It was… dark.

  The air was stale, and the ground was cold.

  I blinked away the fog covering my mind, and quickly jerked around. I was lying on my side, cramped in a large metal cage. The cold, hard surface beneath me sent a shiver through my body as reality hit me. We were clearly in a truck trailer; distorted voices echoed outside.

  "...gonna get a good price for these ones," a voice said with glee.

  "Man, we ain't had some fresh meat to sell in a hot minute. Dunno if it's worth keeping the toon alive though."

  The sound of the voices was enough to make me shudder. It was clear that I was in the middle of something very dangerous. My thoughts were still hazy, but I tried to piece together what had happened. The memory of the warehouse and the confrontation with the woman with the crimson energy and cyborg with tattoos was still fresh in my mind.

  I sat up in the cage, my mind still reeling from the dream. I felt disoriented and weak, but I knew one thing for sure—I had to get out of there.

  The light of day leaked through cracks in the metal walls, providing enough illumination to move around. I looked around, trying to find a way out.

  Around me, I could make out the others from my reconnaissance group in the cage, but something about them was... off. I quietly crawled and made my way to my father and shook his shoulders, but he wasn't responding.

  I huffed in a deep breath, doing my best to stay calm and quiet. Then, I flipped him around.

  The sight that greeted me sent a chill down my spine.

  His eyes were glowing faintly, like there was a film of deep blue light over them. I glanced over the others, quickly realizing it was the same for all the others in the cages around me—their eyes were wide open and gave off a strange glow.

  I shuffled over to Jae, the only person in our group who would have any idea how any of this magic worked.

  He was in a similar state, and to my astonishment, a red, glowing symbol had been carved into his forehead. It looked like a rune similar to what the woman had been using before. I felt a sinking feeling in my stomach — it looked like Jae had been sealed by some sort of spell by that woman just for good measure. The only one who might be able to help us had been taken out of the picture.

  "Hey," I called out softly, trying to get Jae's attention, "Mister Sung. Wake up…"

  The truck's engine roared to life, the rumbling noise filling the interior. I looked around, my heart pounding as I realized the situation was dire.

  "Come on, man," I whispered, "Wake up. I need you to wake up." I continued shaking Jae, trying to rouse him, but nothing seemed to work.

  That unsettling conversation I overheard confirmed my worst fears – we were about to be sold and enslaved, and who knew what they'd do with Jae? Panic threatened to swallow me, but I took a deep breath and pushed the fear aside. There had to be a way out.

  A lightbulb went off in my head as I reached down for my left shoe. They'd taken my backpack and my weapons, but they hadn’t been thorough in their search and haste. Taking another glance at the front of their truck, I discreetly reached down for the Swiss army knife in my shoe. With the knife in my hand, I felt a little better.

  The truck's movement was jarring, and I struggled to stay upright as I examined the lock on our cages. The cage was sturdy, made of metal rods with a heavy padlock securing the front.

  Utilizing the small pick tool from the Swiss army knife, I began to work on the lock as we moved. The rhythmic movements of the truck made the task even harder. With every bump and swerve, my concentration would be thrown off, and I had to start over. The metallic taste of fear coated my tongue, making it hard to swallow.

  "What do you think the Broker's gonna do with that Terran?" one voice asked from up front. "Selling him's gonna raise too many questions."

  "Who cares?" the other voice replied. "The boss just wants the money. Figured it wasn’t worth raising too much attention after he cleared his head. Jonas will deal with the rest."

  I felt a surge of anger within me. The world sucked enough already - why did people have to add to the cruelty? I could hear the voices of our captors discussing us like we were livestock, and the thought made me sick to my stomach. I had to find a way out of this, and fast.

  The moving truck and the comments up front made the lock-picking even more challenging, and sweat beaded on my forehead as I tried to steady my hands. I couldn't afford to mess this up.

  I took a deep breath, steeling myself, and focused entirely on the task at hand. I could feel the sweat sliding down my back and dampening my clothes. I was desperate to get us out of the cages and away from the men who intended to sell us like cattle. I was just glad we'd left Izumi behind. I didn't want to think about what they'd do to her.

  The lock was tough, but I persisted, the tiny metallic clicks giving me hope.

  Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the lock clicked open. I'd done it. With a rush of adrenaline, I carefully slipped through the door and closed it behind me, hoping they hadn't noticed the noise over the rumble of the engine. Silently, I let out a sigh of relief, but my triumph was short-lived.

  Without warning, a loud explosion echoed in the distance, making the truck sway violently. Confused shouts and the sound of gunfire erupted outside. The men at the front began scrambling, their prior confidence replaced by panic.

  I could hear the two at the front yelling at each other as they fumbled over each other to get outside.

  "What the hell is that?!"

  "It's a damn ambush!"

  "Move, move, move!"

  A second explosion rocked the truck, sending it skidding sideways. I was thrown against the side of the cage, and my breath was knocked out of me. Desperately, I tried to get my bearings as the world spun around me. A crack tore down the side of the truck, revealing a battlefield outside.

  From one of the gaps in the run-down trailer's sides, I could see glimpses of the chaos outside – flames, smoke, and men tossed around like children's toys.

  And then, through the crack, I saw her.

  A figure was gracefully dodging bullets and effortlessly dispatching the gang members with agile strikes faster than I could really follow. Her long raven-black hair flowed behind her as she jumped all over the freeway we were on, swinging her ringed pewter staff to and from. Her entire body was radiating a faint, orange-red glow.

  She was wearing a black half-mask covering her mouth and what I best described as a red and black ninja outfit with a fox-ear hood, and a Japanese style short sword sheathed at her hips. The girl's long, silky hair was tied up with a bamboo comb, and her lithe figure moved with the grace of a well-trained dancer. She looked like she was right around my age, maybe a year or two younger.

  I watched her, mesmerized for a second, as she fought her way towards our truck. Then, a realization struck when I recognized her as the girl who had been shadowing our group from the rooftops.

  "Tombstone Lariat!" she shouted as she slammed him onto the asphalt with a burst of orange energy and enough force that I could hear bones snapping and shattering.

  Another car tried to ram her, but she gracefully leaped onto the roof, plunging her staff through it and firing a flash of orange energy straight down through the engine. Then, she smashed the window with her fist and plunged it inside, eliciting a scream as she yanked the man out and sent him skidding across the asphalt. Moments later, the vehicle exploded, adding to the growing carnage as she hopped over and did the same to another escorting car.

  Then she paused, standing atop one of the wrecked cars, and with a flourish of her cloak, she struck an exaggerated pose with her staff raised and a wide stance.

  "Gaze upon me, vile sinners!" she declared loudly, her voice echoing through the battlefield. "For I am Yomotsu-Shikome! Harbinger of Justice! Here to pass judgment upon the wicked! Defender of justice, protector of the innocent, and the bane of your wretched existence. I stand against you, and by my hand, you shall be brought to the very gates of eternal damnation itself!"

  I couldn't help but stare in awe. That sealed it, then. A Terran magical girl was here.

  She had a look of pure, righteous fury in her eyes as she looked at the truck we were in. The conviction and intensity in her voice were unmistakable.

  Another voice, this one heavy and metallic, bellowed, "Fuck, we've got a skirt here! Take her down!"

  Then, there was a zap of electricity, followed by a high-pitched screech. A blur streaked past my line of sight from the crack in the truck as the tattooed cyborg leader had joined the fray. He was flanked by the same mage that had captured us.

  With a battle cry, the tattooed leader lunged at Yomotsu-Shikome, who quickly raised her staff and countered with a raw, visible shockwave. Her cloak billowed as she sidestepped and jumped back as far as she could. The mage began to conjure thorns and fling red bolts of lightning, trying to pin the magical girl down.

  As she dodged and wove through the attacks, I could see that Yomotsu-Shikome was struggling. Her movements were erratic, and she seemed to be trying to avoid the thorns, and bolts, and the cyborg's brutal strikes.

  I narrowed my eyes.

  Something seemed... off.

  She was strong, no doubt about that, but there were slight moments of hesitation in her movements that could be the difference between life and death in a battle like this.

  No, it wasn't her movements – those were lightning fast – but her strikes and counters, they seemed... inexperienced? Almost amateurish.

  Each successful hit she threw and landed successfully was more due to her blinding speed and overwhelming strength than any technique. My dad had taught me just enough self-defense and basic martial arts to get reasonably competent, but I could see the sloppiness in her combat ability.

  She occasionally slipped, her swings slightly off, and her parries were sloppy, but her raw speed and strength made up for it. It was like watching a rookie with incredible potential who had drilled for a few months trying to take down two hardened, experienced veterans. She was good – but not good enough.

  Righteous determination melted into fear and desperation as the cyborg and the woman closed in on her. She was losing the battle. The woman and cyborg were coordinating, and the magical girl was having trouble keeping up with them.

  As they fought, my attention was drawn to the sound of a gang member approaching the truck. "Grab a hostage! We need leverage!" someone yelled.

  Panic surged within me. I had to act fast. I kicked open the cage door I'd picked, and scrambled, looking for something I could use to fend off the approaching thug. My eyes darted around the confined space, trying to spot something. Anything. And then, wedged between two crates at the back of the truck, I spotted a rusty iron crowbar.

  Without hesitation, I grabbed it and waited, crouched in the shadows.

  The door of the truck flung open, sunlight piercing through, momentarily blinding me. As the foot soldier entered, I swung the crowbar with all my strength. He collapsed instantly in a heap as I caught him across the head.

  Adrenaline pumping, I grabbed the fallen foot soldier's weapons — a sturdy steel baton and some kind of semi-automatic pistol — and cautiously peeked outside.

  The fresh afternoon air felt good as I took a moment to catch my breath, but the situation outside was nothing short of a chaotic nightmare. We were on the ruins of the Bronx River Parkway, surrounded on both sides by greenery. The battleground was littered with the remnants of a past battle: gigantic, grotesque corpses of chaos beasts sprawled across the cracked asphalt, reminding everyone of the city's tragic past.

  Adding to the eeriness, the skeletal remains of long-abandoned Terran mechas stood like sentinels amidst the wreckage. Their once gleaming exteriors were now rusted and marred by time, but they still bore the marks of the Fall. It was like looking at a snapshot in time. A monument of what the city had been through 12 years ago.

  Think, Ikki, think! I admonished myself.

  I'd seen the Terrans use mechas in the Fourth Chaos War in the last years of the occupation. God knows I'd grabbed all the documentation I could get my hands on when it came to Aeolus-class mechs.

  And they were known to be highly advanced in their tech. I knew the Mk II. could fit in a single pilot and equipped with advanced weaponry like rail guns, plasma cannons, and even missile pods in cooperation with companies like Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics.

  But the Mk I from the first years of the Chaos War weren't exactly designed with a lot of long range weapons or a cockpit in the traditional sense. They were more like oversized, twelve foot tall suits of powered armor, relying on the pilot's physical capabilities and their weapons. That meant it had a few weak spots.

  The joints were a common weakness, especially in the leg and shoulder areas, as the articulation required to move could create a gap in the armor. The cooling system, usually located in the back or rear of the suit, was another vulnerable point. Damaging the cooling system could cause overheating and malfunction. The power source, typically a miniaturized mana reactor with a Viscount-class chaos core, was a critical component, often lightly insulated and armored from the inside, to allow for easy access and maintenance. My dad and I had poked at and examined enough of the leftover scraps over the years for me to know some basics.

  If I could get access to one and a Terran multi-tool, I could feasibly jury-rig it into a bomb if the core wasn't drained of mana. Or I could tune it to disrupt conventional spellcasting given a few minutes to work with.

  The soldiers who piloted them were also known to carry specialized sidearms, shields, and energy swords. They also carried mana grenades and emergency maintenance tools, as well as heavy ordnance to use against chaos beasts in a pinch. If I could get a hold of that equipment and be sneaky enough, it could be useful in the fight.

  I had to be careful, though. They were still fighting to capture and sell us off, but that could easily turn into a killing spree if they felt desperate. I wasn't too great of a shot myself, and firing on them would probably just alert them to my presence. But if I could find something that would give me an edge in this battle...

  Suddenly, a loud boom echoed in the distance, drawing my attention to the raging battle.

  Yomotsu-Shikome dove for a rifleman, dropping him instantly with a blast of her staff.

  But the man with the cybernetics finally caught up to her, grabbing her from behind and lifting her into the air. He reared his arm back, and the cybernetic enhancements in his arm whirred as he began to punch her rapidly, landing vicious blow after vicious blow on Yomotsu-Shikome.

  "Die, you bitch!" he growled, slamming her against a car. The sound of metal crunching under the impact was sickening, and I could hear her gasping for air as she struggled to break his grip.

  He reared his arm back before driving her forward with all his weight, and the girl crashed into the ground with a thud. I watched in horror as he rushed up to her again to drag her across the asphalt before elbow-dropping her with a thunderous boom. He repeatedly punched her, cracking the concrete beneath him with each hit.

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  Then, in seconds that seemed to stretch out into eternity, he picked her up, smiling sadistically as the mage slowly and cautiously approached them.

  For a moment, the Magical Girl struggled and gasped, flailing in his grasp.

  But her eyes opened weakly, and moved toward my direction through the broken truck trailer as I stared at her in shock. She looked terrified and out of her depth; I could see her defiantly fight to stay conscious as the tattooed man lifted his arm again, preparing to deliver another bone-crunching blow as her eyes met mine from down the highway.

  In a split second, something changed in her.

  I saw her gaze twisted from fearful desperation to one of fierce determination. Her brow furrowed, and her eyes blazed with a newfound resolve.

  "I-I won't... let. You. Hurt them!" she said, her voice filled with conviction.

  The girl screamed as she glowed a bright orange, breaking free from the tattooed man's hold and dropping to the ground as she unleashed an explosive surge of power that sent him and the witch stumbling back.

  As she landed on the ground, a second wave of orange energy exploded out from her. The force knocked everyone approaching her off their feet, staggering them. Even the cyborg struggled to stay on his feet, his arms flailing wildly as he struggled for balance.

  I had to find a way to help, to turn the tide of the battle. I rushed to the back of the truck, surveying the area around us again.

  A nearby mech wreckage caught my eye, and an idea sparked in my mind. Although it looked damaged beyond repair, there was a possibility that some of its equipment or weaponry might still be functional. I hastily kicked open the truck doors, jumping down and sprinting towards the mech, hoping to find something that could aid in our fight. Its cockpit was halfway open hanging off its hinges, revealing the cramped space where the pilot once sat. The entrance had just enough room for me to squeeze through, and when I did, the smell of decay hit me immediately as I entered the cockpit. It was an overwhelming smell - a mixture of mold and old rot.

  I looked up to see the decayed skeleton of a Terran pilot, still strapped into the seat, his final resting place. Its once gleaming exosuit was now reduced to tattered remnants draped over the skeleton's form. Beside the pilot, control panels flickered dimly with residual energy, illuminating a nest of wires and switches. But as much as I rummaged around, I found nothing that looked useful or functional.

  Despair crept in until a glint caught my eye outside.

  Exiting the mech, I hurriedly approached the source: a partially crushed car under the weight of a fallen beast.

  A large, gleaming silver briefcase was resting on the backseat, somehow untouched by the chaos and elements.

  I blinked, staring at the out-of-place item.

  It was... pristine. Too pristine, actually.

  Even with the car being crushed, the briefcase itself looked like it was in perfect condition. It didn't look damaged or even dirty, and it seemed to be completely intact.

  Engraved on its surface was a message that said Per amorem perditum, cras avertitur, and a highly recognizable logo that consisted of an infinite symbol with a tree sprouting through its center.

  This was the symbol of Sisyphus.

  I recognized the Terran organization’s logo in a heartbeat — It was the first to heed Earth's cry for help, and responsible for much of the magitech they'd brought to Earth. It was strange, though. The condition of the briefcase was almost too perfect, like it'd been placed there not long ago.

  I cautiously approached it, my hand trembling slightly. Something about the case was off, and I couldn't quite put my finger on it.

  But still, it wasn't time for questions like that. My heart beat faster, knowing that there was a high chance the contents of the briefcase could help us.

  I picked up the briefcase and examined it closely. It was locked with what looked like a biometric scanner, and I had no clue whose biometrics it was keyed to. I slammed my fist against it in frustration and felt despair as I slid backward, defeated as my fingers brushed off the scanner.

  To my surprise, the briefcase unlocked itself, and the latch sprang open with a quiet hiss. As the latches clicked open, the briefcase emitted a soft, melodic chime, almost like the sound of a temple bell. It opened, and I was met with a brilliant white light emanating from within. I instinctively shielded my eyes, squinting to protect myself from the intense brightness.

  When the light faded, my jaw dropped as I saw what lay within the case.

  Inside, nestled amidst a cushion of indigo velvet, was an orb-like object, almost crystalline in appearance, but there were no seams or facets. It emanated a soft glow, casting a serene blue light around. Its surface was smooth and cool to the touch as I ran my fingers across it lightly, mesmerized by its beauty.

  "Operator Ikazuchi has been successfully identified. Contact complete. Good afternoon," a girlish voice resonated from the orb with a gentle, airy, and distinctly Japanese accent. "I have been waiting for you."

  I froze, gripping the edge of the case. It talked? How did this machine know my name?

  "Who... what are you?" I stammered.

  "Please stand by for system reboot," the voice responded, ignoring my question. "Contingency Protocol 4 activated. Scenario 4: Fall of the Aeons. Operative Golden Viper's critical mission parameters have been verified as failed. Tragedy is inevitable without intervention. Authorization 2483464980 granted, Awaiting permission from Administrator Ikazuchi to proceed with Contingency Protocol M?bius."

  My mind raced as I tried to comprehend what was happening. The orb had recognized me as Administrator Ikazuchi, and it seemed to have information on a mission failure and some sort of imminent tragedy.

  But what was Protocol Mobius? And who was this Operative Golden Viper?

  I hesitated for a moment, not sure what was happening. But then, I remembered what was happening outside and the situation's urgency. If there was any chance this mysterious object could help us, we had to take it.

  "Hey! One of them got loose!" one of the foot soldiers yelled, interrupting my thoughts. I spun around as one gang member pointed at me with a machete, and two of the others quickly trained their weapons on me as they ran toward me.

  "Administrator Ikazuchi, please authorize Contingency Protocol M?bius now. The hostile situation outside has escalated to a critical level."

  Without hesitation, I responded, "Authorize Protocol M?bius, now!"

  The orb glowed even brighter, and a wave of blue and orange energy rippled through my body. I felt an uncanny sensation of being lifted off the ground as the world around me seemed to warp and contort.

  And then, in a flash of light, everything went white.

  The chaos of the battlefield and the abandoned city disappeared, and it felt like I was being submerged, pulled into a void of endless depth.

  The void was full of muted colors, and the only sound was the soft hum of the orb. I tried to move my hands, but they were suspended in the air. My whole body felt weightless; I was floating.

  From a distance, I could hear the echo of laughter, the rustling of leaves, and the distant hum of a city street. But as I focused on each sound, it would dissipate, replaced by another fragment.

  The void swirled around me like confetti, and images began to appear, flashing at a dizzying pace before my eyes.

  There was a group of twelve men and women with hair colors that spanned the rainbow and colorful costumes gathered around a bonfire on a mountain. Their faces were lit by the flickering flames — it was a somber mood, but they were all smiling despite the circumstances. A futuristic city was off in the distance, with hovering vehicles and neon lights that seemed to stretch for miles.

  One person stood out - a tall, regal-looking woman with long pink hair and piercing blue eyes. She was speaking and gesturing passionately in the middle of the group, but I couldn't quite make out her words. Then, I felt a gut-wrenching chill down my spine as the city behind them erupted in a nuclear mushroom cloud. The group turned their heads to look, and their expressions turned to horror and disbelief.

  The void shifted again, and I was thrown into a different scene.

  A woman with ivory skin, green hair, and yellow eyes was laughing with a young man whose hair was white as snow and piercing blue eyes. They were dancing in a grand ballroom and surrounded by an aristocratic crowd. The woman's dress flowed and shimmered with golden threads. The woman's face was joyfully lit, mirroring the man before her. The man's gentle smile seemed to light up the whole room, and he wore a decorated European noble's ensemble. But as soon as they embraced, the world around them shattered, and they were plunged into darkness.

  Then, the flickering images began to blur together, and I saw a cherished, familiar image. A childhood memory of playing hide-and-seek with my sister Izumi in our backyard. The marred scenery and chaos of the previous images disappeared, replaced by the warmth and comfort of that memory. I was lost in it, savoring the joy and peace it brought me. I hid behind a large tree, waiting for Izumi to find me. The leaves rustled gently, and the sunlight shone through the branches, painting everything with a golden glow.

  My father's stern yet loving voice broke through my thoughts, "Izumi, go find your brother... Don't stop looking until you find him."

  I could hear Izumi's giggles as she searched for me.

  But then, the images swirled again and became disjointed and chaotic, like a television flickering on and off. I briefly caught the flashing glint of a blade, the contorted faces of countless soldiers on a burning battlefield, and a cloaked figure in the shadows with shimmering red eyes. Terran mechs with Sisyphus logos emblazoned on their metallic bodies rumbled toward me but then vanished in an instant.

  A room full of people, all dressed in white, working at monitors that displayed maps and schematics. They all wore headsets, and their voices were in a constant hum, speaking in distorted voices I couldn't understand. In the center of the room was a massive screen showing a detailed world map.

  Strange symbols flashed on it, and lines connected one place to another. I caught an eccentrically dressed woman with shining brown hair and miniature bongo drums strapped to her lab coat barking orders as she screamed into a metallic device. Alarms blared, and lights flashed, and then, the entire room was engulfed in an intense white light.

  Suddenly, the images stopped as the orb’s gentle drone intensified. The chaotic images around me cleared up, and I found myself in a pitch-black void with solid ground beneath it.

  A single staircase appeared before me as the crystalline blue orb manifested before me. The orb almost seemed to beckon me to follow it, and I began to follow it up the stairs. The surreal staircase was made of mahogany wood and rope woven together in intricate patterns, winding up to a towering wooden gate.

  The orb halted in front of it as we approached.

  "Activating Project Raiju Nexus," the voice emanated once more, echoing throughout the expanse of my mindscape.

  The door slowly creaked open, revealing a cascade of orange and blue light that was blinding in intensity.

  When my vision finally adjusted, I found myself standing in an enormous chamber, intricately decorated with patterns resembling clouds and lightning bolts in a blue and orange backdrop that reminded me of twilight. At the center was a pedestal upon which the orb now rested. It was emanating a blue and orange aura that pulsed with energy. The room hummed with faint electricity, and I felt a sense of awe as I searched the shadows.

  "Welcome, Administrator Ikazuchi," the voice continued, its tones more profound and resonating, "I am Project Raiju's Core Personality Matrix. However, there are boundaries and limitations to my knowledge and assistance."

  My heart raced, a mix of fascination and apprehension. "Why am I here? And how do you know who I am? What were those visions? What exactly are you?"

  The orb pulsed, and for a brief moment, a soft, melancholic tune played. "Our connection is bound by the threads of fate, woven through time and purpose. I am a highly advanced Terran magitech AI here to assist, to guide, and to augment your abilities. I recognize you as my Administrator and master, but my primary directive forbids revealing the entirety of our link."

  Images flashed across the chamber walls - blinding storms, fierce battles, and a silhouette that I recognized but couldn't place. But the imagery would shift and distort every time I tried to focus.

  "There are storms ahead, Operator Ikazuchi. Battles to be won, decisions to be made, and regrets that you will need to come to terms with," the voice continued, its tone layered with a subtle hint of sorrow. "But for now, I am here to serve and protect, and to divert from a highly probable, forecasted tragedy."

  I stared at the orb before me, trying to make sense of everything happening. It seemed I had stumbled upon something far beyond my comprehension, a secret of immense consequence that had somehow become mine to bear. My mind raced with possibilities, an endless series of "what-ifs" and "whys," but I knew there would be no easy answers.

  "What do you mean, 'to serve and protect'?" I asked hesitantly. “Protect me from what?! A cataclysm??! I'm a fifteen year old nobody from the boonies!"

  The orb remained silent, and I could sense hesitation in its energy. Then, it spoke again.

  "You are of humble origin, of course. Be that as it may, my creator has planned for your role with a carefully calculated statistical significance. Your existence stands at a crossroads that will determine the fate of more than one world. It is necessary that I make contact with you today to avert a cataclysm."

  My heart raced as I heard those words.

  More than one world? What could that mean? Terra and Earth? I didn't feel like I was capable of such a monumental task. But as I looked at the orb, I couldn't deny the power emanating from it. I had an inkling that I was in the presence of something truly special.

  "I am forbidden to meddle beyond my mission parameters, but I will provide you the tools you need to face the challenges ahead," the orb continued. "But before I do, I must warn you - danger is imminent. More so than the peril you already face today, and taking up arms today will lead to far more treacherous probabilities than your most likely paths. This extends to you, your loved ones, and those you would come to cherish. But, you will be able to save your father, your sister, and those you love, Ikazuchi. This will only be so if you are willing to shoulder the burden that is to come. Do you accept this responsibility?"

  I took a deep breath, feeling a sudden weight on my shoulders. I only wanted to save my dad, Blake, Jae, and Alex.

  To go off to Terra and earn a good life for my sister Izumi, maybe even find a way to bring my folks along with me.

  Did I even have what it takes to do what this orb asked me? Was I brave enough? Strong enough? Would I be making a deal with the devil to sacrifice everything for the sake of a responsibility I didn't fully understand? Could it…predict the future?

  As I pondered the question, my thoughts turned to my father, unconscious in the firefight I'd left behind.

  I thought about my poor, beautiful little sister waiting for us back in the house we'd left behind. She'd be left without anyone to care for her if we didn't return. And then there were Dad's friends — Blake, Jae, and Alex, whose lives were also on the line with every passing moment.

  I thought about the people I'd met since arriving in this city, the ones who had helped and supported me and who I had grown to care about. If there was any way I could help them, then I had no choice but to accept.

  "I don't know what you're asking for," I said finally, my voice wavering with uncertainty. "I don't know if I can do it. But I'll try. I'll do my best to help. But if what you’re telling me is true. If Izumi and Dad are in danger... If there's anything I can do—anything—I’ll do it."

  I looked down at my distorted, surreal hands, my chest heaving with determination. "I'll do it for my family. For my friends. For everyone who needs me."

  The orb pulsated with a warm, reassuring energy, and I felt a sense of camaraderie emanating from it. Like I was meeting an old friend after years apart. "You have made a wise choice, Administrator Ikazuchi. As expected," it said. "But before we begin, there is one final thing you must do to cement your role as my Administrator."

  I looked up at the orb, feeling a sense of trepidation. "What is it?" I asked.

  "In order to establish a stable connection between us, you must touch the orb and allow me to establish a link," it said. "This process may be disorienting, but it is necessary for our partnership to begin."

  I nodded hesitantly and closed my eyes. I slowly extended my hand towards the orb, summoning every ounce of courage I had left. A brilliant blue light engulfed me as soon as my fingertips made contact with its surface, and I felt every nerve in my body instantly ignite with electricity.

  'DNA sample verified. Linking neural pathways to Core Personality Matrix.' its voice spoke in my head. 'Epoch date: Verified. Systems synchronize... Establishing secure connection. Preparing personal memory seals. Please stand by.'

  The sensation was overwhelming, like being submerged in a tempestuous ocean and tossed around by its currents. I felt like I was being stretched and pulled in every direction like my body was being torn apart. I couldn't see, hear, or feel anything except the dizzying sensation of being caught up in a maelstrom of energy.

  "Establishing and calibrating base relative parameters. Life force baseline established. Vitals: 100% calibration. Stamina: 67 / 100 units Mana: 49 / 100 units. Initializing synchronization definition: Level 1 synchronization rank. Forming Inventory subspace. Inventory complete. Welcome, Administrator Ikazuchi."

  The world slowly came back into focus as the light faded away, and I took a deep breath as I regained my bearings. I looked down at my hands, half-expecting them to be different after what had just happened. But they appeared to be the same as ever, albeit with a slight tingle running up and down my fingers.

  The orb hummed in response, its glow pulsing in a soothing pattern. "As my Administrator, you will now be able to access my vast data banks and systems," it explained. "You will have access to a vast array of tools, weapons, and gadgets that will aid you in your mission on demand. In addition, I will be able to analyze and process information at an unprecedented speed, providing you with valuable insights and strategies in even the most dire of situations. And even protect you from the inconceivable."

  I nodded slowly, taking in all this information. "So, what do I do now?" I asked.

  "Several milliseconds have passed since you have been pulled into my core matrix, Administrator Ikazuchi," the orb said. "Based on the information that I have gathered from your surroundings, I recommend that we depart from this location immediately. You may return here at the price of 1% of your maximum mana capacity per minute to plan. However, a considerable amount of your meager reserves have been spent establishing this link."

  "...I have mana? But I'm not a mage or anything."

  The orb hummed again, its glow pulsing with apparent amusement.

  "Mana is simply the term used to describe the miraculous energy of existence that flows through all things living and non-living," the orb explained. "It is a universal energy that can be utilized by those with the knowledge and ability to harness it, regardless of their background. Your capacity for channeling mana will grow stronger as you gain experience utilizing it with me as a conduit and face greater challenges."

  I nodded slowly, trying to take in this new information. "Okay, so where do we go from here? Last I checked, I had three of those damned slavers rushing for me."

  "Correct," the orb said. "I must also point out, however, that you are on a highway strewn with multiple dilapidated but functional Aeolus-class Mk. I units. These units can be controlled remotely, and one of my baseline abilities is [Hijack], which will allow you to take control of these units and use them to your advantage. Given your current situation, I recommend utilizing this ability to fend off your attackers."

  I nodded, feeling a surge of excitement mixed with hesitance. "Let's do it," I said, steeling myself for whatever was to come.

  The orb hummed happily, and I felt a wave of warmth spread through my body.

  "Very good, Administrator," the orb said. "Do not worry- I will serve as your guide from now, and evermore."

  The chamber we were in began to swirl with energy, and I felt my feet lift off the ground as I was enveloped in a brilliant orange light.

  "Surge forth once more, Ikazuchi," the orb intoned, with a hint of something akin to nostalgia.

  Then, the world blurred in a swirl of orange before exploding into white light again.