Ikki

  I groaned, fluttering my eyes open to a world swimming in darkness.

  Memories of the burning marketplace flooded back in an instant — the roaring flames, the screams, the metallic taste of blood in my mouth. I remembered the gang members, their twisted, cruel sneers. The kids...

  God, the kids.

  My heart sank, and a lump formed in my throat.

  Stellaris Vortexia.

  A new magical girl had descended like a guardian angel or maybe a vengeful goddess. I couldn't tell which. Her arrival had been like something out of a fantasy novel — only it was real. Too real.

  But… what had happened after? There were flashes — shouts, the sound of combat, the gang members retreating. But it was all a blur. How had we gotten away? What had she done to them? Where was I?

  I tried to sit up, but my body protested with sharp jabs of pain. It felt like every muscle, every bone had decided to go on strike.

  I heard my dad's voice again, closer this time, laced with concern. "Hey. Easy does it, kid. You've been through a lot."

  In the dim light, I could make out the familiar contours of our living room. I looked down to find layers of bandages wrapped around my torso, the faint smell of antiseptic in the air. Dad was sitting beside me, his face etched with worry lines I hadn't seen before.

  My dad's hand was on my shoulder, gently but firmly keeping me down. "Don't try to move too much. You took a pretty bad beating out there."

  Rai-chan's voice chimed in my head. "Ikki. Please take it easy. You have multiple severe contusions and cuts, and the existing injury located on your third rib has been exacerbated. It is advisable to minimize action."

  "Yeah, thanks for the update, Rai-chan," I muttered under my breath with a mix of sarcasm and gratitude.

  I grimaced, my head throbbing. "What... happened? How did we get back?"

  Dad sighed, his hand still on my shoulder. "You don't remember?"

  I shook my head, wincing at the movement. "No. Everything's a bit... fuzzy."

  The door from our kitchen creaked open, and a familiar figure stepped into the room. Jae’s silver hair seemed to shimmer even in the dim light, and I flinched as he stared at me with serious, piercing purple eyes. When he focused on someone, they always seemed to see right through them.

  "Ikki," he said, his voice calm and measured. "How are you feeling?"

  I tried to shrug, but even that small movement sent a fresh wave of pain through me.

  "Been better," I managed to get out.

  Jae nodded, his expression shifting into a look of concern mixed with relief. "I see. That's understandable, given the circumstances."

  "What... happened?" I asked again, my voice cracking slightly. "Rather, how?"

  He pulled up a chair and sat down, keeping his gaze fixed on me. Jae's gaze shifted to my dad for a brief moment before he answered, his voice taking on a more serious tone. "Yes… anyway. I wanted to speak about the incident earlier. Do you know why we’ve been able to help your citizens re-settle this city over the last month with only a few flare-ups of gang violence and border incursions by wandering Knave through Baron-class chaos beasts?"

  I frowned, the pain momentarily pushed to the back of my mind by curiosity. "I guess it's because of the magitech and stuff you guys set up around the city?”

  Jae nodded, his eyes reflecting a hint of approval. "Partially. The Terran Volunteer Force, in collaboration with your country's National Guard, has established an extensive network of these wards. They're not just for detecting human threats like gangs but also for picking up any chaos beasts that might wander into the city from high entropy zones. It's been a crucial part of our rapid response strategy."

  I nodded, trying to follow his explanation. "That makes sense. So, when a chaos beast is detected, the TVF and National Guard teams move in to deal with it, right?"

  Jae smiled, a glimmer of satisfaction in his eyes. "Precisely. We've been using these detection wards to monitor and neutralize potential threats before they can cause any harm."

  "So, does that mean the wards can also detect magical girls?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me. "Or other magic stuff?"

  "Yes, the wards are attuned to detect magical signatures of all kinds."

  "But," Jae continued, his eyes narrowing slightly, "The gang attack at the market didn't trigger any alarms. It's as if they found a way to bypass or block our detection systems."

  My mind raced. That was a game changer. "Do you think it's the same gang from the other day? The one at the food processing facility in North End?"

  Jae's eyes narrowed. "I believe so. And there's something else. Do you remember that female mage? The one that bested me in the duel?”

  I nodded slowly, the memory coming back to me. It had been chaotic. A quick flurry of spells where Jae had come out the victor. And then, Jae’s skill, experience, and strength was rendered meaningless in a moment by whatever she’d done to knock us out in an instant.

  "Yeah, I remember," I said, recalling the fierce battle. "You won and then… she just bypassed everything you had."

  Jae leaned forward, his eyes intense. "Precisely. She’d tapped into something unconventional, something not aligned with the standard magical doctrines of Terra. It's concerning. I am more than certain she is the orchestrator of the attack today.”

  He paused, looking away. “Ikki… I’d hoped as you certainly did that the incident would be buried away so that you may depart in peace. However, I must know what happened after we were taken captive. The details and exact actions taken. Particularly hers.”

  I hesitated for a moment, not wanting to reveal too much about Rai-chan. Anything, really. But if there was a chance she could help, I knew I had to take it. Besides, the more we knew about this mysterious mage, the better prepared we could be. But I couldn’t risk revealing Rai-chan, or anything else about her.

  Jae's expression was stern, his eyes fixed on me. He leaned in, his voice low. "Ikki, this is important. I need to know everything. Every detail, no matter how insignificant it may seem."

  I swallowed hard, my mind racing. What could I say?

  “Well… after we were captured,” I began, choosing my words carefully. “I… somehow woke up in a cage. I immediately went to try and pick the lock on the cage. When I got free, Magical Girl Yomotsu-Shikome arrived.”

  Jae nodded. His expression remained serious, but there was a flicker of interest in his eyes. “Yes. That corresponds with what you said when I’d woken up in the aftermath. And what did you do after she arrived?"

  I shifted uncomfortably, aware of the parts of the story I had to leave out. "Well, after she distracted the gang members, I managed to pick the lock of the cage. I found a pipe and took out one of the gangsters who tried to stop me. It was... pretty intense."

  "And then?" Jae prompted, leaning in slightly.

  I took a deep breath, remembering the adrenaline of the moment. "Then, I found a downed Terran mech nearby. I've always been interested in them, read a lot of manuals and stuff. Somehow, I managed to get it started and control it, at least rudimentarily."

  Jae raised his eyebrows, clearly impressed. "That's no small feat, Ikki. Our mechs are complex machines, and not easy to pilot without training. Even if the first generation models had security flaws that allowed unauthorized users to operate them, which your unit was, they’re not just point-and-shoot tools."

  I shrugged, trying to downplay the hijack. "Yeah, it was pretty much hit and miss, but I winged it and managed. With Yomotsu-Shikome's help, we drove off the gang members."

  Jae was silent for a moment, then he said, "And the mage, the one who knocked us out. What were her abilities like?"

  I hesitated before nodding. "Yeah, she was there. She… she could disappear when I tried to attack her, and she also bombarded me with a whole bunch of red energy attacks. When we disabled the gang leader, she took off with him. Literally flew away with him at a crazy breakneck speed."

  "Flew away?" Jae repeated, his voice tinged with disbelief. "You mean, actual flight? Not wind manipulation or space manipulation. Flight."

  I shrugged, continuing to recap what I’d seen. "That's what happened. She just... took to the air and flew off. It was like something out of a comic book."

  Jae sat back, his expression thoughtful. "This is significant. More than significant, Ikki.”

  “How so?” I asked.

  “You see,” Jae started again. “True flight is incredibly mana-intensive, and even the skilled Terran mages can barely manage it in small bursts. There are methods that mage families use to approximate flight through wind and void manipulation, but what you're describing sounds like genuine, unassisted flight. Typically only mature Magical Girls use the brute force, commonly known methods because of the drain incurred.”

  Jae paused, looking down at his hands. “Moreover, there’s the fact that not only did she bypass my personal defenses, but she also may have bypassed the wards we’d established around the city. Which is… highly suspicious. Her spellcraft seemed sloppy at best, yet she was able to neutralize me with ease. It suggests she has access to unconventional sources of power."

  I frowned. “What kind of sources?”

  Jae shook his head. “I’m not sure. It’s hard to say without seeing her in action again. But… it’s clear that we need to find out more about this mage and the gang she is aligned with. If they’re able to bypass our defenses without detection, they could cause untold damage to the settlement. And endanger other settlements, if we don't put a stop to them.”

  I was going to leave soon. The paperwork had been filed, and our deposits had been placed. I was going to leave my family to deal with this on their own. My stomach churned at the thought.

  "I'll help in any way I can," I said. "I owe you for everything you've done for my family. For helping us stay together. We'll find the mage and the gang, and we'll put a stop to them. I promise." My words came out with a determination I didn't know I had.

  Jae seemed to understand my hesitation.

  "Ikki, I know you wish to do something, anything given the circumstances. I've known you long enough to see it in your eyes. But... Please, rest assured that your family can make do here without your help. I have no wish to participate in politics if I can help it, but you are one of only a dozen candidates selected to mingle with the elites on the other side. Both worlds require a symbol of unity, someone like you who can bridge the gap between us. Your departure is important for the stability of both worlds, and I will do everything I can to make sure your family remains safe."

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  I nodded, still not feeling entirely convinced. The memory of the attack, of being helpless and unable to protect my family, weighed heavily on me.

  Jae seemed to sense my unease. He placed a hand on my shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. "You are brave, Ikki, and your willingness to help is admirable. But remember, the world is larger than just this settlement, and your impact will be felt far beyond here.

  "I know that, Jae. But... if there's anything I can do to help before I go, please let me know. I just don't like feeling helpless like this."

  Jae nodded, his expression grateful. "I will keep you in the loop if anything develops. But for now, focus on your preparations to leave once you've rested up."

  As if on cue, a knock on the front door interrupted us, and a familiar man stepped in with my dad. The man looked like he was in his late twenties, although I knew he was far older than he looked.

  His appearance more or less hadn't changed in the decade or so since he and my father became friends. He was a brunette with Eurasian ancestry, tall and lean with handsome features and amber eyes framed by a pair of wire-rimmed glasses.

  He was dressed in a sharp suit, the fabric of which looked expensive and tailored to his every contour, and he moved with the confidence of someone who knew their place in the world.

  "Doctor Hinokawa!" I shouted as he stepped in, a surprised smile crossing my face.

  "Ikki, good to see you," the doctor said, flashing a grin as he greeted us. "Jae, always a pleasure. I heard there was some... unfortunate excitement in town today."

  Jae nodded gravely. "Yes, there was an attack at the market. Luckily, the damage was minimal thanks to the quick thinking of the two Magical Girls present."

  Two Magical Girls?

  I remembered Stellaris Vortexia showing up before everything went to hell. I looked at Doctor Hinokawa, curious to know if he knew anything more about the attack. But before I could ask anything, my father stepped forward and shook hands with the doctor.

  "Thanks for coming, Doc. We're glad to have you here," my father said.

  Elio chuckled. "Of course, Zane. It's always a pleasure to visit. Although, I wish it was under better circumstances."

  He turned to me and gave me a warm smile. "Ikki, I heard you had quite the adventure today. How are you holding up?"

  I shrugged, trying to play it cool despite the dull pain still coursing through me. "I'm alright, I guess. Just a few bumps and bruises, nothing to worry about."

  The doctor laughed, his eyes twinkling.

  My father nodded, looking worried. "About that, Doc. Could you please check my son over? Make sure he's alright?"

  The doctor raised an eyebrow, looking at me appraisingly. "Of course, Zane. Ikki, would you mind?"

  I nodded, dragging myself up to sit on the couch with a wince. The doctor approached, pulling a stethoscope out of his bag and placing it on my chest. As he listened to my heartbeat, he asked me a few questions about how I was feeling and if I had any lingering pain from the attack. Then, he took out a flashlight and carefully looked over my body, before testing my reflexes and range of motion.

  After a few minutes of examination, the doctor straightened up and gave me a small smile. "You're looking good, Ikki. No signs of anything serious. No concussion symptoms either, oddly enough. You're a tough cookie."

  I managed a weak laugh. "Well, I did take a pretty good beating out there. Guess I'm just lucky."

  Rai-Chan chimed in. "I have mitigated your injuries, Ikki. You are in no danger of anything life-threatening."

  Wait. She could do that?

  The doctor nodded, packing up his equipment. "Just take it easy for a few days, and you should be back to your normal self in no time. But, if you experience any unusual symptoms or pain, don't hesitate to give me a call."

  I nodded, feeling a sense of relief flood over me. "Thank you, Doctor Hinokawa. I appreciate it."

  I turned to look at my Dad, "Hey, where are Izumi and Mina anyway? My little sister would normally be all over me with injuries like this."

  My dad sighed, "Mina actually bolted when the attack happened, and your sister ran out in her pajamas chasing after her. Worried me damned sick, but they did call in after. They made it to Malina's place safely, thankfully. But Izumi called in screaming bloody murder. Something about how she heard you were injured. Had to convince her to sit put and wait rather than come back and risk getting kidnapped. She'll be home soon, so you're not out of the woods yet."

  I winced at the thought, before laughing a bit. "She's a handful, that one."

  Elio laughed. "Sounds like your sister. Always full of energy."

  My father grinned. "That's an understatement. Anyway, Doc, I can't thank you enough for coming by on such short notice. It means a lot to me, and to Ikki."

  Elio smiled warmly. "Anytime, Zane. You're practically family, and that's what family is for."

  My father nodded, a look of gratitude in his eyes. "Yeah, we are family at this point, aren't we?"

  Elio chuckled. "Izumi, huh?" he whispered wistfully, walking to our family picture on the wall and gently tracing the face of the young girl in the photo. "She's growing up so fast... I remember when she was just a little one."

  My dad chuckled, putting an arm around my shoulders. "Yeah, she's getting to that age where she thinks she's invincible. And likewise for Ikki over here."

  I rolled my eyes, playfully pushing my dad's arm off my shoulder. "Hey, I'm not that bad."

  Dad chuckled, ruffling my hair. "Sure, sure. Just don't go getting yourself hurt again, okay?"

  Then, he leaned back, sighing. "You know, I never thought I'd find myself raising two beautiful children in a world like this, but I wouldn't have it any other way. They're my everything."

  Doctor Hinokawa smiled when he heard this. He seemed to be lost in his own thoughts for a moment before turning back to us with a far-off look in his eyes. "I understand, perfectly. I still remember the day I held my first daughter like it was yesterday," he whispered. "She was so small and fragile; yet so full of life and energy. I remember feeling so proud that day, knowing that my life would never be the same again."

  My father frowned sympathetically, realizing who Doctor Hinokawa was talking about.

  "Shit Elio, sorry for bringing that up," my dad muttered, looking apologetic. But the doctor just shook his head, a gentle smile on his lips.

  He waved his hand dismissively, a small smile on his face. "It's alright, Zane. I remember the family I never had every day. But, life must go on, mustn't it? We all have to make the most of it while we can."

  Doctor Elio Hinokawa had only talked about his late wife and their partner once, and it was something that my dad and I had never really brought up. We both knew how much it still hurt him to talk about. He'd been in some sort of... weird, three-way relationship with his wife and their longtime mutual friend, and they'd had a daughter together. With a second daughter along the way when everything went to hell.

  I didn't know exactly what happened. The Doc never talked about it, but I knew he lost them all when the city fell, along with their unborn child.

  It was a tragedy that had shaped him into the man he was today, but it was also something that he only started talking about recently. Seeing Izumi always seemed to bring out a softness in him, a reminder of what could have been because both his daughters would've been around the same age.

  My dad gave the doctor a gentle squeeze on the shoulder. "We'll always be here for you, Doc. You know that."

  The doctor smiled sadly, nodding his head in appreciation. "Thank you, my friend. Your support means the world to me."

  I felt a pang of sorrow in my chest as I listened to their conversation. I couldn't imagine what it must have been like to lose a family like that, to have everything ripped away from you in an instant. It was a tragedy I wouldn't wish upon my worst enemy.

  The doctor was strong, though, and he'd managed to pull through and become a pillar of the reclamation community, someone we all relied on. Despite all he had been through, he still carried himself with an air of refinement and elegance, like a man who had seen everything there was to see in the world and still appreciated the beauty in it.

  I had always admired him for that, and I knew that he had been through more than most people could ever imagine.

  As the doctor and my dad talked, the door to our apartment opened, and Izumi burst in, her eyes wide with concern. "Ikki!" she exclaimed, rushing over to the couch and kneeling next to me. "Are you okay?" She looked at the doctor, worry etched on her face. "Is he gonna be alright?"

  Doctor Hinokawa gave her a reassuring smile. "He'll be fine, Izumi. Just a few bruises and scrapes, nothing too serious."

  Izumi let out a relieved sigh, her shoulders slumping as she wrapped her arms around me in a tight hug. "Oh, thank god. I was so worried about you, big brother."

  "Yergh! Ow ow ow! Too tight, Izumi!" I groaned as she squeezed me, her hugs coming with all the intensity of a bear trap.

  I could hear Rai-chan's voice in my head. "Ikki, please advise Izumi to release you. You are in danger of additional bruising and abrasions."

  "I'm sorry, Ikki," she apologized, letting go of me and giving me a sheepish grin. "I'm... I'm just so glad you're okay. When I heard you'd been badly injured, I was terrified."

  "I'm alright, sis. Just a bit banged up." I gave her a weak smile. "I'm glad to see you're safe. Heard you ran off."

  Izumi looked away, her expression clouding over. "Yeah... Mina was really scared. She was so worried about her siblings. Bolted off like a rocket and was halfway home when I caught up. We got lucky. There was a lot of shooting and stuff going on in the streets. If it wasn't for the two magical girls that saved everyone, I don't know what would've happened to Mina and I."

  She hesitated, her voice catching in her throat. "I'm so sorry, Ikki. I knew you were out there. I should've tried to find you. I should've been there for you. I'm sorry."

  "Hey, hey, it's okay," I reassured her, taking her hand in mine and squeezing it gently. "You did the right thing. You couldn't have known what was happening, and you needed to keep Mina safe. I'm glad you were there for her."

  Izumi blinked, tears forming in her eyes.

  "And it's not like you could've done anything anyway. It was a crazy situation with magical girls and gangsters everywhere. I'm just glad you're both safe." I smiled, hoping to ease her worries.

  Her eyes went wide as a guilty look flashed across her face. Then, she wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, sniffling. "I know, but still... I can't help but feel like I should've done more. Should've looked for you right away."

  "Don't be too hard on yourself," I said, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "You're still young, and you've already done more than most people could ever imagine. You were brave and took care of Mina. That's all that matters."

  Izumi nodded, her expression still heavy with guilt. "I guess so. But promise me one thing, Ikki?"

  I raised an eyebrow. "What is it, Izumi?"

  "Promise me that you'll be more careful next time. No more heroics, okay?"

  I chuckled, patting her on the head. "I'll try my best."

  She gave me a weak smile, her eyes still watery from tears. "That's all I ask."

  And then, she wrapped her arms around me in another hug, this time being careful not to squeeze too hard. "I-I love you, big brother."

  "I love you too, 'Zumi," I whispered, holding her close and patting her back. "Always."

  My father, Jae, and Elio stood by watching the scene, their eyes filled with warmth and endearment.

  After a few moments, Doctor Hinokawa shook his head and smiled. "Ikki, I'm sure you have a lot to do before your departure. Don't hesitate to let me know if there's anything you need. I'll pick you up at eight o'clock sharp Saturday."

  I grinned, feeling a mix of excitement and sadness at the thought of leaving my family behind. "Thanks, Doctor Hinokawa. I appreciate it."

  Jae stood up from his seat, stretching his arms. "I should probably head out, Good seeing you gentlemen," he said, nodding at everyone in turn.

  As Jae made his way to the door, the room fell silent once more. I could feel the weight of the upcoming journey bearing down on me like a ton of bricks. I had never been out of the country before, let alone on an extended academic trip to Terra.

  It was exhilarating and terrifying all at once.

  But the truth was, I wasn't sure if I could handle the pressure. Growing up on an Earth that was progressively going to hell one year at a time had made me tough, but going to a new planet for an academic exchange program was a whole different ballgame.

  Doctor Hinokawa must have noticed my apprehension, because he walked up to me and placed a hand on my shoulder.

  "Ikki," he said gently, his eyes full of kindness and understanding. "You're going to do great things. You're a smart, brave young man, and I know you'll represent our world well on Terra. With the knowledge and skills you've acquired from your father and me, there's nothing you can't handle. Just enjoy the experience and learn as much as you can."

  He paused, looking at me intently. "You're capable of so much more than you realize, Ikki. You just have to believe in yourself."

  I felt a sense of gratitude wash over me as Doctor Hinokawa spoke. He always seemed to know just what to say to make me feel better.

  "What the Doc said," Izumi chimed in, giving me an encouraging smile. "You're going to be amazing, bro. We're all rooting for you."

  My father and Jae nodded in agreement.

  "Thanks, guys," I said, feeling a little choked up. "I'll do my best to make you proud."

  Doctor Hinokawa smiled, giving me a final pat on the shoulder before he turned to leave. "Goodnight, everyone."

  With one final nod of acknowledgment, the doctor turned around, adjusting his glasses with a warm smile before leaving our home and closing the door behind him.

  "Hey 'Zumi."

  She was still holding me tightly, her head buried in my chest.

  "What is it?" she murmured.

  "I love you sis, and I'm proud of you," I said, my voice trembling slightly. "I don't say it enough, and I know I'm going to be away for a while, but you're the best. Don't ever forget that."

  She pulled back, looking up at me with those big, watery eyes. "I won't. I promise. Just stay safe, okay?"

  I smiled, ruffling her hair. "I will. And when I get back, maybe I can teach you a thing or two about magitech."

  Izumi giggled. "That nerdy crap?"

  I rolled my eyes. "Hey, magitech is the future! It could help us defend ourselves and rebuild the world."

  "Yeah, yeah," she teased, poking me in the ribs. "You and your big ideas."

  The two of us shared a laugh, and for a moment, it felt like everything was going to be alright. Sure, there were dangerous gangs and terrifying monsters lurking outside the walls of our settlement, but with the people I loved by my side, I felt like I could take on anything.

  Izumi and I hugged for a while longer, and then she reluctantly released her grip on me. She stood up, brushing her hair out of her face, and looked at me with a playful grin. "Well, big bro, you should go get some rest. We have a lot to do this week, and you're going to be a busy fella."

  I winced, trying to stand up. I had been pretty badly banged up, but I didn't want to show that in front of my sister. She had seen enough of that today. Izumi always had a protective instinct toward me, and the last thing I wanted was to worry her further.

  I slowly eased myself off the couch, my muscles protesting with each movement. "You're right. I should probably hit the sack."

  I stepped up to the window and gazed outside, taking in the starry night sky and the flickering lights of New York City.

  It really was eerie, how big and empty this city had become in the space of just a decade. The buildings stood tall and silent, like ghosts in the night, their windows dark and lifeless. The streets below were quiet, save for the occasional sound of a passing car.

  It was a far cry from the bustling, vibrant metropolis it had once been, and it filled me with a strange feeling of sadness and wonder.

  Still though, the stars twinkled down on me, and I knew that even in the darkest of nights, there was still beauty to be found in this world. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing thoughts. I had so much to do, so much to learn.

  I turned back to Izumi, a small smile on my face. "Goodnight, sis."

  She nodded, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Goodnight, Ikki. Sweet dreams."

  And with that, I turned and headed to my room, knowing that tomorrow would bring a new set of challenges.

  But for tonight, at least, I could rest.