaos.
Akane's eyes narrowed.
…What is that…?
"You are being deployed immediately," the commander continued. "This is not a standard operation."
Akane's grip tightened slightly.
Deployment…? Combat…?
A strange feeling crept into his chest.
Not fear.
Something else.
For a split second—
A flash.
Fire.
Screaming.
A battlefield covered in bodies.
A younger voice shouting—
"Move! Don't break formation—!"
Akane flinched.
"…What… was that…?"
The vision disappeared instantly.
Behind the commander, massive ships opened their ramps.
"Move out!"
The formation broke.
Akane was pushed forward along with the others.
The ship landed on Stellar.
A frozen wasteland stretched endlessly before them.
"Set up defenses quickly!" the commander shouted.
Soldiers moved fast, building trenches.
Akane followed, his body reacting faster than his mind.
Why do I know what to do…?
"Positions!"
Akane took his place in the trench.
Next to him, a soldier glanced over.
"…You look lost," he said.
Akane hesitated.
"I've… lost my memories."
The soldier laughed.
"Yeah, sure."
Akane didn't respond.
"GET READY!"
Akane raised his weapon.
Silence filled the air.
"…Movement," the soldier beside him muttered.
From the snow—
Dozens of creatures rushed forward.
"FIRE!"
Gunshots exploded across the battlefield.
Akane pulled the trigger.
His aim was precise.
Controlled.
Natural.
This feels… normal.
But it shouldn't.
While reloading, he glanced beside him—
—and froze.
The soldier next to him moved at unnatural speed.
Faster than he could even follow.
"…How are you doing that?" Akane asked.
The soldier smirked slightly.
"Overclocking."
Akane frowned.
"…Overclocking…?"
Suddenly—
"LEFT FLANK IS RETREATING!"
The commander's voice roared.
"What?! Hold your ground!"
Moments later—
"RIGHT FLANK HAS FALLEN!"
Chaos erupted.
The line began to break.
"ALL UNITS—RETREAT TO AEGIS DISTRICT!"
Akane stood frozen for a moment.
Around him—
Soldiers running.
Screaming.
Gunfire.
His grip tightened.
Run…?
Fight…?
His body leaned forward—
Ready to move.
Ready to fight.
Even if he didn't understand why.