It was quiet in one of the alleys of Shono City until...
"Agghhh!" A boy with dark green hair sprinted down the narrow streets, his footsteps bouncing off the walls, wind seemed to swirl around him.
Glancing over his shoulder, He spotted flashes of purple light chasing after him.
"Where are you going, Gale? If you just give up, we can end this nuisance." a girl's voice called out, light yet strangely unsettling, from somewhere behind.
"Why is this happening to me?! What's going on?!" Gale shouted, his green eyes wide as he looked up. The sky was completely black, no, not from the nightfall, but from some strange, dark barrier formed by mysterious wall that was now trapping that part of the city.
And suddenly...
Boom!
...a burst of purple light exploded behind him, sending debris flying everywhere. The blast ripped through the alley.
Quick on his feet, Gale jumped aside, but before he could react further, the shockwave sent him flying into a nearby wall.
Fortunately, the energy blast itself had missed him, but it kept going, tearing through everything in its path.
"R-Rotten luck..." His ear rang as he tried to get back on his feet, the green eyes flickered to black, and the swirling wind also dissipated when he stopped moving
Tap. Tap. Thunk.
Through the dust, a girl stepped through the hole the explosion left. Her thistle eyes were glowing, piercing through the dust screen, her regal cane thunking on rubble.
"Tessa, why are you doing this?!" Gale grimaced, struggling to get back up. His greenish-black hair, messy and only partly dyed, was coated in dust, and blood trickled down from his forehead, making his black eyes look even darker and more intense as he tried to focus.
"Didn't I already tell you?" Tessa's smile appeared as the dust settled, her purple hair shining as she leaned on her cane. "I'm here for you."
You're probably wondering how we got here. Well, let's rewind a bit...
---
Earlier That Morning
Gale Johnson always felt like an outsider, even more so now in Japan.
The school hallway buzzed with chatter and laughter as students crowded around their lockers. Gale moved through them like a gust of wind, head down, hoping to avoid notice. He didn't want any attention, it always brought whispers.
"Is that the foreigner kid?"
"Yeah, the one with the weird hair."
"Why doesn't he just dye all of it?"
His half-dyed hair made him stand out, but that wasn't the only reason. His Japanese wasn't perfect, and his accent didn't help. Teachers often repeated themselves for him, and his classmates would snicker when he spoke.
Ignoring the whispers, Gale made his way to his locker. He was used to it by now—no matter how hard he tried to blend in, something always made him stand out in the worst way.
As he fiddled with his locker, two students walked past, their voices just loud enough for him to hear.
"That Gale kid is so weird. Never talks to anyone."
"Maybe he doesn't understand us..." one of them laughed.
"... Or maybe he thinks he's better than us."
Gale clenched his jaw and yanked his locker open. A pencil slipped out and rolled down the hall. The pencil was unsharpened yet looked pretty worn out, like it was something old.
He bent down to pick it up, but before he could, a pair of shoes stepped in front of him.
"Watch where you're dropping things, foreigner." a boy sneered.
Gale looked up to see one of the popular students in his class, arms crossed and grinning. His friend stood by, leaning against the lockers with an amused smirk.
"Yeah, don't you already have enough trouble understanding how things work here?"
Gale remained silent, shoving the pencil into his bag as he stood up, avoiding their eyes. He knew better than to react, it would only escalate things.
In class, Gale slipped into a seat at the back, trying to disappear. There, he could avoid the stares, the whispers, the ridicule. He stared out the window, watching the clouds float by, indifferent to the world beneath them.
"Hey, Gale!" a voice called from the front. He didn't bother to look up. He knew it wasn't friendly.
"Did you understand the homework this time?" they mocked, waiting for him to mess up so they could laugh.
He stayed silent, pretending not to hear them. But the laughter followed anyway.
'Rotten luck...' He sighed internally and just rolled his eyes, there was nothing he really could do.
"Settle down, everyone, we have a new transfer student joining us today." the teacher voice broke through as he entered the class.
'A transfer student, In this time of the year?' Gale thought as the classroom fell quiet. The door slid open, and all eyes turned toward it.
In walked a girl with long, flowing purple hair. She carried herself with a calm confidence, and in one hand, she held a cane, though she walked just fine.
"This is Tessa Sinclair. She's also a foreigner, like Gale back there." the teacher said
Tessa's soft purple eyes scanned the room, lingering on Gale for a moment longer than necessary before she spoke. Her voice was cool, yet something about her presence felt off.
"You can call me Tessa. I'm from the UK. I hope we get along." she said with a faint smile. Her Japanese was flawless, it's uncanny.
The class fell silent, some students whispering, no one barely paying attention. One thing for sure, unlike Gale, Tessa's presence was instantly felt.
Gale couldn't shake the odd sensation he felt when their eyes met. It wasn't just that she was new, there was something else about her. Something he couldn't quite explain.
'Probably nothing...'
In the end, he brushed it off
---
Lunchtime
Rang... Rang... Rang...
The bell rang, and Gale slipped out of class, lunch box at hand. He glanced briefly to see Tessa surrounded by curious students.
'She'll fit right in. with that kind of dignified vibe, who won't like her.' He thought, walking away
Gale's plan was to escape to the rooftop for some solitude and to have lunch. But just as he approached the stairs, he stumbled onto an unexpected scene, two students, mid-argument, blocking his path to his destination.
"Heh, there's no such thing as ghosts!" declared a boy with a bowl cut, his round glasses glinting under the lights. He had that unmistakable nerdy vibe.
"WHAAAT?! I finally give you a chance to talk to me, and you take a fat dump on it?!" shot back a red-haired girl with a rebellious cool gal aura.
"Hey, don't look down on the occult! especially aliens!"
"Hmmph! I'll have you know my grandma's a psychic" The girl said smugly
"WHAT?!"
"You ever seen a ghost before? They're suuupeer scary! People who got possessed by them started spazzing out like crazy!"
"Spasms are also caused by medical conditions! That's no proof of ghost!" The boy shut down the girl
"Really?! Have you ever been on a UFO ride with some aliens, then?!" The girl shot back
"That's jumping on to conclusions! What're you, an Idiot?!" The boy defended himself
"Uhh..." Gale stood there, trapped between wanting to duck out and being genuinely curious. Interrupting their bizarre bonding session(?) didn't feel right either. They were still firing off when the girl noticed him.
"Hey, you! What do you think? Aliens or spirits?" The Girl asked.
Gale blinked, glancing around to make sure she was talking to him. "Uh, me?"
"Yeah, you, Kusami (Grass-Hair)! Which side are you on?"
"Um... maybe both could be real?" he offered uncertainly.
She squinted. "Why are you asking back?"
"I disagree." the boy muttered, folding his arms.
"I mean..." Gale began, scratching his head, "...they're both supernatural phenomena. If one exists, wouldn't the other probably be real too?"
The girl groaned. "Ugh, taking the middle ground? How am I supposed to beat him with that?"
The boy's eyebrows shot up. "Oh, so you are trying to pick a fight!"
"What if I am?! And it's you who started this in the first place!"
Both of them went back on each other's throats. They absolutely didn't care or noticed Gale's flawed accent, no insult, no weird looks... This's nice.
"How about making a bet?" Gale suggested, attempting to diffuse the tension.
"A bet?" they both echoed, looking at him with identical expressions.
"Yeah. Both of you visit each other's, uh... hotspots. You..." he pointed at the boy. "...can go to a haunted location..." Gale then pointed at the girl. "...and you can go visit a UFO sighting place"
The girl's eyes sparkled. "Ooh, I like it! Alright, Occult-boy, if you lose, you're gonna be my errand boy!"
"And I'll take you to a real UFO... I mean, UAP." The boy shot back "And if you don't find one, you'll be my errand girl, A-Ayase-san!" The boy stammered a bit in the end.
'Ayase, huh?' Gale noted her name as they continued to bicker their way down the corridor, leaving him with a now-clear path to the rooftop. He was relieved... and maybe a little disappointed as they disappeared from view.
'Well, that was fun while it lasted.' he muttered, finally heading to the rooftop.
But before he could take another step, he heard the boy call
"Wait up!"
Gale turned to see him approaching, phone raised.
"Ayase-san said you should join our group chat too..." the boy said. "...To be a judge, or something."
"REA- um, I mean... Oh? I don't mind..." Gale pulled out his phone, and a familiar ping sounded as he joined their chat.
"So... what should I call you? You can just call me Gale btw" Gale said, keeping his usual laid-back expression. Inside, though, his heart swelled with an unfamiliar feeling. Was this... friendship? The thought was almost nostalgic.
'Feels like forever since I made friends.' Gale thought
"My name is Ken Takakura." the boy replied, adjusting his glasses.
"Takakura-san..." Gale repeated, testing the name.
'Ah... That's a mouthful' he thought, but kept the comment to himself.
"Gale... Do you really believe in aliens?" Takakura's sudden question brought Gale back from his own world
"Hmm...It's quite ignorant to say that aliens are impossible to exist, especially with millions of stars out there, but I haven't exactly seen o-"
Takakura interrupted, his expression unreadable, glasses white with light. "Do you think... people who believe in aliens are weird?"
"Umm no, it's just a hobby. As long as they don't force their beliefs onto others, it's fine." For a second, he thought he saw Takakura's face relax, followed by a hint of guilt flashing in his eyes.
"When it's over...I should apologize to Ayase-san..." Takakura mumbled, mostly to himself.
"What's that?"
"N-Nothing." Takakura stammered, quickly brushing it off. "Anyway... I think you should tag along with Ayase-san when we do the bet. We're doing it at midnight, and... well, it might be dangerous for her."
"Sure, I'll try." Gale kept his tone cool, but inside, he was practically yelling 'YESSS! I GOT A FRIEND AND A HANGOUT PLAN!'
He figured I'll try sounded casual enough, but really, he had nothing else going on. He was alone most days, and he could always push back his training a bit if needed.
"See you around, then." Gale waved, before finally, finally, heading up to the rooftop.
"Yeah, see you..."
---
On the rooftop.
Gale pushed open the heavy, metal door to the rooftop and stepped out. The air here was fresher than anything back in his hometown in the U.S.
The rooftop was supposed to be off-limits. The school had reinforced the railings with high, wire walls to prevent anythingunfortunateif you got my drift.
But to Gale, the restriction was more of a loose suggestion. With one quick pick click of the lock, he'd given himself access to the rooftop.
"Ah..." He exhaled, looking out over the schoolyard below, the cityscape, the scenery. People's laughter and shouts all blending together into a soft hum. There is something about the wind and high places always had always drawn him in.
Settling down cross-legged on the floor, he opened his lunchbox. Inside was a simple lunch he'd thrown together that morning, simple sandwich enough to fill him up. As he ate, he let his mind drift, enjoying the gentle hum of the wind.
'It's been a while since I have friends' Gale let his mind wonder, something nostalgic creeping behind his head.
He took out something from his pocket, the old unsharpened pencil
'It reminds me of her... Ulla, where're you now' Gale reminiscing, fiddling with the pencil.
"You're not a fan of crowds, huh?"
Gale nearly choked on his sandwich. He looked up, startled, to find Tessa standing beside him, smiling.
"How did you-?" He shoved the pencil back in his pocket, eyes wide. He was sure he hadn't heard the door open, and he was absolutely certain he'd locked it behind him.
"You looked like you could use some company." she said simply, settling down beside him as if they'd been friends forever. "Mind if I join?"
Gale hesitated. There was something... off about her, unlike Takakura and Ayase.
"Uh... sure..." he mumbled, taking another bite, didn't wanting to seem rude.
They sat in silence for a moment, the breeze rustling through their hair. The setting was peaceful, but Gale couldn't shake the feeling that something was just a little too convenient about her appearance.
"So, what's your story? You're not from around here, are you?" Tessa finally asked, her eyes lingering on him mysteriously.
"No. Why do you care?"
"Well, since we're both foreigners, I thought maybe we could be friends."
"Friends?"
She smiled, unfazed by his guarded tone. "Yeah. But if you're not interested in sharing, I'll start..." She tilted her head, switching effortlessly to English mid-sentence, her British accent soft but unmistakable. "You don't mind talking in English, do you?"
"Uh..."
"Well then..." She cut him off
"I'm here to... study a certain something. I've been looking into them for a while now, and I believe I'll find what I'm after in this city." She gestured toward the buildings below, her eyes sliding back to him, lingering just a bit too long. "Something... significant."
"Something? Like what, ghosts or aliens?" Gale asked, recalling his earlier encounter with Ayase and Takakura.
"Not exactly..." she replied, an eerie glimmer in her eye. "It's... for research."
She looked at him then, her expression softening, though her smile remained. "And you? What brought you to Japan, Gale?"
"Nothing as interesting as yours..." he shrugged, a little on guard. "Just chasing a dream. Nothing special."
She tilted her head, studying him. "You had to come all the way to Japan for it?"
"I don't want to talk about it. It's... a bit embarrassing."
"Eh... You're no fun." she said with a small laugh, rising to her feet and brushing dust from her skirt.
"Anyway, lunch break's almost over. Better finish that sandwich."
Gale glanced at his half-eaten lunch. "Oh, right-" He started to eat faster, but before he knew it, he was already choking on a bite.
"Whoa, easy there, You're so careless." Tessa laughed.
Gale coughed, finally managing to swallow the bite that nearly did him in. He glanced up at Tessa, but her expression had changed, her gaze lingered on him for a moment, unreadable.
"What is it?" he asked.
"Nothing, By the way, are you busy this afternoon?" she said
"Not really, but I have plans later tonight."
"Oh, then maybe you could show me around the city?" she asked, almost too casually. "I'm especially interested in Shono's city center"
"For... research?"
"For research." She shrugged.
Gale hesitated. "Why me?" he asked, trying to read her face. They'd only just met after all.
"Like I said, we're both foreigners. I don't know anyone else yet." She clasped her hands together in mock pleading. "Pretty please?"
"Uh... okay, sure."
"Perfect. I'll see you on the city center park entrance at five" she said, a quick grin crossing her face as she turned to leave.
Gale watched her walk away, feeling unsettled. "Man... She's creepy, but maybe because I barely know her?"
He didn't feel the same light-heartedness he'd felt with Takakura and Ayase even when she tried to make it light-hearted. there was something that just felt off.
He brushed the thought aside again trying to think things in a good light. He and Tessa were going to hang out together later that afternoon. So yeah, that's one more friend to add.
Things had going great for him that day, he got not one, but THREE friends in a day. That's more than he made in the last 2 years.
"Wait... now that I think about it..."
He paused, his face heating up as a thought hit him. "A boy and a girl... just the two of them... exploring the city center... and going to local spots... Isn't that basically..."
"...A DATE?!"
Rang Rang Rang
---
After School
"Rotten luck..." Gale muttered, stepping out of school much later than he'd planned. He'd been stuck in detention for showing up late to class again, and now he was racing the clock.
He headed straight for the bike rack and easily spotted Cyclone, his trusty bike, waiting alone by the wall. Gale patted the handlebars with a sigh of relief. "At least no one messed with you today."
He swung his leg over, gripping the handles as he prepared to race home. "Gotta get changed and be there by five..."
He took off down the street, pedaling hard. The wind whipped past his face as he picked up speed, the buildings and bustling streets of Shono City figuratively blurring around him.
He lived on the city's edge, which meant he'd have to push it to make it back on time. The faster he pedaled, the more the wind seemed to gather around him, swirling almost like it was following him. His eyes somehow flickering bright green glow, as if he was going to reach some next level
People turned to stare as he shot past, some with surprise, others with wide eyes. But Gale was too focused to notice, his mind locked onto one thing, 'Gotta go fast!'
If he were late, he'd look like a total jerk, and he could already imagine Tessa's disappointed look, probably thinking he'd blown her off. He clenched his jaw, the wind somehow intensifying, the cityscape around him blurring even more as he pushed Cyclone harder than he ever had before.
Finally, he rounded the last corner and skidded to a stop in front of his building. The strange wind around him faded as his eyes returned to their usual black. Panting, he looked up at the clock hanging above the entrance.
"Made it" he muttered, breathless.
The next moment, Gale opened his dorm room door, carefully carrying Cyclone up the stairs and setting it down with care by the wall.
He glanced around, then grabbed a fresh set of clothes and headed to the bathroom for a quick shower.
As the water ran, the focus drifted over Gale's room. The room wasn't that big, cheap rent and all. Dumbbells lay scattered on the floor alongside a pull-up bar mounted in the doorway. Posters of Kamen Riders hung on the wall. the posters looked hand made.
On the desk, a green notebook rested on a cushioned corner, a diary of sorts, with scuffs along the edges showing how often it had been used. A Japanese grammar book lay open next to it, with a few notes scrawled in the margins.
In the corner, displayed proudly on a mannequin, was Kamen Rider Shin Ichigo cosplay, complete with the leather jacket and metallic helmet.
The water shut off, and Gale emerged from the bathroom, rubbing his damp hair with a towel. He was dressed in a green hoodie layered over a black T-shirt, with black pants marked by a white stripe down the side.
He ran a hand through his hair, glancing over at Cyclone by the door. "All right, with Cyclone safe here, I can just take the train to get to the city center." he said, grabbing his phone and wallet off the desk.
With a quick look around to make sure he hadn't forgotten anything, Gale stepped out, locking up behind him and heading for the station.
---
City Center
"Rotten luck..." Gale muttered, slumped on a bench near the city center park entrance, his head low and his hand covering his face in frustration. "Late by two minutes... Can't see her anywhere. She must be disappointed, probably thinks I blew her off... There goes my chance of making a new friend..."
He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't notice Tessa returning from a nearby ice cream cart. She'd been waiting for him, after all.
"What's with the drama here?" Her voice pulled him out of his spiral, and he looked up, startled.
"T-Tessa! I thought..." He trailed off, taking in her outfit. a long lavender coat that reached her waist, a crisp white shirt with a orange tie, a black pair of leather gloves, a black skirt, and tall leather boots. She held her usual cane, regal and sturdy, adding to her dignified appearance, though offset by the double scooped ice cream she held.
"What?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "I just went to get some ice cream." She held it up as proof.
"Oh... right," he mumbled, scratching the back of his head.
"Did you think I'd just leave?" she smirked, studying him over her ice cream. "Come on, I'm not that particular. Relax a little. you act like you've never had friends before."
An imaginary Critical Hit sign pierced his head. "Ugh..."
"Now, are we heading off, or would you like to stay and sulk a bit longer?" she teased, taking a slow lick of her ice cream.
"I'm not sulking!" he blurted, jumping up and brushing off his clothes.
"Good. Lead the way, then." She whistled
He nodded, taking the lead as they started walking. "All right, let's start with a quick tour around here."
First, he showed her the nearby mall, pointing out the best place to find anything from souvenirs to quick bites. He motioned toward a bustling café by the fountain, saying, "And if you're ever in the mood for coffee, this place's got the best matcha lattes."
Tessa took everything in with thoughtful nods and casual comments, her gaze flicking over shops, cafés, and street stalls. But Gale noticed her focus was almost always drawn back to him, her gaze steady and attentive in a way that left him a bit unsettled. He shrugged it off, chalking it up to her simply being thorough with her research.
They stopped briefly at a small art gallery displaying traditional Japanese crafts and artwork. Tessa lingered on a display of antique swords, admiring the intricate details.
"I've been reading about these old katana, like Suzushina's Cursed Katana..." she said thoughtfully, her fingers grazing the glass. "They say some of these were made with such skill they became almost... alive."
Gale raised an eyebrow. "Alive?"
Tessa tilted her head with a faint smile. "Just folklore. But they say each of them has a spirit." Her gaze met his, and there was an intensity to her eyes that made him shift slightly.
"So, where to next?" she asked, breaking the moment.
They moved on, Gale pointing out a cozy little bookstore tucked into an alley. He told her about how he'd found a great Japanese grammar book there on his first day and how the owners were always willing to help out foreigners.
"You're lucky to have people who take care of you. Not everyone does."
"Yeah, I guess." He looked at her, wondering if there was something she wasn't saying, but she quickly changed the subject, asking about nearby temples.
As the tour continued, Tessa's comments remained light, but her focus never shifted. It felt like she was less interested in the city itself and more in him, a thought that made his face heat up. Finally, they came to a small bridge overlooking the city's river, its waters reflecting the glow of the setting sun.
Tessa leaned on the railing, watching the water, her expression pensive. "It's peaceful here."
"Yeah, it is." Gale looked out over the view, feeling the calm settle over him as well.
After a quiet moment, Tessa straightened, smirking. "So, is this your usual first-date route?"
Gale's eyes widened, and he sputtered. "F-First date? Wait-no, it's not-"
Her laugh echoed over the river, playful and light. "Relax, Gale. I'm just messing with you."
He scratched his neck awkwardly, a small smile tugging at his lips despite himself.
...'<'
After a long walk through the city center, Gale and Tessa made their way back toward the station as the sky began to darken. The crowds had thinned, and a cool breeze brushed through the city, but the glow of neon lights and shop signs still lit the way.
As they approached the main road, Tessa suddenly stopped, glancing to her left. "Actually... how about we take this shortcut?" She pointed toward a narrow alleyway snaking between two buildings, its dim glow far less inviting than the main street.
Gale raised an eyebrow. "A shortcut? You sure? I thought you didn't know your way around yet."
"Oh, come on...I have a good sense of direction. Trust me, it'll be quicker."
Gale hesitated, glancing back at the well-lit station entrance, but shrugged. "All right, shortcut it is."
They stepped into the alley, the noise of the city muffling around them as they ventured deeper. Gale followed Tessa's footsteps, the alley twisting and turning in unexpected ways. Soon, he noticed it wasn't just quieter, it was silent. No more faint hum of cars or chatter from pedestrians, only the soft, echoing sound of his own footsteps.
"Tessa?" He glanced around, realizing she'd somehow disappeared into the shadows ahead.
There was no response.
"Seriously, Tessa, this isn't funny!" he called, picking up his pace. The alley wound around one last corner, but when he turned it, he found himself alone. The narrow path emptied out onto the open square of the city center again, but something was wrong.
The square was empty.
Gale stepped out, blinking as the streetlamps around him flickered, then went out one by one, plunging the area into darkness. He spun around, looking for any signs of life, but all he saw were high, dark walls that now surrounded the square.
"Hello?" he called out, his voice echoing off the tall walls. His heart pounded, the eerie silence pressing in from all sides. "Anyone?!"
Just as he took a step forward, trying to find his way back, a maniacal laugh echoed from somewhere nearby, a voice he barely recognized but couldn't ignore.
"Tessa?"
Then, from above, the first purple beam struck the ground with a blinding flash.
BOOM!
(End of flashback)
---
Back in the alley
The alleyway was wrecked, walls crumbling down, the ground cracked, trashcans and other scarps littered the ground.
Gale struggled to his feet, blood running down his face. His ears were still ringing from the blast.
"You want me? Hard to believe when you are trying to kill me!" Gale glared at Tessa
"Oh, I am not trying to kill you. I'm just testing your ability, playing you could say... And you know what you're, don't play dumb." Tessa approached, raising her cane.
Gale flinched as she pressed the tip of her cane to his forehead. "I don't know what you're talking about..." he replied, trying to sound confident. But inside, his thoughts were anything but calm.
'How does she know about my ability?!'
At first, he wondered if she might be Unknowns from his dream, after all, it's their duty to hunt down Agitos. But...
"I've been watching people like you, Gale. Ever since I landed on this amusing little planet of yours, I've been searching for anomalies like you"
"Landed?" Gale's eyes narrowed. "Are you... are you an alien or something?"
"Oh, the answer is obvious, don't you think?" She removed her cane from his forehead, smirking.
"Tessa Sinclair is merely a fabrication. My true name is... Whuud Vkrfnhu of the noble Dominion race. But I suppose in your language, you may call me... Terra Shocker!" She tapped her cane to the ground, striking a pose dramatically
"O...kay?" Gale took a step back, trying to process what she'd just said. Alien or not, he hadn't expected her to be so... dramatic. But another realization struck him.
'Wait a second. Alien for real?!'
Tessa, or Terra, leaned in, a glint of excitement in her eyes. "Now, where were we again?" she murmured, tapping the cane against her chin thoughtfully.
"Uh... you were explaining why you want me?"
"Ah, yes! Now, Gale, listen closely. You're an anomaly. Unlike most other unique people on this planet who use the power of the occult, spiritual energy, either borrowing from spirits or innate spiritual energy from self. But you have no spiritual energy what so ever, in return, you possess something unique."
Gale's gaze flickered with a hint of realization as she continued.
"You have something incredibly rare on this backwater planet, I call it a Gemstone."
"Gemstone?" Gale muttered, confused. He'd had dreams about it before, though he'd known it by a different name.
'Isn't supposed to be The Seed of Agito?' he remembered.
"So that research..."
"Yes, it's why I'm here. The Gemstones are part of my... research, Gale. You, with your Gemstone, could be essential to my plans."
"Plans?" Gale's voice wavered as he watched her cane start to glow ominously with purple energy.
"Oh, don't worry, Gale. I simply plan to... modify you to be loyal to me, and help me conquer this planet." She said soothingly, though her smile was anything but comforting.
"Conquer? Damn, this plot's moving way too fast" Gale muttered. He always wanted to be like Heroes from his dream that got modified as cyborgs. They are created to work for evil organization, but they retaliate and fight against their creator.
Terra was already raising her cane, ready to unleash another blast. "Goodbye, Gale." she whispered. A surge of purple energy shot from her cane, illuminating the alley in an eerie glow.
'No way I'll get my head tinkered here!' In split seconds, inside the blinding light, Gale lunged forward, ignoring the dull throb of pain that radiated through his body.
THUD
The next moment, Terra was on the ground, staring up at the sky, a look of pure disbelief on her face.
"What the...?" she gasped, touching her chin in shock. Gale stood over her, his fists clenched
Gale had trained his body to chase after his dream, so he was quite fit
"I hate hurting people, and you don't really give options... but you really need to calm down, Tessa. Or Terra... or Whatever... " Gale started.
"...What I want to say is, if you want to research my so called gemstone, you could. Just no brainwashing or world domination, okay?" Gale offered her a hand
"Heh... you're funny." Terra sneered. Without warning, she thrust her cane forward, a blast of purple energy streaking toward Gale. He barely managed to leap to the side, dodging the attack as it tore through the concrete where he'd just been standing.
Instead of backing off, Gale rushed forward, wind swirling around him, reducing his wind resistance, making him faster, his black eyes flickering to green.
"You really forced my hand, huh!" Gale balled his fist
Terra's eyes gleamed with amusement. "If you think you have the upper hand in close combat, you're sorely mistaken." She tapped her cane to the ground, and with a loud clank, it morphed into an electric whip.
Tessa cracked the whip towards him. It moved in a flash, cutting through the air.
"Rotten luck..." Gale muttered, narrowly dodging as the whip cracked down inches from his shoulder. Quickly, he grabbed a nearby trashcan lid, using it to deflect the follow-up lash. But as he braced himself, Terra's smile grew wider.
"Nice reaction, but... was that really a smart move?" she taunted. With a flick of her wrist, electricity surged through her whip, transferring to the metal lid and shocking Gale instantly.
"Agh!" he yelped, his hands going numb as he dropped the lid, barely managed to dodge another crack.
"Hehehe... If you run, I'll just shoot you down. And if you come closer, I'll whip you into submission... The best option, Gale, is to surrender." She said smugly.
Gale gritted his teeth. 'As if...'
The power he awakened when he arrived at Japan had limitations. For him to channel the wind, he needed movement, running, falling, or anything to catch the wind. But sustaining that wind was the hard part. Without enough momentum, the wind dissipated quickly. His chase through the city, running, wasn't enough momentum to sustain the wind.
Suddenly, a bright flash cut through his thoughts as Terra appeared right behind him. "Boo!" she taunted.
"You-!" Gale swung a punch, but she deflected it easily with her cane, sending a jolt of electricity racing through his arm. He jumped back instinctively, barely avoiding another shock, his jaw clenched.
'She's actually just toying with me! 'He thought, gritting his teeth.
"Can't you see how outmatched you are?" she sneered.
"Here, let me show you a few more tricks." She tapped her cane to the ground, and immediately, metal debris around them lifted into the air, floating ominously.
"Ever heard of electromagnetism?" She mocked, and without warning, she launched everything, pipes, trashcans, even small shards of iron sand sharpened into spear points were hurtling toward him.
"Rotten luck!" Gale muttered as he darted down the alley, weaving and dodging as the projectiles rained down on him. Every step sent fresh jolts of pain through his battered body, but he forced himself to keep moving, his momentum just enough to catch small bursts of wind.
Behind him, Terra laughed, her eyes flashing with excitement. "That's right, Gale! Run! The more you resist, the more valuable my data becomes!"
But his luck ran out. A heavy trashcan clipped the side of his head, sending him sprawling to the ground. Metal junk, shards, and trash clattered around him, dust rising up, clouding the alley.
"Well, well... is that it?" Terra sneered, peering through the dust. "It seems your power doesn't rely on adrenaline, which means brainwashing won't affect your performance." She paused, listening, but there was no sound from within the dust.
"Ha! Looks like he's out." Terra smirked, extending her whip to fish Gale out of the dust. She felt it connect with something solid and tugged, only to feel resistance on the other end.
Grab.
"Oh?" She peered closer, surprised. Gale's silhouette appeared within the dust cloud, gripping her whip tightly.
"Still conscious, are you?" She smirked. "Impressive durability, but you know grabbing my whip is a very poor choice, right!" She charged her cane, sending a shock through the whip to stun him.
But to her surprise, Gale didn't even twitch. As the dust settled, she could see him clearly now.
He was standing strong, holding the crackling whip in both hands. He was wearing thick rubber gloves he must've grabbed from the trashcans she had thrown.
"Thanks for the trash, Terra!" he said with a pained grin
Her smirk faded. "You little- let go!"
"Nope!" Gale yanked on the whip as he rushed forward, his eyes flashing green as the wind started swirling around him again. Terra, who was staggered, barely able to catch his right hook.
"Heh... not bad, but not-"
"Hey, Terra, ever heard of Microburst?" The wind swirling around him gathered in his right hand.
"DON'T YOU DARE!"
That's when she got her confirmation that his power did scale of adrenaline rush. And realized that she played too much with her food.
"RIDER PUNCH!"
A powerful blast of wind exploded from his fist, sending both of them flying. Terra crashed into a wall while Gale skidded across the ground.
"Ugh... damn you... That's it! No more games!" She tried to stand and lift her cane to end this, but...it wasn't in her hand anymore. Gale had it.
He struggled to his feet, still grinning. "Got your nose."
"Why are you grinning for?! Do you think I need that to screw you up!?"She scowled, her eyes glowed thistle, flashing with fury. Electricity crackled at her fingertips, and with a flick of her wrist, bits of iron sand floated from the ground, forming into a buzzing iron sand sword in her hand.
"How unlucky can one guy be..." Gale sighed
Gale observed her unsteady stance, noticing she didn't have as much durability as he did. And without her cane, her electricity was noticeably weaker.
'So that's how it is... Well, she's a noble all right' He threw her cane far away behind, making sure she couldn't take it.
"Gale!" Terra charged at him with her buzzing sword
Gale took a deep breath, feeling the air swirled around him once again.
"Time to knock some wind out of you..." He gave a mocking grin. Not out of confidence, but in an effort to rile her up enough to give him the edge.
Terra slashed her blade toward him. But Gale twisted, dodging just in time. He ducked low, sidestepping her strike, and lashed out with a quick jab that caught her off guard. She stumbled back, barely catching herself, a scowl deepening on her face.
"Guess all that training paid off..." he muttered under his breath, adrenaline coursing through him.
With a growl, Terra raised her hand, a flicker of lightning sparking between her fingers as she tried to charge her sword. But the energy faltered, weaker than before. She glared, teeth clenched in frustration.
"Stay still!" she snarled, firing a surge of electricity toward him.
Gale dodged again, this time more effortlessly, keeping up the mocking grin. He spun around, striking her with a well-aimed kick to the ribs, sending her skidding back.
"Had enough?" he asked, panting, yet ready for more.
"Not even close!" She raised her sword again, but her hands trembled, the sparks flickering. With a scream, she lunged, but Gale ducked, his shoulder slamming into her, throwing her off balance. Before she could recover, he spun and landed a powerful punch squarely on her jaw.
"Grrrrraah!" Terra let out a furious scream and wildly charged forward, trying one last desperate strike. Gale twisted, dodging, then drove his fist forward, letting the gathered wind amplify the impact.
"RIDER PUNCH!" His fist connected, and the blast of wind exploded outward, sending Terra flying backward. She crashed to the ground, her sword dissolving into a scattering of iron dust.
Gale stood over her, breathing hard, his fists still clenched. He watched as Terra's eyes fluttered shut. She was out cold.
He exhaled, letting the last bit of wind dissipate around him. "Oh my Gaim... That's intense..."
Drop
---
He sunk on the ground. Looking at the wrecked alleyway when suddenly, people's voices returned, the damages were gone, and the sky's hue returned to normal... No more ominous walls.
"What should I do now..." He wondered when the phone in his pocket buzzed. He pulled it out, letting out a sigh when he saw the cracked and glitched screen of his phone because of the fight.
He checked the notification. It's from Takakura and Ayase tagging and trying to contact him about the hang out plan. It must have failed to reach him because he was in Terra's barrier.
He skimmed through the chat history. Ayase had nicknamed him Kusami(Grass-hair), despite Takakura's attempts to convince her to just use Gale's real name. Ayase had refused, claiming she was terrible at remembering people's names.
'She was actually serious about that...' He sweat dropped
He also noticed the shared locations for their bet. Takakura had headed to a tunnel rumored to be haunted by the urban legend of Turbo Granny. Meanwhile, Ayase went to an abandoned hospital on the outskirts of the city, where a UFO was sighted.
Both of them were in a group voice call, which he could join. He considered typing out an apology, explaining he couldn't come because of his encounter with Terra of Dominion. He was exhausted and had to figure out what to do with her next...
...But that's when it hit him "They're in danger!"
Gale joined the voice call hurriedly "Come on!"
Ding
===
Ayase: Oh Kusami. Where have you been? Napping?
Takakura: I-It's so dark in h-here Gale-san.
Gale: BOTH OF YOU, GET OUT FROM THERE! SPIRITS AND ALIENS ARE BOTH REAL!
Takakura: What?!
Ayase: Huh? How would you know, Kusami? Are you just trying to scare us~? Or maybe you set something up here? I even saw someone sneaking around, and Takakura mentioned you were supposed to come with me.
Gale: BECAUSE I JUST ALMOST GOT ABDUCTED!
Ayase: For real tho-?
Takakura: GHOOOOOOOSTTT! AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!
Gale: Takakura-san!
Ayase: Hold down! Whatever you do, don't run! Okarun!
Takakura: No way! Impossible! That was just an ordinary granny! It has to be! A weirdo, horny granny!
Ayase: Do not let her overtake you, no matter what! If you lose a race against Turbo Granny... YOU'LL BE CURSED!
Takakura: AAARRGHHH!KKKZZZT
Ding. Disconnected.
Ayase: You are kidding me!
Gale: AYASE-SAN, GET OUT!
Ayase: What are those things...
Gale: Ayase-san!?
Ayase: ...Seriously, cut it out! STEPSTEPSTEPSTEP. RIP CLOTH. DROP.
Ding. Disconnected. Call ended
===
Gale looked at his phone, wide eyed. "No... It can't be..."
A groan sounded behind him, startling him. Terra, who had been unconscious, was stirring awake.
"Rotten luck..." Gale muttered, grabbing her cane as he approached. He knelt beside her and shook her awake. "Hey, wake up!"
"Ugh... You!" Terra snarled, swinging a punch at him. Gale caught her wrist and pinned her down.
BADUM
"W-What the hell are you doing?!" She snapped back(?)
"I need your help." Gale said firmly
Terra glared at him. "And what makes you think I'd help you?!"
"Then let's make a deal!" Gale proposed urgently.
"I'll give you back your cane, let you study my gemstone, or whatever it is, without any brainwashing. You can go on with your world domination plans, but I'll still try to stop you. In exchange, you help me save my friends."
Terra hesitated, eyes narrowing as she searched his face. "You're serious about this?"
"Dead serious..." Gale replied, tightening his grip. "What's your answer?"
…
つづく