Hiori sat at the edge of the rooftop, letting the cold evening wind brush against her face. The sun was beginning to set behind the towering factories, painting the sky in streaks of red and orange that slowly dissolved into the dark shadows of the smokestacks. Steam and mist gathered above the city of Ortklí, casting a heavy, oppressive gloom over everything.
She crossed her arms and gazed into the distance, her eyes sharp and unwavering.
"Huh… Tonight, Ortklí will drown in chaos."
A few hours earlier…
Hiori stood in the center of a circle of children and a few townspeople who had long lived in the shadows of fear. Their faces were filled with a mix of doubt and hope, blending into a tense, breathless silence.
She swept her gaze over all of them before speaking.
"Alright, listen closely. This isn't just about revenge. This is about taking back your freedom. Tonight, we'll bring that company to its knees."
Felix raised his hand hesitantly.
"But… how? They have armed guards. We're just regular people."
Hiori smirked faintly.
"We may not be soldiers, but this city is your home. You know every crack, every alley, every hidden passage."
She looked at them with fierce determination.
"And me? I'll be the spearhead."
An old man with a weary face stared at her intently.
"What do you want us to do?"
Hiori pointed westward.
"The factory has a supply route on that side. If you can create a small disturbance there, they'll redirect some of their guards."
Then she pointed north.
"Meanwhile, I'll sneak into the main building and destroy their central systems."
Felix swallowed hard.
"And if they catch you?"
Hiori locked eyes with him, her voice brimming with certainty.
"They won't get the chance."
Silence fell again. They exchanged glances, as if measuring their own courage. Then, one by one, they nodded.
Hiori took a deep breath, exhaling slowly.
"Tonight, we break the chains that have bound you for so long."
Nightfall.
In a narrow alley between creaking old buildings, a group of children and a few defiant townsfolk gathered in silence. The air was colder than usual, whether from the darkness or the tension that hung like a noose.
A messy-haired boy bit his lip, eyes filled with anxiety.
"Hey, Felix… Are you sure this will work?" His voice trembled, trying to hold back the fear creeping in.
Felix stood at the front, fists clenched. He turned and gave a confident smile.
"Don't worry! You just have to trust me—and Hiori."
His eyes sparkled with determination, though a hint of unease still lingered behind them.
An elderly man with a face full of wrinkles sighed softly.
"We only have one shot. If we fail, they'll hunt us down without mercy."
Felix patted the man's shoulder casually.
"That's exactly why we can't fail. Believe me, Hiori isn't just anyone. She's got a plan."
They exchanged looks again—doubt still flickered in their eyes, but seeing Felix's confidence gave them just enough strength to hold on.
High above, on one of the rooftops, hidden in the shadows of a moon obscured by smoke, Hiori watched them from afar. Her lips curved into a thin, knowing smile.
"It's time… Let's set this hell on fire."
Hiori signaled to Felix from above, a swift gesture that told him the time had come. Felix gave a faint nod, then stepped toward the guards with a resigned expression, as if surrendering to his fate. The guards relaxed their vigilance, unaware of the danger lurking in the shadows.
At that moment, Hiori moved.
Her feet danced lightly across the rooftops, nearly silent. Her body moved like a shadow, slipping past smokestacks and rusted metal beams hanging in the air. She spotted a slightly open vent and, without hesitation, leapt into it with precise motion.
"Good… I need to move fast," she muttered under her breath, walking down a dim corridor with her back pressed to the wall. The air reeked of metal, sweat, and blood, making her grimace.
"This place is disgusting…"
Hiori advanced carefully, making sure her steps didn't echo. Every so often, she paused and sharpened her ears, ensuring no guards were around the next corner. When she reached a small barred window with rusted iron, she peeked through.
What she saw made her eyes flare with rage.
Dozens of bodies—men and women—lay scattered, blood soaking their clothes and the floor beneath them.
"Bastards…" Hiori hissed through clenched teeth.
Her hand tightened around the hilt of her sword. Her blood boiled, but she held herself back. This wasn't the time for reckless moves.
She took a deep breath, forcing her anger to settle.
A sharp breath escaped her lips as she spotted a guard approaching, spear raised. The flicker of torchlight reflected off the polished tip, casting a long, menacing shadow across the dusty floor.
"Hey! Who are you?! What are you doing here?!" the guard shouted, eyes narrowing in suspicion.
"Tch… So I've been found, huh?" Hiori muttered, her fingers already gripping her sword tight.
Without another word, the guard lunged, thrusting his spear straight at Hiori.
CLANK!
Hiori parried swiftly, sparks flying as steel clashed against steel. She jumped to the side and spun, swinging her blade toward the guard's arm. But he was no amateur—he stepped back in time and spun his spear in a wide arc, trying to create space to strike again.
"You're no ordinary thief… Who sent you?!" he barked, now fully alert.
Hiori smirked coldly.
"Me? Just someone who's sick of watching scum like you oppress the weak."
Hearing that, the guard growled and lunged forward, aiming his spear at Hiori's stomach. But Hiori was faster.
With lightning speed, she sidestepped the attack, dodging it by a hair's breadth. In one fluid motion, she spun and brought her sword down.
"Flame Rend!"
Instantly, her blade ignited with searing red flames, unleashing a burst of fire as it clashed with the guard's spear. A small explosion erupted, blasting the guard backward and knocking him off balance.
"You… What the hell is that?! A mage?!" the guard shouted, panic spreading across his face.
Hiori stared at him coldly.
"Wrong. I'm the storm that's going to tear this rotten place apart."
In a blink, she vanished from sight—then reappeared behind him, sword raised high.
"Sleep tight."
SWISH!
A single swift slash. Her blade flashed in the air, and in an instant, the guard collapsed to the ground—unconscious, motionless.
Hiori didn't waste a second. She dashed forward, heading straight for the heart of this darkness.
"Time to set the fires of rebellion."
Scene shifts to Felix
Felix straightened up, took a deep breath, then ran toward the guards with a deliberately panicked expression.
"Sir! Sir! I just saw someone suspicious! They were sneaking around near the weapons storage!"
One of the guards looked at him skeptically, lowering his spear slightly.
"Huh? The weapons storage? You sure about that, kid?"
Felix nodded quickly, eyes wide as if in fear.
"Yes! I saw him wearing a black cloak, his face was covered! He moved like a shadow! I… I was scared he might be a thief or something!"
The guards exchanged glances before one of them growled,
"Damn it. If this is real and we let him slip by, we could be executed."
Another guard scoffed, still skeptical.
"But he's just a street kid. Are we really buying this?"
Felix bit his lip, then added,
"If you don't believe me, that's fine. But if I'm right—and he is an intruder—you'll all be the ones held responsible!"
The guards stiffened, their expressions shifting to serious.
"Alright, show us the way!"
"Follow me!" Felix shouted, pretending to tremble as he began to run. The guards followed without question, while the other kids hiding in the shadows gave him small, reassuring nods.
Felix held back a faint smile.
"Hiori… I hope this buys you enough time…"
Scene shifts back to Hiori
Hiori leaned her back against the cold brick wall, ears sharp and attentive to the sound of footsteps fading in the distance.
"Felix should've bought me enough time… If everything went smoothly, the guards in this area should've thinned out by now," she murmured.
She moved carefully, her breathing steady. Her light, near-silent steps brought her to an old table scattered with rolled-up papers. Her hand darted forward, flipping through them one by one until—
"There you are," she whispered, eyes narrowing as she studied the worn map in front of her.
The layout was more complex than she expected—underground tunnels, storage rooms, and a heavily locked chamber labeled Director's Quarters at the far end. But what truly caught her attention was a section marked in red ink in the far corner:
Production Zone.
Hiori smirked.
"So that's where all the main machinery is…"
Her fingers moved swiftly, tracing the quickest path to her target.
"If I can sabotage the production core, that should be enough to throw everything into chaos… and maybe open a path to free the workers."
But before she could take another step—
TAP TAP TAP
Heavy footsteps echoed down the hallway. Someone was coming.
Hiori quickly rolled up the map and slipped it beneath her cloak.
"Damn… Someone's getting suspicious?"
She leapt into the corner of the room, blending into the dark shadows, holding her breath as she waited.
A few seconds later, a gruff voice rang out.
"Weird… I'm sure I heard something in here…"
A large guard stepped into the room, eyes scanning every corner. Hiori stayed perfectly still, her hand slowly inching toward the hilt of her sword.
One more step…
And without warning, she burst from the shadows—like lightning!
The guard didn't even have time to scream. In an instant, Hiori's blade danced through the air, slicing through his body without mercy. CRACK! Blood splattered against the grimy brick wall, a deep crimson stain trickling down to the floor.
"INTRUDER!!"
A guard shouted in panic, and the silence shattered into chaos. Footsteps pounded from every direction, the sound of swords being drawn ringing through the air.
"You little brat! You think you'll walk out of here alive?!"
A burly man snarled, swinging a heavy axe wildly at Hiori.
But Hiori just gave a crooked grin.
"Funny… I was just wondering the same thing about you."
CLANG!
She parried the axe with ease, her counterstrike sending the man stumbling back several steps.
"DAMN IT! TAKE HER DOWN, NOW!!"
The guards charged from all directions—some with swords, others with spears, and a few loosing arrows from a distance.
But to Hiori, they all moved far too slowly.
Like a living shadow, she dashed forward, her body spinning lightly to evade the wild, reckless strikes.
"Scorching Chain!"
From both her hands, fiery chains erupted, cracking through the air with a scorching roar.
CRAAK!!
The chains coiled around two of the guards, igniting them in a blaze of searing fire. Screams of agony filled the narrow corridor as the scent of burning flesh began to spread.
But Hiori didn't stop.
With a nimble leap, she landed on one guard's shoulders, using his body as a springboard to launch herself back into the air.
"Infernal Edge!"
Her sword burst into deep blue flames, carving a glowing arc through the air—and with a single, clean slash, three heads were sent flying.
The remaining guards recoiled in terror, eyes wide as they watched her cut through their ranks like trash.
Hiori stood in the middle of a pool of blood, her cloak fluttering in the lingering heat radiating from her body.
She flashed a sharp grin, eyes glinting as she stared down the trembling guards.
"So… anyone else feeling lucky?"
Silence fell like a shroud. Some guards glanced nervously at each other. A few even began to step back.
But before any of them could make a decision—
BOOOOM!!
An explosion rocked the entire building, shaking the walls and sending dust raining down from the ceiling.
Hiori turned toward the source of the blast, eyes narrowing.
"Looks like... Felix pulled it off."
A few hours before the explosion shook the compound…
On the rooftop of an old building overlooking the factory complex, Hiori sat cross-legged, her sharp gaze fixed on Felix. The evening wind blew past them, carrying the metallic scent of smoke from the grim industrial city.
"Alright, Felix… listen closely," Hiori said in a low but firm voice.
"I need you to draw their attention. Lure the guards into a narrow area—somewhere they won't have room to move freely."
Felix swallowed hard. Though he tried to appear confident, his hands trembled slightly. "And after that…?"
Hiori gave a small smirk and raised her hand. Crimson-purple flames began to swirl around her palm, spiraling like a small vortex before condensing into a pulsing orb of energy.
"I've planted explosive energy at several key points," she explained. "Once they walk into the trap… BOOM. They won't have a chance to escape."
Felix stared at the fireball with a mix of awe and dread. "Are you sure this will work?"
Hiori tossed the small flame into the air, catching it effortlessly like she was merely playing with it. "Sure? No. But this plan's still better than charging in blindly, don't you think?"
Felix took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. "Alright… I'll do it."
"Good." Hiori patted his shoulder lightly, then stood up. "Remember, don't let them get suspicious. Act like a street kid panicking after seeing something strange."
Felix nodded and ran down from the rooftop, leaving Hiori behind, still standing and gazing at the sun slowly disappearing behind the city's smog-stained skyline.
The remaining guards glanced at one another, their breaths ragged. Blood pooled on the floor, mixing with the heat haze that shimmered through the room. Some still gripped their weapons, but their hands were shaking.
Hiori stepped forward slowly, grinning like a hunter who had just cornered her prey. Her golden eyes gleamed beneath the flickering lights.
"This is your last day working in this hell," she said softly—yet every word dripped with menace.
"Now… answer my question if you still want to breathe tomorrow."
She raised her blood-soaked sword, the tip dragging along the floor with a sharp clinggg that echoed through the room.
"The Production Zone… What are you hiding there? What is this factory really making?"
One sweat-drenched guard swallowed hard. "W-We're just workers… We don't know much!"
TCH.
In a flash, Hiori kicked a nearby metal table, sending it crashing to the ground with a loud bang.
"Boring answer," she said coldly. "Try again."
Another guard, his face covered in cuts, finally spoke—his voice weak and trembling.
"Inside the Production Zone… they're building destruction machines. Weapons… but not just normal ones. Something that could wipe out more than just a city in a blink…"
Hiori narrowed her eyes. "Something?"
The guard nodded, his body shaking. "We only heard rumors… but they said it's not just a weapon. It's… alive."
Hiori was silent for a moment. Her face showed no emotion, but in her mind, the gears of strategy began to turn.
"So they're making a monster… or worse."
She exhaled deeply, then looked at them with a cold, distant stare.
"Thanks for the information."
Relief briefly washed over the guards' faces—only for it to vanish instantly as fiery chains lit up the air, lashing out like hungry serpents.
"Unfortunately…" Hiori gave a small smile. "I never said you'd live to see another day."
Their screams echoed throughout the factory.
Night had just begun—
And hell had truly come to Ortikli.
Hiori walked slowly, her fingers brushing the cold, rusted steel walls of the narrow corridor. The scent of metal and oil hung thick in the air, mixing with a damp chill that bit at her skin. Each step she took echoed down the hall, as if the sound of her boots whispered secrets to the shadows hiding in the dark corners.
"I wonder…" she murmured, her golden eyes narrowing as she moved through the increasingly dim room. "What kind of creature were they talking about? Is this just a synthetic experiment, or worse… something that should've never existed in this world?"
Suddenly, she stopped.
The air around her grew heavier.
There was something—
Not a sound, not a shadow, but a presence—
Watching her from the darkness.
THUD. THUD. THUD…
A heavy pounding echoed from the end of the corridor. Something—or someone—was moving behind the large steel door labeled Production Zone – Restricted Access.
Hiori's heartbeat quickened, not out of fear, but from a surge of anticipation pulsing through her veins. She gripped her sword tighter and, with one deep breath, slowly pushed the door open.
A wave of heat burst forth from the gap, carrying with it a sharp, acrid scent—like burning blood. Her eyes adjusted to the dim light and immediately caught the sight within:
Rows of massive glass tubes, each filled with thick, greenish fluid that glowed faintly.
And inside one of those tubes was something that made her stop in her tracks.
The creature had a humanoid shape, but its skin was no longer entirely human—more like a grotesque fusion of metal and flesh, twisted into a form that should not exist. Its arms were too long, the fingers ending in blades sharper than any sword. Though its eyes were closed, Hiori could see a red glow pulsing from its chest, like an artificial heart beating to an unnatural rhythm.
"So this is what they were hiding…" she muttered, stepping closer with caution. "They've created something that's not quite human… but not entirely a monster either."
Suddenly—
THUD!
The creature's eyes snapped open, locking directly onto Hiori's.
And in the blink of an eye, alarms blared across the entire factory.
Hiori cursed under her breath. "Damn it… I should've been more careful."
Hairline cracks began to spread across the tube's surface like a spiderweb. The green glow faded, replaced by the furious red light burning in the creature's eyes.
CRACK!
The tube exploded, sending shards of glass and thick slime flying across the room. The creature's roar wasn't just a scream—it carried a mechanical undertone, layered with a deep, primal growl. It sounded like two voices speaking at once inside one monstrous body.
"GRRRAAAHH!!"
Now fully visible, the creature towered above a normal human. Its muscles were wrapped in organic metal, forming something that looked like natural armor. Its arms—once blade-like—had morphed into massive black claws pulsing with dark crimson energy.
Hiori's eyes widened slightly before sharpening into a focused, battle-ready glare.
"Okay… This is worse than I thought."
The creature lunged at her with unnatural speed, its claws cleaving the air with such force that the floor beneath them cracked from the pressure.
Hiori reacted instantly, kicking off the wall and launching herself forward like lightning.
CLANG!
Her sword clashed with the creature's claws, sparks erupting from the impact and briefly lighting up the room now choked with steam from shattered tubes. The force sent her skidding back, but she twisted midair and landed firmly on her feet.
"Alright," she exhaled with a faint smirk, her eyes glowing with excitement.
"You're definitely not just a failed experiment."
The creature hunched low, its breath ragged, growl deepening—
Ting!
A mechanical chime sounded from within its body. Then, a cold, robotic voice echoed:
"TARGET LOCKED. ELIMINATION PROTOCOL: ENGAGED."
Without warning, the creature vanished in a flash of red.
Hiori's eyes widened.
"Oi, oi... that's cheating!"
In the blink of an eye, the creature reappeared right in front of her, its claw ready to slash.
Hiori had no time to think. She gripped the hilt of her sword tightly and activated her ability.
"Scorching Chain!"
Flaming chains burst forth from the sword's hilt, wrapping around the creature's arm midair before its strike could reach Hiori.
The creature growled, struggling to break free, but Hiori pulled the chain with all her might.
"Don't think you can move that easily!"
The fiery chains burned the creature's organic armor, but instead of weakening, it grew even more ferocious. Its claw shifted shape, elongating like a spear.
With a brutal swing, it broke free and counterattacked—this time with even crazier speed.
Hiori smiled faintly and prepared herself.
"Let's see… who'll fall first!"
"Blazar Burst!" Flames roared from Hiori's sword like an exploding star, creating a heatwave that cracked the steel walls around them. In an instant, the creature's body was sliced apart, incinerated by the overwhelming blast of energy.
BOOM!!
Debris flew everywhere, the floor shook, and thick smoke filled the room. Hiori stood in the middle of the chaos, her chest heaving with heavy breaths. Her sword still glowed a fierce red, steam rising from the blade.
"Hah… hah…" She staggered, then coughed hard. A drop of fresh blood trickled from the corner of her mouth, falling onto the cracked floor.
"Damn it…" she muttered, wiping the blood away with the back of her hand. "If I keep fighting like this, the Essence Core inside me might shatter… and that's definitely not a good idea."
But before she could take a longer breath—
GRRRRRRRGHHH!!
A thunderous roar shook the air.
From the flames, the creature's broken limbs began to move. Torn flesh knitted back together, and the once-shattered organic armor rapidly regenerated. Its glowing red eyes flared brighter than before.
Hiori froze, her expression shifting from exhaustion to frustration. "Oh, come on… you can regenerate too?"
The creature's hands grew larger, claws extending into pulsating black spears of dark energy. Sharp bony spikes jutted from its back, vibrating at a high frequency.
Then, a cold mechanical voice sounded from inside it:
"ADAPTATION MODE ACTIVATED. DISCOVERY COMPATIBILITY: 87%. INITIATING NEMESIS PROTOCOL."
Hiori frowned. "Nemesis Protocol? That doesn't sound good…"
Suddenly, the creature moved with even more insane speed—not just vanishing, but seeming to tear through space itself.
SREEEK!!
Its claw sliced toward Hiori like lightning.
Her eyes widened for a moment before her body reacted.
DASH!
In an instant, she twisted sideways, narrowly dodging the strike strong enough to shred steel like paper. But the sharp wind from the attack still grazed her shoulder, leaving a deep wound.
"Damn…" Hiori gritted her teeth. "This monster's getting faster and stronger!"
The creature didn't give her a moment's rest. It attacked again, this time using both its claws and the high-frequency vibrating spikes on its back.
Hiori leapt backward and slammed her sword into the ground. Flames erupted from the hilt, chains of fire spiraling around her like a rotating shield.
WHOOOSH!!
"Infernal Barrier!"
The creature's claws struck the flaming chains, sending brutal sparks sizzling through the air.
But it didn't stop.
It pulled back briefly, then raised one claw high. Dark red energy gathered in its palm, pulsing like the core of a star about to explode.
Hiori hissed. "Oh no, that doesn't look good…"
In a flash, she drew her sword from the ground and focused her energy. Heat waves rippled off her body, her hair fluttering from the surge of power.
"All right," she took a deep breath, then grinned. "If you want to play dirty, so can I!"
Her sword blazed brighter, the flames shifting from orange to a fierce purplish blue.
"Blazing Nova—"
The creature hurled a blast of energy toward her.
Hiori stomped her foot and surged forward like a falling meteor.
"—BURST!!"
Their clashing energies tore through the air, unleashing an unstoppable storm of fire and destruction.
The night sky over Ortkli City, filled with smoke and steam, was now engulfed in raging flames. The massive explosion shook the entire area, causing the ground to tremble and surrounding buildings to collapse like dominoes.
BOOOOMMMM!!!
The shockwave threw debris in every direction, scorching the streets with heat so intense the very air seemed to burn. The fire spread rapidly, forming a roaring sea of red that devoured steel and iron structures as if they were nothing but dry wood.
Amid the chaos, Hiori stood atop a pile of rubble, gasping for breath. Her clothes were tattered, wounds marked her body, and her hands still gripped the sword glowing with a fierce purplish-blue flame. Her eyes fixed forward, surveying the destruction she had just unleashed.
Felix and the others watched her from a distance, their faces a mix of awe and fear.
"Hiori... you really destroyed it..." Felix whispered, his voice almost drowned by the roaring fire and endless alarms.
Hiori took a deep breath, then exhaled slowly. "Yes… but it's not over yet."
From behind the blazing flames came the voices of the workers, now freed from their slavery. Some wept, others shouted in anger, and most simply stood stunned, as if struggling to believe that their nightmare was finally over.
Yet, amidst the uproar, Hiori sensed something strange.
An unnatural energy.
She narrowed her eyes and turned toward the remains of the factory—now nothing but melted steel skeletons. From the thick black smoke emerged a tall figure walking slowly.
Its silhouette wrapped in a dark aura, with eyes glowing red like embers that never die.
Hiori immediately raised her sword. "Of course… it wouldn't be that easy."
Felix swallowed hard, his body trembling slightly. "W-Who is that…?"
Hiori didn't answer. She only gave a crooked smile, though her body was nearly drained of energy.
"Looks like… I still have something else to destroy tonight."
The mysterious figure stepped slowly, his boots sinking into puddles of oil mixed with blood flowing among the ruins. The still-burning fire behind him cast monstrous shadows trembling on the remaining walls.
"Hiori Ashley Mahardika… student of Gamiel and Panavia," his voice was deep and heavy, as if it echoed and sank into the chest of everyone who heard it.
Hiori's eyes widened. "What!? You know my masters?" Her voice was filled with shock and caution.
The man gave a thin smile, his eyes glowing red like embers in the dark. "Of course. How could I not know them? I just didn't expect… you'd destroy one of my subsidiaries this fast."
Subsidiary?
Those words echoed in Hiori's mind. She tried to stand, but her body instantly went limp. Her knees shook, and before she could support herself, she collapsed to the ground, clutching her chest tightly.
"Khahh!" Thick black blood spurted from her lips, staining the ground beneath her. Her entire body felt as if it was being crushed from within—her Essence Core wildly reacting to the overuse.
The man stepped closer, looking down at her with a calm expression, as if Hiori were just a small pawn in a chess game he had controlled from the start.
"You've only just destroyed one part of our claw," he continued. "But you know? This company is just one of dozens... even hundreds more scattered across the world."
Felix and the others hiding at a distance felt a suffocating chill so intense they couldn't move.
"You think this is over?" The man leaned in slightly, letting his face emerge from the smoke. "This is only the beginning, kid."
Hiori gritted her teeth, her hand clenching the dusty, shattered ground beneath her. Her eyes, still burning with defiance, stared sharply at him.
"Don't... be so dramatic..." She summoned the last of her strength to speak. "If this is only the beginning... then I'll destroy them all... one by one..."
The man chuckled softly. "Good. That's exactly how a student of Gamiel and Panavia should talk."
He turned around and walked away casually, leaving Hiori sprawled on the ground.
"We'll meet again, Hiori Ashley Mahardika... I guarantee that."
The mysterious figure slowly vanished into the shadows of the ruins, his body nearly swallowed by the darkness of night. But before he disappeared completely, he paused and, without looking back, his voice came softly—almost like a deliberate whisper.
"Oh, and… Leon," he said with a casual yet cutting tone. "Your little brother… isn't dead."
Hiori's heart seemed to stop. Her eyes widened, and her body, once limp, suddenly tensed up.
"What!?" Her voice trembled—not only from shock but also from the whirlwind of emotions raging inside her. "What do you mean!? Hey!!"
The man kept walking, seemingly indifferent to the turmoil he had just unleashed.
"What happened to Leon!?" Hiori struggled to lift herself up, but her Essence Core still wasn't stable. The piercing pain in her chest forced her back down to the ground.
"Hey!! Don't just stand there!!" Her voice almost turned into a desperate roar. "What did you say about Leon!?"
But the man had already disappeared behind the ruins, swallowed by the darkness, leaving a lingering question in the air—a bitter truth just revealed, yet without any satisfying answer.
Hiori gasped for breath, her hand clenched tightly against the rubble-strewn ground. Her eyes were filled with a mix of anger and a newly rekindled hope.
"Leon... you're still alive? But... how? Where are you now...?"
The sky over Ortkli was still filled with smoke and fire, yet for Hiori, the question about her brother haunted her more than anything else.
"Oh damn... this is troublesome," Hiori muttered, panting heavily as her body started to lose balance. Her vision blurred, and the crackling of flames devouring the rubble sounded like a distant echo.
Her legs trembled, her Essence Core pulsating uncontrollably — as if screaming for rest. Hiori tried to stay standing, but her body refused to obey.
"Damn... I can't even hold myself up..."
Within seconds, her strength abandoned her.
CRASH!
She collapsed to the ground, dust and shards of stone flying around her. Her consciousness slowly faded; the voices around her became faint.
"Whoa! Hiori's fallen!" shouted a small child.
"Hurry, we have to help her!" Felix cried, his face full of worry.
The villagers, who had lived in fear for so long, rushed without hesitation to surround Hiori's unconscious body.
"She's done so much for us..." murmured one villager, eyes glistening with tears.
"That's right! We can't just leave her like this!" added another.
Some quickly lifted Hiori carefully, while others tried to clean her wounds with whatever cloth they had.
"We must take her somewhere safe before the other guards arrive!" shouted an old man.
Amid the city still engulfed in flames and ruins, the villagers who once bowed under tyranny united. They were not only saving Hiori but reclaiming their freedom.
Yet behind all of it, one big question still hung in the air.
"Leon... still alive?"
And when Hiori awoke later, she knew—her fight was far from over.
Sunlight streamed through the cracks of the worn wooden window, lighting the simple room. Hiori blinked, her head heavy as if hit by a giant hammer.
"Ugh… Where am I?" she thought, trying to rise but pain shot through her body instantly.
Looking down, her eyes widened in shock.
"W-What!?"
Her chest was neatly bandaged, and she wore a loose shirt that looked too big on her. Reflexively, Hiori hugged herself, her cheeks flushing.
"W-who changed my clothes!? Don't tell me—"
"Good morning, dear! You're awake, it seems," a warm, old voice interrupted her panic. Hiori turned and saw an elderly woman with silver hair enter the room, carrying a tray with a bowl of warm soup.
"I-I... where am I?" Hiori asked cautiously, still hugging herself.
"You're in my house, dear. I'm the village nurse here. Don't worry, I took care of your wounds," the old woman replied with a gentle smile.
"Oh..." Hiori sighed in relief and rubbed her still-aching head. "Thank goodness..."
The old woman chuckled softly and placed the soup on the bedside table.
"I changed your clothes too, so relax. I'm too old to worry about strange things," she said casually, fanning herself with her hand.
But that only made Hiori's face blush even more.
"No, that actually makes it even weirder!!"
The woman noticed Hiori's awkward expression and laughed. "Haha, you're quite the character! Eat up, the soup's still warm. After that, you can tell me how you got hurt so badly."
Hiori could only sigh deeply, covering her face with her hands.
"Why is it that every time I wake up from fainting, there's always something strange happening...?"
Slowly, she got up from the bed, wincing as pain stabbed through her body. Carefully, she reached for the steaming bowl of soup on the table.
"Thank you..." she murmured softly before sitting cross-legged back on the bed. Steam rose from the soup, wrapping her face in the tempting aroma of broth.
She blew on it gently, then took her first spoonful. Hiori's eyes widened slightly as warmth spread throughout her body.
"This..." She bit her lip briefly before looking at the bowl in her hands. "It tastes... really good."
The old woman smiled faintly, rocking gently in her chair as she watched Hiori's reaction.
"I'm glad. I was worried it might taste too bland for someone your age."
Hiori shook her head and eagerly drank more. "No... it tastes like my mother's cooking..." she said quietly, memories flashing in her mind.
The woman studied her expression, her smile growing warmer. "Then you must eat well. Soup made by a mother—or grandmother—has special powers, you know?"
Hiori paused for a moment, then chuckled softly. "Heh... That sounds like something my mom would say too."
She continued eating calmly. For the first time in a long while, she felt truly comfortable. As if, even if only for a moment, she could forget all the battles and blood that had marked her path.
The old woman raised her eyebrows, looking at Hiori with curiosity. "Dear, why did you come to Ortkli when it's not your destination?"
Hiori stopped chewing, swallowing her dry bread before answering casually, "Uh… Actually, I just stopped by. The train I took wasn't headed where I wanted."
The old woman squinted, seeming to weigh her words. "Oh? Then where were you supposed to go?"
Hiori took another sip of soup before saying, "I was going to the village of Winak."
Hearing that, the old woman suddenly coughed softly. "Oh? Isn't Winak not on the train route?"
Hiori sighed, gazing out at the smoky, gray sky. "Uhh… Yeah, I'll get off at Hulu city, then walk from there."
The woman shook her head, chuckling softly. "Walk? Dear, do you know? Hulu to Winak is far, through forests and steep valleys. Are you sure you won't get eaten by bears before you arrive?"
Hiori stopped chewing, swallowing awkwardly. "Ehh… Bears? I'm more worried about bandits or monsters."
The woman laughed softly. "Oh dear, you fear bandits more than bears? Typical young people these days."
Hiori scratched her head, a bit annoyed at being underestimated. "Hey, I'm not just anyone. Besides, if something attacks, I have my ways to handle them."
The woman smiled, her eyes shining with meaning. "Heh… Then I hope you're not just all talk but strong enough to prove it."
Hiori smirked. "Well, you'll see soon enough, Granny."
She resumed eating her soup, while in her mind, she started planning the long journey ahead.
A few minutes later, Hiori set down her empty bowl with satisfaction. "Haaah… Thank you for the meal, Granny. It really tastes like my mother's cooking," she said, rubbing her now-warm stomach.
The old woman smiled gently. "Glad to hear it, dear. But are you sure you don't want to rest a bit longer?"
Hiori stood, grabbed her cloak hanging on the chair, and put it back on. "I have to hurry. Staying in one place too long just makes my feet itchy," she said, adjusting the strap of her sword sheath.
The old woman sighed, then looked at her with a knowing gaze. "You're like the wind that can't stay still. But be careful out there, dear. This world is harsher than you think."
Hiori grinned slightly, looking back confidently. "Heh… The world may be harsh, but I'm even more stubborn."
The woman chuckled softly. "Hmph, young people. Well then, may the wind carry you safely to where you want to go."
Hiori adjusted her cloak once more, then headed toward the door. "Thank you, Granny. I promise I'll come back here someday... with a better story."
She opened the door, and the cool morning air greeted her immediately. With steady steps, she walked toward her next adventure, while the old woman could only smile faintly, watching the girl's figure slowly fade into the distance.
"Hiori! You're healed!" Felix called out excitedly before jumping up to hug her.
"Oi, oi! Easy there, kid!" Hiori lightly patted Felix's head. "Of course I'm healed. Who do you think I am? I'm Hiori Ashley Mahardika! A student of Gamiel and Panavia! I'm not going down just from a few scratches!" she said arrogantly, though she couldn't help but smile at Felix's happy expression.
Felix chuckled, then looked at her seriously. "Hiori… can I come with you?"
Hiori paused for a moment, staring into the boy's determined eyes. She sighed deeply and placed her hand on Felix's head, gently ruffling his hair.
"Felix… you can't."
Felix was surprised. "Huh? Why not!?"
"Your job isn't to come with me. Your job is to protect your homeland, the city of Ortkli." Hiori tapped his shoulder softly. "The people here need you. You've seen how cruel this world is, right? If you leave, who will watch over the other children? Who will make sure this city doesn't fall into the hands of scoundrels again?"
Felix bit his lip, looking hesitant. "But… I want to be strong like you, Hiori…"
Hiori grinned. "Listen, Felix. Strength isn't just about fighting or going on adventures. Sometimes, true strength is staying put, facing every challenge, and protecting the people you love."
Felix clenched his fist, then nodded with newfound determination in his eyes. "Alright! I'll protect this city, Big sister Hiori! But someday, I'll be strong enough to go on adventures too!"
Hiori smiled faintly. "Heh, we'll see about that. If you really want to get stronger, then train hard. Don't just talk big, kid."
Felix beamed. "I promise!"
Hiori looked at him for a moment, then turned her face toward the road ahead. The next adventure was waiting for her. "Then… I'm off, Felix. Take care of yourself and don't cause any trouble."
Felix smiled and waved. "See you, Hiori! Don't forget to come back with cooler stories!"
With steady steps, Hiori walked toward the station, each footstep echoing on the cobblestone streets of Ortkli, still scattered with remnants of last night's chaos. The morning breeze blew softly, carrying the fading scent of smoke and the fresh air slowly reclaiming the city.
Felix and the other children stood in the distance, waving at her with hopeful smiles. Hiori raised her hand briefly without turning, but she knew—she could feel their grateful and admiring gazes.
At the station, the hiss of the steam engine and the clanking of metal greeted her. White smoke curled into the air, mixing with the rising sunlight. Hiori took a deep breath, staring down the railway tracks stretching far ahead—mysterious, unpredictable, and full of possibilities.
"The next adventure awaits…" she muttered with a small smirk before stepping into the carriage.
As the train started moving, the wind brushed her face. Ortkli grew smaller behind her, but in her heart, she knew her footprints were left behind there—the footprints of a girl who shattered the chains of oppression with her own hands and determination.
Hiori leaned back into the seat, letting her body relax for a moment as the iron wheels rumbled on the tracks. Thin smoke from the locomotive swirled outside the window, blending with the sky turning red at dusk.
She reached into her worn cloak, her fingers brushing something—a slightly crumpled piece of paper. Frowning, she pulled it out and read the writing on it.
"Find Barnard Barnes. He is the one who will help you."
—Gamiel.
Hiori scoffed quietly, her eyes scanning the words repeatedly. A strange name, but if it came from Gamiel, then this person was no ordinary individual.
"Barnard Barnes, huh?" she murmured, twirling the paper between her fingers. "What kind of person are you? Will you really help me, or just make things more complicated?"
She sighed deeply, slipping the paper back into her cloak. Outside, the scenery kept changing, bringing Hiori closer to a fate she had yet to understand.
One thing was certain—this adventure wasn't over. And Barnard Barnes, whoever he was, would be part of the next chapter.