Tiara looked out of the window from her hospital bed. Her mind wandered off to Tomo, to the day she was abducted, and to the pod. She heaved a deep sigh. She was glad that she was able to send Tomo back. He is much more needed there. But she still has a tinge of sadness as she knew that she will be all alone, maybe for the rest of her life. Although she never knew exactly how Tomo is now, since there is no news of the future, and she had no way of finding out or contacting him.
Tiara realized that she has lost her power. Not exactly lost it actually because, in this era, Tiara hasn't got that much power and capabilities. She also doesn't have a clue about what is going to happen to her in the next 68 hours where the effect of the disruption will subside and eventually erase itself, and she will totally be who she is in this era.
Tiara went to the bathroom and looked at herself in the mirror. She touched her neck. The black ring on her neck where Ryoma's hand pressed it, can hardly be seen anymore.
She really healed quickly. It was only a couple of hours since the incident. It was not yet afternoon. She opened her room door a little bit, and she saw a policeman sitting near her door, guarding her room. She sighed. Now I'm a prisoner in my hospital room.
She turned on the tv, and watched the news, she could see herself rushed into the ambulance. Then the camera showed the police line and Ryoma lying on the pavement, not moving, Blood was coming out from the back of his head and became a pool of blood. "We did it Tomo! We did it! I'm sure you knew about it. And I'm sure you are angry because I didn't follow the protocol. I had no choice, I had to make the police aware of him. I could not risk the chance of him escaping. Not after what he had done." she said quietly.
"The police wouldn't be aware of Ryoma and he could have run away if he didn't have me as a hostage and victim. The police shot him to save me. I am glad he's dead. Maybe I am a bad person for wanting him to die. I don't want him to do evil things again. Tomo, I hope you can hear me. But at least I've told you what happened."
The mental connection
"Oh, and Tomo, I never told anyone my name, so I think, everything will be safe....." Tiara stopped, and for a split second, she feels she could see Tomo. "Tomo! Destroy The Place, The room!" the seconds had passed, and the image had slowly dispersed. Tiara really hoped for everyone's safety, Tomo could hear her.
Without her knowing, Tomo could hear her. He could also feel her loneliness and sadness. He could even feel hearing her words. It was as if they were on the same timeline but in a different world.
She was just sitting on the bed, feeling lonely and hopeless, when the door opened. A doctor came in to check on her.
"How are you today? He said
Tiara smiled, not saying anything.
"Now, can you tell me your name?"
Tiara shook her head And just looked at the farthest point in the room
He then checked her neck. "You heal very quickly my dear. I'm surprised" he said.
Tiara said nothing and just kept looking blank.
The doctor seems not to want to push or rush her so he just said, "eat first then take a rest." Tiara made no body movement and just stayed still with a blank look on her face. "I will come and visit you tomorrow. Don't be scared, you are safe here. There's a policeman on duty, in front of your door. He will stand guard.
She lay on the hospital bed as the door closes. "Tomo, destroy The Place," She said over and over again until she fell asleep.
When she woke up, the curtains were drawn. No sun rays entered the room. Only a dim light was on. She felt so hungry and as she looked at the bedside table, two trays were laid there. Tiara hasn't had breakfast, lunch, or dinner. She guessed that the trays were lunch and dinner meals.
She ate it ravenously and in a very short time even though the food was just so-so, like any other hospital food. She nudged her pillow and sat straight. "What will happen tomorrow?" Tiara made a couple of scenarios like the police letting her go. But where will she go, maybe some scientist will try to get answers from her? or maybe she would be on the news since nobody knew her or called to try to find her.
Becoming her age
Tiara didn't exactly know what year she is in now. Until .... in the morning when the nurse brought her the newspaper.
To her surprise, the date was the same year as the year she was born. "This couldn't be true. I couldn't become a baby or could I? Tiara's mind raced, thinking of a possible way out. But it was only hours before the path of the pod was erased and everything becomes normal again, just like what happened that year.
Five hours left. Will I become a baby, meet my mom and never remember everything that has happened? Will I become an adult in a baby's body? Or will I really become a baby, not knowing anything? Questions and questions muddled in her mind, with no exact answers.
Tiara tried to focus, to find some sort of a glitch or a canal. Maybe Tomo sent a message, or maybe I could still contact him. But nothing .... totally nothing. Could the cops be looking for me when I become a baby? Her mind was in turmoil of not knowing what the future held. "I'm too used to knowing what might happen, that I just couldn't accept whatever may come. I must try to accept. being normal is not knowing anything, no mind reading," Tiara constantly tries to reassure herself.
It was in the end, Tiara accepted the fact that she should leave everything to the universe, to her destiny. She walked and locked the door as quietly as possible. She searched the whole room for a camera or detector, that could document her being. There was none. Maybe during these years, the security system was not as advanced. She felt at peace now. even as she looked at her hands which started to look soft and plump, almost like a baby's hand.
Tiara felt her body swaying. She looked up and saw her mom, rocking her cot softly as to make her sleep. and she succeeded. It was the last thing Tiara's adult mind remembered.
Losing Tiara
In a parallel timeline, Tomo went to Tiara's house. Hoping to get a sign from her. He tried to meditate, to clear his mind, to give even the slightest chance for Tiara to contact him. He kept hoping that Tiara will contact him. Hours went by and he knew that his chance of contacting Tara was getting dimmer.
Tomo also realized that in just 68 hours, after the time travel, he will never be able to contact Tiara or vice versa. He still remembers the shock when looked at the date a couple of moments ago, He realized that in that year, he was still a toddler and Tiara was still a baby. And it was too late for him to do anything. He was devastated. He had failed Tiara twice when she really needed him.
He put his timer on a countdown. It was late at night, and a couple of hours later, Tomo felt Tiara's presence. He could feel her talking to him. He felt the same loneliness and sadness as Tiara did. It was so sudden when he finally heard Tiara saying, "Destroy The Place! The room!"
He stood up. He listened intently. It could only be Tiara that's sending him this message. It's a miracle that somehow she manages to find that split second to send her message.
"Thank you, Tiara. You are really amazing. Even in the worst situation, you could ever be in, you still try to do a good deed and never think about yourself. I know what you meant, and I will destroy it after I know what exactly it is and how to really destroy it, so it will never cause trouble again." Tomo said as if he were talking to Tiara, hoping that somehow Tiara will hear him.
The next morning, Tomo woke up early and after looking at the countdown timer, he took a journey to The Place. He doesn't want to waste any of the limited time he had.
During the journey, he tried to remember every little thing that Tiara told him because maybe in those details Tiara might have mentioned, there is a clue, an important one
As he got there, he sensed a terrible smell. It smells like something rotten. But he could find nothing. He walked to the area where Tiara said she saw Ryoma standing beside a hatch. He found it, but he couldn't open it, and since he was in such a hurry to leave, he didn't bring any tools. "How stupid can I be?" He got angry at himself. He looked at the countdown on his vessel. "I'd better get back."
It was only 30 minutes until the countdown ended. Tomo sat in his room. Feeling helpless and hopeless, knowing that nothing could be done.
He put his face on his cupped hands. There, for just only a few seconds, he could see Tiara. It was at the same time as when Tiara waited in her hospital bed. He saw her and he could see flashes when the countdown ended. In the blurry flash, he could see what Tiara saw, a baby in a cot with her mother.
Tomo realized that it may be the last time he saw her. If he did ever see her again, it possibly is after she had overgone the cycle of life of growing up and being an adult again. It might be in the next 20 years. And he would possibly be 43 years old.
Thar prospect sure didn't make him happy. 20 years is not a short time. And no one should experience two cycles of life, especially when the earth was on the verge of destruction. Anything can happen, and it especially meant that she would have undergone the disaster again. Would survival be her destiny in the second cycle of life? Or would her life span change totally? He could not get the correct answer.
There is only one person that he trusts, who has the possible ability to help him is Tomo's father.
Tomo sat in front of his monitor, trying to send a message. when a couple of minutes later, there was a bleep that was a reminder that his father was contacting him through a visual call.
"Tomo, how are you? I see you and Tiara use the pod to travel back in time."
"I'm okay, but Tiara's not. That's why I sent you the message, I need your help." Tomo told everything that he remembered.
"Do you mean to say that you left her?"
"I didn't leave her. She turned herself into bait so the police could shoot Ryoma when he is not a horizontal static, as he returned to his own body." Tomo said agitatedly.
"It was all my fault. I was too weak to fight off Ryoma. I was always weak. I failed Tiara twice." Tomo tried hard to control his emotions.
"At the time, I told Tiara that I thought the only way we could get him out of me since I was becoming weaker rapidly, was to take him back in time, to his time when he was a fugitive. Tiara did everything. I was too weak to fight Ryoma. I didn't do anything to help her. The last thing I remember is looking at the rear seat and it was empty. Tiara sacrificed herself so I could get back here without Ryoma."
His father nodded knowingly. "She is an exceptional young woman. Just like her mother."
"Her mother? Did you know her?"
"Yes, maybe I haven't had the chance to tell you. Your mother and I have known her for a long time..... mmm.... we saw them again when Tiara was about 9 years old. That was when the 2nd catastrophe or the worst. It was also the last one that occurred. The first one was when Tiara was still a baby. We saw from our telescope how her mother helped hundreds, maybe even thousands of people.
During the first catastrophe, she was standing in front of her cabin, huddling Tiara with her. Her arms and fingers moved, swiftly as if she was repelling flying insects. Often she inverted her hands. As we are curious, we turn the telescope to where she's looking at. It was the highway. We saw how she stopped accidents from happening. We saw how she flipped the cars so the people inside will be safe. But what's really bothering me was, because I do not know what exactly happened, because that is not in the library of my logical mind. I'm so curious to know how she could have done it. One thing which interests me the most is whenever the condition seems to be out of hand because there's fire, flood, and snow, the baby would cry. Then everything could be handled. The fires are gone, and all the cars were swept into a safe higher area.
Then after everything calmed down and people are safe, the baby would stop crying. Somehow I feel that the baby is special. She could even be more special than her mother. And oh, the other thing was, I think the mother is old enough to be her grandmother.
"hmm... maybe... Tomo thought about it for a while, then said, the 2nd catastrophe. Was it the last time you saw them?" ask Tomo
"Yes, it was when the team and I had finished building the vessels and were taking every sample of nature, animals, and good people. Your mother and I came to her home, begging her to come, but she refused. I remembered her words, "We have the ability to help and heal. We will never back away." She used the words 'we'. It must mean she and her daughter.
Then she asked your mother to sit down and she put her index fingers on the left and right sides of your mother's temple, only for a couple of seconds. Then she slumped in her chair as if she was tired.
She said," I am not young anymore. Yes, I am tired. But I have to do it. I know that both of you and your 2 children are exemplary people. You are the genius, and so is your son. Then she turned to your mother and said, your children have the love and heart that you have. So I give you a bit of my ability, so you can take care of them better, and you can contact your husband when your family is in need of help, for he will be far away from you. Our paths will cross again one day."
We were both shocked, It was as if she knew our future. I did not want to sound ungrateful or skeptical, so I decided not to ask. We accepted her prophecy and gift, with our hearts.
Both father and son didn't say a word. Both are busy with their own thoughts and memories.
Tomo was the first to speak. 'Do you think she hasn't moved?"
"I could not say. because the 2nd catastrophe was a mess and the worst that could happen on earth, and she is not young anymore. Maybe my team took them to one of the vessels. I don't know. I honestly don't know. I'm sorry I didn't upkeep with her existence "
"One thing, as I said, I remembered that the mother looks as if she's too old to be her mother. Looking at her age, she is more like her grandmother. I wonder where her parents are. Maybe you could find out, so she won't be too disappointed when she knew about this.
"I will. father, did you see Tiara?"
"No, we didn't."
"I will try to find out. But don't have high hopes for this. Billions of people lost their families. It was like the end of the world. To find her, we need complete data and advanced technology. You, my son, have a better brain and better technology than I here on earth... So I can only assist you." With that, they ended the conversation.
The statics and the brain
As Tomo was just about to leave the room, there was another bleep from his father.
"I just remembered why I had to call you. We know that Tiara has eliminated Ryoma. but your mother felt that there was something not right near you. "Did Tiara mention anything?"
"Yes, in fact, she did. She told me to destroy The Place. The room. I guessed that what she meant by the room is where she was held captive. I was planning to go there tomorrow with the team," Tomo answered.
"I have been there actually, but without any tools. So that's why I plan to go with the team and tools tomorrow."
What Tomo didn't know was that he brought back two human souls in the form of horizontal statics. Ryoma was the first one to lose his embodiment and fully became horizontal statics, so he is the most powerful. While Jun and Nino are both inside Nino's body. They were the first ones to be brought by the rescue team when they rescued Tiara.
The other additional two were soldiers from the attacker. They were the last to use the dome to become horizontal statics. They weren't tracked, for Tomo came there without taking any devices. They were two soldiers which Jun brought with him but didn't have the time to enter the rescuer's vessel. They were weak, but still alive. They are the statics that Tomo's mother had felt.
"Alright. Keep me posted on what's happening."
"And oh Tiara also mentioned a glass dome connected to cables, but she couldn't see what was inside.".
"Do you think it could be the source of static?"
The father stayed quiet for a while as if remembering something, then he said, " I once read in a scientific magazine that a scientist made an experiment with a brain. The person was banned from the science society since experimenting with the human brain. it was really bizarre and inhumane.
He also mentioned to Tomo that it was an experiment of being possessed, like in a lot of stories or movies, where people got possessed by spirits, but he made it in a scientific way. He used an electrical magnet to give energy to the bodiless soul. But the time was limited, just like when a battery runs out.
"The brain is the medium for the spirit to be able to stay alive for a maximum of hours. The energy will be depleted day by day. I read that the first one who used it will be the strongest,"
"And if that article was correct, then I suppose it was Ryoma who had the first try because he is very strong," said Tomo. "I think he went back with us when we saved Tiara and Nino. So it means that he is very strong, being able to survive that long without embodiment."
"So clearly, it's again my fault." Tomo sighed. He carried a heavy load of feelings of guilt."
"Don't look at it that way. Look at the positive side. What you and Tiara did, by bringing him back to his time is the only way to destroy it. Because it is the core or the main of the brain."
"Yes, and I lost her. If only I could have taken her place."
"No son. I know you are here for a reason. Every spin of an event in life has a meaning. As a human, we will never know what's behind every turn of events. It will be only afterward that we realize the good behind incidents, which at that time seemed to be bad."
"I know ...." that's why there is a saying, " the storm will eventually pass."
Tomo went silent. Then he said, "I will make something for everyone so as they will not be possessed. In the hope that if there are other statics besides Ryoma, we can eliminate them. As you said, the latter will be the weaker. So if they have no place to enter until the deadline, it means they will die."
"I just have to work on it now. I can't let the community down. I also can't let Tiara's sacrifice be worthless."
The debris in the place
That evening, Tomo had a quick meeting with Dave and the team of troopers and also scientists. Tomo hoped that if they knew the situation, they know what and how to prepare. Tomo also asked a number of troopers to come and told them to be prepared for anything. So they have also prepared, weapons and ammo plus everything they could possibly need.
The scientist also bought devices that could be needed there.
They started early and the vessels automatically scanned the surface of the planet before they land, finding out whether it is radioactive or not. Fortunately not, since Tomo was there before. One can imagine the impact on Tomo.
On seeing the ravaged area, they couldn't believe what they saw. It was so destroyed, wrecked, and decayed. doors that don't look like doors anymore, they lay beneath tons of bricks. Broken windows and one decaying kitchen table lay lonely on top of the rubbles. Decaying and unidentifiable pieces of steel were everywhere. Not to mention scraps of clothes, pillows, and mattresses were scattered everywhere. But not an insect or any form of a living being was in sight. Could the place be unlivable?
They do the cleaning up straight away. Rubbles, steel, Glass, and all. They worked hard but not even half of the area was clean.
They decided to come again tomorrow as they feel unsafe staying.
The next day, they took more troopers to lend a hand. But made a pact not to say a thing about this clean-up to anyone. and can only say that they are doing vessel operation drills.
Tomo asked every trooper to remember the names of the people who asked, and had it sent to Tomo. "I may sound paranoid, but I don't want to experience the betrayal like in The Place." The troopers agreed that it was a traumatic experience and so, they were also extra careful in everything they do. "If it weren't for you and Tiara, we will never have this life," one trooper said. "We all would have died in that battle."
"It is not just me and Tiara. It is all of us. Remember that we are one big chain, holding on to each other and depending on each other. If one chain breaks, the others should try to fix it so the chain will stay strong. If not, the chain will become corroded and one by one, the chainlet will rust and disperse."
With that in mind, they left for The Place for another clean-up. They have to stop going there after the third visit so as not to cause any suspicion. Vessel and trooper drills are usually only for three days in a row and start again after a fortnight. And it was also time for them to take a break, to gather their strength.
After the break, it was time to do the visit again.
It was after they landed, that one of the troopers found the hatch. He coughed and vomited. The others instantly use their gas masks and took the trooper away, thinking there was poisonous gas.
"I couldn't stand the smell. Sorry," the trooper said. It smelled like something rotten."
"Don't anybody touch anything until we are totally sure it is safe," the leader of the troopers said firmly. One trooper moved to the front to start scanning. Nothing detected. Tomo and two scientists moved forward. Testing the steel hatch, and the soil around it, and also testing for gas.
Everything seemed to be okay. One trooper holding a steel opener tried to pull the handle of the latch. It opened in one pull.
One of the scientists again tested the air inside the hatch. Although it's not toxic, and safe for them to continue to go inside, they kept their gas masks on. The device did indicate that there is indeed something rotting.
"It indicated living being flesh. I'm not sure if it's a human being or an animal, " said the scientist. "It's best if we sprayed "The Anti Spray" for extra precaution, so no one will unintentionally catch virus or bacteria or anything else and bring it to our home.
"Okay, now the only way to find out is by going down, " said Tomo, getting to grip the handle of the ladder.
"I'll go down first," said one trooper, getting hold of Tomo's arm, to stop him from going down.
Tomo moved back to let the trooper in and went down closely behind him. Scientists and some troopers followed. Some of the troopers stand guard outside, and some continued with the clean-up.
The area was like a dungeon, A long crude hallway with plain doors, made of wood from rough cut-down trees, on the left and right sides.
"Get down," the trooper shouted. And deadly lasers passed just inches above them.
"Jeez, what the hell is this place," he said after disarming them.
"Stop," shouted one scientist. "A lethal gas detected. It's in that room," he pointed to a room on the right.
"Let us check it first." he slowly opened the door, and after it was confirmed safe and no traps, they went in.
The gas was intact, and it seemed that it was never used. They got the gas out as it only works in tight spaces, and it will disperse when there's oxygen.
They moved a little bit more, and it was a dead end. Everyone turned around and moved two by two to enter each room, after confirming its safety.
The first room on the left only has a table and 2 chairs. and a monitor on one wall.
The second looks more like a crazy scientist's lab. Tube racks were on one side of the wall. It turned out that most of the lab tubes are filled with lethal substances, and some are still unknown. The room was full of broken glass as if someone had raged and had the room torn apart." After we know what all these substances are, we must destroy them," said one scientist.
The next 2 rooms were extreme horror. It looks as if there was a massacre there. On the table, there are dirty plates, bones, and carcasses. The floor smells like ammonia. It was like a mad scientist's lair or Dr. Jekkyl was doing some experiment. This must be where the smell was coming from. the next two rooms have traces of humans being tortured. In one room there were body drawers, exactly like in a morgue, and it was full. The other one, was a prison cell complete with steel bars as the door was only covered with slabs of wood as a door. They did not notice it at first when they went in because they were halted by lasers, so they were more focused on what was ahead.
"Could it be that this is where Tiara was held captive?" Tomo thought. "It couldn't be," said Tomo, answering his own question." Tiara didn't mention this extreme rotting smell, and there was no manacle on the wall." It was then he realized, that there must be more dungeons.
After they got to the surface. Tomo said, "Stop the clean-up. There's another dungeon. We have to find it. I want you to locate Ryoma's former house. Which should be not far from here. Not the one he lived in. "Half of the troops and scientists come with me and the rest, try to clean up the dungeon as you possibly can, so there are no toxic substances anymore." he continued after a long pause, "and we will hold a funeral ceremony to honor those whose lives were lost," Tomo said in an austere voice.
There was a humming of voices, since those who did not go in, didn't understand what the other team have seen. So they didn't really understand what Tomo meant.
Tomo was aware of the confusion. "I know, for those who did not go in, I know you have lots of questions going on in your mind. It was a very shocking and disgusting scene for those who did go in. It was terrible and possibly a traumatic shock for us. Remember, be careful of the lethal substances and dead bodies. I hope you," he said, while looking at the scientists, "will be able to find out all their names. They deserve a proper burial."
Tomo starts to walk to the side area. "Search the whole located area for any possibilities of a dungeon," he said in an austere voice.
None spoke a word or even smiled. Could be that their thoughts went to the fact that there were dead bodies here, where good and kind should be the notable key in their life at The Place.
After a couple of hours of searching and still not finding anything, Tomo decided that they should head back, after holding a funeral ceremony.
They held a simple and discreet funeral ceremony, addressing every name of the deceased. Everyone could not hold their tears or their hatred. Gritted teeth and clenched fist accompanied their sadness. They left The Place, each holding in a mixture of feelings.
Tomo didn't go to the office. In fact, he went to Tiara's home. He contacted his sister Maki, telling her of his findings and to tell their family to avoid meeting him, If there's an emergency, let mom contact me, discreetly. Then he deleted everything. He wanted the family to be safe and not connected to him. But the one [werson he's worried about most is Maki, since his parents are on earth, although in a different year from Tiara.
Tomo washed and changed clothes. He doesn't have the appetite to eat. He sat down. His eyes looked but saw nothing. His mind went blank. After a while, he walked to the fridge and got himself a glass of milk. He smiled to himself. He rarely drinks milk and it is Tiara's favorite drink. "I must have been missing Tiara."
Then he sat in front of the monitor, reading the names of the deceased. Most are men and single, with no family attached. He knew some of them, but barely. So maybe they were chosen because nobody will miss them.
It looks like this dungeon was built right after the first vessel landed. It must be the work of Ryoma and Jun. They have all the data of the passengers. And they built it right away, using passengers as their laborers. They were particular in making their choice. They chose those who according to the data have no relatives or have lost their families in the chaos and destruction on earth which made people lose contact with their families, and as this was supposed to be their new home, they haven't known other passengers well.
The location of the dungeon is far from the community settlement, so no one would know the tragedy that had befallen on those who came with them.
Tomo didn't realize he was crying until a tear dropped from his hands. He stands up with his fist clenched. What nightmare have we brought these good people into? He punched the wall, not feeling the pain. He blamed himself. How could he be this naive and stupid all these years? Trusting Ryoma and Jun, assisting them as well? "Goodness. I'm a true moron."
There was a bleep from his father and he made sure it was secured.
"Maki told me everything. If you think it is better for Maki to go, she can use the teleport, as we are on the same timeline. It won't break the canal of either time or space, so it will also not ruin the universe. Maki is prepared. She will leave in about two hours."
Tomo nodded in agreement. "I guess it's for the best." Although he knew he will miss Maki a lot. Besides Tiara, she's the one who cared for him. His eyes went blurry.
"And ... oh, if you have finished with The Place and felt everything is secured and safe, Check your place again. I still feel that there are seeds of evil. I meant it in the plural, because there is more than one, even though they are mild. The medium is the one to worry about as I think it is the leader.
"I will. There are four males that I'm suspicious of, all of them young, and one of them was a young boy of Nino's age. The other three never went out of their share house. this young boy was the only one who always does the groceries"
Noticing the young boy who is of the same age as Nino, made Tomo remember Nino. "How's he doing? This quiet young boy hardly socializes since being here. It could be that he had problems mentally handling the trauma or there was something else."
Tomo looked at his data and read the programmed consultation sessions for him and the result was very good. He got permission to leave the mental institution, a week before. Maybe I should make time, after this clean-up, to really talk to him."
"What about Tiara? Could she have any contact with him? Or could Nino contact her?" Tomo thought. I don't think so. Maybe due to all the hectic things going on, she did not have time. And maybe Nino's telepathy is not yet strong enough. But now I remember, she doesn't want Nino to be her apprentice, although he speaks highly of her. She just said that didn't need an apprentice, and didn't want to bring anyone new to the workshop.
A bleep was heard.
"Better check on the guys you mentioned. Anyway, I've tried to find loopholes to bring back Tiara, but no positive results yet. But, stay positive son. Sooner or later, the good always wins," said the father before logging out.
Tomo sighed, "I hope it is sooner and not later. There are too many victims already."
He tried to lie down and sleep, but sleep is just not coming his way. He paced up and down and finally, he decided to check the security cameras from the week before.
There was nothing, except on a night, three days ago. Nino could be seen wandering near the glass wall, which was wired at night. Tomo couldn't see the expression clearly. After about 10 minutes, Nino left.
"Why did he come at night? Could he have thought that Tiara was here?" Tomo decided to let the officers at the workshop check all the security videos starting from the date when Tiara was abducted.
The next day, he went to The Place early. He decided that after getting back, he will look at the videos sent to him.
it was not long before a trooper shouted. " I found it." It was on the northwest side of The Place. It was exactly like he guessed, under Ryoma's first house. Tomo rushed to the point shown. He was impatient to see it, but at the same time, scared of what he will see.
The latch was pulled open. It was bright. Certainly not like the other one. It has only four rooms, and bigger than the ones in the dungeon. Two of them were bedrooms, complete with sliding doors, and each a bathroom. It almost looks like a luxury suite, with monitors and other technical gadgets. Nothing showed who owns them. Although anyone could guess that it must be Jun and Ryoma's secret rooms.
Straight ahead were two more rooms. one was a workroom and a lab. While the other room made all gasped in terror.
It was the room that Tiara said. There were two chairs, loaded with cables, and in the middle, stood a table with a dome covering it. As the dome was lifted, one could see a human brain with all kinds of cables and electro lodes attached to it.
"God, who would ever think of or make an experiment like this?" Tomo said out loud, brushing his fingers through his hair. "This is in Tiara's vision, and my father told me that long ago there was a scientist who did this experiment and was banned."
"After you've got all the data, we have to destroy it. Just likeTiara said.
While some of the scientists stayed in the room to try to find out about the unimaginable thing. Tomo went into the lab. "Why is this room small while the others are so big? There must be something hidden. A trap door maybe?" He moved a step forward.
As if his question were answered, the wall slides to the side and exposed a dark dungeon. The walls are only rough stones. There were three cages or to be more exact, box-like containers, all with sliding doors. It's better said as boxes since it was too small to be called a room. The far left had a bed, a bit lower than the usual one. it seems there are blurry tracks of a wheelchair.
"This must be Jun's room, exactly like what Tiara described," Tomo said to himself. "The middle one must be where Tiara was kept," he said and took a deep breath as he opened the door.
True to his thoughts, there were massive chains and manacles on the wall. on the right side, was a shaft that Tiara said was where the food came from. Tomo imagined Tiara being there, alone and helpless. He couldn't stand it and quickly walked out of the room to the next room. it was a pantry. It was smaller than the other two. There was something that really bothered him. But he couldn't pinpoint what it is.
They went back to search the nearest area, but it showed no traces of abduction and it was clear of all the evil gadgets, and no other unhuman things were found. They even made time to build a proper cemetery and not just a makeshift one. As the vessels started to lift up, Tomo pushed a single button and the room with the brain in it blew up into pieces. "This one is for you Tiara. I did what you told me to," he said in his mind, trying to convey it to Tiara.
As they got back, there was still no time to rest. The scientist had to analyze everything. While the troopers prepared a timetable so as to be on the watch for 24 hours.
The next morning, Tomo got a message from Mika, saying that she is now with her mother, and they are all well. Tom, breathed a sigh of relief. Although he felt a bit guilty for not being able to see Mika off. "But it's all for the best", he said, comforting himself.
Tomo watched the video selected, with Dave and all his assistants, so as not to miss any detail.
There was one video that made him shiver. What was that? they shouted abruptly as they saw the horizontal static, filling in the screen. "That's Ryoma, or what was left of him. The brain in the dome was used to make him able to eject from his own body to enter someone else. And the choice was on me"
"Huh?"
"Yup, he thought I was the best choice and an easy target. He almost succeeded until Tiara knew that I was fighting against Ryoma inside my body So it was like two souls in one body and only one can win., and one has to accept defeat. I can assure you, that I'm totally indebted to Tiara. She was the one who helped me."
"Where's Tiara?"
"She had to encounter other problems while we must clear our own obstacles here. We need to keep our eyes and ears open. Don't trust anyone for now until we know who the fugitive is and what evil deeds he has."
"But as Ryoma is now eliminated, and Jun's dead. Who else is evil?"
"That is the problem. We don't know yet, but we have to find out. Maybe someone else has used the brain dome. And I think there's another lunatic genius behind the brain dome. Jun and Ryoma are not that brainy to be able to build it."
"So if any of you know or feel something that is not right, tell me instantly. No need to worry about whether it is a false alarm or not. It's better to be cautious than sorry."
They watched intently until Tomo ask to zoom in on the person behind a tree."
And one person said aloud, "It"s Alex. I know him. I've only met him once or twice. I really don't feel at ease when I'm with him. He lives with one other in the share house complex."
"When did you meet him?" Tomo asked
"Last week I think,"
"That's one of the four people I have my eyes on," explained Tomo. "and he shared a house with Theo."
"That's another creep. last week also, I saw him kick a cat once. And I got angry. He was furious and almost threw me off the porch when suddenly, he stopped and walk away. I don't know, but he was like a robot or a zombie in a movie, being handled by someone."
"Handled?" Tomo repeated. "That could be done by someone who has a special ability."
"And the two of you met them last week. What date was that? It was on a Sunday." The two answered at the same time"
"That was the day I went alone to The Place. Could I have brought them with me?" Tomo asked himself. There is a possibility since he did not bring any devices or trackers with him.
They continued watching until the early hours. Just when Tomo was about to stop and take a rest. One said, "Look, there's Nino. What is he doing? And there's another person with him. But that's not Theo or Alex."
"Nino looked very tired and there is something wrong with the way he moved." The camera then zoomed in. "Don't you think he moved unnaturally? Like he is fighting with himself.
"Can you get another close-up on this frame?" A close-up was done. " Could it be that there is a static that is trying to get Nino?"
The camera zoomed to the far right. A figure was standing. He looked afraid. "Anyone knows who he is?"
"I do. he is a quiet person. a very introverted one, but a nice person. He's Toda. Often called himself Toad."One person said.
"Look. Pay attention to Nino's hand, and the way Toda moves. It is as if Toda moved according to Nino's signals. Nino or whoever is inside his body, is handling Toda," Tomo exclaimed.
"Just like when I saw Theo. That's what I meant by as if he was handled, like a robot handled by remote control."
"You are right I think. We'll keep this to ourselves for now. We'll continue in the afternoon. Get some rest."
"I think we'll sleep here. We don't feel comfortable going home at this time of hour now, as we live in the share house exactly below them."
Tomo nodded and showed a thumbs-up while leaving the room.
Tomo went to Nino's house, to find out the truth. As he got there, Nino was on the floor, having difficulty in breathing. Tomo instantly telepathizes with Nino. "He heard Nino's weak voice."I'm sorry. I can't push Jun out of me."
Tomo transferred his energy and made Nino able to push the static out. It was Jun. Tomo can see him clearly for a second. He called an ambulance and brought Nino to the hospital, to a special room, where he will be safe from possession.
In the meantime, the officers and troopers worked hard to gather shreds of evidence, while the scientists tried to figure out how the brain dome works. One day, one of the troopers said, "Tomo, I don't know what it is but I feel that someone is with me inside my body. Could it be I may be experiencing the same thing as you?"
Tomo and the doctors, and the scientists all gathered.
At first, on the monitor, they saw horizontal static. The trooper seems to be fighting off something within him. It was then that Tomo tried what Tiara did to him, to help him. Tomo tied a ribbon to his fingers, exactly like Tiara did. Only this time, it's got to be the trooper who handled the ribbon, as Tomo did not have Tiara's power. "Pull the ribbon when you feel him trying to push you." The trooper did as he was told, and Tomo who was on watch said, "push him as hard as you can. Now! The horizontal static suddenly appears in the room. It was Theo. It seems that he was trying to find a stronger person to embody.
They almost caught Theo, but just when they almost got him, the static blew up, and Theo lay lifeless on the floor. Everybody heaved a sigh of relief as the trooper is now safe.
This incident only makes more questions. So the casing and the static both died. If Theo was just a casing. who's inside Theo?" It could be one of the statics that I brought with me, the weaker one. They searched through old data and found out that he was in the same penitentiary as Jun, and listed as Karl's soldier. It means, one is gone, and at least, still two to go.
A lot are still unanswered and remained a mystery. Tomo only knew that there was a team, now consisting of Alex and Toda. Which is the casing and which is the 'doll'?
Who knows Alex? Can anyone tell me about him?
"Alex and his partner Lou were the maintenance man at The Place. Alex is young and strong while Lou was a middle age man. He once mentioned that he was having health problems. But he didn't say, and I didn't ask him because I don't want to be too personal," said a trooper.
"Did he have any special abilities?"
"Not that I know of," he said
"Try to find out all bout Lou, Alex, and Toda," Tomo instructed his team. "Every detail even the unimportant ones could be important. If you see any of them, take them to the special room at the hospital. Every trooper goes in a team of three.
Tomo and his team work relentlessly. After a few days of hard work, they succeeded in finding out about them. But none of the three had a history of bad conduct or bad personality. "They were all ordinary people. Could it be that they were just shells, and another spirit is now inside them? That could be the answer!" said Tomo intensely.
One scientist said, "With the help of the brain dome, a person can become an electric entity when he left his body, and this electric entity can enter a body of his choice. For the easiest entry, it should choose someone who is considered weak or those who have access to all of the services they need to be in control."
"But now, the dome is destroyed. Maybe that's a good thing, so no one will be able to use it. Now, we have got to find out who is behind all this. Who is brainy and genius enough to come up with inventing a brain dome? If any of you has someone in mind, tell me."
"What about Ryoma?" asked one person.
"Ryoma's dead. Tiara succeeded in eliminating him. And Jun, we saw that he tried to get into Nino, but failed, didn't we? So he has to find someone weaker, as his energy is starting to run out. My guess I think we should be looking for someone that is extra genius, maybe even has other specific abilities like telepathy. Ryoma and Jun couldn't build the dome. If they were the right-hand man, maybe."
Everybody quickly dispersed and start to search for this person.
'What we need is a personal barrier for everyone involved. I already started working on this, months ago and now I am almost finished," Tomo to all the attendees.
"For now, until I finish perfecting this personal barrier for all, I have made this ring. The idea came up when Tiara asked me to use the traditional ribbon and bel, to send signals if an entity is entering your body, and we have seen, that this works," said Tomo emphasizing.
"What you have to do is wear it, especially when you're asleep because we thought when the body is resting, it is the weakest time and the biggest chance for the entity to enter the body. So don't take it off when you go to bed. And the most important thing is that you have to be within the range of at least 5 meters from a monitor or receiver. Otherwise, it will not work."
"So please, if it is not anything extremely important, don't go to other places, except home and the office. Take your mobile pad everywhere you go, even to the loo, so you will always stay connected," explained Tomo. When the attendees stayed quiet, Tomo ended it, by saying. "I will try to finish the additional barrier of your ring as soon as possible, so we will mass produce it for everyone to wear.
As the attendees are mostly scientists, doctors, nurses, pilots, troopers, and guards. Tomo felt sure that for the time being it is enough to protect them while also minimizing their latitude.
The emergency monitor will constantly be monitored for 24 hours, Guards will take turns every 6 hours, so enough rest for everyone.
On the other hand, Tomo is sure that now 'they know that we know, especially since the elimination of Theo. And that is why the game is now on and tends to be dangerous and rough, even lethal.
Everybody quickly dispersed and start to search for Lou or the static, which probably is Jun.
Tomo went to see Nino at the hospital. He certainly looks better. Though he still did not say anything. He kept his mouth shut.
Tomo now knew that Nino is the genius behind the dome. The voice he had heard, was Nino's and it was to distract him. Tomo also remembered that the only room for captives, is where Tiara was held, and the pantry was too narrow for a wheelchair to enter. So it could be that Nino was the one who shoved the drink and food which contains sedatives. And he could be the owner of the room.
It was now a week after the meeting with Nino, and Tomo is still perfecting his 'barrier'. And yet, he wasn't feeling sure.
He was still sitting in front of his monitor when a bleep from his father was heard.
"I have a blueprint of what I think can take Tiara to the year she should be in. It is not perfect. I know my limit. My brain is not as good as before. But maybe it could give you an idea.
"You know what, the earth is now a better place. There are still areas that were not totally affected by the doomsday. And it's the perfect place to live. But I will keep trying to heal the injured and flawed areas. Good luck son. You need it, said Tomo's father, ending the call.
Tomo immediately studied the blueprint but soon got distracted by an alarm from the emergency monitor. He hurriedly went out, but immediately went in again to save the blueprint in a place where it couldn't be hacked.
What he did not realize is that a blurry figure was watching him, and has made a change to the blueprint, and also heard that Tiara was non-existent.
Tomo went to see what happened. Doctors and nurses on duty were already there.
One of the senior scientists, a man 60 years old, was lying on the bed.
"He's okay now," the doctor told Tomo.
He told Tomo, "As I was on guard, I saw a figure appear in front of me, but no static. It was blurry. it was like a cloud of smoke. Though I felt that he was only watching me After he was gone, there was this diagonal static, without a shell. That was when I panicked. I guess that triggered the alarm."
Then, after a moment, he said, "I don't think he's a stranger to me. I felt I knew him from somewhere, but I don't remember."
"No worries. Get healthy soon. We need you, you know," Tomo smiled while holding his hand.
"Thank you, you are a good man, son."
"Thank you, sir, " Tomo replied with pure and honest feeling
Tomo was kept constantly busy, especially with making the individual barrier, which unfortunately took longer than he expected.
He also monitored the actions of the three suspects. He realized that Lou and Alex barely left the house. Toda is now doing the groceries buying. No one replaced Theo, which means the static inside Theo has died. "So Jun is the person in control now, but he's not as strong as Ryom, while the other one will be easier to eliminate."
What Tomo doesn't know was, that since they know that Tiara wasn't there, they felt that now is the time to plan for the attack. Even when he watched and listened to their conversation inside the share house.
"I don't know what happened to Ryoma. Where is he? Lou spoke angrily.
"Maybe Tomo and Tiara eliminated him," said Alex.
It was very surprising for Tomo since it was said that Lou was a quiet middle-aged man who is unwell. How could he show that kind of rage?
Everyone kept quiet. They seem to be really scared of Lou. Who could be in Lou's body? Lou hit the wall in frustration. "It must be Jun," said Tomo to himself.
Suddenly, Tomo saw that Lou sensed his spying activity. So Tomo abruptly made a cut-off. Thus he failed to catch what someone on the monitor said to A;ex and Toda. The person said laughing," Tiara is not here, So this is our opportunity to destroy Tomo and this place."
"But first I have to find a better shell. This body is deteriorating, and Nino is a hard shell. I'll have to get him before this body expired"
"That's what you get when you choose someone that weak", said the person.
"We'll start preparing. And we'll do the attack in a week. At exactly the 30th. You know what you have to do. No mistakes!" And the monitor turned off.
Tomo felt sure it is Jun. He called the troopers to ambush the shared house. But he was sure that Jun is not the brain. He never will be." As soon as he said those words, suddenly Tomo remembered what he felt he missed in the second dungeon. "It must be Nino. Was he brainwashed or is it that he is the leader and the brain?"
Tomo slumped back in his chair. He didn't know the answer yet, and he felt he was numb in trying to create the barrier. So he decided to look at the blueprint his father had given. He studied it quietly.
All of a sudden, he heard his mom's voice say, 'Be careful Tomo. He is watching you" and that's it.
The entity looked around him. Tomo is using the ring. It could stop him from getting close, but it doesn't stop him from being able to see what Tomo was working on.
Tomo abruptly stopped working. He protected the documents so they could not be seen or hacked. He went to the workshop immediately, to his office where he already installed a static. An anti-viewing and anti-entering.
So it is now safe to open the document. But before that, he programmed this anti-static for his home and Tiara's home and installed them.
He quickly focuses on his barrier, since he knows how important it was, especially since what happened just now. He didn't get an eye shut for almost 3 days, and finally, he perfected the barrier. He lay on his day bed, so exhausted as he never felt before. In just seconds, he fell asleep. A deep sleep.
He woke up and it was evening. He stood and went to his monitor. It was already the next day. Tomo slept for a whole 24 hours. "Goodness, how can I sleep this long? What if something happened during my sleep?"
Tomo rushed out of his room and come face to face with Dave, his trusted scientist. "Thank you for perfecting the ring. I received your message in private, so no possibility of a leak. and we are in the process of perfecting every ring for every member of the community.
At first, he didn't quite understand what Dave was saying. Then he remembered, that before he slept, he touched the 'sent' button to Dave because he couldn't waste any more time.
"Thanks, Dave. I really appreciate the hard work."
Dave put his thumbs up and told Tomo he was going to see the work. "Like to come?"
"Sure do," said Tomo and walked alongside him.
Some of the troopers changed into their everyday clothes and pretended as if visiting their neighbor and gave the barrier ring to the occupants.
Some gave them during a picnic, some when visiting the cafes. The doctors, nurses, mailmen, and teachers all spread the rings, discreetly. At least now the community won't be a victim of the body take-over act.
And everyone was to fill their food and medical supplies. They were also asked to stay at home. Schools and other studies will be held online. And especially to keep all this information to themselves and not tell anyone. If they know anyone who didn't get this information, immediately have to call the troopers.
Meanwhile, Jun, still inside Lou's body, was choosing his victim, He hated Lou's body. It was old and weak. He couldn't last a week. I need to get to Nino and if possible, gained access to the workshop. He needs to get one quickly as the attack is in the countdown.
He got to Nino's house that night. He was able to control Nino's mind though he failed to possess the body away. He became weaker.
Tomo, on the other hand, was busy checking the barrier ring, to see if the detector for knowing the existence of astatic, so who is inside one's body could be known. He was glad that it work during a simulation.
Lou decide to go for a walk in the evening, as he had found his victim, a trainer. A very good shell, but I think I have to find somebody easier.
As he walked, he noticed that everything was quiet. He sensed that something is amiss. Shops and cafes are closed. He immediately reported this to his team, while he kept on walking, to his target's house.
In his office, Tomo received an emergency call. "I remember him I remember him. The grey cloud-like smoke looks like JJ. I am almost very sure it was JJ."
Tomo was exasperated. JJ died years back. What made him come here? Could the elderly man mistook him for someone else, after all , it had been years since they met,
Tomo instantly told the troopers to search for Lou or Jun again. He was immediately seen in the trainer's area. The troopers then got hold of Lou. But just as they were taking Lou, suddenly the static got out of Lou's body. and the troopers were flung away from the static and a couple of seconds later, the static could not be seen anywhere. It was as if, he was hidden away.
Another team of troopers was sent to the share house. But it was empty.
Now, they had to look for Toda and Alex.
"So as I thought, there is someone behind this. They were only part of the team." Tomo searched, but couldn't pinpoint who. His mind went back to Nino and why Tiara, refused him as her apprentice."
But Tomo couldn't be sure. In the end, he decided to visit Nino, as a friend, maybe he would find out what was going on.
Nino was sitting outside on the porch. In front of his home, as if expecting Tomo.
"Good evening Tomo. I've guessed you were coming."
"I've wanted to visit you for a long, but I seem to never have the time," It was the truth, and Tomo tried to keep his mind clean and free of suspicion, as he know Nino has a telepathic ability.
"Yes, thank you for still remembering me."
Tomo bowed the Japanese way and took his seat.
"How are you doing Nino? It must have been very excruciating to be held captive like that. I have to admit, I am at fault. I didn't Help Tiara on time until it was too late. I have failed her." I can't stop blaming myself, for letting you and Tiara suffer!" Tomo said it from his heart, without any pretenses. He did feel extremely guilty.
Nino felt that Tomo was talking from his heart, and knew that he was honest. So unintentionally, his tears blurred his eyes. Nino, exhaled, to keep the tears from falling. Tomo saw this and felt that Nino's feeling was real. He just couldn't believe that Nino is evil.
"I have to stay strong. I cannot be weak, Nino said to himself. "This could be a trap!"
After a long silence, Nino asked, "Can I help you in your workshop? I really would like to see it, at least."
"Actually since I've known you, I want you to be Tiara's apprentice. But, after everything that you've been through, being held captive, and having to heal or get over it, I thought that since you are still so young, you have a lot of time ahead of you, and I thought, maybe, you needed time to be on your own, and when you feel up to it you will not feel hesitant to come to me or Tiara, Tomo explained truthfully what he had thought. "I hope I'm not wrong."
'If I'm not mistaken, Tiara told me that you and Tiara made a promise to talk, But when she got there, you never showed up. Tiara was very worried. She wanted to check if you're okay, and she asked for my help. I couldn't find anything about you. So I thought Tiara must have the wrong name, or you just changed your mind about talking to her. "I'm sorry we didn't find you in time. I will always regret the mistake that I made.
Nino shook his head, not saying a word. Both are occupied with their own thoughts. So everything's so quiet, you could hear a needle drop, until Tomo bid farewell.
"Just come, anytime, if you need someone to talk to." He then said goodbye.
Tomo walked home. His mind was still full of thoughts about the conversation with Nino. A minute later, he realized something. "I mentioned that he was held captive in the dungeon, and he didn't deny it. Is it true that he was held captive? It couldn't be. The 2nd dungeon had only one bedroom for a wheelchair, the room where Tiara was held, and a pantry that a wheelchair couldn't access.
"So where was he held? It's impossible in the first dungeon because it had been closed long ago. after they don't need to build anything anymore. Could it be he's the one who build the brain dome? and the one who brought food to Tiara?
Tomo thought that it was possible. He gave the information to Dave, but he mentioned that he doesn't want to make a hasty conclusion. Especially since he had a talk with him, in which he sounded sincere. But on one side, Tomo still thought that he had to be careful .....
The next day, he saw Alex on the monitor. He was on the porch when Lou suddenly came out. It looks like he controlled Alex. When Tomo zoomed in, Toda was sitting on the sofa like a ragged doll. So, Jun handled both.
He must have a blue ball of some sort so he could control people's minds. But Lou's body was not a perfect shell. Maybe he had Alex and Toda as his backup shell?
Tomo knew he had to prepare the troopers. He held a meeting where he sternly said. "I know Jun and mostly everyone thinks, I may not be able to handle the situation when Jun and his horizontal statics, attack. But I will try with my life. He told them what he saw. That Jun was controlling Alex and Toda. It must be because he still has the blue ball or some sort."
Tomo then admitted that he has helped Jun in creating the ball. That's how I know he's not a genius. There is now another genius behind Jun.
"I know he's not evil. he's mostly an innocent young man, and Jun had brainwashed him. Or maybe he was as stupid as me to believe in Jun."
"You're not the only one to be fooled. Jun fooled all of us, "Dave said clearly. and the troopers nodded and agreed."
"Thank you."
After a pause, he said "I want him to stay alive if it's possible, and Alex and Toda too. For Lou, since he's the main shell of Jun, it will be difficult to save him. But please try," he said as he looked at the medics.
I know that they will soon attack, but I don't know when. Just be prepared.
The early attack
It was early morning. People were still outside when the siren rang. Tomo walks out hurriedly. He saw Alex walking to the square. He called people to get out of the house, or else he will blow the house down. Suddenly a garage blew up. It made a few people comply. Then there was another blast. And people start rushing out of their houses. The houses did not close down as most are out of the houses.
Tomo did not see Jun. He must have meant to sacrifice Alex to do the dirty work for him. But he also knew that this is not the real Alex. For as the record show, the static inside Alex is also a person who was once in the slammer.
So where is Jun? Tomo was sure that Jun was watching the blow-up, how he made the community scared and in despair. Tomo knew that Jun would feel triumphant and think he had won. Although Tomo wasn't really sure whose body Jun used as a shell, so he was not looking for the person, he was looking for the hand that held the blue ball.
The troopers immediately shot Alex, not to kill Alex, but just to injure him, with the hope that the horizontal static would get out of Alex's body. The plan worked. As Alex fell, the horizontal static got out and tried to enter whoever was near him, but he failed since Tomo has made a barrier for all. So when he didn't get anyone to be possessed, he became weaker and finally blew up, with nothing left as a trace except for a burning smell.
Tomo saw someone hiding behind a wall, But he can see that the person is holding a blue ball in the palm of his left hand, and Tomo saw he still had the limp as he shifted to another position, while still hiding behind a wall. He was sure it was Jun, as he knew that Jun was in a wheelchair.
Tomo walked in large strides. As he was walking toward where Alex lay, he saw troopers carrying Alex to safety. Tomo gave a sign of thank you. Now, Jun has taken over and stayed inside Toda's body. He waited until he can see Jun clearly.
Jun was surprised because Tomo saw him first. He never expected that Tomo was ready for him when he heard Tomo say," Surprised that I saw you first Jun?"
"And how are you Jun, not bored hiding yet?" said Tomo. "Hiding inside Lou, and now inside Toda. Are you so cowardly that you can only hide behind other people and not show yourself? Tomo sneered. "Where's your static backup?" he asked. And Tomo laughed. "Oh I forgot, they're both defeated. So it's only you now, hiding behind a child. How pathetic!"
"Do you know what is the worst of all? You let the static in Alex do the blow-up! "Boom," Tomo said while making a hand signal like a bomb blowing up., while you kept hiding."
As he could see the grim expression on his enemy's face, Tomo continued, "Surprised that I knew?" Said Tomo calmly. His eyes were cold and penetrating. From the corner of his eye, he could see Jun's finger pressing the ball, and he was suddenly thrown back.
The troopers moved, but he signaled them to stop. He stood up again, without taking his eyes off Jun. "Is that all you can do? Press your little blue ball and let someone else do the dirty work for you?" Tomo sneered while taking one step closer to Jun.
"Do you think I'm just a nerdy jerk like you?" He sneered again. Tomo had this dangerous look on his face, that even his team never saw.
He was thrown again, harder this time. Jun pressed harder on the ball as he was getting very emotional and angry. Tomo knew that getting angry lowers the energy and now Jun's energy was at its lowest.
Tomo stood up again, and even though a bit wobbly this time, he still moved a step forward toward Jun. He could see that Jun was becoming a lot weaker.
"Still think I'm useless without Tiara? Really? You know what, You're the one who is weak. Oh, you're smart alright, but just as smart as a kid able to solve a puzzle. " Tomo kept mocking and ridiculing him until he saw that Jun almost couldn't control his anger.
Before Jun had the chance to push the ball, Tomo pushed his. It was the ball that he confiscated from Jun which he at first thought was the only one, but unfortunately, Jun still had one.
Jun was shocked and static started to show. He was not ready for the sudden attack from Tomo. But Tomo was ready. He had made a calculated move. Tomo had found out that emotions will weaken the user so a hit might get the person off the body. And it did. The troopers immediately took Toda to safety.
The static started to embody when Tomo hit it again The static was out of the body. He stood face to face with Jun. But suddenly, Jun's static was gone.
People who saw it gaped unbelievingly. But not Tomo, He knew the tactics.
"Hiding inside Nino, Jun?" Tomo said sternly. Why can't you just face me, or hold me captive as you did to Tiara?" I knew you are just a nerdy coward. You even cannot build the brain dome alone."
That hit it. It hit Jun hard, He felt as if he was back in time when he was bullied.
Tomo once again got thrown. But his time, he couldn't see where Jun is. Dave gave an eye signal. He glanced at Nino who was on his right side, hiding behind a corner of a house. He guessed that's where Jun is. he signaled to the troopers to get everybody inside the house.
He then signaled the troopers to get into a position where they can see Nino clearly. Tomo stayed on the ground and waited until everybody went inside the house before he decided to make his move.
"Too weak to move, eh Tomo? The bully cannot move." Jun laughed a shrieking laugh. He was back to his school days when he was the victim trying to get back, by murdering the bully.
"I can kill you just in a second, you know that don't you?" he moved a bit as from his position, he cannot really see where Tomo is.
Tomo shifted to his left, as a trooper signaled, that everybody and the houses starts to close down.
"Always the savior eh Tomo!" He shouted as he saw the steel shutters closing in on the houses. "You and Tiara are the worst. You don't even care about yourself, or do you really want to die so badly? He laughed again.
"Show yourself!" Jun shouted. "I'm not going to lose or die. You are!"
"Tomo slowly got up while calculating, how many steps will it take for him to get to where Jun is hiding. He stood up, shifting more to the left so he was totally unseen by Jun. He glanced at the troopers and give a sign. They stood still, Not even a nod. They were afraid that Jun will see their sign. They're sure Tomo will understand.
"I said show yourself! Coward!" Jun's shout could be heard miles away. But Tomo kept quiet. He kept shifting slowly so as not to make a sound until he got to the shortest distance to where Jun is.
Jun became more restless and agitated. In a voice full of rage, he shouted." Do your job. Finish him.". He gave Nino the order.
"So as I guessed, you couldn't have made that brain dome. You're too dumb. I knew it had to be Nino. You brainwashed him, as you tried to do to Tiara. But Tiara was too strong for you. So you chose a kid?" Tomo laughed out loud, trying to make Jun lose more of his energy.
A flash suddenly appeared and hit the ground just inches beside Tomo. Tomo ran towards Jun. "If I'm killed, I'll take Jun with me," he swore to himself.
"I know you can hit better. You cannot betray me," Jun yelled saying wrath. He was extremely angry with Nino.
Another flash hit the ground, throwing dirt until miles high. and Tomo felt a sudden piercing pain and saw his arm bleeding, and a round grass-shearing knife stuck in his arm. He knew too well not to pull it off for it can cause heavy bleeding.
Tomo can feel where Jun is. He knew that Jun controlled the person's mind and in seconds will tell him to attack again. And he did.
Just as the flash come again, Tomo jumped and grabbed Jun by surprise, and turned him in the direction of the flash. At the same time, the trooper shot Jun. It hit both of them hard. Jun's static was weak, but he was still able to shout, "Do it again!"
But this time, Nino said, "No, I'm not going to kill him." Tomo looked up, yes, it was Nino. He turned towards Jun. He rebelled. "You are the evil one. Tomo has done nothing bad. I was under your influence. You brainwashed me."
Nino turned to look at Jun and strike. An electric static run through Jun's weak static and it dimmed and died. Jun was defeated.
Nino stood in front of Tomo. "I'm sorry Tomo. Forgive me. I am weak."He then put a finger to his forehead.
Tomo knew what Nino was going to do, he leaped and grabbed Nino's hand, stopping him from shooting himself, stopping from committing suicide.
But a grey cloud-like figure appeared out of nowhere/ It took Tomo's hand from Nino, and crunched it until he by reflex let go of Nino's hand, but not until Nino whispered, "Be careful of a thorn in your flesh, He hates you more than Jun did."
Seconds later Nino again put his fingers to his head and shot himself.
"Noooo!!" Tomo cried, holding Nino in his arms, not even bothering his bleeding arm or his crunched fingers.
Tomo was deep in sadness and feelings of guilt for not being able to save Nino, which made he was unaware of his surrounding until a dark shadow came upon him.
The trooper never stopped shooting at the grey cloud-like figure. But to no avail. The lasers and bullets just went through it.
It took Tomo by the collar. The grey shadow raised its arm and was about to pull Tomo's heart out when something not visible to human eyes, stopped the grey shadow and the shadow vanished.
something must have stopped Tomo from falling as he can be seen floating and set slowly on the ground.
Who could have laid Tomo down so lightly as if not to bring more pain than Tomo could endure?
Is it Tomo's guardian angel? Is it Tiara?
Tomo went unconscious. Nino's heed of warning was still in his head. A thorn in his flesh, Who could have hated me that much?
But his last words before he was unconscious, were... "Thank you, Tiara."