Zakumi is walking a long hall inside the Space Station 8, along with a female figure next to him.
Ai Minagiri is a very talented member of the Space Station 8. Despite her young age, she is one of the captains at the facility, and acts as a mentor to various soldiers. Like Zakumi, Ai also has the abilities to fight the monsters outside.
„I'm surprised that you were able to get a new promotion this soon. I wasn't expecting for you to be a member of the Space Station 8. Your promotion to that abondoned town was just recently."
„Even though I don't have my powers that long like you, I can control them as good as the other captains here. I didn't understand why I was stationed to that place, but I took my chance. It was my destiny to become a member of the Space Station 8."
„Well, if you expect here to be any different than your previous position, you're wrong. We try to maintain the peace by eliminating the monsters outside. As such, we get assigments to various places. Most of the time, we have to do more paper work than defeating monsters."
„I think you get the wrong idea here. You and I entered the Space Station nearly at the same time, but you have an extraordinary talent. Most of the members are not listening one bit to the commander of this facility, and are doing their own work. You should know that very well. It won't be any different for me. Being a member of the Space Station 8 gets you more freedom than in other stations."
„You're getting ahead of yourself. Don't cause much trouble, we have already a lot on our plate than you can think of."
Both move inside the giant facility that is connected with bridges to various little buildings around. The Space Station 8 is located on a far away, empty place, where no living soul can be found except the members of the facility. The Space Station 8 is the heart of all the other Space Stations and also the source to create weapons to fight back the monsters. Currently 7 captains are inhabiting the facility, including Zakumi, which also are fully members of the Space Station 8. Their commander, who's position is higher that the captains, is monitoring and leading the members. Ai and Zakumi are heading to meet the commander and the other captains to make the promotion of Zakumi official.
At the same time, Hirono is still inside his cell with the mysterious person, who wants to break out of the prison.
„Wait, I've been unconscious for over a month now? How did I even survive?"
„Our bodies are different than ordinary people. We can live without food or water for months, and even after that, we will still look the same. It's a quite handy ability."
„So the power I received has another benefit. Are you a colleague of the one that gave me this power?"
„Yes, he sent me here to break you out, even if I don't understand why he was so persistant about it. I wanted to do it sooner, but you were unconscious the whole time, and in that state, it would've been impossible to escape. Especially with that huge body of yours. I kept on waiting and waiting."
„When that person gave me these powers, I had a lot of questions, but didn't get the answers for them. I was quite shocked to see a horeific world like this, and even after all what happened, I came out with even more questions."
„That's why I am here. You have powers that go beyond the human understanding, like me and the others you will meet. Once we get out of here and reach our destination, you will get all the answers you seek."
„How are we going to break out of here? It is truth that I woke up, but my body still hurts. I think, that I would hold us back in my conditon."
„Don't worry about the little details. As far as I heard, it was the first time for you to use your powers, and you had no real control over them. It's natural for you to be in that state, but your body is already regenerating. It will take just a little while until you have your full strength."
„I didn't know exactly what I was doing, I just wanted to protect the people in that town. For that, I used everything in my power to beat that person, but failed."
„Yeah, the one you fought was the captain of the Space Station 59, that is located near your town. Don't blame yourself, he was stronger than you from the beginning. His name is Zakumi Dozuachi, but now he got promoted to be the captain of the Space Station 8 for capturing you."
„His powers were quite similar to mine, I was able to feel the connection, but Zakumi was stronger than me as you said."
„Since we still have time for your full regeneration, I will explain the situation here a little bit. Your feeling is right, the two powers are literally the same. You probably fought monsters and witnessed how they became one."
„Yes, the monsters are actually human that breathed the gas outside. They turned into that monster instantly and lost control."
„Exactly, the gas is the source for the transformation of the monsters. That's why it is highly prohibited to go outside and inhale the gas. Once it's done, it's game over, and there is no turning back."
„The soldiers were wearing masks, but as I heard, they block the gas just temporarily. Wearing the masks for to long is also dangerous.", and suddenly remembers that he gave a mask to Takumi.
„The mask is a temporary solution, but it's still very effective, as it can hold up for many weeks or even months. But that depends on the density of the gas. If exposed to gas that has a high density, it could break even in just a few hours."
„I gave a mask to my best friend when I decided to fight, and left without saying much. I put Takumi in danger with my own hands."
„Don't worry about it, there is no risk for your friend. The town of yours is located in a low density region, it will take month for the mask to ceace it's funtionality."
„I hope that Takumi didn't use it much."
„But there is another aspect to the gas. You probably noticed that you and Zakumi were able to breath in that gas, and you both didn't turn into monsters. That is also connected to our powers, since the gas is also the same source for our powers, and also the powers for people like Zakumi."
Zakumi and Ai are entering the meeting room, where the captains and the commander are waiting for them. Despite the commander waited for a month to assemble all the captains for the promotion, not all of them are present. Including Ai, Zakumi and the commander, only two other captains are sitting on their seats.
„I thought that all the captains would be here today.", tells Zakumi to Ai with a low voice.
„It was difficult to contact all of them, it took time even for those few to get here. The rest are on missions, and we didn't get in contact with them at all. It's surprising to see the other two here."
On the left side of the table, Yaozu Jiaozo, another female captain, is sitting patiently. She's a very stong and agile captain, who's really good at defeating her targets quickly.
On the right side of the table, Akizora Zessan, the impatient and violent male captain, is sitting while his legs are on the table. Akizora is a careless person, and usually do things his way. Most of the time, Akizora doesn't listen to anyone, not even the commander.
On the furthest chair, the strongest among the captains and the person the title commander belongs to, Juju Rakuashi, the oldest male captain in the facility is sitting on the spot. He's a very calm and collected person. Even though people like Akizora are disobeying his orders sometimes, he keeps his cool, and manages to find a solution to every situation.
„Here comes the new guy, who shows up late to it's promotion. I hate people who think high of themselves the minute they get attention.", says Akizora with anger in his voice.
„Know your place Akizora, we are in front of the commander. You should be more respectful. Your whole attitude is the most annoying of all people here.", replies Yaozu to Akizoras complaint.
„It's clear here that you have a crush on me, and that you want me so bad, that you attack me at any possible time you find an opening, since I don't want you the way you want me."
„Someday you will drown in your delussions, and you will end up alone somewhere and no one will ever want to see or visit you. All that will be left for you is a loneliness life after this."
„Are they always like this?", asks Zakumi Ai quietly.
„Usually Akizora is the one starting the fights, because of his attitude. He's a really difficult person, but you will understand it sooner or later on your own."
„It's been a month since you came here, but let me welcome you again. Unfortunately not every of the captains were able to attend the ceremony for your promotion, but in the near future, you will also meet them.", tells Juju with a welcoming deep voice.
„Chikaku probably didn't pick up the calls purposely. I didn't want to come either, but I was already here, and it became boring. I wanted to see the new guy with my own eyes.", replies Akizora arrogantly.
„Anyway, Zakumi Dozuachi, the former captain of the Space Station 59, successfully captured a Gaswielder and brought him to the Space Station 8. Because of his remarkable actions, Zakumi is hence promoted to be the captain of the Space Station 8.", and slowly walks over to Zakumi.
„As your new commander, I hope to accomplish more remarkable successes in the future together."
Juju puts out a medal with the number eight, symbolizing the Space Station 8, and gives it to Zakumi.
„This medal will prove, that you are a captain of the Space Station 8. Every captain of this facility has the same to make them recognize you."
„When I was the captain of the Space Station 59, I didn't receive a medal similar to this one for my representation as a captain."
"Most of the Space Stations are small and are just doing their work protecting their responsible area, not leaving their post. They don't need a medal. The Space Station 8 is a special case, since the captains are assigned for tasks to do all over the world.", replies Juju.
„I see. Is there already a new captain at the Space Station 59? It's been a month now, and those guys over there need a new captain for sure."
„Are you referring that you were just to weak to make your soldiers stronger? I wonder, how many of your soldiers died on your watch. It looks like, that you are indeed not as strong as you portray yourself.", answers Akizora directly.
„I think it speaks for itself that I am strong, otherwise I wouldn't be here becoming a captain of the Space Station 8. I wonder, when it was the last time that you did contribute anything useful with that attitude to the Space Station 8."
„I think, you have a dying wish."
„Stop it Akizora!", making Juju raise his voice a little bit.
Akizora sighs and turns around with his head.
„The Space Station 59 has already a new captain, don't worry, your soldiers are in good hands.", and slowly walks back to his seat again.
„As you guys know, more and more Gaswielder are appearing. Unfortunately, we captured only a few so far, but their existence could become dangerous in the future. We need to stop them before it's to late. The only problem is the organization behind the recent increase of Gaswielders. They need to be found quickly, or the world is doomed."
Hirono is speechless for hearing the truth behind the powers of Zakumi.
„Well, Tenuzuchi can explain it to you in more detail when we get out of here. He was also the one that gave you your powers by the way. The biggest problem here is, that stronger people than Zakumi are inside this facility. It will be still a little bit troublesome to break out without getting into a fight with them."
„So, there are even stronger people than Zakumi? How are we suppose to get out of here without being caught?"
„I let myself get caught on purpose for your escape, a prepared everything already. Our breakout is for sure, but I can't guarantee for interruptions by the captains. You have to be prepared for everything."
„My body surprisingly feels a lot better now, and can feel the strength building up again, but I don't know if can be a match against even stronger people when I lost against Zakumi."
„You worry too much. You just need to go with the flow, and everything will turn up okay somehow. It's possible for us to get caught by a captain yes, but it's just only a possibility. But it will get a little bit loud here, so be prepared to start running. I don't know if you realized it, but we can't use our powers in here."
„Now that you mention it, even if had no strength in my body to move, I should've at least be able to surround myself with the aura."
„These cells are made especially for people like us. Once inside, there is no ordinary way to get out. But as I said earlier, I prepared everything for the escape. Put something on, we are going out."
"As you know, we caught a few members of that organization. We suspect, that the one we recently captured also belongs to that organization, but we were not able to make him talk so far."
„We should just torture him, and make him feel pain. I'm sure that he will talk like a waterfall."
„Violence is not the answer for everything, Akizora. We have to act more with caution.", tells Ai.
„How far did caution get us? What happened with all the prisoners we captured? They just killed themselves or died. Even if our bodies are tough, there are ways to harm the body and end the life. We will get nowhere if we keep continuing with this bullshit."
„I hate to say this, but I have to agree with Akizora. We tried everything in the past to get answers to our questions, but we failed. We have to push a little bit harder from now on, or we will accomplish nothing. Other Space Stations slowly get impatient as well. Everyone feels like they've been working for nothing all this time", replies Yaozu.
„I can understand your concerns, and believe that the method we used so far was indeed pointless and useless. As Akizora and Yaozu suggested, we have to take harder measures. This time, we have to get answers.", says Juju with conviction, making Akizora stand up immediately.
„So, it's time for me to get in action. I will definitely get the answers out of these bastards."
But before anyone can do or say anything, a huge explosion happens where the cells are.
„What is this explosion?", asks Juju still in a calm voice.
The door opens to the meeting room, and two soldiers step inside.
„Commander! The whole building and the bridge to the Prison Section F exploded! Several soldiers are heavily injured."
„It's the section where those two Gaswielders are.", making Zakumi notice.
„So, they are trying to escape, I thought that the cells were disabling their powers.", says Akizora with anger in his voice.
„The cause of the explosion is nothing related to powers, but actually explosives. We don't know when they were set there.", but Zakumi realizes immediately.
„This was their plan all along. They are trying to break out that kid I brought.", and immediately activates his vest to rush outside.
„Assemble as many soldiers as possible, we won't let them escape this easily.", making the soldiers also rush out.
„It's because you all are soft. If it were me, I would've already got all the answers.", making Akizora get out of the room as well.
„You two, prevent the escape of the prisoners at any cost. If they actually escape and the word spreads around, the king will be really pissed at us.", making Yaozu and Ai leave at once.
Juju gets concern, and leaves the room as well.
Hirono is running away along with the other prisoner.
„So far, we are on the good side. I know the best route for our escape, just follow my lead. If we encounter any enemies, try to ignore them."
„You weren't kidding when you said that it will get loud. What happened there?"
„Even if it doesn't look like it, this place has been here for years, long before the meteorite crush. I used to be at this place, but I didn't like how things were handled. It was before I had my powers. Since many things went wrong in this facility, I decided to leave it. But before that, I hid massive explosives all over the place.", making another building explode.
„What's the purpose of this facility then, when it was here even before the meteorite crush?"
„Well, it's more complicated than you can imagine. It's a long story, which has to wait until we get out of here. Our priority is to leave this place for now, anything can wait for after that."
Hirono follows the lead, and the two are safely able to get out of the facility.
„It was easier than I anticipated. I though that we would be stopped by soldiers and the captains."
„It's just the start of our escape. What we left was the the prison section, we have to get through a few more areas now before we can leave this place behind."
„You guys keep on doing stuff like that all the time? Isn't it exhausting?"
„At some point, you get used to it. It's our new life, we have to live it. Be prepared, this will be your new life from now on."
Hirono smiles, making the other prisoner notice.
„By the way, my name is Kara. Kara Toshigami. I forgot to introduce myself."
„My name is Hirono Hidō, nice to meet you."
„You are not bad after all. Alright, let's go."