“Brother,” Takara murmured.

  “Taka,” Rai mumbled, slowly regaining consciousness. “Taka!” His frantic search was futile; the blindfold obscured everything. “Are you alright?”

  A shaky “Mhm,” was her reply.

  “Zip it!” a voice spat out.

  “We’ll be alright,” Rai whispered to his sister, trying to reassure her. A wave of nausea rolled over him after a few minutes, a sharp pinch between his nose and skull that left him momentarily disoriented. Whatever they were being transported in moved like a drunken elephant.

  Suddenly, a beast’s screech made the floor tremble.

  Frightened, Takara leaned on her older brother.

  The curtains parted, revealing Banu. “Flippin,” he declared.

  A scruffy outlaw nodded, his hands quickly securing himself with belts as he sat down. “Ready.”

  Banu pounded the wood three times, then said, “Ready to flip!””

  Panic swelled within the group, then, unexpectedly, the carriage overturned, causing immediate screams.

  Rai felt the blood rush to his head as Takara clung to him protectively.

  “Things will return to normal shortly; don’t worry,” the man seated opposite Banu called out.

  A bottle’s cork popped, and Banu immediately drank its contents, discarding the empty bottle. “Ha! Nothing normal about this,” Banu laughed, and pus oozed out the cheeks of his distorted face.

  Thirty second… Rai counted, though it felt much longer.

  “I have a headache,” Takara said.

  “Just a bit longer,” Rai stated, uncertain of the actual duration.

  A sudden explosion shook their transport!

  “What the—”

  Screams mixed with the roars of a creature as they plummeted from an unknown heights.

  “Hang on!” Rai said, pulling his sister in close.

  The prison transport carriage jolted violently, snapping in half with a deafening crack.

  Rai’s grasp wrenched free from Takara’s, the force tearing them apart in an instant.

  In a heartbeat, he saw a massive tree with a sprawling tangle of branches as wide as buses, reaching out like skeletal arms. Bodies tumbled, some still blindfolded, others disoriented as their coverings slipped off mid-fall; the occasional smack, as they fell rapidly echoed in Rai’s ears.

  A creature fell beside them, its long, thin body slapping against the muddy floor beside him, and then everything went black.

  The ringing in her ears drowned out a distant cry. Glancing up from the muddy floor, closeby was Plu, her stuffed animal. Pushing off the soft mud, though dizzy, she spotted a familiar face running toward her in the distance. A sense of ease washed over her, but her smile quickly faded. With worried eyes, Takara pointed beside him. “Watch out!”

  A blade sliced through the air, knicking Rai’s shirt.

  “Run Taka!” Rai said.

  In a hurry, Takara fled into the woods, leaving Plu.

  “They promised us safe passage,” Banu said, staring at the blood on his hands. On the floor, he noticed Takara running away.

  Rai continued dodging the bandit’s sword, but seeing Banu chasing his sister made him tense up. “No you don’t!” Amidst the uneven floor, he climbed a staircase of twisting roots, elevating himself and making it hard for the man to hit him.

  “How much energy does this kid have…” the bandit said, struggling to pull himself up and over the surface of a root; they got bigger as Rai kept climbing up.

  Seizing the opportune moment, Rai leaped off the guard’s head, quickly decending the mass of tendrils.

  The guards face in turn, smacked into the root, leaving a splinter sticking out of his nose.

  “Smell ya later!” Rai said, landing on the ground before rushing ahead.

  “Basta—!”

  A harrowing cry of a dying man echoed behind Rai, causing him to halt and turn around.

  From atop a pile of roots, a humanoid figure with long, rabbit-like ears loomed, its fangs plunged into its victim’s neck.

  Out of the forests, opposing forces erupted into a chaotic battle, their swords and bodies colliding.

  In a flash, Rai found himself amidst a fierce battle between Nefarians and humans.

  Startled, Rai tripped and fell backward onto the talon of a large dead animal. “What’s going on?” Quickly rising to his feet, he narrowly avoided death at every turn as he weaved through the battle in the direction Banu went, even snatching up Takara’s toy along the way.

  As Rai rushed past a man in armor, it prompted him to say, “Was that a kid?”

  Distracted, a horned-nefarian lunged on the soldier, biting into his neck and killing him.

  Eventually slipping out of the battle, Rai paused, hollering, “Taka!” With no response, he retreated deeper into the woods, worry consuming him.

  Back on the battlefield, a solider hurled his axe into a Nefarian before gazing over at one of his companions, shouting, “Where are the reinforcements?!””

  “No idea sir, they should have been here by now!”

  “Dammit, that’s nearly half of us. They didn’t actually run away, did they?!”

  With losses escalating on both sides, a barrage of explosions erupted across the battlefield, forcing many combatants to cease fire.

  Surrounded by almost a dozen unconscious people was an older gentleman in a gi. “Please return home to your family,” Reezo said, carressing his white goatee.

  “It’s Reezo!”

  “That’s an Illuminus Elite,” someone else whispered.

  “So what, he’s old now! Get him!” The soldier surveyed his surroundings and saw he was ignored, as if no one heard him. “Huh? Why can’t hear myself talking!”

  Reezo, standing slightly behind him, caressed his white goatee, saying, “Old, you claim?”

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  “When did you—” the soldier crippled over.

  Reezo’s actions were unnoticed, and a hush fell over those who attempted to recount the events.

  They were in the middle of a full scale battle, but not a single thing could be heard.

  Elsewhere, enemies surrounded Han and his companion who wore a colorful kimono.

  “By order of the emperor, this fighting is to cease immediately,” Han said. Tiny, faint purple roots emerged from beneath Han’s feet, and all his opponents were forced to the ground by his gravitational powers.

  Han’s companion, whose hair was as vibrant as his kimono, held a gaze that was quite relaxed, given that they were amongst enemies. “Looks like we get to take it easy today, Shiki,” Marco said.

  A small white snake materialized around his neck, tasting the air with its tongue before vanishing like a phantom.

  “Run!”

  Dozens of people scurried away as something tossed humans and Nefarians around like rag dolls.

  An enourmous man, with buldging muscles approached. He was shirtless, reflecting the perfect ripped defintion, resembling that of a greek god.

  In his grip he had the armor of another soldier, carrying him wherever he pleased like a pet that had gotten in trouble for chewing the couch up.

  Seeing his chance, the soldier in the imposing figure’s grasp swung his blade, but it shattered off his chest.

  “Idiot, that’s Knox! Out of the Illuminus Elite, he ranks eighth! Normal weapons aren’t going to do a thing.”

  Curious, Knox lifted the soldier in his grasp until he was eye level; the man trembled in fear as he did. “I thought you were looking for a trainer?” Knox said, disappointed. “Guess not!”

  He threw him so hard that some thought they saw a shooting star.

  Meanwhile, Rai stealthily made his way deeper into the forest; there were more soldiers and Nefarian then he had expected. “What is that smell?”” he said, covering his nose with his hand. A heavy mist lingered around the woods surrounding him.

  Seeing a rustling bush nearby, he readied himself for an attacker, but to his surprise, a cute fluffy bunny jumped out.

  It playfully scratched its face then bounced away.

  Rai let out a sigh, but as he examined the ground more closely, he spotted a trail of bloody spots left by the bunny.

  “No!” A distant cry of pain echoed in the air.

  Rushing through the bushes, Rai finally emerged into a clearing in the thick forest where the scream came from…

  On any other night, the moon’s brilliant shine would have made for a beautiful scene, with all the flowers around, but it was all overshadowed by the many bodies covering them.

  A cold sweat overcame Rai as his body became paralyzed with fear.

  The smell of death was overwhelming, and the creature in the center—he’d never felt such bloodlust before.

  Its long-twisted spine squirmed as if alive.

  While shifting to the left, the creature revealed a silver essence similar to a soul being drained from someone.

  Eyes snapping open, “TAKARA!”

  He charged at the creature, yelling, “Let her go!” His fear gave way to determination. The creature, upon sensing a presence, dropped his sister and disappeared into the forest. “Taka,” Rai said, dropping to his knees beside her. Placing his finger on her neck, “She’s alive.”

  Little by little, raindrops started to descend.

  “I heard something over here,” a voice rung in the distance, and so Rai hoisted his sister onto his back and departed into the forest in look for cover.

  “Don’t worry Taka, I got you,” Rai said, trudging across the wet grass.

  Before long, he spotted a tree with a very nice umbrella shape to it, perfect for shielding his sister from the rain.

  “Treasure bunny, I know you’re here,” Banu’s voice echoed nearby.

  “Banu?!” Rai muttered to himself. Ripping many vines along the base of the tree, Rai concealed his sister alongside Plu, and after placing a few large leaves, he stated, “I’ll be right back.”

  Banu crept around like a lion on the prowl, nearing his target until a pebble hit him in the back of the head, redirecting his attention. “Well, well, if it isn’t the snot-nozed brat,” Banu sneered.

  “I’d say it’s nice to meet you, but I can’t seem to get past that hideous face of yours,” Rai said with a sly smile, darting in the opposite direction.

  “You little!” The flux within Banu reginited and he burst forward in pursuit of the boy.

  Seeing a looming shadow behind him, Rai ducked as a fist tore a small chunck out of the tree.

  “He’s pretty fast for a big guy…” Skillfully evading the infuriated Banu at every turn, Rai noticed a silver strand along a tree he pressed off of. Looking ahead, an idea came to him. “This way ugly!” Racing forward, the moment Banu tried to grab him, he gripped a gum-gum tendril, which was one of many long yellow ropes that hung from the tree.

  “Your mine!” Banu said, however once again, his fingers snatching nothing but air as the tendrils elastic qualities allowed Rai to not only swing away, but stretch around the entire tree.

  “Right behind ya!” Appearing behind Banu, Rai delivered a powerful kick that sent the man crashing into a cluster of purple goomas.

  Despite his efforts, Banu remained stuck due to the strong suction of the large mushrooms. “What are these?!”

  “Purple Goomas. There are only two options you’ve got to free yourself, and brute strength isn’t going to cut it this time. Lucky for you, I happen to know the way.”

  “When I get ahold of you…” Banu said, attempting to yank his foot free.

  Playfully negotiating terms, Rai glance at his nails as if they were recently done, stating, “Promise to leave us alone, and I’ll let you in on the little secret. Hell, I’ll even consider giving your mask back. It’d be doing everyone a service, considering what’s underneath.”

  “I’ll hang your head on a wall!” Banu said.

  “Your funeral,” Rai responded, gesturing above Banu’s head before rushing back in the direction of his sister.

  “W-What’s that?” Banu said, noticing a shadow descending from above.

  “Option number two!” Rai said, disappearing from his sight.

  A look of panic quickly took over Banu’s face as a large spider-like creature clamped down on him.

  By secreting a liquid from the ends of its multiple legs, it loosened the mushrooms’ grip on Banu before pulling him up into the tree.

  “Release me!” Banu said, twirling within the bug’s grasp as it carried up.

  As Rai made his way back to his sister, he spotted a large gathering of odd sheep-like creatures in the forest. Only when he got closer to his sister did he realize that they were all encircling her.

  As he shooed them away, he noticed the foliage he had placed over his sister was now glowing.

  Desperately, he grasped for the vines, unsure of the situation, but when he touched them, a surge of energy ran through him, revealing a quick vision of a deserted village surrounded by colossal roots.

  “Gotcha!” Banu interrupted, hurling Rai aside. He was covered in purple blood, heaving heavily.

  Still a little disorientated from the previous vision, Rai attempted to stand, but as he did the weight of Banu’s foot drilled into his stomach, snatching his breath and hurling him back into the tree beside his sister.

  Seeing a large branch that had broken off from a tree, Banu grabbed it, steadily dragging it behind him as he walked towards Rai.

  “Taka…” With trembling legs, Rai pushed himself off the floor, preparing to defend his sister.

  As Banu approached, a foot gently graced the end of the thick branch, preventing him from moving any further. “Huh, what gives—”

  “Tux,” Rai mumbled, before collapsing.

  Dropping the stick, Banu towered over Tux, saying, “And just who do you think you are?”

  Tux let out a sigh. “It appears I’m always the one cleaning up after you.”

  “I’m talking to you!” Banu said, attacking Tux.

  Tux’s response was immediate, landing a single, powerful blow that sent Banu sprawling backwards into a tree where he fell unconcious.

  Observing Rai and Takara, Tux shook his head in slight disapproval. “You bring more trouble than you’re worth, street rat.”

  ***

  “The symptoms match the previous cases... I’ll need more time to examine it,” Dr. Kael spoke.

  “Understood, good luck on your research. If you find anything please report it as soon as you able,” General Kur said.

  Both Reezo and Han stood beside him.

  “General,” Dr. Kael said, disconnecting the call.

  “Can we trust that the boy is speaking the truth?” Reezo said.

  Han nodded, “He was in the middle of a battle involving Nefarian and human alike, under the circumstances it it wouldn’t be surprising if he made it up.”

  “You think I would make that up!” Rai said, appearing behind them covered in bandages.

  Nurses ran after Rai, offering apologies.

  Glancing down at Rai, Han said, “Mind your manners, you’re addressing General Kur, the right hand—”

  General Kur objected, raising his hand, “What you described is impossible.”

  “That thing is out there!” Rai said as the nurses attempted to get him back to his hospital bed. “It did this to her!” With a hard shrug, he brushed the nurses off, heading back to his room on his own.

  “General, if I may,” Tux’s voice emerged through the communicator. “What happened in the forest, it isn’t something any normal person could do. Not even half of them had their weapons drawn.”

  General Kur took a moment to think before stating, “We’ll reconvene in the morning.”

  Not long after, they all left.

  Rai rested his head on the bedding next to where his sister lay.

  She was in a deep slumber with no indication of waking up.

  “Ri Ri…” Hanabi said, appearing behind Rai.

  “How could I let this happen?” Rai was in tears. Hanabi came by and placed her arm around him. Slowly his crying ceased, instead gripping the sheets in anger. “That thing did this.”

  “What thing?” Hanabi said.

  “Something about my sister’s condition is connected to the monster we saw the previous night.”

  “Then let’s find it,” Tanabe said, also appearing—and with Milu nonetheless!

  “What’re you guys doing here?” Rai said.

  “When I heard what happened, I asked my grandpa if could stop by,” Tanabe said, revealing a port pass.

  “I came over as soon as Tanabe told me,” Milu added.

  “Does this mean you’re not grounded anymore?” Rai said.

  “No, I’ll be grounded for even longer after he finds out I’m not home,” Milu said, displaying a badge he’d stolen from his father to access the empire’s new ports.

  Encircling Takara’s bed, they held hands, including hers.

  “Together,” Hanabi said, determination in her eyes.

  “Together.”