Weeks passed, and the pressure from Commander Elric only intensified. Hikari knew he had to be careful, or everything would be lost. Amid the chaos of his research, his life took an unexpected turn when he bumped into a woman while walking through the crowded streets of Bulham.
She was carrying a stack of books, and they both nearly toppled over from the impact.
"Oh! I'm so sorry!" Hikari exclaimed, bending down to pick up the scattered papers.
The woman smiled warmly as she crouched down beside him to help. "No harm done," she said, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "I should've been paying more attention."
Their eyes met for a brief moment, and in that instant, something changed in Hikari. She introduced herself as Mary, and from that moment on, they found themselves running into each other more often. Soon, these accidental meetings turned into intentional ones, and Hikari realized that he had feelings for her.
Mary was unlike anyone Hikari had ever met. She was kind, compassionate, and most of all, she understood the cruelty of the world. As they spent more time together, Mary confided in him that she had once been a slave, forced to serve wealthy masters until she escaped. Hikari, though not physically enslaved, was a slave to his own research, forced to work in the lab against his will by those in power.
One night, as they sat together beneath the stars, Hikari told Mary about his work in the lab and the meteorite. He explained that he was trying to unlock its mysteries, but something far more dangerous lurked beneath the surface. "The meteorite," Hikari said softly, "it's not just a source of power. It's something more... something alive. And it's choosing people, but I don't know why."
Mary listened carefully, her hand resting on Hikari's. "You're trying to protect people, aren't you?"
He nodded. "I am. But there's only so much I can do. People like Commander Elric want to exploit it, and if they succeed... the world will only get worse."
As time passed, Hikari and Mary grew closer. Eventually, Hikari proposed to her, and they were married in a small, quiet ceremony. But even in the joy of their new life together, Hikari knew that the world was still a dangerous place. The powers granted by the Arc Serum were becoming more widespread, and more people were being chosen. The authorities were beginning to crack down on anyone who displayed these abilities, fearing the threat they posed.
When Mary became pregnant, Hikari realized that their children would inherit the world's broken system. If they couldn't stop it, their children would be born into a life of slavery and oppression. So, Hikari made a difficult decision.
One evening, after discussing the state of the world with Mary, Hikari explained his plan. He had managed to isolate a small amount of Arc Serum and had developed a compound. It was risky, but it could potentially grant their child the power needed to fight back.
"We can't stop this alone," Hikari said, his voice filled with determination. "But maybe our children can."
Mary, who had suffered so much at the hands of the rich and powerful, agreed. She, too, wanted a better world for her children. With her permission, Hikari injected her with a dose of the Arc Serum, hoping that their children would be born with the strength to end the suffering once and for all.