Continuing chapter 7...

  After a demanding battle, Aeris walked off from CX’s body, absorbed by mixed thoughts. Her thoughts arose in a disorderly manner, Childhood, traumas and eventually, her abnormal encounters with Hjalmer. Despite she suffered throughout her years, her memory kept giving her positive memories though she was slowly reaching the truth.

  Aeris: (Worried) “I wonder, how’s Eleorona doing…?”

  Nate wiped the blood from his lip with the back of his hand, his eyes glimmered intensely.

  Nate: “Hm, looks like you’re still holding back.”

  She didn’t respond, feeling her jégosgalia shifting, her infused strikes seemed slower; Eleorona slowly approached her limit, but she wasn’t done. Not yet.

  The hitman vanished again.

  Eleorona braced herself, mainly focusing on the switch in the air. She felt it. Her lighting crackles appeared faintly from her back. Nate was going to that direction.

  She pivoted just as a katana slashed from her back. Her armoured ice bracer caught the blade, making the sparkles strongly react to the sword.

  Nate: (Muttering) “Nice read.”

  Then, he brought his second katana down in a lethal curve. Eleorona dodged low, but Nate expected it. His knee shot up, throwing a strike with a muay thai style to her face. She reacted instinctively. A pulse of ice-lighting surged through her arms as she caught his knee mid-air, freezing it in place.

  Nate: “What-”

  His chances were over. With an explosive burst of force, Eleorona swung him over her shoulder, slamming him spine-first into the metallic floor. Powerful enough to send a shockwave rippling through the room. Lawrence, Aeris & Vlad turned their heads from the coming sound for a brief moment, then continuing with it had to be done. Before Nate could recover, Eleorona had enough time to raise a lighting fist being directly connected to the chest. A pained escape from Nate’s mouth, as his body seized from the jolt, his vision momentarily blurred. Even Eleorona heard the crack clearly, surprised bby her own strength. Nate’s katana slipped from his grip.

  Eleorona panted, stepping back as the electricity vanished from her fingertips.

  Eleorona: (Cold, warning voice.) “Stay down.”

  Nate: (Groan and chuckling) “Damn… You are… You’re a piece. A piece of work.”

  The hitman tried to keep his eyes alive, however the pain exceeded his body’s limit, collapsing in the moment.

  Eleorona exhaled sharply as she leaves victorious. But all that fight costed her a huge quantity of stamina. She heads towards a wall to lean toward it and slowly drop her weight in relief. While panting she thinks of Lawrence.

  Eleorona in her mind: “Lawrence… I hope you are doing okay.”

  Then, last but not least, Lawrence Peacefury.

  Vald charged like a bullet train, making all his weight make the air feel thick. Lawrence saw it, the momentary shift in Vlad’s stance, slight-over commitment to his right side.

  Lawrence in his mind: “Here it is! An opening!”

  Vlad swung a haymaker aiming for Lawrence’s skull, and yet again, he ducked it. Lawrence pivoted on his foot, countering with a brutal liver punch. A crack was heard. It was vlad’s ribs. The not-so-talkative hitman grunted, however he wasn’t done. His massive hand catches Lawrence by the throat.

  Lawrence in his mind: “Oh shit-”

  The hitman lifted him off the ground, squeezing as hard as he could. Lawrence choked, making his legs kick as oxygen left his lungs.

  Vlad: “Not enough.”

  Lawrence gritted his teeth, eventually having a blurry vision but…

  He could not accept this humiliating moment, as he considers. His fingers stroke at specific arm nerve points, then Vlad’s grip faltered letting him go.

  Lawrence performed a quick roundhouse kick into Vlad’s jaw, feeling like slamming wood unequipped. The Italian landed on his shaky feet, gasping for air as he coughed. He shifted back into his Wing Chun stance. Once again, his best weapon resides on precision. Vlad growled, recovering fast as he tried to charge another attack…

  Then, Lawrence rushed in.

  Weighted punch to the throat, sharp elbow to the solar plexus, low sweep kick for Vlad’s balance and then, Lawrence lunged forward, connecting a strike to the side of his neck hitting a nerve. Vlad moves to his back, his legs unbalanced. And just to make sure he’s completely nocked, Lawrence sprinted to perform an axe kick into a ruthless left uppercut. The hitman’s eyes rolled back as his massive body collapsed, being finally knocked down.

  100%… A manly robotic voice’s echoed, files finally downloaded and ready to be investigated. Lawrence gasped in relief, going to the screen and disconnecting the USB. Since his fight was over, he exhaled and let himself fall into the ground looking at the ceiling.

  Aeris jogged down the gloomy hallway, breathing controllably but heavily. Bruises all over her arms with a dull pain, not bothered on complaining but prioritizing to regroup with the others two. She felt the vibrations of Eleorona and Lawrence’s fight from afar, and now that she was close, she glanced her. Eleorona, who leaned against the cold metal wall, arms crossed over her ribs. A thin streak of blood slowly ran from her head, disappearing into the black stands of her hair. Eleorona’s breath followed a slow tempo suggesting her calmness. Lawrence was also nearby, wiping a trail of blood from his nose with his wrist, letting his other hand rest on his knee as he caught his breath. His dark green coat was torn, in multiple zones, even ripped apart. This revealed bruises slowly forming.

  Aeris: (Weak smirk) “Hah, looks like you two had some fun.”

  Lawrence: (Shrugging) “If fun means getting thrown around by a brute, then sure. Loads of fun.”

  Eleorona: (Scoffed as she leans against the wall) “Tch. That guy wouldn’t shut up. I thought he could get inside my head and provoke me but… I’m not the patient type, so I finished him. Too bad for that hitman.”

  Aeris: (Raised eyebrow) “So like… He’s dead?”

  The glacial voltage user scanned the metallic floor covered in ice a few meters away, where Nate lay motionless near a room. Nate’s dual katanas were implanted next to him, frozen.

  Eleorona: “Let’s just say he’s gonna need some time before he wakes up. Only if he does.”

  Lawrence: (Stretching arms) “Vlad wasn’t much of a talker. He threw me around like crazy if I was some jelly-like toy. Somehow, I still took him down and I wouldn’t wanna go for another round.”

  Aeris: (Sigh, glancing back down the hallway. “Well, we need to move. I don’t think we took these guys out—”

  Her words cut off. A sound echoed through the corridor… It seemed intriguing. A slow rhythm coming from some shoes clicks. The sound of something heavy being pulled across the metallic floor sent a shiver through the hallway. Then, someone spoke smoothly, measured and infested with amusement.

  ???: “I must say… I expected a bit more from my men.”

  As the seconds pass by, it got closer. That shadowy figure seemed familiar, the hair, the voice, the way of walking…

  Aeris: “Isn’t that…?!”

  She was right. It was him.

  Presenting himself with a black suit, blood at the left side, having his sleeve rolled up exposing a horrendous image. His left arm, A bloody one dragged something beneath him. A guard, or rather, a dead one.

  Hjalmer dragged the man behind him effortlessly, painting the metal floor with the dark red blood. The guard’s face was twisted in horror. Hjalmer tilted his head, watching their reactions. Then, he let the body dropped the body like it was trash.

  Hjalmer: “This one. Had one job. One.”

  Gazing back up to them, smirking as he saw Aeris, horrified.

  Hjalmer: “To warn my soldiers that we had… Intruders.”

  He exhaled through his nose, shaking his head while covering his forehead in disappointment.

  Hjalmer: “Imagine my reaction when I found him cowering in a corner instead.”

  No one said anything after that. Straight up silence. Then, Hjalmer spread his arms, his expression turned something between surprise and challenge.

  Hjalmer: “Well? You’ve made quite the mess. You guys met my expectations, I’m flattered. And, I’d say it’s only fair that I return the favor.

  Aeris: (Clenched fists, firm but angered tone.) “Return… The favor…? The only favor you can do is die with my own hands. You were only being friendly to then torment me for almost a year. For what? For what reason? For what perspective? For what thought? For what achievement?”

  A solitary tear rolled down Aeris’ dust-covered cheek, trying her bests to not break down emotionally, wiping her tear quickly.

  Hjalmer: “It’s a lot to talk about. You wouldn’t understand the whole idea at the first attempt.”

  Eleorona: “Why are you even doing this in the first place? You’re only 17. What has gone wrong in your life?”

  The young boss stares, exhaling through his nose and rolling eyes.

  SLAM!

  It was the dragged guard. Hjalmer threw him at the metallic wall like he was indicating something.

  Eleorona suggested in a low tone to Aeris about the three of them fighting Hjalmer. It was a good idea but…

  Aeris: “No, this is the answer I’ve been looking for. It’s in front of me I have to do it by myself.”

  Lawrence slightly opened his mouth about, but then closing it quickly; He knew what response Aeris would say if he said it, letting her be.”

  Hjalmer: “How shameful of you, Aeris. My respect vanished the day you turned your back on me… So, how about this? You leave Eleorona and Lawrence, even that guy, and come with me.”

  Aeris’ breath cuts, slowly changing her attitude.

  Hjalmer: “Ah, come on, Aeris. I'll cover your brother's expenses, okay?"

  One more provocation. Patience crumbles; The small metallic designs of Aeris' clothing shake, and the ground shakes slightly. To the second, Aeris extends her left hand horizontally bringing back the needles, pulling them towards Hjalmer. And it was to be expected that the Delta boss could easily dodge them thanks to his jégosgalia. The girl with platinum blue hair chases after him, luring herself towards the zigzag-shaped metal walls. Eleorona steps forward, using her electricity to join the conductive walls while Lawrence runs in the usual way.

  Aeris: "Don't even try to escape, you fucking ugly bastard."

  Anger ran through his body, easily noticing the change in Aeris' voice.

  Hjalmer: “No, no, you’re mistaken.”

  It was a simple plan. Take Aeris to an specialized boat where they could fight. Then, they arrived. An enormous boat with a plain hardened floor. Hjalmer easily lured her, Aeris’ patience completely shattered, glad she could finally stand up for herself. The boat swayed side by sides slightly and somehow it began to sound suspicious for Aeris. Why would Hjalmer lure her to a boat like that?

  Aeris: “You think I’d betray them just to crawl back to Delta? Back to you? Hmph. I’d rather die.”

  Hjalmer: “Come on, Aeris, you’re nothing without me.”

  The young boss took a step forward with a relaxed posture yet his presence remained sufferable.

  Aeris: (Firm and relaxed voice.) “Justification achieved.”

  She flashed forward like a leopard, forming metal around her fists like gauntlets. Hjalmer stayed in place, colliding his forearm with her metal-covered fist. The impact sent a roaring clang echoing through the boat. Did he stumbled back? No. He stayed there like a magnet being attracted by the opposite polar.

  Hjalmer: “There we go. Show me the real you.”

  The boat kept swaying, messing their balance. But, Aeris didn’t care no more. She lunged again, spinning low into a devastating kick aimed at his ribs. Hjalmer blocked, his body absorbing the shock before countering with a knee strike. Aeris quickly changed, avoiding a direct hit, but his palm struck her right in the jaw, attempting more balance. Hjalmer wasn’t done. He performed a brutal uppercut, a low sweep and Aeris barely dodged in time, skidding across the metallic deck. She extended her hand summoning shards of sharpened iron, tossing them like daggers. Hjalmer dodged the first, the second and the third but the fourth… The fourth homing from his feet to chin, barely dodging it, drawing a blood cut.

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Hjalmer: “See? One of your strengths is kinesthethic intelligence. Too bad you wasted all of it’s potential. I’m quite annoyed you gave up on becoming a hitman, you could’ve become one of the most fearful ones in all Italy.”

  She loudly groaned, trying to keep her cool while fighting the one she betrayed for good. The boat lurched making hjalmer’s balance break, giving Aeris an opportunity to strke. Sending a metal spike through the floor, erupting like a geyser. The boss, confident enough, reacted quickly. His forcewave rift broke apart the metal spike easily. Aeris’ eyes widened, she couldn’t believe it. In a blink, Hjalmer was already in front of her.

  An aggressive punch connected into her gut, stealing immense breath from her lungs. Aeris gagged, curling up, but Hjalmer didn’t stop. His elbow smashed her back, forcing her to her knees. She gritted her teeth and her vision blurred. Her hands trembled as she attempted to summon more metal but, she was getting to her limit use. Hjalmer who remained intact, chuckled in a psycopath way.

  Hjalmer: “Truly disappointing. You’re so easy to read.”

  Aeris’ body refused to move. She kept trying but all her strength left her with Hjalmer.

  Aeris in her mind: “Nngh… Damn it… I can’t even…”

  Hjalmer walked slowly, firmly. Exposing his right arm in a chop hand position, releasing a gloomy blue aura. Ready to kill her. Hjalmer raised his chop to cut her through, ready to end it all.

  Hjalmer: “Goodbye, Aeris Juno.”

  Crack.

  A blinding arc of ice-lighting sliced through the air, striking him before landing the final blow. Hjalmer’s eyes widened as spiky ice tore through his shoulder, which later stroke a lighting as a bonus. Eleorona stood at the edge of the boat; She dropped her icey left hand which trembled after the attack. Her golden eyes were vivid as ever, burned with rage.

  Eleorona: “Back. The hell. Off.”

  Hjalmer groaned in pain, struggling to remain upright, clutching his wounded shoulder. Looking up at Eleorona.

  Hjalmer: “Hah, she’s lucky you arrived.”

  Before continuing, a horn resounded in the distance. A familiar sound… It was Clay who came back!

  Lawrence and Eleorona rushed to Aeris’ side, lifting her carefully. Blood covered their hands, but Aeris was still breathing. Barely…

  As they carried her toward the exit, Hjalmer stood there, watching them as he smirks

  Hjalmer: (Raspy but sharp voice.) “Run all you want. You’ll never escape Delta.”

  Aeris’ vision faded, feeling how the world around her vanished to complete darkness. Last thing she heard was Donovan’s name.

  Eleorona: (Whispered) “We have to call him.”

  Clay: “How is Aeris doing?”

  Eleorona: (Concerned tone) “5 cuts on her right arm, 4 on her neck and a…”

  Clay who drove the boat calmly waited for Eleorona to finish her sentence, as well as Lawrence, watching how they left the Island. But a doubt surged. Did they actually gathered the data required? It was a matter of attempts.

  Lawrence: (Glancing at Eleorona.) “Eleorona, what’s going on?”

  She remained silent with widened eyes, hands covering her mouth, surprisingly scared.

  Lawrence: “Eleorona?”

  Eleorona: “Lawrence, do you remember what Donovan told us about an X inside a circle?”

  Lawrence remembered, frowning in concern. He quickly checked on Aeris, witnessing what Eleorona said. An injury with the form of an X and a circle down her neck. Slowly bleeding out, as the injury wasn’t fatal. However, there’s a reason behind this.

  Eleorona: “I… I didn’t notice the move Hjalmer did, he’s fast… Too fast for my eyes… But why…?”

  Lawrence: (Gripping kindly her shoulder.) “Most likely a message.”

  The golden-eyed woman kept silence, remembering what her younger brother said about it…

  Eleorona: “Wait. You know that day when Donovan mentioned something about an X with a circle?”

  Lawrence nodded, worried as he looked down to Aeris.

  Eleorona: “This is bad. This is bad.”

  Lawrence: (Comforting Eleorona.) “Hey, hey. Take it easy, we don’t know what’s this symbol really about.”

  As she tried to panick, she easily followed what Lawrence told her. Calming down for now won’t make her worry a lot about Aeris.

  Donovan stood in his backyard, rolling his shoulders, stretching his arms and legs in his position. Recovering his stiffed muscles from previous battles. He exhaled slowly, ready to begin his training after resting for a day; He couldn’t wait any longer to come back. As he adapted his own style; Left arm extended slightly, exposing his palm to deflect incoming strikes. Out of a traditional guard. His right hand remained high close to his face, forming a cross with his arms. This wasn’t a practical style but for Donovan, it clearly is, able to switch a defense into offense in an instant. Though, his knee remained just a little raised, signaling a possible but ready kick to be performed. Just as he was about to start… His phone buzzed in his pocket. He quickly grabbed his phone checking who it was.

  “Sister Eleorona Ivanel.”

  His thumb tapped on the green icon without expecting a thing.

  Eleorona: “Aeris is unconscious.”

  Her voice expressed a fast-paced tone, expressing all what happened. The infiltration, their fight with the hitmen, their injuries, and how Aeris was nearly executed by Hjalmer.

  Eleorona: “And- And!-”

  Her younger brother remained calm. Way too calm. Interrupting her with a reply.

  Donovan: “I get it. I’ll be there soon.”

  The call ended. Then, he sprints to the door, slamming it to then get his blue jacket, putting it on as he sprints to the main door. His mother barely got time to see her son, blurring past. By the time the front door flung open, Donovan was already gone. He took out his goggles. He performed a move he called “The Leap of Midas.” making a loud boom, echoing through the neighborhood. This leap caused a golden shockwave, cracking the pavement as his body shot forward like a bullet. The wind whined past his ears, putting on an aerodynamic mask which covered his mouth & ears thanks to God’s Rend. Far across home, Jakov looked up through his office’s window. A golden curved line, piercing through the sky, frowning as he realized who that is.

  Jakov: “Hmph. Donovan… You remind me of myself when I was your age.”

  That’s right, Donovan was going to Vis Island to meet them there.

  Aeris rested on a comfortable hospital bed, slowly blinking to gain consciousness. She tilts her head, seeing Donovan sit nearby, arms crossed with a figure four lock sitting position. Aeris traces her fingers through her hair and forehead, adjusting slowly.

  Aeris: “Ahh… Where, where am I?”

  Donovan: “You are in a hospital, we’re at Vis Island.”

  Aeris: “Huh. I was hoping to wake up with my mother besides me, not your…”

  She muttered ‘attractive face’. The mutter’s volume was so low Donovan asked what she said.

  Aeris: “Oh, no, nothing.”

  Donovan: (Exhaling and shaking his head.) “Yeah, well, I was hoping you’d wake up sooner so I wouldn’t have to sit here like a complete idiot. I guess neither of us got what we wanted.

  Aeris smirks weakly, but winces feeling the pain from her injuries. Exhaling as she closes her eyes.

  Aeris: “Hjalmer…”

  Donovan: (Leaning slightly forward.) “Hm? You… Wanna talk about it?”

  The silver-blue haired girl stays quiet for a brief moment, staring at the ceiling.

  Aeris: “That dude wasn’t… Holding back. Even knowing I turned against him, he still fought like was some obstacle, not… a person.”

  Donovan: (nods slowly.) “He made his choice. You made yours.”

  Aeris: (scoffing slightly.) “Yeah? And what choice was that?”

  Donovan: (Glance with sincerity.) “To not be his pawn. Fight for something real.”

  Aeris: (Exhaling.) “I, I don’t know if I won. Sure, I landed hits, kept the rhythm at some point but… He’s still standing, running Delta and… He recorded us, Donovan. He’s not done with us.”

  Donovan: (Slightly widened eyes.) “W-What are you talking about?”

  Aeris: “CX, a hitman I confronted in the Svetac Island, told me they were recording us…”

  Donovan: “Oh.. I see. And that base… Lawrence found more than we expected. This isn’t just about the hitmen, the trafficking… There’s something bigger going on, something atrocious. Files on people we don’t even recognize, names that don’t show up in any public records or data collection… And someone calling themselves ‘The One’. That name is just. Frightening. Somehow I get chills just by pronouncing it.”

  Aeris: (frowning.) “Hjalmer is taking orders?

  Donovan: (Grim tone.) “Looks like it. Lawrence couldn’t decrypt the whole message, but it’s clear Delta is just a piece of something larger.”

  A long pause of silence. Aeris sclenches her fists lightly against the soothing sheets.

  Aeris: “I thought beating him would bring me closure. That it’d be enough.”

  Donovan: (Soft tone.) “No, it never is.”

  Aeris glances at him, quickly understanding his expression. Worry. The kind of look someone gives when they’ve experimented it before.

  Aeris: “That thing… is bigger than Delta, isn’t it?”

  Donovan: (Nods.) “Yup, bigger than we thought. Bigger than a regular mafia. The files Lawrence found contained information about Boosters. Our kind. People who have a jégosgalia. This world sees us as tools, weapons or cursed ones. But in those files? Hah, it contained something more than just that.”

  Aeris: (Narrowing her eyes.) “More, you say?”

  Donovan: (rubbing his forehead.) “I don’t know, yet. But those files weren’t just about criminals or fighters. There were names related to government, corporations and even industries. Some of them were… gone. Like they’d been erased.”

  Aeris: (Exhales, staring at the ceiling again.) “They’re tracking us. Like we’re chess pieces on the board.”

  Donovan: “Or like they’re planning something. And we don’t even know what game we’re playing.”

  Another silence kicked in.

  Aeris: (weak smirk.) “And here I thought I’d just have to deal with one bastard.”

  Donovan: (snorts, looking away.) “You wish, Aeris.”

  Aeris: (small grin.) “You were worried, huh?”

  Donovan: (Rolled eyes. ) “Maybe a little… Don’t let it go to your head.”

  Aeris: (soft chuckle, then a quick sigh.) “Thanks, Donovan.”

  Donovan: (Standing up as he nods.) “No problem, get some rest.”

  She smiles at him while he closes the door, having her own moment and privacy to let herself be. She sighed, inhaling deeply before leaning back against the pillows.

  Meanwhile, outside, Donovan, Eleorona and Lawrence saunter through the vivid plaza. They had been caught up in the chaos of their journey. Almost four days had gone by.

  Lawrence: (Muttering while having his arms behind his head.) “I still can’t believe it’s been like… Three? Four days?”

  Eleorona: “Feels like we’re already in May.”

  While Donovan remained silent, still thinking on what comes next. There was something about that name, “The One” that unsettled him, a horrendous feeling. However, he knew he had to relax.

  An hour passed, and the trio went back to the hospital. Donovan reached for the door handle, and it opened before he could touch it. Aerirs stood there.

  Aeris: (Soft voice tone.) “Hi.”

  The three of them stared at her for a moment before softening their expressions.

  Eleorona: (Worried tone.) “How are you feeling?”

  Aeris: (Slight smile.) “I’m feeling god, don’t worry.”

  Lawrence: (Exhale.) “Y’all want to relax?”

  Aeris nodded, before she could react, Eleorona grabbed Lawrence by his shoulders and shook him excitedly. “Yepp Yepp yepp please!!.” and Donovan gave a small chuckle.

  The afternoon was filled with laughter and fun conversations. They wandered through the island, taking photos and goofing around. Then, they encountered an arcade. Aeris and Eleorona teamed up against Donovan and Lawrence in a variety of games, leading to an intense yet hilarious competitions, even recording loses and wins. After playing on the arcade, Aeris leaned back in her seat and asked.

  Aeris: “So uh… What are we gonna do now?”

  That question maded Eleorona and Lawrence glance at each other, ready to tell them what they have planned out.

  Eleorona: “Lawrence and I decided to stay in Italy. I want to help him investigate more.”

  Aeris and Dononvan’s positive expressions faded, about to jump into conclusions.

  Eleorona: (Quickly wavering her hands.) “No, no! Not like that! I mean, we’re just going to analyze the files, nothing dangerous. No fighting or anything crazy, okay?”

  Aeris and Donovan exhaled, reverting their tired expressions to a neutral one.

  Eleorona: “Thanks for understanding.”

  Eleorona: (Turning to Aeris.) “What about you?”

  Hesitating for a moment, she stared at the melting ice in her drink.

  Aeris: “I don’t know. Now that I’m no longer with Hjalmer, I’d have to work as a barista again.”

  Donovan: (Frown.) “Nah, nah, nah, no that. Forget about working as barista. Remember what I promised?”

  Aeris moved her gaze to him with slightly widened eyes. She stepped forward and hugged him tightly without thinking twice. Donovan was unsure whether to lift his arms or not. Eleorona smirked and quickly made a hand gesture. ‘Hug her back.’

  Donovan sighed and obeyed, wrapping his arms around her. For once, his older sister didn’t tease him. Instead, she crossed her arms, looking at them with a quiet pride. Lawrence smiled beside her, happy for them to bond.

  Eleorona: “So, what was that promise?”

  Donovan: (Glanced before answering.) “The financial state of Aeris’ family is… bad. I promised to help her with taxes, food, safety and comfort.”

  As she took logic and instinct, it told her that Donovan was taking too much responsibility. But then, she thought about their past. They were experimenting a critical state too. So she nodded.

  Eleorona: “I completely understand. We used to be in a tough spot when Donovan was born. Lawrence and I will support you, Aeris.”

  The silver-blue haired girl looks at them, her eyes bright up. She hugged them both. Meanwhile, Donovan was forgetting something. A crucial element that if he forgot, his parents would’ve punish him.

  Donovan: “Oh shoot. I forgot my backpack, and my, my… MY SNEAKERS. Eleorona we have to go back!”

  She frowns at him in silence.

  Donovan: “What?”

  Eleorona: “It’s the first time you react like this over some sneakers.”

  Donovan: “These are not some simple sneakers, these are limited edition, I saved all I could to buy them.”

  She rolls her eyes, sighing as she walks away from them.

  Eleorona: “Let’s go.”

  With their plans set, the group made their way to the dock, preparing to leave Vis Island. As the ferry started moving, Donovan grinned, stepping back.

  Eleorona: (Muttered, knowing what was coming.) “Oh no.”

  Donovan crouched slightly before launching himself into the air with Leap of Midas. He soars forward, keeping a incredible rhythm with the ferry’s speed. People on board gasped astonished. One man near Eleorona mumbled, “Was that a booster?”

  Eleorona: (Smirk.) “Yep. That’s my little brother. He’s just having fun after a long journey.”

  The man chuckled and started a casual conversation with her. Meanwhile, Donovan noticed Aeris standing near the railing, appreciating the ocean. He stopped his jégosgalia and landed on the boat before walking over to her.

  Donovan: “Beautiful, isn’t it?”

  Aeris: (Nods.) “Yeah. It really is.”

  They stood in silence for a while, watching the water glint under the afternoon sun.

  Arriving in Italy, they took a train and a taxi back to Monterotondo. The neighborhood seemed quiet, minding their own business while the group had an active mood. As they approached Lawrence’s house, Eleorona sprinted towards the door, and so Donovan did. By the time they reached the door, they both lunged at the same time to get the door handle, falling on each other in the process while laughing.

  Lawrence sighed as he shook his head, reaching his keys to open the door. That night, the squad rested well, ready for the next day.

  At morning, they witness a relaxed breakfast filled with laughter and interesting topics. As for the rest of their time before midday, Donovan and Aeris packed their bags to return to Croatia. At Palermo Airport, the four stood together one last time before parting ways.

  Eleorona: (Crossed arms.) “Take care, you two.”

  Lawrence: (Nodding.) “Yeah, and keep in touch.”

  Aeris: (Smile.) “Of course.”

  Donovan: (Glance at Eleorona.) “Don’t get into too much trouble, alright?”

  Eleorona: (Scoffed.) “You should be telling yourself that.”

  They exchanged one last hug before Aeris and Donovan boarded their flight to Croatia. After landing in Croatia, Donovan’s parents were already waiting at the airport. They greeted the two warmly before driving them to Aeris’ home first. As they were close to her house, Aeris’ mother opened the door, immediately hugging her daughter tightly.

  Clara: (Murmur.) “I was so, so, so worried.”

  Aeris: “I’m fine, mom, here I am.”

  Clara: (Turning to Donovan and his parents.) “Thank you for taking care of her.”

  Irene: (Exchanging a smile.) “Of course. She’s family now.”

  Aeris’ mother looked at Donovan, showing her honesty and gratitude.

  Clara: “And you, Donovan. Thank you for protecting her.”

  Donovan: (Scratching his head.) “Haha, It’s nothing. I just kept my promise.”

  After a brief convesation, they went back to the car and see how Aeris waved them, honking as a way of saying goodbye. As they drove off, she stood on the porch, she exhaled back home with her family.

  …

  …

  …

  Lawrence leaned back in his chair with strained eyes from hours of decrypting files from Hjalmer’s base. He just stared and slowly blinked at the computer’s screen. Hovering his fingers over the keyboard trying to remember what he wanted to search. The data he had pulled from Delta’s server had been extensive; Illegal transactions, booster trafficking, blackmailing, and some riddles found in some documents. However, something was incomplete. There was one file he hadn’t cracked yet. A single, locked document labeled as “Project Ether”.

  Lawrence blinked, and at some point, he was falling asleep; He then refused. That name caught his interest. He quickly rubbed his eyes in a circular motion to keep up his work. He attempted to go through all the layers of encryption. Whoever had protected this file had used advanced security was sure someone could have access. This did give Lawrence a job, striving 100%. Then, he pressed enter. The screen flickered. A line of morse code appeared.

  -.-. --- -. - .-. --- .-.. --- ..-. - .... . -. . .-- . -- . .-. --. . -. -.-. .

  He cleared his throat, opening a new tab for a morse code translator. Pasting it on the box.

  “CONTROL THE NEW EMERGENCE.”

  After a second, the screen glitched violently. Lines of unreadable codes appeared, then the screen went black. The file shut itself down. Lawrence sensed the heat, noticing how file the big was for being a morse code. When he tried to reopen the document, it was completely wiped.

  Lawrence: (Clenching his fists.) “Control the new emergence. What does this even mean?”

  He stood up from his chair, about to write down the phrase then—

  Using his peripheral vision, a program opens being the firewall notification.

  “THE FIREWALL HAS BEEN BREACHED BY AN UNKNOWN USER.”

  A single message popped up on his screen before opening his security program.

  “You shouldn’t have looked.”

  The computer shut down entirely.

  Lawrence stood there, staring expressionless. Whatever Project Ether was, time was the only resource they have left.

  A New Journey begins…

  To be continued…

  Human's Strength Arc has ended.

  Discover the new route of this world.