Touka woke up first, feeling the warmth of sunlight filtering through the small inn window. He sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the tranquil blue sky outside. Yet, his heart was anything but calm. The thoughts of parasites, Omnivorax, and a fate that seemed to relentlessly chase him gnawed at his mind. He knew he had to learn more about the growing threat—but he didn't know where to start.
After a moment, Touka got up and began preparing himself. As he pulled on his jacket and gathered their belongings, he switched on the TV, hoping to catch some useful information. The faint noise of the broadcast barely registered—until a tense voice from the anchor pierced through his thoughts.
"An unusual phenomenon is occurring in the city center. A massive object, resembling a meteor, is hovering above the skyline. Citizens are panicking, and authorities are scrambling to analyze its origin."
Touka froze, his eyes locked on the screen. The image of the hovering object—a colossal entity radiating a sinister aura—sent his pulse racing. Something deep inside him stirred, warning him of a greater danger.
The screen shifted to a serious-looking expert. "This object... it's not a regular meteor. We believe it to be the same entity that appeared 15 years ago, during the first Omnivorax attack on Earth. Back then, we didn't understand what controlled it, but now… we are certain. This entity is Xaldrak, the master of Omnivorax."
The name "Xaldrak" slammed into Touka's mind like a hammer. It felt foreign yet disturbingly familiar, as though it had always been lurking in the shadows of his memory. He clenched his fists, his chest tight with unease.
The expert's voice grew heavier. "Xaldrak is a being of immense power. It commands the Omnivorax, orchestrating their attacks. The events of 15 years ago should have been the end of it all… but now it's returned, and its purpose remains unknown."
Touka's breathing quickened. This wasn't just about monsters or parasites anymore. Something larger was at play—something intertwined with his own existence. A parasite in his body. A force bigger than himself.
The door creaked softly as Laura stepped out of the room, rubbing her eyes. She paused when she saw Touka standing rigidly by the TV, his face unreadable but his eyes distant.
"Touka? What's wrong?" Laura's voice was cautious, concern lacing her words.
Touka glanced at her, then turned off the TV. The silence that followed felt heavy. He took a breath, steadying himself.
"Laura, we have to leave," he said firmly.
Laura blinked, startled. "Leave? Why? What happened?"
Touka met her gaze, his tone low and serious. "Xaldrak has returned. And I think… the parasite they left behind—the one they're looking for—is inside me."
Her eyes widened in disbelief. "What are you talking about? What does that mean?"
Touka's jaw tightened. He wasn't sure how much she could handle, but he couldn't keep hiding the truth. "I don't have all the answers yet. But I need to find someone who might. The old man I met before—he knows about Omnivorax and the parasites. He might know about Xaldrak too."
Laura hesitated, her lips pressing into a thin line. "That old man? The one from before? Can you really trust him?"
"I don't know," Touka admitted, his voice softening. "But he's the only lead we've got."
---
The morning air was crisp as they walked through the quiet streets. Touka moved with purpose, but the weight of uncertainty clung to him. Laura walked a step behind, her expression conflicted. She wanted to trust him, but the fear of the unknown gnawed at her.
When they reached the park where Touka had first met the old man, they found him sitting on a bench, bathed in the golden glow of the morning sun. His wrinkled face held an air of wisdom, but his sharp eyes betrayed the weight of untold secrets.
"Sir," Touka called out as he approached.
The old man looked up, a faint smile curling on his lips. "Ah, the restless young man returns. I see you have questions."
Touka nodded, his voice steady despite the turmoil within. "I need answers. About Xaldrak. About Omnivorax. What happened 15 years ago? And why is this happening again?"
The old man studied Touka for a moment, his gaze piercing. Finally, he sighed, as though the weight of the past was too much to bear.
"Xaldrak," the old man began slowly, his tone grave, "is not just the commander of Omnivorax. It is the source of everything. The first invasion, the destruction, the terror—it was all part of Xaldrak's design."
Touka's fists clenched at his sides. "So it's back now. Why? What is it after?"
The old man's expression darkened. He leaned forward, lowering his voice. "Xaldrak doesn't just want to destroy Earth. It's searching for something. Something it left behind 15 years ago. And that something… is inside you."
Touka's breath caught in his throat. The old man's words hung in the air like a curse, suffocating and inescapable.
Laura took a step closer to Touka, her voice trembling. "What… what does he mean, Touka?"
Touka didn't answer immediately. His mind raced, trying to piece together the fragments of truth he'd been given. Finally, he turned to Laura, his voice soft but resolute. "It means… I'm part of this. Whether I like it or not."
The old man stood, his movements slow but deliberate. "If you want to end this, you'll have to face Xaldrak head-on. But be warned—what lies ahead is more dangerous than anything you've encountered before."
Touka's eyes hardened, a fire igniting within him. "I don't care how dangerous it is. If Xaldrak wants what's inside me, then I'll make sure it never gets it."
Laura hesitated, fear flickering in her eyes. But as she looked at Touka, she saw the determination in his gaze, the unwavering resolve that had kept them alive so far. She swallowed her doubt and nodded.
"Then we face it together," she said softly.
Touka glanced at her, surprised. But he nodded back. "Together."