Alulu Bostie stood by the car, his hands resting on the door as he glanced back at Rowan, Kyra, and Hinami. The three of them stood in the distance, the city skyline framing their figures. Rowan had his usual grin, a mix of mischief and anticipation, while Kyra's sharp eyes watched Alulu with a hint of concern. Hinami, as always, looked indifferent, though his arms were crossed in a way that suggested he wasn't thrilled about Alulu leaving.
"This is where we part ways," Alulu said, his voice steady.
Rowan raised an eyebrow. "You sure you want to go solo? You know these spheres are unpredictable."
Alulu nodded. "The organization thinks this one's weak. They said it's safe enough for a solo mission, and honestly, I could use the challenge."
Kyra stepped forward. "Just because they think it's weak doesn't mean it is. Be careful, Alulu."
"I always am," Alulu replied with a faint smirk.
Rowan's grin widened. "Don't get yourself killed out there. I still want to see how far you can push yourself."
Alulu chuckled, opening the car door. "I'll be back before you know it. Try not to get into too much trouble while I'm gone."
With that, he climbed into the car, the engine roaring to life as he pulled away from the curb. Rowan, Kyra, and Hinami faded into the distance as Alulu drove toward his destination. The sphere loomed on the horizon, a dark, pulsating mass of energy suspended in the air.
The organization had briefed him before he left. The sphere was supposedly weak, nothing too dangerous, perfect for a solo mission. But Alulu knew better than to underestimate any sphere. They all had their quirks, their hidden dangers.
He tightened his grip on the steering wheel, his blue eyes narrowing as he approached the barrier that surrounded the sphere. The guards at the checkpoint nodded him through without much fanfare, clearly confident in their assessment of the sphere's threat level.
Alulu parked the car near the entrance, stepping out to get a better look at the anomaly. The sphere pulsed gently, its surface shimmering with faint, rippling patterns. It was almost mesmerizing.
He took a deep breath, rolling his shoulders as he prepared to enter. "Let's see what you've got," he muttered.
The moment he stepped through the barrier, a blinding flash of light consumed his vision. He felt a strange sensation, like being pulled in multiple directions at once. Then, just as suddenly, the light faded, and he found himself standing in a completely different world.
---
Alulu blinked, adjusting to his new surroundings. Gone were the dark, pulsating walls of the sphere. Instead, he stood in the middle of a bustling medieval town. The cobblestone streets were lined with quaint houses, their thatched roofs and wooden beams giving the town a rustic charm.
The air was filled with the sounds of laughter, music, and the chatter of merchants hawking their wares. Stalls overflowed with vibrant fruits, fresh vegetables, and handmade goods. Children ran through the streets, playing games while their parents looked on with smiles.
Alulu furrowed his brow, taking it all in. It was… peaceful. Joyful, even.
His guard rose slightly, the contrast between this idyllic scene and the nature of the spheres setting off warning bells in his mind. He had been in enough spheres to know that nothing was ever as it seemed.
But for now, there were no threats. Just people.
As he walked through the town, Alulu noticed that it wasn't just humans. Demi-humans walked alongside them—beings with animal-like features, horns, tails, or fur-covered limbs. They mingled with humans easily, as if this coexistence was the most natural thing in the world.
A demi-human woman with fox-like ears caught his eye, giving him a friendly wave as she passed by. Alulu returned the gesture, his expression softening slightly.
Despite himself, he felt a strange sense of calm. Maybe this sphere really was different. Maybe it wasn't hiding some dark secret.
But deep down, he knew better.
As the day wore on, Alulu wandered the streets, taking in the sights and sounds. He even stopped at a stall to purchase an apple from a grinning merchant, the sweet fruit reminding him of simpler times. The sun began to set, casting the town in a warm, golden glow.
Night fell, but the town didn't grow quiet. If anything, the energy intensified. Lanterns were lit, casting soft, flickering light across the streets. People danced in the town square, their laughter echoing into the night.
Alulu stood at the edge of the festivities, his arms crossed as he watched. Despite the cheerful atmosphere, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to go horribly wrong.
And then it did.
---
It happened in an instant.
One moment, the town was alive with music and joy. The next, a scream cut through the air, sharp and bloodcurdling.
Alulu's head snapped toward the source, his body tensing as he scanned the crowd. More screams followed, chaos erupting as people began to flee in all directions.
A group of figures emerged from the shadows, moving with terrifying speed and precision. They were draped in brown cloaks that covered their entire bodies, their faces obscured beneath deep hoods. Each one carried a wicked blade, the edges gleaming in the lantern light.
Without hesitation, the cloaked figures attacked.
Alulu moved instantly, his body a blur as he sprinted toward the nearest group of civilians. He grabbed a young boy who had fallen, pulling him out of the path of an oncoming blade just in time.
"Get out of here!" Alulu shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos. "Run!"
The boy's parents rushed forward, grabbing him and fleeing into the night. Alulu turned back to the attackers, his eyes narrowing as he assessed the situation.
The cloaked figures moved with inhuman speed, their blades cutting down anyone in their path. Blood splattered across the cobblestones, mixing with the discarded remnants of the town's earlier joy.
Alulu's fists clenched, his blue aura flaring to life as he prepared to engage. He didn't know who these attackers were or why they were doing this, but it didn't matter.
He was here to stop them.
The first cloaked figure lunged at him, its blade flashing toward his chest. Alulu dodged to the side, his movements fluid as he countered with a devastating punch to the figure's ribs. The impact sent the attacker flying, crashing into a nearby stall with a sickening crunch.
Another came at him from behind, but Alulu was ready. He spun, his foot lashing out in a high kick that connected with the figure's head, snapping it back violently.
The attackers weren't human. He could tell by the way they moved, the way they fought. There was something off about them—something twisted.
Alulu didn't care.
He moved through the chaos like a storm, his fists and feet striking with precision and power. Each blow landed with the force of a hammer, breaking bones and sending the cloaked figures sprawling.
But for every one he took down, more appeared from the shadows, their blades glinting ominously in the flickering light.
Alulu's mind raced. This wasn't just a random attack. This was a coordinated massacre. And if he didn't stop it soon, the entire town would be slaughtered.
He gritted his teeth, his aura flaring brighter as he prepared to push himself even further.
No one else was going to die tonight.
Not if he could help it.