Another day passes. Another day of waiting.

  No warning signs. No energy spikes. No alien warships blotting out the sky.

  Just… life.

  A life that doesn’t feel like mine anymore.

  I should’ve known this was coming.

  Dr. Bao warned me weeks ago. “The government will want to put a leash on you eventually,” he had said. “And if they can’t, they’ll want to make sure the public still trusts you.”

  So here I am.

  Sitting in a studio under hot, blinding lights, across from a journalist with perfect hair and a cold, practiced smile.

  Naomi Kanzaki—the Global Security Council woman—stands just outside the camera’s view, arms folded, watching.

  The interview is live. The world is watching.

  I feel trapped.

  The journalist flashes her best “I’m your friend” expression.

  “So, Yuri, it’s been six months since the world learned of your existence. What’s life like for you now?”

  I force a grin. “Oh, y’know. Instant ramen, online classes, occasional existential dread. Real thrilling stuff.”

  A nervous chuckle from the audience. The journalist doesn’t laugh.

  “Many people see you as humanity’s greatest hope against future threats,” she continues. “But others believe that you are the very reason these threats will come. What do you say to those who blame you for what happened?”

  I pause.

  I could say a lot of things.

  I could remind them that I didn’t ask for this. That Noctis would have come whether I existed or not.

  That I’m just a kid trying to figure this out.

  But I know that’s not what they want to hear.

  The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

  So I settle on something neutral.

  “I just want to protect people,” I say, keeping my voice steady. “That’s all.”

  The journalist nods like she expected that answer. “And what about your powers? There are reports that you haven’t been able to transform since your battle with Noctis. Do you believe you’ll be ready when the next Harbinger arrives?”

  I feel Naomi tense behind me.

  I exhale slowly.

  “My powers are… complicated,” I admit. “But I don’t plan on losing.”

  The journalist smiles. Like she’s won something.

  “Well, I think we can all take some comfort in that.”

  After the interview, Naomi pulls me aside.

  “You should’ve been more careful,” she says.

  I lean against the studio wall. “What, you wanted me to tell the world I can’t control my powers?”

  She narrows her eyes. “I wanted you to sound in control.”

  I sigh, rubbing my face. “What does it even matter? No Harbinger has shown up in six months. Maybe Akunon changed his mind.”

  Naomi gives me a look. “You don’t believe that.”

  She’s right.

  I don’t.

  Something inside me knows another Harbinger is coming.

  It’s just a matter of when.

  Dr. Lynn doesn’t comment on the interview.

  We meet at the underground facility again, same as always.

  She hands me a combat baton. “You ready?”

  I groan. “We could just skip the part where you beat me up.”

  She smirks. “Where’s the fun in that?”

  We spar. Faster this time.

  I’m getting better. I can read her movements more clearly, predict her attacks—

  Until she flips me onto my back.

  I groan. “This feels personal.”

  She kneels beside me. “It is.”

  I blink. “Wait—seriously?”

  She offers her hand. I hesitate, then take it.

  “You’re improving,” she admits. “But you still rely too much on your instincts.”

  I brush dust off my shirt. “And that’s a bad thing?”

  She watches me carefully. “Not when your instincts work. But what happens when they don’t?”

  I don’t have an answer for that.

  Because I already know.

  I’d be dead.

  I don’t know what wakes me up.

  Maybe it’s the way the air feels too still.

  Maybe it’s the way my wristband starts beeping softly.

  Or maybe it’s just instinct.

  But I sit up, eyes locked on the window.

  And that’s when I see it.

  A figure standing across the street, half-hidden in the neon glow.

  Not moving. Not speaking.

  Just watching.

  My pulse spikes.

  I throw off the blankets and step closer to the window.

  The figure doesn’t flinch.

  It’s tall—too tall.

  Its silhouette shifts, like it isn’t fully bound to this reality.

  And then—

  It moves.

  Not walks. Not runs.

  It just vanishes.

  The moment it does, my wristband flashes red.

  [COSMIC ENERGY SPIKE DETECTED.]

  My stomach twists.

  I grab my phone, fingers fumbling as I dial Dr. Lynn.

  She picks up immediately.

  “Yuri?” Her voice is alert. “What is it?”

  I swallow hard.

  “It’s happening,” I whisper.

  “I think another Harbinger is here.”

  TO BE CONTINUED…