The pod hissed for a few seconds.
Himiko looked at Kaoru—
Then Makoto—
Then Aiko.
Voss stared at the pod, blinked, then looked at the civilians surrounding the entrance.
Steam poured—the first pod door opened.
Makoto took one step back.
Vapour parted, melting around a figure.
It watched—dead still.
Lights on the metal collar around its neck glowed a blood-red hue.
Its four sharp eyes snapped open, then darted across the crowd.
Himiko's throat tightened.
It's the same as back then…
In Rengappon.
The thought sent a chill through her spine.
Behind her, the civilians froze—staring at the creature with the same helpless fear she once felt back in Rengappon.
Himiko clenched her jaw.
Not anymore.
Her grip tightened around the hilt of her katana.
Humans didn't need to fear these things anymore. They had MEI.
The creature growled.
The clamps around its wrists clicked—then shattered.
Fragments clattered against the ground as it tore itself free.
Behind it, the other pods split open.
Three more figures stepped out.
Voss moved first.
"Everyone inside!" she yelled, "Clear the entrances—I want them all barricaded!"
She waved sharply—directing the volunteers.
They looked at each other, nodded, then followed.
Then Makoto.
She turned to the drivers and evacuation teams in the trucks.
"Follow them! Get in the shelter!"
Himiko watched them for a second, then turned back.
Her legs moved on their own.
The blade sang as it left its sheath.
The creature lunged.
Himiko dropped—knees hitting concrete—sliding forward as claws cleaved through the air above her head.
She twisted—cut low.
Flesh and sinew tore as her blade sliced through the beast's Achilles.
The creature spun—crashed to its knees with a heavy thud.
The ground shook slightly.
They were eye level now.
It swung again.
Claws clashed against steel—she caught them with her blade.
The impact jolted through her arm—her foot slipped back an inch.
Now they were face-to-face.
Its four red eyes darted between Himiko's two.
She saw her reflection in its eyes.
In Rengappon, she was afraid, frozen.
Now her brows were furrowed—eyes tense.
She was furious.
Behind her, Miko and BB fought another.
BB spun as it closed in on the creature.
His tail pincers carved a large gash down its chest—blue ichor sprayed.
The creature stumbled backwards.
Miko uncloaked herself and followed up.
She squeezed the rifle's trigger—the crystal inside glowed, rotated.
Bright spears of light tore into the creature's torso—punching large holes straight through.
It stood dead still for a moment, looking down at the floor.
Then steam rose from the wounds.
Muscle fibres twisted—knitting together.
Flesh stretched like fingers, pulling itself closed.
The wounds were healing.
"Wha—h-how?" Miko stuttered.
The creature slowly lifted its head, locking onto Miko.
Then let out an amused growl.
Her hand trembled on the rifle's handle slightly.
To her left, Kaoru, Aiko and Nozomi fought two more.
On one knee, Aiko fired her rifle.
It punched through one of the creature's chest.
It groaned.
She cocked the weapon—fired again.
The other beast's head jolted back as the bullet pierced through.
It caught itself on its back foot.
Aiko kept a firm grip on her rifle, watching the beast.
But he didn't fall.
He threw his body up as the bullet hole vanished.
"They just keep eating every attack," Aiko said to Nozomi and Kaoru beside her.
"Yeah," Kaoru fired a burst, "there has to be a trick here."
One of the beasts growled—blood curdling.
"What's it doing?" Nozomi asked, unable to remove his gaze from it.
The creature made a move.
It lunged in.
"Get down!" Kaoru yelled as he crashed down to the floor.
The beast barreled past them.
Kaoru rose to one knee—looked at the beast behind him.
It was hunched over, staring at crimson blood on its hand.
Kaoru's eyes widened.
"Is everyone ok?! Aiko, Nozomi," he yelled in a shaky voice.
"I'm…" Aiko groaned, "Good."
"Nozomi?" Kaoru asked.
Nozomi lay face down.
Silent.
Blood pooled around him.
"Nozomi!"
Kaoru rushed over to him—rolled him over.
His eyes were closed—mouth agape.
On his chest was a large gash, leaking blood.
"No…" he whispered.
His hands hovered—then pressed hard against the wound.
Warm.
Too warm.
He leaned in—ear to Nozomi's mouth.
A shallow exhale escaped.
Kaoru sighed shakily.
The ground shook.
Heavy stomps came closer.
He looked to his left—one of the creatures was closing in.
He ground his teeth.
"Damn you!"
He locked eyes with the beast with furious, dark blue glowing eyes.
The world dimmed to black apart from Kaoru and the monster.
No one could move.
But Kaoru could think.
Suddenly, the creature split into four still images.
One step forward.
Another step—fist clenched.
It turned, cocking its fist back.
Then swung, fist against Kaoru's face.
Each still image was an action that was destined to happen.
Kaoru still couldn't move a muscle, but instinctively, he planned his next moves.
Images formed—himself.
Lifting Nozomi—
one step—
two—
three.
Just outside the arc of the strike.
Sound returned as the world snapped back.
His body moved in real time—he had no control.
It just moved—performing the actions he laid out.
So did the creature.
Performing the same moves—in real time—that he saw in advance.
"Whoa," Kaoru said.
The creature turned—rage burning in its eyes.
Kaoru gently lowered Nozomi to the ground.
The creature raised its arm, fist tightening.
Kaoru locked eyes once more.
The world dimmed.
Four images.
Fist—
moving—
closer—
impact.
An instinct took hold.
He mirrored it.
His own sequence unfolded.
Arm drawing back—
swinging—
closing—
Impact.
Perfect.
Something clicked.
The creature was stuck in a freeze-frame—cocking a punch that would never strike.
Kaoru grabbed Nozomi and sprinted.
Pure air shattered around the creature—it searched for Kaoru.
Kaoru reached Makoto with Nozomi in his hands.
"Mrs Isamu—" he panted.
"What happened?" Makoto asked, eyes wide, "Is he alive?"
"He's still breathing, barely. He needs help."
Makoto nodded—took Nozomi from his arms, "Be careful out there."
"Yes, ma'am," Kaoru nodded, before running back.
As Makoto turned away, her gaze locked on Himiko for a second.
She sliced through one wrist of the creature.
The hand flew—the creature let off a bone-chilling yelp.
Himiko stepped back.
The collar light flickered.
Small fibres of muscle reached out of the wound.
"You weren't like this in Rengappon," Himiko whispered, "you didn't regenerate when he struck you."
Back-to-back, Kaoru and Aiko opened fire on each of the two creatures, eating up the rounds.
"What is these things' weakness?" Aiko asked.
"There must be something powering it," Kaoru insisted, "it can't just keep regenerating out of nothing."
"Maybe it's just Aethesium," Aiko suggested.
Kaoru said nothing, just pondered.
He raised his weapon once more.
Aimed at the creature's head.
fired.
The bullet missed, skimming across the metal collar.
The beast froze—Its eyes dimmed.
It dropped—hitting the ground with a heavy crash that rattled up Kaoru's legs.
"What…?"
The creature twitched.
Then—
Its hand slammed into the ground.
It dragged itself up, jerking violently.
The collar flickered.
Each jolt of the collar echoed through its body.
"That's it!" Kaoru shouted.
He turned.
"Himiko!"
The beast advanced towards her, unleashing a flurry of slashes.
Himiko met them—parrying, feet shifting in precise, practised steps.
More claws closed in.
Her back foot slipped.
Her eyes widened as she raised her blade to meet the strike.
The parry was off—the power overwhelmed her.
Her katana was smacked out of her hands, clattering against the floor.
Another swing came.
She bent back just in time—claws sliced past her nose.
She fell to the ground.
"Himiko!" Kaoru's voice cut through, "The collar is its weak point!"
Her eyes sharpened.
She pulled a pistol out of the holster on her hip.
Threw her arms up, pistol in her hands.
She fired,
fired,
fired.
Two bullets punched the collar.
The collar sparked—the beast jerked violently.
The creature stumbled back, convulsing as its eyes flickered.
Then collapsed to the floor, lifeless.
Himiko turned to Miko.
"Hit the collar!"
Miko nodded.
"BB, keep him still,"
"Still," BB muttered.
He launched in, wrapping himself around the creature.
Miko steadied the rifle.
Her breath hitched.
The creature's head snapped toward her—eyes burning.
It writhed.
BB tightened his grip—limbs locking around the creature as it thrashed.
"Stay still…" she whispered.
The golden shard inside the rifle flared.
She squeezed the trigger.
The round struck the collar—It sparked.
The creature convulsed violently, limbs locking mid-struggle…
Then went limp in BB's grip.
Silence fell—heavy, sudden.
"Is that all of them?!" Himiko yelled.
"No, there's one still—" Kaoru replied, but was cut off by the scream of Aiko.
The creature held her in its arms, covering the collar on its neck.
"You bastard!" Kaoru cried.
Ghost-Line Six surrounded the creature.
"Aiko," Himiko said, "why didn't you use your ability?"
"It wouldn't… work," she tried to wiggle free from the grip—the creature squeezed tighter. "I couldn't do it."
"Just stay calm, Aiko," Himiko assured her, "we'll get you out."
"Yeah, sure," Aiko jested, "just… anytime today would be nice."
Kaoru's eyes sharpened—he had a plan.
"BB, come here, buddy."
Himiko, Miko and Aiko looked at him in confusion.
"Got a plan?" Himiko asked.
Kaoru looked her in the eyes—grinned.
"Yes, Kaoru," BB said.
"On my mark," Kaoru whispered, "I want you to spiral around that thing… got it?"
BB tilted his head slightly.
Looked at the creature—then back at Kaoru.
Nodded.
Kaoru patted BB's side.
"That's my guy."
Kaoru looked at the beast.
"Now get ready."
BB turned—coiled his tail.
"Hey bastard!"
The monster turned—looked at him.
Kaoru waited for a moment until its eyes were directly on his.
It looked Kaoru in the eyes.
Kaoru met them.
"Now!"
BB moved.
The world dimmed to black, except for Kaoru and the monster.
Kaoru watched as the beast's actions played out before him.
All four sides, turning around as it followed BB.
On the third slide:
A perfect shot on the collar.
But if he missed…
Aiko dies.
The pressure built in his mind—he had to time the exact frame that he shot perfectly, just like when he froze the one from before.
Each action one frame.
He raised his gun, aiming down its sight—frame one.
Planted one foot forward, one back—frame two.
But how do I hit the target, he thought, I can't aim.
What if…
He closed his eyes.
And became one with the frame.
He stared down the sight.
Aligned with the target.
Squeezed the trigger—frame three.
Now the rest was out of his control.
One more frame.
He made a peace sign with his fingers—frame four.
The world glowed to life.
His body moved.
He raised his rifle, aiming down the sight.
The monster planted one foot back.
Kaoru planted one foot forward.
The monster turned
The collar was in sight.
Kaoru pulled the trigger.
Bang!
The bullet spun through the air—then punched through the collar.
The monster froze…
Its arms loosened.
Aiko slipped out.
"What the hell?"
The collar jolted.
The beast convulsed.
Dropped to its knees—eyes fading, lids relaxing.
It crashed to the ground.
Everyone stood still—panting heavily.
Silence.
Aiko, sitting in front of the beast's carcass, looked at Kaoru.
Peace.
Kaoru smiled.
Aiko burst out laughing.
Himiko ran over to Kaoru and wrapped her arm around him.
"How did you do that?"
"I just—"
The moment of peace ended.
The broken collars began beeping in harmony.
Kaoru looked at Himiko.
She looked back.
His brows lowered.
Then his eyes shot open.
"It's… a signal."
Himiko widened her eyes.
"How do we stop it—?"
The collars beeped faster.
The ground shook violently.
A distant hum grew louder and louder.
Himiko looked up.
A black object in the sky.
Plummeting towards them.
Crash!
Something fell from the sky.
It wasn't a pod.
It was bigger.
Massive.
The beeping continued—ear-piercing.
Its four legs crashed through a building beside them.
It had a tall, triangular body that towered into the sky—reminiscent of a giant metal bug.
Its mouth—open—glowed.
Himiko looked up, unable to avert her gaze.
Her mouth was gaping—lips quivered.
Another crashed down onto the streets.
"W-what… is that?" Miko stuttered.
No one responded.
The giant structures howled.
Deep, mechanical.
Himiko covered her ears—so did the others.
The howl stopped.
Then low hums followed.
Three aircraft hovered overhead.
They created strong winds that blew Himiko's hair from the loose bun.
They rotated, slowly descending to the ground.
The aircraft hissed as hatches opened.
Soldiers sprinted out of them, organising in groups in front of Ghost-line Six and the trucks.
Their rifles pointed straight at them.
The MEI agents raised their hands.
Boots clamped against the ground.
The formation parted—one alien soldier stood in the gap.
It stood tall, around seven feet on reversed knees. It bore a long black coat and helmet. Black-tinted glass covered the front of it with a golden ring that glowed in the centre, which darted between the MEI agents. It locked on Himiko.
Its boots echoed as it approached.
It stopped in front of Himiko, towering above her.
Himiko's throat tightened.
It began to speak in a voice that was croaky and deep.
"V… E-ss-el?"
"W-What?" she stuttered.
"VE-ESS-EL"
"What are you talking—?"
The alien punched Himiko.
She fell to the floor.
Kaoru jolted forward.
The being pulled out an alien pistol—two curved cylinders on either side of the handle.
It didn't even grace Kaoru with its attention, just a glowing pistol to his face.
Kaoru stepped back.
The alien crouched down.
"Ve-e-ssel"
"V-vessel?" Himiko asked shakily.
The alien chuckled.
"Where…" it asked, deadpan.
"I… d-don't know."
The alien turned its head and spoke to one of the others in croaking tones.
Another responded.
The alien sighed.
It held the pistol to Himiko's head.
"No… please," Himiko pleaded, eyes wet.
"Himiko!" Aiko yelled.
The alien placed its finger on the trigger.
Then the ground shook.
It rose to its feet—stepped back.
The sound of engines came closer.
MEI armoured vans, Gurkhas, drones and tanks swarmed the street.
The van at the front opened.
Devon Harden stepped out.
"That woman dragged me out of hell," he yelled, "step away from her."
MEI soldiers lined up, clad in sleek black armour, pointing aethesium rifles at the alien soldiers.
The seven-foot alien stepped back, still locking eyes with Himiko, disappearing into the alien army.
Himiko opened her mouth, but nothing came out.
Kaoru and Aiko helped her to her feet.
"You ok?" Kaoru asked gently.
Himiko raised her hand to her face to rub her eyes, which were slightly puffy.
"Yeah… thanks."
"What was it talking about… vessels?" Miko asked.
An alien voice yelled.
The soldiers began filling the aircraft, row by row.
The beeping of the collars stopped.
The vessels.
The aircraft's engines fired to life and ascended into the sky.
The towering structures released another metallic howl and then blasted off into the atmosphere.
Maybe they were talking about him.
The aethesium entities.
Where is he?
Everything was numb.
George McCullen couldn't feel a thing.